Abia's First Governor Returns After 14 Years, Amazed

Frank Ajobena traveled to Abia State, Nigeria last week for the first time in 14 years to verify something remarkable. The retired air vice marshal who served as the state's very first administrator in 1991 had been hearing reports of dramatic progress and needed to see it with his own eyes.

"It is a wonderful homecoming because I came to see things for myself, just as the Queen of Sheba confirmed what she heard about King Solomon," Ajobena told Governor Alex Otti during a courtesy visit Friday. His words carried weight because he helped build the state from scratch over three decades ago.

When Abia was created in 1991, Ajobena and his team worked tirelessly to establish basic infrastructure. They turned the new state into what he called "a construction site," building foundations that lasted for years. The enthusiasm was electric as residents celebrated their new home.

But Ajobena watched from afar as the state later stagnated, falling short of the bright future everyone imagined at its creation. That disappointment made his recent visit all the more meaningful.

Today, Abia is thriving under new leadership. The state has become what Ajobena calls "a national reference point," with improvements reaching even the power sector. Geometric Power Ltd recently launched operations in Aba, the commercial hub that Ajobena always envisioned as "the Taiwan of Nigeria" because of its residents' ingenuity.

"All Abia needed was the right leadership, and I am glad to see that happening now," Ajobena said. He praised Governor Otti for restoring hope and delivering selfless service to the people.

The Ripple Effect

Ajobena's return represents more than one man's nostalgia. His visit shows how good governance can transform a community so dramatically that even its founders return to witness the change. The governor is rebuilding the Government House, constructing a new office for the Secretary to the State Government, and renovating the Michael Okpara Auditorium.

"Governance is about making people happy, and we remain focused," Otti responded, thanking Ajobena for the foundation he laid three decades ago. The meeting between past and present leadership highlighted how progress builds on strong foundations when the right people step up.

Sometimes the greatest validation comes from those who built something watching it finally reach its potential.