In a laudable move, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the immediate disbursement of N100,000 interest free-loan to women entrepreneurs among other operators of small and medium enterprises in rural communities.
He said his administration had shown unprecedented regard for women as four occupy very sensitive portfolios.
Otti said 17 out of 24 Permanent Secretaries in the state are women.
The governor stated this in his goodwill message to Abia State women as they mark the 2024 International Women’s Day.
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In the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, the governor assured the women that his administration would continue to pursue their advancement in all areas.
“This is in fulfillment of our campaign promise to empower our women in building their businesses at the grassroots and help to create wealth across the state. No less than 50 persons per ward are expected to receive the sum of N100,000, each,” Otti said.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s IWD: “Inspire Inclusion,” Otti said his government had been deliberate about empowering women “through improved budgetary allocation to the various sectors that have direct implications on the welfare and well-being of the women and the girl child as well as appointment of women to strategic positions in government.
“Here, in Abia State, our administration is highly gender sensitive and this has seen to the increased number of women appointed into the State Executive Council and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government.
“It is worthy of note that women occupy strategic positions in health, education, agriculture and poverty alleviation in the State Executive Council, while out of the total 24 Permanent Secretaries in the state, 17 of them are women.
“This is unprecedented in the history of the state civil service.
“Our administration has also demonstrated commitment in the payment of counterpart fund for the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP); a project that seeks to support improved livelihoods for women in targeted areas of Abia and Nigeria, by influencing social norms related to gender equality, promoting social inclusion and establishing institutional platforms that improve women’s access to critical life, business and technical skills.”
Describing Nigerian women as “epitome of grace, knowledge, beauty and strength, who have achieved so much in different areas of life, globally”, Otti commended the women for their resilience and devotion to duty, not only at the home front but also in the workplace and society at large.
According to Governor Otti, the world “owes women” a debt of gratitude for their contributions towards ensuring global economic, social and political development.
He commended Abia women for their faith in him and continued support to his administration.