Decades after it went moribund and taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Abia State Government, said it had initiated moves to buy back the once prestigious Star Paper Mills, Aba. moribund.
Governor Alex Otti who disclosed this at a grand civic reception organised in his honour by the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU), at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, said the move was part of the efforts of his administration to revive ailing and comatosed companies in the state with a view to creating new jobs and rejigging the economy.
Otti regretted that many once-thriving companies in the state had gone underground buy promised to bring them alive.
He said I grew up here (Aba), I was born here, I knew how important Star Paper Mill was not just to Aba, not just to Abia State, not just to the East of the Niger, but to Nigeria.
“As we speak, we know that Star Paper Mill has been taken over by AMCON. Let me announce that the State Government entered into a discussion with AMCON and as we speak, we have made an offer to AMCON to buy back Star Paper Mill.
“So, one thing you can take to the bank is that under our watch, Star Paper Mill will be back,” Gov. Otti assured.
Governor Otti also promised to restore electricity to communities in Ohafia Local Government Area, adding that discussions are on with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, for Abia State Government to acquire the Abia North and Umuahia ringed fence of the EEDC.
“We are working very hard to ensure that the entire Ohafia local government begins to have power, not just power, but constant power. I heard the Mayor of Ohafia LGA say that he is discussing with EEDC.
“In a few weeks from now, the discussion will not be with EEDC, because we are buying out Abia North and Umuahia ringed-fence from EEDC so that it will be within our control.
“We have made the offer already and we are in discussions. We will soon conclude it and take it over completely, Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor, commended the Abiriba people for the reception which he described as overwhelming and thanked them for their presentations, including the presentation of a coaster bus to support him.
Otti said he had been enjoyed a very strong relationship with the Abiriba people.
In a remark, member representing Ohafia North State Constituency, Hon. Mandela Obasi affirmed that “the Governor is doing well in office”.
The lawmaker saying that he would not speak against the good works of the Governor just because he is not in the same political party with him.
Hon. Obasi, who said that Abiriba people love Governor Otti and maintained that “the crowd that filled the stadium to the brim is an organic one, made up of 99.99% of Abiriba people.”
He said:”The Governor is doing very well. This is not a hired crowd. This is the people of Abiriba. Abiriba people have much regards for you (Gov. Otti), Hon. Obasi asserted.
In their respective speeches, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Anya Oko Anya; and President General Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU), Chief Yuccee Otta Uwa appreciated Gov. Otti for his transformational projects across the State.
They noted that the Governor is restoring Aba through strategic actions, adding that he has changed the narrative of governance in Abia State within two years in office and assured him of their sustained support.
They also applauded him for the reconstruction of the Umuahia – Uzuakoli – Akara – Abiriba road and the approval he has granted for the construction of Ndi Okoronta road.
In their goodwill messages, Chief Jackson Agbai Abba (Kukunda Abiriba); Chief Nwaka Inem (Enyioha); Chief David Ogba Onuoha (Ugo Ena Abiriba); Mrs Ukanwa Onuma, and the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ochu Kalu, saluted “the visionary leadership of Gov. Otti,” which they said, “has positively affected all facets of the economy.”
They promised him massive support in 2027 based on his impressive performance so far.
Presenting a gift from Abiriba people, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe, assured Otti of their continuous support beyond 2027 election and prayed to God to reward Governor Otti’s generations for the good the good works of their father who has wiped away the tears of Ndi Abia.
The reception which attracted unprecedented crowd of the people of Abiriba Enachioken, both from home and abroad featured various presentations including cultural displays.
Meanwhile, some Abiriba people in other political parties including Chief James Agbagha Ochunkwo (Owoblow), Chief Kalu Ume and Chief Kalu Udeagha declared their intention to join Governor Otti’s Labour Party.
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.”