Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, the pet project of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Patience Umoh Eno says it has impacted not fewer than 53,987 lives in the state within two years of its existence.
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and chairman, Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Obareki, disclosed this during the second anniversary of GIFA and posthumous birthday celebration of the progenitor held at Ibom Hall Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Lady Obareki noted that the impact cuts across GIFA’s eight thematic areas 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.
Breaking down the figures, she explained, “a total of 53,987 lives have been touched and impacted by GIFA across Akwa Ibom State in the last two years.
They include, Maternal and Child Healthcare – 9,776, Enhancing Literacy and Learning – 19,587 adults and pupils of public schools impacted; Environmental Health – 13 Water of Life Projects borehole projects 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.
Others include: “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.”
While acknowledging the impact of the programme in the lives of vulnerable families, the First Lady designate promised to carry on the mandate ensuring that the vision of the progenitor, her mother is not truncated.
She revealed plans of GIFA to move towards Institutionalisation and Global-Standard Expansion as it enters its third landmark year by launching an intensive, year-round Tech-Empowerment Accelerator where every year, 500 Akwa Ibom women will be equipped with market-ready, hands-on expertise in Software Development, Data Analytics, and Digital Innovation.
She also identified “Water of Life” project as the cornerstone of their mission revealing plans to ensure that the remaining 18 Local Government Areas, of the 31 LGAs have access to clean, potable water.
In his remarks, governor of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno in his remarks, directed the Ministry for Water Resources and Sanitation and the Akwa Ibom State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency,to partner with GIFA to ensure that a functional water borehole is established in each of the 369 Wards of the State.
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 , Pastor ( Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, we will partner GIFA to ensure adequate water supply in all the 369 Wards of the State.
He directed the AKRUWATSAN, and the Ministry of Water Resources And Sanitation to immediately set up modalities to collaborate with GIFA “to ensure that within the next one year, every Ward in every Local Government Area of the State has a GIFA Water Project for the benefit of our people.
“GIFA has truly shown leadership in this direction, and we will strongly partner with you. The 369 Wards of the State will have a GIFA Water Project,” he assured.
