Abia women key drivers of state development –Mrs Otti

By Merit Ibe

Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has described Abia women at home and in the diaspora as some of the state’s greatest assets, noting that they possess the capacity to accelerate the development of the state.

Mrs. Otti made the remarks during a town hall meeting with the women’s wing of the Abia State Town Union, Lagos Chapter, where she commended Abians living in Lagos for their unwavering commitment to the state and for maintaining strong ties with their homeland despite the distance.

Conveying the goodwill of Governor Alex Otti, whom she described as a performing leader driving transformative development across the state, Mrs. Otti said the gathering felt like a family reunion.

She stressed the importance of active participation in the forthcoming elections, urging Abians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and take part in shaping the future of the state. She noted that support would be provided for citizens willing to travel home to vote.

“We must also reflect on our civic responsibilities. The forthcoming election presents another opportunity for us to shape the future of our state and our nation. We should all participate actively and take advantage of the support available to fulfill our civic responsibilities,” she said.

Describing the meeting as a conversation about a shared future, Mrs. Otti said Abia remains close to the hearts of its people, regardless of where they reside.

“I see a community of Abia women whose influence extends beyond their families into institutions, industries, and communities. You are among Abia’s greatest assets, with the potential to accelerate the development of our state,” she stated.

She highlighted the achievements of the current administration in infrastructure renewal, improved security, education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, as well as efforts to create a more business-friendly environment, noting that Abia is on a steady path toward sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

She said that Governor Otti has remained deliberate and focused in pursuing the development of the state. Mrs. Otti emphasised that meaningful progress requires collective effort, stressing that the government cannot achieve development goals alone.

“Today provides us with an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, identify investment opportunities, and develop practical ways through which we can actively contribute to the growth and prosperity of our beloved state,” she said.

She urged women to continue to promote the values of hard work, enterprise, innovation, and resilience, describing them as essential to the ongoing rebuilding and transformation of Abia State.

“As women, our role is particularly important. Women are not merely participants in development; they are champions of development. When a woman succeeds, a family rises. When families rise, communities prosper. And when communities prosper, states and nations advance,” she said.

She called on women to invest in one another, mentor younger women, support education, encourage entrepreneurship, and create opportunities for the next generation of Abia women to excel.

Mrs. Otti further urged Abians to remain united and committed to building a stronger and more prosperous state.

She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to good governance, saying it would continue to reject policies and agendas that do not serve the interests of the people.

“The future of Abia will not be determined only by those in leadership positions. It will also be shaped by the commitment, vision and sacrifices of Abians in Lagos, across Nigeria, and throughout the diaspora,” she said.

She encouraged citizens to see themselves not merely as observers of the state’s progress, but as active partners in its transformation by investing their resources, ideas, and expertise in initiatives that create jobs, empower women, strengthen families, and improve communities.

The first lady of Abia appreciated the support and guidance of Abians and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with citizens to shape a brighter future for the state.

Commissioner for information, Abia State, Okay Kanu, commended the women, stressing that Abia is ready for business. He called on businessmen to come home and invest, noting that “the environment is conducive for business now”.

The commissioner disclosed that a lot of projects were ongoing in the state, like the airport project, “in the next 24 months we can fly to the state”, and also the sea port is underway.”

He urged the gathering to get their PVCs ready, promising that there will be a lot of support for those in Lagos and other states to come back home to cast their votes for Otti.

“I can see the women are excited about what is happening in Abia State; for the next level and second tenure, we need to make a move by getting our PVCs ready, and there will be lots of support for those in Lagos and other states to come back home to cast their votes. You can transfer your voter card to the state through a link.”

Senior Special Adviser to the Government of Abia State on Entrepreneurship and Ease of doing business, Mrs Agbonma Jennifer Okoroafor, said the work of the working Governor Otti is very visible for all to see, noting that the ease of doing business in the state is real. She, therefore, urged every Abia indigene in Lagos to get their PVC ready to vote in the working governor again for a better business environment.

“We can see the achievements. The ease of doing business has been upgraded: security improved, hospitals are working, free education, intellectual property are all in a better state.

“Our mandate must remain. Take a step of faith and move to arm yourself with your PVC, influence others to prepare their PVC and come out en masse and vote back our working governor, so as to continue with the good work. Everyone should come back and vote.”

President General, Abia State Town Union, Lagos, Dr Chuks Nwosu, affirmed the support of the association to the governor, noting that every Abia indigene in Lagos has been ordered to get back home and vote during the election for the good work to continue.

“We are supporting the working governor, all our brothers in Lagos have been ordered to get back home with their voter cards. That good work he has started will finish it in the state.”

He also made a request for a place of meeting in Lagos, noting that the union in Lagos is campaigning for Governor Otti to continue in power. We request slots for our members in government.”

Abia Youth President, Lagos, Deacon Okeychukwu Steven, described the event, which was the first of its kind, as an interactive session for Abia sons and daughters.

“We are here to support Mrs Otti, our governor’s wife because she is doing a lot and her husband is doing great things in the state.

“Also, our governor is a good ambassador and we are supporting him. Part of our efforts is that some of our PVC’s have been transferred to the east in preparation for the next election, to vote in our working and tireless governor.”