The Abia State Executive Council has approved an increase in the number of electric buses for its mass transit program from 20 to 40, as part of efforts to revolutionize public transportation.
State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a briefing at the Government House following this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. He also announced that the number of charging stations has been doubled from 10 to 20 to support the expanded fleet.
The first batch of 20 buses, expected to arrive in November, will be deployed with 12 operating in Aba and eight in Umuahia. The additional 20 buses will extend services to the Ohafia-Bende axis. Construction of bus terminals in both cities is underway, alongside junction improvements and new bus shelters along designated routes.
However in a major push for youth development, the state government, in partnership with Ethnocentric Ltd., has enrolled 1,200 youths in the second cohort of the *Facial Futures Skills Acquisition Program*, focusing on garment and leatherwork. The initiative has secured over $3 million in sponsorship from the MasterCard Foundation, a testament to Governor Otti’s growing international credibility.
Additionally, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, has launched the *Abia State Creative Talent Hunt* to discover and nurture young talents in music, visual arts, and digital innovation. Applications open on July 25 and close on August 18 via the state’s official website.
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2025 International Sports Championships (September 3 – October 12), the state has procured a wheelchair-accessible bus for disabled athletes—a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region. The government will also host three Falconers players who contributed to Nigeria’s victory over Morocco in the CAF Women’s Nations Cup later in December.
In a landmark achievement, Abia-born artist Noah Joffrey broke the Guinness World Record by painting 275 faces in one hour, surpassing the previous record of 217. Official confirmation is pending.
On Tourism & Healthcare Updates,
The Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy is compiling a comprehensive tourism guide featuring cultural festivals, heritage sites, and licensed hotels to boost tourism. Meanwhile, recruitment for the state’s health workforce continues, with 1,604 applications received so far. The portal closes on August 9, with vacancies for medical professionals across various fields.
Seventeen Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) are now fully operational, with communities urged to safeguard the facilities. No new cases of public health concern have been reported, reflecting improved hygiene practices among residents.
Commissioner Matthew Ekwuruibe of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy emphasized the state’s commitment to fostering innovation, citing an earlier example of a local inventor who developed a transformer for electricity generation.
*“Governor Otti’s administration is dedicated to unlocking Abia’s vast creative and economic potential,”* Ekwuruibe stated. *“We are building a future where talent thrives and infrastructure supports growth.”*
With these initiatives, Abia continues to position itself as a hub for sustainable development, youth empowerment, and cultural innovation.
Leave a comment