Abia State

Abia State, which occupies about 6,320 square kilometres, is bounded on the north and northeast by the states of Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi. To the west of Abia is Imo State, to the east and southeast are Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State respectively and to the south is Rivers State. The southern part of the State lies within the riverine part of Nigeria, it is a low-lying tropical rainforest with some oil-palm brush,[11] the southern portion gets heavy rainfall of about 2,400 millimetres (94 in) per year and is especially intense between the months of April through October.[12] The rest of the State is moderately high plain and wooded savanna.[11] The most important rivers in Abia State are the Imo and Aba Rivers which flow into the Atlantic Ocean through Akwa Ibom State.[13]

Abia State is one of the thirty-six States in Nigeria and has about seventeen Local Government Areas out of the 774 Local Government Areas that constitute or make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Abia State was created on the 27th of August in the year 1991 during the government of General Ibrahim Babangida. The State is located in  the south-eastern part of Nigerian. Abia state was created out of Imo State and the two sister states share boundaries. Abia State known as one of the constituent states of the Niger Delta region. The State has its capital is Umuahia while the commercial city of the state is Aba. Abia State is also referred to as GOD’s OWN STATE. The name "Abia" is an abbreviation of four of Abia state's densely populated regions Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo.[14][15]

Abia State is an Igbo speaking state and are found under the Igbo ethnic group. The Igbo people, who are one of the indigenous peoples of South-eastern part of Nigeria, make up 95% of the population. Their traditional language, Igbo is in widespread use.[16] English is also widely spoken, and serves as the official language in governance and business. In Abia State over 7  million people are mainly Christians.[17]

Crude oil and gas production is a prominent activity, as it contributes over 39% of the State's GDP.[18] However, the indigenous oil companies- through the Marginal Fields Programme (MFP)- have not found it easy to attract the requisite funding and infrastructural capacity to explore some of the marginal oil fields which are about 50 in the State.[19]

The manufacturing sector only accounts for 2% of the GDP.[18] The industrial centre of the state is in Aba, with textile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, soap, plastics, cement, footwear, and cosmetics.[11] In addition to the above, Abia State Government has just built a 9,000 capacity multipurpose International Conference Centre in Umuahia. This edifice of international standard was built by Governor T.A Orji to enhance tourism as well as boost the state economy through hosting of major International and Local events.

Representing 27% of the GDP,[18] agriculture- which employs 70%[18] of the state workforce- is the second economic sector of Abia. With its adequate seasonal rainfall, Abia has much arable land that produces yams, maize, potatoes, rice, cashews, plantains, taro, and cassava.[11] Oil palm is the most important cash crop.[11]

The MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) for a very long time now, like many other cities and urban areas in Nigeria, has in its records reached appalling dimensions.

Due to the poor waste management, the attendant deaths and illnesses from diarrhoea, respiratory and

lung diseases, malaria, parasitic worms, typhoid fever, cholera, etc are on the rise. This has its own d in no small measures by poor MSW

management practices have implications on t.e social, political and economic development of the population[22]

• Gold[23]
• Lead/Zinc[23]
• Limestone[23]
• Oil/gas[23]
• Salt[24]
• Kaolin[23]
• Limestone[23]

There are four universities in the state: the federal-owned Michael Okpara University of Agriculture at Umudike,[25] the state-owned Abia State University in Uturu,[26] and the Gregory University[27] Uturu and Rhema University[28] in Aba, both privately owned, Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu , Abia State University Law Campus Umudike, Umuahia.[29] There are two tertiary hospitals, the Federal Medical Center (FMC)[30] in Umuahia and the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba, which serve as referral hospitals in the State. The Abia State Polytechnic[31] is also in the city of Aba. There are two major power plants in Abia, The Alaoji Power plant[32] and the Geometric Power plant.[33] Abia is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria and has been a "haven" for foreign investors. The state's population has grown rapidly since its creation.

The nearest airport to Abia is Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport (Owerri Airport), an hour drive to Umuahia and Aba; and Port Harcourt International Airport, 2 hours. Akwa Ibom Airport (Akwa Ibom State) can also serve would-be visitors. The distance between Uyo (Akwa Ibom) and Umuahia (Abia) is: 73.28 kilometres (45.53 mi).

The rail transport is also another means of travel, very effective but currently on revitalisation. Aba is connected to Port Harcourt by rail. Umuahia is connected to Aba and Enugu by rail.[11] The coastal parts of the State are equally accessible with boats and canoes.

Below is a list of Languages of Abia State organised by there LGA:[34]

The State Government is led by a democratically elected Governor who works closely with members of the state's House of Assembly. The capital city is Umuahia.[35] There are 17 local government areas (LGAs).

Abia State House of Assembly, Nigeria

At statehood in 1991, Abia was ruled by Ibrahim Babangida-appointed Military Administrator Frank Ajobena before Ogbonnaya Onu was elected governor later that year under the Third Nigerian Republic. Onu governed for nearly two years before Sani Abacha ended the Third Republic and reinstated full military rule. Under the Abacha regime, three more Military Administrators (Chinyere Ike Nwosu, Temi Ejoor, and Moses Fasanya) were appointed before Abacha's death and the accession of Abdulsalami Abubakar. Abubakar appointed one more Military Administrator, Anthony Obi, before starting the transition to democracy in 1998.

In 1999, Nigeria returned to democracy and Orji Uzor Kalu was elected governor on the platform of the People's Democratic Party. Consequently, he was sworn in on 29 May 1999. In 2003, when it was time for fresh elections, Kalu re-contested on the platform of the PDP and got a second mandate to govern (the Constitution of Nigeria limits Governors to two terms in office). At the end of Kalu's term in 2007, Theodore Orji (PPA) defeated Onyema Ugochukwu (PDP) in the 2007 gubernatorial election to become Abia's next Governor. In 2011, Theodore Orji defected from the PPA to the PDP before being re-elected for another four-year term later that year.

In 2015, Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP) was voted in as the ninth Governor of Abia State.[36] Four years later, he won re-election in 2019, defeating Uche Ogah of the All Progressives Congress and Alex Otti of APGA to be sworn in as Governor for a second term on 29 May 2019.

Abia State is made up of seventeen (17) Local Government Areas. They are:

Tourist destinations include:

• Arochukwu is associated with slave trade.[38]
• Azumini Blue River waterside[39]
• The Amakama wooden cave; a hollow tree that can accommodate up to twenty people.[39][40]
• Caves located in the north, ranging from Umu – Neochi to Arochukwu.
• Traditional festivals and dances
• National War Museum, Umuahia and Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia
• Museum of Colonial History in Aba[41]
• Akwete” cloth weaving at Ukwu East LGA
• Ohafia War Dancers[42]
• AmaforIsingwu biannual Iza aha ceremony[43]
• Akpe Festival in Umuahia[44]

• Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani – novelist and essayist[45]
• Akwaeke Emezi – novelist[46]
• Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, politician, businessman and philanthropist[47]
• Alexx Ekubo, Nollywood actor and Top Model[48]
• Alvan Ikoku, OBE educationist (1900–1971)[49]
• Anya Oko Anya, technocrat and academic[50]
• Arunma Oteh[51][52] – Former World Bank Vice President and Treasurer.
• Azubuike Ihejirika – Lt. General and former Chief of Army Staff[53][54]
• Basketmouth – comedian[55][56]
• Benjamin Kalu – politician and member of the House of Representatives[57]
• Bright Chimezie – Highlife Musician[58][59]
• Chelsea Eze – award-winning Nollywood actress[60]
• Chinedu Ikedieze – award-winning Nollywood actor[61][62]
• Chinyere Almona – business executive[63]
• Chinyere Kalu – Nigeria's first female pilot.[64][65]
• Chioma Onyekwere – Nigeria's Discus Champion.[66]
• Chuku Wachuku – Statesman and former Director-General of Nigeria's NDE: National Directorate of Employment[67][68]
• Ebitu Ukiwe – former Military Vice President; Former Governor of Niger and Lagos States.[69][70]
• Eni Njoku – pioneer Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos and first black Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka.[71]
• Enyinnaya Abaribe – Senator and former Deputy Governor[72][73]
• IK Ogbonna, Nollywood Actor and Top Model[74][75]
• Ike Nwachukwu, military officer, former state governor, diplomat, former senator and former chairman of the governing board of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.[76][77]
• Ivy Uche Okoronkwo Deputy Inspector General of Police[78][79]
• J. Martins, Afro-pop artiste[80][81]
• Jaja Wachuku – First Minister of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria, First indigenous Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria and first Nigerian Permanent representative to the UN.[82]
• Joel Kachi Benson, documentary film maker.[83]
• John Godson – Polish lawmaker and philanthropist.[84]
• Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi – Nigeria's Military Officer and former Head of State.[85][86]
• Kalu Idika Kalu – former Finance Minister and politician[87][88]
• Mao Ohuabunwa, industrialist and politician[89]
• Michael Okpara – premier of Nigeria's Eastern Region from 1959 to 1966[90][91]
• Mr Raw – Igbo rap music pioneer[92][93]
• Ndubuisi Kanu – Former Governor of Lagos State and old Imo State.[94][95][96]
• Nkechi Justina Nwaogu – Two Time Senator Abia Central Senatorial District and Immediate Past Pro Chancellor University of Calabar.[97]
• Nkiru Sylvanus - Awarding winning Nollywood actress
• Nnamdi Kanu – founder of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group.[98][99]
• Nnamdi Ezeigbo - Founder, SLOT Systems Ltd.
• Ndubuisi Ekekwe - Notable Inventor
• Nwankwo Kanu – Two time African Footballer of the year and Arsenal FC legend.[100][101]
• OC Ukeje – Lagos-based Multiple Award Winning Nollywood actor[102]
• Oji Umozurike, professor of law[103]
• Okechukwu Enelamah – former Minister for Trade and Investment (2015–2019)[104]
• Okezie Ikpeazu[105][106] – Abia State Governor
• Orji Uzor Kalu – chairman, SLOK Group; Former State Governor and one time Founder of Progressive People's Alliance (PPA); Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria[107]
• Pascal Atuma – Canadian-Nigerian actor, screenwriter, film producer, director and CEO/Chairman TABIC Record Label. born in Ikwuano Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.[108][109]
• Paul Agbai Ogwuma – former Governor of Nigeria's Central Bank[110][111]
• Ruggedman, Afro-Rap artiste.[112][113]
• 2Shotz, AfroRap Artiste[114]
• Samuel Achilefu – Notable Inventor[115]
• Samuel Chukwueze – Nigeria National Team football player[116][117]
• Theodore Orji – former State Governor and a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.[118]
• Uche Jombo, award-winning Nollywood actress.[119]
• Mike Ezuruonye – Award-winning Nollywood actor.[120]
• Uche Okechukwu – former Nigerian Team footballer[121]
• Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah – Businessman and Politician[122]
• Uchenna Ikonne – Academic and Public Administrator[123]
• Uma Ukpai – evangelist.[124]
• Uzodinma Iweala – US-based medical doctor and author of the book Beasts of No Nation.[125]
• Yagazie Emezi - Award-winning photojournalist[126]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abia State, Nigeria.

• Official website
• ABIA State of Nigeria – A Profile
• Abia State Background Information
• Abia Union USA