The chairman of Uruan local government area, Mr. Henry Udofia flanked by his wife, Mrs. Ofonime Henry Udofia, during the presentation of cash and wrapper to select microscale businesswomen at Idu, Uruan.
By Abasifreke Effiong
Fifty-one women who are into different micro-scale businesses in Uruan, a riverine local government in Akwa Ibom state have received N1.1million to support their businesses.
Mr. Henry Udofia, chairman of Uruan local government area, made the donation to the women in his hometown Idu, headquarters of Uruan local government, over the weekend.
He said the donation was in response to an earlier request made by the women.
This is coming two weeks after Udofia gave 65 other women similar support.
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Making the presentation, Udofia noted the deep business interest shown by the women, saying that such interest will help to lift the very poor rural women out of poverty.
“The women came to me after the election and solicited support for their businesses. During my meeting with them, they said even if I can give them N5,000 or N10,000, it will go long way to support their businesses.”
“I was humbled by their demand and I told myself so if I give these women up to N20,000 each it can help their businesses tremendously.”
Udofia described women as prudent managers of finance and businesses, saying he was happy to note that the women in the local government were imbibing the enterprise spirit popularised by the Udom Emmanuel administration’s Dàkkàdá philosophy.
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The Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel launched the Dàkkadá philosophy upon his assumption of office in 2015 to serve as a social reorientation campaign aimed to encourage and promote enterprise among women and youths of the state.
The council chairman thanked the women for their support for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state during the 2019 general elections, announced that more business women will be supported by his administration.
While the chairman presented money to the women, his wife Mrs. Ofonime Henry Udofia, presented 50 pieces of wrapper to the women.
“When my husband told me about the business support he was planning for the women, I said I have to key in, so I decided to add these wrappers”, Mrs. Udofia said.
Present at the event was Mr. Michael Bush, President of Bush House Nigeria and Special Assistant on Media to Governor Udom Emmanuel.
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Bush commended Udofia for the support to the women, noting that when the women’s businesses flourish their families will be fed and the tendency of their children getting involved in crime will reduce.
The chapter chairman of PDP in Uruan Prince Obot Essien, lauded the council chairman for empowering the women.
“I am happy with the chairman and the council for remembering the women. And I thanked the women who worked steadfastly for the party during the election.”
One of the benefiting women, Deaconess Josephine Bassey, who is also the women leader of the PDP in Uruan said the women were very happy about the business support from the council chairman.
One of the beneficiaries, Deaconess Josephine Bassey, PDP women leader, Uruan local government.
“This is not the first time the chairman has hosted the women, but today’s event which he has done with his wife is memorable. Many of these women don’t have any serious business. So, the support given by the chairman will help a lot of us grow small businesses.
“Vegetable like waterleaf sells like hotcakes here; the money that we are given is enough to start such business for those who do not have business already”, Deaconess Bassey added.
