40th birthday: Uduak Luke doles out N 1.5 million scholarship to NAWOJ, FIDA, NES
By Itoro Bassey
In celebration of her 40th birthday, Dr (Mrs.) Uduak Onofiok Luke, on Wednesday, continued her humanitarian services by donating N500,000 to the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Akwa Ibom State Council.
Uduak, who is the wife of the member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium federal constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, also donated N500,000 each to the International Federation of Women Laywers (FIDA) and the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) Akwa Ibom State,
Similarly, the federal lawmaker’s wife announced a five-year university scholarship programme for the best graduating student of her alma mater, Union Secondary School, Ibiaku, Ibiono Ibom local government area.
Dr. Luke, an environmental Bio-chemist, turned 40 years old on Tuesday, November 9. She was known for her humanitarian capacity while serving as wife of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2019.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Uyo, the soft-spoken woman said she was delighted in celebrating her 40th birthday with good gestures as she brought smiles to the faces of the recipients.
While acknowledging the activities of NAWOJ and FIDA, Dr Luke said that the jobs they have done so far have touched the major needs of vulnerable women in Akwa Ibom State.
She lauded NAWOJ and FIDA for supporting the effort of the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, in the fight against rape and violence against women.
FIDA and NAWOJ have been working around the protection of women against violence, rehabilitation of victims of domestic violence as well as promotion of child’s rights.
Dr. Luke said that FIDA has given meaning to women’s rights.
“To celebrate this particular milestone of attaining 40 years of age in a world where untimely death sweeps forth like a flood, I thought it necessary to reach out to organisations that are at the forefront of protection of women’s rights. FIDA has given meaning to womanhood”.
She equally lauded NAWOJ for reporting issues affecting women, saying that the donation was made to support the training of members of the association.
“NAWOJ has stood up to for women. It takes a woman to understand the woman’s perspective, this is one community that I am so much in love with.”
Dr. Luke while noting an increase in cases of suicide, tasked women groups to take the issue of mental health seriously and encouraged women to endeavour to reach out to one another.
In their separate response, the State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs. Uduak Ekong, and that of FIDA, Barr. Emem Ette, said the donation by Dr. Luke was an answered prayer.
The National Secretary of NAWOJ, Comrade Helen Udofa, who also graced the occasion, expressed gratitude to the wife of the federal lawmaker for the donation, recalling that last year Dr. Luke gave empowerment packages to 350 women.
“At forty, she’s already having a golden heart; a golden heart in the sense that she’s reaching out to touch lives and putting smiles on the faces of people”, Udofa said.
In their response, the Secretary of the Nigerian Environmental Society, Mr. Godwin Evans Udofia, noted that it was the first time the organisation was receiving a donation from an individual.
Udofia described Dr. Luke as “a woman with a heart of gold”. He said: “This is the first time an individual is singling out our organisation for donation.
“I am not afraid to say this, we have requested support from the government many times, but none came.
“So, we are glad by this donation, it shows that someone is appreciating what we are doing. The donation will go a long way in our advocacy on a sustainable environment”.
Also speaking, Mrs. Inemesit Enobong Uwah lauded Dr. Uduak Luke for the donation, noted her passion for women’s issues.
“Uduak has been an inspiration to many people. She has encouraged and motivated a lot of people too. She is passionate about women issues”, Mrs. Uwah said.
Highpoint of the event was the singing of a birthday carol for Dr. Uduak Luke.
