‘Never accept no for an answer’, Otti fires up women at WODDI Summit

…urges Nigerians to ‘push until something happens’

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Saturday, electrified participants at the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative,WODDI Summit in Abuja with a powerful message of resilience, courage and self-empowerment, urging women and young Nigerians to remain relentless in pursuit of their dreams.

Speaking at the high-profile summit themed:”PUSH— Position Until Something Happens, Otti declared that success belongs to those who persist despite obstacles, rejection and societal limitations.

“Never accept no for an answer. If you try and fail, try again. If one door closes, go elsewhere. Push — and you will win,” the governor charged to thunderous applause.

The summit, organised by the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative founded by Dr. Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, drew prominent personalities, women leaders, youths and professionals from across Nigeria and beyond.

Otti, who featured as Guest of Honour at the event,stressed that education, strategic positioning and continuous learning remain indispensable tools for personal transformation and national development.

“Any day you stop learning, then you are dead,” he said, urging participants to cultivate a strong reading culture and embrace mentorship as pathways to greatness.

According to him, genuine empowerment must move beyond handouts to equipping people with sustainable skills and opportunities.

“It is not just about giving people fish to eat. It is about teaching them how to fish and empowering them to sustain themselves,” Otti stated.

The governor lamented that many women grow up burdened by negative societal narratives that limit their aspirations and confidence.

“The greatest barriers are often the words people grow up hearing , that they are nothing, that they cannot amount to anything. Those limitations must be broken,” he declared.

He further called on privileged Nigerians to intentionally uplift vulnerable groups, especially children and women, insisting that even little support can change lives permanently.

“If all you have is little, it is still enough to change somebody’s life. Help a child, support education, show people the way, and you will watch them rise and soar,” he added.

Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, also delivered an emotional tribute to his wife and WODDI convener, Dr. Nneoma Okorocha, praising her passion for humanitarian service and women empowerment.

In a dramatic and humorous address that drew laughter and applause, Okorocha urged husbands to support their wives’ dreams and aspirations, saying many homes fail because men do not understand their spouses.

“Husbands, take time to study your wives. When I began to support my wife’s vision, our home became happier,” he said.

Using the summit’s theme to drive his point home, the former governor said every successful life requires persistence and determination.

“Pushing means something is obstructing you, but you force your way through until you achieve your goal. Women, there is something inside you. Don’t let it die. Push beyond limits,” he charged.

Okorocha further pledged unwavering support for his wife’s vision, while emotionally expressing his admiration for her commitment to humanity and community development.

In her remarks, the convener, Dr. Nneoma Okorocha, described the summit as a movement dedicated to restoring hope, confidence and purpose in women, families and young people across Africa.

She said the PUSH initiative was a call for women to remain steadfast in faith, leadership and service until transformation occurs.

“Push means remain in position until something happens , not until it is convenient, not until everyone understands you, but until purpose is fulfilled,” she declared.

The WODDI founder urged women never to see themselves as failures or insignificant, insisting that greatness often emerges from seasons of struggle and perseverance.

“You are not too late. You are not ordinary. There is something inside you the world has not yet seen,” she said.

The summit featured sessions on family life, emotional intelligence, health, leadership, mentorship and women development, with participants describing the gathering as inspiring and transformational.

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