GOVERNOR OTTI CELEBRATES FORMER HALLMARK MD/CEO AND APC CHIEFTAIN, SIR MARC WABARA AT 75; ANNOUNCES STATE CELEBRATION IN HIS HONOUR.

Yesterday, 26th February, the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, joined family members, friends and well-wishers to celebrate a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hallmark Bank, Sir Marc Wabara, as he marked his 75th birthday, at his country home of Ohambele, Ndoki, Ukwa East LGA.

Governor Otti had earlier in the day performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the first General Hospital in Ukwa East LGA, and received thousands of opposition decammpees into the Labour Party who joined the party citing the Governor’s good works across the State.

Speaking during the unplanned small event according to the celebrant, Governor Otti described Sir Marc Wabara who currently chairs a seven-member Abia State APC committee working with the national body on the State Congress, as a mentor, senior brother and the man who taught us banking.”

In the Governors words, “So, we are happy that God has kept you in good health and in peace of mind. We are very happy that you are a good man, having helped the society,” Governor Otti stated while thanking those around him and pronouncing blessing on them for their service to a great man.

Speaking further, the Governor said, “Sir Marc Wabara is one of those people that have done well, represented us well, and today is his birthday, we want to thank God for preserving his life.

“In our character, we celebrate people like this, and we will celebrate him.

“So, while you are marking your birthday quietly today, you know the Wife is my aunty, I call her aunty. I call her aunty anytime anyday.

“So, I will work with my aunty…so, we are here now and we are celebrating. There will be a celebration that would be hosted by the State,” Governor Otti stated amidst applause.

“And, subject to Aunty’s approval, I will like it to happen before Easter. But, if it can’t happen before Easter, then, shortly after Easter, and we will do it in Umuahia and the bill will be on the State,” Dr Otti stated.

The Governor assigned the responsibility of Organising the birthday celebration to the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who will work him to confirm a date for the event.

“We celebrate great men and we will celebrate him,” the Governor concluded.

Responding, the celebrant, Sir Marc Wabara, expressed his profound gratitude to Governor Alex Otti, OFR, for finding time out of his very busy schedule to personally identify and celebrate with him on the joyous occasion of his 75th birthday.

He added that his home remains the Governor’s home at all times, emphasizing the deep bond of respect and goodwill they share.

“It only takes a very good and excellent relationship for a Governor of our State to still be out by this time. About 9:30 PM, this is a confirmation that this is your home.

“At the end of the day, politics is such that you have professional politicians and you have people we call professionals in politics.

‘And, we want to thank God that you tried it a few times and today, you are an embodiment of good performance of good professionals in politics.

“And, I look around and see the love that you have, given our relationship, our personal relationship that has extended to the Wabara family.

“I recall a few years ago when we lost our sister-in-law and I told you about that. Your Excellency, you came here and you commiserated with us personally.

“When eventually I joined the APC in 2017, and later on, I became the Senatorial candidate of the party, I visited you.

“And one of the reasons I visited you at that time was that, I was convinced that Abia needed somebody like you.

The APC chieftain who said that political parties are mere platforms for those who want to serve the public to seek election into public Offices, thanked Governor Otti for his good works since he became the Governor of Abia State.

“Thank you for what you have been doing since you became the Governor. At a point in time, we were thinking and praying that you should’ve come back to APC, because you were in APC.

“Be that as it may, the important thing in life apart from the political platform is good governance for the people of Abia State. And, we thank God that God is using you mightyly.

He thanked the Governor, his entourage and the people working with him, saying that “A king or leader is as great as the quality of people who work with him.”

Sir Marc thanked the Governor for honouring him with a visit to share in the joy of his 75th birthday, and for committing to host a State Birthday for him.

He prayed God to continue to honour and Bless Governor Otti.

Governor Otti was accompanied to the event by the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini and some of his colleagues, including the Hon. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
February 27th, 2026.