The Founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) and traditional ruler of Ikwuorie Ancient Kingdom, HRM King Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his commitment to transforming the state through strategic investments in digital infrastructure.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) Fibre Duct Infrastructure Project in Aba on Wednesday, October 29, King Chinyere described the initiative as a landmark step that will position Abia as a digital and telecommunications hub in Nigeria.
He said the project, which is expected to create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state, will drive digital inclusion and expand access to broadband connectivity.
“This transformative project will set Abia on the peak of the digital economy, making it a one-stop digital and telecommunications hub in Nigeria,” he said. “It will attract businesses, improve the ease of doing business, and open up more opportunities for investors.”
King Chinyere, who facilitated WIOCC’s entry into Abia, praised Governor Otti for his “love, passion, and commitment to Abia’s development,” describing him as “a God-sent Moses to liberate Abia from underdevelopment.”
He noted that the governor’s investment-friendly policies and focus on peace and security have continued to attract foreign investors to the state.
In his remarks, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres (OADC), a subsidiary of WIOCC Group, said the project would bridge the digital divide and advance Nigeria’s broadband goals.
“Our partnership with the Abia State Government represents a shared vision to accelerate digital access and inclusion,” he stated. “This infrastructure will enable faster, more reliable connectivity that empowers communities, fuels entrepreneurship, and strengthens economic growth.”
Coker explained that the project aligns with WIOCC’s mission to build open-access, carrier-neutral digital infrastructure that supports next-generation connectivity and cloud services.
Governor Otti, in his address titled “Taking Tomorrow,” reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding technology infrastructure across the state. He commended King Chinyere for facilitating the project and supporting the state’s development initiatives.
The governor recalled that in January 2025, his administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WIOCC to establish statewide broadband connectivity and data centers in Abia.
According to him, the data centers will deliver high-speed internet through fiber optics and are expected to attract major global technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
Otti said the initiative forms part of his administration’s broader plan to make Abia a digital innovation hub for the South-East and Niger Delta regions.
