Economy
Governor Otti Pledges Full Functionality For 948 Primary Healthcare Centres
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.
EFCC Arraigns Former SKye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni For N15.6b Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 4, 2026, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429).
Prosecution counsel E.E. Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial.
“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said.
Eereporter.com
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
Count five of the charge reads: “That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”
Fraud
Ayeni pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his “not guilty” plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.
Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.
Economy
World Press Freedom Day: FG Calls For Collaboration To Address Disinformation, Misinformation
World Press Freedom Day: FG Calls For Collaboration To Address Disinformation, Misinformation
The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration among the media, government institutions, and other stakeholders to address the growing threat of disinformation and misinformation, stressing that collective action is essential to protect public trust and national stability. The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 World Press Freedom Day commemoration held at Radio House.
“This administration has prioritised collaboration with media stakeholders and international partners to promote responsible journalism, counter disinformation and misinformation,” said the Minister.
He described press freedom as a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution, noting that the Federal Government remains fully committed to its protection. “The Federal Government fully recognises press freedom as a fundamental right and remains committed to fostering an environment where the media can operate freely, safely, and responsibly, in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” he stated.
Idris noted that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken deliberate steps to strengthen transparency and access to information through sustained media engagement, implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, and investment in public communication platforms.
Eereporter.com
He further pointed to Nigeria’s partnership with UNESCO in establishing the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja as a key step towards building a more informed and discerning public. “This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening media and information literacy, empowering citizens to engage with information critically, and promoting responsible communication in the digital age.”
The Minister urged journalists to uphold professionalism, fairness, and ethical standards in their work, stressing that press freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility. “The true test of press freedom lies not in our declarations, but in our actions, how safely journalists can do their work, how truthfully information is shared, and how responsibly it is consumed,” he said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, described the event as a critical platform for strengthening collaboration across institutions.
“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to strengthening press freedom and fostering a more informed and inclusive society. It provides an opportunity for constructive engagement on how best to advance a media environment that is both free and responsible,” she said.
World Press Freedom Day
Ukaire emphasised the need for coordinated responses to the challenges posed by the evolving information ecosystem, particularly the spread of misinformation. “The expansion of digital platforms has introduced new complexities that require coordinated institutional responses, especially in addressing misinformation and strengthening public trust,” she noted.
She added that the Ministry remains committed to facilitating dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and promoting professionalism within the media space.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to working with the media, civil society, and international partners to build a resilient information system that supports democratic governance, national unity, and sustainable development.
The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police, represented by FPRO, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, mni, mnipr; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, represented by Director of Protocol M. O. Chukwuka, fsi; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dilli Ezughah; Head of UNESCO Abuja Office, represented by the Head of Communication and Information Sector, Ms Yachat Nuhu.
Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Monday, May 4, 2026
NNPC, Chinese Firms Sign MoU Towards Restart, Expansion Of Warri, Port Harcourt Refineries
The NNPC Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership in support of the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.
The MoU was signed by the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari; Chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong and Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi, in Jiaxing City, China, on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Eereporter.com
The potential framework would cover completion of outstanding work at the two refineries, together with operating and maintaining both facilities to achieve best-in-class, sustainable performance. Planned expansion and upgrades would elevate both facilities to cleaner, more profitable product standards.
The potential collaboration also contemplates expanding the refineries’ petrochemical capacities and harnessing gas and downstream opportunities through the development of co-located, gas-based industrial hubs.
Speaking shortly after signing the dotted lines, the GCEO NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the MoU execution as a significant milestone, following more than six months of concerted engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners.
“All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success,” Ojulari noted.
NNPC
The GCEO further stated that the MoU is a significant step on the journey towards identifying potential technical equity partner(s) to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, and to explore opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.
The MoU reflects the parties’ shared intent to progress discussions in good faith, with any definitive arrangements to follow in due course and subject to customary approvals.
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