COVID-19: Onofiok Luke Empowers Women with N7. 5M:
Succour came the way of 350 women from Etinan Federal Constituency as they benefited from 7.5 million naira post Covid-19 Support fund, aimed at revitalising their businesses and economic ventures from the scourge of coronavirus pandemic.
Wife of the member representing Etinan Federal Constituency, Dr (Mrs) Uduak Onofiok Luke, made the cash donations to the beneficiaries at the women empowerment event held in the premises of Nsit Ibom Local Government Council Secretariat today, Saturday 15th August.
At the event, at least 350 women carefully selected from rural communities across Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom Local Government Areas that make up Etinan Federal Constituency smiled home with either twenty thousand (20,000) naira or fifty thousand (50,000) naira depending on their categories.
In her remarks at the event, Dr Luke intimated that the gesture became necessary in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s effort to ameliorate the harsh consequences of the post Covid-19 pandemic in the economy and economic lives of people in the state.
“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 7.5 million Naira for about 350 entrepreneurial women in Etinan Federal Constituency”.
“I have decided to provide this post COVID-19 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 among 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”
In their reactions, 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 and others extended appreciation to Dr Uduak for remembering the women of the federal constituency, poured encomiums on the host for not forgetting the women whom they said, worked hard for the election of the House of Reps member.
They prayed Gods reward, blessings and endless favour on Mrs. Onofiok Luke.
Responding, Mrs Iboro Akpan one of the beneficiaries, thanked the donor for the gesture and promised to make the best use of the empowerment.
Also at the event were 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.
Highpoint of the event was the roll call of beneficiaries and presentation of the cash gift by Dr. Mrs. Onofiok LUKE.
