By Aniekan Umanah
Thursday, February 20, 2025, will remain indelible in the annals of the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), the cherished humanitarian project of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Patience Umo Eno. It was more than a day of celebration; it was a tribute to vision, resilience and an enduring legacy.
As GIFA marked its first anniversary, the occasion also honoured the 58th posthumous birthday of its founder.
It was indeed a double-barreled celebration that brought together dignitaries from various spheres of government, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional rulers and development partners, all united by a shared commitment to gender inclusivity, empowerment, education, community development and compassionate service.
The Ibom Hall venue in Uyo was filled to its brim with an overflow crowd while canopies outside swelled with enthusiastic supporters. Live feeds displayed on LED screens ensured that the vibrant energy reached every corner of the grounds.
The air was thick with nostalgia and gratitude, a fitting atmosphere for a woman whose kindness knew no bounds.
At about 11:30 a.m., the convoy of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, rolled into the grounds. The amiable and ebullient chief executive of the state alighted from his Mercedes Benz S- Class staff car and walked into the hall. Decked in a dark, shed caftan paired with a traditional native cap bearing the ARISE insignia and accessorized to perfection, he embodied his signature style and panache and navigated the lead row to stamp his traditional pleasantries.
The event commenced with prayers by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Akwa Ibom State, Rev. Christian Nyong. Soft melodies from Johnson Bassey filled the hall and a deep hush fell over the audience as his performance transcended mere music, a soulful tribute that stirred emotions. The Akwa Ibom Young Professionals then delighted the audience with a dramatic musical rendition that conveyed the intrinsic value of GIFA. Shortly thereafter, music queen Aity Denis Inyang took the stage, her voice soaring like a beacon of hope that lifted the spirits of all present. With each lyrical note, she painted a portrait of Patience Eno, a woman whose legacy now breathes life into the work of GIFA.
Speaking at Ibom Hall in Uyo, the Governor paid a heartfelt tribute to his late wife, reminiscing about her deep compassion and unwavering dedication to improving lives. In her lifetime, Patience Eno was a mother who fiercely protected the vulnerable and was a relentless advocate for women, children and the elderly. Even in her absence, her vision lives on through GIFA, now championed by their daughter, the brilliant Helen Eno-Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady. “Let me congratulate my dear daughter, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno-Obareki, for stepping up and taking charge of this great initiative. It is evident that you have excelled in all thematic areas and the impact has been deeply felt. Your mother and indeed all of us are immensely proud of you. She is surely smiling from the balcony of heaven,” Eno declared.
The Governor also expressed his appreciation to all the partners and organisations that have supported GIFA, urging them to continue their efforts so that this inspiring vision lives on.
In a moving goodwill message, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, announced a handsome donation from all members of the State Executive Council in support of GIFA. Additionally, the Association of Local Government Areas (ALGON) made a significant contribution to further the initiative’s noble cause.
In her address, Eno-Obareki reflected on the remarkable journey of GIFA over the past year. She spoke eloquently of thousands of school children whose futures have been brightened through educational support, of women in rural communities who now enjoy access to free healthcare and of over five thousand women who have been economically empowered. She recalled the joy on the faces of mothers of multiples receiving support and the dignity restored to zero-income earners through sustainable skills and market linkages under the Eka Iberedem Hub. Her voice, steady yet suffused with emotion, carried the weight of a promise to build on her mother’s legacy, to continue touching lives and to ensure that the mission of GIFA never fades.
Eno-Obareki also presented cheques and certificates of recognition to some outstanding winners and participants in her programmes. She called on individuals, organisations and governments to join hands in sustaining this noble cause, reminding all that change begins with collective effort.
Helen was not alone.
She was supported by her dear husband, Onos Obareki, and her siblings.
The keynote speaker, Mrs. Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, commended GIFA’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pledged UN support in making markets more accessible for women. Recognising the Governor’s commitment to women’s inclusion, she honoured him with the prestigious “He-for-She Ambassador” award—a testament to his advocacy for gender equity in governance.
The stage itself was a marvel of meticulous organisation; the lighting effects transformed the space into an ethereal canvas that perfectly captured the spirit of the occasion.
The traditional institution was well represented. The Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, graced the event with his dignified presence, expressing heartfelt joy at the success of GIFA.
As the applause subsided, the event transitioned into its second phase, a defining moment for GIFA’s future. The Governor led dignitaries to the foundation-laying ceremony of the GIFA ultra-modern secretariat at Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo. More than just a structure, the secretariat is envisioned as a hub of empowerment, outreach and sustainable impact, ensuring that the vision of Patience Eno continues to thrive for generations to come. The ground beneath their feet seemed to hum with possibility as the first stones were laid, a tangible continuation of a dream, a sanctuary where hope will be nurtured, lives uplifted and futures rewritten.
At the second part of the event and foundation laying proper, Eno, flanked by Helen and Rev. Simeon Afolabi, expressed appreciation to his daughter and her siblings for making the family proud and keeping their mother’s visionary legacy alive. He commended their unwavering dedication and resilience and charged them not to be afraid but to keep their trust in God, to guide them in fulfilling her enduring mission.
In a brief exhortation, hands were lifted in solemn reverence as Afolabi led the gathering in the Word and prayers. His voice, rich with conviction, carried a divine assurance as he committed the project into God’s care. He prayed for walls that would rise to shelter dreams and inspire generations, for hands that would build with purpose and for the spirit of Patience Eno to forever dwell within the mission of GIFA, guiding, nurturing and uplifting it to greatness.
As the final “Amen” echoed through the air, followed by the symbolic laying of cement mortar on the blocks to signal the commencement of the new secretariat, there was a renewed sense of purpose among all present. This was more than an event; it was a reaffirmation of faith in a future shaped by patience, purpose and progress.
In the quiet rhythm of giving, GIFA moves. In the gentle hands of service, GIFA thrives. And in the legacy of love, GIFA lives on.
The journey has only just begun. With steadfast leadership, strategic partnerships and unwavering commitment, GIFA’s impact will continue to grow and expand for the benefit of mankind.
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