.
ONLY an accomplice can judge, hold or deny that there was genocide or inhuman act against Christians in Nigeria; Igbo women, under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly ( IWA) opine.

IWA President, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, in a statement faulted those that held /hold this opinion, giving kudos to the declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” ( CPC ) , over genocide against Christians by President Donald Trump of the United States of America ( USA)

Lolo Chimezie, also rebuked successive Nigerian Governments” that did not do the needful to check this malady in the polity until President Trump announced his action threat to Nigeria.

Part of the IWA statement reads “we appreciate American President, Donald Trump, for his reaction to the killing of Christians and indigenous Nigerians. Anybody denying genocidal killings in Nigeria must be an accomplice.

” We applaud Trump for putting on their toes, our government who before now, maintained criminal silence over these atrocities.”

IWA, who likened the government attitude against genocide to the Christians, to conspiracy of silence by suspected jihadists disguising as herders, noted that these atrocities were also scarcely mentioned in the mainstream global media.

” We complained, they tagged us separatists, while the mainstream media dismissed the systematic genocides as herder-farmer clashes.”

” Is it not shameful that it takes American President’s tweet for Nigerian Government to talk about the senseless killings of its own citizens by blood-thirsty terrorists. So, without Trump, these atrocities would have continued and we will be here making noise about 2027.”

IWA tackled the Nigerian Government for having to wait until Trump’s tweet before bringing the issue to the front burner.

Positing that the evidence of genocidal killings of Christians in Nigeria “is overwhelming.” IWA’s statement concurred completely with Trump, because the way people are being killed, slaughtered like fowls, is unprecedented. Even cows are killed with some respect. But these heartless murderers cut human lives like grass. Yet our government does nothing except media propaganda.

” These same jihadist are responsible for the atrocities from Middle Belt to Southeast. They have taken over our forests and driven away our farmers, destroying their crops and causing food insecurity all over the land.”

IWA enjoined those trying to rationalise the killings to place side by side the casualty figures of Christians and others to prove their argument, stating that the casualty figures can speak on this.

Those denying Christian genocide should tell how many mosques that were burnt down and compare it to hundreds of church buildings that have been razed down from 2009 when the killings started , till date.

“Those claiming that Muslims are also being killed, should show Trump a Muslim-dominated area in the North that was attacked the way we have Christian communities destroyed in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Benue and other areas.

” What’s the philosophy of these attackers? What agenda are they driving? What is their slogan as they mull down their victims, mostly Christians and non-Muslims?”

Wondering why Nigeria should be jolted about America’s possible attack on the same terrorists it claimed were foreigners, IWA accused the Nigerian Government of complicity and insincerity,

IWA queried Government worry that Trump said he would come after the killers in Nigeria, who Government once said were foreign criminal herders.

” If truly they are foreigners as we were told, and another foreigner is coming to confront them, shouldn’t we be clapping for the US instead of these baseless defence and criticisms?”

IWA consequently called for investigation of anyone opposed to possible US intervention, now that the truth is said to be gradually emerging.

” America should put anyone opposing its action against terrorists on her watchlist. They may know more than we think and should be properly scrutinised. The era of hiding under politics or religion is gone.

” No serious-minded nation plays politics with the blood of its citizens. Nigerian leaders seem to care more about politics than lives.

Government’s primary responsibility is protection of lives and property. Why should our Government do nothing while terrorists are busy taking over communities and LGAs in some Northern States?

“It’s only a Government which uses brute force against peaceful protesters but negotiates with bandits that should be jittery of Trump and US. Sincere Governments should rather seek US collaboration and support to stand against terrorists!”

Igbo women dismissed as baseless and laughable, the conspiracy theory by those uncomfortable with the US intervention “that America is coming because of our oil”, arguing that even Dangote refinery imports crude oil from the US.

“What’s even the impact of our oil on the lives of ordinary Nigerians? Our corrupt leaders are enriching themselves with the oil proceeds. Is Brittain not benefiting from our oil now? So, what’s wrong if America also benefits from our oil but deliver us from the so called foreign terrorists? We can only talk of oil money when we are alive.”

IWA further said it was the height of hypocrisy that Nigerian Government champions the cause of Palestinians but says nothing about the systematic genocides against Christians in Nigeria

IWA further queried “Is it because our President and his Vice are all Muslims that they are not speaking up for the suffering Christians in Nigeria whose lives are being hunted by jihadists disguising as herdsmen?”

IWA particularly faulted critical Christian leaders during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who even led protest against him ” but have now become dumb over current happenings in the country.”

” They were the ones that conducted the one million march to unseat President Jonathan. All of a sudden, they now remember that we’re going to pray.

IWA while renewing pressure for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, recalled that he/Kanu had been vocal against genocidal killings by jihadists masquerading as herdsmen.

IWA additionally appealed to Trump to prevail on the Nigerian Government to release and free Kanu, judging that Kanu “did nothing to warrant his ordeals”.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has once again reiterated that what brought him into politics was to restore the dignity of Abians, and is not interested in anything other than that.

He said so at Abayi District of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Aba where he went to worship unannounced and at the Headquarters of the Living Word Ministry International, on the occasion of the 50th Wedding Anniversary Ceremony of the General Overseer of the Church and the Chancellor of Rhema University, Brother Emma Okorie and his wife.

The Governor also warned that any appointee of his administration who gets involved in bribery and corruption would be fired, warning them against getting involved in corruption.

“What we have come to do in Abia is nothing other than restoring dignity… The only reason I showed up to contest elections is about the dignity of our people. It is not about money. Anything that will not restore the dignity of the Abia Man, count us out.

“There is something we are known for as Abians and Igbos, which we want to bring back. Under this administration, we will not allow those bad things that used to happen in the past come, back except if they are good,

“If anybody tells you to bring money for anything, tell him it is a lie, that he is a dupe, because he will collect the money from you and still not do anything for you. If anything is due to you, you will get it without even lobbying or talking to anybody, so that we can also encourage our young ones to grow up to be like us.”

“That is why you will never see bribery and corruption in this Government. If you get involved, I will fire you. We are intolerant of corruption and nobody can plead for you. If you get involved in bribery and corruption, you are gone,” Gov. Otti stated.

The governor Otti asserted that the recent 5,394 teachers employed by his administration, “did not pay a dime as a bribe. Nobody was hired because of who he/she knew. Even some of the people who know me very well, I said, go and write your exam, if you pass, we will take you but if you didn’t pass, we will not take you,” the congregation applauded loudly

Declaring that he has no apologies to those who are not happy with his administration’s insistence on doing the right things, he said “those who are not happy with what we are doing, we will not apologize to them. They have had their time. So we have now drawn the line, from now on, Abia is on the rise,”

At the Living Word Ministries International, Governor Otti congratulated the Overseer Bro. Emma Okorie, his wife and the entire family, thanking God for preserving their union for the past 50 years, stating that their story has a lot to teach the younger generation, especially the way they celebrate each other, adding that he was happy to be part of their 50th wedding anniversary ceremony that featured the cutting of the cake after the couple had shared the inspiring story of their 50-year marriage journey full of testimonies.

The General Overseer, Bro. Emma Okorie while commending Governor Otti for the massive development that the State has witnessed under his intentional and people-centered governance, said that the coming of Governor Otti was an answer to the people’s many years of Prayers for God to send Abia a true leader who would fix Abia.

20-09-2025.

By Ugochukwu Ahuchogu

Wednesday, August 27th, 2025, marked the 34th anniversary of Abia State as one of Nigeria’s youngest states.

Created on August 27th, 1991, by the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, Abia Christianed “God’s Own State” was carved out of the old Imo State with Umuahia as its capital and Aba as its commercial nerve centre.

When Abia State was carved out of the old Imo State on August 27, 1991, alongside Osun, Enugu, Delta, Adamawa, and Jigawa states, it was heralded with joy and high expectations.

The name “Abia” itself came from the initials of its four major founding regions Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo, a symbolic nod to unity and shared destiny.

Over the past three decades, Abia has witnessed both trials and triumphs, but today it stands as a resilient and forward-looking state whose story continues to inspire.

At its creation, Group Captain Frank Ajobena was appointed the pioneer Military Administrator, serving from August 1991 to January 1992.

He was succeeded by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who became the state’s first civilian Governor and held office until November 1993.
.
The military then returned to power, with Commodore Chinyere Ike Nwosu, who served from 1993-1994, Navy Captain Temi Ejoor (1994-1996), Colonel Moses Fasanya (1996-1998), and Colonel Anthony Obi (1998-1999) all serving as administrators during the transitional years.

With the return of democracy in 1999, Abians embraced a new phase of governance with the election of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu as Governor who served two terms from 1999 to 2007. He was succeeded by Chief Theodore Orji, who governed between 2007 and 2015.

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu took over the reigns of the state from 2015-2023. On May 29th, 2023, Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party was sworn in, becoming the incumbent governor.

In all, Abia has had ten leaders in 34 years—five military administrators and five democratically elected governors, each contributing in different ways to the making of the state.

Economically, Abia has long been known for its agricultural wealth and industrial creativity.

The state produces cassava, yams, maize, and oil palm in large quantities, while Aba remains the industrial heartbeat of the Southeast, famed for its ingenuity in textiles, footwear, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and construction materials.

The Ariaria International Market, popularly called the “Japan of Africa,” continues to sustain thousands of businesses and households.

Over the years, development has been uneven, with notable improvements in education, healthcare and commerce, but also persistent challenges including infrastructure decay, erosion and unemployment.

Still, Abia has remained resilient, sustained by the ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive of its people.

Since taking office in 2023, Governor Alex Otti has sought to chart a new course for Abia. His administration launched the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (ABSIID), a multi-sectoral initiative focused on rehabilitating roads, tackling erosion, reviving waste management, and creating jobs.

Backed by international partners such as the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, ABSIID is expected to accelerate development across the state. Health and social services have also been priority.

In June 2024, the state government commissioned 14 rehabilitated roads alongside four fully equipped Primary Health Centres under the “Ekwueme Projects” initiative, designed to bring healthcare closer to rural communities and reduce pressure on urban hospitals.

Industrial revival is another key plank of Otti’s agenda as roads leading to major industrial hubs in Aba have been reconstructed while others are undergoing reconstruction.

The Aba Export Growth Lab which is set to reposition local businesses for regional and global competitiveness has also been commissioned.

The rehabilitation of the Aba water scheme, the revival of the Isiala Ngwa inland dry port project, and plans for a modern Stadium City in Umuahia further demonstrate the governor’s forward-looking approach.
As Abia clocks 34, citizens are filled with cautious optimism.

Expectations are high for a state that can harness its abundant human capital, agricultural strength, and industrial energy to deliver prosperity. Abians yearn for a future where transparency in governance, inclusive infrastructure, and opportunities for the youth become the hallmark of leadership.

Ultimately, the 34th anniversary of Abia State is more than a commemoration of history but a reaffirmation of promise. From its military beginnings to its democratic present, Abia has truly endured, grown, and adapted.

With Governor Otti’s “New Abia” vision taking root, many believe the years ahead will define the state’s place not just in Nigeria, but in Africa’s economic renaissance.
Happy Anniversary and to God be the Glory!!!

Written by Ugochukwu Ahuchogu