Chinazaekpere Chinwendu, Reporter
Umuahia, Abia State |November 13, 2025 —
The Chief Whip of the Abia State House of Assembly and Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Hon. Emeka Jacob Obioma, has commended the State governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for his visionary and result-oriented leadership, following Abia’s emergence as the number one state in Nigeria’s Health Preparedness Index (HPI) for 2025.
The report, published by SBM Intelligence, ranked Abia as the most prepared state for health emergencies, with a score of 26.85, the highest in the country. The state’s top performance was attributed to its significant investment in the health sector, including the highest per capita health spending of ₦22,926, a 14.8 percent budgetary allocation to healthcare, and one of the highest Human Development Index (HDI) scores in the nation at 0.674.
Reacting to the development, Hon. Emeka Obioma described the achievement as a reflection of Gov Otti’s transparent leadership and commitment to people-centered governance.
“This recognition is not a coincidence. It is the outcome of deliberate planning, transparency, and strong leadership,” Obioma said.
“Gov Alex Otti has shown that governance is about results, not rhetoric. By prioritizing healthcare, education, and infrastructure, he has restored confidence in government and brought pride back to Abia.”
Obioma further praised the governor’s recent approval for the recruitment of 33 new medical consultants into the state’s healthcare system, describing it as a practical step to enhance service delivery and strengthen Abia’s health workforce.
“The decision to employ additional consultants is strategic,” Obioma explained. “It ensures that our hospitals are adequately staffed and that our citizens can access quality healthcare. This is how responsible governments operate, by anticipating needs and meeting them before they become crises.”
The lawmaker also commended the administration’s broad-based reforms beyond the health sector, citing the deployment of 100 new waste bins across major cities by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and the 48 ongoing direct labour projects by the Ministry of Works as evidence of a government focused on sustainability and grassroots development.
“The Otti administration is not just building hospitals; it is building systems that work,” Obioma said. “From healthcare to sanitation and road maintenance, the reforms we are seeing are the foundation for a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Abia.”
Obioma also highlighted the significance of the governor’s decision to increase NYSC allowances in the state, calling it a gesture that encourages youth service and productivity.
“Raising corps members’ allowances to as high as ₦50,000 for those in health and education sectors is a powerful incentive,” he noted. “It shows that this administration values service and wants to motivate young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of Abia.”
He expressed optimism that the recent national recognition would attract more investment and partnerships to the state’s health and human development sectors.
“When a state performs this well, it naturally draws attention from development partners,” Obioma stated. “Governor Otti’s governance style; defined by prudence, innovation, and compassion, has positioned Abia as a model for others to follow.”
In conclusion, Hon. Emeka Obioma reaffirmed his confidence in the Otti administration’s ability to sustain the momentum of progress, assuring that the Abia State House of Assembly would continue to support policies that improve the welfare of citizens.
“We in the Assembly stand firmly behind Gov Otti’s reform agenda,” he declared. “The Abia story is changing for good, and the Health Preparedness ranking is only the beginning of greater achievements to come.”
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