By: Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development in collaboration with Ethnocentric LTD, has attracted over 3 million US Dollars worth of sponsorship funding from the private sector in the area of garment making and leather works.
Abia State commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of this week’s EXCO meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti, on Monday evening at the Government House Umuahia.
Prince Kanu said that through the Youths skills Empowerment Program, Abia State Government has on boarded 1,200 Abia Youths for the second cohort of the fashion future Skills Acquisition program in garment and leather works.
“This program is designed to equip our Youths with Skills in garment making and leather works. The program so far has attracted over 3 million US Dollars worth of sponsorship funding from master card foundation.
“This huge injection of sponsorship funds into Abia State economy is due largely because of the Sterling governance credentials of Dr. Alex Otti and how the state is currently perceived, not just in Nigeria but around the world,” Prince Kanu noted.
Abia State commissioner for Information, Prince Kanu, also said that Abia State ministry of Youths and Sports Development, in collaboration with the state ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy has launched an ambitious Abia State creative talent hunt initiative designed to empower young innovators and talents in music.
He added that the ministry of Youths and Sports Development is working assiduously towards the celebration of this years Youth day slated for the 6th to 12th of August 2025.
Prince Kanu, used the accasion of the EXCO briefing to disclosed that Abia State Government (ABSG) has increased the number of electric buses to be procured for the state’s mass transit programme from 20 to 40 and equally increased the charging stations from 10 to 20.
The Commissioner, stated that
the first 20 buses would arrive in November, further informed that 12 of it would operate in Aba and 8 in Umuahia.
“Council has approved the increase in the number of electric buses to be procured for the state’s mass transit programme to 40.
“From the additional 20 buses ordered by the state government, some will operate on Ohafia – Bende axis of the state. One bus sample was ready for inspection by the end of July.
“The arrival of these buses will no doubt strengthen the ongoing revolutionary transformation of the transport sector of the state.
“The construction of a state of the art bus terminals in Aba and Umuahia is equally ongoing. In addition, the junction improvement work is ongoing while bus shelters are springing up at designated routes in Umuahia and Aba,” Prince Kanu stated.
Prince Kanu further informed that, the Abia State Government has procured a wheelchair-accessible bus for the transportation of physically challenged athletes, for use during the upcoming International Sports Championship scheduled for the 3rd of September to 12th of October 2025, adding that the victorious FALCONETS from Abia, who have returned to their clubs in Europe, would be hosted by Governor Otti, later in the year.