Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has said that his intention in building new facilities for the Correctional Centres in the state was to reduce congestion in the facilities.

Governor Otti stated this on Friday, November 21st in his office, when the new Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Correctional Services, Owerri, Zone E and Assistant Controller General of Corrections , Dr Ngozi Amanze paid him a familiarisation visit.

In the words of the governor, “Our intention when we decided to build new facilities (for the Correctional Centres) is to reduce congestion and reduce the temptation to do more crime in there.

“Even when people go there, we also want them to be corrected and reformed, rather than becoming hardened criminals”, Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti, who affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving correctional facilities in the state, recalled that shortly after assuming office, he met a former Kaduna lawmaker, Sen. Shehu Sani, who told him he would only visit Abia again after the completion of renovations at the Aba Correctional Centre, where he was once detained during the Abacha regime.

He said that the encounter prompted him to send a team to assess the condition of the facility and their visit revealed a complaint from Correctional Services over encroachment by members of the host community.

The Governor said that he had in the last 2 years attempted to grant pardon to some inmates as a way of decongesting the facilities, but could not find those with minor offences and requested her to look for those with minor offences for possible pardon.”A lot of people were there for murder, for serious offences.

We repeated the same thing in December 2024. We still couldn’t find anything. “We hope that you will help us look again. We don’t want the number to increase, because when you have a large number of your population in those facilities, it means that crime is increasing,” Gov. Otti stated.

On the challenges raised by the Coordinator, Gov. Otti said that the government would make it a fist charge in strengthening medical services in the facilities and directed the Commissioner for Health to assess the centres and explore the establishment of functional primary health care centre.

“I noticed some of the points you raised about education, skilled acquisition, medication and medical facilities. “I don’t know how it will work, but where you have such a large number of people, you should have working medical facilities even if it’s not a hospital, it could be a primary health care centre to attend to the inmates. We will try and support you with that,” he said.

The Governor thanked the Service for its cooperation and acknowledged the coordinator’s remarks on the ongoing reforms in the correctional centres in Abia.

Speaking earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Correctional Services, Owerri, Zone E, Dr Ngozi Amanze, who disclosed that she came to familiarise with the Governor as the new Zonal Coordinator, commended the Governor for his significant interventions that have strengthened security and improved conditions in Correctional facilities across the State.

She listed the fortified perimeter wall at the Aba Correctional Centre, installation of solar lights, and the construction of a new storey building with six cells as some of the interventions of Governor Otti, that have boosted security and staff confidence.

She noted that congestion remains a major concern across Correctional Centres in the country, adding that the new cell blocks, once completed, would significantly expand the capacity of the Aba facility and reduce overcrowding.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd) and other security aides of the Governor were present at the visit.

By Editor, Umuahia

A business mogul cum politician, Dr. Chima Desmond Anyaso has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise his constitutional executive power and grant a presidential pardon to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who was sentences to life imprisonment by the courts on Thursday.

The public affairs advocate, and former YPP deputy gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, joins a growing list of respected Igbo voices making similar appeals.

In a statement released from his Igbere country home in Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, on Friday, Dr. Anyaso stated that the current moment provides an ideal opportunity for a decisive political resolution.

He explained that he had intentionally avoided making public comments on the matter earlier to avoid influencing a case that was still before the courts, adding that now that the judiciary had delivered its verdict despite the possibility of further appeals, he believes it is an appropriate time for presidential intervention in the interest of national cohesion.

“With the courts having spoken and the judicial process at a stage where executive discretion can be applied, I respectfully urge President Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Dr. Anyaso said.

Continuing, he said that, “This is a moment for the President to show statesmanship, foster healing, and bring the nation together.”

Dr. Anyaso further highlighted that a broad spectrum of Nigerians including traditional leaders, political figures, business communities, civil society groups, religious bodies, and everyday citizens have consistently called for a political approach to resolving the issue. In his view, granting a pardon now would ease tensions, promote reconciliation, and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.

“Nigeria is at a critical crossroads,we need unity, healing, and a renewed collective purpose. A presidential pardon for Nnamdi Kanu would demonstrate this administration’s dedication to peace, justice, and national progress.”

He also urged all stakeholders and concerned groups to prioritize dialogue, national unity, and meaningful engagement over division or confrontation.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

To strengthen pan-African relationship and build stronger partnership, the Chairman and CEO of CAADES group, Dr. Chimaobi Anyaso, and his wife, Adanna recently hosted Hon. Kadiva Diana Hamutumwa, the Governor of Ohangwena Region in the Republic of Namibia, at the company’s office in Lagos.

The visit underscores the growing spirit of collaboration between the African nations as both parties explored strategic opportunities in cross-border trade and investment, clean mobility, transportation innovation, hospitality & tourism development and youth leadership exchange programs.

Governor Hamutumwa, who has a track record in public service, youth advocacy and women’s empowerment, had a warm reception at the CAADES office by the host team.

She was taken on a tour of the company’s cutting-edge E-Drive Station, a hub dedicated to clean mobility innovation, as well as one of its boutiques, hotel properties in Lekki, showcasing the group’s commitment to sustainable business growth across sectors.

Speaking after the engagement, Dr. Anyaso commended the Namibian Governor’s leadership vision and her contribution to public service.

“Her Excellency’s leadership journey and dedication to youth empowerment and continental development reflect the very best of Africa’s forward-thinking leadership.

“This engagement reinforces our belief that Africa’s future will be built through partnerships, shared knowledge, and public-private sector cooperation across the continent.

”The discussions between CAADES Group and the Namibian delegation focused on deepening economic and social ties between Nigeria and Namibia. Both sides expressed optimism about developing mutually beneficial initiatives, especially in empowering young Africans to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

“We look forward to advancing discussions and building solutions that foster growth in both Nigeria and Namibia,” Dr. Anyaso said.

According to him, “a more connected Africa is a more prosperous Africa.”Hon. Kadiva Diana Hamutumwa, the Governor of Ohangwena Region, is one of Namibia’s rising stars in governance.

Her region, strategically located along the Angolan border, plays a key role in Southern Africa’s cross-border trade and regional development.Known for her commitment to youth empowerment, education, and inclusive governance, Governor Hamutumwa has championed several initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young people and women in public life.

” Her leadership represents a new wave of transformational governance across the African continent, one focused on collaboration, innovation, and people-centered development.

The meeting at CAADES Group’s Lagos office concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen Nigeria–Namibia relations through joint projects and continuous dialogue.

Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to driving Africa’s growth through unity, innovation, and purposeful leadership.