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The genesis of abia state: abia state which was one of the nine states created by the formal Head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi babangida on 27th August, 1991 was carved out of the then Imo State.
The name Abia is an acronym formed from the initial letters of four groups of people; Aba( A’ taken), Bende (B’ taken), Isikwuato (I’ taken), and Afikpo(A’ taken).
However, afikpo is now in Ebony State which was carved out from Abia and Enugu state.
Geography of abia state: Abia state is located in the south eastern region of Nigeria. It lies approximately within latitude 5’40 and longitude 7’35. It is bounded in the North by Ebony State, South and South West by Rivers State, East and South East by Cross Rivers and Akwa-Ibom state respectively, to the East by Imo State and to the North by Enugu.
The state covers an area of 762,720 sq kms. This is approximately 5.8 percent of the nations landmass. With its capital at Umuahia, it has a population o about 2,297,978 provided by the 1991 provisional population head count. It has 17 local government councils namely
- Aba North
- Aba South
- Isiala Ngwa North
- Isiala Ngwa South
- Ukwa East
- Ukwa West
- Obingwa
- Ikwuano
- Bende
- Arochukwu
- Ohafia
- Umuahia North
- Umuahia South
- Isikwuato
- Ugwunagbo
- Osisioma
- Umnneochi
Culture: Abia State has a very rich cultural heritage which reflects in the people’s way of life and beautiful dance steps from Ngwa and Ohafia as well as the traditional Akwaete Cloth from Ukwa East.
They are known to be very resourceful and hardworking, skilled manpower resources are readily available in every field of business, management and industries. They are people who develop by self effort, hence they carry out projects in their various communities. Abians are friendly and show great respect and hospitality to strangers and those working with them. English language is widely used, hence visitors can easily communicates with most of the populace. However, Igbo language is predominantly used. Abia people are culturally homogenous. They have family and belief systems such and celebrate festival as new yam festival between the month of August and October. The time of this celebration varies from one community to another. The new yam festival is an occasion to offer prayers and thanksgiving to God for a fertile land and bountiful harvest.
Kingship: thought it is erroneously said that “Igbo enwe eze”(Igbos have no king) each autonomous community in Abia State has a traditional ruler (Eze) who is clearly identified, respect and installed by the people with government recognition according to the custom and tradition of the people which can be hereditary, rotational or through election. Such an Eze must have his ndocument credentials endorsed by his local government chairman before onward presentation to the State Governor.
Occupation/Agriculture: Abia State lies within the tropical forest and savannah belts. Consequently, every tropical crop thrives in the state. Farmers in the state cultivate cassava, maize, yam, banana, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Cash crops such as palm oil, cocoa, rubber and cashew are cultivatedas well.
Tourism: Abia State is blessed with tourism potentials. Some of the tourism centers include: The National War Museum Umuahia, Azumini Blue River in Ukwa West, the Ojukwu Bunker, The National Museum of Colonial History in Aba, Ngodo and Uhuchukwu caves in Nneochi and Isikwato respectively, Aba foremost village and the long Juju of Arochukwu.
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