The Fall and Rise of Aba, Gov Alex Otti's Impact

By Chinedu Opara 

Before the creation of  Old Imo State in 1976 Aba was most popular city within that axis of the then East Central State. It was ahead of Owerri and Umuahia in popularity and preference of the people for  residency and business.Even after Owerri became capital in 1976, that status upgrade didn't affect the fortunes of Enyimba City.

Aba's fame and attendant rush into it, especially by the young and enterprise minded,was due to its status as the business and commercial hub of the old Imo State then. It not only brimmed with markets, industries and hundreds of thousands of Small and  Medium Enterprises, there was also money to be made in the city.

 And the entrepreneurs were making the money. As they made the money, some were ploughed  back into growing their businesses more, which led  to more development in  the city. Of course, private investment remains Aba's key development paradigm  up till today.

The successful business men and women did more than contribute to Aba physical development. They also helped raise its attraction level. 

 Christmas is a season Ndi Igbo don't toy with. Therefore, during that period men and women who have made it in the cities return home to  showcase their new status. And usually when all have returned and stock taken,  Aba returnees always carried the day, having come with the most CD 175, CD185 and CD195, which were symbols of wealth at that time.

When you add that to the fact that the Aba people brandishing wealth, just left home few years back in poverty, it became quite easy for those at home to say that truly Aba flowed with milk and honey. This gave rise new wave of migration to Aba each new year.

That was the golden era of the city, which continued in the 80s and major part of 90s. That was when people  proudly beat their chest and proudly declare:  "Awum  Nwa Aba", "I'm Aba Brought Up", and made similar other honourable claims.

But, when democracy returned in 1999 things started falling apart. It began with  infrastructure decay and rot. Then matters took a more dangerous turn, as gangsterism and criminality took over the city.

The hitherto bustling commercial and enterprise hub that attracted business people from Nigeria, West and Central Africa, became a den of criminals and headquarters of insecurity. Insecurity In the city eventually peaked with the emergence of the notorious crime kingpin " Osisikankwu"

Aba had fallen. People hurriedly shut down their businesses and scampered out of the town in droves. Many abandoned their properties, while those who opted to sell theirs did so for pittance. Of course, some businesses braved it and stayed put, but ended up closing when it became too hot.

Truth be told between 2006 2022 Aba fell flat and was completely swallowed in darkness. But in just under eight months one man on a rescue mission has not only halted the two decades destruction and rot, but put Aba strongly back on the path of greatness.

Gov Alex Otti has returned Aba's glory. He's  made it first Nigerian city with 24/7 electricity. Made it top destination for investment and residency. Indeed, Aba has risen again and this time it's forward ever, backward never.