01/06/2026
GOV. OTTI TO FLAG-OFF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW UMUAHIA STADIUM, AS SUPERSTAR CHUKWUEZE APPLAUDS HIS PERFORMANCE.
Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says that he will soon flag-off the construction of the Umuahia Stadium which will be a stadium city.
Governor Otti stated this when he received in audience a delegation led by Abia born international footballer and Super Eagles star, Mr. Samuel Chukwueze, who visited the Governor in his office, alongside his friends, to thank him for coming to identify with him during his mothers burial over the weekend.
Governor Otti stated that the land for the construction of the new stadium has already been acquired, and hinted that he would like Abia people to come and invest in the State.
"I'm sure before the end of the year, we will flag-off the construction of the new Umuahia stadium.
"The land is already acquired, and we are at the feasibility stage. Because we are not just building a stadium, we are building a stadium city, like a sports village.
"There will be hotels, there will be estates. There will be other attractions just to develop that path. The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development will also give you details.
"We will like our people to come and invest here. Pick whatever that is of interest to you. You may be interested in one thing or the other, and we will give priority to our people," Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor, who congratulated Mr Chukwueze on the feat he has achieved in sports and for being a good ambassador of Abia State, assured him of the support of the State Government to him.
"Let me also congratulate you for the great feat and for representing the State very well.
"We can assure you of our support. If there are things that we can do, you just let us know. We like to support our own anywhere they are," Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive while commiserating with Mr. Samuel Chukwueze on the demise of his mother at a young age, described it as a monumental loss, and encouraged him to take heart, as it is God that knows it all.
The Governor urged him not to allow the pains of the death to make him stop coming back home, but to bear the loss with fortitude, and always remember home.
Earlier, the Abia-born international football star, Mr. Samuel Chukwueze said that he visited the Governor in company of his friends, to thank him for his support and for identifying with him during the burial of his late mother, last Friday.
He commended the developmental strides of the administration of Governor Alex Otti, describing the visible transformation across the State as evidence of purposeful leadership.
The footballer noted that he had closely followed the Governor's achievements and was impressed by the numerous infrastructural projects being executed across the State.
Mr Chukwueze further noted that his recent visit to Umuahia revealed remarkable improvements, particularly in road infrastructure, which he described as a significant departure from what existed in the past. He stated that the changes has made movement easier and enhanced the overall appearance of the State capital.
"I have been seeing the good works the Governor is doing. When I came back and saw Umuahia, it was completely different.
"The roads have improved greatly, and the transformation is visible. He deserves every accolade for the good work he has been doing," Chukwueze stated.
Speaking on the Governor's proposed new Umuahia Stadium City project, the international footballer described the initiative as a laudable investment for the future of sports development in the State. He noted that the project would create opportunities for young talents, provide modern sporting facilities, and position Abia as a destination for sports enthusiasts from across the world.
He assured that he would equally invest in sports in the State, emphasising his desire to give back to the community that shaped his career.
"I intend to invest in sports development for the youth, and I am already working on it gradually, step by step.
"It is my hometown and where I grew up. It made me who I am today, and I cannot forget where I came from," Chukwueze stated.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
May 31st, 2026.
