The Federal Government has taken decisive steps to preserve Nigeria’s historical assets, boost tourism, and strengthen aviation infrastructure in Abia State, with key interventions focused on the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker, the National War Museum, and active collaboration on the proposed Abia International Airport project in Nsulu.

At the forefront is the Federal Government’s approval of a contract for the comprehensive retrofitting of the historic Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum. This intervention underscores a strong national commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s civil war history, restoring critical heritage infrastructure, and repositioning these iconic sites as major tourism and educational destinations.
The move is expected to enhance cultural preservation, attract local and international visitors, and stimulate economic activities around the sites.

In the aviation sector, the Federal Government is also playing a strategic role in the development of the Abia International Airport in Nsulu.
As part of this collaboration, approval has been secured for the allocation of 200 hectares of land for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base within the airport corridor.
This federal presence not only strengthens security architecture around the airport but also signals long-term commitment to the viability and national integration of the project.

These interventions further align with broader federal directives on security and institutional reforms, including ongoing considerations for state policing frameworks, where subnational governments like Abia are working in tandem with federal authorities to enhance internal security mechanisms.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has applauded the Federal Government for these critical interventions, describing them as timely and impactful. He particularly commended the approval of the retrofitting project for the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum, noting that it marks a major milestone in preserving the state’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Speaking during his monthly media chat, Governor Otti also praised the State Ministry of Arts and Culture and its Commissioner, Mr. Mathew Ekwuribe, for facilitating progress in the sector.
He emphasized that the restoration of these national monuments will not only protect history but also unlock tourism potential and create economic opportunities for the state.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting arts, culture, and tourism as critical drivers of sustainable development, while urging continued excellence from public officials.
“The reward for good work is more work,” he stated, encouraging sustained momentum.

On political matters, Governor Otti reiterated his unrelenting commitment to the Labour Party, dismissing speculations of defection. He noted that internal party disputes had been conclusively resolved by the Supreme Court, with compliance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), positioning the party for stronger future engagements.

Addressing security matters, the Governor cautioned against ethnic profiling of criminals, stressing that crime should not be attributed to any particular group. He restated his administration’s inclusive governance approach and urged residents to provide credible intelligence to security agencies.

Governor Otti also stated that he would not oppose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should he seek re-election in 2027, noting that his own political focus remains on securing a second term as governor.
Providing further updates, the Governor highlighted ongoing developments across key sectors, including housing expansion to address rising rents, major investments in agriculture and industry, healthcare upgrades, and education infrastructure improvements.

The governor further announced that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had donated an MRI machine worth $1 million to the state.
He said 569 healthcare workers have been recruited out of an approved 774, while recruitment remains open. He added that 227 primary healthcare centres are being upgraded to ensure at least one functional facility per ward.
He also confirmed significant milestones such as the recruitment of healthcare workers, upgrading of primary health centres, and major private sector investments, alongside continued work on the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park.

Governor Otti ,however, commended residents and security agencies for maintaining peace during a recent protest, which he said was handled professionally without escalation.

Overall, the combined efforts of the Federal Government and Abia State Government reflect a coordinated push toward infrastructural development, heritage preservation, economic growth, and enhanced security, positioning Abia as an emerging hub for tourism, investment, and sustainable development.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has been formally presented with a Patron Award plaque by the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, in recognition of his outstanding and consistent support for the association.

Receiving the plaque, the Deputy Speaker expressed deep appreciation to OMPAN for the honour, describing it as both humbling and motivating. He urged online media practitioners to broaden their focus beyond politics to include economic development, humanitarian courses,research, and other sectors that positively shape the society.
Rt. Hon. Kalu commended OMPAN for embracing the future of media through unity on a common digital platform and assured the association of his continued support.

He, however, cautioned members to remain professional, ethical, and non-partisan, warning against being used as tools to attack or undermine individuals and institutions.

Earlier while presenting the plaque, the Abia State Chairman of OMPAN, Mr  Promise Uzoma Okoro, explained that the Deputy Speaker was selected alongside ten other eminent Abians as a patron due to his remarkable contributions to the growth and progress of the association.
Mr  Okoro recalled that Rt. Hon. Kalu was officially unveiled as a Patron during OMPAN’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 12, 2025, but was unavoidably absent, necessitating the formal presentation of the plaque at a later date.

He further lauded the Deputy Speaker for playing a key role in ensuring that OMPAN Abia State now has a physical office, describing the achievement as a major milestone in the association’s history.

Also speaking, the Chairman of OMPAN’s Board of Trustees, Mazi Ugochukwu Nwankwo, declared that if a higher honour existed beyond the Patron Award, the association would have gladly bestowed it on Rt. Hon. Kalu, whom he described as OMPAN’s strongest supporter.

The event underscored the growing synergy between responsible governance and a vibrant, ethical online media community in Abia State.

The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic revitalization, sustainable environmental management, and credible governance as he announced the forthcoming Waste-to-Wealth Initiative, while also issuing a stern warning to politicians plotting to manipulate the 2027 elections.

Governor Otti made both declarations during the October edition of his monthly media parley, “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” held on Thursday at the Government House, Umuahia.

In a major stride toward sustainable development, Governor Otti revealed that his administration is set to launch the Waste-to-Wealth Initiative, a bold environmental and economic project designed to transform waste into valuable resources such as gas, methane, and power.

He noted that since declaring a state of emergency on waste management at the onset of his administration, Abia has made impressive progress in clearing waste and restoring urban cleanliness. The next phase, he said, is to convert waste into wealth through recycling and energy production.

“We are now moving to the next stage of waste management — proper treatment, recycling, and turning waste into wealth,” Otti stated.

“Extensive studies show that while the process is costly, it has enormous benefits. Like in Austria and other European countries, we can transform waste into gas, methane, and even power.”

The Governor disclosed that discussions have begun with both local and international partners, with several partnership agreements already signed to ensure the success of the initiative. The official flag-off ceremony will take place soon.

“We have started engaging with potential partners and have strong cooperation from institutions and industries that operate in other states. Some partnership agreements have already been signed, and soon, we will officially flag off the Waste-to-Wealth project,” he assured.

Governor Otti also announced a major breakthrough in his government’s industrial revival strategy. Following the state’s successful acquisition of Star Paper Mill, Abia has concluded plans to acquire Afro-Beverages, located along the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway.

“Recently, we concluded and our offer was accepted by AMCON for the acquisition of Afro-Beverages,” the Governor confirmed. “We will complete the payment in seven installments starting next month. Once documentation is finalized, the State will take ownership.”

The Governor clarified that these acquisitions are not intended for direct government management but rather to revive the industries through public-private partnerships, positioning them as major employers of labor.

“The government’s role is to enable, not to own,” he said. “We are acquiring these companies to bring in experts who will manage them efficiently, create jobs, and restore their productivity. Our goal is for these industries to become strong contributors to Abia’s economic growth.”

On education, Governor Otti announced plans to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers before the end of the year, bringing the total number of newly engaged educators to over 9,000. The recruitment drive is part of efforts to address the shortfall in the state’s education workforce.

He added that the government would demolish and reconstruct dilapidated school buildings, ensuring that learning environments across Abia meet modern standards.

In the health sector, the Governor revealed that the ongoing recruitment of healthcare professionals has attracted applicants from within and outside Nigeria, assuring that the process remains transparent and merit-driven.

“We are seeing applicants from even outside Nigeria, which shows confidence in our health system reforms. The process is transparent and strictly based on merit,” he emphasized.

The Governor also urged Abians to remain security-conscious and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities, announcing that the November edition of his media chat would be held at the newly remodeled Michael Okpara Auditorium.

In another striking segment of his October media chat, Governor Otti issued a strong caution to politicians allegedly plotting to manipulate the 2027 governorship elections, warning them to “write their wills and hand them to their families” before embarking on such dangerous acts.

“My statement is not a threat but a word of caution,” Otti clarified. “Intelligence reports suggest that some displaced politicians are already boasting about how they will manipulate the 2027 elections. Such reckless declarations will not be tolerated.”

His comments came in response to a recent claim by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who reportedly boasted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would “take over Abia in 2027.”

Governor Otti dismissed the boast, asserting that power belongs to God.

“I do not have the anointing to speak about what will happen in 2027 in 2025,” he said pointedly.

“But I know that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wants. We are advised not to speak when the Lord has not spoken.”

He further advised Kalu to focus on his legislative duties in the National Assembly instead of prematurely launching a political campaign in Abia.

“If you gather people and start declaring that you’ll take over in 2027, you are campaigning. We must respect the law,” the Governor cautioned.

Governor Otti emphasized that he bears no personal grudge against the Deputy Speaker, noting that their relationship predated politics.

“My relationship with Benjamin Kalu didn’t start with politics. This is not the first time he has come out publicly to attack my administration, and I have chosen to forgive him. I’m not threatened — I believe he was terrified by the organic show of love from the people of Aba and Umuahia.”

He humorously described Kalu’s utterances as symptoms of “hubris” and “Information Deficiency Syndrome.”

“Sometimes when he describes himself as number 6 according to protocol, I just smile. Unless it has changed, the Deputy Speaker is number 6 by the 2000 Protocol Act,” Otti added wittily.

Governor Otti’s remarks have since generated widespread reactions across Abia State, with citizens praising his firm stance on electoral integrity, commitment to industrial revival, and innovative approach to waste management.

As the 2027 elections approach, the Governor’s message rings loud and clear:
The era of electoral manipulation, economic stagnation, and environmental neglect in Abia State is over.