GOV ENO INAUGURATES OIL PROCESSING MILL IN ABAK, AS DEP GOV, LADY OBAREKI KICK-START WOMEN SENSITIZATION RALLY

The Akwa Ibom State Governor Pst. Umo Eno, PhD, has commissioned the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Livelihood Collectives Processing Mills at Oku Abak in Abak Local Government Area.

This was part of programmes to flag off a Women Sensitization Tour on Civic Responsibilities, across the State.

Governor Eno who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, said the project aligns with his administration’s bottom-up development agenda, which prioritises the rural sector and the less privileged.

The deputy Governor, accompanied by the Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office, Lady Helen Obareki, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Inibehe Silas, started the sensitization tour with visits to Abak and Ikot Ekpene local government areas.

The oil processing plant project commissioned on Monday, was brought to fruition in collaboration with the World Bank in line with the Governor’s poverty alleviation and women empowerment initiative.

Gov Eno disclosed that Abak LGA now hosts 11 processing mills spread across all wards, with each mill capable of producing about eight drums daily.

According to him, the products already have an export market, making the venture profitable and sustainable.

He further also announced that the state government has released ₦890 million as start-up capital to women collectives and will also release ₦450 million for immediate upscaling of the project across other local government areas.

Senator Eyakenyi pledged government support for security at the facility, including personnel on payroll for day and night surveillance, and promised to relay requests for access roads and lighting to the Governor.

Earlier in her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Helen Obareki, described the project as a laudable initiative conceived by the State’s First Lady, Pastor Mrs Patience Eno, to alleviate the suffering of women at the grassroots.

She thanked Governor Eno for being gender-friendly not just in words but in concrete actions, and commended the ‘Nigeria for Women Project’ for diligently seeing the initiative through to completion.

In a welcome address, the Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Mrs Ime Effiong Charles, expressed gratitude to the state government and development partners for siting the project in the area, noting that it would significantly improve the livelihoods of women and stimulate the local economy.

Delivering her speech, Barrister Ofonime Etuknwa explained that the processing mill is owned collectively by 200 women organised into livelihood collectives. She said the structure ensures shared ownership, accountability and sustainability, while positioning the women for long-term economic independence.

Also speaking, the Village Head of Oku Abak, Obong Okokon Udo, JP, said the community so embraced the initiative that land belonging to three communities was freely donated for the project. He formally handed the facility over to God and prayed for its sustainability and impact.

In her vote of thanks, Mrs Comfort Etim, representing the women collectives, appreciated all stakeholders and partners for their support and appealed for the construction of an access road, as well as the provision of electricity, lighting and security around the premises to enhance operations.

Senator Eyakenyi said she was addressing the gathering not just in her official capacity but on behalf of the governor himself, whom she described as a gender-friendly leader with deep appreciation for the strength and contributions of women in Akwa Ibom State.

Accordingly, the governor recognises the numerical strength of women and has continued to demonstrate this through deliberate inclusion of women in governance, citing appointments of women as commissioners, council chairmen, ward supervisors and other strategic positions across the state.

She disclosed that the sensitization tour, which kicked off in Abak LGA, was aimed at mobilising women to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and be fully prepared to vote on election day.

She urged women to also register with their respective local government councils and reminded them that she now belongs to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), unlike in previous elections.

The Deputy Governor further charged women to support and vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Pastor Umo Eno in future elections.

Earlier in her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, thanked the women of Abak for their consistent support for the governor over the years. She emphasized that voting is the right of every eligible woman and urged them to continue spreading the message of support for Governor Umo Eno, Senator Akpabio and President Tinubu at the grassroots.

She also urged women to join cooperative societies to enhance their access to government programmes and economic opportunities.

The Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, in her welcome address, expressed delight at hosting the sensitization programme and assured the state government of the unwavering support of Abak women and youths toward the success of its people-oriented policies.

The APC Women Leader, Mrs. Awaudo Uko, encouraged women to formally register with the party and collect their APC membership cards to strengthen their political relevance.

Similarly, Mrs. Maureen Umanah, wife of Commissioner for Information, stated that the presence of the First Lady’s team signified that serious grassroots mobilisation had begun. She pledged to move round all wards to ensure women are properly registered and prepared ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event drew women from across Abak LGA and featured sessions focused on political participation, empowerment and grassroots mobilisation.