Governor Alex Otti says his administration will approve the building of monuments in honour of the heroines of the 1929 Aba women’s uprising.
Mr Otti disclosed this on Wednesday during the burial ceremony of Chiamaka Joyce Ibekwe, wife of the lawmaker representing Bende North state sonstituency, Nnamdi Ibekwe, in Igbere, Bende council area.
The governor said that the honour would be done to the heroic women in recognition of their contributions to the society and history.
He said that such recognition would serve as encouragement to women who contributed immensely to societal growth.
“I want to thank the honourable member for the request he made here because the request was not about him and it was not even about Chiamaka, it was about Abia women from inception.
“Our women have always been great women. If you do not know, then you do not know history. We have come to the level where somehow, either knowingly or unknowingly, we have refused to give women their due recognition.
“I want to assure you that it is not only going to be considered, but it is going to be approved,” Mr Otti said.
Mr Otti added that the gesture would encourage women who toiled day and night to sustain homes, businesses and the wider society.
According to him, women remain central to food production, children’s education and economic stability, and must be accorded due recognition.
The governor also lamented the absence of female lawmakers in the State House of Assembly and used the occasion to advocate greater inclusion of women in governance.
Mr Otti described the deceased as a divine gift and urged mourners not to grieve like those without hope of resurrection, expressing confidence that she was in a better place.