The wife of the Cross River State governor, Eyoawan Bassey Otu has taken a significant step towards improving the lives of women in the state by distributing smokeless cooking stoves and wonder pots to 400 women.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Atmosfair Germany, is aimed at reducing household fuel costs and promoting environmental sustainability.
Represented by the waife of the member, representing Calabar Municipality\ Odukpani Constuituency, Mrs, Asi Akiba at the flag-off ceremony, the governor’s wife stated that the new cooking stoves and wonder pots will help reduce daily fuel expenses for beneficiaries, many of whom previously spent over N1,000 daily on firewood.
Speaking at the event, held at the office of the Governor’s Wife, Moore Road, Calabar, she said the initiative is expected not only to bring relief to women but also to contribute to reducing indoor air pollution, which has become a major public health concern in Nigeria.
She highlighted the dangers of relying on fuelwood, citing a World Health Organisation (WHO) report that estimates 95,000 deaths annually in Nigeria as a result of inefficient cooking energy technologies. She emphasised that the project will empower women while also improving their health and well-being.
In his remarks, the commissioner for Special Duties, Intergovernmental Affairs, and CEO of the Green Economy Commission, Mr. Oden Ewa, described the smokeless cooking stoves and wonder pots as innovative solutions that will reduce cooking time, improve health outcomes, and contribute to efforts to combat climate change.
Also speaking at the event, the director-general of the Cross River State Climate Change Office, Dr. Edu Effiom, noted that the introduction of the smokeless cookstoves brings significant environmental benefits. He explained that the high energy efficiency of the stoves can reduce the amount of firewood needed by 50 to 60 percent, thereby helping to slow deforestation and preserve biodiversity.
“When fragile ecological services are preserved, our watersheds will be protected, and outbreaks of water- and air-borne diseases will be drastically reduced,” Dr. Effiom said.
On his part, the CEO of NASENI, Alhaji Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the project reflects the agency’s commitment to indigenous innovation, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. He added that the stoves and wonder pots were developed through local research and are designed to reduce harmful emissions while providing safer cooking alternatives for households.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to promote a green economy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The distribution of smokeless cooking stoves and wonder pots is expected to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women in Cross River State by enabling them to save money, improve their health, and protect the environment.
