The Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Oliver Aba, has charged Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to exhibit the virtues of good leadership and remain upright in his dealings.

Mr Aba gave the charge on Saturday when he paid Mr Otti a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

The prelate urged the governor to rely on God for divine guidance and wisdom to perform his duties as the leader of the state.

He said, “I charge you to remain upright in your dealings. Leadership has many virtues but a leader who walks with God is best equipped to lead, therefore I charge you foremost to walk with God and remember righteousness exalts a nation. God has brought you to start a new Abia State.’’

Mr Aba said that being courageous would give the governor the ability to challenge the old governance order and the resilience to build sustainable structures and institutions.

“Do not be afraid to make the right decisions, remember to be of good courage for the Lord is with you. I charge you to harbour no enmity, the powers vested in your office must be used for good,” he said.

Mr Aba commended the present administration for clearing salaries and pension arrears as well as establishing a system that enabled pensioners and civil servants to be paid on the 28th of every month.

He also commended the present administration on its achievements in the various sectors of the state’s economy and for promoting good governance.

Mr Aba said that these developments had given the state a positive outlook which had transformed the state into an investors’ haven.

The prelate urged the government to establish institutions and introduce practices that would encourage sustainable development in the state

Responding, Mr Otti thanked the Christian Community and the Methodist Church of Nigeria for the massive support they gave to him during the campaign and election period.

The governor also thanked the prelate for the charge which he gave which aligned perfectly with the rebuilding agenda of the government.

He said that the present administration promoted “very selfless leadership in the state” as it worked to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people of Abia.

“The leadership of Abia is oriented towards the welfare of the people and we have taken very bold initiatives in reversing anything that is not in the interest of the people,” Mr Otti said.

He assured that the government under his watch would deliver good governance to the people of Abia.

“We are not perfect and we do not say that we do not make mistakes but deliberate efforts at doing things that would not be in the interest of the people; it would not happen here under watch,” Mr Otti said. (NAN)