Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday said women of the state are strong development pillars, having contributed to building the Abia society.
Otti stated this on Tuesday on the occasion of the 2025 edition of the Abia Women Delegates Conference.
“We may have come short again and again for reasons of human limitations and the constraints of resources, but what is now beyond dispute is that Abia women have, in the last 34 years, emerged as strong development pillars, offering themselves and their resources in the collective push to build a prosperous and peaceful society.
“Through your wise counsel, encouragement and direct participation in the social, economic and political affairs of our various communities, you not only add to the wealth of this state, but more fundamentally, you bring out the best in all of us”, the governor stated.
Speaking further, he acknowledged the immense contributions ot the Abia women in the state, saying, “Whose exploits inspire generations of other women and young people to reach for the best. May we find inspiration in what they were able to accomplish, even amidst severe difficulty, vocations by colonialism, war and conflict, cultural challenges and limiting social frameworks.
“To the unsung female teachers in our village schools, the petty traders at the community market, and the mothers who do whatever it takes to support the training of our children in charity and love, we see and celebrate you. The coming of this administration and the modest gains we have made on different front lines of governance in the last 24 months could not have happened without the commitment and courage of our dear mothers. Thank you for not giving up after the setbacks and disappointments of the years leading to 2023, for standing firm and insisting that we fight even harder until victory was won.
“Recently, we announced the allocation of 2 billion Naira to support community-based cooperative societies. I have since directed that at least 60% of the beneficiaries must be women, especially those in agriculture. Our goal is to empower women and mothers economically, offering the support they require to support their families and contribute actively to the growth of the community. The bulk of the beneficiaries of our capacity development program in ICT, vocational training, and agriculture are also women.
“The target is to raise a critical mass of women who are sufficiently empowered to draw value for themselves and their families. The entire society shall be doomed if mothers refuse to collectively resist social behaviour that is inimical to the healthy growth of the population.”
In her speech during the occasion, which is the 3rd edition in the life of the present administration, the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, while acknowledging calls for “Men’s August Meeting”, urged the State House of Assembly members saying, “Women must be guaranteed 50% of all elected and appointed positions.
“Today, we commit to financially empowering 340 women—20 from each LGA. These women will grow their trades, farms, and enterprises, ensuring food on the table and dignity in their homes, because when women thrive, families flourish, communities prosper, and societies advance. There is no height too high for Abia women to attain.
“As we rise in business and leadership, let us also build strong homes—places of love, dignity, and support. The family is the bedrock of our state’s prosperity. As First Lady, I reaffirm our commitment: expanding skills acquisition programmes, supporting girls’ education, empowering farmers, and providing care for widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence, and vulnerable children.”
