Akwa Ibom: How GIFA Impacted 53,987 Lives In Two Years

….As Tributes Pour On The Visioner

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Across the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom State, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a-one for all Non-Governmental Organisation, has become a household name in the state two years after it was visionary.

Birthed from the noble vision of the late First Lady of the State, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, GIFA was established to touch lives and make positive difference in the lives of underprivileged families in the state.

Though the visioner, Mrs Umo Eno died few months after establishing GIFA, its ideal which has eight thematic areas did not die with her.

These thematic areas are maternal and child health care, enhancement of literacy and learning, environmental health improvement, women empowerment, disease prevention, elderly care, disability support and Gender-Based Violence prevention and response.

Two years on, through collective efforts and purposeful leadership, GIFA has improved the well-being of countless individuals while inspiring a renewed sense of communal responsibility and social consciousness across the state.

At the 2nd anniversary celebration of GIFA, the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki listed out the scorecard of achievements within two years.

Obareki, who is the first daughter of the Governor said in Uyo on Friday, in her address marking the celebration that GIFA’s projects total 53,987 across the state, indicating undeniable testimonies of impact.

According to her, these impacts cut across all the eight thematic areas of the programme, including maternal and child health care, enhancement of literacy and learning, environmental health improvement, women empowerment, disease prevention, elderly care, disability support and Gender-Based Violence prevention and response.

“To put it briefly, a total of 53,987 lives have been touched and impacted by GIFA across Akwa Ibom State in the last two years.

“The breakdown is as follows: Maternal and Child Healthcare – 9,776 mothers and children reached; Enhancing Literacy and Learning – 19,587 adults and pupils of public schools impacted; Improving Environmental Health – 13 Water of Life Projects boreholes completed in 13 LGAs; Women Empowerment – 5,064 women empowered.

“Fight Against Diseases – 4,900 rural women and children benefited from our Wheels of Hope Medical Outreach. Care for the Elderly – 10,800 senior citizens were supported by GIFA in two years. Care for Persons with Disabilities – dedicated and sustainable support was provided to 160 People With Disabilities (PWDs); Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response – 1,020 survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reached and rehabilitated by GIFA during the period under review.”

On the driving force, the GIFA Coordinator, who acknowledged her late mother’s vision behind the initiative declared: “my responsibility has been to build upon and sustain the legacy of our dear mother, Pastor Patience Umo Eno. I bear this responsibility with resolve and determination, because I am inspired by the grace of God and the tenacity not to let down my parents and the good people of Akwa Ibom State.

“Our firm commitment is to keep ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) become meaningful and impactful for the most vulnerable families in our state.”

Noting that more are still to be done in impacting more lives in the state, she said that GIFA would continue to support families with multiple births, equip zero-income earners with relevant skills, and empower more women through sustainable, multifaceted empowerment programmes. We will keep innovating, expanding our reach, and deepening our impact, while exploring new collaborations with the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

“As a Non-Governmental Organisation, GIFA thrives on goodwill, partnerships, and support. We therefore invite you to continue to join hands with us in strengthening families and empowering women and children. We cannot achieve these noble goals without your sustained partnership,” Lady Obareki urged the public.

Lady Obareki, however, paid glowing tributes to her late mother and founder of GIFA whom she praised as a woman of substance, a mother like no other, a virtuous wife, a true handmaid of humanity; a dedicated servant of God. Her father, Governor Umo Eno for continued support and goodwill.

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her inspiring motherly support and encouragement, and all GIFA partners at home and abroad for the cordial and mutually beneficial relationships that GIFA has enjoyed over the years.

Speaking on behalf of the wives of Governors in attendance, Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs.Priscilla Otti, commended the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki for the impact recorded by the pet project and assured of support and collaboration where necessary to achieve more.

In his speech, the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno reiterated government’s continued support to GIFA in order to immortalize the desire of the founder, his wife, Patience.

He directed the Ministry for Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Akwa Ibom State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, (AKRUWATSAN), to partner GIFA in ensuring that a functional water borehole is established in each of the 369 Wards of the state within one year.

He said, “We would agree that GIFA has done exceptionally and exceedingly well. So, a job well done means more job to be done. As a Government, and to immortalize the desire of my dear wife, H.E. Pastor ( Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, we will partner GIFA to ensure adequate water supply in all the 369 wards of the state.

The Governor commended the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman of GIFA, Noble Lady Helen Obareki for her commitment in advancing the vision of her mother saying, “I am happy to note that this Initiative is living up to the foundational ideals and objectives of its founding. You have kept faith with the implementation of the eight thematic areas and the record of achievements so far recorded as attested to by the statistics and the impact you have just reeled off.

Governor Eno used the opportunity to also appreciate the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for the mentorship and guidance extended to the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, and also congratulated her on her award as the Leadership Newspaper “Person of the Year” 2026.

He also appreciated the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum, especially the wives of the Governors of Abia, Plateau and Edo States who were in attendance, for the love shown; the GIFA partners for their faith and steadfast support, and the people of Akwa Ibom State for their prayers and support.

The GIFA second anniversary, which coincided with the posthumous birthday of the departed First Lady, featured anniversary lecture by Amb. Mfon Ekpo, Chief Executive Officer, the Discovery Center/Founding Partner & Executive Director, Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, testimonies of the impact of the organisation within the last two years, cultural dance, and presentation of awards to winners of different events.

The celebration attracted people of noble minds, including lawmakers, cabinet members of the state government and captains of industries.