Cross River First Lady Boosts Rural Economy With Massive Empowerment Drive
Grassroots Intervention in Odukpani
THE wife of Cross River State Governor, Eyoanwan Otu, has rolled out a wide-ranging livelihood support programme aimed at strengthening rural economies and reducing poverty across communities.
The initiative, executed through her pet organisation, Humanities Without Borders, took place in Idim Ndom village, Eki Ward, within Odukpani Local Government Area.
Tools for Economic Empowerment
At the event, beneficiaries received an extensive range of items designed to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance. These included fishing boats, motorcycles, minibuses for commercial transport, and various vocational tools such as sewing machines, hairdressing kits, welding equipment, and barbing tools.
Additionally, the programme provided grinding machines, solar lights, and Point-of-Sale (POS) machines preloaded with starter funds to encourage small-scale business operations.
Cash grants of ₦100,000 were also disbursed to 30 market women to support petty trading and boost local commerce.
Support for Vulnerable Groups
Beyond economic tools, the intervention extended to social welfare. Maternal care kits, exercise books, and over 1,000 bags of rice were distributed for onward allocation to pregnant and nursing mothers, schoolchildren, and the elderly.
Mrs. Otu explained that the programme was driven by a desire to share resources and uplift underserved populations.
“I felt I could not enjoy alone, so I decided to extend support to my brothers and sisters across the state,” she said.
Acknowledging Key Contributors
The First Lady expressed gratitude to individuals and partners who supported the initiative, including Edwin Okon, Ben Akak, and Asuquo Ekpenyong, among others.
She also pledged to relay the need for expanded rural electrification to Governor Bassey Otu, particularly for communities lacking access to power.
Stakeholders Applaud Initiative
In their goodwill messages, stakeholders praised the intervention as timely and impactful.
Senator Ekpenyong described it as a thoughtful grassroots initiative, urging beneficiaries to utilise the items productively. Similarly, Ben Akak and Edwin Okon emphasised that the items should be treated as seed capital for sustainable income generation.
Beneficiaries Express Gratitude
Community members and beneficiaries welcomed the programme, describing it as transformative.
Speaking on their behalf, Mary Effiong said the support would significantly improve livelihoods, noting that such an intervention was unprecedented in the area.
Stakeholders also reaffirmed their support for the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, stressing that grassroots empowerment remains key to inclusive growth and long-term development.
