Otti Names Umuahia Bus Terminal After FUTO Vice-Chancellor

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has named the newly completed Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti, in recognition of her role during the 2023 governorship election in the state.  

The governor made the announcement during the inauguration of the multimodal transport facility in Umuahia, describing Prof. Nnannaya-Oti as a symbol of courage, integrity and commitment to truth. According to Otti, the decision to immortalise the academic was informed by the role she played as the Independent National Electoral Commission returning officer during the highly contested 2023 Abia governorship election.  

Speaking at the event, Otti said the vice-chancellor demonstrated uncommon bravery by standing firmly by the electoral process despite intense pressure and intimidation during the collation of results. He noted that her conduct inspired confidence in democratic institutions and became a defining moment in Abia’s political history.  

“This terminal has been named after Professor Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti, the courageous INEC returning officer who demonstrated unflinching integrity in the discharge of her duties,” the governor stated during his address.  

Otti added that the honour was not solely about the vice-chancellor but also represented every electoral official, security personnel and citizen who resisted manipulation and defended the integrity of the democratic process during the election period.  

The newly inaugurated bus terminal forms part of the Abia State Government’s broader transport reform agenda aimed at modernising urban transportation and improving mobility within the state capital. The governor explained that the facility was designed to accommodate over 340 buses and would support safer, more organised and efficient transport operations. He also disclosed that electric buses have already been introduced into the state’s transport system, with more expected to arrive in phases.  

In her remarks, Prof. Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti said she merely acted according to her conscience and professional responsibility during the election process. She maintained that protecting the mandate of voters remained the right thing to do regardless of external pressure.  

The inauguration ceremony also featured tributes to the late former Abia Commissioner for Transport, Sonny Onwuma, whose contributions to the state’s transport sector were acknowledged during the event.