Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has commissioned the newly remodeled and digitally equipped 80-bed Obingwa General Hospital, renaming the facility after late human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Chima Ubani.

The commissioning ceremony was held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Mgboko, headquarters of Obingwa Local Government Area.

Governor Otti said the investment reflects his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the state’s healthcare system and restoring public confidence in government-owned hospitals.

According to him, the facility is strategically positioned to provide quality healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of residents in Obingwa and neighbouring communities, including people from Aba and Osisioma.

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The remodeled hospital features a healing garden, digital data management systems, real-time inter-facility collaboration, technology-assisted laboratory and scan analysis, a well-equipped theatre, eye-care units, observation rooms and a renewable energy system designed to provide reliable power.

Governor Otti directed that the hospital operate round the clock, including weekends, stressing that patients must receive medical attention regardless of their social or economic status.

«“Whoever comes here for medical reasons must receive the attention and support they need, whatever their social or economic conditions,” the governor said.»

Explaining the decision to rename the hospital after Chima Ubani, Otti described the late activist as a courageous Nigerian who dedicated his life to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Ubani, a former Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation, was remembered by the governor as “a mentor of the masses” who died pursuing the ideals he believed in.

Otti said the honour was intended to preserve Ubani’s legacy and inspire younger generations to embrace courage, service and integrity.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the hospital represents the governor’s vision of a future-ready healthcare system.

He disclosed that the administration had embarked on 301 health infrastructure projects within three years, including the construction and equipping of 277 primary healthcare centres.

According to him, Obingwa has benefited significantly from the programme, with 18 primary healthcare centres—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 had deteriorated significantly before the Otti administration intervened, describing its transformation as a move from a hospital with virtually no functioning services, drugs or equipment to a fully operational medical facility.

Dr. Richard Okoye of the Save A Life Group also commended the governor’s investment in healthcare, saying his organisation was partnering with Abia State because of what he described as Otti’s visionary leadership.

Other speakers, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Labour Party State Chairman Peter Azubuike, political candidates and traditional and community leaders, commended the governor for the hospital and other projects across Obingwa.

They also pledged their support for the administration and called on residents to protect and take ownership of the facility.

Retired Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Kanu Nkaginieme, urged community leaders and residents to play an active role in protecting healthcare facilities across the state.

Governor Otti, who expressed satisfaction with the involvement of community leaders in safeguarding the hospital, warned against vandalism and appealed to residents to protect the facility for the benefit of present and future generations.

The commissioning was attended by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Secretary to the State Government Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff Pastor Caleb Ajagba and other senior government officials.