By Editor, Umuahia

Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti has issued a certificate of occupancy to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu for the commencement of building of office structure in the state.

The chairman during a visit to the governor in his country home in Nvosi recently commended Governor Alex Otti for the prudent management of Abia State resources.

Dr. Shehu who gave the commendation while in the company of his commissioners and other members of his delegation, noted that Abia residents are blessed to have Governor Otti, adding that his achievements were evidence of prudent management of resources in the State.

The RMAFC Chairman particularly commended the administration for its massive investment in road infrastructure, noting that the construction and rehabilitation of over 400 roads, including bridges, have significantly impacted the state.

He also applauded the achievements of Governor Otti’s administration in education, especially the recruitment of thousands of teachers, the completed and ongoing renovation and upgrading of schools across the State.Dr. Shehu said, “I am so glad that today, I am able to make it, to see you here, and to see all the developmental strides that you have taken and are still undertaking since you assumed office as the Executive Governor of this State.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to say that this State is blessed to have you as Governor. Every independent analyst will testify that this is one of the best governed States in Nigeria. And you are certainly the best among all those who have governed the State.”

He further acknowledged the administration’s strides in primary healthcare, fiscal transparency and security, noting that the state’s improved fiscal performance and peaceful environment were indications of responsible governance.

He commended the state’s rise from 17th to 4th position in fiscal transparency and the reduction of its debt profile as significant achievements, stressing that they reflect effective utilization of statutory allocations and other resources accruing to the State.

Dr. Shehu disclosed that the Commission was undergoing reforms aimed at strengthening revenue monitoring, enhancing digitalization and improving real-time access to revenue information from revenue-generating agencies.

The Chairman also disclosed that the Commission was working on a new revenue allocation formula, noting that the existing formula had been in operation for decades and needed to reflect the changing responsibilities of the three tiers of government.

According to him, the review had become necessary as states shoulder greater responsibilities, including transportation infrastructure and other sectors previously dominated by the Federal Government.

On the Natural Resources Development Fund, he said steps were being taken to ensure that funds meant for development are recovered and appropriately utilized.

He thanked Governor Otti for providing land for the construction of RMAFC’s office in the State, assuring that the building, when completed, would conform to the Commission’s standard across the country.

Responding, Governor Otti appreciated the RMAFC Chairman for his kind remarks and said his government had been managing available resources to fix the state.

The State Chief Executive disclosed that his administration had consistently committed over 80 percent of its annual budgets in the last three years to capital expenditure, to give infrastructure, education and health a facelift.

“We are very happy that you are doing what you are doing and we know that with the changes you are proposing, and with the President supporting us, states can be more empowered.

“If States are more empowered, they will do a lot more for the people,” he said.

Gov. Otti added that most roads his administration had built were Federal roads, but he did not discriminate as long as authorization was granted to rebuild them for the benefit of Abia people.

“All the good work we are doing is because we efficiently allocate our limited resources to areas of most important need. We are a very small state when you look at allocation.

” We are almost number 20, even though we have oil in one local government, but it is not that much,” Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti reassured RMAFC of his administration’s continued support and expressed hope that the proposed new revenue formula would be implemented soon to enable states to do more.

Abia was said to be the first state in the South East to provide land to RMAFC for its permanent office.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced that the State Government will soon commence the reconstruction of Uratta and old express roads in Aba as part of ongoing efforts to completely recover Aba and improve infrastructure in the commercial city.

Governor Otti also announced the approval for the construction of Umuebeke Road off Port Harcourt Road, Aba, to ease the difficulties faced by residents and businesses in that area.

The Governor made the announcement on Sunday, September 13, 2026, during a thanksgiving mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Umuogor, in Aba South LGA.

Responding to requests presented by the church, governor Otti said the issue of bringing polling units closer to the people would be considered in future, noting that INEC would have concluded delineation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also assured that he would collaborate with industrialist, John Udeagbala, to develop a land project they brought to his knowledge .

He reiterated that he does not use government funds for non-government projects, but pledged pledged support for the parish’s fund drive to build a home for retired priests of the parish.

Governor Otti also commended the homily delivered by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Brendan Obiji, on forgiveness, saying it is key to progress and National healing.

“Our life is ordained by God. Sometimes, God uses those who offend us to teach us lessons or prepare us for the future. If we hold on to grievances, God may not forgive us. Forgiveness is key. Some of us may not be here today if we had not forgiven. We must forgive, forget and move on,” the Governor stated.

Earlier in his homily, Rev. Fr. Obiji stressed the need for believers to practice forgiveness. He thanked Governor Otti for the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, which he said has restored economic activities in the area.

The Parish Priest assured the Governor of the Church’s support for his re-election in 2027 and requested the creation of additional polling units in the area to bring voting closer to the people. He also appealed for government assistance with the Church’s land project.

In his goodwill message, Chief Peter Nwosu thanked the Governor for the visit and pledged the unwavering support of the Church for his administration. He assured that the congregation would mobilize massively for the Governor’s re-election in 2027 in appreciation of his achievements and commitment to the wellbeing of Abia people.

He said that Governor Otti has done exceptionally well in road reconstruction and construction but singled out environmental sanitation as his greatest achievement in office while recalling the filthy environment before the emergence of Governor Otti.

By Editor

Nigeria and Spain are exploring new opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations through tourism, direct air connectivity, trade and investment being key areas of potential cooperation between the two countries.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, says Nigeria has enormous tourism potential that can be better positioned to attract Spanish and other European visitors, while stronger connectivity between both countries could unlock opportunities across several sectors of the economy.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the media, Ikpeazu said that Spain was strategically located as a gateway to Africa from Europe, emphasising the importance of strengthening the relationship between both countries.

He said there was considerable room for greater cooperation in tourism, trade, commerce, culture, security, education, agriculture and renewable energy, including opportunities around critical minerals such as lithium.

“There is a lot to do between both countries. The need to deepen and strengthen our ties is very important.”

The Ambassador said Nigeria’s tourism potential could be better harnessed through stronger cultural exchanges and improved access between both countries and identified the restoration of direct bilateral air services between Nigeria and Spain as a critical step towards achieving the objective.

He said that direct flights would reduce travel time and make it easier for tourists, investors, businesses and government officials to move between the two countries.

According to him, stronger air connectivity would also improve people-to-people relations and provide a stronger foundation for increased trade, commerce and tourism.

“Trade, commerce, tourism and collaboration must start with a restoration of bilateral air services between both countries. I am focused on restoring that, and I hope that it would be restored because it would strengthen government-to-government relations in respect of trade and tourism,” he said.

Ikpeazu, however, said the development of Nigeria’s tourism sector must be approached as part of a broader economic strategy, stressing that tourism is closely linked to security.

He said greater collaboration between Nigeria and Spain in areas of maritime security and naval defence could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and create a safer environment for tourism and other economic activities.

The Ambassador noted that Nigeria was already collaborating with Spain on naval defence and capacity building for security personnel, adding that there was potential to deepen such cooperation.

“Every economy, including tourism, is tied to security. We need a strategy that encompasses robust economic development to ensure that tourists move in safety, while private individuals are given the right environment to develop tourist centres,” he stated.

The Ambassador who also highlighted the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the measures have opened new possibilities for foreign investment in Nigeria, pointed to “a more stable and predictable dollar-to-naira regime and the ease with which investors can remit business proceeds,” saying these developments have strengthened the investment outlook and created greater opportunities for international investors.

He said Nigeria could collaborate with Spain in education, trade and human capital development, disclosing plans to explore a Nigeria-Spain education hub that would focus on relevant skills and help address gaps in skilled manpower.

He said the initiative could provide Nigerian young people with skills that match emerging opportunities while strengthening cooperation between educational institutions in both countries.

He said the Embassy was also working to encourage Nigerians living in Spain who possess talents and expertise in different fields to contribute to Nigeria’s development.According to him, the Embassy’s approach is centred on citizen-centred diplomacy, with efforts to ensure that Nigerians in Spain receive the support and services they require while also strengthening their connection with Nigeria.

The Ambassador further revealed plans to digitise consular services, saying this would make it easier and more convenient for Nigerians to access consular assistance.On migration, Ikpeazu advocated a more structured and dignified migration pattern that would allow Africans to move legally between countries while contributing meaningfully to the economies of their host nations.He said Nigeria’s efforts to improve its image internationally must also begin with its citizens, urging Nigerians to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the country and play their part in building a stronger economy.

Ikpeazu believes that the Nigeria-Spain relationship offers opportunities that extend well beyond traditional diplomatic engagement.From tourism and direct air connectivity to trade, investment, security, agriculture, renewable energy, education and culture, he believes both countries have significant room to expand their partnership.

He wants Nigeria to leverage the available opportunities created by Spain’s strategic position as a bridge between Europe and Africa to build, expand and partner.