I was born and brought up in the city of Aba, Abia state. Though am not an indigene, but as Aba brought-up, I have witnessed several changes from the time i was growing up till now am full blown adult. The changes include population, structure,residences, commerce and even changes in peoples attitude, both positive and negative.The indigenes of Aba people are called the ngwa. They are known for farming. They are scarcely populated. In past, the surroundings easily got lonely and cold, there are lonely pathways especially in the midday because of their scarce population . Even land agents refused to invest on real estate business because of fear as to whether it will develop or not. But now every location is filled up with people. As days go by, non-indigenes started migrating into the city, development comes alongside, as a result, it is highly populated now. Even though landed properties are very expensive, yet people are purchasing and erecting here and there.
What about commerce? When i was still in my tender age, the city is known for petty trading. There are kiosk here and there with few items for sale from low capital business men and women but now the reverse is the case. The two markets in the city do not contain traders any more to the point that people seek positions along the road to do their various businesses. Importers make sure their goods land in Aba for easy and speedy sales because merchants from different states and cities travel down here for purchases of different items - all can be found in Aba. Infact, the city holds one of the international markets called Ariaria international market. Even though the capital city is umuahia, the city of Aba is the economic capital of the state. There are lots of social amenities and recreation centers situated within the surroundings, the city is indeed bustling. The city is also known for creativity. There ate different kinds of handwork and craft, artisans in the city. There are also made in aba products, both high quality ones that look like foreign products and inferior ones- all are pocket friendly according to one's standard.There has been a drastic change in peoples attitude. In the past, the city is known for displaying jungle justice. They don't condone evil, injustice, oppression even from higher authorities. Oppressions to a lowly poor masses was never tolerated. The oppressors must have the taste of his own medicine while the innocent goes safely but now, the reverse is the case. Everybody is minding his or her business. The child of a common man is oppressed with no one to turn to for help. Even those in higher authorities accept bribes to perform illegal actions. The security personnels are the one traumatizing the environment instead of ensuring its safety. Different gangs and fraternities are everywhere wrecking havocs and causing juvenile delinquencies. There is hight rate of political, and social rebellion that causes social unrest unlike before.
As time goes by, the city is continually experiencing positive changes that improves lives, i remember when people travel to river side to source for water and when people struggle with hyena pumps for water, nowadays, there are lots and lot of pipe borne water located around the environment . Even new buildings structures now accommodate bore holes which ensures abundant water supply. Even though there much improvement in the area of electricity power supply, we no longer depend on them. The use of heavy duty generators in
sets has been introduced for efficiency.In the past, people look at crop farming farming and animal husbandry as a dirty work or a business for the poor and lazy, but now agriculture has been fully embraced. Even people with small accommodation are managing to create small spaces for rearing animals while leave their comfort zone farm works. The slogan has now changed to 'get dirty and get the money' this is mayinleo.Photo sources: are photos are mine