As Abia State marks her Silver Jubilee on Saturday, August 27, 2016, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu will use the occasion to launch the Abia Anthem and logo to carve out an identity for the state which an elder statesman, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, says has done well in its 25 years of existence.

The Anthem and Logo, which will be unveiled at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, are part of activities lined up to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Abia. Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, created Abia on August 27, 1991, alongside other states.

Deputy Chairman (Administration) of Abia Advisory Council which is statutorily charged with organising the Abia Day celebration, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, who unfolded plans for this year's Abia Day celebration while briefing newsmen at Government House, Umuahia, Thursday, said that Ikpeazu, apart from launching the Abia Anthem and Logo, will also make a state-wide television and radio broadcast to the people of the state wherein he is expected to acquaint Abians with his plan for the state.

Ogbuagu who would not be drawn into disclosing the content or language of the new anthem, advised the reporters and the general public to exercise patience and await for the governor to unveil the anthem.

The elder statesman said that this year's celebration will be devoid of the usual lectures and awards to distinguished Abia sons and daughters.

In their place will be "the commissioning of projects," which include unveiling of the Abia Logo and Anthem. He explained that the awards segment were bypassed because the current administration have not settled down and it would be unfair to saddle it with the task of fishing out those that should be bestowed with the state honour.

According to him, the entire programme will commence with a solemn thanksgiving service to re-commit the state to God.

In assessing the growth and development of the state since its creation, Ogbuaga declared "Abia has done well."

He noted that all those who administered the state did their best to develop the state, living it with some milestones. Said Ogbuagu, "We wanted to have an Abia State that is God-fearing and peaceful. In 25 years, I don't think we have had eruptions apart from the two military interventions that got Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu out. I am quite satisfied that we have not done badly.

"We are human beings and we did not have the opportunity of being born with a golden spoon in our mouth. It has always been struggling, even when we were part of Eastern Nigeria; nobody gave us a chance to succeed. But by 1965, Eastern Nigeria was one of the leading, if not the leading, state in Nigeria. In my own assessment, I think we have done very well, and if you have 75 per cent, it is a good pass.”

Ogbuagu who said that members of the Advisory Council have made efforts to resolve the political problem in the state, urged the people to "uphold the mantra of Abia State, namely, Onye aghala nwanneya" (meaning you should not leave your brother but rather identify with him in all situations)

He was accompanied to the Press Briefing by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, Sir Linus Okpokiri who is the Chairman of the Abia Day celebration Planning Committee and Comrade John Emejor, Chairnan of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council.

Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.

Update news