News

Ease of doing business: Gov. Otti inaugurates council.

Published

6 months ago

July 30, 2024

csunews

Ijeoma Madueke, Umuahia

Abia state governor, Alex Otti has in a strategic move to sustain the gains recorded on the ease of doing in the state and make business transactions seamless to accelerate the economic development of the state inaugurated the Abia State Council on the Ease of Doing Business.

The Governor on Monday inaugurated the Council with the Deputy Governor of the state, Ikechukwu Emetu as the Chairman.

The Governor described the inauguration of the Council as a very important landmark in repositioning Abia State towards ensuring that the State has a business friendly environment.

He said that the primary target is to make business seamless in the State.

“Today marks a very important landmark in repositioning Abia State as we inaugurate the very important Council that would be looking after the ease of doing business in the State. The members have been carefully selected and chosen and their assignments are clearly defined”.

“Their targets have also been set. I’m glad that we have made some progress from the Thirty Three over Thirty – Six 33/36 to Twenty One over Thirty Six – 21/36 today in one year and two months

“But then the journey to move us to number one has just started and that is the target. Like I have said somewhere else, we are always intentional about what we are doing. It is either we are doing it and doing it well or we are not doing it at all.

“On the ease of doing business, we have no choice. and it is not about ranking or rating though those are important, but, what is most important to us is that we are successful in making business seamless in our State,” governor Otti said.

The Governor said that Abia State is founded on business and that about 80 percent of Abians are involved in one business or the other hence the need to make the State a business friendly environment. In his words, “This is a State that is founded on business, eighty percent (80%) of our people are involved in one business or the other. and don’t tell me about agriculture because agriculture is also business. So, that underscores the importance of ensuring that we have a very business friendly environment for our people first and foremost and then others who want to invest in our State including foreign investors.”

Governor Otti said that although Nigeria has made progress in its ranking on the ease of doing business but the progress has been slow. “As a country, we have also made progress but the progress we have made is very slow from number 146 out of 190 countries in 2018 to our present ranking of number 131 out of 190 countries today. So, you can see that we are still struggling as a country. You will count 130 other countries before you count us”.“What that means in practical terms is that investors who are looking for where to invest their money will consider 130 other countries before remembering us. It is a lot of numbers and little wonder why we have not been attracting the kind of investments that we should be attracting.”

But, the reality is that the country itself is made up of sub-nationals. If the sub nationals do not do what they are supposed to do, then the country cannot make progress”.“So, if we do our bits here and we believe that other States will also do their bits, I’m sure the country will move in the ranking”, Governor Otti explained.While expressing optimism that members of the Council will deliver, the Governor stated that he was looking forward to Abia making quantum leap in her current ranking on the east of doing business.“We want to come back in less than one year to see that we have made a quantum leap from number 21 to maybe number 10 and then headed to number 1 and I believe it’s achievable”.Responding on behalf of the Council, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Council, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu thanked the Governor for the opportunity giving to them to serve and promised that they will put in their best to make Abia State the choice destination for investment. “I want to thank you very much for the opportunity that you have given to each and every one of us here to serve and we are promising everyone here today that we would make sure that Abia State becomes the choice destination for everyone to invest”, Engr. Emetu Stated.

Other members of the Council include Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bar. Ikechukwu Uwana, Hon. Commissioner for Digital Economy, Dr. Max Ekwuruibe, Hon. Commissioner for Power and Utility, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Hon. Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, Hon. Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, Hon. Commissioner for Land and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, Hon. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, Special Adviser on Security, Cmdr. Macdonald Ubah (Rtd), Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer to Abia State Government, Mr. Chinenye Mba Uzoukwu and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Ease of Doing Business, Mrs. Agbonma J. Ukaobasi Esq. who will serve as the Secretary of the Council.

News

Internal Security: Governor Otti reveals security is priority in Abia

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2025

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By Editor , Umuahia

Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has attributed the relative peace in the state to the team work that is evident among security agencies in the state.

The governor stated this while speaking to a team from the office of the National Security Adviser during a working visit to him in his country home in Nvosi.

In a press statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the governor told the team led by Barr. Abdullahi Bello that “all efforts towards a safe, peaceful and secured Abia may not be in the public domain, all that matters is the results being achieved.

‘These efforts manifested in the just concluded yuletide as there were little or no reports of security breaches across the State,” Gov. Otti noted.

Governor Otti said that his administration attaches priority to issues of security. He noted that the most important part of governance is security, adding that if security is threatened, nothing works.

Governor Otti said that the visit provided opportunity for both parties to learn from one another.

“For us, the most important part of governance is security. If security fails, every other thing fails, so we attach top priority to issues around security, that is why we’re excited to have you here to give us all the support that you can and you too can learn from us,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Barr. Abdullahi Bello said that they were in the state for “victim impact assessment.” He commended Governor Otti for his various achievements, especially in the areas of infrastructure and security.

News

Strengthening policing: Abia CP Isa receives Abia born new constables

Published

1 week ago

January 24, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, has received a total of 199 new constables of Abia State origin deployed to serve in the state.

Addressing the constables, he reminded them of the reason of their deployment to their local communities to begin service.

This is in alignment with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) which is to promote community policing and foster people-friendly practices.

CP Isa further urged them to make good use of the training and discipline instilled in them at the police college.

He instructed them to remain civil, professional, and to shun all forms of corruption, indiscipline, misconduct, or any behavior unbecoming of an officer.

He further warned that any such actions would attract necessary disciplinary measures.

He advised them to learn practical police functions diligently and to carry out their duties in the fear of God.

Human angle

Humanitarian act: Mrs. Otti donates cash, food items, groceries, others to Charity homes in Abia state.

Published

2 weeks ago

January 19, 2025

csunews

By Editor, Umuahia

The wife of the Abia state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has extended her benevolence to six orphanages in Aba and Umuahia.

She a total cash donation of six million to the six centres as support to the vulnerable groups with each home receiving a million naira.

There were also gifts of 50kg bags of rice, (30), other food supplies, and toiletries.

In her milk of kindness, caregivers in each facility were given cash support to appreciate their dedication and hard work.

Mrs. Priscilla Otti who was represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the less privileged and ensuring their welfare is made a priority .

She applauded the coordinators and caregivers for their selfless dedication to humanitarian services, particularly their care for vulnerable children.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Maureen Aghukwa, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas also expressed gratitude to Mrs. Otti for her impactful initiative of appreciating the caregivers for their tireless efforts in providing care and support.

In their various responses, leaders of the benefitting homes, including Rev. Sister Maria Anita Ogbonna of DMMM compassionate home and Madam Oyibo Okonkwo of Agape Charity Home commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti and his wife for their compassion and focus on the welfare of less privileged homes.

They prayed for God’s blessings and wisdom upon them as they continue to serve the state.

Recall that earlier in the year, Mrs. Otti personally visited Susana Homes at Ukwa East, where she donated ₦1,000,000, Bags of rice, food items, and other essentials to further support their operations.

The benefitting homes of the donations are DMMM compassionate home, Ahiaeke- ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,000, Agape Charity Home, Avodim, Ipupe-Amuba Ubakala – ₦1,000,000Caregivers: ₦150,0003, So-Said Charity Homes for Vulnerable Persons, Amibo : ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,0004.

Also St. Vincent De Paul Center for Mentally and Physically Challenged Persons, Umuafai Ndume Ibeku: ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,000, Ngwa Road Motherless Babies Home – ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,000 and SDA Motherless Babies Home: ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦100,000.