Last Monday, August 27, Abians rolled out the red carpet to celebrate the 21^st anniversary of the creation of the state. Events to cap the grand finale included an inter-denominational church service and awards to deserving Abians for their contributions to the development of the state.

But the million dollar question that agitates the minds of many is: At 21, has Abia any cause to celebrate? The answer you get will depend on which side of the political pendulum the respondent belongs to.

For those in opposition, the obvious answer would be that there is no reason to celebrate! That the dreams of the founding fathers are far from being realised; that Abia is still crawling at 21. Some would even be of the opinion that Abia is a failed state. The moderates, however, would admit that Abia has been making haste slowly.

Using the physical development of the state as an example, the critics would point to lack of institutional structures and infrastructural deficit that has bedevilled the state over time. To people in this school of thought, the incumbent government is always responsible for what they would adjudge as the underdevelopment of Abia.

Conversely, and as is always the case, exuding infectious enthusiasm about its developmental strides and incurable optimism of a better tomorrow, those in government would adduce several reasons why Abians must hilariously clink glasses in celebrating the existence of the state for the past quarter of a century, almost.

The latter school of thought informs why the state rolled out drums to celebrate, if not for the development that has been recorded (no matter how small), then the enormous, intimidating human resources which constitute the great potentials of Abia.

In Nigeria and beyond, when the issues of patriotism and good governance are objectively examined with respect to global best practices, the names of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major-General Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi; administrative icon and former Premiers of Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara and Dr. Akanu Ibiam, versatile egg head and former Federal Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr J.O.J Okezie, and erudite scholar, Prof Eni Njoku, all of blessed memory, would always ring bell. They were all Abians.

Similarly, the likes of Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Major-General Ike Nwachukwu; Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Lieutenant-General Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Nnamdi Thomas Okore-Affia, Dr Greg Ibe, proprietor of the first Abia indigenous private university, are all national figures who have caused positive development, not just in their local Abia enclave but the nation at large. Ditto Okpuzu Onwuka Kalu of the Onwuka Hit-Tek fame, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu (retd.) and retired Major-General Ike Nwachukwu, amongst others too numerous to mention.

These and many more Abians who have in ways more than one contributed to the development and growth of the state are part of the reason why Abia is rolling out the drums and red carpet. And some of them were so honoured to wrap up this year’s celebration.

Abia State came into being on August 27, 1991 when then military government headed by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) created additional seven states.

Detaching itself from mother Imo State, Abians, led by Col. Frank Ajobena, who pioneered the administration of the state, returned to Umuahia and took over the property of former Military Administrator of old Anambra State, Col. Emeka Omeruah (now late) abutted by the then Urban Primary School, both of which were converted to present-day Government House.

From August 27, 1991 and between Ajobena and incumbent Executive Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, Abia has been administered by five military governors and three civilian governors.

A critical examination of their tenures would reveal one form of achievement or the other. But the point of debate would be how durable such achievements were, for as at today, most of the teething problems confronting Abia were recorded as giant developmental strides by past administrations. The reverse is for the simple fact that such “laudable” achievements failed to outlive the respective administrations that initiated them.

It will be out sheer ignorance to posit that Abia has not recorded tremendous progress since its creation. Space will not permit sector by sector evaluation but suffice it to say that in the realm of education, Abia has moved forward as it boasts a state university, a polytechnic, one federal university and some private universities; thereby affording young Abians the opportunity of accessing tertiary education with fewer impediments.

In the health sector, Abia has a referral centre, the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), one of the best diagnostic centres in Africa, a Federal Medical Centre, many general hospitals and mushrooming health centres in over 250 communities.

Politically, governance has been brought nearer to the people with the existence of three senatorial zones, eight federal constituencies, 17 local governments, 291 electoral wards (which would soon multiply going by the impending ward delineation exercise by ABSIEC) and over 600 autonomous communities.

These gerrymandering have positively affected development at the grassroots.

The Long Juju of Arochukwu; Ojukwu Bunker, War Museum; Azumini Blue River, Amakama Cave are some tourist attractions that dot the Abia landscape. Sports tourism has brought fame and glory and etched Abia’s name in the magnificent global football hall of fame with Enyimba International Football Club being the only clubside in Nigeria to win the African Champions League, which Nigerians used to describe as elusive. What is more, Enyimba won it back to back and has also been consistent in its victorious runs in the Nigerian Premier League.

Physical development has actually been taking place. The most observable problem is that basic amenities and infrastructure dilapidate easily, thus putting them in the deficit, particularly roads.

The motorable road network in Abia is not very impressive, the worst hit being the commercial town of Aba.

Despite efforts to remedy the situation in Aba, roads in the city are collapsing; the root cause being the perennial flooding of the town which, apart from the enormous resources it would gulp, will require a lot of political will to handle.

The magnitude of infrastructural problems in Aba has blunted even the present administration’s aggressive road rehabilitation efforts in the city.

Maybe, the answer lies with creation of an Aba State as it is doubtful if the entire allocation from the federation account to Abia is enough to fix Aba.

But beyond whatever progress Abia State has recorded in the last 21 years is the loud absence of institutional structures that can hype the ambience of the state’s scenic beauty and character.

This may have informed the ambitious “legacy projects” embarked upon by the incumbent administration of Chief Theodore Orji with ferocious audacity.

These projects include the 4,000-capacity International Conference Centre that will make Abia a conference destination point, a befitting, new Government House; the twin, three-storey new Secretariat complexes for civil servants which uniqueness lie in their being the first buildings with elevator (or lift in ordinary parlance) in the state and the Ultra-modern Ubani Ibeku International Market as well as the new industrial market.

When these markets are completed, the traders will relocate and the existing markets in the heart of Umuahia demolished and converted to posh elite housing estates or given to any other environmental beauty that would enhance the aesthetics of Umuahia landscape and imbue the city with the hue of a state capital.

The government has promised to deliver about 3,000 housing units in many estates that would be located in various parts of Umuahia and Aba.

When these projects are realised alongside others, Abia would have registered its wish to be ranked among states that could be identified with monumental edifices.

The Theodore Orji administration is striving hard to put Abia on the fast plane of development. But it must have to overcome some serious impediments. One of them is reviving the Abia economy. Upon creation, the state inherited some assets, including buoyant industries comprising the vivacious and money-spinning Golden Guinea, International Glass Industry, Aba, the Ceramics Industry.

Since an explosion ripped through the production lines of Golden Guinea some years back, the employment-yielding organisation has remained comatose. Efforts by the present administration to revive it have yet to yield positive results. The Ceramics Industry sold to the Catholic Church was revived but has since stopped production while the International Glass Industry revamped by the present government still requires further intervention.

If these industries die, Abia cannot be said to be working in accordance with the desires of the founding fathers who had wished for a prosperous Abia and Abia cannot prosper when its economy is bleeding profusely.

Reviving these industries and revamping the economy through revival of the numerous farm settlements that dot the state remain the intimidating challenge that the incumbent government and even those that would succeed it must address. Posterity would forever smile on them if they revive the Abia economy.

Its advantages include improved internally generated revenue, creation of employment for the youth and reduction of security challenges in the state to the barest minimum.

As Abians clink glasses in celebration, it is worthwhile reminding them that developing the state is a collective task. They should imbibe the spirit of patriotism and participate actively in the Public/Private Partnership policy of the present government. This way, government and the people would have joined hands to build the Abia the founding fathers dreamt of. Then we all can beat our chests in confirmation that the creation of Abia has been and will continue to be a good omen.

*Photo: Abia Governor Theodore Orji.