The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) of the state government’s support towards the successful hosting of its 2026 annual conference in Umuahia.
Governor Otti gave the assurance when he received members of the conference’s Local Organizing Committee at Government House, Umuahia, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Abia as a preferred destination for commerce, investment, tourism, knowledge exchange and major national and international events.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, noted that the choice of Umuahia as the host city reflected the state’s renewed image and strategic development direction under his administration.
He stated that hosting the conference would further strengthen Abia’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence and innovation, while providing an opportunity to showcase the state’s achievements in governance, infrastructure development, institutional reforms and economic transformation.
Governor Otti also commended the Local Organizing Committee for selecting Abia State for the prestigious gathering, and assured the committee of the state government’s readiness to provide the necessary support and cooperation to ensure a successful and memorable event.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Chief Matthew Ekwuribe, applauded the association for its decision to host the conference in Umuahia, describing it as an opportunity to promote Abia’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential and creative economy.
Chief Ekwuribe encouraged the delegates to take advantage of their stay in the state to visit some of its tourist attractions, explore its cultural heritage and experience the hospitality of the people.
He noted that the conference will offer an important platform to project Abia’s tourism assets and creative industries to a wider national and international audience.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Conference Local Organizing Committee, Mr Paul Ogubunka, said they came to formally intimate the state government about the forthcoming conference and solicit its partnership and support towards its successful hosting.
Mr Ogubunka, who is also the state Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, disclosed that the conference will hold from November 9 to 13, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
He commended Governor Otti for what he described as the transformational strides recorded across the state, particularly in infrastructure renewal, urban regeneration, institutional reforms, public service delivery, security and fiscal responsibility.
According to him, the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment has repositioned Abia as one of Nigeria’s emerging destinations for business, innovation, tourism and sustainable development.
He expressed optimism that the conference will benefit the state by bringing together legal experts, policymakers, public officials and development stakeholders to deliberate on issues relating to public interest, development law and the rule of law.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Chibuzo Ehiemere, highlighted the anticipated benefits of the conference to Abia State.
She said the event will position Umuahia as a preferred destination for national and international conferences, provide an avenue to showcase the achievements of the present administration and promote the state’s reputation as the home of Made-in-Aba products.
Mrs Ehiemere added that the gathering will further project Abia as a model of good governance, transparency, accountability and institutional reforms, while creating opportunities for networking, investment and tourism promotion.
She thanked the Governor’s representative for the warm reception accorded the delegation and expressed confidence in the state government’s support for the successful hosting of the conference.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mrs Cleopatra Dannie-Ubani, and other top government officials were present during the visit.
