4th August 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, Governance And Development, Business, Entertainment News
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

Abia State has continued to record remarkable progress since Dr. Alex Chioma Otti mounted the political saddle in 2023 as the governor. So much has been done to turn around the fortunes of the State in all facets of human development, particularly in the areas of urban and rural infrastructure. The man, obviously came prepared with a development blueprint to transform and reposition the State for greater economic possibilities.

His urban renewal programme has seen Aba and Umuahia, the two major cities in the State, being modernized and upgraded to make life more comfortable and meaningful for the people. Before the arrival of Otti on the seat of governance, the road infrastructure in Aba was completely broken down with heaps of garbage taking over the city which is the commercial hub of the State. It was also the same scenario in Umuahia, the State Capital. But with a strong determination to make a difference, Otti successfully tackled these issues which proved intractable to previous administrations.

The two cities have been fully reclaimed from the ruins of the past and are being steadily transformed as desired destinations for tourists, business investors and visitors. People who left Aba in the wake of its decay and collapse are now returning in droves as the glamour and glory of the Enyimba city have been restored. Umuahia which before now, looked like a provincial headquarter, is presently evolving into a beautiful and befitting seat of government.

Governor Otti is still pushing ahead to boost the existing infrastructure in the State Capital. It is, indeed, gladdening to note that the government has concluded plans to build a brand new stadium complex in Umuahia. The exciting news is not just the establishment of the stadium. The real deal is the plan to build what the Governor called a Stadium City that would come with a complete paraphernalia of facilities and amenities. The whole idea is to reposition Umuahia and make it an attractive choice for those seeking a better and conducive environment for business, relaxation and other vocations.

The Governor made the disclosure in Umuahia when he received in audience a visiting delegation from the Nigerian Football Federation led by its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. While reiterating his commitment to upgrade the existing Umuahia Township Stadium to make it suitable for the State`s football team, Abia Warriors, to be playing their matches there in the interim, he revealed the grand plan of his administration to build a new stadium city in Umuahia. He further noted that the land for the mega project has been acquired while preliminary work has already started.

According to him:
“We have a long term solution which is the Abia Stadium City. The land has been acquired and work is going on right now with the design. It’s not just a stadium, but it’s going to be a stadium city. It’s a complex.

“We are going to have even an entertainment village at the back of the stadium city. Well have plazas, well have a conference centre, we`ll have residential apartments”. This is gladdening, to say the least.

For a very long time, Umuahia as a capital city, has lagged terribly behind in terms of modern infrastructure and facilities that befit its status as the seat of power. There is no standard sports complex. No standard international conference centre with requisite conference facilities like simultaneous translation devices. No airport. No standard recreational centre. No standard shopping complex. No 5-star hotel that could host international conferences and workshops. No Olympic-size swimming pool for athletes to train. No modern transportation hub. Many of such modern day infrastructure that make a city thick are all lacking in Umuahia.

But with what Governor Otti is doing in Aba and Umuahia, the story is changing for good. At the moment, the long abandoned Enyimba International Hotel is being rehabilitated and repackaged as a foremost facility to cater to high profile international guests and tourists. This is being done in partnership with Radisson Blu, a global hospitality chain. Abia Medical City, an ambitious project which is planned to curb medical tourism by Nigerians, is being vigorously pursued by the Otti administration. The project is located in Isiala Ngwa South LGA. Similarly, the Abia Airport project at Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA is gradually coming up. The construction of the runway has since begun.

We cannot wait for the commencement of work on the Abia Stadium City project in Umuahia. It is a well-conceived idea which, on completion, would go a long way in enhancing the status of Umuahia as a State capital. The multiplier effects of such a mega project on the economy of Umuahia and environs cannot really be quantified. The project, obviously, would boost sports and youth development, create employment opportunities and attract local and international sporting competitions to the State, with the informal economy also benefitting.

The people of Abia are grateful to Otti for the giant steps he has taken to rewrite the unpalatable story of the State. It is their prayer that these projects would be completed during his tenure and put to use. They share in the optimism that when all these transformative projects are fully consummated, Abia would become a choice destination.

May Abia State continue to prevail!

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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