Keynote Address Delivered on the Occasion of the
Official Inauguration of the Abia Community in Vienna, Austria by
Mag. Dr. Samuel Ogbonna on Saturday 20th June, 2015 with the title
“Abia State in Brief”
Introduction
Your Excellences, special guest of honours, elders of Abia State, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, giving a keynote address on Abia State, the home state of the Abia indigenes in Austria is not an easy nut to crack.
Doing that in a gathering of this nature makes it more difficult, given the fact that time will not be friendly and attention of audience will continuously be distracted by various attractions simultaneously ongoing.
Despite that, I will try to briefly present this Hercules assignment under the following sections: Political, Economic and socio-cultural history. Others will be on the current situation in the state and then the conclusion.
Having said that, let me start by recalling to your memories that Abia state came into existence as a result of the creation of additional states by the self-glorified military dictatorial President of Nigeria IBB – Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in 1991.
Political History
History unveiled that at about 300AD, the occupant of the present day Abia State are the Ibibios who were later pushed out from the vicinity.
At about 1650 – 1700 AD, emerged or came into being the dreaded and powerful Arochukwu Kingdom. It is most likely that Arochkuwu Kingdom through Abia traded on slavery at what was then called `Old Calabar´, which is today known as Cross Rivers State.
As the white Missionaries continued their conquests along the riverside of the old East Central State, Abia was made part of the Southern Protectorate under the British colonial rule. This was afterArochukwu Kingdom suffered defeat by the white missionaries in what was recorded as the “Aro-Anglo War of 1901-1902”. When Arochukwu Kingdom failed, it became part of Eastern Region of the original three regions structured by the British in 1954.
This was the position of Abia till independence in 1960 and in 1967 at the eleventh minutes and just before the Nigeria civil war outbreak; General Gowon created twelve federal states. Others are today history and I would not like to dabble into that due to time factor on one side and also because this paper did not cover that area on the other side.
Making references to the 2006 national census, it is claimed that Abia State has about two million eight hundred and thirty-three thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine (2,833,999) inhabitants. This is roughly about three million (3mio) people.
In Abia state, there are several and series of early personalities and current citizens of the present day Abia State. However, since we are not here for roll calls, let me mention that I am going to mention few Abia personalities and no one should feel neglected and or inferior that his or her name did not appear and or his or her relation is not mentioned. To that end and for the purpose for which we are here today, I will begin with the following names namely:
General Johnson T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first military head of state of Nigeria. Dr. Michael Okpara, the premier of then Eastern Region of Nigeria in the first republic. Prof Eni Njoku (1st Indigenous VC of a Nigerian Univ. - UNILAG), Alvan Ikoku the educationalist, General Ike Nwachukwu, Admiral Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe for examples,
Others are Prof Udeala (Former VC of UNN), Dr Paul Ogwuma(Former CBN Governor), Dr Kalu Idika Kalu (former Finance Minister), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (former economic coordinating and Finance Minister) Dr. Samuel I. Ogbonna (Political Scientist & Media Expert), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (former Governor of Abia State), Chief Theodore Orji (former Governor Abia State), Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu (current Governor of Abia state)and Chief Ojo Maduekwe (Nigeria Ambassador to Canada) .That is not all, we have other personalities like, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa(Neimeth and NESG), Amadi Ikwechegh, Bob Nwannunu, Chukwuemeka Ngozichineke Wogu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, John Godson, Kema Chikwe and Maurice Iwu, while in conclusion I have to mention names like, Chinedu Ikedieze-'Aki'(Nollywood), Glory Alozie (100M Hurdle Olympic Silver Medalist), Patience Kalu (Falcons), Rosemary Uzoma (Comp Gen. Nig. Customs) and Jaja Nwachukwu.
Be that as it may, since this exercise is not an official roll call of who is who in Abia state as earlier mentioned, I have to stop here for now. However, these few names and or personalities in their respective individualism and professionalism, dead or alive are representatives of our illustrious sons and daughters who have made us proud in one way or the other. In addition, they have contributed in their various engagements to shape not only the political, economic and socio-cultural lives of Abia people but not limited to all kinds of human endeavours in shaping the lives of Nigeria and particularly that of Abia state of which we are all proud.
Suffice to mention one very important person (VIPs) amongst them, the like of Jaja Nwachukwu, born in the year 1918 and died in 1996 after a successful life period of 78 years. This great citizen of ours held three undisputable very important and strategic positions in the political history of Nigeria:
- He was the first speaker of the Nigerian House of representatives,
- He became the first Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations and finally,
- He became in addition, the first Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and therefore contributed in no small measure in the development of Nigeria- at the national as well as international multilateral diplomacy.
Socioeconomic History
Abia people are well known as better travellers, very industrious and amongst the best entrepreneurs in the whole of Nigeria. These are some of the reasons why we have also settled currently in Austria. It is claimed that they have Jewish blood in them. No wonder, they are very industrious like the Jews.
Over ninety six percent (96%) of the population of Abia people are Christian believers and each tries to go to church every Sunday. The rest are Moslems and Natural religious worshipers. Abia people are very accommodating and gives almost always - widely known hospitality- to their visitors. At least you have witnessed this claim tonight as you dine and wine with one another. This hospitality can be attributed to their rich experiences as travellers themselves.
The above can be extracted from an Igbo proverb, which says, Nwatakiri naga njem, ka okenye mara ihe – A young man that travels far and wide, has more knowledge than an elder person.
Furthermore, agriculture is the main profession of Abia State and they cultivate crops like yam, corn, cashew, cassava, plantain and rice. In addition there is presence of crude oil and other natural resources and or minerals like natural gas, limestone, kaolin, zinc, lead, gypsum, copper and industrial sand and other related ones.
Major industries in Abia State are textiles, palm oil processing, ceramics, beer and soap manufacturing companies. We have the traditional Akwete Weavers that produce the world wide popular “Akwete cloth”
Higher Institutions- Tertiary Education
There are several ones like:
- The Abia State University in Uturu in the lsuikwuato local government area ( LGA) ,
- TheAbia State Polytechnic in the city of Aba the commercial hub,
- The Staff training school at Urnunnato in the Bende local government area (LGA),
- The Federal University of Agriculture located in Urnudike in the lkwuano local government area (LGA),
- The schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Abiriba, Aba and Umuahia,
Others are as follows:
- The school of midwifery attached to the Methodist Hospital in Amachara,
- The School of Health Technology in Aba,
- The School of Psychiatric Nursing in Mgboko in the Obingwa local government area (LGA),
- The College of Education in Arochukwu and other Teachers Training Colleges and Technical Colleges in various part of the State and so many other ones scattered around the state of Abia.
Cultural Heritages and Tourism
The State Abia as God Owns State/ People is blessed with abundance of cultural heritage in many sectors and strategic areas, which if developed can feed the state without engaging in any other sort of economic activities. For instance, there are few ones to just mention here.
- The national War Museum at Umuahia, were one can witness so many locally manufactured war equipment and gargets like the popular Ogbunigwe bombs and others,
- The famous Arochukwu Long Juju Cave Complex in Arochukwu,
- The Azumini “Blue River” – eventually the only blue river in the whole world, just as the only biblical “Red Sea” in Egypt. This is located in Ukwa local government area (LGA),
- The Amakama Wooden Cave in Umuahia South local government area (LGA),
- The National Museum of Colonial History in Aba and finally,
- Chief Okoroji’s House in Arochukwu built in 1880s and many other similar ones.
Meanwhile, it is advisable you to visit these tourist attractions next time you travel to Nigeria.
Current Situation and Administrative Structures
Abia State is one of the five States in the current South East geopolitical zone amongst the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The name Abia is taken originally from four major cities or towns in the state before some part of it were carved out to create Ebonyi State namely:
- Aba
- Bende,
- Isuikwuato, and
- Afikpo, which is today in Ebonyi State.
Abia State has a total of seventeen (17) local government areas (LGA) for easy administration. These little administrative headquarters bring the influence of the federal and state government down to the door steps of the local and indigenous people. With its seventeen (17) local government areas (LGA), it is one of the smallest states in Nigeria.
From nineteen ninety-one (1991) exactly on 27th August till the present day, the State has witnessed eight (8) different state managers amongst, which are five(5) military dictatorial administrators and three (3) elected and or democratic governors. The current and fresh elected democratic governor is Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He was elected on the 11th of April and sworn in on the 29th May 2015 respectively. He is a native of Ngwa. To that effect, let me use this opportunity to thank everyone of you that might have contributed in one means or the other and in voting him as Governor of God’s own people.
At this juncture, distinguished guest to this august occasion let me throw a question to every one of you. Have you ever asked yourself if there is other meaning attached to Abia and why is Abia called “God Own State and its People addressed as “God Own People”?
Now listen, Abia is the only State in Nigeria discovered to have heritage directly to and or with the “Holy Bible” How is that possible?
Abia is very religious and spiritual in nature, according to first (1st) chronicle chapter 3, verse 10 from the Old Testament, Mathew chapter 1 verse 7 and Luck chapter 1 verse 5 from the New Testament, Abia is synonyms to Abijah.
Abijah alternatively spelled Abiah and or Abia. In Modern Hebrew Aviya, is a Biblical Hebrew unisex name that means "my Father is Yahweh"!
Therefore, because our father is Yahweh – meaning God Almighty, (Obasi di na-elu) Abia State is his state and we the indigenes, are his people. Little do you know that we are called God Owns State!
Conclusion
In conclusion therefore, let me summarised by saying that,
- Abia people are loving and very hospitable people in Nigeria,
- They are very hard working and very industrious people by nature,
- They like wealth and work hard for it and they are rich and wealthy,
- There is production of oil Palm in Abia in commercial quantity, which has contributed in making Nigeria the world’s fifth producer of palm oil,
- Abia state is one of the oil producing states in Nigeria and therefore serves also as one of the “Bread winners” of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the People and its Economy,
- Abia is the Chinese of not only Nigeria in particular but also of Africa in general. As a result, do not wonder why people say, “Aba Made” meaning that all articles and equipment that are with less quality is made in Aba. The actual intention here is that Abia can produce any products and also in commercial quantity and of course the qualities are better than any similar product produced any place around the globe. Aba is therefore, active industrial hub in Nigeria and Africa,
- Aba in Abia State is the second busiest commercial hub of south east and south south of Nigeria after Onitsha in Anambra State,
- There is the newly opened Aba Mega Mall (Abia State, Nigeria) in Osisioma local government area (LGA) Aba, and above all,
- Abia people are very loving, their men are very caring and Abia has beautiful and responsible women.
Meanwhile, in the event that you are ripe for marriage, simply make a head-way and come to Abia State.
Long Live Abia Indigenes in Austria!
Long Live Abia State, God owns State!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Long Live the Republic of Austria!!!!
Dr. Samuel Ogbonna