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Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has promised women in the state a prominent place in the socio-economic transformation of the New Abia, even as he described them as the bedrock of the family.
Governor Otti made the promise during the grand finale of the 2026 Abia Women August Delegates Conference (AWADEC), held in Umuahia.
While saying that women are critical partners in the development of the state, Otti congratulated them on the successful conclusion of the 2026 AWADEC.
“Women are the bedrock of the family. Anywhere the family is not together, look at the women. And we want to say that we cannot take any woman for granted. In the New Abia, we take women very, very seriously.”
He urged women to remain resolute and focused in their responsibilities, particularly in ensuring that their families and children do not become involved in crime, cultism, bad gangs, or other acts capable of destroying their future.
Otti, who noted that the proper upbringing of children remains a major responsibility of mothers, added that women who pay close attention to their families often raise children who turn out well.
“You must have your eyes on the ball and stay focused. Anywhere the woman is paying attention, the children turn out well,” Otti stated.
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The governor commended his wife, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, for her various interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable women, including the provision of housing for 35 vulnerable women and the Safe Tent Care Initiative, which provides support to women in business.
In her address, Mrs Otti called on women across the state to embrace opportunities, build sustainable businesses, and become active contributors to the socio-economic development of the state.
She described this year’s August meetings across the 17 Local Government Areas as remarkable, noting that the programmes provided practical support through economic empowerment, skills acquisition, assistance to petty traders and farmers, as well as interventions for widows and vulnerable women.
She said the provision of a decent home for the mother of a survivor of gender-based violence was particularly significant because it demonstrated that empowerment must address the root causes of vulnerability.
“If we truly want our women to thrive, we must go beyond responding to immediate needs. We must address some of the root causes of vulnerability and give women the tools, opportunities, protection, and support they need to build more secure lives,” Mrs Otti stated.
The Abia First Lady, who highlighted the Thrive Business Challenge, explained that it was designed not merely to reward winners but to encourage women to build structured, viable and sustainable businesses.
She announced that all participants in the competition who did not make the final 10 would receive a token of ₦50,000, while finalists would receive productive assets and business support grants to strengthen their enterprises.
