Abia First Lady Backs Women’s Empowerment as Ikwuano Raises ₦50m for Skills Acquisition Centre

By Charity Uwakwe

Ikwuano women unite for a ₦50m skills centre as Abia First Lady calls for empowerment, unity and sustainable livelihoods.

Ikwuano women have raised ₦50 million to equip a Skills Acquisition Centre as Abia First Lady Priscilla Otti reaffirmed her commitment to women’s economic empowerment.

The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidimma Otti, has reaffirmed her commitment to women’s economic empowerment, agricultural development and sustainable livelihoods as Ikwuano Local Government Area raised ₦50 million to equip its Skills Acquisition Centre.

Mrs. Otti stated this in a speech delivered on her behalf by the wife of the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Chidera Emetu, at the 2026 Ikwuano Local Government Area August Meeting held on Monday, August 10, at the council headquarters in Isiala.

The event, which featured the ₦50 million fundraising initiative for the equipping of the local government’s Skills Acquisition Centre, was held under the theme, “Women of Abia: Empowered to Thrive.”

Mrs. Otti described Ikwuano as a land blessed with fertile soil, industrious people, rich culture and a remarkable history of courage, noting that agriculture remains central to the economic life of the local government.

She said Ikwuano’s reputation as the food basket of Abia State made investment in women farmers, agricultural processors, petty traders and young entrepreneurs particularly important.

According to her, genuine empowerment should go beyond temporary financial assistance to creating opportunities that enable women to establish sustainable livelihoods, grow businesses and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

Over 600 women receive business grants

The Abia First Lady disclosed that more than 600 women across the state’s 17 local government areas had recently been empowered with grants to support their small businesses.

She said the intervention was designed to strengthen women’s economic capacity, adding that her office would continue to invest in women and provide the support needed to build stronger families and sustainable businesses.

She also highlighted initiatives under her office, including the Safe Care Centre and the Women Economic Empowerment Programme, through which women are receiving skills, grants and other forms of support.

Mrs. Otti noted that vulnerable widows and elderly women, were also being catered for under the empowerment initiatives.

“Our goal is not merely to give women temporary relief. We want to help women build sustainable livelihoods,” she said.

She added that the objective was to enable farmers to increase their productivity and petty traders expand their businesses.

Agriculture, infrastructure and women’s economic growth.

The governor’s wife said agriculture remained one of her priorities, noting that fertiliser had recentlLlkkky been distributed to rural women farmers across Abia to strengthen their farming activities.

She further pointed to the Abia State Government Farmers Support Programme, which she said was providing improved agricultural inputs to farmers in  the state’s 17 local government areas.

Mrs. Otti also linked infrastructure development to women’s economic empowerment, citing the ongoing knowledge of the popular Ikwuano/Umuahia/Ikot-Ekpene Road as an example of how improved transportation infrastructure could connect women to markets and other economic opportunities.

She said development was not only about physical projects but also about creating an environment where the efforts of women could translate into greater economic returns.

Ikwuano’s historical role in women’s struggle

The Abia First Lady also drew attention to Oloko, one of the communities in Ikwuano, for its historic place in the story of women’s courage in Eastern Nigeria.

She noted that Oloko was associated with the movement remembered as the Aba Women’s Riot, where women demonstrated solidarity and courage in resisting threats to their livelihoods and dignity.

Mrs. Otti said the history made the theme of the 2026 August meeting particularly appropriate, urging women to carry forward the spirit of courage and unity by producing, trading, building businesses and creating wealth.

She said the same women who cultivate the fertile soil of Ikwuano could also “cultivate prosperity” if given the right opportunities and support.

Mrs. Otti praises Governor Otti, speaks on 2027

The governor’s wife commended Governor Alex Otti for what she described as his “unwavering belief in the capacity of Abia women” and his commitment to creating an environment where they can prosper.

She urged the women to sustain what she described as the development strides recorded in infrastructure, security, agriculture, women’s empowerment and governance.

Mrs. Otti also made a political appeal ahead of the 2027 governorship election, urging the women to come out in large numbers to vote.

She said the gains being witnessed in the state should be protected through continued support for the leadership responsible for the transformation she referenced.

“Our vote is our power, and together we will use it to keep Abia on the path of progress,” she told the women.

She, however, encouraged women to see empowerment as more than receiving assistance, urging them to seize opportunities to produce, trade, build businesses and create wealth.

Mrs. Otti expressed optimism that with sustained support and collective effort, Abia could become a state where every woman has the opportunity not merely to survive, but to thrive.

The Ikwuano August Meeting and ₦50 million fundraising initiative brought together women from various communities, government officials, traditional and community stakeholders, political leaders and other distinguished guests.

In her vote of thanks, the wife of the Member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, thanked the wife of the governor, as well as wife of the deputy governor for honouring the invitation of the women of Ikwuano.

Also, she commended the women of the council for their show of love for one another peace and unity among them, particularly for sustaining their position as the major food producers in the state.

Earlier, Isienyi applauded the women of Ikwuano for their good thoughts for the people while urging all women of the council to endeavour that their children participate in the proposed skill as soon as it is fully established and equipped.

Ikwuano Women Celebrate August Meeting, Honour Outstanding Indigenes

The annual August meeting of Ikwuano women featured a colourful gathering of women from across the council area, with prominent personalities, traditional institutions and community stakeholders in attendance.

Chairman of the occasion, Arch. Silvester Onwumere, described women as “the flame keepers of our fathers,” while commending them for their commitment, hard work and diligence.

Onwumere urged younger women to emulate the virtues and footsteps of the older generation, stressing the importance of preserving the values and traditions handed down by their forebears.

Ikwuano woman urges unity, support for younger generation

A participant at the event, Justinna Adamma Usuwa, from Ahaba, in Ikwuano, described the annual August meeting as an important platform for bringing women across the local government area together.

Mrs. Usuwa, who prided in her Ikwuano community, hence the food basket of the state, said “I am proud to be an Ikwuano woma”, highlighting the area’s strong agricultural heritage and its contribution to food production in Abia State.

She listed cassava, plantain and other agricultural produce among the major products cultivated in the area, describing Ikwuano as an important agricultural hub in the state.

According to her, the strength of Ikwuano women lies not only in their agricultural productivity but also in their ability to unite and support one another.

She therefore urged women to remain united, show love to one another and invest in educating and supporting younger women.

“Let them be together, love each other and help to educate the younger ones,” Osowa said.

Among the dignitaries at the occasion were Hon. Osinachi Nwaka, Director-General, Abia State Ministry of Finance Incorporated; Mrs. Eucharia Mmeregini, wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; the wife of the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA; the wife of the immediate past member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency; Pst. Mrs. Princess Onuigbo; Mrs. Felicia Nnenna Nwaubani; and the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Lucky Awuwa.

Also in attendance were wives of traditional rulers, led by Her Royal Majesty, Prof. Mrs. Ndimele, as well as other notable women and community leaders.

The wife of the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, Pst. Mrs. Princess Onuigbo, commended the women, men and youths of Ikwuano for their contributions to the development of the area.

She described skill acquisition as an indispensable aspect of human development, noting that its importance could not be overemphasised.

Similarly, Mrs. Isienyi applauded the women of Ikwuano for their commitment and good intentions towards the development of their communities.

She urged women across the council to ensure that their children participate in the proposed skills acquisition programme once it is established.

Awards of Excellence

The event also featured the presentation of awards of excellence to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to Ikwuano and society at large.

Among the awardees was the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, who expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising his contributions.

Receiving the award, Nwaubani thanked the women for deeming him worthy of the honour and assured them that the recognition would motivate him to do more for the people.

Other award recipients included Prof. Ugoeze Roseline Ndumele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, who received an Award of Excellence.

Dr. Mrs. Barnabas was also honoured for selfless service, while Prince Innocent Eleogu received an Award of Excellence for his selfless humanitarian services.

Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, recognised as the first female Vice-Chancellor, also received an Award of Excellence for excellence in education and support for the growth and advancement of women.

Colourful Highlights

The event featured a range of activities, including a relay race by women from various communities in Ikwuano, a health talk by the Health Authority Secretary, Ikwuano, and the presentation of a welcome song by women from different communities across the council.

Other highlights included a fashion parade, march-past, cooking competition and an acrobatic dance performance by the Oboro Cultural Group.

The presentation of awards of excellence was also conducted as part of the activities, with the Commissioner for Women Affairs among those who participated in the ceremony.

The event reached its climax with the cutting of the ceremonial cake by the wife of the Governor, alongside the wife of the Mayor and other notable women from Ikwuano.

The annual gathering provided an opportunity for the women of Ikwuano to celebrate their heritage, strengthen bonds across communities and reaffirm their commitment to the development and welfare of their people.