The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has called for greater economic opportunities for women in Ukwa East Local Government Area, especially those involved in the production and promotion of the famous Akwete cloth.
Mrs. Otti made the call during the 2026 August Meeting of women in Ukwa East, where she described Akwete as an important symbol of Abia’s cultural identity and a valuable economic asset that should bring greater prosperity to its custodians.
Represented by the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, the governor’s wife said the women of Ukwa East had played a major role in preserving Akwete weaving for generations. She stressed that their contribution to Abia’s cultural heritage must be matched with deliberate efforts to improve their economic wellbeing.
According to her, the recent visit of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Akwete highlighted the national importance of the traditional craft and the need to pay greater attention to the women whose skills have kept the industry alive.
Mrs. Otti said the visit was more than a ceremonial event, as it provided an opportunity to celebrate Akwete women and draw attention to the economic potential of the industry.
She disclosed that the administration of Governor Alex Otti had, since 2023, been working to revive and modernise the Akwete industry, stressing that cultural heritage should also provide sustainable livelihoods for the people.
“We want to ensure that the women whose hands sustain this heritage must share in the prosperity it brings. Because when Akwete women earn more, homes grow stronger, children have more opportunities and Ukwa East prospers,” she said.
Mrs. Otti said the administration’s women empowerment programme was anchored on the theme, “Women of Abia, Empowered to Thrive,” adding that the goal was to move women from temporary assistance to sustainable economic opportunities.
She said her office, through the Safe Tent Care Initiative, had continued to support women through skills acquisition, start-up assistance and other programmes designed to help them build sustainable livelihoods.
The governor’s wife also highlighted government support for rural farmers through fertiliser distribution and assistance to market women under the Ahiaoma Economic Empowerment Programme.
“That is the Abia we are building,” she said.
She urged women to remain actively involved in the political development of the state and encouraged eligible voters to participate in future elections.
Also speaking, the wife of the Mayor of Ukwa East Local Government Area, Mrs. Favour Chibunna Akara, commended the Otti administration for creating opportunities for women across the state.
She said women in Abia were increasingly making important contributions to governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, entrepreneurship and public service.
Akara described women as the backbone of the economy and society, noting that women in Ukwa East contribute to food security through farming, support local markets through trading and serve their communities as educators, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, artisans and public servants.
She stressed that empowerment also comes with responsibility, urging women to teach their children honesty, hard work and respect, while encouraging girls to pursue education, innovation and leadership.
Akara urged the women to make the August Meeting more than an annual tradition by using it as an opportunity to renew their commitment to stronger families, women’s empowerment and the development of Ukwa East and Abia State.
The keynote speaker, Mrs. Matilda Anyamele, said the theme of the conference was timely and relevant to the challenges facing women in the state.
Anyamele said empowerment should go beyond providing assistance, stressing that it must involve creating opportunities, building capacity, restoring dignity and enabling women to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
She commended the resilience, hard work and achievements of Abia women but noted that many still faced challenges such as poverty, limited access to finance, inadequate educational opportunities, unemployment, gender-based violence and social exclusion.
“Empowerment is therefore not a luxury; it is a necessity. An empowered woman is confident, productive, self-reliant and capable of making informed decisions,” she said.
Anyamele also commended Mrs. Priscilla Otti for her commitment to the welfare and advancement of women, children and vulnerable groups across Abia State.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinenye Nwaka, commended the women of Ukwa East for their large turnout at the August Meeting.
Nwaka urged the women to take advantage of the empowerment opportunities provided by the state government, describing the initiatives as part of efforts to improve their livelihoods and economic independence.
She also encouraged the women to reciprocate the administration’s support by backing Governor Alex Otti in his 2027 re-election bid.
