ABA, the commercial nerve city of the South East Geopolitical Zone was today shut down as thousands of the residents trooped out enmasse to receive and welcome the President of the country, His Excellency, Ahmed Bola Tinubu who is expected in Aba to commission various landmark projects executed by the Governor of the State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, (OFR).
Aba residents noted for their commerce and business today have many roads and shops closed while the Enyimba lnternational Stadium has already been filled up as jubilant crowd have continued to troop into the place with security Agents handy on duty controlling the massive crowd.
The people cannot hide their joy as they continue to chant the name of the president and the Governor who has wiped their tears and sorrows of many past years of underdevelopment and poor governance in Abia State.
Governor Alex Otti has hit the needs of the people by constructing landmark road projects, cleaned up the city thereby restoring hope and lost glory of the commercial hub.
For every Aba resident, they have never had it like this before as Governor Dr Alex Otti has done the impossible by reconstructing all those major roads that were abandoned for over forty years and at the heart of the city, a situation which had forced many businesses closed and many relocating out of the city.
But today major roads that touch the hearts of Abia residents, Port Harcourt road, Ohanku road and seven other roads have been completed and will be commissioned today while many ongoing roads are in progress.
For Abia residents, whether the president comes in person to commission these landmark projects or represented by anyone, it doesn’t matter but they are proud and happy with the developmental strides of the Governor who has displayed uncommon governance in the history of the state.
For the Chairman of the Famous Ariaria International Market in Aba, Sir Hyacinth Ositadinma Nnabude, he described the marvellous developmental strides of the Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti as ” seeing is believing. He is indefatigable, God sent to Abians, non to compare with, dependable, transparent and a leader with midas touch”
He said ” Ariaria traders are grateful to the Governor and what he has done so far and still doing in the state. Ariaria executives and the entire traders are happy with him and will ensure he returns in 2027. Nothing will stop his re-election come 2027. We sincerely appreciate him”
He said ” May God bless and keep him. He is the best in Abia and can only be compared with the late Chief Sam Mbakwe who was the former Governor of the Old lmo State which comprised of the present lmo, Abia and parts of Ebonyi. Governor Alex Otti within two years and few months in office has constructed major roads in Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and touching positively all sectors of the state and Abians are happy with him”
” As the Chairman of Ariaria lnternational Market, l am following the footsteps of the Governor and will not disappoint both the Governor, the traders and entire Abia people but will assiduously work for the traders and support our Governor to return in 2027 because by the time he completes eight years in office, Abia state would have become an Eldorado” Sir Nnabude stated.
The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.
He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.
Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.
Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.
She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.
Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.
Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.
“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.
See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.
“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.
But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.
Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.
“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.
The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.
“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.
Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.
He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.
The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.
Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.
According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.
He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.
He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”