Isn’t it time to take back Abia from them? (Written by Nortu – A visiting photographer)

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In a metaphor for leadership gone awry, a mental patient struts along the dirt streets of Arochukwu, Abia State, Nigeria controlling vehicular and pedestrian traffic


He is known as “Colonel” in recognition of the persona he has adopted in his deranged state. The ancient town of Arochukwu (meaning Spear of God), known far and wide for its tradition of war and conquest, is the third largest city in Abia State (after Aba and Umuahia) in south-eastern Nigeria and homeland of the Aro people. It is also today almost as much as relic as its famed historic tourist sites such as the mystic Ibini Ukpabi shrine, the slave routes and other relics of the slave trade era still occasionally visited by tourists.
Like most of Abia State’s urban settlements, this could easily be mistaken for a village – dirt roads, tired buildings desperately in need of carpentry work at the least, dusty children and worn, wrinkled and hard-working people who recall with nostalgia, a time when they bestrode the land - feared, respected, and certainly not deranged.
Abia State is a sorry and sordid tale of the impact of extremely irresponsible, political leadership that has been consistent in only one thing: the impoverishment and exploitation of its people at the expense of personal enrichment. Myths of ancient community heroes have been replaced by cults of excess, crude wealth appropriated through hundreds of unexecuted government contracts intended to provide critical infrastructure like roads and water works, schools and hospitals. Any new visitor to Arochukwu observing its dilapidation and sheer poverty would be excused for thinking “Colonel” to be its real mayor.


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A walk on the streets of Umuahia will definitely give you an understanding of why Abians are clamouring for change so doggedly. Umuahia is the state capital but it hardly projects or exhumes the city aura expected of a state capital. Compared to other capital cities in Nigeria, Umuahia lies in the doldrums of habitual dirt. It is virtually easy to observe the non-existence of civil authorities or the structures for catering for things like urban planning, degradation, market concentration and commercial transportation. Or perhaps those responsible have no clue of their job function. The obvious lack of an environmental sanitation system is purely unquestionable.

Statistic will clearly show that majority of the people who die from water-borne diseases and cholera in Nigeria can be traced to the figures generated from Abia State. Indeed, to find open defecation in a nearby street in Umuahia was absolutely shameful. The sight of disarray and a dysfunction system which hardly has any concern for good hygiene practices could easily engineer a pandemic.

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Ohafia also represents the same case of absolute government abandonment and people on the streets are generally hopeful that the APGA candidate, Dr Otti , will deliver on its promise of an all inclusive government with widespread development plans. If all was well, I would not have found so many children hawking and trading on their way to school or even marching to school with chairs and desks on their heads. It was a common sight to find school children with farming equipments! This is an absolute case of government neglect which has translated to the lack of adequate educational facilities for school children. Bad roads due to erosion are very typical of Ohafia.
As for Aba, it is already being eulogised for being the leading city in human pollution and waste. Despite the economic importance the city has in the region, no proper consideration is given to addressing the unhealthy practices accustomed to the people of that environ. In fact, if you have not degraded the city in any way, it is said that you have not really lived in Aba. It is quite shameful that the present and previous governments have allowed this name tag. And like a shadow, it almost seems to follow the people everywhere. No wonder the colonel seems very much in charge with his undated regalia. His very presence denotes how untamed activities in the city are conducted without recourse to civility.
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Abia has a huge heritage, one crested in the valour of time. She is cherished with the vigour of commerce and the transit point for all forms of trading. This history should not be allowed to fade into the abyss because we choose not to recognise the failure recent bad leadership has caused us. If we are to be nucleus of commercial, manufacturing and agro activities of centre point, then now is that time to take back Abia.

Chio!!! Abia: Umuahia

It I left for abians to fight for their rights to live as humans