Columns/Opinions/Letters

Abia’s Flight To Progress: The Airport Project That’s Taking Shape – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia’s Flight To Progress: The Airport Project That’s Taking Shape – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia's Flight to Progress: The Airport Project That's Taking Shape Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D. Abia State is on the threshold of a transformative journey, courtesy of the airport project that's gaining momentum. The proposed airport, initially approved as an airstrip by the Federal Government, has been upgraded to a full-fledged airport, thanks to Governor Alex Chioma Otti's tireless efforts. This development is a testament to the Governor's vision of opening up Abia for investment flow and socio-economic growth. With the airport, Abia State is poised to become a hub for commerce, industry, and tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The…
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President Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration

President Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration

Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reduce the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol to N300 per litre between December and January. He said this would enable Nigerians to have a joyous and merry Christmas. A litre of fuel is presently sold at about N1,100 and N1,200 per litre across the country following the removal of fuel subsidy. Tinubu had on assumption of office in 2023 declared an end…
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Re-2025, Sustaining The Momentum: A Budget For Growth: Addressing The ‘Concerns’ Of Our ‘Friends’ Of ABIA State – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Re-2025, Sustaining The Momentum: A Budget For Growth: Addressing The ‘Concerns’ Of Our ‘Friends’ Of ABIA State – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Re_2025, Sustaining the Momentum: A Budget for Growth: addressing the 'concerns' of our 'friends' of Abia State As the State welcomes the 2025 Abia State budget of ₦750.3 billion, tagged "Sustaining Momentum," some of our well meaning friends have raised concerns about its feasibility and effectiveness. Presented by Governor Alex Otti, the budget represents a 30% increase from the 2024 budget of ₦524 billion. Some of the concerns expressed are: Lack of sectoral analysis, they claim that the budget fails to provide a sectoral breakdown, making it difficult to understand how funds will be allocated to various sectors such as…
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Economic Outlook For 2025: ABIA State’s Opportunities – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Economic Outlook For 2025: ABIA State’s Opportunities – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Economic Outlook for 2025: Abia State's Opportunities Abia State's economic outlook for 2025 is promising, driven by its strategic location in the Niger Delta region, abundant natural resources, and emerging industries. In my humble opinion, let's look at some key sectorial assumptions in state. We must start our analysis with the sector that directly affects over 80% of the populace - Agriculture, we are all witnesses that the state has vast agricultural potential, with crops like rice, cassava, and maize being major contributors to the state's GDP. Investment in irrigation systems and farming infrastructure will boost productivity. Abia state's Oil…
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Abia State’s 2025 Budget: Sustaining Momentum, Driving Progress – By Ebere Uzoukwa Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia State’s 2025 Budget: Sustaining Momentum, Driving Progress – By Ebere Uzoukwa Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia State's 2025 Budget: Sustaining Momentum, Driving Progress Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D. Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR has once again demonstrated his commitment to advancing Abia's development with the presentation of the 2025 Budget to the Abia State House of Assembly. The proposed budget, titled "Budget of Sustained Momentum," amounts to ₦750,282,200,000, representing a 30% increase from the 2024 budget. This significant increase reflects the administration's ambitious goals, despite the economic challenges posed by inflation and exchange rate volatility. The budget allocates ₦611.7 billion (82% of the total budget) to capital projects, aiming to drive long-term socioeconomic transformation in the state.…
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Every Moment Is A New Chance: The Socioeconomic Benefits Of New ABIA State Airport Project Engagement

Every Moment Is A New Chance: The Socioeconomic Benefits Of New ABIA State Airport Project Engagement

Every Moment is a New Chance: The Socioeconomic Benefits of the New Abia State Airport Project Engagement The Federal Government team from the Ministry of Aviation visited Abia State to inspect a proposed site for the airport. The team, led by Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, aimed to ensure the land and location align with regulatory requirements for airport siting. Governor Alex Otti mentioned that the state government had identified a suitable location, and he emphasized the importance of the airport's location, stating that it was crucial for the project's success. The airport project has…
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Otti’s Road Revolution: Promises Made, Promises Kept – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Governor Otti On Public Affairs)

Otti’s Road Revolution: Promises Made, Promises Kept – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Governor Otti On Public Affairs)

Otti's Road Revolution: Promises Made, Promises Kept Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D Governor Alex Otti's administration has been making waves in Abia State, particularly with its ongoing road revolution. During his campaigns, Otti promised to address the acute infrastructural deficit in the state. This promise was made in response to the failure of past administrations, which led to the collapse of many roads and other infrastructures. Completed Road Repair and Maintenance Operations: Repair & Maintenance Work at Aba Road, Umuahia. Repair & Maintenance Work on Otuka Road, Umuahia. Palliative Work at Olokoro Road, Umuahia. Repair & Maintenance Work on Ikot-Ekpene Road, Umuahia…
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Abia International Cargo Airport, Adding To The Streams Of Good News – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba Ohafia)

Abia International Cargo Airport, Adding To The Streams Of Good News – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba Ohafia)

ABIA INTERNATIONAL CARGO AIRPORT, ADDING TO THE STREAMS OF GOOD NEWS. In a matter of a few hours from the time of my writing this piece, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo Esq. will be on ground in Abia State to flag off the construction of Abia International Cargo Airport in Nsulu, about 10kms from Umuahia. This historic flag off ceremony promises to be the mother of all flag off ceremonies just following the epic commissioning of construction works of the Umuopara ring road project and the four lanes Onuimo bridge to Umuahia tower project in less than a…
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Northerners Should Wait For 2031 Presidency – SGF Akume

Northerners Should Wait For 2031 Presidency – SGF Akume

Northerners Should Wait For 2031 Presidency – SGF Akume The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has said that those eyeing the presidency from the North in 2027 should wait till 2031. He also has appealed to Nigerians to allow the bills to scale through required legislative processes stating that the bills were well envisioned for Nigerians. Akume, who gave the admonition while featuring on the Politics on Sunday programme of Television Continental, anchored by Femi Akande, assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu has not lost goodwill among Nigerians as a result of tax reform bills…
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INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu Commends Ghana Election, Says There Are Learning From Nigeria

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu Commends Ghana Election, Says There Are Learning From Nigeria

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu Speaks On Ghana Elections Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the just-concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana showed that the country has learnt some lessons from Nigeria. On Saturday, Ghanaians headed to the polls to elect a new president and members of the parliament. John Mahama, candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been elected president. The INEC chairman described the electoral process as “commendable” and one that provides stability for Ghana and its citizens. “It has been a very interesting election. We came here as part of the…
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