Hardship: Gov Eno Committed To Vulnerable Residents’ Welfare – Commissioner

The administration of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has said the prevailing socio-economic challenges confronting the populace would soon give way to a new dawn of prosperity and food security.

The commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, who gave the assurance at the weekend, reiterated the state government’s commitment to humanitarian services by placing it at the centre of governance system as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda blueprint.

Ibanga, who spoke during the launch of EL ZAIN Women, Children and Peace Development Initiative at Ibom Led, Uyo, described the administration’s policies and programmes as “people-centred”, and recalled that in the last three years, the government had invested billions in intervention schemes for the people.

She disclosed that the humanitarian governance model through the ARISE Agenda was a deliberate policy of government to integrate the vulnerable poor into the mainstream of the administration with a view to promptly addressing their plights.

“This commitment is reflected in the various interventions of the State Government aimed at addressing food insecurity, supporting vulnerable households, providing homes for disadvantaged families, empowering women and young people, supporting elderly citizens, promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities, and responding to emergencies and disasters,” she stated.

The Commissioner also explained that “the creation of a stand -alone Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs further demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that humanitarian interventions are properly coordinated, social protection is strengthened, and vulnerable individuals and families receive organised and responsive support.”

Commending the group for their contributions to Humanitarian Services, the Commissioner encouraged them to sustain the relationship and continually align its programmes.

“I am pleased that the El Zain Women, Children and Peace Development Initiative, has registered with the Ministry. I encourage its leadership to sustain this relationship and align its programmes with the State’s humanitarian priorities and coordination framework,” she added.

Mr Paul Usoro SAN , who chaired the forum, appreciated the husband of the founder of EL ZAIN, for the massive support he has given to the wife, stressing that “this is actually a demonstration of the group’s slogan, “love in action.”

Highlighting the vision of the group; “A world where every woman stands tall, every child dreams big and every community resolves their conflicts with empathy and wisdom”, the chairman urged supports for the initiative through their prayers and material support, noting that “humanitarian service is a collective effort.”

The founder of the EL ZAIN initiative, Dr. Zeinab Akpan, expressed her excitement at the launch of the project which she described as “the dawn of the new beginning” in humanitarian assistance and care.

She recalled that the project became a reality through years of herself and the husband “engaging in honest conversations with the less privileged, supporting the vulnerable, listening and giving genuine guidance,” which, they noted, went a long way in restoring hope to the hopeless.

Dr. Zeinab, explained that the vision was further boosted by her experience as the Acting President of Naval Officers Wives Association ( NOWA), which she disclosed, ignited a fire in her as to what more could be achieved when help is structured, adding that “these experiences led to redefining the objectives and streamlining the idea of EL ZAIN into a concrete programme that is being launched today.”

“This vision will be achieved through innovative programmes, empowering women, nurturing children, building lasting peace, fostering self reliance, education and dialogue,” she stressed, adding that that “EL ZAIN initiative is associated with the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research (IPPDR)
New York, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality, education and peace.”

She listed areas of interventions to include; implementing micro business grants where 20 women emerged after a selective process, health care interventions and hospital debt support, education programmes, where awards would be given to the 1st -3rd positions, child care support among others across different local government areas

Describing the Governor Umo Eno as the foremost humanitarian in the State, Dr Zeinab, expressed her gratitude for making the State a peaceful one, and the Commissioner for her encouragement and by extension all the dignitaries, charging everyone not to leave the future of the vulnerable to chance, but to “take the bold step and make their supports count.”

On his part, the Executive Director of EL ZAIN, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan (Rtd), husband of the founder, recalled that his wife’s struggling experiences through childhood, gave rise to the establishment of the foundation and expressed thanks to God that the initiative was fast yielding fruits, promising to do more in partnership with other organisations.