RismadarVoice Reporters
June 10, 2026
The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) has renewed calls for collective action to address climate change, describing it as an urgent global challenge already affecting livelihoods, public health, and economic stability in local communities.
This was highlighted during a climate change sensitisation programme held at the Ibom LED Centre in Uyo, with the theme “Climate Change Mitigation”, and organised under GIFA’s “Improving Environmental Health” initiative.
Speaking at the event, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of GIFA Board of Trustees, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, said climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality impacting households and communities across the state.
She stressed that farmers are increasingly faced with unpredictable weather patterns, while flooding, heat waves, and environmental degradation continue to threaten public health and economic productivity.
“Climate change is no longer a distant problem for the future; it is a current reality happening right outside our doors, affecting our homes, our pockets and our survival,” she said.
Lady Obareki said the administration of Governor Umo Eno, through the ARISE Agenda, has prioritised environmental sustainability by improving drainage systems, strengthening healthcare delivery, upgrading infrastructure, and promoting environmental sanitation to reduce flood risks and related hazards.
She explained that the sensitisation programme was designed to equip residents with practical knowledge for adapting to environmental challenges, while promoting sustainable practices such as recycling, tree planting, proper waste disposal, and climate-smart agriculture.
She also highlighted GIFA’s “Water of Life” project, which provides solar-powered water facilities aimed at improving access to clean water and reducing waterborne diseases. According to her, the initiative currently operates in 13 local government areas, with plans to expand to all 369 wards in the state.
Participants were encouraged to become environmental ambassadors in their communities by discouraging bush burning, promoting recycling initiatives, and adopting sustainable farming practices.
To support environmental action, Lady Obareki announced that participants would receive eco-friendly solar lamps and economic tree seedlings through relevant state agricultural agencies.
Also speaking, GIFA Team Lead, Pastor Anne Abraham, said the programme was designed to combine education, advocacy, and practical tools to promote environmental responsibility and healthier communities.
A panel discussion featured experts who linked climate change to agriculture, public health, and infrastructure resilience.
Prof. Edna Augustine Akpan of Akwa Ibom State University attributed climate change largely to human activities and urged farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, warned that climate-related flooding increases risks of cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases.
Mrs Jayne Edidiong Ufot, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Safety and Environment, emphasised proper waste disposal and climate-resilient building practices, while Dr Otoyo Otoyo of ECEWS called for greater public awareness and adoption of clean energy alternatives such as solar power.
