Akwa Ibom First Lady empowers over 200 multiple birth families

More than two hundred multiple birth families across the state have been empowered by Her Excellency, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel with cash and gift items during the multiple birth programme which held at the civil service auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga secretariat. 

Speaking at the maiden edition of the programme, the governor’s wife Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel said the empowerment became necessary to assist the families cope with the demands of raising multiple children.  She advised the multiple birth families to accept the children as a source of blessing and not otherwise. She also appreciated her predecessor, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio for initiating the project saying “Today is a great day, I recognize my predecessor for initiating this programme, without her vision, we would not be here.” 

The governor’s wife called on the beneficiaries’ husbands to support and encourage their wives to be involved in trade, remarking that “no matter how little the money is, start something, and make sure it multiplies.” She however informed the beneficiaries that there will be a monitoring team charged with the responsibilities of overseeing how well they are managing the resources given them.

Speaking earlier, the coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Ime Ephraim Inyang appreciated the Governor’s wife for sustaining the programme describing her as a mother with a golden heart. She noted that the continuation of the project by the wife of governor was to empower the multiple birth mothers to be economically dependable, adding that the empowerment of women remains paramount in this administration.

In appreciation, three beneficiaries from the three senatorial districts thanked the governor’s wife for her benevolence and show of love for the multiple birth families in the state praying that God will guide and sustain her good works.
Earlier, a health talk on hygiene and nutrition was given to the parents of multiple births by a Chief nursing officer, Mrs. Christy Akpan.  

There were goodwill messages from the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and social welfare Dr. Glory Edet, and wife of the SSG, Barr. (Mrs.) Gloria Umoren.

Those in attendance were the Hon. Commissioner for science and Technology, Dr. Elizabeth Obot, wife of Speaker AKHA, Mrs. Ememobong Uko, female transition chairmen and wives of transition chairmen. Others were wives of commissioners, and LEWA members.