Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, has called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to harness digital technology for economic growth, job creation and solutions to community challenges.
Governor Otti made the call while declaring open the State-level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) Stakeholder Engagement Programme at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia.

The Governor, who described technology as an indispensable accelerator of development, said Abia was committed to leveraging digital transformation to improve public services, reduce administrative costs, create jobs and attract investment.

“My charge to all of us, as I declare this event formally open, is to identify ways of leveraging the possibilities of digital technology to solve much of the real problems confronting our communities with particular attention to security challenges, unemployment, post-harvest losses for agro produce, urban property rentals, environmental degradation and other challenges that threaten our economic and social wellbeing.

He disclosed that the State’s TechRise programme had trained more than 2,200 young people in various ICT skills, while initiatives including ThriveAbia, Abia Digi-Upskill and Girls-in-ICT were expanding digital opportunities.

“This is the age of knowledge where wealth is tied to the capacity to create solutions that enrich the human experience. The task for us therefore is to identify the operational vehicles for harnessing the opportunities that have been offered us by the genius of technology and the limitless capacity that it holds for our social and economic transformation,” Governor Otti said.

Otti also highlighted the State’s Dig Once Policy, Startup Law, N2 billion startup support fund, Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre and the N306 million Nkata technology-enabling business grant as measures designed to strengthen the technology ecosystem.

He said the SPRIRET initiative, supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), would help Abia strengthen its policy, regulatory and institutional framework for a more connected and accountable digital economy.

The Governor commended the British High Commission for its support, noting that 500 Abia civil servants had previously benefited from a UK-supported digital transformation programme.

The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said the UK was pleased to partner with Abia, describing digital technology as a critical tool for improving public services, creating economic opportunities and strengthening government effectiveness.

“Digital transformation cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires collaboration and open dialogue,” he said.

Baxter disclosed that about 450 civil servants in Abia had received UK-supported digital skills training, while community-owned connectivity hubs were being developed at Okporoenyi and Arochukwu to expand affordable digital access and literacy.

He stressed that digital transformation required collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, academia and the wider technology ecosystem.
The Chief Information Officer to the State Government, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, said the programme would assess Abia’s digital ecosystem and identify areas requiring policy, regulatory and institutional improvements.
He disclosed that the FCDO Digital Access Programme was supporting five Nigerian states, including Abia, to undertake reforms aimed at accelerating digital development.

Governor Otti urged stakeholders to use the SPRIRET platform to develop technology-driven solutions to challenges including insecurity, unemployment, post-harvest losses, property rentals and environmental degradation, stressing that the ultimate measure of progress would be increased investment, employment and the contribution of the digital sector to Abia’s economy.

The Abia State Government (ABSG) has announced significant progress in resolving the ongoing strike by the Abia State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), disclosing that most of the contentious issues have been substantially addressed and a final resolution is imminent.
Speaking at a joint press conference held at Government House, Umuahia, the Director General of the Strategic Communication Bureau, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the government has maintained sustained engagement with JUSUN leadership.

Barr. Ememanka revealed that negotiations have reached an advanced stage, with both parties close to concluding discussions. He explained that one of the major issues—leave allowance—has been conclusively resolved following mutual understanding.
According to him, it was established during negotiations that judiciary workers on consolidated salaries already have leave allowance embedded in their earnings. The disagreement, he clarified, stemmed from the variation between the previous five percent leave bonus and the revised ten percent agreed in 2025. He noted that government has agreed to offset the outstanding five percent arrears predating the 2025 agreement.

On pensions, the government reiterated its commitment to due process, stressing that only verified retirees would be eligible for payment. He confirmed that verification of retired judiciary staff is currently underway.

Addressing concerns over financial autonomy of the judiciary, Barr. Ememanka emphasized that the state is in substantial compliance, explaining that funds are disbursed monthly in bulk to the judiciary, which independently manages its internal allocations through the office of the Chief Judge and the Judicial Service Commission.
He further clarified that the executive does not directly handle salary payments of judiciary staff, noting that the judiciary retains administrative control over recruitment, promotion, and remuneration of its personnel.

The government also faulted a recent communiqué issued by the Forum of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chairmen in the state, describing it as outdated and not reflective of current developments. Barr. Ememanka dismissed claims that the Governor ignored requests for engagement, stating that the NBA declined a proposed virtual meeting with the Attorney General, while approval for a courtesy visit with the Governor is still in process due to official schedules.
He noted that the government had intended to maintain silence on the negotiations but was compelled to respond following the NBA’s threat to mobilize protests.

Corroborating the position, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma stated that the press briefing was convened to set the record straight and highlight government’s proactive efforts. He confirmed that JUSUN has now acknowledged that leave allowance is embedded in their consolidated salaries, aligning with the government’s longstanding position.
Mr. Ekeoma reaffirmed the state government’s openness to continued dialogue with JUSUN, the NBA, and other stakeholders to ensure a lasting resolution.

The development signals a major step toward ending the industrial action, raising hopes for the restoration of full judicial services in Abia State in the coming days.

The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, has raised concern over persistent absenteeism among primary health workers, warning that the trend is undermining the state’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

He made this known during the Quarter One (Q1) 2026 Task Force meeting on Primary Health Care held at Government House, Umuahia, where he stressed the need for accountability and renewed commitment within the sector.

Chief Emetu called on communities to take ownership of primary healthcare facilities in their areas by protecting them from theft and vandalism, noting that community participation is key to achieving better health outcomes.

He explained that the meeting was not only to review first-quarter activities but also to assess progress and chart a more impactful path forward. According to him, reports from the first quarter show notable improvements, urging stakeholders to sustain the momentum and aim for optimal performance.

The Deputy Governor also encouraged residents to utilize available helplines to report cases of absenteeism and negligence among health workers, emphasizing that such feedback would help strengthen service delivery.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment, he assured that efforts are ongoing to reposition the health sector through improved collaboration with relevant agencies, strategic redistribution of health workers, and incentives to reward excellence. He added that the goal is to make Abia the best-performing state in healthcare delivery in the South-East and across Nigeria.

Chief Emetu further commended the reintroduction of sex education in schools, describing it as a proactive step toward reducing teenage pregnancies and addressing related social challenges.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, said the meeting was convened to review PHC activities for 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, identify gaps, and develop strategies for improved performance.

He expressed appreciation to the state government, led by Governor Alex Otti, and development partners for their sustained support, noting that their contributions have significantly enhanced healthcare delivery in the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Oguama Ogechi , described the reintroduction of sex education as a timely intervention that would help curb teenage pregnancy, child trafficking, and related social issues.

Representatives of development partners, including WHO, UNICEF, ASUBEB, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), commended the state government’s leadership and pledged continued collaboration.

They emphasized the need for stronger community engagement in safeguarding PHCs and proposed the establishment of zonal centres to improve access to professional healthcare services.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, development partners, and top government officials and ended on a positive note with renewed commitments toward strengthening primary healthcare delivery in Abia State.

Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor
19/03/202