By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Abam (Abia), Dec. 26, 2025
The Unubiko Foundation, a non- governmental organisation has built a Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) and 30 housing units for indigent persons in Ndi Okereke Abam Community in Arochukwu Local Government Area (LGA).
Speaking on Friday during the inauguration/handover ceremony of the community projects, the Founder of the Organisation, Chief James Ume, said that the projects were initiated to improve the people’s welfare.
Ume, who is a native of the community, also said that the decision to carry out the initiative was informed by his desire to support Gov. Alex Otti’s development agenda in Abia.
He commended the governor for the infrastructural projects being executed across the state, particularly the Abam–Arochukwu Road.
Ume urged the people of Abia to continue supporting the present administration to enable it to successfully deliver the dividends of democracy.
In his speech, Otti said that the PHC donated by the Foundation to Ndi Okereke Abam community aligns with his administration’s agenda for strengthening the state’s health sector.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, said that the project supports efforts to create an enabling environment for the people.
He noted that the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to building effective Public-Private Partnerships aimed at making Abia a better place.
The governor urged beneficiaries of the facilities, especially the 30 housing units, to take ownership and ensure proper maintenance.
Otti also said that communities must protect public assets, stressing that the era of treating government property with levity was over.
He added that community ownership of such facilities was vital for sustainable development and long-term benefits.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, commended the quality and standard of the PHC.
Uche said that the Centre was equipped with multi-parameter monitors, oxygen delivery systems, modern wards and an ultramodern laboratory.
He listed other facilities to include incubators, a well-equipped pharmacy and a functional family planning clinic.
The commissioner explained that the facility was among five PHCs in Abam identified for retrofitting under the state government’s Project Ekwueme, an initiative evolved by the government to functionalise PHCs in Abia.
He added that the Centre had been completed, equipped to standard and opened for service delivery.
Uche called on well-meaning individuals to support grassroots enrolment into the informal sector health insurance scheme.
He said that achieving health equity and universal health coverage required collective responsibility beyond government efforts.
Also, the Social Mobilisation Officer, Arochukwu Health Authority, Mrs. Jane Kalu-Otum, expressed delight over the inauguration of the fully equipped health facility.
She said that the facility would enhance effective service delivery by health workers and urged women of childbearing age to stop patronising traditional birth attendants.
Kalu-Otum encouraged residents to utilise the facility, noting that improved health-seeking behaviour would help government gather accurate data to address community health needs.
In separate interviews, some members of the community described the newly inaugurated projects as a welcome development.
They said that the PHC would improve access to quality healthcare, reduced hardship and costs and encourage residents to use formal medical services instead of alternatives.
A nursing mother, Mrs. Ifeoma Jonah, expressed joy over the construction of the PHC in her community, saying it would ease access to quality healthcare services.
Jonah said that she previously travelled to Atani, a neighbouring community, for childbirth and paid hospital bills, noting that delivery services at the new PHC are free.
She noted that the facility had brought relief to residents and had encouraged her to stop patronising patent medicine dealers for her family’s healthcare needs.
Jonah prayed God to bless the donor, for the gesture toward the people of Ndi Okereke Abam.
A farmer, Mrs. Lucy Andrew, said that she was happy that her community had gotten a functional PHC, which would reduce the hardship residents face in accessing healthcare.
Andrew prayed God to bless and prosper Chief Ume and appealed to other affluent sons and daughters of the community to emulate the gesture.
The Foundation also built a church hall in Idima Abam community in Arochukwu LGA.
