ABIA WOMEN URGED TO USE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES

The Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Ursula Ngozi-Akanwa, has urged women in Abia State to take advantage of government empowerment programmes to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

She gave the advice while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Abia Women August Delegate Conference, held under the theme “Abia Women: Empowered to Thrive.”

Ngozi-Akanwa said the initiative had spent the past four years helping women gain the knowledge and skills needed to build sustainable businesses.

She explained that empowerment should go beyond helping women survive difficult situations, stressing that women should be given the opportunity and support needed to prosper and reach their full potential.

The Vice Chancellor commended the wife of the Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, for her efforts towards improving the lives of women across the state.

She highlighted several initiatives, including the Dignity Homes Initiative for indigent widows, skills acquisition programmes, business grants and campaigns against gender-based violence.

Ngozi-Akanwa also praised Governor Alex Otti for creating an environment that supports women's development through investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education, as well as the Ahiaoma Women Economic Empowerment Programme and grants for rural women.

She, however, reminded the women that government could not do everything alone. She encouraged them to take ownership of their empowerment by embracing education, learning new skills, supporting one another and mentoring younger women.

The university don also urged the women to dream bigger and actively seek opportunities rather than waiting for circumstances to improve.

She called on them to remain united and determined, stressing that the time for women to move from simply surviving to thriving was now.

The conference brought together the governor's wife, government officials, traditional rulers and women leaders from the 17 local government areas of Abia State.