Umunnem ndi Abia, I come to you this morning with an elation of gratitude, thankful, firstly, to the Almighty God for His blessings upon our land in the last 35 years. May I also congratulate you, dear brothers and sisters, as we relish the joy of this remarkable anniversary in our evolution as a people bound by a common heritage, defined by the resilience of our spirit and hope in the promises that tomorrow holds. Individually and collectively, each of us has contributed to shaping the character of our State, defining its identity and charting its future. Fellow Abians, you owe it to yourself to be proud of the contributions you have made to building this community of abilities. Our joy on this momentous occasion does not come from a place of vanity; it is founded on the conviction that a security is upon us, our moment has arrived, and with gratitude, we shall seize the opportunities of our day to create a better world for those coming after us. Our race is never about outrunning others; it is about pushing ourselves, staying committed, asking tough questions, and refusing to settle for less than we deserve.
The radiance of our dear State draws from the light lit by the brilliance of foresight and the prodigious intellect of our father, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, CON, who served as our first democratically elected Governor; over the last 27 years, my predecessors, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, MON, have exerted themselves in the service of our people, contributing to its socio-economic and political evolution. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their contribution to our development. On a day of immense historical significance like this, we are also obliged to remember the efforts and commitments of the military administrators whose steady leadership helped maintain peace and social stability in the early years. The foundations laid by Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena, CON; Brigadier General Chinyere Ike Nwosu; Commander Temi Ejoor; Colonel Moses Fasanya; and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Obi offered great hope for the immense potential of our young State. Their investments in infrastructure and commitment to public order greatly shaped the construct of our economic and social experiences as our identity began to emerge. Like all of us, our past leaders may not have been perfect, but we must never lose sight of their efforts at building a political entity that answers to the aspirations of all who share in its heritage.
