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| Capital |
Umuahia |
| Land Area & Rank |
7,627.20 sq km (31) |
| Year Created |
August 27, 1991 |
| Governor |
Okezie Ikpeazu, PDP |
| Deputy Gov |
Ude Oko Chukwu |
| L.G.A |
17 |
| House of Assembly |
24 |
| Major Areas/Towns |
Umuahia (Capital), Aba, Arochukwu, Abiriba, Bende. |
| Local Dialects |
Igbo |
| Motto |
‘God’s Own State’ |
| Population |
2006 Census:
Rank & Sex: 2,833,999(28)
Male: 1,434,193
Female: 1,399,806
|
| Contact Phone |
Gov. Office: 234-88-221699
SSG: 234-88-222002
Info: 234-88-221729
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| Liason Office |
Abuja Liaison Office:
Plot 1357, Al-Fayyum
Off Abidjan Street,
Wuse zone 3, Abuja
Tel: 09-5237418
Fax: 09-5237419
Lagos Liaison Office:
Plot 1221B, Ahmadu Bello Way,
P.M.B. 80131,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel: 01-2617537, 614442
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| Government |
|
| Local Government Areas |
|
| LGA |
Headquarter |
| Aba North |
Eziama |
| Aba South |
Aba |
| Arochukwu |
Arochukwu |
| Bende |
Bende |
| Ikwuano |
Isiala Oboro |
| Isiala Ngwu North |
Okpuala Ngwa |
| Isiala Ngwu South |
Omoba |
| Isuikwuato |
Mbalano |
| Obingwa |
Mgboko |
| Ohafia |
Ebem Ohafia |
| Osisioma |
Osisioma |
| Ugwunagbo |
Ugwunagbo |
| Ukwa |
Okeikpe |
| Ukwa East |
Akwete |
| Umuahia North |
Umuahia |
| Umuahia South |
Apumiri |
| Umunneochi |
Nneochi |
Empire Hotel
Plot 187, Aguiyi Ironsi Layout
Umuahia
Tel: 234-88- 220689
Fax: 234-88- 220685
Crystal Park Hotel
156, Port Harcourt Road
Aba.
Tel: 234-82-221729
Hotel Royal Damgrete
13/14 Factory Road
P. O. Box 440
Umuahia
Tel: 234-88- 221510, 220018, 221955, 221053
Fax: 234-88- 221547
Imo Hotels Limited
GRA
P.M.B 1118, Aba
Tel: 234-82-220111
Hotel Unicoco Ltd
19, Scotland Crescent
P.M.B 7224, Aba
Enitona Hotel
8, Margaret Avenue
GRA, P.O.Box 148
Aba
Tel: 234-82-220222, 220200.
Fax: 234-82-222601
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ABIA is an acronym formed from initial letters of four
groups of people: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato and Afikpo.
Afikpo is now in Ebonyi state. The people of Abia State
are the homogeneous Igbo ethnic group. At Nigeria
independence in 1960, the area known today as Abia State
was part of the Eastern region. In 1967 the area was part of
the then East Central State created by Gen. Yakubu Gowon
administration. In 1976 when Imo state was created by
Gen. Murtala Mohammed; the Abias were merged with it.
The dream of a home state was actualised on August 27,
1991 when Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime created Abia
State. Abians are daring. The Aba women riot of 1929 is a
case in point. The women revolted against the British
Colonial masters who intended imposing tax on them. This
attitude today they have channeled into business. All over
the world, the Abia trader is seen buying or selling. One of
the Nation’s largest markets; Aria-Aria market is situated
in the state’s commercial nerve centre of Aba.
Boundaries/Neighbours:
In the North and Northeast are
Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States. In the east and
Southeast by Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, in the
South is the Imo River demarcating it from Imo state.
Topography:
The state lies within the rain forest zone in
the South and Central, and rich Savannah vegetation in the
North. The Imo River is the prominent river in the State.
Other important rivers include; Azumini blue river and
Aba River.
Climate:
The state has two distinct seasons, rain and dry
season. The rain season is from April to October, while the
dry season commence in November and ends in March.
December to February could be very dry accompanied by
dry dusty wind – the harmattan wind; temperature could be
as low as 15 degree centigrade this period.
Education:
The state has 867 primary schools with pupils’
enrollment of 600,847 and 10,070 teachers. The state also
has 193 secondary schools with student enrollment of
147,309 and 3,817 teachers as at 2000 AD. At tertiary level
the state has one polytechnic, one college of education, two
universities; made up of one Federal-University of
Agriculture; Umudike and one State University.
Economy:
Majority of the labour force are engaged in
subsistence agriculture. The average Abain is a trader. All
over the world, they are seen buying or selling. Crafts of
various forms and dimensions are produced in Abia State,
such as walking stick, carved doors. Traditional cloth
weaving called AKWETE is very popular amongst the
people.
Agriculture:
Agricultural produce in the state includes:
Yam, Cassava, Cocoyam, Maize, Rice, Cowpeas, Soya
beans, Groundnuts, Oil Palm, Coconut, Cashew, Rubber,
Raffia Palm, Kolanuts, Guava, Pineapples, Mango, Ginger,
Pawpaw, Melon, Vegetables and Okra.
Mineral/Natural Resources:
Lime stones; White burning
clay, Fine sand and Petroleum.
Famous Natives:
Thomas Aguiyi – Ironsi, Nigeria 1st
Military head of State/President. Michael Okpara,
Statesman. Alvan Ikoku, educationist. Ebitu Ukiwe, air
force officer rtd. Idika kalu, economist/politician. Joe
Imkwu, Stockbroker. Ike Nwachukwu, Politician/Army
Gen. Rtd. Bob Ogbuagu, administrator. Onyema
Ugochukwu, Journalist/ Adminisrator. Kanu Nwankwo,
footballer. James Iroha (aka Gringory) Comedian. Emeka
Omeruah, air-force officer rtd. Chris Mba, Musician. Kalu
Uka, Poet. C. Ikonne, novelist. Bright Chimezie, musician.
Empire Kanu, businessexecutive. Sunny Aku,
businessperson. Kalu Kalu, journalist. D. Kalu, lawyer.
Emeka Ejiofor, Consultant. Uche Okechukwu, footballer,
Vincent Ogublafor, politician. Ojo Maduekwe, politician.
Adolphus Wabara, politician (Senate President 2003 –May
2005).
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