By BANNERNEWS Reporter
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced plans to mark the first anniversary of his late wife, Mrs Patience Umo Eno, with the execution of 369 water projects across the state’s wards.
The projects, to be implemented through the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) — the pet programme founded by the late First Lady — will be carried out in partnership with the Akwa Ibom Rural Water Agency within one year.
The governor made the disclosure in Uyo during activities marking his wife’s 59th posthumous birthday and the second anniversary of GIFA. He said the initiative would immortalise the ideals of compassion and service she stood for.
Eno directed the Commissioner for Water and Sanitation to immediately commence action on the scheme, stressing that every ward in the state would benefit.
“We will partner with GIFA to ensure that within the next one year, every ward in every local government has a GIFA water project. The 369 wards of Akwa Ibom will benefit,” he stated, adding that his administration remains committed to social investment and compassionate governance.
Highlighting GIFA’s two-year scorecard, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman, Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, said the initiative had impacted 53,987 lives across the state.
She disclosed that 9,776 mothers and children benefited under its Maternal and Child Healthcare programme, while 19,587 adults and public school pupils were reached through literacy interventions. Thirteen “Water of Life” borehole projects have also been completed in 13 local government areas.
Obareki added that 5,064 women were empowered economically; 4,900 rural women and children benefitted from the Wheels of Hope Medical Outreach; and 10,800 senior citizens received support. In addition, 160 persons with disabilities were given sustained assistance, while 1,020 survivors of gender-based violence were rehabilitated.
Looking ahead, she said GIFA would launch a technology-driven empowerment programme in its third year, targeting 500 market women annually for training in software development, data analytics and digital innovation, alongside mentorship and internship opportunities to prepare them for the state’s emerging digital economy.
