Gov. Otti Marks Abia’s 35th Anniversary With Call for Resilience, Declares “A New Epoch is Upon Us”

“Our Race Is About Pushing Ourselves Harder Each Day” — Governor Credits Founders, Unveils Investments In Education, Health, Roads

UMUAHIA, Abia State – Governor Alex C. Otti has called on Abians to embrace resilience and unity as the state marks 35 years of its creation, declaring that “a new epoch is upon us” and the time has come to build a better future for generations to come.

The Governor made the call in a statewide broadcast on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Creation of Abia State on August 27, 1991.

Otti paid tribute to the founding fathers and past leaders who fought for the creation of the state and laid its early foundations.

“Abia, it must be noted on this auspicious occasion, did not emerge from mere wishes; the State was created by the Military Administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, following years of intense agitations,” he said.

He acknowledged Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the first democratically-elected Governor, and his predecessors Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief Theodore Orji, and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, for their contributions to the state’s socio-economic and political evolution.

He also remembered military administrators including Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena, Brigadier General Chinyere Ike Nwosu, Commander Temi Ejoor, Colonel Moses Fasanya and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Obi, noting that “their investments in infrastructure and commitment to public order greatly shaped the construct of our economic and social experiences.”

The Governor disclosed that former President Ibrahim Babangida called him on Wednesday to send his best wishes to Ndị Abia.

Otti said Abia’s identity over the last 35 years has been carved by “the resilience of its entrepreneurs, artisans and all those whose ingenuity and innovative products dominate markets across West Africa.”

“The greatness of the State, beyond the bold footprints of its giants, is expressed in the outputs of the creative minds who operate in the fashion ecosystem, producing fabrics and leatherworks that define industry benchmarks in Nigeria and beyond,” he stated.

He commended teachers, health workers, civil servants, security agents, and traders for shaping daily life in the state.

“This anniversary morning presents us the special opportunity to celebrate the resilient spirit that has carried us through thick and thin,” he said. “We do not give up, whatever the odds are, we fight, exhaust ourselves and return at dawn the next day until the outcome that we seek is attained.”

The Governor outlined key investments by his administration in the last 3 years, saying they are designed to prepare Abia children for the future.

“Our generous investments over the last 3 years have enabled the recruitment and training of thousands of teachers and health workers, enhanced salary packages, smooth execution of capital projects, especially the building and equipping of smart schools, primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities,” he said.

He noted that the government has made basic education free and compulsory and is building primary healthcare facilities in all 184 wards to improve access. The state health insurance scheme has also been reinvigorated to reduce out-of-pocket spending.

On infrastructure, Otti said over 1,000 kilometers of roads across urban and rural communities have been fixed to open up the economy and attract investment.

He also highlighted investments in agriculture, ICT training for thousands of youths, and reforms in land administration to boost housing and real estate.

In a major announcement, the Governor said government has commenced payment of accumulated gratuity arrears dating back to 2001.

“We shall, as promised, continue to make these payments as resources become available. You can, however, take it for granted that henceforth, no senior citizen shall be denied what is due them,” he declared.

He directed that going forward, retirees should be paid their gratuity immediately documentation is completed.

Concluding, Governor Otti urged citizens to play their part in building the state.

“Pay your taxes and other statutory fees as often and quickly as they fall due, support the security agents to keep crime out of our State and refuse the temptation to be a tool in the shenanigans of unscrupulous elements,” he said.

“Abia is ours to build and thankfully, we are on the right track. As we march into the future with a new sense of mission; let us take confidence in the knowledge that our destiny is written by the very hands that carved the marvel of the universe.”