Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to commence construction of the proposed Umuahia Stadium City before the end of the year.
The governor made the announcement on Sunday while hosting Super Eagles winger and Abia-born football star Samuel Chukwueze at the Government House in Umuahia.
Chukwueze visited the governor alongside friends to express gratitude for Otti’s support and presence during the burial of his late mother.
Speaking during the visit, Otti revealed that land for the ambitious project had already been acquired and that the government was currently conducting feasibility studies.
According to the governor, the project will go beyond a conventional stadium and will be developed into a full-scale sports city.
“I’m sure before the end of the year, we will flag off the construction of the new Umuahia Stadium,” Otti said.
“The land is already acquired, and we are at the feasibility stage. We are not just building a stadium; we are building a stadium city, like a sports village.”
He explained that the development would include hotels, residential estates and other supporting infrastructure aimed at transforming the area into a major sports and tourism hub.
“There will be hotels, estates and other attractions to develop that corridor,” he added.
The governor also encouraged Abia indigenes to take advantage of investment opportunities in the state, assuring them of government support and preferential consideration.
“We would like our people to come and invest here. Pick whatever is of interest to you, and we will give priority to our people,” Otti stated.
Otti praised Chukwueze for his accomplishments on the international football stage and for projecting a positive image of Abia State across the world.
He assured the AC Milan winger of the government’s continued support and urged him to reach out whenever assistance was needed.
“Let me also congratulate you on your achievements and for representing the state very well,” the governor said.
“We can assure you of our support. If there are things that we can do, just let us know. We like to support our own wherever they are.”
The governor also expressed sympathy over the passing of Chukwueze’s mother, describing the loss as painful and encouraging the footballer to remain strong.
In his response, Chukwueze commended Otti for the visible development projects across the state, particularly improvements in road infrastructure.
“I have been seeing the good work the governor is doing. When I came back and saw Umuahia, it was completely different,” Chukwueze said.
“The roads have improved greatly, and the transformation is visible. He deserves every accolade for the good work he has been doing.”
The Super Eagles star described the proposed Stadium City as a landmark project that could significantly boost sports development in Abia and create opportunities for young athletes.
He also pledged to contribute to youth and sports development in the state, saying plans were already underway to give back to the community that helped shape his career.
“I intend to invest in sports development for the youth, and I am already working on it gradually, step by step,” he said.
“It is my hometown and where I grew up. It made me who I am today, and I cannot forget where I came from.”
The proposed Umuahia Stadium City is expected to serve as a major sporting and economic hub, with government officials hopeful that it will attract investment, promote tourism and nurture future sporting talents in Abia State.
