Akwa Ibom Pledges More Support For Vulnerable Residents

The Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling food insecurity and supporting vulnerable residents through welfare programmes under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, gave the assurance at the weekend during the launch of the EL ZAIN Women, Children and Peace Development Initiative at IBOM LED, along IBB Avenue, Uyo.

Ibanga described the administration’s policies as people-centred, noting that the government had invested billions of naira in welfare interventions over the past three years.

She said the humanitarian governance model was designed to integrate vulnerable and disadvantaged people into the government’s programmes and address their needs.

According to her, the interventions cover food security, support for vulnerable households, housing for disadvantaged families, women and youth empowerment, assistance for elderly citizens, inclusion of persons with disabilities, and emergency and disaster response.

She said the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs reflected the governor’s commitment to coordinating interventions, strengthening social protection and ensuring vulnerable individuals and families received organised support.

The commissioner commended the EL ZAIN initiative for its humanitarian work and urged its leadership to sustain its partnership with the ministry and align its programmes with the state’s priorities.

“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 said.

Chairman of the launch, Paul Usoro, SAN, praised the support provided by the founder’s husband, describing it as a demonstration of the initiative’s slogan, “love in action”.

Usoro called for prayers and material support for the initiative, saying humanitarian service required collective effort.

The founder, Dr Zeinab Akpan, described the launch as a new beginning in humanitarian assistance, recalling that the initiative grew out of years of engaging with disadvantaged people, supporting vulnerable households and offering guidance to those in need.

She said her experience as Acting President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) strengthened her resolve to develop structured programmes to support vulnerable groups.

According to her, the initiative would focus on empowering women, nurturing children, promoting peace, encouraging self-reliance, and supporting education and dialogue.

She said the initiative was associated with the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research (IPPDR), New York, and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality, education and peace.

Akpan listed the initiative’s planned interventions to include micro-business grants for 20 women selected through a screening process, healthcare support, assistance with hospital bills, educational awards for students who finish first to third in their categories, and childcare support across local government areas.

She thanked Governor Eno and the commissioner for their support, urging stakeholders to take practical steps to improve the lives of vulnerable people.

The initiative’s Executive Director, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan (retd.), said his wife’s difficult childhood experiences inspired the establishment of the foundation.

He expressed gratitude that the initiative was beginning to yield results and pledged to expand its work through partnerships with other organisations.