Governor Otti Pledges Full Functionality For 948 Primary Healthcare Centres

Governor Otti pledges full functionality for 948 primary healthcare centres. Mr Otti said the state government had approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia has said that his administration remains committed to fully functionalising all 948 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state, with emphasis on quality standards and sustainability.

Mr Otti made the pledge on Friday night during a monthly media chat with newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia.

He said that although 200 PHCs had been completed, they would not be inaugurated until they had been properly equipped and adequately staffed.

He explained that the focus was not only on infrastructure, “but on delivering functional health services to residents”.

The governor said: “In the area of healthcare, we continue to functionalise the primary healthcare centres.

“The 200 of them that we have completed, we are taking our time to ensure that minimum standards are met.

“So, what we do is that the primary healthcare center is ready. It does not mean it will be inaugurated.

“It will only be inaugurated when we have the required equipment and healthcare professionals.”

Mr Otti said the state government had approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals but pointed out that only 569 could be engaged due to manpower constraints.

“That has meant that we are not able to meet the needs of all the primary healthcare centres that we have completed,” he said.

He disclosed that he had directed that the recruitment portal remain open to attract more qualified personnel.

“We have asked those interested to continue to apply until we get to the required number,” he said.

The governor said that he had approved the commencement of Phase II of the PHC upgrade, tagged “Project Ekwueme”, which would cover another 200 centres.

“We have promised that we will not stop until the 948 primary healthcare centers have been touched,” he said.

Mr Otti said that 77 PHCs had already been retrofitted with support from the World Bank, adding that efforts were also ongoing to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.

On service delivery, he said the state had begun to digitalise operations in PHCs and introduce telemedicine to enhance access to care.

“A doctor can sit in Umuahia and look at your case, prescribe medication and provide solutions without necessarily sitting across the table with you,” he said.

Mr Otti said that the overall goal was to ensure that every community in the state had access to a modern and fully functional primary healthcare centre.

He said that the state was recording significant progress at the tertiary healthcare level, with several health facilities undergoing extensive upgrades.

According to him, about six general hospitals are being retrofitted, alongside the construction of a new general hospital in Ukwa East, expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Mr Otti also said that major works were ongoing at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba; Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara; and the General Hospital, Umunneato.

“The work going on in these hospitals is very extensive. We are taking it in our stride, and I can assure you it is progressing very well,” he said.

He further said that the state government had received its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (MRI), donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Abia never had an MRI machine before now, and we are grateful to the Church for donating a state-of-the-art MRI, valued at about one million dollars,” he said.

“We are setting up a diagnostic centre at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, where the MRI and other equipment, like X-rays, will be installed,” he said.

On education and power, Mr Otti said that electricity had been restored to Abia State University, Uturu, after more than a decade of outage.

“We inaugurated and switched on a 5MW substation, and now anytime there is power, the university will have electricity,” he said.

He said that the state had also approved a 15MW independent power project to further strengthen electricity supply.

“By the time it is completed, the university may decide to detach from the national grid,” Mr Otti said.

He also said that efforts were ongoing to extend electricity to more communities, particularly in Ukwa East, through Aba Power Limited.

In the culture and tourism sector, he said that the state had partnered with the federal government to rehabilitate the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum, both in Umuahia.

He described the initiative as a major step in preserving the nation’s history and boosting tourism in Abia.

He said the state’s development agencies – Greater Aba Development Agency, Greater Ohafia Development Agency, and Umuahia Capital Development Agency – were performing well in transforming the state.

On hospitality, Mr Otti said that the reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel, in partnership with Radisson Blu, was progressing steadily.

“We expect that within 12 months, the first phase of about 120 rooms will be ready for public use,” he said.

He also said that discussions were ongoing with another five-star hotel brand to convert the Government House at Ogurube Layout into a hospitality facility.

Mr Otti confirmed that the Government House would remain at its present location on Akan Ibiam/Library Avenue, Umuahia, adding that it was an ideal location.

“The Government House is not moving from here. So, since it’s not moving, we decided to hand over the other building to a five-star hotel brand.”

The governor said that work was nearing completion at the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, with plans to commence pilot operations soon.

“The entire place is being cleaned up now. And by the time it’s done, we will start pilot activities and eventually inaugurate it,” he said.

On aviation, he said that the construction of the Abia International Airport runway was progressing smoothly.

Governor Otti

“This is a partnership with the Federal Government. While we are building the runway, the Federal Government is responsible for the terminal,” he said.

Mr Otti also said that the Nigerian Air Force had been allocated 200 hectares of land for the construction of a training school and base within the airport.

In agriculture, he said that Presco Plc had committed 200 million dollars to oil palm cultivation and processing across 40,000 hectares in the state.

He said that Abia was selected for the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

“The land has been identified, and the project will commence soon,” the governor said.

He further said that work was progressing on the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP), describing it as a long-term project involving multiple sectors.

He said that all the partners that indicated interest in AIIP and in partnering with the State Government on the project were still very serious.

“Some of them have gotten to the level of final investment decisions, and we are very enthusiastic about having the AIIP properly kick off.

“But don’t forget that it’s a long-term project, involving modular refinery, renewable energy, gas projects, fertilizer projects, chemicals, and so on.

“So, it’s an integrated innovation and industrial park,” Mr Otti said.

On infrastructure, he reiterated the commitment of the state government to continue implementing its rebuilding agenda.

He said that over 50 infrastructural projects were ongoing across the state, while discussions were in top gear to kick-start the Abia State Integrated Development Programme (ABSID).

“Just two days ago, we had a meeting with the AfDB, Federal Ministry of Finance, and IsDB for ABSID.

“A few of the knotty areas, we tried to untie them with the last meeting we had and, hopefully, I have given a deadline of April for us to kick-start that multimillion-dollar project.

“The projects involve a lot of roads and other infrastructural projects,” Mr Otti said.

The governor further referenced the recent inauguration of a privately owned 35 million dollar beverage plant in Aba, adding that additional investment phases by the organisers were already underway.

He expressed the resolve of the state government to support ventures that boost job creation and GDP growth, as well as significantly reduce poverty in society.

Health Study: Ejaculating Frequently May Boost Sperm Qualit

A new study has found that sperm quality declines during prolonged s3xual abstinence due to extended storage in the body.

The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B on Monday, analysed semen data from 115 studies involving nearly 55,000 men, as well as 56 studies across 30 animal species, including birds, bees, reptiles, and other mammals, to assess the impact of sperm storage.

The findings showed that prolonged abstinence reduced sperm health, with declines in motility (ability to swim) and viability (how many are alive), and increased DNA damage.

In animals, the study found that embryos produced from stored sperm — whether kept in males before ejaculation or in females before fertilisation — had lower survival rates.

Researchers noted that the decline in quality may stem from biological changes in stored sperm compared to newly produced ones.

They also found that while sperm quality deteriorates in females after mating, the process occurs more slowly than in males, thanks to protective substances within the female reproductive tract that aid sperm preservation.

In humans, sperm can survive inside the female body for several days. In contrast, species such as queen ants, bees, and female bats are capable of storing sperm for months or even years before fertilisation.

The study’s authors suggested the findings could carry implications for infertility treatment, indicating that using freshly ejaculated sperm may lead to better fertility outcomes.

While the World Health Organization currently recommends abstaining from ejaculation for two to seven days prior to providing a sperm sample for analysis or procedures like IVF, the study proposes that shorter abstinence periods may be more beneficial for optimising sperm quality.

Sperm Qualit

Lead author Krish Sanghvi advised that prolonged abstinence may not always be advantageous, emphasising that sperm quality — not just quantity — plays a critical role in fertilisation success.

“All we recommend is that clinicians and couples reconsider whether long abstinence is always good, because abstinence leads to deterioration in sperm quality,” Sanghvi said.

“If sperm quantity is the only thing that matters for a clinic or couple, then s3xual abstinence is not necessarily a bad thing. But usually fertilisation success will be determined not only by how many sperm there are but the quality of the sperm too, for example, in IVF.”

2025: Top Strategic CEO’s Of Nigeria’sost Transformative Companies

2025: Top strategic CEO’s of Nigeria’s most transformative companies. Healing the System: Dr. Dickson Bada’s Blueprint for NMSL’s Healthcare Renaissance.

In Nigeria’s complex healthcare landscape, a transformative leader has emerged, poised to revolutionise the nation’s medical ecosystem. Meet Dr. Dickson Bada, a visionary surgeon and healthcare strategist, who, as Chief Operating Officer of NNPC Medical Services Limited (NMSL), is steering the organisation towards unprecedented excellence. With a rare blend of clinical expertise and business acumen, Dr. Bada is redefining the contours of healthcare delivery in NMSL, one innovative solution at a time.

As the helm of NMSL, Dr. Bada oversees six hospitals across the country, driving medical strategy, operational governance, and digital transformation. His leadership has been instrumental in NMSL’s remarkable turnaround, from a negative net profit position to a financially disciplined, growth-oriented organisation, delivering a positive net profit in 2025.

In this exclusive profile, Dr. Bada shares his insights on healthcare innovation, leadership, and the future of Nigeria’s medical sector, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a trailblazer who is reimagining the possibilities of healthcare in Africa’s most populous nation.

Dr. Dickson Bada is a healthcare strategist and consultant surgeon who is redefining enterprise leadership in Nigeria’s evolving medical landscape. As Chief Operating Officer of NNPC Medical Services Limited (NMSL), he oversees six hospitals across Abuja, Benin, Kaduna, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri, leading the organisation’s medical strategy, operational governance, digital transformation, and long-term sustainability agenda.

A Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, Dr. Bada trained in Minimal Access Surgery at the University of Strasbourg and later advanced his expertise in Medical Informatics at City University London.

Dr. Bada’s professional journey spans roles in the UK and Nigeria. At Garki Hospital, Abuja, he contributed to Nigeria’s first Hospital Public-Private Partnership initiative and spearheaded the acquisition of one of Abuja’s earliest MRIs.His rare blend of surgical mastery and systems intelligence has shaped his reputation as a leader who understands both clinical excellence and the enterprise architecture required to deliver it at scale.

At NMSL, Dr. Bada has driven structural reforms designed to secure financial stability, strengthen governance frameworks, and enhance operational efficiency in a challenging economic environment. His leadership has included business model realignment, organisational restructuring, workforce optimisation, and the enhancement of the hospital-wide Health Information System (HIS), positioning the organisation for data-driven decision-making and deeper digital integration.

In just 10 months at the helm of NMSL, he has transformed the company from a negative net profit position into a financially disciplined, growth-oriented organisation, delivering a positive net profit in 2025. He accomplished this by leveraging IT-driven efficiencies, securing strategic corporate partnerships, streamlining procurement, and implementing robust cost-control measures. Thereby, unlocking new revenue streams and driving operational efficiency.

At the heart of NMSL’s transformation is NNPC Multispecialty Hospital (NMSH) Utako, Abuja, the organisation’s flagship hospital. It is positioned as an advanced secondary and tertiary referral facility, open to serving all Nigerians. The hospital offers comprehensive, multi-speciality care, including emergency, surgical, medical, diagnostic, and occupational health services.

Under Dr. Bada’s leadership, there is a deliberate shift towards minimal access techniques, achieving successful outcomes that have reduced recovery time, minimised complications, and enabled patients return to productivity faster. The recent commencement of interventional radiology procedures and the planned introduction of advanced robotic orthopaedic surgeries further demonstrate his innovative leadership and commitment to cutting-edge care.

He has also led capital engagements to expand specialised services and regional capabilities, aligning clinical growth with fiscal responsibility. Under his leadership, NMSH Utako, Abuja, now operates at a sustainable scale, with a strategic focus and an enhanced competitive edge. The organisation’s other hospitals in Benin, Kaduna, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri are progressing toward similar operational maturity, positioning NMSL as a benchmark for excellence in the sector.

Top Strategic CEO’s Of Nigeria’sost Transformative Companies

Beyond infrastructure and profitability, Dr. Bada prioritises stakeholder trust, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. He embeds good clinical practice standards and structured infection prevention systems across operations. He also champions professional development and international collaboration, maintaining engagement with global surgical institutions such as the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and IRCAD to align local practice with global benchmarks.

Recognised for aligning medicine with enterprise strategy, Dr. Bada represents a new generation of healthcare executives in Nigeria. He views hospitals not merely as clinical centres, but as complex institutions requiring governance discipline, technological innovation, and long-term strategic vision.

His leadership philosophy is clear: Sustainable healthcare reform must be systemic, accountable, and economically viable. Under his stewardship, NMSL continues to strengthen its position as a forward-looking healthcare enterprise committed to delivering advanced care to all Nigerians