The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, on Wednesday November 19, 2025, inaugurated a solar-powered Water-of-Life Project in Ekpat Iduot community, Abak Local Government Area, marking another milestone in the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA)’s statewide clean water intervention.
The inauguration brings to four, the total number of beneficiary communities within the last one week, following similar exercises in Nsekhe – Ukanafun, Ikot Akpabio in Nsit Atai and Uquo in Esit Eket Local Government Areas.
Speaking during the inauguration, Lady Obareki expressed deep gratitude and fulfilment at the progress of GIFA’s water projects across the state, noting that the project represents a major stride in GIFA’s commitment to improving environmental health, especially for the most vulnerable groups.
“I stand before you today with immense satisfaction and gratitude for the audacious task of working towards providing clean and potable water to rural communities across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
“This ‘Water of Life’ project represents the fulfilment of one of the thematic areas of GIFA—improving environmental health, where the health and wellbeing of women, children and families in rural communities are guaranteed through the utilisation of solar technology,” she added.
Speaking of the sustainability of the project, Lady Obareki described the solar-powered facility as a “game changer,” designed to ensure uninterrupted access to clean water.
She reaffirmed GIFA’s plan to extend similar interventions to the remaining 23 local government areas, saying “In the nearest future, the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, Water of Life, will flow with blessings and prosperity, to needy communities in the remaining 23 Local Government Areas, leveraging on the sustainability index of solar powered technology, to enhance the living conditions of families,” she assured.
“For this massive undertaking to succeed, we require true partnership with you and all other communities across the remaining 23 Local Government Areas, in need of urgent water facilities to feel free to contact the GIFA office with preferred, identified locations.”
Lady Obareki urged the Ekpat Iduot community to safeguard the project. “I urge the leadership of this community to protect and care for this facility… to serve even the next generation.”
The Chairman of Abak Local Government Council, Mrs Ime Charles, expressed profound appreciation to the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for siting the water project in the area, as well as the many impactful projects implemented across the state through the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), assuring that the water facility would be utilised effectively and protected against vandalism.
Earlier, the team lead of GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, had thanked Lady Helen Eno Obareki for sustaining the vision of the water of life project under the improving environmental health thematic area of GIFA, calling for collaborations from partners to keep on impacting on the lives of vulnerable families at the grassroots.
Giving a brief overview of the project in Ekpat Ibuot village, the Technical Officer of GIFA, Mr James Ekanem, described the solar-powered GIFA water of life as a massive investment in the health of the people of Ekpat Iduot, a community that had no potable water for years until the intervention by GIFA.
Goodwill messages were received from the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah; Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Dr Ekemini Umoh; the representative of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Bernard Utang; the Village Head of Ekpat Iduot, Eteidung Saviour Aba-atai; the CEO of the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Dr Andy Eyo; as well as the councillor of Midim ward II, Hon Blaise Akpan.
Accompanying the First Lady Designate to the event were the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah; the Chairman, Ikono Local Government Council, Hon Otobong Essien; wife of the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs Charity Idung; and the wife of the Commissioner for Sports, Mrs Helen Bassey, partners of GIFA and other guests.
The women and youths of the beneficiary community entertained Lady Helen Obareki and guests with songs and dances in appreciation of the water of life project, after which the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady presented wrappers and cash to randomly selected vulnerable women.
Photos:
Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
November 19, 2025.
