Governor Alex Otti says he will not blame President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari and other Nigerian leaders for the wrenching economic crises besetting the country. Rather, the Abia honcho urged his compatriots to avoid “past bad behaviours.”

Africa’s largest economy and the most populous nation faces unprecedented hardships characterised by stagflation, insecurity, and widespread hunger during peacetime.

But Mr Otti said, “I will also refuse to blame anyone for Nigeria’s economic crisis but, rather, see the economic upheavals as opportunity to turn from our past bad behaviours, start afresh and, with persistence, reclaim our place in the world.”

The Abia governor stated this on Tuesday at the 2024 Abia Women August Delegates Conference. He touted his administration’s progress, attributing that to the insights gained from women contributing to the governance of the state.

According to Mr Otti, the event’s theme, ‘Utilising Growth Opportunities Amid Current Economic Challenges, ‘ concerns the reality of the times, urging Nigerians to think outside the box.

He added, “If we have the courage to move away from the false expectations of old, I can assure you that we shall begin to see a drastic turnaround in our economic fortunes.

“Agriculture, trading, services and the general spectrum entrepreneurship offer us a clear path out of the present misery. I encourage you to look around and find where you are best suited to thrive.

“We have large expanse of arable land in our various communities, so if we face agriculture squarely, hunger and food scarcity will, in no time, become old tales.”

He noted that at a time of “serious economic difficulties such as this, the managerial capacity of our women has proven very useful in the survival of many families.”

The conference was held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia.

“We are also here to learn a thing or two from the womenfolk who have shown great capacity at mobilisation, organisation and resourcefulness,” the governor said.

He added that sharing in Nigerian women and mothers’ excitement was always joyful because “their happiness makes things better for all at home and in the communities.”

Mr Otti added, “We are better as a people when women get the support they need to play their many very important roles in the immediate and wider human community. At a time of serious economic difficulties such as this, the managerial capacity of our women has proven very useful in the survival of many families.

“Today, therefore, provides us a great opportunity to say thank you to our mothers and wives for keeping us from sinking and always offering reliable lifejackets through their resourcefulness.”

(NAN)