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Governor Alex Otti, Emir Sanusi II, Priscilla Otti, Arunma Oteh, Chima Anyaso, Others Grace Unubiko Foundation Thanksgiving as Chief James Ume Commissions Health Centre, 30 Housing Units, Church Hall in Abam.
His Excellency, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, on December 26, attended a high-profile thanksgiving ceremony organised by the Founder of the UNUBIKO Foundation, Chief James Ume (titled — Ike Abam), to give thanks to God for the recovery of his wife, Mrs. Ngozi James Ume, from a life-threatening illness.
The thanksgiving, which drew dignitaries from across the country and beyond, was a colourful and spiritually uplifting event that marked both gratitude for divine intervention and a celebration of impactful philanthropy in Abam land, Arochukwu LGA. Governor Otti attended the event alongside his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti.
Also in attendance were the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Mohammadu Sanusi II, PhD; Mrs. Arunma Oteh, OON; Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emereuwa, renowned businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Chima Anyaso (Ofuji); Hon. High Chief Victor Ikeji, PhD (Kpakpando, Umuahia), Nigerian football legend, Austin Okocha, and several other prominent personalities who spent the Christmas holidays in Abia State.
The thanksgiving celebration was further enlivened by a thrilling live musical performance by Nigeria’s highlife sensation, Flavour N’Abania, whose energetic and culturally rich display kept the crowd on their feet. His performance added colour and rhythm to the event.
Earlier in the week, Chief Chijioke James Ume (Ike Abam), through the Unubiko Foundation, had built and donated a purpose-built Ndi-Okereke Abam Primary Health Centre, 30 units of purpose-built two-bedroom bungalows for the less privileged, as well as a church hall for the people of Idima Abam, all located in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. The projects were officially commissioned by the Abia State Government, with Governor Alex Otti represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu.
Speaking during the commissioning, Professor Kenneth Kalu conveyed the Governor’s message, noting that the projects aligned perfectly with the public-private partnership policy of the Otti administration aimed at improving the quality of life of Abians.
According to him, the Governor charged the beneficiaries, particularly those allocated the 30 housing units, to take full ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance.
“This is what the government is looking for, you know, partnership, public-private partnership, all geared towards making society better.
“The community who are also largely the beneficiaries should take real possession and maintain those facilities.
“it’s their own. So, the era of treating what is considered government property with levity, is gone.
“People should take care of them, protect them, make sure they are well maintained at all times, the community should own those assets because they are assets to the communities,” Gov. Otti stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, lauded the quality and standard of the Ndi-Okereke Abam Primary Health Centre, describing it as a model facility comparable to modern primary healthcare centres across the state.
He disclosed that the centre is equipped with critical medical infrastructure, including three multi-parameter monitors, two oxygen delivery devices with oxygen sources, a modern laboratory with auto-analysers, incubators, cardiosvastor, a family planning clinic, and other state-of-the-art medical facilities.
“Ndị Okereke Primary Healthare Centre which was conceptualised and built by UNUBIKO foundation, which is the brain-child of the Chief James Umeh (IKE ABAM)
“Among the 5 PHCs planned to be retrofitted in Abam as part of Project Ekwueme, Ndị Okereke was identified by this philanthropist (Chief Umeh) who decided to support what the government is already doing in other parts of Abam.
“He gifted his people, the level 2 primary health care centre. It’s well built. And it was done and equipped with the same standard, as the Abia Primary health centres.
“You have multi-parameter monitors about 3. You have point of cure ultrasound. You have modern delivery room. Then you have male and female wards.
“You have an ultramodern laboratory, centrifuge, microscope, Incubators.
Then, you have a well equipped pharmacy. Then, the family planning clinic. Already, it has been functionalised. I mean, it’s already open to service delivery. it also has oxygen,” Prof. Uche stated.
The Health Commissioner further called on affluent individuals and organisations to support grassroots healthcare by helping residents enroll in the informal sector health insurance scheme, stressing that achieving health equity and universal health coverage is a collective responsibility and not the duty of government alone.
Earlier, while addressing guests, the donor of the projects, Chief James Umeh, said his decision to embark on the initiatives was driven by a desire to uplift the living standards of his people and to complement the development agenda of Governor Alex Otti.
He commended Governor Otti for his infrastructural strides across the state, particularly the Abam–Arochukwu Road project, and urged Abians to continue supporting the present administration to sustain the
momentum of development in Abia State.