Abia kicks off anniversary activities

As Abia State turns 32 years on Sunday, August 27, 2023, a week-long activities to mark the event commenced with a press briefing addressed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),  Prof. Kenneth Kalu, yesterday.

The SSG called on  Abians to key into the new Abia agenda of Governor Alex Otti, saying that the theme of the commemoration  is ‘Abia: Hitting The Reset Button,’ adding that a committee has been set up to organise activities.

He said that as Abia celebrates, there is need for value reorientation in the state.  The SSG also noted that the state government, under Otti, is creating a better Abia where things would work for everyone, including healthcare, education and functional infrastructure, among others.

According to him, yesterday’s press briefing would be followed with visits to the less privileged and orphanages across the three senatorial zones by the First Lady, Priscilia Otti, today and tomorrow, where livelihood materials will be distributed.

On Friday, August 25, there will be Jumat prayers in the Mosques and novelty football match between members of the State Executive Council and members of the State House of Assembly, while special anniversary sanitation exercise will be done on Saturday between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Adding that free comprehensive medical outreaches would be carried out at various hospitals in the three zones, he noted that there would also be musical concerts for youths in the evening on Saturday.

Kalu noted that Otti will, on Sunday morning, address the citizenry in  a statewide broadcast, followed  by  an inter-denominational Church service at Dominion City, at the Event Centre, Umuahia, with a  special anniversary State Executive Council meeting on Monday.

The climax of the events on August 29, according to him , would be a special anniversary lecture to be presented by the former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesiri, and unveiling of a new Abia State Orientation Agency.

The SSG said: “This year’s anniversary commemoration would differ from previous ones, which featured press briefing by the state Advisory Council, followed by a Church Service and fanfare, in which selected Abians would be honoured with various awards.”