At the grand finale of the 2025 Abia Women August Delegate Conference, 340 women were financially empowered to start their businesses.
The announcement was made by the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, the state capital.
Mrs. Otti explained that the financial support will enable the women to grow their trades, farms, and enterprises, ensuring food security and dignity in their homes.
“When women thrive, families flourish, communities prosper, and societies advance,” she stated.
Beneficiaries of the skill up Abia women programme
Reflecting on the LGA-level August Meetings, Mrs. Otti expressed that they were held with pomp, pageantry, and glamour with women showcasing the work of their hands, farm produce,handcrafted goods, and homemade delicacies—sharing generously from their sweat and labour in the truest expression of our theme, ‘Abia Women: United in Strength, Empowered for Purpose’.
Highlighting the impact of the Skill Up Abia Women Project, Mrs. Otti noted that on August 12th—International Youth Day—54 young women graduated from Vivdak Catering & Events Institute after training in catering, pastries, and decoration. Each graduate also received startup support to launch their businesses.
She called the initiative a seed for economic transformation among Abia women, promising that more cohorts will follow.
Mrs. Otti urged women to continuously acquire new skills, innovate, and embrace leadership roles. She also praised Governor Alex Otti and partners for their commitment to empowering women and uplifting the state.
In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, described the gathering as more than a tradition—it is a grassroots parliament where women from across Abia State come together to discuss pressing issues affecting homes, communities, and society at large.
Dr. Maureen Aghukwa
Dr. Aghukwa emphasized the significance of the event, noting that over the years, it has served as a unified platform for women to advocate for peace, moral values, social progress, and development.
According to her, “this year theme, ‘Abia Women: United in Strength, Empowered for Purpose ‘ is timely and inspiring.
It reminds us that as women, our collective strength lies in our unity, and our empowerment is not for ourselves alone but for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in our communities, and our State,” she stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Joy Onyesoh praised the transformational nature of the conference in mobilizing women for dialogue and development.
She urged women to continue investing in skills regardless of their occupation and applauded the Abia First Lady for the “Skill Up Abia Women” initiative, which supports women’s empowerment.
In a goodwill message, Ms. Dimach Sharon of the International Organization for Migration reaffirmed her organization’s commitment to supporting women as agents of change.
She highlighted the love, resilience, and innovation of Nigerian women and commended Governor Alex Otti for creating a platform that allows women to reinvent themselves through the August Meeting.
Meanwhile, Governor Otti, who graced the occasion with other top government officials said women play an integral role in national development noting that a gathering like this reminds us that the society is incomplete until we bring women on board.
He thanked Abia women for the sacrifices they are making in the home front adding that he will continue to support them.
