Abia State Government has commenced activities marking its 35th anniversary of the state creation with an interdenominational thanksgiving service.
The service, held at the Okpara Square Event Centre, Umuahia, on the theme, “The Rise of a New Abia”, featured prayers of thanksgiving for the creation and sustenance of the state, as well as prayers for its leadership, peace, security, institutions and the people.
The thanksgiving service also featured prayers covering the successive administrations of the 10 chief executives who have governed the state, comprising military administrators and democratically elected civilian governors.
Speaking at the event, Governor Alex Otti
said the 35th anniversary thanksgiving was an opportunity for Abians to acknowledge God’s role in the state’s journey and development.
Governor Otti noted that his administration had consistently begun its major milestones with thanksgiving because of its conviction that the prayers, sacrifices and support of the people had contributed to the progress recorded in Abia.
“Today, what we came to do is to mark 35 years of the creation of Abia State and we chose to start this celebration with thanksgiving.
“And that is also what we have always done, even from 2023, because we are not in any doubt that it is the prayers,the sacrifices, our people that have contributed to the progress recorded in Abia”, the governor said.
He recalled that after the 2023 governorship election, which saw a delay in the declaration of the Abia result, he and his supporters visited churches to offer thanksgiving after his victory was announced.
Governor Otti commended religious leaders for their unwavering support and prayers for the peace, progress and development of Abia State.
“I want to thank the men of God who stood in the gap, who have been standing in the gap, who will still stand in the gap for this state.
“The fathers of faith gathered together, continued asking God, praying, fasting, and we were not in any doubt that God was going to answer.
“This state is not called God’s own state for nothing. At its own time, the Bible records, He makes everything beautiful”.
The Governor urged Abians not to lose hope when faced with difficulties, stressing that perseverance and faith were essential to achieving desired outcomes.
Governor Otti used the occasion to also congratulate the Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke on his electoral victory, noting his maternal connection to Abia through his mother, who was from Akwete in Ukwa East LGA of the state.
He prayed for continued blessings, peace and progress in the state and appreciated all who joined the anniversary thanksgiving.
Earlier, the former Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke, who attended the service, commended the Otti led administration for the unprecedented transformation taking place in Abia.
Sen. Imoke said his assessment was based not only on what he heard at the church service but also on his personal observation of some government projects.
“The last time I spoke with His Excellency, (Governor Otti), I said to him that in three years he has accomplished and now done three tenures.
“And from listening to the exaltation today by the Archbishop and the men of God, I dare say that I am correct that in the last three years, the transformation that has happened in Abia is unprecedented.
“I came late to church because I went to inspect some of the projects and I wondered that God must truly be in Abia.
“So when you say that, this is truly God’s own state, with Alex Otti on the throne, Abia is truly God’s own state”, the former Cross River State Governor said.
He urged Abians to continue in their support for Governor Otti too succeed and prayed that the governor will emerge victorious in the 2027 elections “and continue to do the wonderful work”, for Abia people.
The 35th anniversary thanksgiving featured an exhortation by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, as well as praise and worship led by renowned gospel artiste, Buchi and was attended by government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and residents.
