Helen Obareki, the chairman of the board of trustees of Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), says the initiative has supported no fewer than 53,987 people across Akwa Ibom in the past two years.

Ms Obareki, also the coordinator of the Office of the Akwa Ibom First Lady, made the statement at the second anniversary celebration of the initiative in Uyo on Friday.

“I bear this responsibility with strong determination. I am inspired by the grace of God and the tenacity that I won’t let down my parents and the Akwa Ibom people,” she said.

The chairman said 9,776 people have benefited from maternal and child healthcare, 19,587 from literacy and learning, and 5,064 women from empowerment programmes.

She said 4,900 rural women and children benefited from the Wheels of Hope Medical Outreach, while 1,020 gender violence survivors got rehabilitated by the initiative.

“Under our environmental health programmes, a total of 13 water projects were completed in 13 local government areas,” she said.

Ms Obareki said that although the impact of GIFA had been felt across the state, much work remained to support the welfare needs of Akwa Ibom people.

In his remarks, Governor Umo Eno said that although he would continue to miss his late wife, he thanked God for the impact she had on his life.

“I take solace in the number of lives her initiative has touched. I appreciate the coordinator of the first lady’s office for these remarkable achievements in two years,” he said.

(NAN)