The Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), the pet project of the late wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has continued its intervention in rural communities with the provision of a solar-powered Water of Life project in Ikot Abasi, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
The facility, inaugurated in the community, is the 14th Water of Life project provided by GIFA in recent times as part of efforts to expand access to safe and potable water across Akwa Ibom State.
Residents of Ikot Abasi had for decades relied on an old well as their main source of water before the intervention by GIFA and its partners.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described the project as a practical response to the longstanding challenge of inadequate access to potable water in the community.
Obareki, who is also the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Inibehe Silas Etukudo.
She said the years residents had depended on the old well were now a thing of the past following the provision of the solar-powered water facility.
“The GIFA family appreciates the Deaconess Sarah Joseph Inwang Foundation and former National Assembly Representative Dr Esio Okwong Udo for redeeming their pledge of one Solar Powered GIFA Water of Life project, made during our second anniversary celebration on February 20, 2026. Thank you for delivering this facility in record time,” she said.
The GIFA Board of Trustees Chairman also commended Governor Umo Eno for his support for the organisation and efforts to sustain the legacy of its founder, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
“Let me thank our Pillar in GIFA, our Golden Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, for committing to sustaining GIFA as a living legacy. Recently, the Governor gave a directive to the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and AK-RUWATSAN to collaborate with GIFA on the ‘Water of Life’ scheme, by providing GIFA water in all the 369 wards in the state. This is massive, and we are grateful,” she said.
Obareki urged women, youths and community leaders in Ikot Abasi to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance.
She also called on residents to protect the project against vandalism, stressing that community participation was essential to preserving the facility for present and future generations.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Council, Ime Essien, represented by his wife, Dr Idara Essien, described the Water of Life project as a life-changing intervention that would significantly improve public health, sanitation and the overall quality of life of residents.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by Mrs Nyakno Uwem Okoko and the project partners, Dr Esio Okwong Udoh and Dr Inwang Etim.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of people in rural communities.
As part of the programme, 25 women were identified and presented with GIFA women’s empowerment packages by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
Other women who accompanied the delegation from the Office of the First Lady included Mrs Ekaette Essien, wife of the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; the APC Woman Leader for Uyo Senatorial District, Hon. Akon Michael; the Vice Chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Hon. Inyang Akpawan; and other female stakeholders from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ime Udoto appreciated GIFA and its partners for providing the water facility and empowerment packages, while offering prayers for the growth and sustainability of the initiative.
The Water of Life Project is one of GIFA’s flagship interventions aimed at improving environmental health and enhancing the quality of life in rural communities by expanding access to safe and potable water across Akwa Ibom State.
