Otti: Women guarantee societal progress

Global Patriot Staff August 14, 2024 Local, News Leave a comment 150 Views

By Ijendu Iheaka

Umuahia, Aug. 13, 2024

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has described women as the superstructures that guarantee enduring progress of every society.

“At a time of serious economic difficulties such as this, the managerial capacity of our women has proven very useful in the survival of many families,” Otti said on Tuesday at the 2024 Abia Women August Delegates Conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the conference was held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia.

The governor said that the gathering was an avenue to reflect on the journey so far, and to chart the path to a better future.

“We are also here to learn a thing or two from the womenfolk who have shown great capacity at mobilisation, organisation and resourcefulness,” he said.

He said that it was always joyful to share in Nigerian women and mothers’ excitement because “their happiness makes things better for all at home and in the communities”.

“We are better as a people when women get the support they need to play their many very important roles in the immediate and wider human community.

“At a time of serious economic difficulties such as this, the managerial capacity of our women has proven very useful in the survival of many families.

“Today, therefore, provides us a great opportunity to say thank you to our mothers and wives for keeping us from sinking, and always offering reliable lifejackets through their resourcefulness,” he said.

He said that much of the progress made in his administration came from insights gained from women contributing to the governance of the state.

Otti said the event’s theme: “Utilising Growth Opportunities Amid Current Economic Challenges”, speaks to the reality of the times and also invites everyone to think outside the box as no other option exists.

“I will also refuse to blame anyone for Nigeria’s economic crisis but, rather, see the economic upheavals as opportunity to turn from our past bad behaviours, start afresh and, with persistence, reclaim our place in the world.

“If we have the courage to move away from the false expectations of old, I can assure you that we shall begin to see a drastic turnaround in our economic fortunes.

“Agriculture, trading, services and the general spectrum entrepreneurship offer us a clear path out of the present misery. I encourage you to look around and find where you are best suited to thrive.

“We have large expanse of arable land in our various communities, so if we face agriculture squarely, hunger and food scarcity will, in no time, become old tales,” he said.

Earlier, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, had said that the conference represented a great time to be a woman in Abia.

“This is a great time to be a woman in Abia because Alex Otti’s women-friendly government has given them the opportunity to excel.

“Traditionally, the meeting is very important and celebrates the multi-dimensional accomplishments of women in homes, communities, public offices, businesses and other fields of human endeavours,” she noted.

She described women as the unsung heroes in the society.

“They do seemingly small things in very great ways, working long hours to raise our children and support their families,” she explained.

Mrs. Otti used the occasion to formally kick off the “Every Home a Garden Competition,” a pet project by Sen Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria.

“With an enhanced star prize of N25 million, the competition is to encourage women, especially mothers, to start gardening, using the little spaces in our backyards to produce vegetables for domestic consumption and more.

“These agriculture-related initiatives are tied to the theme of this year’s event: Utilising Growth Opportunities Amid Current Economic Challenges.

“This theme speaks to the challenge of hunger and starvation facing individuals and families,” she said.

She thanked the organisers for thinking deeply and broadly as could be seen in the choice of the theme, its relevance to the reality of the times, and the pathway to recovery that it offers.

“As women, many of us have first-hand knowledge of these difficulties as the cost of food items hit rooftops, making life unbearable for millions of our compatriots.

“The road ahead is still far, but the good news is that there is a new consciousness of what we can do to chart a new path for ourselves in these uncertain times.

“As you return to your communities, please do not forget that our progress as a people rests largely on our shoulders and we shall be counting on you as the work of building the new Abia of our dreams enters a new gear,” she said.

She said that the meeting traditionally celebrates the multi-dimensional accomplishments of women in the homes, communities, public offices, businesses and several other fields of human endeavours.

“You have made the world better by your sacrifices and efforts. Many have been lifted by your optimism, especially in these difficult times,” she said.

She thanked the women for believing that everything would turn out good, “which is why you wake up earlier than everyone else, and remain awake even when others have long fallen asleep”.

NAN reports that the wife of the governor, that of the deputy, Mrs. Adeze Emetu, and other dignitaries, later cut the cake for the event.