…Inaugurates Patience Eno’s Women Development Centre
By Iniemem Ndueso.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Obareki, has commended the Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government, Mr Uyo Ukpanah for prioritizing rural development, infrastructural reforms, women and youth empowerment schemes, saying they speak to Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda initiative.
Lady Obareki spoke yesterday at Ukanafun during a brief ceremony to celebrate the one year anniversary of the local administration in the area.
Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas, she commended the Chairman for following Governor Eno’s blue print in rural development.
She expressed profound gratitude to the Chairman for naming the women Development Centre block after the State’s First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, saying, “the honour in her memory which preserves her legacy, shows how impactful she was to the people of Akwa Ibom state.
Lady Obareki commended the Chairman who through his wife, presented business support cash of N100,000 each to 100 women in the area and urged the women to put the funds to judicious use, assuring that she would personally brief the Governor on the numerous projects successfully completed in Ukanafun within one year.
In his speech, the Council Chairman, highlighted that his focus on rural development, infrastructure advancement and economic empowerment, signified his alignment with Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Ukpanah, who assumed office in October 2024, reflected on the past year as one of dedicated service and transformative progress.
“This milestone is not just about tenure but tangible impacts we’ve made in improving the lives of our people where the projects have benefits to the grassroots, guided by the Arise agenda.
Some of the beneficiaries, posing with the Ukanafun Council Chairman, Mr. Uyo Ukpanah.
He also stated that his administration was big in grading of roads in all 13 wards of Ukanafun to enhance inter-community access and transportation, renovation of the council secretariat, completion of women development Centre and remodeling and furnishing of the legislative chambers.
Ukpanah also recounted that he had acquired official cars for the Secretary of Council and the Leader of the Legislative Council, and further established solar powered borehole water in four communities.
“In the coming months, we shall Prioritize the renovation of health care centers, primary schools, agricultural productivity and youth development”.
Meanwhile, during the anniversary celebration, the First Lady of Ukanafun LGA, spearheaded a people-centric empowerment initiative, distributing N10 million among 100 beneficiaries, each receiving N100,000 to boost their small and medium scale businesses.
Other dignitaries who delivered goodwill messages included Rt. Hon Emem Udom, Ukanafun House of Assembly Member, Mrs Aniekan Owen the Vice chairman Ukanafun, Elder Nsikanabasi Umoekpo, SA on Humanitarian Affairs to the Governor, Elder Aniekan Akpan, State PDP Chairman, HRM Akuku (Engr.) Amos Akpan (Paramount Ruler Ukanafun), and other senior government officials.
Ward councilors, local residents, empowered beneficiaries commended the chairman, maintaining that his administration showed how effective local governance can directly impact lives at grassroots, mirroring Governor Umo Eno’s vision of advancing and sustaining rural development across the state.
Highlight of the event was the laying of foundation for the traditional rulers chambers and the presentation of wrappers to women in the area.
