The Abia State Government has directed Security Agencies to step up operations against cult groups as part of renewed efforts to curb the disturbing rise in cult-related activities across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Describing the growing incidence of cultism as dangerous and unacceptable, Prince Kanu stressed that the present administration, under Governor Otti, would spare no effort in safeguarding lives and property.
He reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that law-abiding citizens can live and conduct their businesses without fear.
Prince Kanu who highlighted ongoing initiatives of the State Government aimed at driving development across key sectors of the economy, revealed that the present administration has embarked on the retrofitting of facilities at the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu (ASCETA).
He said that the renovations would upgrade the College Library, Vocational Education Block, Student Hostels, the School of Technical Education, and the campus road network, in readiness for the College’s forthcoming re-accreditation.
Prince Kanu announced that Governor Otti earlier received Ms Grace John, an Abia-born student who emerged winner of the highly competitive TechGirls 2025 contest and will represent the state in the United States of America.
The Commissioner noted that Ms Grace’s outstanding performance speaks volumes about the standard of education in Abia State. He added that Governor Otti has graciously offered to support her trip to the US with a donation of five thousand US dollars.
Prince Kanu also announced that Governor Otti would today (8th July) launch the Aba Export Growth Lab, a flagship project designed to help Aba-based enterprises access global markets.
The initiative, according to Prince Kanu, would boost the productivity, quality and export capacity of locally made products, in line with the present administration’s vision to position Aba as Nigeria’s leading hub for innovation and export-driven manufacturing.
In the Health sector, Prince Kanu disclosed that the Governor would, on Thursday, perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed 1,000-bed Abia Medical City at Mba-Asa, near Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
He described the $1.3 billion world-class facility as the first quaternary medical city in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Commissioner further revealed that the payment of capitation to healthcare providers under the state’s Health Insurance scheme began last month, enabling registered residents to access medical services.
He added that the enrolment of Local Government workers would soon begin under the scheme, which has already recorded 94,442 enrollees.
Prince Kanu used the opportunity to encourage interested applicants to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment of health workers aimed at equipping the state with qualified medical personnel to advance the State Government’s transformative health agenda.
He confirmed that 249 former staff of the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, who were disengaged between 2018 and 2022 by the previous administration, had received their outstanding entitlements and described the payment as part of Governor Otti’s commitment to clear inherited debts and restore confidence in public service.
