By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has underscored the need for Governor Alex Otti’s administration to strike a balance between its massive infrastructural transformational strides ,and human capital development, otherwise known as ” stomach infrastructure”
This is as the Abia state Governor insisted that the era of “sharing money” to individuals, especially political allies and cronies is over in the State.
The two spoke separately at the official flag-off of the “Made in Aba Film Project, the Chronicles of Enyimba City” held at the Aba Town Hall on Saturday November 22, 2025.
Represented at the occasion by Chief Mrs Uwaoma Olenwengwa a former Commissioner for Industries in the State, Senator Abaribe, while thumbing up the Governor for his unparalleled developmental strides particularly in the area of infrastructural renewal, however, harped on the imperative of the administration considering incorporating “stomach infrastructural development” into its agenda, no matter how small to cushion the effects of the harsh economic realities in the country.
He noted that the excruciating economic situation in the country which has taken its toll on the masses has made it necessary for the Government to consider some palliative measures for the less privileged.
The Senator lauded the Aba Made Film Project, describing it as a great initiative capable of not only adding value to the economy of the State, but also telling the true story of Aba as one of the cradles of talents in the country.
Governor Otti maintained that as a matter of policy to depart from the old inglorious years, his administration will rather use the resources of the People to provide the enabling environment for hardworking citizens and residents to realize their full potential, instead of “sharing money to a few political cronies and associates”
“I want to disappoint Chief Mrs Uwaoma Olenwengwa, and I, also, want to believe that she must have gone outside what the distinguished Senator Abaribe asked her to say .
“Right from inception, we made it clear that the era of sharing money was over. For 24 years, Abia was busy sharing money to the detriment of actual development.
A few people were handed over the resources of the state, a situation that resulted in serious infrastructural deficit, and decay in the state.
So, having shared Abia’s Commonwealth to a few people for 24 years, we are now insisting that the people’s resources must be used to provide infrastructural facilities and other amenities that will benefit all, not a few privileged people, and create the right atmosphere for people to realize their potential.
“Our people are naturally hardworking and resilient. They will thrive when you put in place the adequate framework for the pursuit of lawful opportunities.
“We will use the people’s resources to build and rehabilitate roads and provide other essential facilities . The era of sharing money is truly over in Abia”,Gov Otti stated .
The Abia State Governor emphasized that his unflinching support to the Aba Made Film Project represents an eloquent testimonial of his administration’s resolve and commitment towards encouraging people who have ideas on how to move the State forward.
He recounted how discussions on the Aba Made Film Project began in 2022 when he was not yet the Governor, noting that he had then given his words to the producers to buy into, and support the idea, a promise he said resulted in the days event.
Governor Otti who pledged to transform Abia State into a thriving entertainment and creative haven, informed that his administration plans to set up a stadium/entertainment village which will serve to harness potential talents.
He assured the Film Project Team of his administration’s continued support to ensure total success.
” I want to refer us to my manifesto in 2023 where I had indicated that one of the things I want to do as a Governor is to set up an entertainment village in Abia State. That dream is still alive.
“The only issue now is that we are about starting the Abia State Stadium Village. It is a village in itself. It has also games village and entertainment village.
“It is supposed to be in Umuahia but we have to discuss if we want it in Aba. We can detach it ( the entertainment village) and bring it to Aba, because Aba remains the birth place of Nollywood’s early commercial distribution network. In fact, Nollywood you hear about today started right here in Aba”,Otti noted
Keynote speaker and Nollywood veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu, while extolling the strategic importance of the Aba Made Film, which is geared towards properly situating the story of Aba as a breeding ground for talents, noted that if “executed with precision, artistry and the highest standards of production possesses the singular capacity to significantly bolster the public image and economic vitality of Abia state and by extension ,the entire South East geopolitical zone .
“We stand today at nexus of culture, commerce and creativity. The Aba Film Project is not merely a cinematic undertaking, it is a multidimensional strategic initiative ,that unequivocally demands the expertise of seasoned cinematic professionals to realize its great potential.
“What began as a docudrama, a vital chronicle focused on our indigenous “Aba Made” products has the potential for radical transformation .
“This is precisely the caliber of film that is capable of creating enduring cohesion across families and disparate regions , while simultaneously providing an unprecedented economic impetus to Aba, capturing the national zeitgeist and becoming the central subject of national discourse” Bob-Manuel noted .
He appreciated the diligent and revolutionary groundwork of the production team led by Francis Ifeakandu ,as well as the Technical Director ,Dr Prospect Nlemchukwu .
Earlier,the state Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Mathew Ekwuribe had described the Aba Made Film Project as “a catalyst for the restoration of the lost fortunes of Aba ,and Abia state in general.
He also expressed strong conviction that it will add immense value to the economic development of Abia State.
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