ABIA STATE- God's own State

Abia a state carved out from Imo State in 1991 and it is located in the South Eastern Part of Nigeria.The capital is Umuahia and the major commercial city is Aba. 95% of the Aba people are predominatly Igbo people It is one of the nine states of the Niger Delta region. Abia people are of the Igbo ethnic group. Abia people are mainly Christians.Abia is an acronym for the four major groups in Abia State namely Abia, Bende, Isiukwuato and Afikpo. They are known  to be hardworking, highly market oriented and entrepreneurial.

                                                           Abia State Tower in Umuahia

 Traveling to Abia can be done by air,road,water or even by rails. One can go with Road Transporters like GOD IS GOOD, PEACE MASS TRANSIT and others.Abia can also be reached by air.The Owerri Airport (Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport), is the nearest airport to Abia State. It’s about an hour drive to Aba; one can also come through PortHarcourt International Airport, 3 hours to Umuahia and about two hours to Abia. One can also come through the Uyo airport. Aba usewd to be connected to Port Harcourt by rails but I do not know if it still is. Some Coastal parts of Abia State are accessible by boats and canoes too.


TOURIST ATTRACTIONs

WAR MUSEUM UMUAHIA




There are a lot of tourist attractions in Abia State. One of the places you should visit in Abia is the National War Museum in Umuahia. If you are a big fan of history, you’ll really love this place. You get to see all you’ve read in books. Here you’ll see the remains of the arms, bunkers ,tankers, the planes, and ammunition that were used for wars in the olden days.

                                          Aircraft used by the Biafran Soldiers. Photo Credit- Wikipedia

                                                       The National War Museum entrance


We have all heard or read of the Biafran War and all the fights, the struggles, the tears, the pains and victory of the war and the labour of our heroes past. I bet you didn’t know that most of the Tankers that were used for  the Biafra war were made by the Biafrans. Unbelievably, it took them about thirty months to construct the fully tiled bunker. The guide says that the Biafra radio was at that same place and that was were they were transmitting from. I really won’t want to give you all the gist here. I challenge us all to go see for ourselves…..tongue out.

AROCHUKWU CAVE

This is where slaves where hoarded in the olden days.it is also a slave route and the Ibini Ukpabi Shrine is located here.the elders also gather her to deliberate importatnt issues

                                          The Arochukwu cave-Photo Credit www.nigerianbulletin.com

 This place is a very adventurous place to be but truth is, if you are not stronghearted, please do not enter the cave.I leave the rest of the experience to you.

AZUMINI BLUE BEACH

                                                          Azumini Blue beach- Photo credit- www.theplatformonline.com
  This beach is found  in Azumini town, Ukwa East LGA, a blue beach surrounded by transparent stones and fine sand.Activities like, fishing, boating, yachting and skiing can be done here. One can relax here;there are tents, chairs, tables,Suya stands,barbeque grills and other edibles. This beach is about thirty minutes drive from Aba. this beach is really a good picnic venue.

ARIARIA MARKET
Listed to be among part of the biggest markets in Nigeria is the Ariaria market. Located in Aba. This market is part if the reasons why Aba is called the Commercial capital of Abia State

                                                   Ariaria Market-Photo Credit-www.hotels.ng
You can try window shopping in this market.You can also stop by for delicious Ofe akwu with Rice, Fio-Fio (Guinea-Bean) or Beans porridge and roasted plantain wheeled aroud the market.And Yes! Someone once sang a song and said that several human parts are sold in Ariaria market! I really dunno how true it is. You can enquire when you get there!!

There are many other places to go to in Aba and Abia State at large.I will bring the to your notice soon.If there are places you've visited and feel we can visit too,please do not hesitate to share them with us.We will really appreciate it.

Lodging isn't much of a problem as there are hotels in and out of Aba.I will soon be going on a tour and I promise to do a post on Hotels one can comfortably lodge in without breaking the bank.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Abia!