… Abia Secures ₦2 Billion Boost For Akwete Women

The visit of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, to Abia State has reinforced the importance of strong collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments in promoting economic empowerment, cultural preservation and inclusive national development.

In a landmark visit to Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area, the Nation’s First Lady joined Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, and the First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, on an inspection tour of the famous Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society, where she interacted with master weavers and witnessed the centuries-old weaving tradition that has earned Akwete international recognition.

The visit, which culminated in a grand civic reception attended by government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, women and youth groups, stakeholders and residents, underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering local industries, preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and supporting women-led enterprises under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a major highlight of the visit, Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced a ₦2 billion intervention fund to support the empowerment of women engaged in Akwete cloth production, describing the indigenous fabric as a priceless national heritage deserving greater recognition and patronage.
She urged Nigerians, particularly people of the South-East, to promote and proudly wear Akwete fabric just as other regions celebrate their indigenous textiles.

“I am here to announce to all Nigerians that Akwete belongs to the nation. It is a beautiful fabric that deserves to be modernised and promoted. On my own, I am donating Two Billion Naira to support this project,” the First Lady declared.
She disclosed that her interest in Akwete cloth was sparked after watching a documentary on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), adding that she had long desired to visit the weaving community.

The First Lady further pledged to wear Akwete attire during her husband’s second term, emphasizing that preserving indigenous culture remains vital to Nigeria’s identity.
Describing Governor Alex Otti as “a good man,” Senator Tinubu commended him for transforming what was intended to be a private visit into a historic celebration of culture and national unity.

Governor Alex Otti, while welcoming the First Lady, described her visit as a watershed moment for Abia State and the Akwete weaving community.
According to him, the visit represents a strategic Federal endorsement of the State Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition Akwete as a globally competitive textile brand capable of creating jobs, expanding exports and empowering women.

Governor Otti revealed that his administration began revitalising the Akwete weaving industry shortly after assuming office in 2023, stressing that the Federal Government’s support would accelerate the vision of transforming Akwete into a thriving production hub.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the bold economic reforms initiated by the Federal Government, particularly the removal of petroleum subsidy and the floating of the naira. He noted that the policies have increased revenue available to federal, state and local governments for developmental projects.

The Governor also pledged the readiness of the Abia State Government to partner with the First Lady in establishing a modern production hub that would strengthen the capacity of Akwete women and preserve the ancient craft for future generations.

Earlier, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first time a Nigerian First Lady had personally visited Akwete to support its women weavers.

She praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for delivering practical social investment programmes that continue to uplift women, small businesses and vulnerable groups across the country.

Goodwill messages from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Sampson Ogah, and the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, highlighted the economic and cultural significance of the Federal Government’s intervention.
They commended both the First Lady of Nigeria and the First Lady of Abia State for drawing national attention to Akwete cloth and called for the establishment of a world-class weaving and production centre to boost exports, tourism and employment.

The event also featured the conferment of the prestigious chieftaincy title “Ugo Nwanyi of Abia” (The Pride of Womanhood) on Senator Oluremi Tinubu in recognition of her exceptional commitment to women empowerment, national unity and the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

The historic visit is widely regarded as a significant milestone in strengthening Federal-State cooperation and advancing the shared vision of economic diversification, women empowerment, cultural renaissance and sustainable development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government and the transformational development agenda of the Abia State Government.

…Federal Health Ranking: Abia Emerges Among Nigeria’s Best in Maternal, Infant Survival

Abia State has emerged as one of Nigeria’s best performing states in reducing maternal and infant mortality.
This is a landmark achievement attributed to Governor Alex Otti’s sustained investments and far-reaching reforms in the healthcare sector.

The recognition was announced during the State Executive Council weekly press briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu.
Following the release of the Federal Ministry of Health’s First Quarter Performance Dialogue,the nation’s flagship accountability platform that brings together federal health authorities, commissioners for health from the 36 states and development partners to evaluate health sector performance and monitor key indicators.

According to the report, Abia has recorded remarkable improvements in maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, disclosed that the state recorded only one maternal death in the first quarter of 2026, maintaining the figure achieved in the last quarter of 2025, while neonatal mortality declined from nine to seven, placing Abia among Nigeria’s leading performers in maternal and child health.

The achievement reflects the impact of Governor Alex Otti’s deliberate investment in rebuilding the state’s healthcare system through the revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), expansion of health insurance coverage, digital healthcare innovation and improved access to quality medical services.

Under the first phase of Project Ekwueme, the state is revitalising 200 Primary Healthcare Centres alongside 77 World Bank-supported IMPACT PHCs. So far, 139 facilities have been fully functionalised, while 50 are currently being equipped and the remaining centres are nearing completion.
The upgraded facilities now provide modern equipment, improved maternal and child healthcare services, and digital health infrastructure that is transforming healthcare delivery across the state.
The state’s Digital Health Project is equally recording impressive milestones, with over 9,136 patients onboarded across nine public hospitals within the last three months, while enrolment into the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme has surged from 40,000 beneficiaries in December 2024 to 225,581 as of July 2026, reflecting growing public confidence in the government’s healthcare reforms.

Further demonstrating its leadership in public health innovation, Abia is spearheading a regional collaboration involving Anambra, Delta and Akwa Ibom States to domesticate a digital immunisation tracking system that links children’s vaccination records with other social data to strengthen disease surveillance, improve healthcare planning and ensure seamless access to immunisation records.

Prince Kanu also disclosed that rehabilitation work at Obingwa General Hospital has reached an advanced stage, with state-of-the-art medical equipment, Digital Health and Telehealth facilities currently being installed ahead of commissioning.
Beyond healthcare, the State Executive Council highlighted notable achievements across justice delivery, social protection and sports development.
The government recorded significant successes in protecting vulnerable citizens with the successful prosecution and conviction of two child sexual offenders through the NCHEDO Sexual Assault Referral Centre, reinforcing the administration’s zero-tolerance policy against sexual and gender-based violence. Government has also established a Sex Offenders Register at the Ministry of Justice to serve as a deterrent and strengthen accountability.

The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection continues to expand support for vulnerable residents through medical and humanitarian interventions, while also providing assistance to the family of the late nursing student, Wendy Achumba.
In sports, six talented young footballers discovered during the Abia Dreamland Under-19 Cup have secured opportunities with European football partners. The Abia State Volleyball Team has returned to the Nigerian Volleyball Premier League after 23 years, while Abia Angels Football Club has qualified for the Nigerian Women’s Football League Super Six for the first time in its history.

Professor Uche urged residents to complement government efforts by observing proper food hygiene and safety practices to prevent food borne diseases, stressing that maintaining clean food preparation environments and safe drinking water remains essential to protecting public health.

The latest Federal Ministry of Health ranking underscores the success of Governor Alex Otti’s people-centred governance, demonstrating that strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, digital innovation, skilled manpower and primary healthcare can significantly improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for citizens.

A landmark joint venture project of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Abia State Government has been formally launched in the state.

This Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) was officially launched  at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf OlaTunji Alausa said the establishment of the Manu-Tech UniPod reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation, and job creation.

Describing it as a “strategic investment in Nigeria’s future,” the Vice President noted that Universities must evolve beyond traditional teaching and research to become hubs for enterprise development, technology transfer, and industrial competitiveness.

In his keynote address titled “Science Meets Enterprise,” Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, said the siting of the UniPod in Abia speaks to the institutional faith the UNDP and Federal Government have in the State’s potential as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

He noted that, the faith and efforts the partners have in Abia is yielding tangible results, adding that the event is a demonstration of that, and appreciated the siting of the project in Abia.

“The siting of the Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia speaks eloquently to the institutional faith UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria have reposed in our dear State and the potential it holds as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

The Governor who disclosed that his government supported the UniPod project because it aligns perfectly with the economic development outline of his administration, noted that,

“With the launch of the UniPod, a new interest in qualitative research will develop as scientists, students and everyone connected to the University ecosystem begin to look beyond random and hurried publication of academic papers just to score points for the next promotion cycle.

“The expectation is that research efforts henceforth will be directed at answering questions with practical, everyday applications” Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor thanked all the stakeholders and partners including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the UNDP for their efforts and willpower that gave birth to the transformational project.

“Over the last 3 years, we have found them to be reliable partners which explains our expanding body of joint ventures projects targeting entrepreneurship development, job creation and similar initiatives aimed at opening new layers of economic and social opportunities for our women and young people in particular,” Gov. Otti stated.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the launch as part of a broader national innovation ecosystem being developed across Nigeria through the UniPod initiative.

She explained that the programme aims to connect education, research, innovation, enterprise, and manufacturing, enabling Universities to become drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.

Ms. Attafuah commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for their commitment to innovation-driven development. She particularly extolled Governor Alex Otti for his vision of transforming Abia into Nigeria’s leading hub for manufacturing and industrial innovation.

Earlier in her speech, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Professor Ursala Akanwa, described the commissioning as a defining moment in the University’s history.

She said the project represents the fulfilment of the institution’s mandate to deploy science, technology, and innovation in advancing agricultural development, manufacturing, and enterprise.

Prof. Akanwa expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for choosing MOUAU to host Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Tech UniPod.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. The Manu-Tech UniPod is expected to provide students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with access to advanced manufacturing equipment, prototyping facilities, and industry mentorship to convert research ideas into market-ready products.