The Abia State Government has unveiled a week-long programme of activities to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The programme will feature the commissioning and flag-off of projects, a youth innovation event, a thanksgiving service and an anniversary keynote lecture.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, announced the activities on Monday while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

According to Kanu, the anniversary activities will begin on Sunday, August 23, with an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Trade More Event Centre, located within the premises of the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.

He said Governor Otti would on Tuesday, August 25, commission completed projects and flag off new ones across the state.

Wednesday, August 26, has been designated Youth Innovation Day, featuring a hackathon and technology exhibition aimed at showcasing innovative ideas and solutions from young people.

The activities will culminate on Thursday, August 27, the anniversary of Abia State’s creation.

Kanu said the day would begin with a state broadcast by Governor Otti, followed later in the morning by an anniversary keynote lecture.

He explained that the lecture would provide an opportunity to examine Abia’s development trajectory from its creation in 1991 under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida to the present day.

The commissioner also disclosed that the State Executive Council had joined in celebrating Babangida’s 85th birthday, which fell on August 17, 2026.

He recalled that Governor Otti had earlier congratulated the former military leader, under whose administration Abia State was created.

On the welfare of Abians returning from South Africa, Kanu said Governor Otti had directed the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection to determine whether other indigenes of the state were still stranded in the country.

The move, he said, was aimed at identifying and assisting any affected Abians.

Kanu recalled that the state government had approved N1 million each for 31 verified Abia returnees from South Africa as interim support to help them resettle.

He added that the government was conducting a comprehensive profiling exercise to identify the individual needs of the returnees and develop appropriate programmes to support their reintegration into society.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, and the State Director of Information, Lady Chika Orji-Nwoke, were also present at the briefing.