The wife of Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, has provided N20m and food items to 400 women living with disabilities. This is part of efforts to ease economic hardship and promote greater financial independence.
According to The PUNCH, Otti presented the support on Friday during an outreach for women with disabilities in Umuahia. This was organised through her Safe Tent Care Initiative.
The governor’s wife said the programme was designed to offer practical assistance. Additionally, it ensures that women with disabilities receive the same attention extended to other women during the state’s August Meeting activities.
“This has been a long time coming, and this is just the start. I want to promise you that this will be a very frequent intervention from my office,” she said.
Otti promises sustained intervention
Otti said persons living with disabilities continue to face challenges including unemployment, financial insecurity, and medical expenses. Moreover, they face restricted mobility, poor accessibility, stigma and social exclusion.
She assured the beneficiaries that they remained an important part of the state and would continue to receive support.
“You matter, you are seen, and you belong to our state,” she said.
Otti explained that her office has maintained engagement with the disability community since 2023. In 2024, more than 600 persons benefited from cash and food support.
About 100 entrepreneurs living with disabilities also received business assistance through a partnership involving her office in 2025.
200 women set for vocational training
The governor’s wife also announced that her office had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Directorate of Employment. The goal is to train 200 women in vocational skills for three months.
Participants will receive starter packs at the end of the programme. In addition, a portion of the available slots will be reserved for women living with disabilities.
“This is not charity and not an end in itself; it is solidarity in action,” Otti said.
She added that the objective was to move beneficiaries from temporary relief towards sustainable opportunities and greater economic independence.
Abia plans community food bank
Otti also disclosed that Abia State would soon establish a community food bank. This follows the launch of the National Community Food Bank for the South-East by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Anambra State.
She said persons with disabilities would be among vulnerable groups expected to benefit. Others to benefit include widows, older residents, nursing mothers and children.
Officials at the event also stressed the state government’s commitment to inclusion.
Commissioner for Women Affairs Maureen Aghukwa said disability should never result in discrimination or exclusion. Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Persons Living With Disabilities, David Anyaele, said the administration’s focus was increasingly shifting from palliatives to empowerment.
