September 09, (THEWILL) — The Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State is set to deepen humanitarian outreach across the state through a new partnership with Rotary International, District 9142.
The Coordinator of the Office, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, announced the collaboration on Monday, when she received the District Governor, Rotarian Kelechi Anyanwu, and other Rotary leaders at the Government House, Uyo.
Lady Obareki said the partnership was timely as both her office and Rotary share common goals in education, maternal and child welfare, as well as poverty alleviation. She stressed that their combined efforts would deliver greater impact to vulnerable communities.
“One of the thematic areas of our Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) is literacy and learning, which aligns perfectly with Rotary’s goals. As schools resume, we will be partnering with you on our back-to-school programme to provide children with essential learning materials.”
She explained that GIFA, her pet project, has been designed to address pressing social needs by focusing on education, healthcare, empowerment, and social welfare. According to her, teaming up with Rotary would expand the reach of these interventions.
In his remarks, District Governor Anyanwu described the partnership as a practical demonstration of Rotary International’s 2025 theme, “Unite for Good”. He said the organisation was determined to work with government institutions and private organisations to strengthen basic education, promote maternal and child health, and deliver starter packs to struggling families.
Anyanwu, who is on a tour of Rotary clubs within District 9142, praised the Akwa Ibom First Lady’s commitment to uplifting the vulnerable. He assured that Rotary would provide community-driven projects that align with local needs.
Assistant Governor of Rotary Club Zone 9, Rotarian Onoriode Obareki, also commended Lady Obareki for her dedication, noting that she has balanced her roles as a family woman, public servant, and social advocate with remarkable commitment to service.
Other Rotary leaders, including District Governor Nominee Adesegun Tijani, President Patricia Obot, and President Amanam Hanson, spoke glowingly of the First Lady’s initiatives. They pledged their clubs’ support in driving sustainable projects that would reduce poverty and improve living standards.
The partnership, they emphasised, would not only provide relief to disadvantaged groups but also empower communities through education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship support.
Rotary International, with over 1.4 million members worldwide, is one of the largest humanitarian service organisations, bringing together professionals and business leaders to deliver impactful social interventions.
With the new collaboration, Akwa Ibom’s humanitarian programmes are expected to expand in reach and depth, offering fresh hope to the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
