“We Have Reached A New Milestone In The Effort To Modernise Our Health Institutions To Reflect The Spirit Of This Age” — Gov. Alex Otti Declares, Commissions Digitally Equipped 80-Bed Obingwa General Hospital, Renames Facility After Late Chima Ubani

The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has commissioned the newly remodelled and digitally equipped 80-bed Obingwa General Hospital, describing the facility as another major step in his administration’s drive to build a modern, accessible and future-ready healthcare system across the state.

The Governor also renamed the hospital in honour of an illustrious son of Obingwa Local Government Area and renowned human rights activist, the late Chima Ubani, in recognition of his enduring contributions to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

The commissioning ceremony took place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Mgboko, the headquarters of Obingwa LGA, where government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, medical professionals and residents gathered to witness the unveiling of the transformed health facility.

Speaking at the event, Governor Otti said healthcare remains at the heart of his administration’s development agenda, noting that the ongoing investments in the sector are designed to restore public confidence in government-owned health institutions while saving lives, especially those of mothers and newborn babies.

He said the newly upgraded hospital would significantly expand access to quality medical services for hundreds of thousands of people living in Obingwa and neighbouring communities.

According to the Governor, the strategic location of the facility means that it will not serve Obingwa residents alone but will also provide much-needed healthcare services to people from Aba, Osisioma and other adjoining areas.

Governor Otti expressed delight at the transformation of the hospital and its array of modern facilities, including a healing garden, technology-driven data management systems, real-time inter-facility collaboration, technology-assisted laboratory and scan analysis, a well-equipped theatre, eye care units, observation rooms and a renewable energy system designed to guarantee uninterrupted power supply.

“We have reached a new milestone in the effort to modernise our health institutions to reflect the spirit of this age.

“This facility should remain open every night and day. It operates for 24 hours a day, Saturdays and Sundays inclusive.

“Whoever comes here for medical reasons must receive the attention and support they need, whatever their social or economic conditions,” Governor Otti stated.

The Governor explained that the decision to immortalise Chima Ubani by naming the hospital after him was a deliberate tribute to the late activist’s courage, compassion and lifelong commitment to justice, democracy and the wellbeing of the people.

Recalling Ubani’s remarkable contributions as a pro-democracy campaigner, Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Governor Otti described the late activist as “a mentor of the masses, one who died in pursuit of the very ideals that he lived for.”

He said the honour was not merely intended to preserve Ubani’s memory but also to serve as a source of inspiration to present and future generations, encouraging them to embrace lives defined by courage, service, sacrifice and integrity.

Governor Otti further assured that his administration would continue to support the family of the late human rights activist while strengthening collaboration with medical professionals and other critical stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery across Abia State.

The State Chief Executive also expressed satisfaction that community leaders had been incorporated into arrangements aimed at protecting the facility, warning vandals against any attempt to damage or sabotage the newly commissioned hospital.

In their separate speeches, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe; the Abia State Chairman of Labour Party, Hon. Peter “the Rock” Azubuike; the Labour Party candidate for Obingwa, Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, Dr. Okey Wambu; the Labour Party candidate for Obingwa West State Constituency, Chief Mrs. Victoria Dibunma Onwubiko; the Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike; and Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe, thanked Governor Otti for bringing the modern hospital and several other transformational projects to Obingwa.

They praised the Governor’s development efforts and assured him that the people of Obingwa would vote overwhelmingly for him and his party members.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the 80-bed General Hospital as clear evidence of Governor Otti’s commitment to building a healthcare system capable of meeting both present and future needs.

He disclosed that within three years in office, Governor Otti’s administration is carrying out a total of 301 infrastructural projects in the health sector, with 277 Primary Health Centres being built and equipped to standards set by the Governor.

Prof. Uche explained that the newly commissioned facility is a digital hospital with the capacity to connect with other health institutions, noting that women in labour at various Primary Health Centres can be linked directly to the hospital for enhanced medical support and intervention.

“Obingwa has received more than a fair share of these projects, including 18 primary health centres, 13 of them under Project Ekwueme and five under Impact project,” Prof. Uche stated.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Odochi Azubuike, recalled that the hospital was originally built by the Local Government SURE-P, Abia State, and commissioned in 2015.

She said Governor Otti’s administration met the facility in a deplorable and dilapidated condition, with no admissions, drugs or functional equipment.

According to her, the hospital has now undergone a remarkable transformation, moving from a facility that lacked virtually everything required for effective healthcare delivery to a functional and digitally equipped hospital capable of serving the people.

Dr. Azubuike thanked Governor Otti for his commitment to improving the welfare of staff of the Hospitals Management Board and appealed to the people of Obingwa to take ownership of the facility and ensure that it is adequately protected.

In his remarks, the Chairman of “Save A Life Group,” Dr. Richard Okoye, said the organisation’s partnership with the Abia State Government was driven by what he described as the visionary leadership of Governor Otti.

He expressed optimism that the state’s massive investment in healthcare would produce far-reaching results, adding that Abia could soon record the highest life expectancy in the whole of West Africa.

Dr. Okoye commended the Governor for pursuing a healthcare vision founded on the belief that every Abian deserves access to dignified and quality medical care.

Also speaking, retired renowned Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Kanu Nkaginieme, lauded Governor Otti’s transformational efforts and called on President-Generals and community leaders to play active roles in overseeing and safeguarding health facilities in their communities.

He also urged all Abians to take ownership of the numerous projects being built across the state, stressing that public infrastructure can only deliver lasting benefits when the people collectively protect and preserve them.

The commissioning and renaming of the facility mark another significant milestone in the Otti administration’s healthcare transformation programme, as the government continues its efforts to upgrade hospitals, equip health centres, deploy digital technology and bring quality healthcare closer to communities across Abia State.