Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has described women as the bedrock of families and critical partners in the development of the state, assuring them of a prominent role in his administration’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
Governor Otti stated this on Friday at the grand finale of the 2026 Abia Women August Delegates Conference (AWADEC), held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.
The Governor said the contribution of women to the stability of families and the development of society can not be taken for granted.
He stressed that his administration takes the welfare and advancement of women seriously.
“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”, Governor Otti said.
The governor urged Abia women to remain resolute and focused in discharging their responsibilities, particularly in ensuring that their children do not become involved in crime, cultism and other activities capable of destroying their future.
The Governor said proper upbringing of children remains an important responsibility of mothers, noting that women who paid close attention to their families were more likely to raise children who turned out well.
“You must have your eyes on the ball and stay focused. Anywhere the woman is paying attention, the children turn out well”, he stated.
Governor Otti also commended his wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, for her interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable women across the state.
He specifically acknowledged her provision of housing for 35 vulnerable women and the Safe Tent Care Initiative, which provides support to women in business.
In her address, the wife of the governor Mrs Priscilla Otti called on women across Abia to embrace available opportunities, build sustainable businesses and become active contributors to the socio-economic development of the state.
The governor’s wtfe described the 2026 August meetings held across the 17 Local Government Areas as remarkable, saying 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 genuine empowerment must go beyond addressing immediate needs to tackling 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”, she said.
Speaking on the Thrive Business Challenge, the Governor’s wife said the initiative was designed not merely to reward winners but to encourage women to establish structured, viable and sustainable businesses.
She announced that all participants who did not make the final 10 would receive ₦50,000 each, while the finalists would receive productive assets and business support grants to strengthen their enterprises.
Mrs Otti commended the Governor for creating an enabling environment for women to thrive, urging women to sustain their contributions to the development of the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa, urged Abia women to leverage the traditional August Meeting platform to promote economic empowerment, education, healthcare, social protection, community development and leadership.
Mrs Aghukwa disclosed that the 2026 AWADEC was held under the theme, “Abia Women Empowered to Thrive”, and described women as critical stakeholders in the development of the state.
She urged women to move from survival to sustainability and commended the Otti led administration for its commitment to creating an enabling environment for women and girls to prosper.
The Commissioner cited initiatives such as the Nigeria for Women Project as part of efforts aimed at improving opportunities and support for women across the state.
In her keynote address, titled “Abia Women Empowered to Thrive”, the Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Ursula Akanwa, urged women to embrace opportunities, acquire new skills and take deliberate steps towards personal and economic advancement.
She encouraged women to take action rather than wait for opportunities, stressing the importance of deliberate efforts towards personal growth and economic independence.
