Hardship: Abia govt, RHI distribute palliatives to over 1,000 women

In a collaborative effort with the Abia State Government and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Abia First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti Tuesday distributed essential palliatives, including bags of rice and cartons of tomatoes, to more than 1,000 indigent women across the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Otti commended the efforts of Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Governor Alex Otti in their commitment to improving the welfare of women and households nationwide, noting that such initiatives are key to enhancing the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

On the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the Nigeria First Lady, Mrs. Otti highlighted its significant strides in uplifting women, stating, “Recently, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, provided financial grants to 1,000 Abia women who are petty traders, empowering them to expand their businesses, support their families, and contribute to the growth of our local economy. I am pleased to announce that some of these beneficiaries have already started receiving their credit alerts.”

Mrs. Otti further encouraged the beneficiaries of the empowerment and palliatives to seize this opportunity to realize their economic aspirations, while assuring those yet to benefit that more opportunities are forthcoming, adding, “For those still awaiting support, rest assured that more initiatives are on the way, and everyone will have a chance to benefit.”

The Abia first lady expressed her gratitude to the management of Erisco Foods for their contribution of tomato paste, which has enabled the palliatives to reach more households and acknowledged the ongoing challenges in the nation, emphasizing however that the country’s leadership is working tirelessly to alleviate the hardships faced by many.

Addressing the women later, Mrs. Otti encouraged self-reliance through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, stating, “By becoming self-reliant, you are better positioned to support yourselves and your communities without relying solely on government intervention. Our people are known for their industrious spirit, and I have confidence in your ability to create meaningful lives for yourselves.

“As we work toward making Abia the food basket of the nation, I urge you to engage in agriculture to produce what you can consume and sell the surplus to boost our economy.”

In their various comments, the Chairperson of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Ihuoma Okoro, the Chairperson of Nigeria Correctional Officers Wives Association, NICOWA Mrs. Lizzy Uka, and the Chairperson of Army Officers Wives Association, AOWA Mrs. Lara Adebayo, expressed their gratitude to Mrs. Otti for her inclusive approach and praised the initiative.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Ahukwa, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, commended Governor Otti’s administration for its transparent distribution of palliatives, ensuring that aid reaches the intended recipients without political interference.

Women from various political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord Party, and Zenith Party, were among the beneficiaries of the palliatives, while the event featured the decoration of Mrs. Otti by the Federation of Muslim Women Association, in recognition of her commitment to inclusivity and non-discrimination in her efforts to uplift the lives of all women in the state.

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