By Udeme Boniface Hosea

Thursday, September 10, was a rainy day in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. But the early downpour did not deter about 300 beneficiaries of The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), in partnership with Fidelity Bank Plc, from trooping into the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, venue of the empowerment programme.

The humanitarian programme brought together select women from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state to the city center to partake in the dividends of the ARISE Agenda.

At the event, 50 beneficiaries received sewing machines, 50 got grinding machines, many were presented with Point-of-Sale (POS) machines alongside business tools, while 80 others received cash grants. Fidelity Bank also donated 500 bags of food items under its Fidelity Food Bank. In total, N25 million financial support was provided, with another phase of 50 sewing machines and 50 grinders underway for the remaining beneficiaries.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman, Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, said the gesture is a way of giving back to the women and GIFA’s commitment to lifting women out of poverty through practical support.

She advised the beneficiaries of the cash grants, business tools to enable them to start, sustain, expand their enterprises to make good use of the business tools.

Lady Helen added that GIFA has consistently taken empowerment beyond government offices and into communities, ensuring that support gets to those who need it most.

She noted that with this latest batch, the number of persons who have benefited from GIFA’s Women Empowerment programmes has now climbed to about 20,000 in the ‘enhancing literacy, Learning’ and recorded more than 10,000 Maternal and Child Healthcare interventions in the state.

According to her, the goal is to equip women with tools that will help them grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, said the bank was delighted to partner with GIFA and described the gesture as a demonstration of confidence in the capacity of women to transform their lives.
“Empowerment is about providing people with the tools and capital needed to turn potential into possibilities and ultimately prosperity,” Mrs. Shodipo said.

She commended Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno PhD, for his commitment to empowerment through the ARISE Agenda and urged beneficiaries to see the support not as charity but as a vote of confidence in their ability.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Naomi Emmanuel appreciated GIFA and Fidelity Bank for the gesture and promised to make good use of the empowerment kits and impact positively on others around her.

Other beneficiaries who did not want their names in print pledged to provide free training to other women in their locality as a mark of appreciation.