Abia Begins 35th Anniversary with Thanksgiving, Otti Hails God’s Role in State’s Progress

_Imoke: “Transformation In Last 3 Years Is Unprecedented”_

UMUAHIA, Abia State – The Abia State Government has commenced activities marking its 35th anniversary with an interdenominational thanksgiving service, themed “The Rise of a New Abia.”

The service, held on Sunday at the Okpara Square Event Centre, Umuahia, featured prayers of thanksgiving for the creation and sustenance of the state, as well as prayers for its leadership, peace, security, institutions and the people.

Prayers were also offered for the 10 successive chief executives who have governed the state, comprising military administrators and democratically elected civilian governors.

Speaking at the event, Governor Alex Otti said the anniversary was an opportunity for Abians to acknowledge God’s role in the state’s journey.

“Today, what we came to do is to mark 35 years of the creation of Abia State and we chose to start this celebration with thanksgiving. And that is also what we have always done, even from 2023, because we are not in any doubt that it is the prayers, the sacrifices, our people that have contributed to the progress recorded in Abia,” the governor said.

He recalled visiting churches with supporters after the delay in the declaration of the 2023 governorship election result, to offer thanksgiving following his victory.

Governor Otti commended religious leaders for their support and urged Abians not to lose hope in difficult times.

“I want to thank the men of God who stood in the gap, who have been standing in the gap, who will still stand in the gap for this state. The fathers of faith gathered together, continued asking God, praying, fasting, and we were not in any doubt that God was going to answer. This state is not called God’s own state for nothing. At its own time, the Bible records, He makes everything beautiful,” he said.

Former Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke, who attended the service, commended the Otti-led administration for what he described as unprecedented transformation.

“The last time I spoke with His Excellency, I said to him that in three years he has accomplished and now done three tenures. And from listening to the exaltation today by the Archbishop and the men of God, I dare say that I am correct that in the last three years, the transformation that has happened in Abia is unprecedented,” Imoke said.

“I came late to church because I went to inspect some of the projects and I wondered that God must truly be in Abia. So when you say that, this is truly God’s own state, with Alex Otti on the throne, Abia is truly God’s own state.”

He urged Abians to continue supporting Governor Otti and prayed that he would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections “and continue to do the wonderful work” for the people.

The thanksgiving service featured an exhortation by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, and praise and worship led by renowned gospel artiste, Buchi.

The event was attended by government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and residents.