Abia First Lady, Mrs. Pricilla Otti, (first from right), Miss Amarachi Okpokiri, and other dignitaries during the visit
In a compassionate show of support, wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, paid a visit to Mrs. Amarachi Okpokiri, a survivor of a brutal assault by her husband, who allegedly attacked her in a ritual-motivated attempt to gouge out her eyes.
The attack left Amarachi with severe machete wounds, sparking public outrage. The visit took place at the Traditional Ruler of Emede Ancient Kingdom palace, HRM Eze Allen Okpokiri, Amarachi’s uncle, where Mrs. Otti expressed deep gratitude to God for the miraculous recovery of Amarachi’s eyesight.
In her remarks, Mrs. Otti noted that this was her second visit, aimed at assessing Amarachi’s condition and exploring further avenues to assist her in rebuilding her life. She reassured the family that the Abia State Government remains committed to helping Amarachi find sustainable means of livelihood and pledged support to enable her to start a business.
Mrs. Otti assured that the perpetrators of this violent act are facing the full wrath of the law, reinforcing the government’s zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
“Justice will be served, and no such crime will go unpunished under this administration,” she said.
Continuing her address, the First Lady emphasised that the Abia State Government is taking stronger steps to combat gender-based violence and revealed that the committee responsible for protecting vulnerable groups is being reinforced, with a renewed focus on ensuring swift justice for perpetrators.
“Abia State will be a hostile environment for anyone involved in gender-based violence, particularly against women and children,” she declared, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens.
She outlined several strategies in the fight against gender-based violence, including increased public awareness campaigns, establishment of more safe houses for victims, and provision of legal and psychological support for survivors.
She also stressed the importance of community engagement, urging traditional leaders, local authorities, and civil society organizations to work together in reporting cases and preventing abuse at the grassroots level.
First Lady, Mrs Pricilla Otti (right), and the ritual attack victim, Amarachi Okpokiri
Additionally, she disclosed that efforts to train law enforcement officers to handle such cases with sensitivity and urgency are being prioritized to ensure justice is served promptly. Mrs. Otti urged the Traditional Ruler HRM Eze Allen Okpokiri of Emede Ancient Kingdom to take a proactive stance and use his influence to ensure that such issues are eradicated, reinstating the government’s call for community leaders to play a key role in curbing these incidents at the grassroots level.
In a heartfelt response, the victim, Miss Amarachi Okpokiri, expressed immense gratitude to Mrs. Otti for her continued all-around care and intervention and recalled how the First Lady ensured her medical bills were covered, constantly monitored her recovery, and personally visited to check on her progress.
“You have been my pillar of support. May God continue to bless and guide you,” Amarachi said with tears of gratitude.
In their separate remarks, Dr. Mrs. Betty Obasi, Administrator Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau (IHMB), the Honourable Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, Special Assistant on Women Mobilization, Mrs. Chinwe Kanu, and the Special Assistant on Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinwe Onyeukwu expressed their gratitude to the wife of the Governor for her unwavering support for victims of gender-based violence.
They commended her commitment to championing the rights of the vulnerable, particularly her timely interventions and sustained care for those affected. In his speech, the Edeukwu II of Emede Ancient Kingdom, HRM Eze Allen Okpokiri, extended his heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Otti, highlighting that her visit was a testament to the compassionate leadership in Abia State.
“Your actions today demonstrate that the right government is in power.The righteous are in leadership, and it is evident through your commitment to justice, compassion, and service. The people are rejoicing because they see the care and dedication you bring,” he said.
