ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on local and international investors to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Abia State, particularly the ongoing Medical City Project and the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park (AIIP), which are designed by his administration to reverse medical tourism, stimulate industrial growth, and accelerate economic development.

Governor Otti made the call at the third edition of Invest Lagos 3.0, a flagship international investment summit hosted by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

The summit, themed “Lagos: Business Gateway to Africa – Powering Africa’s Next Era of Trade, Talent and Global Economic Leadership,” brought together investors, policymakers, and business leaders from across the world.

While addressing participants during the investment pitches by invited State Governors, moderated by Zain Asher, CNN correspondent, Governor Otti said that the State needed more investment in her healthcare sector, noting that Abia’s healthcare sector has consistently received 15% of the annual budget of the State Government in the last 3 years, only second to education that received the highest allocation of 20%.

“Today we have been rated as the most health-prepared State (SBM, 2025 Report). That’s looking at how much money we have allocated per capita on healthcare. In the last 3 years, we have allocated 15% of our budget to healthcare.

“We have about 277 Primary Healthcare Centers that we have refurbished, and about 135 of them have been functionalized. We’ll keep functionalizing them as we get all the materials and the healthcare professionals.

“We have hired about 800 healthcare Professionals; some of them came from outside the State to work in Abia State. We have about 7 General Hospitals that we are rebuilding.

“And, we have the tertiary hospitals – the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba, the Specialist Hospital in Amachara, and the one in Umunnato.

“Where do we need help? We need help in our vision to build a Medical City. We have acquired 200 hectares for it. We have prepared it; we’ve built the road. But we need about 1.3 Billion dollars to put that in place,” Governor Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive explained that the idea is to reverse medical tourism and get at least 200 million dollars out of the about 2 billion dollars that Nigerians spend annually on medical treatments abroad.

On the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) he said, “Another Area we need investment is in the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park…

“The Industrial Park is in Owaza where we have oil and gas,” Gov. Otti disclosed, stating that he will engage more with AFREXIM Bank, whose presentation at the summit dwelt more on investment in the building and development of Industrial Parks.

Governor Otti used the platform to highlight some of the key people-centered achievements of his administration, including the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of 414 roads spanning about 864 kilometres, as well as ongoing work on 82 additional roads covering approximately 211 kilometres across the State.

The Governor drew the attention of investors to the enterprising and resilient nature of Abia people, noting that the State possesses a vibrant population with exceptional entrepreneurial capacity, capable of producing almost anything when provided with an enabling environment, especially reliable power supply.

He also spoke on the ongoing transformation of the major commercial hubs in the State, including the reconstruction of Ekeoha Market and the comprehensive modernization of Ariaria International Market, alongside other strategic markets.

Governor Otti further highlighted the restoration of near 24-hour power supply within the Aba ring-fenced area, covering nine local government areas.

He explained that his administration, working closely with the Federal Government through the Office of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, successfully resolved longstanding challenges that delayed the take-off of the multi-million-dollar Geometric Power Project in Aba for many years.

Governor Otti informed the participants that discussions have also advanced with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to replicate the Aba power model in Umuahia and the remaining parts of the State.

He added that the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency is part of a broader strategy to achieve stable electricity supply across the State and get the State completely off the national grid.

“We believe that Geometric, at maximum capacity of 188 megawatts, would have excess capacity, and we can just wheel it to Umuahia and other parts of the State.

“And by God’s grace, in a few years, we should also guarantee 24 hours power supply in Umuahia and other local Governments.

“Now, why does this matter? It matters because a lot of manufacturers and industries, about 60-70% of their costs are in power and energy.

“I got a call from somebody yesterday that wanted to relocate a steel plant that had been built in another State.

“He is looking for where he can be guaranteed 24 hours of power supply, and I said, please come.

“I have already allocated five hectares of land for the plant to be close to Geometric. So, the plant is going to move,” Governor Otti disclosed.

The Governor equally talked about the launch of 20 electric buses in December last year, currently plying the whole State, with an additional 20, currently on their way to Abia from China, making it 40 electric buses with more to come in the coming months until the 100 target is achieved by the end of the year.

“In the last 3 years, Abia has rapidly emerged as an attractive investment destination under Governor Otti’s intentional leadership.

“In the agricultural sector alone, the State has attracted over $320 million in investments, with Presco Plc committing over $200 million to oil palm development and processing, while Nimble Shaw is committing about $120 million to similar investments.

“KADJI Group, the parent company of Ultimum Limited, producers of razzle drinks, is investing about $100 million in their production facility in Aba, launched earlier this year with an initial investment valued at over $30 million.”

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otti, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, reacting to his boss’s participation in the Lagos summit further added that Governor Otti’s administration recently acquired the moribund Star Paper Mill Limited and the previously underutilized Afro Beverages facility in Aba from the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), which investors are in advanced talks for full takeover from the Government.

According to him, the state is jointly developing an Airport project with the Federal Government. The runway being handled by the State Government is speedily progressing.

He added that Governor Otti also recently approved the commencement of a feasibility study for the development of a proposed seaport in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the State.

The move, Ukoha said forms part of a broader economic strategy to position Abia as a major gateway for trade, commerce, and industrial development in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

There was a panic mood at some schools in Nsukka town and its environs on Tuesday following alleged infiltration of the university community by bandits.

Out of fear, some parents evacuated their children and wards from schools before dismissal.

“We don’t play with insecurity because of what is happening in some parts of the country,” a parent said. “I heard that parents were carrying their children home before dismissal, so I did the same. I wasn’t the only person.”

A school proprietor along Enugu Road by Fenpark, on condition of anonymity, said she did not stop any parents from carrying their children out of her school.

“I didn’t stop any parent from carrying their children,” she said. “Our prayer is for security in our country. We are still in shock over what happened in Oyo. We don’t want a repeat anywhere. I know it’s rumour, but who knows what next?”

Our correspondent reported that there was fear of banditry on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, weekend, following an alleged infiltration of the campus by people suspected to be Fulani herders. The Enugu State Police Command, however, debunked the reports, and urged residents to remain calm. Its PRO, SP Daniel Ndukwe, linked the report to a group he identified as “Anonymous”.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has raised the alarm over the increasing use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to fabricate and circulate false content involving senior military officers, describing the trend as a dangerous form of misinformation.

The military high command stated this on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.- Gen. Samaila Uba.

According to the DHQ, the warning follows the circulation of a fabricated video on social media platforms falsely depicting the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede. In some instances, the video also attempted to misrepresent the individual featured as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General OO Oluyede.

The Defence Headquarters categorically dismissed the video as fake, misleading and unauthorised.

“The Defence Headquarters categorically states that the video is false, misleading and does not represent any official communication, position, statement or engagement involving either the Chief of Defence Staff or the Chief of Army Staff.

“The content is a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and create confusion regarding the activities and leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard the video entirely, stressing that it did not originate from any official military source.

It noted that preliminary assessments revealed clear signs of digital manipulation driven by artificial intelligence technology.

“Assessment of the video indicates that the content bears clear signs of digital manipulation premised on Artificial Intelligence and should not be relied upon in any way,” the statement added.

The military high command also cautioned social media influencers, bloggers, content creators and online commentators against sharing, reposting, endorsing or amplifying unverified military-related content.

“The quest for online visibility and engagement must not come at the expense of truth, national security and responsible journalism,” the DHQ warned.

The military high command encouraged journalists and members of the public to verify military-related information through official Defence Headquarters communication channels before publication or dissemination.

It reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to its constitutional mandate and will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, peace and security.