The Abia State Government has recorded a major breakthrough in healthcare with the successful performance of an emergency brain surgery on a 19-year-old accident victim at the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, highlighting the growing capacity of the State’s health institutions to provide advanced and specialised medical care.
The Commissioner for Information disclosed this at a press briefing following the Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, at the Government House, Umuahia.
The 19-year-old, who was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, October 4, 2026, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Medical investigations revealed a massive collection of blood within his skull, placing severe pressure on the brain and requiring immediate neurosurgical intervention.
The emergency operation lasted about four hours, during which more than 100 millilitres of blood clot was evacuated from the patient’s brain and the bleeding controlled. He was subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for post-operative care and has commenced recovery, including movement of his limbs.

The successful intervention is significant because the availability of appropriate facilities, equipment and specialist personnel enabled the surgery to be performed immediately in Abia, eliminating the potentially fatal delay that could have arisen from referring the patient to another State.
The development is part of the sustained investment by the Otti administration in repositioning the State’s healthcare system over the past three years. Health institutions are being equipped to handle increasingly complex procedures, while specialist personnel are being engaged to strengthen the system’s capacity.

The Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre has also recorded other successful specialised procedures performed by Nigerian specialists. Meanwhile, increasing healthcare investment is attracting support from development partners and international organisations.
A Swedish organisation has facilitated the provision of specialised medical equipment for trauma-related procedures, including orthopaedic, brain and spine surgeries. These interventions are contributing to the development of competency centres capable of providing specialised healthcare within Abia.

In another major healthcare development, the State Government has approved ₦502.1 million as counterpart funding under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, a payment critical to accessing the Federal Government’s allocation under the programme and sustaining healthcare services for vulnerable citizens, particularly pregnant women and children below five years enrolled under the health insurance scheme for vulnerable persons.

The State has also commenced activities for the 2026 World Sight Day, which runs until October 15, with emphasis on eye health, good vision and prevention of avoidable blindness.
The campaign is linking good vision with road safety, particularly among commercial drivers. Free eye screening is being provided at various locations across the State, with the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau collaborating with the Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Corps and transport unions. A vision corridor will also be unveiled at the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal to make eye assessment more accessible to drivers and encourage regular checks.
Government is equally providing health interventions in communities affected by the recent flooding to reduce health hazards and prevent possible disease outbreaks. During the period under review, no cases were recorded of diseases of public health importance, including Lassa fever, Ebola, diphtheria and COVID-19.

On housing, the application process for houses at Pocket Layout has been oversubscribed, indicating strong interest from Abians and residents. Analysis of the Expression of Interest forms is ongoing as the relevant authorities process the submissions.
The government has also conducted a Needs Assessment of the World Bank Estates in Aba and Umuahia and the IBB Layout in Umuahia. Preliminary interventions are already being undertaken in critical areas, particularly road infrastructure and solar street lighting, alongside other measures addressing needs identified during the assessment.

However, the government has revoked the building permit for TradeMore Housing Estate, Ubani, Umuahia, following the discovery of serious planning and regulatory infractions.
The Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) conducted an inspection following complaints from residents about flooding and defective structures and found that the developer’s original application was for only two structures — a semi-detached two-bedroom bungalow and a three-bedroom bungalow — despite the subsequent development of an entire estate.
The application was also found deficient in critical planning requirements, including survey and site plans, site analysis, layout plan, environmental impact assessment, evidence of administrative fee payments and technical inputs from relevant professionals and government agencies.
The building permit has therefore been revoked, with further steps to address the issues to be communicated.
The UCDA further clarified that although approval for development of the property was granted in March 2015, the developer approached the authority in 2024 seeking approval to build a market on the site. The proposal was rejected because it was inconsistent with the approved agricultural use of the land.
A subsequent inspection found ongoing construction, prompting the authority to issue a stop-work order. Officials attempting to enforce the order were reportedly attacked and rescued through the intervention of Operation Crush. The property has since been sealed and the permits revoked.
Government, however, remains concerned about individuals who may have purchased property within the estate and is working towards resolving the situation, with further communication to follow.

On the persistent flooding in parts of Umuahia, Governor Otti has directed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee comprising the UCDA and the Ministries of Works, Environment and Lands.
The committee has two weeks to submit a comprehensive report and lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting Ogurube and Ehimiri layouts.
The administration is seeking a coordinated and sustainable solution to recurring flooding and erosion rather than temporary interventions.

Significant progress has also been recorded on the Emede-Ibeku flood and erosion control project. Clearing of erosion sites is 100 per cent complete, lateral filling is about 90 per cent complete, excavation for drainage approximately 95 per cent complete, while concreting of drainage structures has reached about 90 per cent.
Government expressed optimism that residents of affected communities would soon begin to benefit from the intervention.
The State Government has also issued its Week 40 public health advisory, with specific recommendations for communities affected by flooding. Residents in flood-prone areas have been urged to observe appropriate health and safety measures as government continues efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding and prevent disease outbreaks.

In the area of social protection, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has received nine additional Abia indigenes returning from the Republic of South Africa within the past two weeks.
The returnees comprise one adult male, three mothers, four children and one infant, all of whom have been successfully reunited with their families.
The State Government is also preparing to facilitate the return of approximately 100 additional Abia indigenes from South Africa in the coming weeks, with documentation and other arrangements already underway.
The developments reflect the broad approach of the Alex Otti administration to governance, combining investment in specialised healthcare with housing development, infrastructure renewal, flood and erosion control, social protection and enforcement of planning standards.
The growing interest in the Pocket Layout Estate, ongoing interventions in existing residential estates and the expansion of specialised healthcare services further underscore the administration’s stated commitment to improving living conditions and strengthening public institutions.
The emerging New Abia agenda, therefore, extends beyond physical infrastructure to include expanded access to quality healthcare, properly planned residential communities, protection of lives and property, stronger regulatory institutions and responsive government.

Ahead of the 2027 governorship election, political stakeholders backing Governor Alex Otti have intensified mobilisation across Abia, with the Abia North Alliance for Good Governance and the Nsulu Labour Party Stakeholders Forum separately unveiling strategies to secure his re-election and sustain the administration’s development agenda.

At a meeting in Ugwueke, Bende Local Government Area, the Abia North stakeholders reaffirmed their support for Otti, saying they would strengthen grassroots voter education and mobilisation ahead of the election. The meeting followed an earlier gathering in Abiriba where the group first declared its support for the Governor.

Presenting the group’s communique, its Secretary and Spokesperson, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, said members considered the present administration a model of good governance and resolved to work for continuity beyond 2027.

He said the Alliance would focus particularly on voter education at the grassroots and among less-literate voters, while encouraging youths to participate responsibly in the electoral process.
Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, said stakeholders had political structures that would be deployed to the grassroots to mobilise support for the Governor.

Former FBN Holdings Group Managing Director, Elder Urum Kalu Eke, also expressed support for the administration’s record, citing Governor Otti’s background in the private sector.
The convener of the Alliance, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe, and the host, Sir Johnson Chukwu, said the group was not a political party or a platform for government contractors, but a coalition of opinion leaders seeking continuity in what they described as good governance.

Meanwhile, the Nsulu Stakeholders Forum of the Labour Party has also commenced preparations for the 2027 election, with its apex leader and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, urging members to strengthen their structures at the ward and polling-unit levels.
At a strategic virtual meeting, Ajagba charged the 69-member forum to remain united, law-abiding and focused on grassroots mobilisation, voter education and support for the Governor and other Labour Party candidates. A similar Nsulu Labour Party stakeholders’ summit earlier in September also emphasised unity, grassroots mobilisation and participation in the 2027 election.

The forum subsequently constituted committees on Empowerment, Voter Education/Sensitisation, Mobilisation and Security, while adopting a three-month programme running from September to November.
Chairman of the Nsulu Stakeholders Forum, Dr. Chris Ugwumadu, urged members to justify the confidence reposed in them by providing effective leadership in their respective communities.
Contributing, Dr. Charles Ogugbuaja commended the organisation of the Labour Party stakeholders in Nsulu and called for increased grassroots communication on the administration’s projects and programmes.
The two engagements underscore the growing political activity among groups supporting Governor Otti as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 governorship election.

The Abia State Government has commenced payment of outstanding gratuities owed retired workers, with beneficiaries covering the period 2001 to 2010 already paid, while preparations are underway for the next batch covering 2011 to 2025, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, has announced.
Kanu disclosed this while briefing the public on key decisions and developments arising from the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR.
He said the phased payment was necessary because of the substantial financial resources required to settle the accumulated liabilities inherited from previous administrations.

According to him, the government remains committed to clearing the outstanding gratuity obligations, adding that the process could be concluded earlier than anticipated as verification and payment procedures continue.
The Commissioner also clarified that the inclusion of gratuity provisions in the State’s 2026–2031 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and subsequent annual budgets does not imply that gratuity payments will end in 2031.
Rather, he explained, the provision is intended to ensure that gratuity obligations are systematically funded going forward and prevent the accumulation of fresh arrears.
Kanu assured that as internal verification continues, eligible beneficiaries will receive their payments in batches in line with the established process.
He said the development was part of the administration’s broader commitment to workers’ welfare, accountability and sustainable management of the State’s finances.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved several measures covering heritage preservation, tourism, taxation, infrastructure, digital transformation, international partnerships and economic development.
On heritage and tourism, Kanu said the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia, as well as Government College, Umuahia, had been designated State Monuments, while Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area, were designated State Natural Monuments.
He said the designations would help preserve Abia’s historical and cultural assets, promote tourism and position the sites for wider national and international recognition, including potential UNESCO Heritage Site status.

He also announced the designation of Aba as a Creative and Innovative City, citing its longstanding commercial, industrial and creative significance.
According to him, the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum is about 80 per cent complete and is expected to be concluded before the end of 2026.
The State Government has equally commenced work on the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor, including the grading of access roads, while monuments are being erected at strategic locations across the State, including one honouring the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot.
On taxation, Kanu dismissed reports of new excessive tax rates introduced by the present administration, explaining that most of the rates being referenced date back to 2020 and were established under the previous administration.
He specifically described as false reports that akara sellers are required to pay ₦50,000 in taxes, stating that they instead pay applicable daily tolls of between ₦300 and ₦350.
The Commissioner also announced that Abia would host the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Johnny Baxter, on September 16 and 17, 2026, for engagements on power, trade, transportation, education, digital transformation and governance.
He said the visit would feature the flag-off of the SPRIRET Initiative, a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-funded programme aimed at promoting digital inclusion at no cost to the State.
On infrastructure, Kanu disclosed that the Ministry of Works currently has 44 direct-labour road projects across the State, while the 1.5-kilometre Jaja Wachuku Road in Isiala Ngwa North LGA has been completed, becoming the latest completed project among the 26 ongoing contract road projects.

He said the administration remained focused on building a more prosperous, organised and investment-friendly Abia through sustained infrastructure delivery, improved citizens’ welfare, heritage preservation, economic expansion and stronger international partnerships.