By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
The Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) has empowered families with multiple birth children in Akwa Ibom State through the distribution of baby and mother care packages, alongside cash support aimed at easing the financial and emotional burden of raising twins, triplets, and other multiple births.
The empowerment programme was held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, as part of activities marking the organisation’s second anniversary and the posthumous birthday of Pastor Patience Umo Eno, scheduled for February 20, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described the initiative as a compassionate intervention designed to support vulnerable families facing the unique challenges of multiple births.
She noted that raising more than one child at a time comes with increased physical, emotional, and financial demands, stressing that the programme was created to offer relief and encouragement to affected families. Lady Obareki urged beneficiaries to engage in sustainable ventures that would help them meet the long-term needs of their children, assuring them of GIFA’s continued empathy and support.
The GIFA Chairperson further explained that the organisation has implemented several empowerment programmes across the state and reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable groups in line with its core mandate.
She expressed appreciation to partners, stakeholders, and resource persons whose support has contributed to the successes recorded so far, while calling for continued collaboration to enable GIFA to expand its impact in the coming years.
Also speaking at the event, GIFA Team Lead, Pastor Anne Abraham, highlighted the organisation’s achievements over the past two years, including interventions in healthcare and women’s empowerment. She commended Governor Umo Eno for the provision of free medical services for pregnant women across the state, noting that the policy has contributed to safer deliveries and reduced maternal mortality, in alignment with GIFA’s mission of strengthening family life.
Delivering a health talk titled “Thriving with Multiples,” the Resource Person and President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Dr. Mary Udoh, emphasised the importance of proper nutrition and balanced diets for nursing mothers. She advised exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months to promote healthy growth and recovery, adding that with adequate family, community, and government support, parents of multiple birth children can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Goodwill messages were delivered by female stakeholders, including the member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Selena Ukpatu; the wife of the member representing Orukanam State Constituency, Mrs. Emem Sampson Idiong; and the President of the Women in Local Government of Nigeria (WALGON), Mrs. Akaninyene Uwemedimo Udo.
They commended the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady for sustaining the humanitarian vision of her late mother, noting that the programme has significantly eased the burden of caring for multiple birth children among vulnerable families in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Peace Etim expressed profound gratitude to Lady Helen Eno Obareki for recognising the struggles faced by families with multiple births and for providing both care packages and financial support to enhance their well-being.
At the end of the programme, all participating parents received baby and mother care items, as well as cash assistance, to support the upbringing and welfare of their children.
Newspot Nigeria reports.
