By Udeme Hosea

The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, recently led a delegation to Esa Ndidia, an indigenous restaurant in Uyo, as it marked its first anniversary. The visit to the growing center run by Blessing Gabriel Emah, whose focus on a Akwa Ibom cuisine has earned her outstanding customers within one year of operation.

Speaking at the visit, Lady Obareki described Esa Ndidia as a business “big on culture” that is deliberately showcasing the rich heritage of the state through food. She sampled a range of local delicacies including ekpang nkukwo, afang soup, ndek iyak, okra soup and isiewu. “We came here, ate some very delicious indigenous delicacies. All sorts, You name it, were served and everything was truly, truly delicious,” she said.

The Coordinator noted that Emah, “a daughter of the soil” and beneficiary of the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development (Ibom L.E.D) training under Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, had taken the initiative to establish “a place as beautiful as this to showcase the true heritage and culture of Akwa Ibom State.”

Commending the founder’s resilience, creativity and dedication, Lady Obareki said small and medium-scale enterprises like Esa Ndidia are critical to driving economic growth and empowering women.

She also identified Emah as “a true example of what the ARISE Agenda is about,” adding that the visit was to encourage her and to signal government visibility for young business owners. “We came with my team, with friends and family to support her, and to show her that we see her and this is what we encourage,” she said.

The Coordinator urged youths, particularly women, to take inspiration from such ventures, stressing that consistency, passion and institutional backing can transform small ideas into impactful businesses. “You can do something with your hands. The government supports you. We have systems in place. If you have a dream, we are here to hold your hand while you achieve it,” she stated.

She applauded Esa ndidia for doing her part in putting Akwa Ibom on the map, reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the First Lady, through the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), to continue promoting women-led businesses across the state.

Appreciating the Lady Obareki , the founder of
Esa Ndidia, Blessing
Emah expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a morale booster to sustain quality and growth.

The Coordinator was accompanied by members of the First Family and staff of the Office of the First Lady, including protocol personnel Mrs. Mercy Peters, who marked her birthday on June 8.