The wife of the Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, has called on Abians living in the diaspora to become active partners in the ongoing transformation of the state, stressing that its future depends on the combined efforts of citizens both at home and abroad.

She made the appeal on Saturday during an Abia Town Hall Meeting organised by the Women’s Wing of the Abia State Town Union at Abati Barracks, Ojuelegba, Lagos.

Among those present at the event were the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu; the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti, Agbonma Ukaobasi; and other government officials.

Speaking at the gathering, Mrs Otti described the meeting as a platform for discussing the collective future of Abians and urged those residing outside the state to contribute meaningfully to its progress.

“This gathering is a conversation about our shared future,” she said, adding that regardless of where Abians reside, their connection to the state remains strong.

She noted that women remain one of Abia’s greatest strengths and possess the capacity to drive development across various sectors.

The governor’s wife highlighted the administration’s efforts in improving infrastructure, strengthening security, enhancing education and healthcare services, empowering women and youths, and creating a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

According to her, the progress recorded so far is only the beginning of a broader development agenda being pursued by the state government.

“Our performing governor is intentional about development in Abia. As he would always say, he’s just starting. He has a lot of great plans for Abia State, and he’s always saying that you haven’t seen anything yet,” she stated.

Mrs Otti, however, emphasised that sustainable development cannot be achieved by government alone. She called for stronger cooperation between residents and Abians living in other parts of Nigeria and across the world.

“Meaningful progress requires partnership. Governments cannot do it alone. Today presents an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, identify investment opportunities, and explore practical ways Abians in Lagos can contribute to the growth and prosperity of our beloved state,” she said.

She also encouraged women to take leading roles in the development process, describing them as key drivers of societal advancement.

“Women are not merely participants in development; they are catalysts for development. When a woman succeeds, a family rises. When families thrive, communities prosper,” she said.

The governor’s wife further urged citizens to participate actively in the democratic process by registering to vote, obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards, and engaging peacefully in future elections.

She maintained that the destiny of Abia would be shaped not only by those living within the state but also by the dedication and contributions of Abians across Nigeria and in the diaspora.

“The future of Abia will never be determined solely by those at home. It will also be shaped by the commitment, vision, and sacrifices of Abians in Lagos, across Nigeria, and indeed in the diaspora all over the world,” she said.

Mrs Otti concluded by encouraging stronger connections between Abians abroad and those at home through investments, knowledge-sharing, and community-focused initiatives.

“Let us build stronger bridges between the diaspora and home. Let us invest not only our resources but also our ideas and expertise,” she added.