Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has unveiled plans to establish an entertainment village in the State to reclaim Aba’s historical position as the “Cradle of Entertainment” in Nigeria.

The Governor was speaking on Saturday, November 22nd, at the Aba Town Hall, during the formal flag-off of the Aba Made Film Project, titled “The Chronicles of Enyimba City”.

He vowed to transform the State into a thriving hub for creative enterprise and entertainment as well as aggressively improve infrastructure, including the construction of two five-star hotels in Aba and Umuahia.

While disclosing that he had promised to set up an entertainment village in Abia State in his manifesto, Governor Otti reaffirmed that the dream is still alive.

“So, the only issue now is that we are about starting the Abia State Stadium Village. It’s a village in itself. It does have a games village and an entertainment village.

“It is meant to be in Umuahia, so, we’ll have to discuss whether we want it in Aba. We can detach it from the Stadium City and then bring it to Aba. I want the best for this industry”, Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who used the forum to applaud the resilience of the entertainment industry, especially its contribution to the long history of creativity associated with Aba, noted that Aba remains the birthplace of Nollywood’s early commercial distribution network.

He reassured the film project team of his administration’s backing, assuring that the State Government would support the project to the end.

“I want to say that this (Aba) is actually the cradle of entertainment. The Nollywood you hear about today started right here in Aba.

“If you are old enough, you will remember the days of Pound Road, Upper Iweka, and then Nnamdi Azikiwe”, Gov Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive listed some major infrastructural and social investment projects of his administration to include urban renewal, enhanced security, free education, improved healthcare, and a modern public transport system powered partly by electric vehicles.

“Abia was recently rated as the most affordable intra-city transportation in Nigeria, our government doesn’t share money but will only use the money accruing to the State to work for the people

“Before the end of this month, Radisson Blu will flag-off the reconstruction of Enyimba Hotel, and it’s going to be a five-star hotel and It’s also going to be an international convention centre also run by Radisson Blu.

“In early 2026, a similar five-star hotel project will be flagged off in Umuahia, replacing the current Abia Hotel site”, Gov. Otti stated.

In their various goodwill messages, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe represented by Mrs Uwaoma Olewengwa, the Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the Member representing Isialangwa North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, and the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Chima Anyaso (Ofuji) while appreciating the producers of the Aba made film project for coming up with the project in support of the project-driven administration of Governor Otti, noted that the Governor has rewritten the story of the State for the better.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe described the Aba Film Project as a catalyst capable of restoring Aba to its former glory, expressing optimism that the project would spotlight the rich cultural heritage and vibrant economic landscape of the Enyimba City to the world and thanked the Governor for his commitment to advancing the creative economy.

In a Keynote address titled; “Elevating Abia’s Image Through Cinematic Excellence”, foremost Nollywood actor, Mr Bob-Manuel Udokwu, described the Aba Film Project as a strategic cultural, commercial and creative initiative that goes far beyond filmmaking, noting that the project has the capacity to boost Abia’s image, stimulate economic growth, and reposition the entire South-East region.

The Nollywood actor lauded Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, noting that the combined expertise of the team is capable of building a world-class film village in Abia State, which would serve as a permanent cultural and economic asset.

Speaking on behalf of other Nollywood artistes, Mr Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) commended the infrastructure revolution of Governor Alex Otti-led administration and thanked the Governor for his love and commitment to taking the State to greater heights.

The event which featured a synopsis of the Aba-Made Film Project, The Chronicles of Aba, presented by the Project’s Technical Director, Dr Prospect Nlemchukwu was attended by many top government officials as well as prominent Nollywood artists including, Nkeiru Slyvanus, Joyce Kalu, Uche Elendu and a host of others.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.

By the Editor, Umuahia

1. The ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL will take place at the Trade More Event Center (Okpara Square) in Umuahia, Abia State, attracting over 20 thousand people during the 7-day event.
2. Within the Abia Christmas Village, a VIP Lounge managed exclusively by Lincoln Lounge will cater to the “High & Mighty,” providing tailored services to suit their tastes.
3. The festival will feature a traditional wrestling arena with multiple competitions. The ultimate winner will receive a cash prize of N200,000 sponsored by Amb. Dr. Osita Offor, ‘Ultimate Commander,’ the world wrestling champion of champions. The runner-up will take home N100,000, sponsored by the Honorable Commissioner for Sports, Honorable Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba.
4. A dedicated children’s arena will ensure kids have a delightful time.
5. The Santa Claus hut in the Abia Christmas Village will allow children to interact with Santa and receive gifts.
6. For sports enthusiasts, there will be a sports arena featuring indoor games like Table Tennis, Snooker Board, Datt Game, and various local games.
7. On the evening of December 25, 2023, a carol competition among 10 choir groups will unfold, with the winner receiving a prize sponsored by Onyekwere Akym Uche.
8. High-profile highlife acts such as Obewe and Koboko will grace the stage during the 7-day extravaganza.
9. The Abia Christmas Village Festival platform will showcase upcoming music stars, comedians, and more.
10. The event will host the first-ever Abia Merit Award (AMA) ceremony, with nominees selected under different categories through nominations by Abians and Nigerians.
11. A social media hangout during the 7-day event will serve as a networking platform for social media influencers in Abia State and Nigeria.
12. Traditional and cultural displays will be a consistent feature in the Abia Christmas Village.
13. Attendees can explore a market within the village, offering a range of products for purchase while enjoying the festivities, among many other attractions.”

Stephanie Clement, Umuahia

Prominent private security organization in Abia State PEM SECURITY, has endorsed the ABIA CHRITSMAS VILLAGE PROJECT and has promised to provide all the private security officers needed for the project to be successful.

While speaking during the strategy meeting with the ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL project team, the Chief Executive Officer of PEM SECURITY Emeka Esomonu, assured the project delegation that PEM SECURITY is a progressive organization that is always ready to partner with and promote projects that will add value to Abia State.

Contributing during the conversation, the Project Coordinator ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL, Emenike Jason Iroegbu, described PEM SECURITY as the biggest private security outfit in Abia State and appreciated them for the partnership and support towards the success of the 7 days event. Iroegbu revealed that the success of the event will drive growth in the entertainment, tourism and hospitality sectors of the state. “The success of the ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL project will bring about growth in so many sectors in Abia State. The hospitality sector will grow because investors will invest in developing more hospitality infrastructures due to the increase in guests and tourists to the state, entertainers will be exposed more and even private security outfits like PEM SECURITY will not be left out”

The Director of Operations of the ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL Peterson Agu, promised that Abia and residents will witness the most exciting Christmas ever in the state. He revealed that the week-long event (25th to 31st December 2023), is billed to be entertaining, interesting, breathtaking and fulfilling for families.

“The event will cover cultural display, unveil great talents from Abia State, showcasing our traditional delicacies, host social media interactions and many more contents” he concluded. PEM SECURITY also promised to provide more publicity for the event.