…Otti proclaimed, “This evening, the phoenix rises. Abia is back. Enyimba is rising.”
ABIA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Wednesday officially launched the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Enyimba Hotel, now rebranded as Radisson Blu Enyimba International Hotel, describing the initiative as a bold statement of Aba’s return as a leading commercial centre in West Africa.
Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Otti proclaimed, “This evening, the phoenix rises. Abia is back. Enyimba is rising.”
He explained that the project revives a 54-year-old dream first conceived in 1972 by the then Administrator of East Central State, Anthony Ukpabi Asika, who envisioned the hotel as a beacon of hope and economic recovery after the civil war.
According to the governor, the seven-storey building had over time become a reminder of unrealised aspirations, stressing that his administration was committed to changing that narrative.
“Once this government makes a public commitment to any project, its completion and commissioning become non-negotiable,” he said.
Otti disclosed that the first phase of the Radisson Blu Enyimba project would feature a 120-room five-star hotel and a convention centre, with plans to expand into a 250-room luxury hospitality complex within four years.
“We expect that within the next four years, this development will evolve into a 250-room five-star hotel serving both local and international guests and events,” he stated.
He attributed delays following the 2024 announcement to the need for a solid operational framework and deliberate efforts to prepare Aba’s environment to support a world-class hospitality brand.
The governor highlighted upgrades in road infrastructure, sanitation, security and healthcare as part of broader measures to position the city as investment-friendly.
“No one chooses to visit destinations plagued by filth, poor roads, inadequate social services and insecurity,” Otti noted, adding that Aba has become one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria and among the safest in the South-East.
“In the last 33 months, we have strategically aligned the Aba business climate with the standards required for a five-star hospitality ecosystem,” he added.
Otti expressed optimism that the hotel would elevate service standards, attract fresh investments and stimulate growth in complementary sectors such as entertainment and events.
Earlier in the day, he inaugurated the reconstructed Ovom Road in Aba.
In his remarks, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe commended the governor’s initiatives, describing them as transformative for the state.
Speaking for the Aba business community, Leo Okoye applauded the administration’s development strides, saying they had restored investor confidence.
Chairman of the Board of the Greater Aba Development Authority, Ide Udeagbala, also praised the rapid pace of infrastructural renewal across the state.
Meanwhile, Erwan Garnier, Senior Director, Development Africa at Radisson Blu, said the project reflects Abia’s preparedness for increased investment and expressed confidence in delivering a hotel that meets global standards.
