Otti urges Abia women to remain vigilant, highlights empowerment initiatives

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has called upon the women of the state to maintain vigilance and focus on their crucial role in raising children, describing them as the bedrock of the family. Speaking at the Abia Women August Delegate Conference 2026 in Umuahia, Otti stressed the importance of women's contributions within the home and community.

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Women are the bedrock of the family. In this new Abia, we take women very seriously.

Governor Otti lauded his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her dedicated efforts in implementing women-focused programs. He highlighted a housing project that has provided homes for 35 vulnerable women and the "Thrive Business Challenge," an initiative under the "Safe to Care" program that has seen 10 women emerge as beneficiaries, with others receiving consolation prizes. These programs aim to address the root causes of vulnerability, such as poverty and lack of opportunity.

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I challenge our women to keep their eyes on the ball, because the upbringing of children starts with the woman in the home.

The 2026 August Meeting, themed "Abia Women: Empowered to Thrive," featured practical interventions designed for economic empowerment, skill acquisition, and support for various groups including petty traders, farmers, widows, and other vulnerable women. The First Lady emphasized that true empowerment must tackle underlying issues like poverty and inadequate shelter, citing an intervention that provided a decent home for the mother of a gender-based violence survivor.

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This year, we saw economic empowerment, skill acquisition, support for petty traders, farmers, widows and vulnerable women.

A key highlight of the event was the "Thrive Business Challenge," which aims to instill essential business practices like record-keeping, structure, compliance, and access to finance among women entrepreneurs. Mrs. Otti explained that building systems is crucial for business success and for securing financial backing from banks. She announced that all 10 finalists would receive productive assets and business support grants, with every participant receiving ₦50,000 to encourage their entrepreneurial endeavors.

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Poverty, poor shelter and lack of opportunity reinforce vulnerability. True empowerment must address those root causes and circumstances.