Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to focus on projecting the country’s positive achievements to the global community, rather than amplifying its shortcomings.
He made this statement during a reception held in his honour following the commissioning and inspection of the newly completed 2x15MVA Ogbor Hill substation by Aba Power, a subsidiary of Geometric Power, in Abia State.
Chief Obasanjo lauded the achievements of Professor Bart Nnaji, Chairman and CEO of Geometric Power Group, describing him as a shining example of Nigerian ingenuity and resilience. He urged Nigerians to look inward and support local talents capable of driving national transformation.
“Nigeria is blessed with individuals who can make the country proud. Professor Bart Nnaji has proven his worth through Geometric Power. It’s time we harness these talents and support initiatives that reflect our potential,” Obasanjo stated.
He appealed to the Abia State Government to give full backing to Geometric Power’s mission of turning Abia—and the wider South East—into Nigeria’s leading industrial hub through stable electricity supply. He also encouraged Nigerians to emulate Professor Nnaji’s two-decade-long perseverance in establishing a fully indigenous power plant.
Obasanjo further urged Geometric Power to expand its electricity coverage to the remaining eight local government areas in Abia that are not yet within the existing “ring-fenced” power zone.
In response, Governor Alex Otti announced plans by his administration to acquire the Umuahia ring-fence from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to ensure power supply to the remaining local governments not currently served by Geometric Power.
The Governor directed the state’s Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities to engage with Geometric Power on the possibility of wheeling excess power to the Umuahia region. He also thanked Chief Obasanjo for his earlier decision—while in office—to designate Aba as a ring-fenced area for independent power generation, a move that preceded the recent federal government policy allowing states to regulate electricity.
Governor Otti commended Professor Nnaji for his unwavering commitment to the Aba Integrated Power Project, which he described as a transformative investment for the state.
In his remarks, Professor Bart Nnaji thanked both the former president and the current governor for their pivotal roles in actualizing the $800 million power project. He outlined the vision of the Aba Integrated Power Project, emphasizing its goal of providing consistent, locally generated electricity to drive industrial growth and development in the region.