Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti has continued to sustain her drive to improve the economic wellbeing of Abia women through various empowerment programmes.
To this end the Abia First Lady has come up with a fresh initiative christened Ahiaoma Market Women Empowerment Programme aimed at assisting market women improve their businesses and livelihoods.
The empowerment programme launched through Mrs. Otti’s pet project, the Safe Tent Care Initiative involves giving out N100,000 grants to market women across the state to improve their microbusinesss.
Speaking at the launch of the empowerment programme in Umuahia, the Abia First Lady underscored the need for women to become financially independent, saying that it is not only a moral responsibility but also an economic imperative.
“When women earn, they reinvest significantly into their families and communities. This is not just social intervention; it is a smart economic strategy that drives growth,” she said.
The implementation of this financial intervention is slated to be carried out in phases, and in the first phase 200 market women have already been selected across Abia to become the pioneer beneficiaries.
Apart from being a financial support, the intervention programme combines the direct grants of ₦100,000 with structured empowerment under the Sustainable Household and Youth Development Initiative.
The programme is strategically designed to strengthen women-owned businesses, deepen financial literacy, and build sustainable livelihoods across Abia State.
Anchored on the Safe Tent Care Initiative, the Ahiaoma Empowerment Programme signifies a holistic approach to empowerment as it recognizes that financial inclusion must go hand-in-hand with social protection, health, and security.
With the launch of the Ahiaoma Market Women Economic Empowerment Programme
Mrs. Otti, has reinforced her commitment to the economic transformation of Abia grassroots.
However, she emphasised that women need more than cash support as other variables must be considered for them to really become financially stable.
“Access to capital alone is not enough. Without the right support systems, progress becomes difficult,” the Abia First Lady stated.
She explained that the empowerment programme was initiated through Safe Tent Care, saying that “we are ensuring that women are not only funded but also protected, supported, and positioned to thrive”.
The Safe Tent Care Initiative is a platform of Mrs Otti dedicated to advancing the welfare, protection, and economic stability of women and vulnerable groups.
The beneficiaries of the Ahiaoma Empowerment Programme would not receive the grants, but would also benefit from mentorship, business development services, and capacity-building programmes tailored to ensure long-term growth and financial independence.
This initiative of the Abia First Lady aligns strongly with the vision of Governor Alex Otti to promote inclusive growth, human capital development, and sustainable prosperity, particularly for women at the grassroots.
She recognised the need to engage in strategic partnerships to ensure successful outcome of her empowerment programmes hence the collaborations with Signature Bank and the Bank of Industry. These two financial institutions would provide beneficiaries with financial literacy training, enterprise support, and access to structured financing opportunities.
“Our goal is to move women from survival-level trading to structured, bankable, and thriving enterprises,” Mrs. Otti asserted.
She also addressed structural challenges in agriculture and announced the forthcoming Agri-Market Reform Initiative, which will focus on improving storage facilities, reducing post-harvest losses, and enabling women farmers to access better markets and pricing.
Mr. Jonathan Obiloye of Signature Bank, who handled the financial literacy session at the event, urged participants to adopt disciplined financial habits, avoid investing in fraudulent schemes, and prioritize savings and proper record keeping.
“Do not be carried away by promises of quick returns. Build your business with knowledge, patience, and discipline,” he advised.
In her remarks, Mrs. Rose Ako of the Bank of Industry highlighted the importance of maintaining active bank accounts and credible financial records, noting that such practices are critical for accessing loans and scaling businesses.
She said that BoI has rolled out ₦4 billion matching fund scheme in partnership with the Abia State Government to support small and medium-scale enterprises.
Other speakers at the event, including the Abia Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, and her counterpart in the Women Affairs Ministry, Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, commended Otti’s wife for her commitment to the welfare of women.
