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By Tracy Moses
The Abia State Government has explained the reasons behind the postponement of two major events earlier scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2025, the commissioning of Port Harcourt Road in Aba and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abia Medical City.
According to the government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was expected to preside over both ceremonies, has had to reschedule due to pressing state duties. The events are now expected to take place during the first week of June.
Speaking with journalist in Umuahia on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the 6.7km road, constructed by engineering giant Julius Berger, as a critical infrastructure project that will significantly boost movement and economic activities in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.
Despite the change in schedule, Kanu disclosed that residents of Aba would still go ahead with a carnival to celebrate the ongoing infrastructural transformation in the city. He noted that the event is a spontaneous show of appreciation by the people and not organized by the government.
“In spite of the shift in date, I’m pleased to announce that residents of Aba will be hosting a major carnival to celebrate the many transformative projects in the city. This initiative is entirely driven by the people and not the state government,” he stated.
The commissioner also unveiled activities lined up to commemorate the second anniversary of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, starting with an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, on May 25.
Subsequent events include an Executive Council session to mark the anniversary on May 26, a visit to orphanages and a Children’s Day celebration led by the First Lady on May 27, and an anniversary lecture to be delivered on May 28 by former Finance Minister Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu. The celebrations will culminate on May 29 with a state broadcast by Governor Otti at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Kanu further revealed that Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will take advantage of her visit to Abia to launch a support initiative aimed at assisting vulnerable groups across the state.
On developments in the health sector, Kanu said arrangements are in top gear to commission Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in each of the 17 local government areas under the “Project Ekwueme” initiative.
Providing additional insight, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the PHC projects, which began on January 28, are now nearing completion. He stated that beginning from the first week of June, one PHC will be commissioned daily in each LGA over a 17-day period. According to him, many of the centres are already visible and nearly ready across the state.
Professor Uche also underscored the importance of the Abia Medical City project, describing it as a nationally significant venture.
“This is a massive initiative unlike anything done in Nigeria. The President has expressed interest in personally flagging it off due to its scale and potential impact,” he said, adding that Governor Otti has already directed the construction of access roads to the project site.
Present at the briefing were the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, and the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.