RismadarVoice Reporters, July 1, 2026
The Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have commenced strategic discussions to strengthen humanitarian interventions and improve the welfare of vulnerable persons across the state.
The partnership initiative emerged during a meeting between the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, and a delegation of the NDDC led by the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the Commission’s Governing Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, in Uyo.
Speaking during the meeting, Lady Obareki described the NDDC’s decision to collaborate with the Office of the First Lady and the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) as a significant step towards expanding support for vulnerable residents.
She said the increasing interest from development partners and organisations in working within the office demonstrates the impact of its humanitarian programmes across the state, and expressed that the proposed partnership would deliver sustainable interventions capable of reaching more beneficiaries.
Lady Obareki also appreciated the NDDC for donating uLesson educational tablets and reaffirmed her commitment to partnering with the Commission and other stakeholders to improve livelihoods and enhance the quality of life of the people.
She attributed the successes recorded by the Office of the First Lady to the support of Governor Umo Eno, noting that the administration had provided an enabling environment for the office to complement the state’s people-oriented development agenda through GIFA.
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, said the Commission was seeking collaboration with the Office of the First Lady to broaden the reach of its development programmes across the state.
Nkono noted that the activities of GIFA align with the NDDC’s mandate of promoting human capital development, youth empowerment, education, environmental restoration and other people-centred interventions in the Niger Delta.
He highlighted some of the Commission’s education programmes, including its foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme valued at 40,000 US dollars per beneficiary and its expanded local scholarship scheme offering grants of up to ₦5 million for eligible scholars.
