Abia Governor Urges Women to Remain Vigilant for Family Well-being

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has praised Abia women as the foundation of families and urged them to remain vigilant in raising their children during the Abia Women August Delegate Conference 2026 in Umuahia.

Speaking at the event, Otti emphasized the critical role of women in family upbringing and commended his wife, Priscilla Otti, for her leadership in women-focused initiatives. He noted that 35 vulnerable women have already benefited from housing projects under her Safe to Care Initiative, with plans to expand support. The governor also highlighted the Thrive Business Challenge, which has empowered 10 women through financial grants and business training.

Mrs. Otti, the First Lady of Abia State, called on women to move beyond mere survival and embrace structured growth and enterprise. She emphasized that this year’s conference, themed "Abia Women: Empowered to Thrive," focused on practical solutions to address the root causes of vulnerability, including economic empowerment, skill acquisition, and support for petty traders, farmers, widows, and vulnerable women.

A standout initiative was the Thrive Business Challenge, designed to instill discipline in business management. Mrs. Otti explained that the challenge targeted record-keeping, compliance, and access to finance—key factors in sustainable business growth. She revealed that 10 finalists were selected from applicants across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas, with every participant receiving ₦50,000 to encourage participation. Finalists received productive assets, business grants, and guidance from banks, NAFDAC, tax authorities, and the Ministry of Industry and SMEs.

Commissioner for Women Affairs in Abia State, Maureen Aghukwa, urged women to position themselves as active partners in the state’s development. Nnaka Antonio-Samuel, the winner of the Thrive Business Challenge, expressed gratitude and renewed motivation to grow her business after winning ₦2,000,000 and a Toyota Sienna bus. First and second runners-up received ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000, respectively.

The event reflects Abia State’s commitment to women’s empowerment through structured economic and social interventions, reinforcing the administration’s focus on inclusive growth and development.

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