PILLARS OF ENDURING SUPPORT
Being the Text of a Speech Delivered by His Excellency, Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the 2024 Abia Women August Meeting at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Protocols,
- It is always a thing of joy to share in the excitement of our women and mothers because when they are happy, things are better for everyone 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. As history has amply demonstrated, women are the pillars upon which the superstructures that guarantee the enduring progress of every society are rested.
- On this note distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me join my dear wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Priscilla Otti, in welcoming you to the 2024 Abia Women August Delegates Conference. Today, we have gathered in solidarity with our women as they reflect on the journey so far, and then 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.
- 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, for always offering reliable lifejackets through their resourcefulness.
- Beyond what you do to keep families and communities together, and on a progressive path, I am also obliged to join Her Excellency to acknowledge and appreciate many Abia women soaring high in different fields of calling at home and in the diaspora. As Governor, I am constantly following the progress of our people. I am happy to see many Abia women excelling and breaking new grounds in the academia, sports, business and public service.
- One thing I find truly exciting is that many of our women and girls now doing great things all over the world started off with very little, often in abject poverty. To the glory of God, they have risen beyond the limitations of their backgrounds to become beacons of light in their families and communities.
- By a dint of hard work and self-belief, these individuals rose to great heights and forever quashed the stone-age assumptions that limit the progress of the entire society by refusing to let women serve humanity with their gifts and talents. On the strength of their accomplishments also, our daughters now have very important role models to look up to.
- I am glad to report that in the New Abia, we are steadily shattering the glass ceilings that kept women away from very important seats at the decision-making table. As I said here last year, we are very deliberate in assigning key positions to women because from my experience, women have proven to be very reliable, dedicated and are less likely to be drawn to the distractions that most men are susceptible to.
- It is instructive to note that much of the progress we have made as an administration come from the support and insights we receive from the women who understand our pain points as a society, better than most of us. I want to thank Her Excellency, the women in our team, and every other woman in the State for everything you are doing to make sure that the promises that brought us to this place are fulfilled. We could not have come this far without your motherly advice and guidance.
- Today’s theme, Utilising Growth Opportunities Amid Current Economic Challenges, speaks to the reality of the times as Her Excellency has rightly pointed out. It also invites us to think outside the box because at the moment, we clearly have no other options. Like Her Excellency, I will also refuse to blame anyone for the crisis. I would rather see the economic upheavals in the land as an opportunity to turn from our past bad behaviours, start afresh and then, 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 of entrepreneurship offer us a clear path out of the present misery and I am here to 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.
11 We have continued to improve the business atmosphere in the State through strategic investments in the restoration of public infrastructure, especially roads. From Aba to Umuahia, and across the 17 LGAs, there is no doubt that the State Government is doing so much to make it easy to move people and goods from one part of the State to another.
- Security challenges which kept several communities in endless fear of the unknown have also received quality attention. We are continuing to raid various criminal hideouts and camps in every part of the State. We are not going to stop until every single criminal is either brought to book or made to flee the State forever. Let me repeat myself for the umpteenth time: not one inch of Abia territory shall be accommodating for criminals, or anyone who sponsors them; you shall be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.
- Our goal is to make every part of the State conducive for various economic activities. Thankfully, our people are very industrious and would move mountains if the environmental conditions are conducive. As a government, we recently provided a N1billion interest free loan for Nano and micro businesses and we were deliberate in ensuring that most of the beneficiaries were women and youth. The next phase will soon kick off shortly. I am glad that through Her Excellency’s agriculture empowerment initiative, many of you will leave here with inputs to support your home gardening activities. Let me encourage you to make the most of the training you have received and ultimately become part of the campaign to practically attack hunger and make things better for families.
- As I conclude, I want to assure that women shall continue to occupy a pride of place in the New Abia. We are very mindful and appreciative of the important roles you play to keep our families and society together. Please do not relent as we are counting on you. Remember that we are here because of you, and for you.
- Thank you for listening and may God bless you all.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,
13/08/2024
