The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to identifying, nurturing, and promoting the creative potential of Abia youths as a key strategy for economic transformation and empowerment.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, at the grand finale of the Abia Talent Hunt tagged “Abia Beyond Creativity”, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, Umuahia, Governor Otti described the initiative as one of the flagship programmes of his administration. He noted that the platform was designed to discover, empower, and showcase the diverse talents and skills of young Abians, while providing them opportunities to compete globally.
Governor Otti emphasized that his administration places great value on youth creativity, adding that arts, culture, and innovation remain critical pillars for the economic prosperity of the new Abia. He assured that government will continue to create an enabling environment for young people to explore their potential and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
In his address, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Mathew Ekwuribe, described the event as “a celebration of possibilities and a manifestation of creativity.” He noted that the Talent Hunt has provided the state with an avenue to discover young men and women whose creativity can “light up a city with limitless imagination.” According to him, the initiative stands as a testament to Governor Otti’s bold vision that sees the creative sector as a powerful driver of development, empowerment, and economic growth.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Chief Nwaobilor Ananaba, commended the participants for their discipline and creativity, stressing that the Otti administration is committed to nurturing talent and promoting innovation among the youth.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of cheques of ₦2 million, ₦1.5 million, and ₦1 million respectively to the first, second, and third-place winners, alongside other consolation prizes. The overall winner, Mr. Kelechi Kelvin, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the rare opportunity to showcase their talents, pledging to continue developing his creative abilities.
The Abia Talent Hunt has continued to affirm the Otti administration’s vision of positioning Abia as a hub for creativity, innovation, and youth-driven transformation.
