ONNA
As part of plans to mark the first anniversary of the Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, the coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, on February 5, 2025, visited the motherless babies home at Mkpok in Onna Local Government Area, where she donated food and other gift items towards the upkeep of the children there.
Speaking during the visit, Lady Obareki charged the children, who she described as privileged, to keep away from bad company and associations that are capable of jeopardising their chances of becoming great in life.
Represented by the wife of the member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Mrs Emem Idiong, Lady Obareki admonished the children to shun lies, fighting, disobedience and other vices and to give their lives to Christ, which she described as a sure path to greatness.
She further encouraged the children to identify a role model and shape their lives after such model, urging them to start early to take the right decisions as they do not have any excuse not to succeed in life.
While commending the caregivers for taking good care of the children who all looked neat and healthy, the coordinator assured that the office of the First Lady would look into other areas where the home needs assistance.
“The only way to life is through Jesus. As Jesus’ babies, there are things you should not involve yourselves in. Jesus’ babies do not fight and lie. For you to have the governor as your father and me as your mother, you are most privileged, and you do not have any excuse whatsoever not to make it in life,” she noted.
Earlier, in her admonition to the children, the president of Eket Senatorial District Women Forum, Mrs. Idara Ephraim Akpan, encouraged the children to reverence God and to show obedience to their caregivers. She expressed the hope that the children would grow up to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and professionals who will excel on all sides.
Additionally, she urged them to embody love, follow the paths of righteousness and remain respectful to their caregivers and teachers in school.
In her goodwill message, the wife of the paramount ruler of Onna Local Government Area, Her Majesty Nwaowo Raymond Inyang, expressed her appreciation to Lady Helen Obareki for her visit to the children. She commended her generosity and kindness towards the children, while also recognizing the dedicated efforts of the caregivers in nurturing and shaping the lives of the children at the home.
The coordinator of the orphanage, Mrs Caroline Uwem Ekanem, thanked the First Lady designate for visiting with gifts, assuring that all items brought will be given to the children.
She, however, highlighted the home’s needs to include, a vehicle to convey the children to school, a solar energy to power the facility, a perimeter fencing as well as renovation of some of the buildings.
On behalf of the children, Master Emediong and Miss Blessing expressed their gratitude to the coordinator, Office of the First Lady for visiting and showing them kindness and prayed God to bless the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the First Lady designate and the Office of the First Lady.
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