Otti stressed that experience and conviction have proven that education presents the surest path towards overcoming the burden of poverty and the bondages that come with ignorance.
He said this during the centenary anniversary celebration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference, held on Sunday, at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba area of the state.
He commended the SDA church for investing in education and other areas in the state.
The governor said he is passionate about the future of the youth, therefore, his administration is currently exploring proper channels of partnership with the church to improve the lives of the people of the state, explaining that such positive partnership would help in expanding the frontiers of learning for millions of young Abia people.
The governor noted, “Our government, just like the church, is very much interested in education, which in my experience and conviction, presents the surest path to overcoming the burden of poverty and the bondages that come with ignorance.
“Our government will also be keen to partner with the church in social service areas, particularly health and poverty alleviation, especially for our women in rural communities.”
Otti reiterated his commitment to serving the residents, stressing that he must discharge the functions of his office in fairness to all people, adding that resources are available to him to fight the menace of poverty, material wretchedness and sad realities that have weakened the faith of many Abia people.
Otti thanked the church for sustaining the efforts of the early fathers of the faith who brought the church to Eastern Nigeria.
He said the journey for the next 100 years for the church has begun and advised the members to reconsider their priorities, especially in the light of the theme of the centenary celebration, “Almost Home.”
In his sermon with the theme, “Almost Home” the General Conference President of the SDA, Ted Wilson, urged all Christians to focus on the mission of Jesus Christ and ensure they make it to heaven in the end.
