…NYSC Abia State Director Commends Governor Otti’s Support

The strong partnership between the Federal Government’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Abia State Government has received another major boost as Governor Dr. Alex Otti directed the immediate removal of all administrative bottlenecks delaying the implementation of the approved state allowance for Corps members serving in Abia. The Governor gave the directive while receiving the newly deployed Abia State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, at the Government House, Umuahia.

Expressing surprise over the delay despite his earlier approval, Governor Otti stressed that adequate budgetary provisions had already been made and ordered the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to work with the Head of Service to ensure the immediate commencement of payments.

The Governor recalled that he had previously intervened to resolve issues relating to the verification of Corps members’ Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), insisting that no further administrative hurdle should prevent the implementation of the approved allowance.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Corps members, Governor Otti acknowledged their invaluable contributions to education, healthcare and community development across the state, noting that his government would continue to provide every necessary support to make their service year rewarding.

He also welcomed the new State Coordinator, assuring him that Abia remains a peaceful and hospitable state where every resident is treated as an indigene irrespective of state of origin.

Earlier, the new NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, lauded both the Federal Government’s NYSC Scheme and the Abia State Government for their shared commitment to youth development and national service.

He appealed for the speedy implementation of the approved state allowance and commended Governor Otti for numerous interventions that have significantly improved the welfare of Corps members in the state.

According to him, the NYSC has benefited immensely from the Governor’s people-oriented policies, including the comprehensive renovation of Corps members’ hostels and the multi-purpose hall at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna; construction of internal roads within the camp; installation of solar-powered streetlights; approval of funds for enhanced feeding, generator fueling and orientation logistics; approval of enhanced state allowance for Corps members; provision of a new NYSC State Secretariat; and approval of funds for furnishing the new office.

Alhaji Tanimu further congratulated Governor Otti on his remarkable achievements in infrastructure, economic development, peace and good governance, assuring him that the Federal Government’s NYSC would continue to partner with the Abia State Government in promoting national unity, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

The meeting underscored the importance of the NYSC as one of the Federal Government’s foremost nation-building institutions and highlighted the value of effective collaboration between the Federal and State Governments in improving the welfare of Corps members while enhancing national development.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture .

This mandate is encouraged through effective regulation of private security operations, improved professionalism and enhanced collaboration with licensed Private Guard Companies (PGCs) across the state.

The State Commandant, NSCDC Abia State Command, Commandant Chukwuemeka Odimba Nicholson, made this known during the 2026 Private Guard Companies Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia.

The forum, themed “Operational Efficiency: Strengthening Regulation, Effective Management of Private Guard Companies.

Addressing Emerging Security Challenges and Enhancing Service Delivery,” brought together private security operators, industry stakeholders and senior officers of the Corps to chart a new course for effective private security management in Abia State.

Commandant Odimba said the engagement underscores the Federal Government’s determination, through the NSCDC, to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve operational standards and ensure that all licensed private guard companies strictly adhere to established laws, professional ethics and best practices in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He explained that the forum was organised to deepen cooperation between the NSCDC and private security operators, address emerging security challenges, enhance service delivery and reinforce the strategic role of private security companies as partners in safeguarding lives and property, intelligence gathering, surveillance, access control and crime prevention.

The Commandant stressed that with the evolving security landscape, including the emergence of state policing initiatives and other community-based security structures, private guard companies must reposition themselves through continuous training, discipline, improved staff welfare, adoption of modern security technologies and strict compliance with regulatory requirements.

Expressing concern over the low level of intelligence reports from private security operators despite their presence in banks, schools, hotels, residential estates and other strategic locations, he urged operators to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Commandant Odimba,however, directed all private guard companies operating in Abia State to renew expired licences, complete their documentation with the NSCDC and register with the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Abia State Chapter, on or before the end of July 2026.

He warned that enforcement operations would commence immediately after the deadline, with defaulters liable to arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.

Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Private Guard Companies Department, Deputy Commandant Simon Azubuike Okere, described the private security industry as an indispensable partner in Nigeria’s security framework, complementing conventional security agencies by protecting businesses, financial institutions, educational and healthcare facilities, residential estates and other critical national assets.

He identified professionalism, accountability, quality training, ethical conduct, technological innovation, regulatory compliance, effective supervision and intelligence gathering as critical pillars for efficient private security operations, urging operators to prioritise personnel welfare, discipline and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Abia State Chapter, the Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Iheanacho, commended the NSCDC for organising the forum and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the Federal and State Governments in protecting lives and property through intelligence sharing, professionalism and effective collaboration with security agencies.

The forum concluded with participants resolving to strengthen partnership with the NSCDC, train personnel on the resolutions reached, uphold professional standards and ensure full regulatory compliance. Private guard companies were also directed to present samples of their official uniforms at the next stakeholders’ meeting for inspection.

The stakeholders’ engagement further demonstrated the pivotal role of the NSCDC as the Federal Government’s regulatory authority for the private security industry, reinforcing its mandate of promoting professionalism, accountability and coordinated security management in support of national peace, public safety and sustainable development.

Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu.
FIC Correspondent: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
NSCDC
15th July 2026.

….Governor Alex Otti Positions State for Technology-Driven Economic Revolution

Abia State has received a major vote of confidence from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Federal Government, with Governor Alex Otti reaffirming his administration’s commitment to deploying technology, innovation and digital transformation as the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth, industrial expansion and educational excellence.

The declaration came as Governor Otti received the UNDP delegation led by the Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa, alongside representatives of Vice President Kashim Shettima, led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, ahead of the official commissioning of the Manufacturing Technology Innovation Hub (UniPod) at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

The high-profile visit underscored Abia’s growing national and international recognition as a leading destination for innovation, manufacturing and enterprise development, with stakeholders describing the State as the most suitable location for the landmark technology hub.
Governor Otti described the UniPod project as a transformative investment that would bridge the gap between research, innovation and industry while empowering young innovators, supporting small and medium enterprises, strengthening indigenous manufacturers and accelerating Abia’s transition into a technology-powered economy.
“We are very glad that the UniPod project is being commissioned today. We congratulate everyone who made it possible and assure you that the Abia State Government will provide every support required to ensure that the project delivers meaningful impact on our people, our industrialists, SMEs and the technology ecosystem,” the Governor said.

He stressed that his administration remains unwavering in its determination to make technology the engine of governance, economic competitiveness and educational advancement, noting that the State has assembled some of the country’s finest technology experts to drive its digital transformation agenda.
Governor Otti also reaffirmed Abia’s readiness to meet the Federal Government’s July 31 deadline for uploading student records onto the Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System (D-NEMIS), describing digital education as central to building a globally competitive workforce.
In a strong endorsement of the Governor’s leadership, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, declared that the UNDP could not have selected a better State for the Manufacturing Technology Innovation Hub, describing Abia as Nigeria’s manufacturing heartbeat.

He credited Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, particularly the provision of uninterrupted electricity across industrial clusters, as a game-changing achievement capable of sustaining manufacturing growth, attracting investment and creating jobs.
“Governor Alex Otti has demonstrated what futuristic and purposeful leadership looks like. He has shown that Nigeria can emulate what Abia has done in providing 24-hour electricity to support industry and development,” the Minister stated.
The UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa, equally applauded Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment to education and human development, describing the UniPod initiative as a practical demonstration of the United Nations’ resolve to deliver measurable development that transforms lives.
She expressed confidence that the project would nurture innovation, unlock opportunities for young people and stimulate inclusive economic development across the State.

Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, praised Governor Otti’s visionary approach to innovation and digital transformation, noting that the Manufacturing Technology Innovation Hub would cultivate talent, promote entrepreneurship, support research and transform creative ideas into globally competitive businesses.
She appreciated the strong partnership between the Abia State Government and the United Nations, expressing confidence that the collaboration would continue to position Abia as a model for innovation-driven development in Nigeria and across Africa.

The meeting reinforced the State’s collective commitment to harnessing innovation as a catalyst for economic prosperity, industrial competitiveness and inclusive development.