*Targets all ages
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Mrs Patience Umo Eno has launched a pet-project code-named, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) with the focus to render humanitarian assistance to the people of the state.
The official launch of the project, which also conceded with the First Lady’s 57th birthday anniversary celebration on Tuesday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, attracted cream of personalities who graced the occasion.
Speaking on the project, Mrs. Eno said that the GIFA project would touch lives, address needs and renew hope for the hopeless in the state irrespective of the race.
Expatiating the thematic components of the GIFA project, the Governor’s wife said the project will capture maternal and child health, improve environment, healthcare for people living with disabilities, gender based violence elimination, women empowerment, fight against diseases, enhancing literacy and care for the elderly.
She expressed gratitude to the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, whom she affirmed, has been her greatest supporter in ensuring that the project which was borne out of her compassionate yearning to address specific needs in families, came to fruition.
The First Lady thanked various organisations and individuals, particularly her fellow governors’ wives, for supporting her vision to come to limelight.
Wife of the immediate past governor, Martha Udom Emmanuel, congratulated the incumbent First Lady on her birthday and for the courage to launch the pet project which, she affirmed, was all encompassing to complement the effort of the governor and further provide support to families, especially for those that may not easily be reached by the governor.
Wives of the Governor’s of Lagos and Ogun States, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Bamidele Abiodun, in their separate goodwill messages, congratulated Mrs. Eno for her giant strides in showing care to families in Akwa Ibom especially the women and young people, while also commending Governor Umo Eno’s gesture in furthering the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Tunibu
On his part, Governor Umo Eno, has pledged his commitment to ensuring optimum success of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a pet-project of his wife.
Governor Eno poured encomiums on his wife, lauded her consistent commitment to charitable causes in her local community and church, saying God has only granted her a bigger platform to be a blessing to the larger Akwa Ibom community.
He described GIFA as credible and a reflection of his wife’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of Akwa Ibom citizens, especially with thematic components intended to empower and support all members of the community.
In his words, “I want to say that I am very 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. You have been true to your name, you have been an incredible wife and mother and I am sure all of us and our children are really proud of you.
“On this day that we celebrate your 57th birthday, and the launch of your pet- project, I can assure you by the love of God that I will walk side by side with you, support you and do whatever I can to ensure that you fulfill this lifelong ambition of touching lives,” he added.
New Nigerian observed that the most personalities at the event, did not only give their goodwill messages but pledged thier cash donations to ensure the sustainability of the GIFA.
Other highlights at the event was the cutting of the birthday cake and video clips of programmes that the First Lady, Mrs Patience Umo Eno have impacted on the lives of the people in the last months with her husband as the Governor.
