The Abia State Government has intensified its fight against malaria, announcing plans to distribute 3,030,000 insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state this September, as part of a renewed strategy to reduce malaria infections and prevent malaria-related deaths.

This was announced by the Commissioner for Information ,Prince Okey Kanu during a press briefing after EXCO chaired by the Governor at the Government House, Umuahia, Abia State.

The intervention, being implemented in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, comes against the backdrop of encouraging progress in malaria control in the state. Malaria prevalence in Abia declined from 16 per cent in 2024 to 11 per cent in 2025, below the national average of about 15.2 per cent.

The state government, however, said it would not rest on the progress recorded, setting a target of reducing malaria prevalence by another five percentage points and bringing it into single digits.
The government disclosed this as part of its latest update on developments across the state, stressing that the malaria intervention would be complemented by larval source management, identification of malaria hotspots and sustained public awareness campaigns.

It noted that the mass ITN distribution was particularly significant because Abia had not conducted a mass distribution exercise since 2010.
Residents were also urged to support the campaign by maintaining clean surroundings, eliminating stagnant water and removing potential mosquito breeding sites.

In another major healthcare intervention, the state government said its Community Supported Health Insurance Programme was gaining momentum, with the formal launch of the scheme for Abiriba Community scheduled for September 16, 2026.
Through the support of the Abiriba Improvement Union, 1,000 members of the community will be enrolled in the health insurance programme at ₦18,000 per person, representing an initial investment of ₦18 million.

The government encouraged other community development unions across the state to emulate the initiative by supporting the enrolment of their members in the health insurance programme.
It further disclosed that the recruitment portal for additional medical personnel remains open for medical consultants, medical officers and dental officers, as part of efforts to strengthen manpower in healthcare facilities across the state.

The government also reported that no cases of diseases of public health importance were recorded in the state within the period under review.

Beyond healthcare, the government announced plans to commence construction of a 200-metre road extension from Bende Road Junction by Umuwaya and the Post Office Tower, through the railway crossing to First Bank and the Akanu Ibiam Road axis.

The project follows a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Abia State Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, with design and scoping activities already underway.
Renovation and retrofitting works have also commenced on an existing structure within the railway station to facilitate the relocation of the police post, while the abandoned road linking First Bank to Keystone, FCMB and other banks in the area will be reconstructed.

On flood control, the Emede-Ibeku Flood Control Programme has recorded substantial progress, with site clearing completed, piling about 90 per cent completed, and drainage excavation and construction approximately 80 per cent completed.
The Umuahia Capital Development Authority has also identified structurally defective buildings within Umuahia, with affected structures sealed as a precautionary measure to avert possible loss of lives.

The Abia Green Shuttle Bus Service has continued to attract strong patronage. During the free-ridership period from December 2025 to February 2026, the service conveyed 196,950 passengers.
Since the commencement of commercial operations in March, an additional 303,834 passengers used the service through August 2026, bringing total patronage since the launch of the scheme to 560,784 passengers.
The government said the figures reflected growing public confidence in the state’s transport services.

The state also highlighted its performance in the 2026 BudgIT State of States Report, covering 2017–2025.
According to the report, Abia ranked second in aggregate revenue growth, third in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) growth, first in total expenditure growth, first in capital expenditure growth and first in personnel expenditure growth, while maintaining comparatively contained overhead expenditure.
The government said the assessment demonstrated its commitment to prudent and strategic management of public resources while expanding investments in infrastructure and human development.
It added that the assessment was consistent with the findings of the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index, which identified Abia as one of Nigeria’s fastest-improving states.

The administration said its priority remained the delivery of tangible improvements in the lives of Abia residents rather than competition with other states, adding that it would continue to implement reforms and investments across healthcare, transportation, flood control, infrastructure, education, governance and fiscal management.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State in the 2027 election, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has unveiled a welfarist governance agenda, promising to prioritise the welfare of citizens, create jobs, attract investment and reduce the economic burden on the people if elected.
Anosike made the remarks on Thursday, September 3, 2026, while addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, on the topic, “Relationship Between the Media, Government and the People.”

The PDP candidate said the media had a crucial role to play in promoting democratic accountability, stressing that journalists should not merely serve as a “megaphone” for government but should act as a “microscope” through which government policies and programmes could be scrutinised in the interest of the people.
the government, media and citizens must work together to ensure that governance remains centred on the welfare and development of the people.

Anosike criticised what he described as excessive taxation of low-income earners, citing the daily levies imposed on truck and wheelbarrow pushers in Aba.
He questioned the rationale behind collecting daily tickets from people who, according to him, struggle to earn enough to support themselves and their families.

“For me, that’s wickedness,” he said, arguing that increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) should not be achieved by placing additional financial burdens on the poorest members of society.
He also criticised what he described as high charges for land registry inquiries, saying that such measures could discourage investment and economic activity in the state.
Anosike maintained that the way to increase Abia’ IGR was to open up the state to investment, create a productive economy and attract local and foreign investors.

He argued that awarding road contracts alone should not be regarded as the totality of governance, stressing that government must create an environment where industries, businesses and employment opportunities can thrive.
“What’s governance is to open up your state for investment. Attract serious foreign direct investment in your state. Build factories, productive economies. That’s governance,” he said.

The PDP candidate said Abia could improve its revenue base by encouraging industries and businesses to establish operations in the state, rather than relying heavily on taxes and levies imposed on individuals.

He also expressed concern over youth unemployment and the migration of young people from Abia to cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in search of opportunities.
To address the challenge, Anosike proposed the establishment of the Abia State Labour and Global Opportunities Agency (ALGOA), which he said would equip young people with modern skills and enable them to compete for jobs in the global digital economy.

He noted that many jobs could now be performed virtually, allowing young people to live and work from different parts of Abia while serving companies and clients in other parts of Nigeria and abroad.

He also proposed the establishment of an Abia State Rural Development Agency (ARDA) to promote development across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
development should not be concentrated in Aba and Umuahia, but should extend to communities and local government areas across the state.
“Abia is not only Aba and Umuahia. Abia is bigger than Aba and Umuahia. All the LGAs should be functional,” he said.

Anosike further promised to establish functional primary healthcare facilities across the 17 local government areas, equipped with laboratories and other necessary diagnostic facilities.
He said such investments would not only improve healthcare delivery but also create employment opportunities and encourage residents to remain in their communities rather than migrate to urban centres.

Responding to a question from a journalist on how his proposed welfarist government would differ from previous PDP administrations in the state, particularly concerning salaries, pensions and workers’ welfare, Anosike said his administration would operate with what he described as a “new mindset, new focus and new direction.”

He acknowledged concerns over the performance of previous administrations but argued that the financial challenges experienced by many states before 2023 were partly linked to the country’s wider economic situation.
the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu significantly increased revenues accruing to states but also transferred a substantial economic burden to citizens through higher transportation and living costs.

Anosike argued that governments should therefore channel part of the increased revenue into social protection and welfare programmes to cushion the effects of rising costs on citizens.
He said his proposed administration would introduce subsidies and other interventions in critical sectors, particularly healthcare.
Among his proposals, he said, was a health insurance programme under which government would absorb a substantial portion of medical expenses for citizens.
“We are trying to create subsidy in health insurance. We now said we’ll introduce health insurance and set up trust hospitals where citizens only pay 40 per cent medical bill, government absorbs 60 per cent,” he said.

Anosike also promised to pay a minimum wage of N90,000 to the least-paid worker in the state if elected, saying the policy would apply across the workforce.
He said his administration would prioritise workers’ welfare and ensure that government employment policies complied with established rules and regulations.

The PDP candidate also promised to review the cases of workers he alleged were prematurely dismissed from the Abia State public service.
who were dismissed before attaining the statutory retirement age or required years of service would be considered for recall, subject to the applicable rules.

According to him, workers who would have attained retirement age by 2027 would instead be considered for payment of outstanding salaries where applicable.
He described the principle behind the proposed policy as “People First, Abia Always,” stressing that government should serve and protect the interests of citizens while also respecting established laws and procedures.

In the education sector, Anosike said his administration would seek to ensure that graduates leave school with both academic qualifications and practical skills.

He also proposed the establishment of an Abia State Traders Microfinance Bank to provide soft loans, grants and other financial facilities to small and medium-sized businesses.
He said the proposed financial institution would provide support to traders and entrepreneurs through what he described as collateral-free and interest-free financing arrangements.

Anosike added that his administration would promote cooperative economics as another means of empowering citizens, supporting small businesses and expanding economic opportunities across the state. overall objective of his proposed administration would be to build an economy driven by investment, entrepreneurship, skills development and productive employment rather than excessive taxation.

He called on the media to continue to hold government accountable while also informing citizens about policies capable of improving their lives.
Anosike reiterated that his proposed administration would place the people at the centre of governance, insisting that economic development must ultimately translate into better living conditions and greater opportunities for the people of Abia State.

From :Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC Umuahia.
4th September 2026.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Deacon Kelechi Anosike, has challenged journalists to subject government claims and projects to rigorous scrutiny, insisting that the people deserve accurate information on how public resources are being utilised.

Anosike made the call while addressing journalists in Umuahia, where he presented his assessment of governance in the state and outlined his vision for a more people-centred administration ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP flag bearer, who described himself as a welfarist, said the essence of governance should go beyond the construction of roads and other physical infrastructure to include the welfare, economic empowerment and social security of citizens.

He argued that while infrastructure is important, government must also demonstrate its impact through improved living standards, employment opportunities, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education and support for vulnerable citizens.
Anosike said journalists have a critical responsibility to interrogate claims made by political actors and government officials, stressing that the media should remain a platform for accountability and the protection of the public interest.
According to him, Abia has the resources and human capacity required for meaningful development, but what is needed is a new direction, mindset and responsible leadership capable of deploying available resources for the benefit of the people.

He also criticised what he described as excessive emphasis on media publicity, arguing that projects and programmes should be evaluated on the basis of their actual impact on citizens rather than the volume of publicity surrounding them.
Anosike said his proposed administration would prioritise welfare alongside infrastructure, with emphasis on workers, pensioners, youths, women, artisans, farmers and other vulnerable groups.
The PDP candidate has consistently presented his 2027 campaign around a welfare-focused agenda, including improved workers’ welfare, rural development, agriculture, job creation and stronger grassroots governance. He has also proposed the establishment of agencies to drive rural development and connect Abia youths with global employment opportunities.

He urged journalists to continue asking difficult questions and providing citizens with facts, saying the media’s role in democratic governance goes beyond reporting political speeches to ensuring that leaders are held accountable for their promises.
Anosike, who emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, has repeatedly said his ambition is driven by the desire to place “people first” in the governance of Abia State. �
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