February 21, (THEWILL) – Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has identified eight thematic areas of focus for her pet project, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), targeted at enhancing the lives of men, women, children, youths and vulnerable persons in the society.
The First Lady disclosed this on Tuesday while unveiling the project at Ibom Hall, IBB Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor’s wife listed the focus areas to include Maternal and child healthcare; Enhancing literacy and learning; Improving environmental health; Women empowerment, Fight against disease; Care for elderly; Care for persons living with disabilities, and Gender-based Violence prevention and response.
“Born out of sheer compassionate yearning, GIFA is poised to address specific needs for all members of the family. GIFA envisions a society with happy, healthy, educated, successful and sustainable families devoid of vulnerabilities,” she said.
While thanking individuals and organisations who have partnered with her, Pastor Patience Eno called on other relevant bodies to join her in advancing the vision of supporting families in the state.
She further explained that there are three categories of partnership for the project: Gold, Silver and Bronze, urging interested persons and bodies to contact the Economic Adviser to the Governor and GIFA Chief Consultant, Dr. Uduakobong Inam, for details on how to become a partner.
Speaking at the event to mark the official launch of the pet project and the 57th birthday of his wife, Patience, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno poured encomiums on the First Lady and applauded her humanitarian disposition over the years, noting that the GIFA platform will make her a blessing to a larger group of people and families.
He described the initiative as beautiful and a reflection of Pastor Patience Eno’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of Akwa Ibom citizens, with thematic components intended to salvage humanity, pledging his support to the ideals of GIFA.
In his words, “I want to say that I am incredibly proud of your dedication and compassion. Your drive to make a difference shines through in every aspect of GIFA, and I am confident that this programme will leave a lasting impact on countless lives in this life and beyond. You have been true to yourself. You have been an incredible wife and mother; our children and I are really proud of you.”
Welcoming guests to the event, the Economic Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr. Uduakobong Inam, said the ‘Golden Initiative for All’ is a sustainability platform that will pilot human and capacity development in the state.
Dr. Inam re-echoed that the project is poised to improve the well-being of families, women, men, children, youths and the elderly through life-impacting programmes.
In their separate goodwill messages, the wife of the Immediate past Governor, Dr. Martha Udom; wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Claudiana Sanwu-Olu; wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Mariam Ogunwusi; Yeyesorun of Igbara-Oke, Ondo State, Olori Mary Tinuade, and Director General of Government, Assam Assam SAN, among others applauded Pastor Patience Eno for her vision and commitment in improving the lives of the people of Akwa Ibom State through the GIFA, noting that the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which they believe will provide a more equitable society and opportunities for everyone in the family to thrive.
The initiative, they said, complements the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, whom they applauded for creating and sustaining a serene and enabling environment in the state.
The event drew a large number of personalities, including government functionaries, service commanders, captains of industries, donor agencies, socio-political groups, stakeholders, and Women Groups among others, who made generous donations to the Governor’s wife’s project.
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