Abia State Government has said over N1.2 billion has been spent to support vulnerable citizens across the State between January and August 2026.

The benefiting vulnerable citizens, according to the commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, have received assistance ranging from life-saving medical treatment, housing support for persons living with disabilities, emergency accommodation for disaster victims and educational assistance for indigent students.

Prince Kanu, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to compassionate governance and social protection, said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has continued to implement the state’s social protection framework by identifying, assessing and coordinating urgent medical and humanitarian assistance for vulnerable residents.

He revealed that Governor Otti recently approved N384.7 million for 19 vulnerable beneficiaries to cater for life-saving medical interventions, emergency housing assistance, rehabilitation and educational support.

“His Excellency has continued to demonstrate the compassionate disposition of his administration by approving support for vulnerable citizens requiring urgent medical, humanitarian and housing interventions,” Prince Kanu stated, adding that routine monitoring and follow-up visits carried out by the Ministry ensured accountability in the utilisation of government assistance, leading to the recovery and repatriation of N20.9 million in unused funds from two beneficiaries one of whom sadly passed before help could come and the other whose medical bills had already been settled before government intervention.

Kanu also announced that government would fully participate in the 2026 Widows’ Day, ‘Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows,’ designed to provide direct economic support to vulnerable widows, strengthen household resilience, promote dignity, inclusion and economic participation while advancing the state’s social protection objectives.

“Over 600 indigent widows will receive special business support grants from the Wife of the Governor as part of activities marking this year’s celebration,” he disclosed.

The commissioner also announced participation in the World Elders’ Abuse Awareness Day, “Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work,” to strengthen efforts to combat gender-based violence.

He also disclosed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre, recorded 11 cases of sexual and gender-based violence between July and August 2026, where all survivors received comprehensive medical, psychosocial, legal and referral services, while six suspects were arrested and four prosecuted.

He assured that government will not relent in ensuring that perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence are brought to justice, even as announced that the Ministry of Women Affairs has released the Project Implementation Report on the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP), a World Bank-assisted initiative aimed at improving women’s livelihoods.

He explained that following the successful pilot phase, Abia joined the programme’s scale-up phase in November 2025, with Governor Alex Otti approving and paying the state’s 450 million Naira counterpart fund. He said that in addition to the pilot LGAs of Ohafia, Isiala Ngwa North and Obingwa,

“The programme has now expanded to six participating local government areas, namely Isiala Ngwa South, Ugwunagbo, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano and Ukwa West, while the number of women’s affinity groups in the state has increased from 3,000 to 6,000.

Prince Kanu encouraged women in the benefiting local government areas to participate actively in the programs implementation unit to maximise its opportunities.

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