By Hassan Hussain
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged women across Nigeria and Africa to remain resilient, focused, and determined in pursuing their aspirations, stressing that success comes to those who refuse to give up despite setbacks.
Governor Otti made the call at the 2026 WODDI Inspiring Women Summit held in Abuja, where he was one of the special guests.
The governor commended the convener of the summit for creating a platform that empowers women through knowledge, mentorship, and capacity building rather than mere handouts.
He noted that true empowerment goes beyond providing temporary assistance, emphasizing that sustainable development is achieved when individuals are equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed on their own.
Governor Otti said the summit’s theme, “PUSH – Position Until Something Happens,” highlights the need for individuals to clearly define their goals and continually adapt to changing circumstances while working toward them.
According to him, positioning should not be viewed as remaining static but as a continuous process of repositioning and adjusting strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
The Abia State governor also underscored the importance of lifelong learning, saying no individual can know everything and that the continuous acquisition of knowledge remains essential for personal and professional growth.
He praised the summit’s expansion across 25 African countries and all 36 states of the federation, describing it as a remarkable achievement in promoting women’s development and leadership.
Governor Otti further lauded the presentation of three books at the event and encouraged participants to cultivate a reading culture. He observed that reading remains a vital tool for personal development, noting that those who choose not to read have no advantage over those who cannot read.
Drawing from his personal political journey, Governor Otti encouraged women never to abandon their dreams, regardless of the challenges or disappointments they encounter.
He recalled contesting elections in 2015 and 2019 and eventually emerging victorious in 2023, despite repeated calls from some quarters to give up.
The governor maintained that persistence, determination, and unwavering belief in one’s vision are critical ingredients for success.
He therefore charged women to remain steadfast, reject discouragement, and continue striving toward their goals, assuring them that perseverance often paves the way for eventual triumph.
“Never ever give up. Hold on to your dreams and keep pushing until success comes,” Governor Otti said.
The wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, commended the Chief Executive Officer of the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), Dr. Zinariya Rochas Okorocha, for expanding the organisation’s activities beyond Nigeria into 25 African countries in pursuit of women’s empowerment, leadership development, and social transformation across the continent.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr. Salma Anas, Mrs. Shettima urged women leaders and development advocates to emulate WODDI’s vision by investing in programmes that strengthen women, families, and communities across Africa.
Speaking at the unveiling of WODDI’s representatives from 25 African countries and the launch of the organisation’s digital app, she noted that what started with coordinators and deputy coordinators across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had evolved into a continental movement.
She described the expansion as a reflection of commitment, vision, and determination to help women across Africa discover their purpose, voice, and influence.
“In every generation, there are women who rise beyond past successes to become instruments of hope and transformation for the future,” Dr. Anas quoted Mrs. Shettima as saying.
She added that WODDI’s theme, “Positioning Until Something Happens,” underscores the need for women to equip themselves with knowledge, skills, and competence in preparation for leadership opportunities. According to her, opportunities are earned through value, preparation, and capacity, not entitlement.
Mrs. Shettima also praised the newly launched WODDI app, describing it as a strategic platform for leadership development, financial empowerment, emotional wellbeing, mentorship, and networking.
“The purpose of this app is for us to learn, help, and grow. While you are learning, you are also growing,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, said women must deliberately prepare themselves for leadership through self-development and resilience.
“For women to achieve greatness, there must be preparation. In whatever field you are in, you must develop yourself. You must train yourself and retrain,” she said.
The Gambian High Commissioner, Musa Njie, urged governments and institutions to move beyond rhetoric to practical empowerment initiatives.
“True empowerment requires more than just inspiring speeches. It must result in concrete actions,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Pastor Ashimolowo urged women to cultivate vision, compassion, continuous learning, resilience, and the ability to reinvent themselves.
“The world does not recognize faces. It recognizes value,” he said.
In his contribution, former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha encouraged women to remain persistent despite obstacles.
“Pushing means something is obstructing you, something doesn’t want you to get to where you want to go,” he said.
“There’s something in you. Don’t let it die. Push, as you have always pushed.”
In her welcome address, the founder of Women of Dignity Development Initiative (WODDI), Her Excellency Zanaria Nkechi Okorocha, called on women across Africa to remain steadfast in pursuing their purpose despite life’s challenges.
Mrs. Okorocha said the event’s theme, “Push Your Position Until Something Happens,” was not merely a slogan but a message of hope and renewal for women facing difficult circumstances.
She noted that many women do not necessarily need loud voices of encouragement, but safe spaces where they can heal, regain strength, and rediscover their God-given potential.
According to her, every woman should be reminded that her story is not over, her pain is not the end of her purpose, and the gifts God has placed within her remain alive.
Mrs. Okorocha explained that for the past 17 years, WODDI has remained committed to supporting women, families, children, young people, and communities through service and compassion.
She said the organisation’s greatest achievement is not its name or recognition, but the lives transformed through its interventions.
“The real testimony is a woman who finds strength again, a mother who finds courage again, a widow who smiles again, a young girl who believes again, a family that receives hope again, and a community and nation that sees light again,” she stated.
The WODDI founder added that the event would feature activities focused on identity, service, learning, and legacy, including the unveiling of books designed to inspire and empower individuals to begin anew.
Mrs. Okorocha also announced the commissioning of more than 25 country representatives and their deputies across Africa, alongside Nigerian state coordinators and their assistants
She described the appointments as more than an organisational structure, stressing that they represent a call to service and responsibility.
“Leadership is not a title; leadership is responsibility,” she emphasized.
Wife of a former Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, and other speakers at the summit urged women to build capacity, remain resilient, and push beyond limitations in leadership, business, and national development.
The summit brought together 18 former first ladies, women leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across Africa to discuss leadership, empowerment, and development. It also featured the unveiling of the WODDI Institute app, WODDI country representatives, and three books authored by the convener.
