Ikwuorie Ohanku, Abia — Alex Otti has expressed his gratitude to the Founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries and King of Ikwuorie Ohanku Autonomous Community, His Royal Majesty King Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, for donating over 100 plots of land for the construction of the Ukwa East Specialist Hospital in Ndoki.

Governor Otti made the remark on Thursday during the ground-breaking ceremony for the hospital, describing the donation as a significant contribution to improving healthcare access for the people of Ukwa East.

“I just want to thank His Royal Majesty for receiving us and for donating a befitting piece of land for the hospital project,” the governor said, adding that the project reflects his administration’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to all communities in the state.

King Chinyere, who personally offered the land without claiming community plots, said the gesture stemmed from his belief that saving lives through healthcare is more important than personal business interests

“As a king, I did not use my power to collect community land. I sacrificed my personal land, where my palm oil plantation is located, because I strongly believe that the general hospital that will save lives is more important than my business,” he stated

The monarch also highlighted his contributions to the community, including the construction of a free specialist hospital, a state-of-the-art school, and interventions in local power supply infrastructure.

Governor Otti said the hospital will address the long-standing inadequacy of healthcare in Ohanku, where the only previous health center had been abandoned. He emphasized that the facility would bring accessible healthcare closer to residents and spur further economic development in the area.

King Chinyere noted that the hospital would attract additional investments, including pharmacies, hotels, filling stations, eateries, and supermarkets, while also creating employment opportunities for local residents.

Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara praised Governor Otti for prioritizing healthcare infrastructure and described the project as a lifeline that would reduce maternal and infant mortality, strengthen emergency response, and restore confidence in public institutions.

Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Honorable Commissioner of Information, Prince Kanu, the Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency representative, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, former Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, and other traditional leaders, women’s groups, and senior government officials.

Hon. Nkwonta described the event as historic, noting that it was the first time since 1999 that a governor personally flagged off a major healthcare project in Ukwa East.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of the first general hospital in Ukwa East, a project expected to transform healthcare delivery and catalyze development in the region.