Otobong Nsekpong
Etinan local government area has been chosen as a pilot local government in the implementation of a World Bank assisted intervention programme in the state.
The project known as Nigeria for Women Project is aimed at empowering women for financial inclusion, gender and life skill training as well as identity management.
Addressing the chairman of Etinan Local Government Area in his Office, the leader of the project, Mrs Ofonime Iniobong Etuknwa, said the project was brought to Akwa Ibom state courtesy of Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D who wants Akwa Ibom women to have access to market, finances and basic social amenities.
Mrs Etuknwa said the programme is a multi layered intervention where the local government and the traditional institution are involved in order to give us access to the communities.
” It is an all inclusive arrangement but specifically to empower rural women. We will train the women in financial literacy and gender literacy. It is programme worth embracing and meant for underserved women of Akwa Ibom state.”
Mrs Etuknwa said once the woman is empowered she is expose to economic visibility within her community, which in turn will bring peace to the family and community at large.
The scheme according to her can accommodate as much as 500 women in a community and is for women from the age of 18, saying, Etinan was chosen due to its population.
Responding, the Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon Uko Umoh, thanked the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D, for going all out to empower the women of Akwa Ibom state.
Hon Umoh also appreciated the fact that Etinan local government area has been chosen as a pilot local government for the scale up intervention programme, noting that, Etinan women will be better off at the end of the programme.
The Nigeria for Women Project team also visited the Paramount Ruler of Etinan, His Majesty, Edidem Aniefiok Monday Akpanobong and members of the traditional rulers council to brief them on the activities of the team in the local government area.
The Paramount Ruler in Council assured the women of their safety throughout their stay in Etinan local government area.
