By Anietie Akpan
The Akwa Ibom First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Eno Obareki has been honoured as the matron of the Commissioners and Special Advisers Wives Association (COSAWA).
This honour according a to press release from the Media Unit, Office of the First Lady, is in recognition of her motherly role in ensuring the well-being of the children, youths, women and men in the State.
The honour was given when a delegation from COSAWA paid the First Lady Designate a visit in the conference room of her office in Government House, on Monday, May 5, 2025 as the group reiterated support for GIFA and Programmes of the First Lady’s Office.
The leader of the delegation and President of COSAWA, Dr Bright Archibong, said that the visit was borne out of the need to formally introduce themselves especially after the privilege granted their husbands to serve as Executive members in Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
Dr. Archibong lauded Lady Obareki for her impactful contributions to the lives of the people of Akwa Ibom, citing her work in touching the lives of women, providing hope for families with multiple births and educating adults, expressed their readiness to drive the activities of GIFA and the ARISE Agenda.
In her response, Lady Obareki who said she was overwhelmed by the honours, appreciated COSAWA for identifying with her and for pledging to support the programmes of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), noting that the synergy would ease the burden of reaching out to the needs of the people at the grassroots.
“I am really honoured to be identified as your mother and I am really proud to have you as my children. It makes me hold my head up high wherever I go knowing that you are available and ready to work with me” she said.
The Coordinator acknowledged COSAWA’s gifts and solicited their continuous support to the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno while relaying her openness to more ideas that will drive the objectives of her office.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Iniebehe Silas who identified COSAWA as the First Lady Designate’s immediate constituency, commended them for their familiarity visit and assured the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, of their ability to deliver on any assigned roles.
The highlight of the visit was the decoration of the First Lady Designate as their matron and the donation of wrappers, to support GIFA activities.
