NEWS
“In Three Years, He (Gov. Otti) Has Accomplished What Others Did in Three Tenures” — Former Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke Hails Gov. Alex Otti as Abia Marks 35th Anniversary Celebration with Grand Thanksgiving as Gov. Otti Hails God’s Hand on the State
The Abia State Government has officially commenced activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of the state with a colourful interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the Okpara Square Event Centre, Umuahia.
The solemn but celebratory gathering, themed “The Rise of a New Abia,” brought together political leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, elder statesmen, government officials and residents to offer prayers of gratitude for the creation, preservation and progress of the state over the past three and a half decades.
Special prayers were offered for the peace and security of Abia, its institutions, leaders and citizens, as well as for continued unity and development across the state.
The thanksgiving service also reflected on Abia’s political journey since its creation, with prayers offered for the successive administrations of the 10 chief executives who have governed the state, including military administrators and democratically elected civilian governors.
Speaking at the event, Governor Alex Otti said the 35th anniversary thanksgiving provided Abians with another opportunity to acknowledge the role of God in the journey and development of the state.
He explained that his administration had made thanksgiving a defining part of major milestones since assuming office in 2023, maintaining that the progress recorded so far could not be separated from the prayers, sacrifices and support of the people.
“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.
Governor Otti recalled the tense period following the 2023 governorship election, when the declaration of the Abia result was delayed, noting that after his eventual victory, he and his supporters moved from one church to another to offer thanksgiving.
The Governor paid glowing tribute to religious leaders who, according to him, have remained steadfast in prayers for the state and its people, describing their spiritual support as an important part of Abia’s journey.
“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,” he stated.
The Governor urged Abians to remain hopeful and steadfast even in difficult times, stressing that faith, patience and perseverance were necessary ingredients for achieving meaningful and lasting results.
He also used the occasion to congratulate the Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on his electoral victory, noting the governor’s maternal connection to Abia through his mother, who hails from Akwete in Ukwa East Local Government Area.
Governor Otti prayed for continued peace, blessings and progress in Abia and expressed appreciation to everyone who joined the state in marking the historic anniversary.
In his remarks, former Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke, commended the Otti-led administration, describing the transformation taking place across Abia as unprecedented.
Imoke said his conclusion was not based merely on reports or testimonies from the thanksgiving service but also on his personal inspection of some of the projects being executed by the state government.
“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.
The former governor urged Abians to sustain their support for Governor Otti, expressing confidence that continued cooperation between the government and the people would enable the administration to consolidate on its development drive.
He also prayed for the governor’s success in the 2027 elections “and continue to do the wonderful work,” for Abia people.
The thanksgiving service featured an exhortation by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, while renowned gospel artiste, Buchi, led the congregation in praise and worship.
With prayers, worship and reflections on the state’s remarkable journey, the event set the tone for the celebration of 35 years of Abia State, as government officials and residents alike looked ahead to what they described as the begin
ning of a new chapter in the rise of a new Abia.