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Abia: Get ready to refund Airport Project money, other looted funds – Otti tells Ikpeazu
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called on the past administration in the state, led by Okezie Ikpeazu, to prepare to return embezzled funds, including money allocated for the airport project.
Otti’s remarks came in response to the report of a forensic audit of the state’s accounts. He clarified that his administration is not engaged in a fight but rather focused on recovering stolen funds to ensure good governance.
Speaking during a solidarity visit by supporters and loyalists of the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Rowland Chinwendu, in Nvosi, Otti emphasized his commitment to the progress and development of Abia State. He insisted that since the airport project was not implemented, the funds allocated for it should be refunded.
Expressing disappointment at being insulted in the media for disclosing the findings of the forensic audit report, Otti stressed the importance of recovering the misappropriated funds for the benefit of the state.
“I initiated a forensic audit of our accounts as soon as I took office, and the report revealed that a lot of money was looted, stolen openly, and among those I mentioned was the N10 billion Abia Airport Project. They started insulting me. If you follow what is happening in the media, you would know that what I said is true. We are looking for our money. If we are not able to find the airport, they would have to refund us our money. We are not pursuing anybody; they should refund the money they stole, let’s use it to work for our people. Our place must develop. We will continue to build roads, we will continue to clean up the environment, we will continue to create jobs.”
In his speech, the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Chinwendu, emphasized his responsibility to represent the interests of his people. He pledged not to be seen as opposing the governor, who is from the same Local Government Area (LGA), and thanked Otti for ongoing projects in his constituency, including the reconstruction of the Umuikaa-Umuene road.
A new documentary on the life and political struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola is set to premiere in Nigerian cinemas in October.
Titled MKO, the 108-minute film is directed by Ose Oyamendan and produced with American documentary filmmaker Mark Jonathan Harris. It explores the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as free and fair, Abiola’s subsequent detention, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his death in custody in 1998.
The documentary features interviews with key figures including former military rulers Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Abiola’s running mate Baba Gana Kingibe, members of the Abiola family, journalists, and diplomats.
Oyamendan, who worked as a young journalist during the June 12 crisis, has described the film as an investigative documentary that examines Nigeria’s unfinished democratic journey. It had its world premiere earlier this year at the Sheffield DocFest in the United Kingdom.
The Nigerian cinema release is scheduled for early October, with some reports linking the premiere to Independence Day on October 1.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates for viewing.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB defined an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as any candidate who will be less than 16 years old as at September 30, 2026.
Benjamin said the results were released primarily to enable candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance in the examination. However, he stressed that the release does not confer eligibility for admission on all underage candidates.
According to him, the results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except by candidates who satisfy the stringent requirements prescribed for exceptionally performing underage candidates.
Candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card with which they registered for the UTME.
JAMB reiterated that only underage candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and maturity will be considered for admission through a rigorous, multi-stage assessment process. Key requirements include a minimum UTME score of 320, at least 80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects where applicable, satisfaction of the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions, and a final assessment conducted by experts.
Veteran journalist Mr. Ohi Odiai and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Ohi-Odiai, today mark their 17th wedding anniversary, a milestone that highlights an enduring partnership built on mutual support, professional excellence, and family.
Mr. Odiai serves as Deputy Head of News at Arise News TV, one of Nigeria’s leading television networks. He is also the CEO and Chief Editor of Ohibaba.Com, the online news platform he founded and continues to steer as a key voice in digital journalism. His career spans years of impactful reporting, newsroom leadership, and media innovation.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ohi-Odiai is the owner and founder of Bukbeth Concepts Classic, a business reflecting her entrepreneurial drive and creative vision. Together, the couple has built a home grounded in shared values and quiet strength.
The family is blessed with three children — two boys and a girl — who form the heart of their journey.
Friends, colleagues, and well-wishers describe the Odiais as a model of resilience and partnership in both public and private life.
As they celebrate 17 years of marriage today, September 5, 2026, the couple is receiving warm congratulations from across the media and business communities. Their story stands as a reminder that lasting unions thrive on commitment, respect, and the everyday work of building a life together.
Happy anniversary to Mr. Ohi Odiai and Mrs. Elizabeth Ohi-Odiai.
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