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, and renamed the facility after the late Chima Ubani, a renowned human rights activist and prominent son of Obingwa.
The commissioning, held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, marked another major milestone in the Abia State Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality medical services across the state.
Speaking during the event, Governor Otti reaffirmed that healthcare remains a major priority of his administration, stressing that investment in public health institutions is essential to restoring public confidence, saving lives and improving maternal and newborn healthcare.
According to the governor, the upgraded hospital is strategically positioned to provide quality healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of residents in Obingwa and surrounding communities. He noted that people from Aba, Osisioma and other neighbouring areas would also benefit from the facility.
Governor Otti expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s modern infrastructure and technology-driven services. The facility features a healing garden, digital data management systems, real-time inter-facility collaboration, technology-assisted laboratory and scan analysis, a fully equipped theatre, eye-care units, observation rooms and a renewable energy system designed to support reliable power supply.
The governor said the hospital would operate around the clock, including weekends, to ensure that residents receive timely medical attention regardless of their social or economic circumstances.
“We have reached a new milestone in the effort to modernise our health institutions to reflect the spirit of this age,” Otti said, while stressing that the facility must remain operational 24 hours a day.
He also explained that the decision to rename the hospital after Chima Ubani was a tribute to the late activist’s courage, compassion and commitment to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Ubani was widely known for his involvement in pro-democracy activism. He served as Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and later became Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation. Governor Otti described him as a mentor of the masses who died pursuing the ideals he had devoted his life to.
The governor said the honour was intended to preserve Ubani’s legacy while inspiring younger generations to embrace courage, public service, integrity and commitment to humanity.
Otti further assured the late activist’s family of his administration’s continued support and pledged to work with medical professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery throughout Abia State.
The governor also disclosed that community leaders had been integrated into efforts to protect the facility. He warned against vandalism and urged residents to take ownership of the hospital and safeguard the public investment.
At the event, the Senator representing Abia South, Senator 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 and Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe commended the governor for the hospital project and other developments in the area.
They also expressed support for Governor Otti and his administration, while pledging the backing of the people of Obingwa.
In his welcome address, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the 80-bed hospital as evidence of the administration’s commitment to building a modern and future-ready healthcare system.
He revealed that the state government had embarked on 301 health infrastructure projects within three years, including the construction and equipping of 277 Primary Healthcare Centres to standards set by the administration.
Prof. Uche explained that the Obingwa facility operates as a digital hospital, allowing women in labour at primary healthcare centres to be connected to the hospital for professional medical support.
He added that Obingwa Local Government Area had benefited significantly from the administration’s health projects, with 18 primary healthcare centres delivered in the area, including 13 under Project Ekwueme and five under the Impact Project.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Odochi Azubuike, recalled that the hospital was originally built through the Local Government SURE-P programme and commissioned in 2015.
She said the facility was found in a severely dilapidated condition when the Otti administration assumed office, with no functioning admissions system, drugs or essential medical equipment.
According to her, the government’s intervention has transformed the facility from a largely non-functional structure into a modern and operational hospital capable of delivering comprehensive medical services.
Dr. Azubuike commended Governor Otti for prioritising the welfare of healthcare workers and appealed to residents of Obingwa to protect and take ownership of the facility.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Save A Life Group, Dr. Richard Okoye, said the organisation was partnering with the Abia State Government because of what he described as the governor’s visionary approach to healthcare development.
He expressed optimism that the state could achieve significant improvements in life expectancy as investments in healthcare continue, while commending the administration for its commitment to providing dignified and quality healthcare to residents.
A retired Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Kanu Nkaginieme, also praised the administration’s healthcare interventions. He urged community leaders and President-Generals to take responsibility for overseeing health facilities and encouraged residents across Abia to protect government projects in their communities.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by 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.; and other senior government officials.
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The commissioning of the renamed Chima Ubani General Hospital adds to the Abia State Government’s broader drive to upgrade healthcare infrastructure and expand access to modern medical services across the state.
