By Leonard Okachie
(NAN) Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that women are the foundation for stability and development in communities across the state.
The governor, represented by Dr Anthony Nwaubani, the Local Government Chairman, Ikwuano Local Government Area, said this at Obuohia Obi-Ibere at the 32nd Annual August Meeting of the Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union Women’s Wing.
He said that women stabilise society, drive progress and train children who become useful to their families and to society at large.
He added that women were everywhere and that their role in managing the family was central to community growth and peace.
Otti urged Abia women to emulate the Obuohia Obi-Ibere women who had sustained their union for many years.
He noted that knowledge was dynamic and that people should humbly learn from groups that were achieving results in community development.
On politics, the governor urged the women not to be intimidated and should be bold and confident to aspire to any position.
He said that he was mindful of women’s welfare and had prioritised the renovation of health centres to reduce infant and maternal mortality.
Otti said that he was also driving empowerment programmes because what mattered to women is of great importance to his administration.
He commended the people of Obuohia Ibere and urged them to sustain unity, saying their support for him should continue.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Sam Onuigbo, former member of the House of Representatives and President of GLOBE Legislators International, praised the women’s leadership for their contributions in the community.
He said the outgoing President, Mrs Chinyere Onuigbo, had served as National Coordinator of the union for 11 years and as National President for 10 years.
He noted that under her leadership, the women had achieved progress in education sector, hospitals, infrastructure and community peace initiatives.
On the agitation for more seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, Onuigbo said he fully supported it.
He said women were naturally gifted in leadership and provided good leadership in organisations, citing his own experience with a female boss in 1985.
He insisted that women should be encouraged because of their natural capacity to lead and manage effectively.
In her address, Mrs Chinyere Onuigbo said the Women’s Wing was reformed 21 years ago to restore peace and drive development.
Mrs Onuigbo said she had served sacrificially and was proud of the milestones achieved in infrastructure, youth empowerment, legal registration and security.
She listed other achievements to include the Women’s Hall, borehole, market, health centre, solar power, roads grading and erosion control.
She thanked the governor for functionalising the health centre in 2026 and for other supports to the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the unveiling of the rehabilitated hall, March pass, cultural dance, beauty pageant and awards to supporters.
(NAN).
