Isiala Ngwa (Abia) – Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia has called on Nigerians to pray for peace and unity ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Orji made the call on Friday during a civic reception in honour of the former Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr Alex Otti.

“I urge you to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria before the 2015 general elections.

“We should pray for the continued corporate existence of Nigeria so that the 2015 general election will be held in a peaceful atmosphere,’’ he said.

He commended Otti for his humanitarian services, describing him as a good man.

The governor called on well-meaning Nigerians to use their God-given positions to affect the lives of others ’so that people would speak well of them.

Eze Okechukwu Ananaba, the traditional ruler of Okohia Autonomous Community, said the reception was organised to appreciate Otti’s remarkable contributions to the development of Ngwaland for 25 years.

Ananaba, who is also the spokesman of the monarchs, said that Otti excelled in his banking career, citing his innovations at Diamond Bank as an instance.

In his response, Otti thanked the monarchs for honouring him with the reception.

He was later conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Ugwu Ngwa 1 of Ngwaland” (The pride of Ngwaland).

The wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, was represented on the occasion by Mrs Precious Gbeneol, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Also in attendance were the former Governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, and former Minister of Information, Dr Walter Ofonagoro.

The reception was organised by the Federation of All Traditional Rulers of Ngwa at Umueleghele in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. (NAN)