The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has commended the resilience and contributions of Ohafia women to the economic and social development of their communities.
Mrs. Otti spoke at the 2026 Ohafia Local Government August Meeting, held at the council headquarters, with the theme, “Abia Women Empowered to Thrive.”
She described Ohafia as a land of courage, honour and enterprise, saying the bravery associated with the area’s history was still evident in its women, who are actively involved in farming, trading, entrepreneurship and community development.
The Governor’s wife said true women empowerment should go beyond the distribution of money or trading items. She stressed that women also need good roads, security, healthcare, quality education and an enabling environment to succeed.
Mrs. Otti highlighted the ongoing transformation of the Umuahia-Abiriba-Ohafia corridor, saying improved infrastructure would make it easier for farmers and traders to transport their goods and access markets.
She also disclosed that her office had distributed fertiliser to rural women farmers across Abia, while more than 600 women across the 17 local government areas had recently received grants to strengthen their businesses.
According to her, the administration’s goal is to help women build sustainable livelihoods, increase productivity and achieve economic independence.
On the 2027 elections, Mrs. Otti urged Ohafia women to mobilise their families and communities for active participation, stressing that women must use their numbers and influence to shape the future of the state through the ballot.
“Let that strength also be seen in the level of voter turnout in 2027,” she said.
In her goodwill message, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, described the August Meeting as a celebration of the strength, resilience and potential of Abia women.
She commended Mrs. Otti’s commitment to women’s empowerment, saying empowered women could become catalysts for positive transformation in their families and communities.
Also speaking, the wife of the Ohafia Mayor, Mrs. Grace Eleanya, called for greater investment in women.
The keynote speaker, Mrs. Ebere Ifendu, urged women to take advantage of government programmes and become more involved in governance and community development.
However, the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Kalu Ojuu Eleanya, said the council had expanded its empowerment programme compared with last year.
He promised that the programme would be taken to a higher level next year, adding, “We want to continue to impact lives, and that is the essence of governance.”.
