President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly remodelled Dr Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, recently reconstructed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The iconic structure, originally built decades ago, has long served as the epicentre of official state functions and civic engagements in Abia.
Recall that Governor Otti, upon assumption of office, ordered its complete facelift to restore its grandeur and reposition it as a befitting venue for governance, cultural events and socio-political gatherings.
Speaking at the commissioning on Friday, President Tinubu commended Governor Otti for the quality of work executed as well as his commitment to infrastructural renewal across the State.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, described the remodelling as a “miracle of transformation” and noted that the edifice is a befitting honour to the late Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara.
“I lived and worked here in Umuahia. The water project, I was part and parcel of it as a young engineer. And I know how that route was, all the way from the tower going to Umuahia.
“But today, I saw a miracle taking place. And I thought that was a miracle. But when I crossed the tower, I saw a more miraculous, you know, infrastructure.
“I’m told that we are going to be seeing wonders. Some are federal projects constructed by the Governor, others are state projects. But projects, whether they are federal or state, the important thing is to touch the lives of the people of our state”, Umahi said.
The Minister, who conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of Abia State, explained that the President was unavoidably absent due to the passing of the mother of the APC National Chairman, whose burial is scheduled for tomorrow.
He, however, assured that the President would personally visit the state later in December and emphasized the President’s recognition of the South-East in national politics.
“And let me bring greetings of our dear leader, our father, our President. President for all.
“The President that has recognized the Southeast people. The President that has reintegrated us in the affairs of the nation. The President that has love for the people of Southeast and other regions.
“Mr. President asked me to let you know that he will be with you later this year, sometime in December. He would have been here himself but unfortunately, our National Chairman lost his mother and she is being buried tomorrow.
“And it’s right that the President is there, that’s why he has asked me to stand in for him and to commission the numerous projects”, the Minister disclosed.
He urged the people to emulate the Late Dr Michael Okpara’s style in politics, adding that the late Okpara reintegrated the people of the South East to the government at the Centre.
“I was with the President and he said something that touched me so much. He has respect for His Excellency the late Michael Okpara.
“He said to me, Dave, ask your people to play the kind of politics that His Excellency the late Michael Okpara played. He played to the centre. He integrated the people of Southeast to the centre. That’s what he told me.
“And I’m happy that he’s been honored by the reason of this edifice being renovated in his name”, Umahi said.
Earlier, while handing over the facility for commissioning, Governor Alex Otti recalled the poor state of the auditorium before its reconstruction, noting that the facility was in a dilapidated state before his administration commenced its reconstruction in 2023.
“This is the Michael Okpara Auditorium which was left in a dilapidated state. Towards the end of 2023, we started working on it.
“I am glad that today it is a standing edifice worthy of beholding, and by the time we take a step inside, Your Excellency, you will be happy with the quality of work that is done”, Otti stated.
