350 women drawn from the three local government areas of Etinan, Nsit-Ibom and Nsit-Ubium, on Saturday smiled home with the sum of N7.5 Million post Covid19 business support fund from Dr. Mrs. Onofiok Luke, wife of the Federal Lawmaker representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke.
The cash is a business support fund for women of the federal constituency who are engaged in various businesses.
Distributing the cash to the women at Nsit-Ibom Council Secretariat field, Afaha-Offiong, Mrs. Luke said the gesture was in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s effort in cushioning the biting effect of the covid19 pandemic on the vulnerable one’s in the federal consistency.
“I have been greatly inspired by Her Excellency’s striking passion for building hope to the most vulnerable of our society and offering her strength for the weak especially through the Family Empowerment and Youth Re-Orientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP). The Covid-19 pandemic provided another opportunity for Her Excellency in support of the Governor through this initiative FEYREP to ameliorate the hardship caused by the breakout of the covid-19.
“I have nothing short of thanks for His Excellency, the captain of team Akwa Ibom, Governor Udom Emmanuel for His great Vision and leadership of the State both in the management of the Covid-19 cases and for reaching out to residents of the state who were seriously affected by the lockdown.
“I have been greatly inspired by Her Excellency’s striking passion for building hope to the most vulnerable of our society and offering her strength for the weak especially through the Family Empowerment and Youth Re-Orientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP). The Covid-19 pandemic provided another opportunity for Her Excellency in support of the Governor through this initiative FEYREP to ameliorate the hardship caused by the breakout of the covid-19”.
“Today, I am borrowing a leaf from Her Excellency’s drive, and in support of and to compliment the efforts of my husband, I am here to institute this support funding of 7.5million Naira for about 350 entrepreneurial women in Etinan Federal Constituency.
“I have decided to provide this post covid support funding for 350 women who are entrepreneurs and petty traders cutting across this federal constituency to help cushion the attendant economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“The outbreak of the Coronavirus has occasioned a very strong negative impact on individuals, families, countries and even the most organized economies of the world are scrambling for answers as the breakdown in the health and economic systems have been really manifest and it is for times like this that a little gift from a genuine heart of love would mean so much to someone. A smile given, time spent and resources parted with could give another a reason to live and hope again and it is in the realization of these challenges and with the earnest expectation that the women of Etinan Federal Constituency would not feel the great weight of the biting scourge of the Pandemic for we have been admonished by Jesus Christ in Luke 3:11 that he who hath two coats should impart to him that had none and he that hath meat should do likewise.
This time in our history demands a collaborative approach towards giving adequate support to the most vulnerable amongst us and it is my firm believe that this intervention will help boost the participation of our women in business and enable them invest in their small businesses which will in turn assist them to provide support for their families and communities at large”.
“I enlist the cooperation of other persons to support the good deeds of the first lady of Akwa Ibom State and His Excellency the Governor towards Making Akwa Ibom State a destination of choice as we focus on the completion Agenda while also asking for your prayers and Support for my Husband and your son, Honorable Onofiok Luke to continually be a representative you all are proud of.
Long Live the women of Etinan Federal”.
The empowerment exercise was witnessed by women leaders and stakeholders in the federal constituency, including wives of Council Chairmen, members of boards and commission, and aides to the Governor from the federal constituency.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Planning Committee, and wife of former Etinan Council Chairman, Mrs. Kenneth Isantim Okon, wife of Nsit-Ubium Council Chairman, Mrs. Nsikak Eric Akpan, wife of the Director General, Amazing Grace Campaign Organization, Mrs. Victoria Anietie Etuk, Wife of Lands and Town Planning Commissioner, Mrs. Mabel Ime Ekpo, and a former lawmaker, Dr. Sarah Esit-Ikot among others poured encomiums on the donor for remembering the women of the federal constituency, and prayed God to reward her effort.
Reacting, the beneficiaries thanked Dr. Mrs. Luke for the cash empowerment, and prayed God to bless the donor and her husband for putting smiles on their faces.
©Mfonobong Ukpong