Abia State Disburses Over ₦1.2 Billion to Support Vulnerable Citizens

The Abia State Government has, between January and August 2026, disbursed over ₦1.2 billion to support vulnerable citizens across the state.
The beneficiaries received assistance for life-saving medical treatment, housing support for persons living with disabilities, emergency accommodation for disaster victims, and educational support for indigent students.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on Monday after this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Government House Information Officers, Divine Nwankwo and Ogechi Christopher, and posted on the Commissioner’s Facebook page on Tuesday.
Prince Kanu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to compassionate governance and social protection, stating that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has continued to implement the state’s social protection framework by identifying, assessing, and coordinating urgent medical and humanitarian assistance for vulnerable residents.
He revealed that Governor Otti recently approved ₦384.7 million for 19 vulnerable beneficiaries to cover life-saving medical interventions, emergency housing assistance, rehabilitation, and educational support.
“His Excellency has continued to demonstrate the compassionate disposition of his administration by approving support for vulnerable citizens requiring urgent medical, humanitarian, and housing interventions,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner further disclosed that routine monitoring and follow-up visits by the Ministry ensured accountability in the utilisation of government assistance. This led to the recovery and repatriation of ₦20.9 million in unused funds from two beneficiaries—one of whom sadly passed away before utilising the funds, while the other’s medical bills had already been settled before the government assistance was received.
Prince Kanu also announced that the State Government, through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, would commemorate the 2026 Widows’ Day on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, with the theme: “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”
He explained that the programme is designed to provide direct economic support to vulnerable widows, strengthen household resilience, promote dignity, inclusion and economic participation, and advance the state’s social protection objectives.
“Over 600 indigent widows will receive special business support grants from the Wife of the Governor as part of activities marking this year’s celebration,” he disclosed.
Prince Kanu further announced that the state would commemorate the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The event will be held at the JAAC Building, Umuahia, with the theme: “Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work.” The programme is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.
On efforts to combat gender-based violence, the Commissioner disclosed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre recorded 11 cases of sexual and gender-based violence between July and August 2026.
He noted that all survivors received comprehensive medical, psychosocial, legal, and referral services, while six suspects were arrested and four prosecuted. He added that the state government would not relent in ensuring that perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence are brought to justice.
The Commissioner also announced that the Ministry of Women Affairs has released the Project Implementation Report on the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP), a World Bank-assisted initiative aimed at improving women’s livelihoods.
He explained that following the successful pilot phase, Abia joined the programme’s scale-up phase in November 2025, with Governor Alex Otti approving and paying the state’s ₦450 million counterpart fund.
He added that, in addition to the pilot local government areas of Ohafia, Isiala Ngwa North and Obingwa, the programme has now expanded to six additional participating local government areas, namely Isiala Ngwa South, Ugwunagbo, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, and Ukwa West. He further stated that the number of women’s affinity groups in the state has increased from 3,000 to 6,000.
Prince Kanu encouraged women in the benefiting local government areas to participate actively in the programme’s implementation to maximise the opportunities it offers.
On infrastructure, Prince Kanu said the Ministry of Works carried out direct labour interventions at 46 locations across the state, with one project already completed.
He disclosed that the desilting of major roads and drainage channels across Umuahia, including the IBB Road–Ahiaeke Road corridor, Finbarrs Road, Road 8, and Obowo Street by Ibeku Road, has been completed to facilitate the free flow of floodwater during the rainy season.
He added that three additional projects have been included in the Ministry’s maintenance programme, including the rainy season maintenance of the seven-kilometre Akpa-Mbato Road in Obingwa Local Government Area.
Prince Kanu also announced that the Abia State Government will actively participate in the burial of the late Dr Mrs Uzomaka Kelechi Nwaubani, the medical doctor who died during the ANPA medical outreach in April this year.
Describing her as a patriotic daughter of Abia State whose death is a great loss to the state, Prince Kanu disclosed that the government has constituted a burial committee to collaborate with her family to ensure she is accorded a befitting burial.
According to him, a Service of Songs will be held in her honour on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Nkata Primary School, Umumukwu Nkata Ibeku, while the Funeral Service is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
The Commissioner added that a detailed burial programme would be released subsequently.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and extended the government’s condolences to her family.
Present during the briefing were the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa; the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma.