Mrs. Priscilla Otti: “Abia Women Must Move Beyond Survival To Thrive” At AWADEC 2026  

Governor’s Wife Unveils Thrive Business Challenge, Pledges ₦50,000 Token For All Participants 

UMUAHIA, Abia State – The Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has charged Abia women to move beyond grants and handouts by building structured, sustainable businesses that can attract financing and create jobs.

Mrs. Otti gave the charge on Friday at the Grand Finale of the Abia Women August Delegates Conference (AWADEC) 2026, held at the *Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, Umuahia, with the theme “Abia Women: Empowered to Thrive.”

The Governor’s wife said this year’s August meetings across the 17 LGAs were remarkable for their practical interventions, including economic empowerment, skill acquisition, support for petty traders, farmers, widows and vulnerable women.

She highlighted the provision of a decent home for the mother of a survivor of gender-based violence as a standout intervention.

“For me, that intervention captured what empowerment should mean,” she said. “Poverty, inadequate shelter, lack of opportunity and exposure to exploitation reinforce one another. Providing that mother with a safe home was about restoring dignity and addressing the circumstances of vulnerability.”

She congratulated all Mayors’ wives for translating the theme into programmes that touched lives at the grassroots.

A major highlight was the Thrive Business Challenge, designed to shift women’s mindset about business growth.

“Most successful businesses we admire did not succeed only because of hard work. At some point they put structures and systems in place. They kept records, separated personal and business finances, complied with regulations,” Mrs. Otti explained.

She said the challenge is not just about prizes but about changing how women think.

“We want a woman employing herself today to employ five tomorrow. Five can become 20, 20 can become 50. But growth requires knowledge, discipline, structure and access to the right support.”

She announced that all participants who entered but did not make the final 10 will receive a token of ₦50,000* to encourage them to restructure their businesses.

The 10 finalists will receive productive assets and business support grants* to scale their ventures.

Mrs. Otti linked the initiative to the SafeTent Care Initiative, STCI, and commended Governor Alex Otti, for creating an enabling environment through road construction, improved healthcare, education and the ₦1 billion interest-free revolving loan scheme for farmers, traders and artisans.

“When roads are built, the woman taking produce to market benefits. When cities are cleaner and safer, women-owned businesses benefit. When healthcare and education improve, women and our daughters benefit,” she said.

She urged women to support the administration and protect the gains made.

“When the time comes in 2027, let the support of Abia women be clear, confident and resounding,” she added.

Recalling the themes of past AWADEC conferences, she said:

“2023: Abia women dare to dream. 2024: Utilize growth opportunities. 2025: United in strength, empowered for purpose. 2026: Empowered to thrive. There is a progression. Now we must thrive.”

In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti described women as the bedrock of the family and society, saying his administration takes women “very, very seriously” in the New Abia agenda.

The Governor lauded his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her support to women through the SafeTent Care Initiative and her housing project for vulnerable women.

“It has been said here that 35 women who are vulnerable benefited from her housing project and I’m aware that she’s trying to increase that number and very soon a lot of other women will benefit,” he noted.

He also appreciated the Thrive Business Challenge under STCI, congratulating the 10 beneficiaries and other participants who went home with support.

Governor Otti charged women to remain vigilant in raising their children and guarding their homes and to “remain resolute and focused” and to prevent their children from crime and bad associations.

“Women are the bedrock of the family. Anywhere the family is not together, look at the women… Anywhere the woman is paying attention, the children turn out well. So if your children don’t turn out well, go and look at the women again around that family,” he said.

The event was attended by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Commissioner for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, committee members of AWADEC, and women leaders across the state.