A’Ibom First Lady Unveils FEYReP Multipurpose Cooperative Society

 By Koko Udonquak

*** EMPOWERS 1,800 GRASSROOTS WOMEN IN FIRST PHASE

Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, has unveiled the first of its kind Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative Multipurpose Cooperative with the sole aim of improving the living conditions of women at the grassroots.

Dignitaries at the event: Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Chief of Staff, Mr. Ephraim Inyang, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan and FeyREP Coordinator, Mrs. I'm Inyang

At the flag-off ceremony which held Tuesday at the Ibom Hall Uyo, 1, 800 women from the 31 local government areas benefited from the first phase of the interest-free loan scheme. 

Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel

Speaking at the event, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel lauded his wife’s avowed commitment towards empowering women at the grassroots and stated that it dovetails with the wealth creation mantra of his administration.

Chief of Staff, Mr. Ephraim Inyang

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen, Governor Emmanuel said with the launch of FEYReP Multipurpose Cooperative, a new vista of hope has been opened for rural women in the state who are involved in small and medium businesses.

Her Excellency, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel presenting cash gifts to beneficiaries

He encouraged beneficiaries of the first phase of the empowerment scheme to make judicious use of the interest free loans so as to be able to recompense within the given period for others to benefit.

Also speaking, wife of the State governor, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, said the occasion marked another milestone in her effort to better the living conditions of people in the State.

Wife of Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Bright Archibong and friend at the event

Dr. Emmanuel asserted that FEYReP Multipurpose Cooperative is out to promote the fullest participation of all people and facilitate the empowerment of businesses by providing needed credit facilities, especially to farmers, traders, and other small-scale businesses for income generation and economic growth.  

She expressed optimism that with the flag-off of the Cooperative, more jobs would be created, poverty eradicated, while also ensuring the socio-economic development of our rural communities.

“I encourage all, especially our women who are farmers, traders, and other small-scale businesses to see this as an opportunity to improve the economic base of their businesses, to expand their profit margin. This is the only way we will realize our dream of being self-reliant, and economically stable,” said the First Lady.

Similarly, wife of Enugu State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi while speaking as a Special Guest at the epoch making event, lauded Dr. Emmanuel for her vision in establishing the Cooperative to better the lot of her women. 

She admonished the beneficiaries of the loan scheme not to see the funds as largesse but to work on multiplying it so as to grow their businesses and repay as at when due.

Earlier in her tone setting, the Coordinator of FEYReP, Mrs. Ime Inyang reechoed the Dr. Emmanuel’s stance on women empowerment, stating that for five years running, she has been consistent in touching lives across all board.

There were paper presentations by resource persons, Mrs. Eunice Thomas, who spoke on the topic, “Ideas and Processes of SME Execution” and Barr. Uwem Okon, who spoke on the “Legal Implications of Defaulting on Loan Repayments Plan”, as the beneficiaries were taken through the nitty-gritty of business set up and loan repayments.

There were also goodwill messages and support from the College of Commissioners, Akwa Ibom State led by their Dean, Dr. Glory Edet, Construction executives, Engr. Uwem Okoko of HENSEK Construction Company and Mr. Ini Utuk of Verrini Construction Company, as well as other cooperate organizations towards the initiative.

Koko Udonquak

Press Unit 

Governor's Wife Office 

15th December, 2020