Gov Otti in a group photograph with Nigeria Navy Commanders.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for supporting infrastructural development at the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance, Owerrinta, describing the partnership between the state government and the Nigerian Navy as vital to effective training, personnel welfare and operational efficiency.
Abbas gave the commendation on Monday at the commissioning of the college’s improved internal roads, resurfaced parade ground, reconstructed swimming pool and 10 one-bedroom transit accommodation units for junior officers.
Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele, the naval chief also commended security agencies for their collaboration in maintaining peace in Abia State.
He noted that the proposed Azumini Seaport could create opportunities for trade, investment and employment, stressing the importance of adequate security arrangements to protect the project and its supporting infrastructure.
Abbas explained that the establishment of a naval base in the area would require careful consideration of operational requirements, logistics and funding.
He urged the college management to maintain the facilities and charged personnel to uphold discipline, accountability and integrity, adding that resources entrusted to the Navy belonged to the Nigerian people and must be managed responsibly.
Commissioning the projects, Otti appreciated the Nigerian Navy for its contributions to education, healthcare and community development in Abia State.
He expressed hope that the Navy would expand its educational activities in the state to include secondary and vocational institutions.
Otti noted that education and security were closely linked, adding that, “We are as interested in education as we are in security because, of a truth, both are intricately connected.”
The governor added that investment in human capital development would equip young people with useful skills and reduce their vulnerability to crime.
The governor also commended the college for its medical outreach to residents of the host community and neighbouring communities, as well as its partnership with the Abia State Leadership Academy during the 2026 Leadership Training Boot Camp.
Otti urged the Navy to sustain its community service initiatives and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies, assuring that his administration would continue to support security institutions and public establishments serving the people of Abia, irrespective of where their personnel draw their salaries.
On the proposed Azumini Seaport, the governor welcomed the Nigerian Navy’s willingness to collaborate with the state government, expressing interest in establishing a naval base in the area as part of preparations for the project.
He disclosed that feasibility studies were ongoing and expressed confidence in its eventual realisation.
“We want to work with you closely to have a Naval Base in Azumini as a preparatory step for the seaport. I can assure you that the seaport will be a reality,” Otti stated.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance, Owerrinta, Commodore Babatunde Quadri, expressed appreciation to the governor and the Chief of the Naval Staff for their contributions to the college’s infrastructural development.
He said the projects demonstrated the value of institutional cooperation and responsible resource management, noting that the improved roads, parade ground, swimming pool and transit accommodation would create a more conducive environment for training, professional development and personnel welfare.
Quadri reaffirmed the college’s commitment to producing disciplined, competent and ethically grounded personnel while supporting internal security operations in collaboration with other agencies.
Providing details of the projects, the Training Commander of NNCAF, Navy Captain Mohammed Umar, explained that the approximately one-kilometre stretch of previously unpaved internal roads was approved by Otti in April 2025.
He said construction commenced in April 2026 and was completed in September 2026.
He further disclosed that the Abia State Government provided asphalt paving equipment, heavy-duty machinery and technical personnel for the resurfacing of the parade ground, which was completed in the first week of October 2026, following approval and funding by the Chief of the Naval Staff.
The commissioning was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (retd.), and other senior government officials.