Wife of a Federal House of Representatives Member in Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Dr. (Mrs.) Uduak Luke has empowered 350 women with the sum of 7.5m, across the three Local Government Areas of Etinan Federal Constituency with a post COVID-19 business fund.
The empowerment programme which took place at Nsit Ibom Council Secretariat, Afaha Offiong had benefitting women who are into various types of entrepreneurial activities/trading.
In her address, Dr. (Mrs.) Uduak Luke said the aim of the empowerment programme was to compliment the effort of the state Government and other stakeholders to further cushion the hardships created by the outbreak of COVID-19 on the people of the Constituency.
She observed that the outbreak of COVID-19 has dealt hard blows on individuals, families, organisations and coperate bodies.
Dr. Uduak Luke reasoned that in a time when the world is sick health wise and economically, it becomes pertinent to extend milk of kindness to those in dire need to push forward amid this pandemic.
“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”, Uduak Luke reasoned.
She appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for his visionary leadership style and heroic fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the State, the management of confirmed cases and for reaching out to the resident of the State who were seriously infected.
She further said she drew inspiration from the wife of the Governor, Dr. (Deaconess.) Martha Emmanuel, for her passionate drive of providing succour to the vulnerable ones in the society through her pet project, Family Empowerment and Youth Re-Orientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP).
She said: “It is often said that the most successful men have great women behind them and this truth is as evident in the countless times the support of Her Excellency Martha Udom Emmanuel has given to her husband in the pursuit of transforming the State and improving the lives of the people.
“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”.
Uduak Luke specifically appreciated her husband, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke for his commitment towards putting smiles on the faces of the people, and for his support towards the success of the post COVID-19 business fund for the women of Etinan Federal Constituency.
The Representative’s spouse advised the beneficiaries to brace up and make good use of the incentives given to them and charged them to build on what they have been empowered with promising to continue to be of help to the women.
In their goodwill messages: wives of council Chairmen in the three Local Government Areas of the Constituency, female political office holders, commissioners wives and other women stakeholders appreciated the kind gesture of Mrs. Luke for justifying the confidence women from the area reposed in Amazing Grace Projects.
They prayed God to bless and preserve the donor, the husband and their entire household.
Some of the beneficiaries took turns in lauding the epochal magnanimity of Mrs. Luke especially as women in the suburbs are facing serious economic challenges occasioned by Covid-19 long lockdown order.
According to ObotAbasi Udo from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, a petty trader, she is overjoyed as she has never been a beneficiary of such benevolence while Cecilia Cletus from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, equally a trader described Mrs. Luke as a trailblazer in empowerment of women in the Constituency.
Imabong Akpan, from Ibiakpan, in Nsit Ubium, prayed for God’s blessings in the lives of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke and the benefactor, Dr. Luke.
Similarly, Enobong Essien, from Ikot Obok in Nsit Ibom Local government Area, a fashion designer, Nkereuwem Ime in Etinan Local Government Area in their separate appreciative messages commended the federal lawmaker’s wife for wiping away their tears at the point of needs.
