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GIFA HALF HOUR, 32 Udotungubo Street., Uyo (2026)

20/08/2026

*Photo News!*

The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady and Chairman of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, today witnessed the launch of the National Grassroots LPG Pe*******on Programme in Akwa Ibom State, by the Minister of State for Gas, ObongEmem Ekperikpe Ekpo.

At the event which featured a symbolic distribution of gas cylinders to some beneficiaries by stakeholders including the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno; the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaete Unoma Akpabio; the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Lady Helen Eno Obareki and others.

Akwa Ibom is the second state after Bayelsa, to benefit from the programme, which promotes cleaner cooking, expands domestic gas utilisation and empowers women under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎It is designed to move Nigerian households away from firewood, charcoal, kerosene and other traditional cooking fuels to cleaner, safer and more efficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, as part of the Federal Government's Decade of Gas, which started at 2020 and will be concluded in five million homes, by 2030.
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‎According to the Minister, ObongEmem Ekpo, 3,000 women have been selected for ₦100,000 empowerment each, to support their businesses and strengthen their families.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
August 20, 2026.

15/08/2026

LADY HELEN OBAREKI HONOURED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTHCARE

The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has been recognised for her contributions towards improving maternal and child healthcare in the state.

The recognition, the "Safe Motherhood Ambassador" Award, was conferred on her by the convener of the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Project, Dr Aniekeme George, during a dinner and awards ceremony held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Ibom Hall, Uyo.

The event brought to a climax, the IOM Medical Missions, which was carried out across 20 Local Government Areas in the state over the past two weeks, attending to thousands of pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of five.

Speaking at the event after receiving the award on behalf of the Coordinator, office of the first lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, the Team Lead of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, expressed appreciation to the IOM Project for honouring Lady Obareki and recognising her efforts towards advancing the well-being of mothers and children.

Pastor Abraham assured that GIFA would continue to support subsequent editions of the IOM Project, with a view to expanding access to essential maternal and child healthcare services and ensuring that more women and children across the state benefit from the initiative.

She further commended the IOM team and partners for their commitment to taking healthcare services and health education closer to women and families, noting that sustained collaboration among stakeholders would contribute significantly to reducing maternal and child mortality in the state.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the IOM Project, and CEO of the Carelife Character Foundation, Dr Aniekeme George, expressed appreciation to the organisations and individuals who partnered with and qd,fwssupported the IOM 2026.

Dr George disclosed that a total of 36,477 women across the 20 Local Government Areas benefited from various interventions under the project, including free antenatal and postnatal care, medical consultations, maternal health literacy and other essential services.

He noted that the achievements recorded by the project would not have been possible without the contributions and support of partners in the coalition, commending them for their commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare across the state.

Other award recipients included the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr Uwemedimo Udo; Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, ECEWS; Centre for Clinical Care and Research, CCCRN; Ibom Air; Imabridge Africa; Mary Slessor Akan/Glo Foundation, Helen Keller International; the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ; Wives of All Local Government Chairmen, WALGON; and other organisations and individuals who contributed to the success of the IOM Project.

During the event which was hosted by the Uyo Local Government Council, mothers of ten healthy babies identified during the IOM Medical Missions in Uyo Local Government Area earlier in the day as being breastfed exclusively, received packages from the Chairman's wife, Mrs Akaninyene Udo.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
August 15, 2026.

11/08/2026

GIFA in Mkpat Enin LGA for the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Programme to Mark the 2026 Breastfeeding Week

GIFA!!!..Enhancing Family Lives.

11/08/2026

BABY GIRL MAKES GRAND ENTRANCE DURING IOM MEDICAL MISSIONS IN MKPAT ENIN

The Ibom Open Maternity IOM Medical Missions at Mkpat Enin yesterday took on a beautiful dimension as the medical team received a symbolic gift in the course of tending to the healthcare needs of the pregnant women and nursing mothers.

It was the safe delivery of a beautiful baby girl to Mrs Unyime Ukeme Emmanuel, on Day 7 of the IOM project in the area.

The delivery, which took place during the ongoing medical mission, provided a memorable and joyful moment for medical personnel, beneficiaries and other participants, underscoring the life-saving impact of the intervention.

The mother, who received care as part of the medical mission, safely delivered the baby girl under the watch of the medical team.

Mrs Emmanuel, who attended the medical mission as a participant, went into labour during the event and was immediately taken to the Primary Health Centre located within the Mkpat Enin Local Government Secretariat, where she safely delivered the baby.

The wife of the Mkpat Enin Local Government Council Chairman, Mrs Edidiong Emmanuel Inyang, together with the team from GIFA, received the newborn and presented care packs to the new mother. She also directed that a birth certificate be issued immediately to Mrs Emmanuel and her baby.

The arrival of the newborn adds a special dimension to the IOM Medical Mission, which is providing free maternal and healthcare services to residents while bringing essential medical care closer to communities across Akwa Ibom State.

The medical mission, held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Mkpat Enin Local Government Secretariat, was organised by Carelife Character Foundation in partnership with the Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, with support from the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), and other partners.

Speaking earlier on behalf of GIFA, Ofonime Godwin stressed the importance of six months of exclusive breastfeeding, urging nursing mothers to prioritise breastfeeding their babies during the period, and maintain proper personal hygiene to reduce the risk of infections.

She urged pregnant women to pay attention to their diet by consuming nutritious meals, encouraging them to register for antenatal care at health facilities close to them and attend appointments regularly. They were also advised to engage in light exercises, where medically appropriate, as part of measures to prepare for childbirth.

Also speaking, the wife of the Chairman of Mkpat Enin LGA, Mrs Edidiong Emmanuel Inyang described the programme as an important intervention aimed at sensitising pregnant women and nursing mothers on healthy practices.

She said the initiative would not be a one-off event, assuring that similar programmes would be organised by the Local Government Council regularly, to enable more pregnant women and nursing mothers to benefit.

An IOM representative, Mrs Enobong Israel Umanah, emphasised the importance of colostrum, the first breast milk produced after childbirth, encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies immediately after delivery and continue with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

Umanah also urged pregnant women and nursing mothers to visit health facilities regularly for check-ups and seek professional medical advice whenever necessary.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, and member, Board of Trustees of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, Mr Emmanuel Inyang, encouraged the beneficiaries to eat nutritious meals to remain healthy and strong enough to care for their children.

He said the Local Government Council attaches great importance to healthcare, particularly issues concerning pregnant women and nursing mothers, assuring that the council would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health.

The chairman further encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies in line with the guidance of healthcare professionals, adding that the council would do all within its capacity to support pregnant women and nursing mothers.

He appreciated the medical team of the Local Government Area, the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and the IOM project team for their contributions towards improving healthcare delivery in Mkpat Enin.

As part of its support for the beneficiaries, GIFA presented care packs to pregnant women and nursing mothers who attended the medical mission, a gesture supported by the Chairman's wife who gave out bath sets, clothes dryers and other gift items to some of the participants, providing practical support to the beneficiaries.

One of the beneficiaries, a pregnant woman, Idorenyin Edidiong Johnson, expressed appreciation to the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for the gift.

Johnson said she had never received any gift from the government until the medical mission, describing the gesture as a memorable experience. She thanked the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area and all the partners for putting the programme together and for their support for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
August 11, 2026.

11/08/2026

GIFA, CARELIFE FOUNDATION TAKE BREASTFEEDING CAMPAIGN TO NSIT IBOM, PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL CARE AND SUPPORT TO MOTHERS

The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), in collaboration with Carelife Character Foundation and with the support of the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, and other partners, has taken its Maternal and Child health advocacy campaign, to Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, as part of activities, to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

The programme which was held on Monday, 10th August, 2026, at the Operational Base of the Primary Health Centre, Afaha Offiong, under the Ibom Open Maternity Project, brought together pregnant women, nursing mothers, healthcare professionals, government representatives and community stakeholders to promote the importance of Breastfeeding and improved Maternal and Child Healthcare.

The intervention featured free medical checks and consultations, provision of medications, health education and the presentation of gifts and essential materials to participating mothers, further demonstrating the commitment of the organisers to supporting women and children at the grassroots.

In her remarks, the Team Lead of GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, praised the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for her love and commitment to the well-being of children and nursing mothers.

Pastor Abraham also commended the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area for her tremendous support and partnership with GIFA and Carelife Character Foundation in bringing interventions that positively impact lives at the grassroots.

She stressed the importance of continuous collaboration among government, healthcare professionals, foundations and community stakeholders to improve maternal and child health care across Akwa Ibom State, in line with one of the key Thematic areas of GIFA - maternal and child health care.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Hon. Otobong Aaron, appreciated GIFA, Carelife Character Foundation and other partners for bringing the intervention to the community.

She reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to healthcare, with the renovation of more than seven primary healthcare centres in the LGA.

She encouraged mothers to take advantage of the programme and seek professional guidance on breastfeeding and maternal and child health.

At the event Goodwill messages were received from the Supervisor for Health, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Mrs. Ekaete Ossom ; the wife of the Commissioner for Education, Akwa Ibom State;Mrs. Grace Umo, a former Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Helen Ukpabio, and Obongawan Patricia Essien Obot commended GIFA, Carelife Character Foundation and the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, for prioritising maternal and child healthcare. They encouraged pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, stressing that babies should not be denied breast milk, particularly during the first six months when breast milk provides the essential nutrients required for healthy growth and development.

They also urged the mothers to share the message and importance of breastfeeding with other women in their communities.

The event provided participants with valuable health information and access to basic medical services, while the distribution of medications, gifts and other materials added a practical dimension to the intervention.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, ARK
August 11, 2026.

09/08/2026

IBOM OPEN MATERNITY: OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY EXTEND MATERNAL SUPPORT TO ETINAN

The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, through the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), has provided support for the Ibom Open Maternity IOM Project in Etinan Local Government Area, as part of the ongoing statewide maternal health intervention.

The outreach, which entered its sixth day, took place at the Primary Health Centre Operational Base in Etinan and featured the distribution of maternity care kits to pregnant women and nursing mothers by the team from the office of the First Lady.

The initiative, which was flagged off on August 1, 2026, by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, is designed to provide support to pregnant women and nursing mothers while complementing existing efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare delivery across the state.

Speaking at the event, the wife of the Executive Chairman of Etinan Local Government Council, Mrs. Emily Uko Umoh, expressed appreciation over the inclusion of Etinan in the 2026 edition of the programme.

Mrs. Umoh noted that Etinan was not among the Local Government Areas covered by the initiative in the previous year, describing its inclusion in the current edition as a significant development for women and families in the area.

She commended the Office of the First Lady and GIFA for extending the intervention to Etinan, noting that the programme would provide valuable support to pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Mrs. Umoh also lauded the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, for his commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in the state, particularly initiatives targeted at improving the wellbeing of mothers and children.

She expressed satisfaction with the availability of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme (AKSHIA) free medical services at the outreach, describing it as an indication of the administration’s commitment to expanding access to healthcare for residents.

She assured residents that the Ibom Open Maternity Project would continue to provide support to women in Etinan, expressing confidence in the sustainability of the intervention.

The distribution of maternity care kits by the Office of the First Lady forms part of the broader activities of the Ibom Open Maternity Project, which is being implemented across the state to support pregnant women and nursing mothers and promote improved maternal and child health outcomes.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
August 8, 2026.

05/08/2026

GIFA in Ikono LGA

05/08/2026

GIFA JOINS IOM MEDICAL MISSIONS IN IKONO, PROMOTES HEALTHY MOTHER AND CHILD SURVIVAL

The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), on Tuesday 4th August, 2026 joined the Medical Missions of the Ibom Open Maternity IOM project at Ikono Local Government Area, where advocacies on the need to improve Maternal and Child Health through access to quality healthcare services, continued.

The mission was organised in support of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week by Carelife Character Foundation and other partners held at the Primary Health Care Centre, Ukpom, Ikono LGA, bringing together nursing mothers, pregnant women, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders.

Addressing the nursing mothers and pregnant women, the GIFA Team Lead, Pastor Anne Abraham, expressed appreciation to the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for her unwavering commitment to initiatives that promote the health and well-being of mothers and children across Akwa Ibom State, in line with the maternal and child healthcare thematic area of GIFA.

Pastor Anne Abraham emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of their baby's life to reduce childhood illnesses and ensure healthy growth, improved immunity, and proper development.

Free medical checks and counseling services were provided for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children, while breastfeeding mothers also received gifts including GIFA Patcare packages, while mothers of children with severe malnutrition were given nutritional supplements to boost their health.

GIFA is a major partner in the Ibom Open Maternity IOM project which has secured the support of the Ikono Local Government Council Chairman, Engr. Otobong Essien; the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health; the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AKSPHCDA); Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, ALGON; Wives of All Local Government Chairmen, WALGON; the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria, MWAN; the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ; and other partners committed to advancing maternal and child healthcare through sustained public health interventions.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
August 4, 2026.

04/08/2026

GIFA is here ..
IOM Oruk Anam

GIFA HALF HOUR

20/08/2026

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