International Women’s Day: Otti eulogises Abia women
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has eulogised Abia women for their grace, knowledge, beauty and strength, who have achieved so much in different areas of life, globally, despite daunting challenges.
In a release by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kazie Uko to mark the 2024 International Women Day, Otti commended the women for their resilience and devotion to duty, not only at the home front but also in the workplace and society at large.
The Governor added that the country, and indeed the world, owe women a debt of gratitude for their contributions towards ensuring global economic, social and political development.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s IWD, “Inspire Inclusion”, Governor Otti said his government has been deliberate about empowering women through improved budgetary allocation to the various sectors that have direct implications on the welfare and well-being of the women and the girl child as well as appointment of women to strategic positions in government.
“Here, in Abia State, our administration is highly gender sensitive and this has seen to the increased number of women appointed into the State Executive Council and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government.
“It is worthy of note that women occupy strategic positions in health, education , agriculture and poverty alleviation in the State Executive Council, while out of the total 24 Permanent Secretaries in the state, 17 of them are women. This is unprecedented in the history of the state civil service”, Otti revealed.
The governor stated that his administration has also demonstrated commitment in the payment of counterpart fund for the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP); a project he said seeks to support improved livelihoods for women in targeted areas of Abia and Nigeria.
While stating that the state government has given approval for the state to begin immediate disbursement of funds at zero interest to women entrepreneurs to help create wealth across the state, the governor added that no less than 50 persons per ward are expected to receive the sum of N100,000 each from the scheme.
He thanked all Abia women, including his wife, Priscilla, for their support, and for having faith in him, as their governor.
