Member of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, Miss Ebenezer Eno (right), receiving the award on behalf of Lady Oberaki from the MD of Premium 89.9 FM, Lady Maureen Aniekan Umanah while others look on.
By Anietie Akpan
In recognition of her modest efforts in touching the lives of the vulnerable in the society, as well as enhancing family lives, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has been conferred with an award of “Amazon of the Niger Delta”, by Premium FM 89.9.
In a release from her Media Unit dated September 11, the award came as part of the 4th Anniversary of the radio broadcast station, which rolled out the drums to celebrate four years of growth and accomplishments, with an anniversary lecture and Prize Giving ceremony, at the Signature by Royalty Hotels, Uyo.
Represented at the event by a member of the Board of Trustees of the Golden Initiative for All, (GIFA), Miss Ebenezer Eno, Lady Oberaki appreciated the management of Premium FM for the honour done her, celebrating the station for four years of “impact, excellence, and the transformative power of amplifying the stories and voices of ordinary people”.
Lady Obareki commended Premium FM Abak for building a reputation of objectivity, commitment to professionalism, balanced reportage, and for become a trusted voice, a credible source of information, and a partner in community development.
”I am deeply honoured and humbled to be a recipient of this prestigious “Amazon of the Niger Delta” award, which will remind me daily to keep serving the Akwa Ibom people by continuing with what we do to uplift women and children and enhance the lives of families, through the eight thematic areas of GIFA.
”It is noteworthy that I am a beneficiary of quality reportage from this broadcast station that has often chronicled the activities of the office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and our pet project, the Golden Initiative for All, GIFA,” she said.
Dedicating the award to courageous women who are doing their bit to positively contribute to the society, Lady Obareki averred: “this award, therefore, is not mine alone. It belongs to every woman of courage and every young person who refuses to give up.
Cutting of the anniversary cake.
“It is for the many families with multiple children that we have provided for, and will continue to support. It is for the adults that we have exposed to the GIFA Adult Education Initiative, for the young girls I have mentored individually or collectively.”
In her speech, the Managing Director of Premium 89.9FM, Lady Maureen Aniekan Umanah, while acknowledging the unwavering support of Governor Umo Eno to the media community, said Premium FM had grown from a frequency on the dial into a household name and a powerful voice that resonates in hearts with programmes for all age range.
Inspired by Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to youth empowerment and digital innovation, Lady Umanah noted that Premium FM has established an academy as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to train and equip youths on digital literacy, graphics and web design, social media marketing, video editing among others, to help drive innovation and create job opportunities.
For the awardees, especially Lady Obareki, she expressed hope that the recognition would inspire them to continue making positive impacts in serving the community and promoting development.
The Chairman on the occasion, Sir Charles Udo, described Premium 89.9 FM as a symbol of resilience, consistency, purpose, impact, and a vast knowledgeable platform that is used to raise rural entrepreneurs and leaders.
Professor Nsikak Idiong of the University of Uyo delivered the anniversary lecture on the theme: “Bridging the Digital Divide : Raising Rural Entrepreneurs and Leaders”, during the ceremony which featured the graduation of the 1st cohort of Premium FM Digital Academy, who had undergone eight weeks of intensive training on digital skills.
Guests at the event including the representative of the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady also joined in the cutting of the anniversary cake.
