ABIA STATE
"Abia" is an acronym formed from the initial letters of four groups of people,namely: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato and Afikpo. These constituted the major groups in the state at its creation. At the country's independence in 1960, Abia was part of the then Eastern Region. From 27th May 1967, it became a part of the East Central State,created by the then Head of State of the Federal Military Government, General Yakubu Gowon. On 3rd February, 1967, East Central State was split into two states -Anambra and Imo - by the Federal Military Government headed by General Murtala Mohammed.
On 27th August, 1991, the Federal Military Government underGeneral Ibrahim Babangida carved out Abia State from Imo State
, bringing tothirty the number of states in Nigeria. Furthermore, in October, 1996, the FederalMilitary Government under General Sani Abacha created six more states bringing tothirty-six the number of states in the federation. During this exercise, four localgovernment areas (LGAs) namely, Onicha, Ohaozara, Afikpo North and Afikpo South,which occupy the northeastern corner of the state, were transferred to the (newlycreated) Ebonyi State.
Being Located in the southeastern region of Nigeria, AbiaState lies within approximately latitudes 4o40' and 6o14' north, and longitudes 7o10'and 8oeast. The state shares common boundaries to the north with Ebonyi State; tothe south and southwest with Rivers State; and to the east and southeast with CrossRiver and Akwa Ibom States respectively. To the west is Imo State, and to thenorthwest is Anambra State.
The state covers an area of about 5,243 Sq. Km, which is approximately 5.8 percent of the total land area of Nigeria. With its capital at Umuahia, it has seventeen LGAs, namely: Aba North, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, UkwaWest, Ukwa East, Obingwa, Ikwuano, Bende, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, UmuahiaNorth, Umuahia South, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma and Nnochi.
Administrative Areas
The Local Government Chairman who is the Chief Executive Officer of the localgovernment heads each of the seventeen LGAs in the state. A Secretary, SupervisoryCouncilors and Councilors usually assist him.
Most local government councils in thestate have five departments: Administration, Agriculture, Health, Education andWorks. The administrative headquarters of the local government area is located inone of the urban or semi-urban areas within the local government area.High courts in Abia State are found in Aba and Ohafia local government areas aswell as Umuahia, the state capital. Magistrate courts are located in Aba, Arochukwu,Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato and Ukwa LGAs. Customary courts are also found in Ukwa,Isuikwuato, Bende, Ohafia, and Arochukwu LGAs.
Each autonomous community has atraditional head the EZE, which has been identified, selected, appointed and installedby the people according to their own tradition and presented to the government forrecognition. Selection may be hereditary, elective or rotatory. For such an Eze to berecognized, the local government chairman has to endorse the documents presented to him by the Eze before forwarding the documents to the governor for recognition.
The Eze also has to be presented by the autonomous community at an appointeddate and time to the governor or his representative, for recognition. The governmentalso appoints one Eze from each autonomous community. An election is usuallyconducted amongst recognized Ndi Ezes for each local government to selectmembers to serve at the council of Ndi Ezes at the state level. About half of themembers of the council are selected while half are appointed. Every member of thecouncil of Ndi Eze is required to serve for three years unless prevented from doing soby death or resignation. The council of Ndi Eze in Abia State is made up of 36 Ezeswith one chairman and two deputy chairmen.
List of Abia State Towns and Villages
Aba, Abam, Abiriba, Adah, Akaelu, Akwete, Akoli, Alayi, Arochukwu, Azumini,Bende, Ezeukwu-Alayi, Eziama, Igbere, Imenyi, Item, Itumba-Uzor, Ikwuano, Ite, Isiala-Ngwa, Isukwuato, Isimiri, Isuochi, Oboro-Ikwuano, Obi-Ngwa, Ukwa, Ohafia, Okeikpe,Okpula-Ngwa, Omoba, Osisioma, Odogwa, Obeakpu, Obuzo Owaza, Owerrinta,Ohanku and Ohanso, Ugwunagbo, Umuahia, Umudike, Umuhu-Ezechi, Umuimenyi,Umu-Nneochi, Uturu, Uzuakoli, Ozuitem, Ugbuegbule, UmuAgbayi (Ukwa), Ohabiam(Ukwa), Ugwueke- Alayi, Mbalano, Nbawsi, Ndoki, Ndoro, Nkpa, Nkporo, Lohum,Ngboko, Nkali
Ethnic Composition, Language and Culture.
Abia State is inhabited by the Igbo. The Igbo language is spoken throughout theState. Abia State is richly endowed culturally. This is evident in the people's mode of dressing, dancing, arts and crafts, as well as festivals and the widely known Igbotraditional hospitality. The traditional apparel for the worn over a "George" wrappertied around the waist and flowing down to the ankles. This dress is complemented with a cap and a walking stick for support and defence. For the women, the traditionalwear is a blouse over an "Abada" or "George", around the waist. This outfit goes witha headgear, earrings and necklace Music and Dance
In Abia State, different types of music abound to suit various occasions. There is music for work, leisure, childbirth, funerals, and for different festivals. Much of the traditional music is a combination of the vocal and instrumental artistry, which produces a tuneful melody. Musical instruments such as the gong, leather drums,wooden drums, traditional flute (Oja), earthen-pot drums and a host of percussion instruments abound. Some famous traditional music and dances are the Udunkulu Masquarade in Item; Okonko Masquarade in Igbere; Ekpe dance in Arochukwu; theBende and Ohafia war dance; and the Egwu Ukwu (waist dance) of Isiala Ngwa.
Festivals, Arts and Crafts.
Each community in Abia State has different festivals celebrated in honour of its gods and goddesses, or to mark important events. The beginning of the plantingseason as well as the harvest season is celebrated annually.
The New Yam festival,celebrated as thanksgiving to God (Chukwu) by everyone, is pervasive in Igbo land.Works of art produced in the state include carved doors, stools, walking sticks,traditional flutes, mortars, gongs and pestles. One work of art particularly worthy of note is the traditional "Akwete" cloth of Ukwa East.An outline of the Igbo cultural heritage will be incomplete without a word or twoof the Igbo traditional hospitality to visitors. This is reflected in the presentation of kolanuts to visitors. The kolanut signifies that the visitors are heartily welcome. Therituals of the presentation of the kolanut are consummated with the offering of prayers and thanksgiving or request to the supreme God and other deities for the protection of the visitor.
Health Care Delivery .
The Abia State Ministry of Health, through the Health Management Board, isresponsible for health-care. The health-care system comprises twelve generalhospitals, two specialist hospitals, one psychiatric hospital, two dental centers, twoschools of nursing, three schools of midwifery, one school of psychiatric, one school of health technology, sixty-three health centers, fifteen maternities, thirty-twodispensaries, six sub-dispensaries, four destitute homes, one remand home and threehomes for the care of the handicapped.
Tourism and Recreation
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| Kolanut, always used in every occassion in Igbo land |
"Abia" is an acronym formed from the initial letters of four groups of people,namely: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato and Afikpo. These constituted the major groups in the state at its creation. At the country's independence in 1960, Abia was part of the then Eastern Region. From 27th May 1967, it became a part of the East Central State,created by the then Head of State of the Federal Military Government, General Yakubu Gowon. On 3rd February, 1967, East Central State was split into two states -Anambra and Imo - by the Federal Military Government headed by General Murtala Mohammed.
 |
| A palm wine joint for relaxation |
, bringing tothirty the number of states in Nigeria. Furthermore, in October, 1996, the FederalMilitary Government under General Sani Abacha created six more states bringing tothirty-six the number of states in the federation. During this exercise, four localgovernment areas (LGAs) namely, Onicha, Ohaozara, Afikpo North and Afikpo South,which occupy the northeastern corner of the state, were transferred to the (newlycreated) Ebonyi State.
Being Located in the southeastern region of Nigeria, AbiaState lies within approximately latitudes 4o40' and 6o14' north, and longitudes 7o10'and 8oeast. The state shares common boundaries to the north with Ebonyi State; tothe south and southwest with Rivers State; and to the east and southeast with CrossRiver and Akwa Ibom States respectively. To the west is Imo State, and to thenorthwest is Anambra State.
The state covers an area of about 5,243 Sq. Km, which is approximately 5.8 percent of the total land area of Nigeria. With its capital at Umuahia, it has seventeen LGAs, namely: Aba North, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, UkwaWest, Ukwa East, Obingwa, Ikwuano, Bende, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, UmuahiaNorth, Umuahia South, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma and Nnochi.
Administrative Areas
The Local Government Chairman who is the Chief Executive Officer of the localgovernment heads each of the seventeen LGAs in the state. A Secretary, SupervisoryCouncilors and Councilors usually assist him.
Most local government councils in thestate have five departments: Administration, Agriculture, Health, Education andWorks. The administrative headquarters of the local government area is located inone of the urban or semi-urban areas within the local government area.High courts in Abia State are found in Aba and Ohafia local government areas aswell as Umuahia, the state capital. Magistrate courts are located in Aba, Arochukwu,Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato and Ukwa LGAs. Customary courts are also found in Ukwa,Isuikwuato, Bende, Ohafia, and Arochukwu LGAs.
Each autonomous community has atraditional head the EZE, which has been identified, selected, appointed and installedby the people according to their own tradition and presented to the government forrecognition. Selection may be hereditary, elective or rotatory. For such an Eze to berecognized, the local government chairman has to endorse the documents presented to him by the Eze before forwarding the documents to the governor for recognition.
The Eze also has to be presented by the autonomous community at an appointeddate and time to the governor or his representative, for recognition. The governmentalso appoints one Eze from each autonomous community. An election is usuallyconducted amongst recognized Ndi Ezes for each local government to selectmembers to serve at the council of Ndi Ezes at the state level. About half of themembers of the council are selected while half are appointed. Every member of thecouncil of Ndi Eze is required to serve for three years unless prevented from doing soby death or resignation. The council of Ndi Eze in Abia State is made up of 36 Ezeswith one chairman and two deputy chairmen.
List of Abia State Towns and Villages
Aba, Abam, Abiriba, Adah, Akaelu, Akwete, Akoli, Alayi, Arochukwu, Azumini,Bende, Ezeukwu-Alayi, Eziama, Igbere, Imenyi, Item, Itumba-Uzor, Ikwuano, Ite, Isiala-Ngwa, Isukwuato, Isimiri, Isuochi, Oboro-Ikwuano, Obi-Ngwa, Ukwa, Ohafia, Okeikpe,Okpula-Ngwa, Omoba, Osisioma, Odogwa, Obeakpu, Obuzo Owaza, Owerrinta,Ohanku and Ohanso, Ugwunagbo, Umuahia, Umudike, Umuhu-Ezechi, Umuimenyi,Umu-Nneochi, Uturu, Uzuakoli, Ozuitem, Ugbuegbule, UmuAgbayi (Ukwa), Ohabiam(Ukwa), Ugwueke- Alayi, Mbalano, Nbawsi, Ndoki, Ndoro, Nkpa, Nkporo, Lohum,Ngboko, Nkali
Ethnic Composition, Language and Culture.
Abia State is inhabited by the Igbo. The Igbo language is spoken throughout theState. Abia State is richly endowed culturally. This is evident in the people's mode of dressing, dancing, arts and crafts, as well as festivals and the widely known Igbotraditional hospitality. The traditional apparel for the worn over a "George" wrappertied around the waist and flowing down to the ankles. This dress is complemented with a cap and a walking stick for support and defence. For the women, the traditionalwear is a blouse over an "Abada" or "George", around the waist. This outfit goes witha headgear, earrings and necklace Music and Dance
In Abia State, different types of music abound to suit various occasions. There is music for work, leisure, childbirth, funerals, and for different festivals. Much of the traditional music is a combination of the vocal and instrumental artistry, which produces a tuneful melody. Musical instruments such as the gong, leather drums,wooden drums, traditional flute (Oja), earthen-pot drums and a host of percussion instruments abound. Some famous traditional music and dances are the Udunkulu Masquarade in Item; Okonko Masquarade in Igbere; Ekpe dance in Arochukwu; theBende and Ohafia war dance; and the Egwu Ukwu (waist dance) of Isiala Ngwa.
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| The River Niger Bridge |
Festivals, Arts and Crafts.
Each community in Abia State has different festivals celebrated in honour of its gods and goddesses, or to mark important events. The beginning of the plantingseason as well as the harvest season is celebrated annually.
The New Yam festival,celebrated as thanksgiving to God (Chukwu) by everyone, is pervasive in Igbo land.Works of art produced in the state include carved doors, stools, walking sticks,traditional flutes, mortars, gongs and pestles. One work of art particularly worthy of note is the traditional "Akwete" cloth of Ukwa East.An outline of the Igbo cultural heritage will be incomplete without a word or twoof the Igbo traditional hospitality to visitors. This is reflected in the presentation of kolanuts to visitors. The kolanut signifies that the visitors are heartily welcome. Therituals of the presentation of the kolanut are consummated with the offering of prayers and thanksgiving or request to the supreme God and other deities for the protection of the visitor.
Health Care Delivery .
The Abia State Ministry of Health, through the Health Management Board, isresponsible for health-care. The health-care system comprises twelve generalhospitals, two specialist hospitals, one psychiatric hospital, two dental centers, twoschools of nursing, three schools of midwifery, one school of psychiatric, one school of health technology, sixty-three health centers, fifteen maternities, thirty-twodispensaries, six sub-dispensaries, four destitute homes, one remand home and threehomes for the care of the handicapped.
Tourism and Recreation
Abia State has a number of areas with immense scenic attraction. A 1992brochure on "Tourism in Abia State" lists the following tourist attractions:- Arochukwu Long Juju- Azumini Blue River in Ukwa- National War Museum in Umuahia The rich cultural heritage of Abia State also lends itself to the promotion of tourism. The main centers of cultural attraction are the famous traditional "Akwete"cloth weaving in Ukwa East LGA pools which attract visitors from within and outside the state.
Industries in Abia State
Aba LGA has more than 200 large-scale, medium, and small-scale industries. They include the state government owned International Glass Industry, MetallurgicalComplex, and Enyimba Hotel (still under construction). Others include NigerianBreweries PLC, Lever Brothers PLC, Paterson Zochonis (PZ) CFAO, Niger Motors, UTC Textile Mills, and a number of pharmaceutical establishments.
The Aba LGA also has an animal feed project at Ariaria. A number of shoe and garment industries are also located in Aba.In Bende LGA are the following: Samek Industries located at Alayi which manufactures asbestos pipes, the Pioneer Oil Mill at Umuimenyi, owned by ADC; Ojiugo Bakery Enterprises; Oil Palm Mills, Item; Oceanic Paper Mill; Chiba Farms; local government block molding industry; and cassava grating mills; rice mills; and a small-scale roofing industry at the leper colony. Other industries sited in Abia State include the following:
The modern ceramic industry owned by Imo, Abia and the Federal Government;In Umuahia is located a privately owned plastic polythene industry; Golden Guinea Breweries; Empire Carpet Industries; Bread Industries; Feed mills andsawmills; Aba Hotels, and the Modern Palace Hotel.
There are also transport companies, block industries, pineapple industry; snuff industry; beverage industry; (Abia foods); and a palm wine industry. At Owerrinta, there is a recycling plant and a packaging industry (Smurfit) as well as Allied Farms in Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of the state. In Ukwa Local Government Area,there is a cloth weaving industry in the Ndoki district especially among the people of Akwete, Ohanku and Ohanso communities. Shell Petroleum Company has oil flow stations at Owaza in this local government with over seventy oil wells.
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