Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and the Consul General of the Kingdom of Denmark in Lagos, Miss Jette Bjerrum, have opened fresh fronts for collaboration across key sectors, including Agriculture, Digital transformation, Health, maritime, and Micro,Small and Medium-scale Enterprises(MSMEs) development in the State.
Speaking during a meeting with the Consul General of the Kingdom of Denmark in Lagos,Miss Jette Bjerrum,at the Micheal Okpara, Umuahia, on Tuesday, Governor Otti said the State Government was ready to partner Denmark.
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the proposals presented by the Consul General, noting that many of them aligned with ongoing reforms in the State.
“Some of the things you said are exactly what we are doing. For us, it is either we are doing something or we are not doing it. We don’t waste “, he said.
Governor Otti assured that his administration does not indulge in “analysis paralysis”, adding that preliminary work on the agreed areas of partnership would begin immediately.
The Governor also accepted the proposal for a follow-up workshop to be held in the first month of the new year to crystallise the implementation framework.
On digital transformation, the Governor highlighted the State’s investment in building a data-driven governance structure, particularly in Agriculture.
He explained that Abia now has comprehensive records of farmers, farm locations and needs, giving the government clearer insights for planning and decision-making.
He added that the Commissioner for Science and Technology and the Special Adviser on Agriculture, both returnees from abroad, were driving reforms in their respective sectors.
On Health and Education, Governor Otti disclosed that his administration had consistently allocated 35 per cent of the State’s annual budget to both sectors, with 15 per cent dedicated to health and 20 per cent to education.
He added that the Government had introduced free and compulsory basic Education across the State and was upgrading infrastructure in schools and 200 primary healthcare centres.
“Our focus is on service, not profit and we create value for our people first before expecting revenue from them,” he said.
The Governor cited the steady progress in achieving 24-hour electricity supply in Aba through an independent power project, describing it as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
He encouraged the Danish delegation to visit Aba to appreciate the creativity of Local artisans and the vibrancy of MSMEs, which he described as the lifeblood of the city.
Governor Otti further expressed readiness to involve Denmark in the State’s Seaport Project, noting that the identified location would require dredging of about 19.5 nautical miles.
He commended Denmark’s development model and reaffirmed Abia’s commitment to building strong subnational institutions capable of contributing meaningfully to National growth and also expressed interest in meeting the Danish Ambassador during future engagements.
Earlier, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Denmark in Lagos, Miss Jette Bjerrum, reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to strategic partnerships with Abia, and emphasized collaboration at both Subnational and State levels.
She said her visit was aimed at building trust and exploring pragmatic partnerships that could deliver tangible results within a short period.
Miss Bjerrum identified Food and Agriculture as a major priority, noting Denmark’s long-standing investments across the value chain, from production to retail.
She emphasised digital transformation as another critical pillar, stating that Denmark sought to support data-driven solutions that enhance efficiency across public, private and civic sectors.
On maritime and logistics, she said partnerships could be developed to strengthen infrastructure and integrate supply chains.
She also mentioned the potential involvement of Danish firms like Novo Nordisk and digital health innovators such as People’s Doctor in advancing healthcare delivery in Abia.
Bjerrum highlighted Denmark’s commitment to climate sustainability, gender inclusion and environmentally responsible financing pointing out that the country’s fund-owned corporate model ensured local accessibility and supported impactful investments in strategic development areas.
She added that high-level engagements, including visits by the Danish Queen and State Secretary, underscores Nigeria’s importance and the global relevance of State-led collaborations.
The Consul General noted that the planned follow-up workshop would be crucial in identifying specific areas of collaboration and fast-tracking implementation in line with Nigeria’s dynamic development agenda.
