The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) on Sunday, May 24, 2026, intensified efforts at addressing period poverty and promoting menstrual hygiene among secondary school girls, with a major intervention programme, in Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency.
Tagged “Understanding Menstruation,” the sensitisation exercise took place at the Grooves Memorial Methodist Church, Ikot Ekpene, and drew participants from Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Essien Udim Local Government Areas, that make up the Federal Constituency.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State and Chairman, Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described ‘period poverty’ as a silent challenge that affects the confidence, education and future of many young girls.
Addressing the 500 secondary school girls selected for the programme and church members, Lady Obareki described menstruation as a natural and healthy part of womanhood that should never be associated with shame, fear or stigma. She stressed the need for proper education and access to hygiene materials to help girls manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.
“No girl should have to miss school, feel ashamed, or be held back simply
because of her period. I encourage every girl here to break the silence
around menstruation. I want you to speak up, ask questions, and seek
guidance when you need it. There is no shame in learning about your body. Knowledge will always give you power,” she stated.
The First Lady Designate further charged teachers, guardians and caregivers to create safe and supportive environments where girls can freely discuss issues relating to menstruation without embarrassment, adding that society must replace myths and silence with accurate medical information and support.
“The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, is not only
handing over sanitary materials, but also equipping you with knowledge on menstrual hygiene management. We are teaching you how to take care of yourselves, stay healthy, and build confidence during your menstrual cycle.”
Lady Obareki commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for supporting the distribution of quality sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls across the country through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s “FLOW With Confidence” campaign. According to her, the initiative is helping to ensure that girls do not miss school or fall behind academically because of menstruation.
She also praised the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, for prioritising human capital development through the ARISE Agenda, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare and the welfare of women and children.
The GIFA Chairman explained that beyond distributing sanitary materials, the intervention programme was designed to equip the girls with knowledge on menstrual hygiene management, healthy living and self-confidence during their menstrual cycle.
Lady Obareki expressed appreciation to the leadership and congregation of Grooves Memorial Methodist Church for hosting the programme, the resource persons, Dr Esther Udom, members of the GIFA team, partners, stakeholders and volunteers for their commitment to the success of the intervention.
“ I charge our teachers, guardians, and caregivers to provide practical and emotional support to our girls as they blossom into women, so that they understand their bodies, feel confident in themselves, and know that menstruation is not a limitation, but a profound sign of strength and
growth. Your role is critical in creating safe spaces where our girls can talk
freely without fear or embarrassment and receive the right guidance.
Let us replace myths with medical facts and silence with absolute
support. You are the gatekeepers of their confidence, so let us normalise
these conversations in our homes, schools, and communities,” she added.
Setting the tone for the event earlier, the Team Lead of GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, who stated that the outreach which falls under the ‘women empowerment’ thematic area of GIFA, was focused on empowering 500 girls in Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, with a years worth of sanitary supplies and other personal hygiene products and pamphlets.
The event featured health talks on menstrual hygiene, by a medical Doctor, Esther Udoudom, who educated the girls on the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty, emphasising that menstruation is a natural part of female development.
Dr Udoudom who punctuated her presentation with practical demonstrations, spoke extensively on proper body care during menstruation, personal hygiene, and the correct disposal of sanitary pads, with practical demonstrations carried out on how to properly wear sanitary pads, while participants were advised to always carry extra sanitary pads during their menstrual periods.
The session further featured discussions on safe and unsafe touch, as well as ways to avoid unwanted and early pregnancies, all aimed at helping the girls protect themselves and speak up against abuse. In addition, the girls were encouraged to use period trackers to monitor their menstrual cycles, keep track of their period dates, and record any unusual changes observed in their bodies.
The Methodist Archbishop of the Ikot Ekpene ArchDiocese of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, the Rev. Etim Ekong, commended Lady Obareki, for organising what he described as an impactful programme aimed at educating, empowering, and enlightening young girls on personal hygiene, self-esteem, and responsible living.
He noted that the church was deeply honoured by the presence of the GIFA team for the programme targeted at restoring confidence and dignity, eliminating fear and stigma, and helping young girls with better understanding of menstruation and womanhood.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, described the GIFA period poverty intervention as excellent, timely and crucial to family and societal development, and one that would leave lasting impact across the state, adding that knowledge gained by the girls at the programme would be shared within their various communities, thereby extending the campaign for hygiene awareness and responsible living.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, and member Board of Trustees of GIFA, Hon. Emmanuel Inyang, appreciated Lady Obareki for the intervention which he noted, has provided proper education on menstruation and reproductive health, a development that he hoped would contribute to reducing the spate of teenage pregnancies and misinformation. He stressed the need for more awareness programmes in rural communities to equip young girls with the right knowledge and confidence.
The packs of sanitary materials were later distributed by Lady Helen Eno Obareki and other dignitaries to the 500 participating students, as part of efforts to promote dignity, confidence and improved school attendance among adolescent girls, after which three beneficiaries drawn from the three participating Local Government Areas – Mfoniso Emem Udo, Happiness Imoh Moses, and Queeneth Udeme expressed gratitude to GIFA for the gifts.
The leadership of the Ikot Ekpene ArchDiocese of the Methodist Church Nigeria, the Reverend Etim Ekong presented gifts to Lady Helen Eno Obareki in acknowledgment of her commitment to continuing with her mother’s legacy of enhancing family lives through GIFA, together with a Diamond Jubilee celebration ‘Best Governor Award’ from the church to the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Among those who attended the programme were the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah; the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor; the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Lady Emem Ibanga; member of the GIFA Board of Trustees and wife of the Accountant General of the State, Mrs Imaobong Essien; the chairman of Ikot Ekpene LG Council, Mr Aniefiok Nkom and wife; as well as the wife of the Chairman of Essien Udim, Mrs Ofonime Usoro; and that of Obot Akara, Mrs Aniefiok Dominic.
Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
May 24, 2026.
