Following strategic talks between the Chairman , Board of Trustees, of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, and a delegation from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, interventions targeted at improving the welfare and livelihoods of vulnerable persons across Akwa Ibom State are in the offing.

Receiving the delegation of Management staff of the NDDC in Uyo, led by the Akwa Ibom State representative on the Governing Board of the NDDC, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, Lady Helen Eno Obareki said the growing interest from individuals, organisations and development partners to collaborate with the office of the First Lady and GIFA, serves as a strong indication that programmes carried are making meaningful impact across the state.

Describing the NDDC’s willingness to partner with the Office of the First Lady as “heartwarming,” Lady Helen Obareki said the Commission’s recognition of the work carried out by the office and GIFA, was encouraging, reassuring, and a source of motivation, expressing optimism that future engagements would yield impactful programmes capable of reaching more vulnerable residents.

The coordinator attributed the successes recorded by the Office of the First Lady to the unwavering support of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, whom she said has provided an enabling environment for the office to effectively complement his administration’s people-centred programmes, explaining that the activities of her office are driven by a commitment to sustain the vision and legacy of the First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, through the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), which focuses on improving the lives of the less privileged and vulnerable members of society.
“Our doors are always open, and this certainly will not be our last conversation. We look forward to many collaborations with the NDDC as we continue to make meaningful impact in the lives of the most vulnerable,” she said.

Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State representative on the Governing Board of the NDDC, Apostle AbasiAndikan Nkono, commended Lady Obareki for her dedication and commitment to initiatives that continue to improve the lives of the people, explaining that the visit was driven by the Commission’s desire to collaborate with the Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, and the Office of the First Lady to further expand the reach of developmental programmes across Akwa Ibom State.

Apostle Nkono who expressed delight that the activities and programmes of the Office of the First Lady and GIFA aligns with the vision and mandate of the NDDC, described the proposed partnership as timely and beneficial to the people of Akwa Ibom State, considering the fact that the NDDC has continued to implement impactful programmes across the nine Niger Delta states, with focus on human capital development, environmental restoration, youth empowerment, skills acquisition, education, and other people-centred interventions.

He highlighted some of the Commission’s educational interventions to include the NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme, through which beneficiaries receive scholarships worth 40,000 US dollars, as well as the expansion of its local scholarship programme with grants of up to ₦5 million for eligible scholars.