Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says the state is yet to attain the dreams envisaged by its founding fathers, 24 years after its creation.

However, Ikpeazu, in a radio and television state-wide broadcast to mark the creation of the state on August 27, 1991, assured that with the works his administration was currently doing, a solid foundation for “a future Abia that would be the envy of all” was being laid.

Reflecting on the 24 years of Abia’s existence, the governor said: “I will be the first to admit that we are not yet where we hoped we would be but I will also insist that we are not where we used to be,” an admission that progress was being made.

He maintained that building a state that was the dream of Abians would require the collective efforts and sacrifices of all and sundry.

“Beloved Abians, the journey to a better Abia state requires our collective efforts. It is not something that can be left for government alone to carry out. We all, individually and collectively, have roles to play to actualising the Abia of our dreams. I therefore use the occasion of the 2015 Abia Day to make a passionate appeal for your cooperation with government for the good of the state,” the governor said.

He identified the areas of cooperation by the citizenry to include honouring their tax obligations and obeying government directives on relocation of shops to approved markets and measures to ensure cleaner environment.

He noted that the journey to the “promised land” would not be smooth, pointing out that both the government and the people would trudge on in unwavering determinationas God has endowed them with indomitable spirit..

“We know for a fact that Abians are a great people and the spirit God has deposited in us as a people is a positive spirit,” he said in the 10-minute, early morning broadcast.

Ikpeazu pledged that his administration would always put the interest of Abians first. “We have identified the things that we need to get us to where we want to go and we are resolute that the Abia State we will bequeath to our children will be far better than the Abia State we inherited from our parents,” he assured, adding: “Under our watch, we will ensure that we do what is best for Abia State at all times.”

He paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers, dead or alive, assuring that their sacrifices would be in vain.

Apart from the broadcast, there was no ceremonyto mark the day. In recent years, the day has been marked with thanksgiving service and awards to distinguished Abians who have recorded enviable feats in various fields of endeavour.

•Photo shows Gov. Ikpeazu.