By Anya C. Anya

 

The Chancellor/Proprietor of Gregory University Uturu Prof Gregory Ibe, PhD, OFR, (Enyi Abia) has described the 29th anniversary celebration of the creation of God’s own state as an opportunity for everyone to recall and reminisce on the labour of the past veterans and founding fathers of Abia State who fought for the creation of the state and laid down their lives towards it’s sustenance until now .

 

In a Goodwill message sent to all Abians in commemoration of the 29th anniversary celebration of the creation of the state titled “CELEBRATING ABIA AT 29” made available to AFNEWS, Prof Gregory Ibe described this opportunity as indispensable and vital in assessing the sacrificial milestone of our founding fathers who according to him laid down the strategic landmarks that has distinguished Abians as a unique people.

 

In his words ” On this unique historic commemoration of the 29th Anniversary of the creation of Abia State, I wish to join millions of our people worldwide in appreciating the Almighty God, first for inspiring the divine conception and strategic birth of this geographical entity prophetically christened Gods own State, and then for upholding the indigenes and residents in the hollow of his awesomely safe hands these past years.”

 

” Each time we mark the anniversary of the creation of our dear state, it presents us yet another indispensable opportunity of recalling and reminiscing on the patriotic labors of our Heroes past and the sacrificial milestones of our Founding Fathers who meritoriously laid the strategic landmarks that distinguish us as a unique people on the solid and unshakeable blocks of equity and justice. “

 

On his take concerning the celebration which unfortunately coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging lives across the world. Prof Gregory Ibe said ” The 29th stanza of our celebration can best be described as a bittersweet experience since it comes within the unprecedented season of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Indeed it is a season that is characterized by sweetness on one hand, occasioned by the anniversary celebration, and bitterness on the other, prompted by the ravaging pandemic. “

 

” For a few Abians, it is a season replete with tragedy and woes, with many narrowly escaping death by whiskers while others were not as lucky since their life got cut shot by the virus. While praying for the repose of the souls of the departed, I join my prayers with the faithful in appreciating God for sparing our lives, even as we all relentlessly intercede for divine protection and continuous sustenance of our dear State.”

 

Prof. Gregory Ibe concluded by sending sweet incense of thanksgiving, ovation and jubilation to the God of Abia for benevolently sparing, renewing and strengthening the Governor and Leader, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, especially during these perilous times. ” I hereby call on Abians and indeed all men of goodwill to rally concerted efforts and support for the attainment of a great Abia, even as we all “with open face” behold the emergence of that truly egalitarian state which our revered Founding Fathers envisioned from the beginning.”