Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has commissioned the newly remodelled and digitally equipped 80-bed Obingwa General Hospital in Mgboko, headquarters of Obingwa Local Government Area.

The governor also renamed the facility after the late human rights activist, Chima Ubani, describing the honour as a tribute to his courage, compassion and commitment to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

The commissioning ceremony was held on Tuesday, with Otti saying the investment was part of his administration’s efforts to modernise public healthcare facilities and restore confidence in government-owned hospitals.

Speaking at the event, the governor said healthcare remained a major component of his administration’s development agenda, particularly its efforts to expand access to quality medical services and reduce preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.

He said the hospital would provide healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of residents in Obingwa and neighbouring communities, while its location would also make it accessible to residents of Aba, Osisioma and other adjoining areas.

Otti expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s facilities, which include a healing garden, digital 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 to support power supply.

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

He stressed that the hospital must operate round the clock and provide services to patients regardless of their social or economic status.

“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,” he said.

Hospital renamed after Chima Ubani

Explaining the decision to rename the facility after Chima Ubani, Otti recalled the late activist’s contributions to Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement and his commitment to social justice.

The governor noted that Ubani served as Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and later as Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation.

He described the late activist as “a mentor of the masses, one who died in pursuit of the very ideals that he lived for.”

Otti said the gesture was intended to preserve Ubani’s legacy and inspire younger generations to uphold courage, service and integrity.

He also assured that his administration would continue to support the late activist’s family and collaborate with medical professionals and other stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery across the state.

The governor disclosed that community leaders had been integrated into efforts to protect the hospital and warned against vandalism.

Speaking separately, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, the Labour Party State Chairman, Peter Azubuike, and other political and community leaders commended the governor for the hospital project and other developments in Obingwa.

They included the Labour Party candidate for Obingwa, Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, Dr Okey Nwambu; the Labour Party candidate for Obingwa West Constituency, Chief Mrs Victoria Dibunma Onwubiko; the Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Maxwell Nwadike; and Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe.

The stakeholders also pledged their support for Otti and his party.

301 health projects underway — Commissioner

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the hospital as evidence of the administration’s efforts to develop a future-ready healthcare system.

Uche disclosed that the Otti administration had embarked on 301 health-sector infrastructure projects within three years, including the construction and equipping of 277 Primary Health Centres to standards set by the administration.

He said Obingwa had benefited significantly from the projects, with 18 primary healthcare centres delivered in the area.

“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,” Uche said.

He explained that the Obingwa hospital had been designed as a digital facility capable of linking women in labour at primary healthcare centres with the hospital for further medical support.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Odochi Azubuike, said the hospital was originally built under the Local Government SURE-P programme in partnership with Abia State and commissioned in 2015.

She said the Otti administration inherited the facility in a dilapidated condition, without admissions, drugs or essential equipment.

According to her, the government has since transformed it into a functional healthcare facility.

Azubuike commended Otti for his attention to the welfare of Hospitals Management Board staff and urged residents to take ownership of the hospital and protect it.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Save A Life Group, Dr Richard Okoye, said his organisation was partnering with Abia State because of what he described as Otti’s visionary leadership.

Okoye expressed optimism that Abia could record the highest life expectancy in West Africa, citing the governor’s investments in healthcare.

Retired Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Kanu Nkaginieme, also commended the administration’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure.

He called on community leaders to support the protection and management of health facilities and urged residents to take ownership of government projects across the state.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD; and other senior government officials.