Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has pledged his commitment to ensuring the optimum success of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a pet project of his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
The Governor was among several dignitaries at an event to mark the official launch of the pet project and the 57th birthday celebration of Pastor Mrs Patience, at Ibom Hall, Uyo.
Governor Eno paid glowing tributes to the Akwa Ibom First Lady, lauding her ingenuity in the humanitarian gestures from her local community and church for which, he presumed, God has granted her a bigger platform to be a blessing to the larger collective Akwa Ibom families.
He spoke of the initiative as incredible and a reflection of the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of Akwa Ibom citizens, with thematic components intended to empower and support all members of the community.
“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. 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 fulfil this lifelong ambition of touching lives,” he added.
Addressing issues of the harsh economic situation currently plaguing Nigerians, the governor used the occasion to appeal to everyone across facets of the society to take advantage of the rich soil the State is blessed with to support programmes that will produce food to sustain families.
He directed the State Ministry of Agriculture to take further measures towards attaining food sufficiency, expressing the confidence that the bulk-purchasing programme of the State government which is receiving urgent attention from the House of Assembly, will boost food security.
Performing the official unveiling of the GIFA emblem and launch of the pet project, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno expressed gratitude to the Governor 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.
Expatiating on the thematic components of the GIFA project, the Governor’s wife said the project will capture maternal and child health, improve the environment, healthcare for people living with disabilities, gender-based violence elimination, women empowerment, fight against diseases, enhance literacy and care for the elderly.
The State First Lady thanked the various organizations and individuals, particularly her fellow governors’ spouses for supporting her vision to come to the limelight.
On her part, the wife of the immediate past governor, Dr (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel congratulated the incumbent Mrs Eno on her birthday and the courage to launch the pet project which, she affirmed was all-encompassing as it would complement the efforts of the governor and further provide support to families, especially for those that may not easily be reached by the governor.
On their parts, wives of Lagos and Ogun State Governors, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, in their 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 Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The Governor later hosted the guests to a colourful gala night at the Banquet Hall of Government House. (Tribune)