Gov. Otti Commissions 80-Bed Obingwa General Hospital, Renames Facility After Chima Ubani
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has commissioned the newly remodelled and digitally equipped 80-bed Obingwa General Hospital in Mgboko, the headquarters of Obingwa Local Government Area, renaming the facility after the late human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Chima Ubani.
The commissioning took place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to transform healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality medical services across Abia State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otti said healthcare remained a central pillar of his administration’s development agenda, noting that investments in the sector were aimed at restoring public confidence in government-owned health institutions and saving lives, particularly those of mothers and newborns.
He said the newly upgraded hospital would expand access to quality healthcare for hundreds of thousands of residents of Obingwa and neighbouring communities, including people from Aba, Osisioma and other adjoining areas.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s modern facilities, which include a healing garden, technology-driven data management system, 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 support uninterrupted 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 was expected to operate round the clock, including weekends, and provide care to patients irrespective 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 stated.
Why the Hospital Was Renamed After Chima Ubani
Governor Otti explained that the decision to rename the hospital after Chima Ubani was a tribute to the late activist’s courage, compassion and lifelong commitment to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Recalling Ubani’s contributions as a pro-democracy campaigner, Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation, the governor described him as “a mentor of the masses, one who died in pursuit of the very ideals that he lived for.”
He said the honour was intended not only to preserve Ubani’s legacy but also to inspire present and future generations to embrace courage, service and integrity.
The governor assured that his administration would continue to support the family of the late activist while working with medical professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Otti also commended community leaders for their involvement in protecting the facility and warned against vandalism, urging residents to regard the hospital as their own.
301 Health Projects Underway
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the 80-bed hospital as evidence of Governor Otti’s commitment to building a future-ready healthcare system in Abia.
Uche disclosed that within three years in office, the administration had undertaken 301 infrastructural projects in the health sector, including the construction and equipping of 277 primary healthcare centres to standards set by the state government.
He said the Obingwa facility was a digital hospital that would enable women in labour at primary healthcare centres to be linked to the hospital for appropriate medical 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,” he said.
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 under SURE-P and commissioned in 2015.
She said the Otti administration inherited the facility in a dilapidated condition, with no admissions, drugs or medical equipment, but had now transformed it into a functional hospital.
Azubuike thanked the governor for his commitment to the welfare of health workers and urged residents of Obingwa to take ownership of the facility and protect it from vandalism.
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 Governor Otti’s visionary leadership.
He expressed optimism that the governor’s investments in healthcare would contribute significantly to improving life expectancy in Abia and the wider region, while commending the administration’s commitment to ensuring dignified and quality healthcare for residents.
Retired Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Kanu Nkaginieme, also praised the administration’s healthcare interventions and called on community leaders and residents to take responsibility for protecting and sustaining public health facilities across the state.
The event 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, Ph.D.; Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Labour Party State Chairman, Hon. Peter Azubuike; Labour Party candidate for Obingwa, Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, Dr. Okey Nwambu; Labour Party candidate for Obingwa West Constituency, Chief Mrs. Victoria Dibunma Onwubiko; Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike; Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe; and other senior government officials, traditional rulers and stakeholders.
In their remarks, the political and community leaders commended Governor Otti for the hospital and other development projects in Obingwa, pledging continued support for his administration.
