• Aba bouncing back to greatness, says Otti
Abia State Government has identified 55 potential tourism sites across its 17 local councils. It also unveiled plans to use tourism to drive inclusive development and environmental sustainability in the state.

This was as Governor Alex Otti declared that Aba, the state’s commercial hub, is bouncing back to greatness, with the ongoing infrastructural development in the city.

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Matthew Ekwuribe, stated yesterday that the government revealed these in Abia during the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration, held in conjunction with the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).

Ekwuribe, in his keynote at the event with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, said the government was ready to transform the state into a premier cultural and eco-tourism destination.

According to him, the identified potential tourism sites have unique cultural, ecological and historical significance, adding that tourism is not just about sight-seeing, but also soul-seeing.

He further outlined ongoing projects, including the establishment of eco-tourism hubs, the digitisation of heritage sites, and empowerment programmes targeting women and youth within the creative economy.

Also, the Chief of Staff to the State Government, Caleb Ajagba, described tourism as a vital tool for driving inclusive development and environmental sustainability.

Ajagba emphasised the government’s commitment to harnessing the sector’s potential for economic prosperity.

“In Abia today, we are witnessing a transformation that proves that even strangers can spark positive change through productive ideas. Tourism, if well harnessed, can be a tool for economic prosperity,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Vice President (South East) of FTAN, Wilson Ugwu, commended the state government for its commitment to the sector and called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and tourism practitioners.

OTTI, while accompanying President Bola Tinubu to inaugurate the collapsed 6.7 km Port Harcourt Road, Aba, reconstructed into a three-lane carriageway by his administration, described the event as historic, signalling a new dawn for Aba after decades of neglect by successive administrations.
The governor’s remark is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, inaugurated seven other roads in Aba – Ohanku Road, Ndoki Road, Ajiwe Street, Umuatako Road, Chief Nkoro Street, Gabriel Nwosu Street and Pepples Road.

Speaking at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, after inaugurating the roads, the President commended Otti for delivering the projects with a “touch of quality” and assured that the Federal Government would continue to support states that show a commitment to quality leadership.