Abia State

 Abia State is domiciled in the SouthEast geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.The predominant tribe in Abia State is the Igbo and the State boasts an estimated population of 2,833,999 spread across 17 Local Government Areas which include Aba North, Aba south, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, Isiala ngwa North, Isiala ngwa south, Isiukwuato, Obi ngwa, Ohafia, Osisioma ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa east, Ukwa west, Umuahia North, Umuahia south, and Umunneochi. Umuahia is the capital of Abia State while other prominent towns in the State include Bende, Uturu and Aba. The prevalent religious persuasion is Christianity . Abia State boasts a range of primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions and the latter include the Abia State University Uturu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia state College of Education, Arochukwu, Abia state College of Health Technology Aba, School of Nursing Amachara, Covenant Polytechnic Aba, Gregory University Uturu, and Rhema University Aba.  Abia State is also popular for being the home of Enyimba International Football Club which won the erstwhile elusive CAF Champions league trophy in 2003 and 2004 respectively. 

Health is also a very important sector in Abia state and the state has a number of health facilities scattered across the state and these include the Abia state Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center Umuahia, Abia state University Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Center Umuahia, and the General Hospital Aba. A number of tourist attractions are found in Abia state and these include the National War Museum Umuahia, the Arochukwu Cave Complex, Azumini Blue River, National Museum of Colonial history Aba, and the Amakama Wooden Cave. 

The people of Abia state have a rich cultural heritage expressed through several festivals and cultural exhibitions such as the Ekpe Masquaerade festival, the Iwaji festival, the Ugwuabai festival and the very popular Ohafia War Dance.  

ABIA STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Abia State is Okezie Ikpeazu.

ABIA STATE SLOGAN

God's own State

GEOGRAPHY OF ABIA STATE

Abia State boasts a total area of 4,931 kilometres squared with an average annual precipitation of 2500 mm. Abia State has two prevalent seasons; the rainy and dry seasons with an estimated annual temperature of 27.5 degrees centigrade. The State also has a favorable topography conducive for agricultural activities.  

ECONOMY OF ABIA STATE

Abia State is renowned for both its Agricultural and Commercial prowess. The commercial city of Aba is particularly famed for its massive local productions and innovations in the textile and leather industries. Also, towns such as Uturu and Okigwe are famed for their expansive cashew plantations which have consistently provided the State with a veritable source of income. Popular markets in Abia state include the Ariaria international market Aba, Ahia Ohuru Aba, Ubani Modern market Umuahia, Cemetry Market Aba, Aba Textile Market, and the New Timbershed Market Umuahia.

A plethora of mineral resources are found in Abia state and these include Crude oil and natural gas found in Obeakpu, Isimiri, and Ukwa east LGA; Oil shales found in Nneochi; Lead, Zinc, Copper and Gypsum found in Nneochi; Iron Ore and Limestone found in Isiukuato; Kaolin found in Umuahia and Ikwuano LGAs; and Laterite which is found in all 17 LGAs in the state.     

HISTORY OF ABIA STATE

Abia State was created from Imo State in the year 1991. The name Abia was derived from an acronym which represents the four most populated regions in the State namely Aba, Bende, Isiukwuato and Afikpo. Chief Orji Uzor Kalu was elected in 1999 as the first democratically elected Governor of the State and he superintended over the State's affairs from 1999 to 2007. 

Governors/ Administrators of Abia state since creation to date include

Frank Ajobena- 1991-1992

Ogbonnaya Onu- 1992-1993

Chinyere Ike Nwosu - 1993- 1994

Temi Ejoor- 1994- 1996

Moses Fasanya - 1996-1998

Anthony Obi - 1998-1999

Orji Uzor Kalu - 1999- 2007

Theodore Orji - 2007- 2015

Okezie Ikpeazu - 2015 - date.