NEWS
ABA SOUTH MAYOR, HON. OBIALOR ANYANWU, PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR NACO’S DRIVE TO BUILD A CLEANER ABIA
The Executive Mayor of Aba South Local Government Area, Hon. Obialor Denis Anyanwu, has pledged the council’s support for the New Abia Clean Force for Ottivision (NACO), a citizens-led movement committed to promoting environmental cleanliness, public health awareness and a cleaner Abia State.
The Mayor gave the assurance on Friday, October 9, 2026, when he received the leadership and members of NACO at his office in the Aba South Local Government Council headquarters, reaffirming the council’s readiness to collaborate with the movement in advancing environmental sanitation and community participation.
The delegation was led by its President, Comrade Onyekachi Benjamin, accompanied by the movement’s Brand Ambassador, Mr. Chima Anya, a popular content creator and founder of Chima Anya TV, alongside other executive members.
Welcoming the delegation, Mayor Anyanwu commended NACO for its voluntary environmental sanitation initiative and the commitment of its members to promoting a cleaner and healthier society. He emphasised that maintaining a clean environment requires collective responsibility, noting that government efforts alone cannot achieve sustainable environmental cleanliness without the active participation of residents.
The Mayor encouraged the movement to strengthen its engagement with the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) to enhance coordination and expand the impact of its sanitation activities across communities.
He further assured the delegation that the Health and Environment Department of Aba South Local Government would work closely with NACO to sustain environmental cleanliness, improve public awareness and encourage residents to embrace responsible waste disposal and proper sanitation practices.
Hon. Anyanwu also underscored the importance of continuous sensitisation, describing public education as a vital tool for changing attitudes and building a culture of environmental responsibility. He called on citizens to participate actively in the democratic process and contribute to sustaining the development agenda of Abia State under Governor Alex Otti.
The Mayor reiterated Aba South Local Government’s readiness to partner with NACO, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration between government institutions and citizens’ groups would help improve environmental sanitation and promote healthier communities.
Earlier, NACO President, Comrade Onyekachi Benjamin, expressed appreciation to the Mayor for receiving the delegation and explained the vision behind the establishment of the movement.
Benjamin described NACO as a voluntary citizens’ initiative founded on selfless service, civic responsibility and the determination to make environmental cleanliness a shared commitment among residents of Abia State. He disclosed that the movement participates in the state’s monthly cleanup exercise on the last Saturday of every month, after which members embark on sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on the importance of maintaining clean surroundings and adopting proper sanitation habits.
According to him, NACO had recently concluded its sixth cleanup exercise around Ehere Market, Opobo and Ogbor Hill, while establishing representatives in different parts of Abia State to broaden its reach and strengthen community participation.
The President explained that the visit to the Aba South Mayor was the movement’s first formal engagement with a government official as part of its efforts to build partnerships with public institutions and secure broader support for its environmental campaign.
He stressed that NACO’s mission goes beyond periodic cleanup exercises, as the group seeks to inspire a lasting change in public attitudes towards environmental hygiene through sustained advocacy, community mobilisation and personal responsibility.
In his remarks, the Vice President of NACO, Comrade Ojukwu Agu, reaffirmed the movement’s determination to sustain its environmental sanitation campaign across the state. He also highlighted the changes members had observed in Abia under Governor Alex Otti and expressed optimism about Aba’s gradual physical and environmental transformation.
Adding her voice, Mrs. Hellen Okoronkwo shared her personal experiences growing up in Aba and working in the health sector, drawing attention to the health hazards associated with dirty surroundings and poor sanitation.
She explained that her appreciation of the relationship between environmental cleanliness and public health, coupled with the improvements she had observed in road infrastructure, environmental sanitation and healthcare delivery in Abia, inspired her decision to join the movement.
A major highlight of the visit was the introduction of NACO’s Brand Ambassador, Mr. Chima Anya, who was warmly received by the Mayor.
Anya, a popular content creator, has dedicated his platform to producing and promoting content that encourages environmental responsibility and supports the vision of a cleaner Abia.
The visit culminated in the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the Mayor by the NACO delegation in recognition of the engagement and as part of the movement’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with the Aba South Local Government Council.
Hon. Anyanwu gladly received the plaque and reiterated his commitment to supporting the group’s objectives, reinforcing the council’s willingness to work with citizens and community organisations in promoting environmental cleanliness.
The engagement marks another step towards strengthening cooperation between local government authorities and voluntary citizens’ groups in the collective effort to improve sanitation, protect public health and build cleaner, healthier and more environmentally c
onscious communities across Abia State.