By Editor, Umuahia

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Ikpeazu PhD has joined dignitaries from all walks of life at the wedding of Leo Okorocha and Daniela Okocha, daughter of former international footballer, Austin Okocha popularly known as “Jay-Jay” in Málaga, Spain.

The colourful ceremony brought together prominent personalities and members of the Nigeria diasporas to celebrate the union of the couple in an event that also highlighted the enduring cultural and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and Spain.

The wedding was officiated by Pastor Ayo Adedoyin of Jesus House, London, who drew his message from 1 Corinthians 13:3–8, focusing on the enduring nature of love, patience, kindness and commitment as foundations for a successful marriage.

The presence of the Nigerian Ambassador added a diplomatic dimension to the celebration, with his participation reflecting the importance placed on strengthening people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Spain.

Beyond formal diplomatic engagements, cultural and social interactions involving Nigerians and their Spanish hosts continue to provide opportunities for deeper understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The wedding also offered an opportunity for members of the Nigerian community in Spain to celebrate one of their own and showcase the richness of Nigeria family and cultural traditions on an international stage.

The newly weds were surrounded by their families and friends as they exchanged vows and formally began their journey as husband and wife.

For the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Spain, participation in such occasions is part of efforts to remain connected with Nigerians living in the country as encouraging stronger community relations and celebrating significant milestones within the Nigerian community remains a priority..

The love filled ceremony had prayers offered for the couple by the guests who wished them a lifetime of love, friendship and shared purpose.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has granted automatic employment into the State Civil Service to the 19 best graduating students of Cohort 3 Abia TechRise ICT skills development program.

The governor on Thursday, August 21, 2026, during the graduation ceremony of 850 youths trained in the third cohort of the program at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, announced the employment benefit for the new graduates.

He said the reward was the brainchild of his government, which was committed to creating an enabling environment for the best talents in each of the cohorts of the TechRise program, adding that they would help provide quality services in the civil service.

Governor Otti also donated N100,000 to each of the graduating youths and directed the organizers to forfeit the laptops they used for training as personal property.

He directed the Head of Service and the relevant ministries to carry out needs assessment on all government agencies and open positions requiring ICT expertise in the state and fill them with TechRise graduates.

The Governor also announced the creation of a special wage or salary structure for ICT professionals in the state’s civil service, subject to the condition.

He further emphasized that retaining the best talents in each cohort of the TechRise would add value to the State’s institutions and services through their skills and technology.

The governor challenged the fresh graduates to seek the knowledge and add value to their lives, saying the knowledge and skills they gained through the free training were better than the N100,000.

He urged them to turn their skills into businesses, innovations, or ideas to generate income while advising against the use of their skills for criminal activities.

The governor acknowledged the innovative skill of a few graduates who made a working drone and directed the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation to partner them on the idea to take it to the next level.

The governor also said his administration was ready to establish international examination and certification centers for ICT in Abia while collaborating with MTN to provide internet facilities in the state.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the 100 percent free program, with 3 months of training, in partnership with the 17 local government areas, had so far trained 2,210 youths in three cohorts.

Meanwhile, the TechRise coordinator and CEO of LearnFactory, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, said the free training program had also trained 2,500 civil servants in computers and would soon train 5,000 civil servants in computers.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Onuoha Victor Chinedu thanked Gov. Otti for giving them a platform to acquire the skills that will enable them to face their lives after studies.

By Editor, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, commissioned 20 more electric buses to the Green Shuttle fleet.

During the commissioning at Nnenna Otti- bus terminal in Umuahia, the governor announced the extension of operational hours of the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency [ARTSMA] and other traffic enforcement authorities to 10pm daily.

Speaking at the event, Governor Otti described transportation as a critical driver of economic growth and social development. The Governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to building a modern, environmentally friendly and efficient transportation system.

Governor Otti warned against acts of sabotage, vandalism and indiscipline, capable of undermining the transport system, stressing that his administration would not tolerate criminality or reckless conduct on the roads.

“No one has the right to violate traffic regulations or endanger the lives and property of others. Beating traffic lights, driving against traffic, overloading and reckless parking will attract severe sanctions,” he said.

To ensure strict compliance, the Governor announced the establishment of an independent monitoring team to evaluate enforcement activities and recommend further actions where necessary.

The State Chief Executive charged the inter-agency transport management team to remain committed to protecting government transport assets, maintaining the buses and terminals, prioritising staff welfare, and ensuring that anyone found sabotaging public infrastructure is prosecuted.

“Whoever attempts to drag us back to the darkness of the past will have a very difficult time. We are determined to close the gap between where we are and where we want to be,” Gov. Otti affirmed.

Governor Otti recalled that the first fleet of electric buses was launched in December 2025, noting that the latest addition represents another significant milestone in closing the transportation gap in the state.

“Transportation is the oil that lubricates the wheels of prosperity. It moves people, drives commerce and expands the frontiers of opportunity.”The progress of any civilisation ultimately depends on how its transport system evolves to meet the realities of the time,” the Governor stated.

The Governor explained that the decision to adopt electric vehicles was informed by the need to provide cost-effective transportation, protect the environment, and position Abia ahead of emerging global transportation trends driven by clean energy and technological innovation.

The Governor emphasized that the remarkable transformation witnessed in the State’s public transport sector over the past seven months has introduced orderly queues, technology-driven payment systems, and dependable services comparable to global standards.While appealing to residents to fulfill their tax obligations, Governor Otti noted that sustainable development depends on citizens partnering with government through responsible tax compliance.

He further assured transport operators that government remains open to constructive dialogue, following reports of concerns from some informal transport operators.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, described the event as a celebration of visionary leadership and transformational governance. He noted that Governor Otti’s investments have repositioned public transportation in Abia through innovation, clean energy and people-centred policies.

Dr. Ukaegbu said the additional 20 electric buses would significantly expand intra-city and inter-city operations, providing affordable, safe and comfortable transportation for workers, students, families and other commuters across the State.

He added that beyond improving mobility, the initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to sustainable development through investment in infrastructure, maintenance systems and route planning, while also promoting cleaner air through zero-emission transportation.

The Commissioner commended the Governor for building a future-oriented transport system and assured that the buses would be professionally managed and properly maintained for the benefit of the people.

He also urged residents to protect public assets and encouraged drivers and operators to uphold professionalism, discipline and strict compliance with road safety regulations.