Otti Announces N385m Support For Abia Talent Hunt

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced donations totalling N385m and 100 sewing machines for the Safe Tent Care Initiative, assuring all 13 contestants at the Rising Gem Talent Discovery Show grand finale of a minimum reward of N500,000 each.

Otti made the announcements on Friday at the event organised by the First Lady, Priscilla Otti.

He said Prince Arthur Eze donated N150m, while an anonymous donor contributed N100m and 100 sewing machines. Another donor gave N75m, while Chief Tony Chukwu donated N50m. An additional N10m came from an unnamed donor in Lagos.

The governor thanked the donors and urged others to support the initiative, noting that more funding was needed to expand its impact.

He expressed confidence that the donations would bring the First Lady closer to her N1b fundraising target.

Otti commended his wife for using the initiative to identify and promote young talents, particularly in rural communities.

“Quite frankly, if she didn’t come up with this kind of initiative, I wouldn’t know that we have this kind of talent in the villages,” he said.

He praised the organising team, judges, entertainers and other contributors, including media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and musician Buchi Atuonwu, for their support.

The governor also acknowledged the presence of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and commended UNICEF for expressing readiness to partner with the state.

He expressed optimism that the next edition would be bigger and better, thanking guests for their patience and participation.

Otti said the contestants were all winners, adding that no participant would leave the event empty-handed.