Societies Can’t Flourish in Absence of Women’s Empowerment ~ Mrs Otti

Abia First Lady, Mrs Precilia Otti, has emphasised the need for leaders to dismantle barriers, create opportunities, and amplify women’s voices.
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‎The wife of the Governor of Abia State added that no society can attain full potential if half of the population is excluded from shaping its future.
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‎Delivering a keynote address at the International Women Leaders Conference 2026 in London, on “Leveraging Leadership as a Catalyst for Women Empowerment,” Mrs Otti stated that empowering women is no longer aspirational, but a necessity.
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‎According to her, the progress of a nation is totally linked to her women, stressing that when leaders ignore women, development suffers, reiterating that when women are empowered, societies flourish.
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‎”When women are empowered, it strengthens households, stabilises communities, and boosts national prosperity. It’s a strategic investment in development and not a favour to women,” she said.
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‎Mrs Otti also cited the political landscape of Nigeria where women, according to her, occupy only 15% of parliamentary seats, far below global benchmarks, adding that Abia under Governor Alex Otti, has taken concrete steps to increase women’s inclusion in governance, with 17 of 21 Permanent Secretaries being women.
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‎”During the event, I also emphasised that women’s representation in politics is groundbreaking, yet lacking. In Nigeria, women occupy only 15% of parliamentary seats, far below global benchmarks. The Reserved Seat Bill aims to address this. Abia State has taken steps to increase women’s inclusion in governance, with 17 of 21 Permanent Secretaries being women,” she said.
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‎She also called on leaders to protect women and girls from violence and ensure that empowerments are not just a concept, maintaining that the pursuit for women empowerment should be a shared responsibility.
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‎”Leadership must also protect women and girls from violence, ensuring empowerment isn’t just a concept. This pursuit for women empowerment is a shared responsibility. The next generation watches every move. Let’s widen the path for women, making it fairer and more accessible,” she added.
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‎In a post on her official X handle on Saturday, the Abia First Lady said the gathering brought together partners and advocates committed to advancing women’s cause.