NEWS
Gov. Alex Otti Commissions 55-Room ‘ORIS Signature Hotel’ in Aba, Says “Never Again Will This Town Go Back to Where We Are Coming From“
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has commissioned the newly completed 55-room ‘ORIS Signature Hotel’ in Aba, describing the investment as another indication of the renewed confidence of investors in the commercial city.
The Governor, while commissioning the hospitality facility, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining an environment where businesses can thrive, investments can flourish and Aba can continue to reclaim its position as a major economic hub.
Governor Otti congratulated the Chief Executive Officer of ORIS Signature Hotel, Owelle Greg Okafor, for completing the project within two years and a few months, describing the speed of delivery as evidence of the growing opportunities available in the State.
“My understanding is that this hotel project started early in 2024 and two years plus a few months later, he has delivered it.
“When we came on board three years and a few months ago, all of us who were brought up in Aba know what we met, but that’s not the story for today.
“I understand we have over 55 rooms here, and I’m told it is already being sold out even before commissioning. So, it tells me that the opportunities here are endless,“ Governor Otti stated.
The Governor recalled the condition of Aba when his administration assumed office, particularly the state of road infrastructure and the challenges confronting businesses and industries, but noted that significant changes had taken place within a relatively short period.
According to him, the growing demand for accommodation and other hospitality services in the city reflects the increasing volume of economic activities and the renewed confidence of businesses and investors in Aba.
Governor Otti consequently called on investors who had previously relocated from Abia to return and take advantage of the emerging opportunities, while also encouraging new investors to consider the State as a destination for their investments.
He said the transformation witnessed so far represents only “scratching the surface,” assuring residents that his administration would pursue even more developmental projects if given the opportunity to continue in office.
“A few months after we took over, hotels started being overbooked.
“The Radisson Blu Enyimba Hotel which will soon be ready will be overbooked even before its commissioning.
“This town will continue to grow. All our people who relocated, we are asking them to come back quickly. A lot of them are already back. If you don’t make haste and come back, maybe when you want to come back, there will be nowhere for you to stay.
“Never again will this town go back to where we are coming from,“ Governor Otti noted.
The Governor’s remarks underscored the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure, business development and the restoration of investor confidence as key components of the ongoing transformation of Aba.
Speaking in an interview, the Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, commended Governor Otti for what he described as the creation of an enabling environment that has stimulated economic activities across Aba North and Abia State.
Hon. Iheke noted that investors were increasingly viewing Aba as a viable destination for business, while properties that previously attracted little value had recorded significant appreciation. He also congratulated Owelle Greg Okafor for choosing to invest in Aba.
Earlier, the General Manager of ORIS Signature Hotel, Mr. Sharon Mani, disclosed that the facility comprises 55 rooms equipped with world-class amenities.
Mani explained that the decision to invest in Abia was encouraged by the conducive business environment created under the Otti administration. He also expressed appreciation to the hotel’s CEO, Owelle Greg Okafor, for his vision and commitment to bringing the project to fruition.
Speaking on behalf of the Aba business community, industrialist, Sir Leo Ike Okoye expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his openness and commitment to creating an environment conducive to business growth in Aba and Abia State.
He also commended Owelle Greg Okafor for the investment, prayed for the success and expansion of the hotel, and called for the sustenance of the development momentum in the State.
In his vote of thanks, the CEO of ORIS Signature Hotel, Owelle Greg Okafor, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti, saying the Governor had allowed God to use him to fix Aba and restore development to the city.
Okafor assured that more projects would be delivered and commissioned during Governor Otti’s second term.
The commissioning ceremony attracted the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; members of the State House of Assembly; Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Creative Economy, Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe; other members of the State Executive Council; Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Obialor Denis Anyanwu; business leaders, industrialists and other dignitaries.
The commissioning of ORIS Signature Hotel adds to the growing number of private-sector investments emerging in Aba, further highlighting the city’s 
expanding hospitality and commercial landscape.