N25m, sewing machines, grinders: GIFA, Fidelity Bank empower 300 women

Tony Okoh, Uyo

The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), in partnership with Fidelity Bank Plc, has empowered 300 women drawn from the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State with cash grants and business equipment to strengthen their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.

The empowerment programme, held on Thursday, at the Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo, is part of GIFA’s continuing interventions aimed at promoting women’s economic independence and supporting small businesses across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, and Chairman, Board of Trustees, GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, said the latest intervention had increased the number of beneficiaries impacted by GIFA under its Women Empowerment thematic area to about 7,000.

Lady Helen, who described the programme as a practical demonstration of the vision of her mother, the First Lady and Founder of GIFA, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, reiterated her commitment to improving the dignity, independence and well-being of women through measurable and life-changing interventions.

She said GIFA had continued to take its interventions directly to communities through programmes across eight thematic areas, adding that the latest empowerment programme was designed to provide women with practical tools capable of transforming their businesses.

“Through our various programmes across eight thematic areas, we have taken real help directly to our rural communities. Just last month, through our ‘GIFA at Your Doorstep’ initiative, we delivered business equipment and cash grants straight to the homes and shops of our small business owners.

“The feedback from that outreach continues to move me deeply, and today, we are taking that same energy further by empowering yet another strong group of women with the tools they need to succeed,” she said.

According to her, the 300 beneficiaries were supported across three major areas of enterprise.

She explained that 100 women in the tailoring and fashion industry received professional sewing machines, while another 100 women received modern grinding machines to support agricultural processing and related businesses.

The remaining 100 beneficiaries, she said, were supported through financial empowerment, with 20 women receiving financial assistance alongside Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, while the other 80 received cash grants.

Lady Helen said empowering women had a multiplier effect on families and communities, noting that women who received support to expand their businesses could employ others, strengthen their households and contribute more significantly to the economic development of the state.

She particularly appreciated the Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs Pamela Shodipo; Regional Bank Head, Akwa Ibom/Cross River, Mrs Kufretido Etim; and members of the bank’s executive team for their contribution to the initiative.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, South-South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs Pamela Shodipo, said the bank was delighted to contribute to the empowerment of women in Akwa Ibom State.

She described the intervention as a demonstration of the bank’s confidence in the resilience, creativity and capacity of women to transform their lives and positively impact their families and communities.

Shodipo said empowerment was about providing people with the tools and capital needed to turn their potential into possibilities and, ultimately, prosperity.

“When a woman is empowered, families are strengthened, children are better supported, communities are transformed, and businesses and jobs are created,” she said.

She described the items presented to the beneficiaries as “instruments of possibilities” capable of providing sustainable sources of income, expressing optimism that the intervention would translate into thriving businesses, economically independent women and more prosperous communities.

She said Fidelity Bank was committed to partnering with Akwa Ibom State on a long-term basis in economic development, noting that the state was home to young people, traders, farmers and other enterprising citizens contributing daily to its economic growth.

Shodipo also commended the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, for his commitment to empowerment through the ARISE Agenda, as well as GIFA for its interventions in support of women and vulnerable members of society.

She urged the beneficiaries to see the intervention “not as charity but a vote of confidence” in their ability to turn opportunities into sustainable businesses and create opportunities for others.

Setting the tone for the event, the Team Lead of GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, emphasised the importance of investing in women, noting that empowering women creates lasting impact, supports their overall wellbeing and dignity, and can become a tool for empowering other women.

Also speaking, the Head of Financial Inclusion at Fidelity Bank, Obinna Egwuonwu, who addressed the beneficiaries on the theme, “Managing My Business,” charged them to build reputable and sustainable businesses by continuously developing their capacity and being intentional about growth, sustainability and professionalism.

Goodwill messages were received from the President of WALGON, Mrs Akaninyene Uwemedimo; President of COSAWA, Dr Bright Archibong; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Bureau of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Hon. Alice Ekpenyong.

They commended the Governor, the Office of the First Lady and Fidelity Bank for supporting the empowerment initiative, saying the intervention would expand the beneficiaries’ sources of livelihood and improve their economic well-being.

They urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment and financial support provided, cautioning them against selling the items and instead encouraging them to use them to strengthen and grow their businesses.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Naomi Emmanuel thanked the Chairman of GIFA for the opportunity to benefit from the programme and Fidelity Bank for its intervention in the lives of Akwa Ibom women.

She said the support had brought smiles to the faces of the beneficiaries and expressed appreciation to the bank for believing in the capacity of women in the state and investing in their economic empowerment.

In the first phase of the GIFA Business Empowerment for Women programme, Fidelity Bank provided 50 sewing machines, 50 grinding machines, Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, 500 bags of food items through the Fidelity Food Bank, and N25 million in financial support.

Another phase involving 50 additional sewing machines and 50 grinding machines is expected shortly to support the remaining beneficiaries.

Some beneficiaries, during an interactive session, pledged to provide free training to other women as a way of giving back and appreciating GIFA’s support.

The wife of the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah, also shared valuable lessons from her experience as an entrepreneur with the beneficiaries.