Economy
Alex Otti Sets To Fix Both Federal, State Projects In Abia
Alex Otti Sets To Fix Both Federal, State Projects In Abia
Alex Otti sets to fix both federal, state projects in Abia. The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has said that he would continue to fix broken and decayed infrastructure in Abia State for the benefit of the people, not minding whether they are federal or state projects.
Otti stated this during a Sunday service at the Living Word Church, Aba, the commercial hub of the state.
He revealed that the state government is currently renovating the permanent orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps, which is a Federal Government facility in the Bende Local Government Area of the state.
Otti said, “The NYSC orientation camp is a federal project but as we know in Abia, we really don’t distinguish between federal and state projects, otherwise, we would not be doing Port Harcourt Road today because it’s a federal road.
We will not be dualizing from the boundary in Owerrinta to Umuikaa; if we wanted to distinguish between federal and state, that’s a federal road, but we are working on it. We will not be doing Ohafia to Arochukwu Road because it’s a federal road but we are doing it.
“When the state Director of NYSC approached us for help, we sent a team to go and look at the place, and the team reported that the camp has 26 buildings plus a hall, all of them in a terrible state of disrepair.
“Nine halls were identified that required serious attention. The least quoted by contractors to fix the place was about N3.6 billion and we decided to do it by direct labour, which cost the state government about N520 million, saving over N3 billion quoted by contractors.
News coming out is that the 9 plus one building have been done by direct labour, completed and instead of spending N3.6 billion, we only spent N520 million. That is how we’ve been able to do most of the things we have done this 20 months without borrowing a kobo; we have not borrowed.”
He explained that he doesn’t hate borrowing, but will only borrow when it is necessary.
Speaking further he asserted that his administration is impatient with dishonest people.
He enthused, “One thing that this administration brings is honesty. And, any time we encounter dishonest people, we are very impatient with them. So, if you want to be a good friend of this administration, remain honest because this administration was brought by God and God is honesty Himself.
“We also have learned, amid scarcity, amid economic crisis, to be very prudent. What one hundred naira may not be able to do elsewhere, it will do it here.”
He thanked the church for its prayers and support right from the time he left his lucrative banking job for the liberation of the state, which took almost ten years to materialize.
Otti said that each time he remembers that there were genuine Abians, men, and women of God upholding him in their prayers, he was strengthened.
He commended the people for not giving up, saying that what is happening in the state today would not have happened if they had given up.
In his sermon, the founder and General Overseer of the Living Word Church, Brother Emma Okorie, described the emergence of Governor Otti as “captivity overturned.”
He recalled a time he went to Abuja to apply for a license to establish a university in Aba, and they told him that Aba was a garbage city and that they would not issue a license to establish a university in a garbage town. He told them that he was not from a garbage city and that the city they called garbage would one day become a golden city.
He said, “What he told them then is now manifesting under the leadership of Governor Otti, stressing that, the visible achievements of the governor are everywhere for all to see, except those who are blind to change.
Alex Otti
Hon. Fyne Ahuama, representing Osisioma South state constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, and his counterpart from Osisioma North state constituency, Hon. Iheanacho Nwaogu, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Chibueze Nwokocha, the Mayor of Osisioma, Hon. Chidi Agu, Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Timothy Iheke, the acting Chairman of the Labour Party in Abia, Hon. Emmanuel Nwaeze Oti, were among government functionaries and political leaders who joined Governor Otti in the worship service.
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.
UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.
Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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