National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Paulinus Nta, A’Ibom
Women from the 12 Local Government Areas in Eket Senatorial District were today recipients of a N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) cash gift each from the Wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
This cash distribution, in line with the women empowerment component of her pet project, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), aims to boost their businesses and sustain their means of livelihood.
At Royalty Hotels in Eket, the Governor’s Wife, represented by the President of the Eket Senatorial District Women Forum, Mrs. Idara Ephraim Akpan, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously by investing in their various businesses.
As she wished them success in their endeavours, Mrs. Akpan, who described Governor Umo Eno as gender-friendly, assured the women of continued government support, saying better days lie ahead for Akwa Ibom women under the current administration.
“We are so fortunate to have a mother who, during this time of severe economic hardship in Nigeria, understands what women are going through and has talked to her husband about the need to bring smiles to our faces.
“I believe the seed you receive today will germinate and grow. The Governor’s wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, recognises the need to give women financial support to aid their businesses. Today, our mother has decided to empower the women of Eket Senatorial District.”
An aide to the Governor’s Wife, Mrs. Anne Abraham, tasked the beneficiaries on resource management, reminding them that the only way to show appreciation for this benevolence is to invest the money wisely in productive ventures that would yield profits.
She cautioned them against using the funds for purposes other than business investment, disclosing that a monitoring team would visit their business premises to track their financial records and ascertain how the grants are utilised.
“We are investing in the prosperity and progress of the entire society because when you empower a woman, you empower the entire society.
“Her Excellency has shown tremendous support for this cause. Women empowerment is one of the thematic areas of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) and I advise all the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds.
“Don’t use your money to buy eyelashes or compete with anyone. Make sure you keep records. Without proper records, you won’t track progress or know if you’re making headway. Identify your potential areas and strengths.”
She urged the women to be business conscious by saving and investing wisely. While congratulating the beneficiaries in the first phase of the GIFA Women Cash Empowerment flag-off, Mrs. Abraham advised women in other Senatorial Districts to exercise patience and wait for their turn, assuring them that the empowerment would reach everyone.
Among those who delivered goodwill messages at the event were the Chairman of Eket Local Government Transition Committee, Rt. Hon. Akaniyene Tommy, represented by the Vice-Chairperson of the council, Hon. Comfort Okon, and the Wife of the Eastern Obolo Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Mrs. Glory Bill, who spoke on behalf of WALGON, Barr. Ann Eyo, and Obonganwan Mary Umana Ette, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Imaobong Markson thanked the Governor’s Wife for her benevolence and prayed for God to reward her for putting smiles on their faces. She pledged their readiness to make judicious use of the funds in growing their businesses.
In attendance at the event were female stakeholders in the Senatorial district, including wives of Local Government Chairmen, the Executive Chairman of the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation Commission (EARCOM), Dr. Dorothy Thompson, officials of the Eket Senatorial District Women Forum, members of the GIFA team, as well as aides and staff of the office of the Wife of the Governor.
