By THERESA DONATUS

Following a distressed report on social media about a 22-year-old mother of four, Grace Udeme Esenowo, from Ikot Abia, Okon Eket who feeds her children with chicken and fish feed due to extreme hardship, the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno, has taken urgent action to provide sustainable support to her.

The first lady made this known to the journalist in Uyo on Tuesday evening through a Press Release signed by Comrade Uduak Ekong the Chief Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor, Akwa Ibom State disclosed that the story was originally posted by the Instagram user, one QueenPraise John Uzoma (popularly known as NriNdioma)

According to the Release, Uzoma revealed that Grace, due to severe economic hardship, has been feeding her four children with chicken and fish feed while working on her father’s farm in Eket Local Government Area.

Moved by this troubling situation, the First Lady expressed her appreciation to Uzoma for bringing such an issue to public attention and commended the generosity of those who have already contributed over a million naira to help Grace and her family.

To ensure the young mother receives immediate and long-term assistance, Pastor Patience Umo Eno has directed her NGO, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), and her aides to collaborate with the Ministry of Women Affairs and female stakeholders in Eket.

As an immediate measure, the First Lady has personally donated Five Hundred Thousand Naira to provide accommodation, food supplies, and other essential items for Grace and her children. This contribution marks the beginning of a coordinated effort to deliver holistic and sustainable support to the family.

In the coming days, the First Lady’s office will provide updates on further plans and opportunities for individuals and organizations to participate in the ongoing efforts to assist Grace and her children as Pastor Patience Umo Eno remains committed to the welfare of vulnerable women and children in Akwa Ibom State and continues to advocate for collective efforts to address such critical issues.

The Release Reads; “The attention of the Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has been drawn to a trending story on the Instagram handle of one QueenPraise John Uzoma (popularly known as NriNdioma), on a 22-year-old girl, Grace Udeme Esenowo from Ikot Abia, Okon Eket, who works on her father, Venerable John Uzoma’s farm in Eket Local Government Area and feeds her four children with chicken and fish feeds.

“While thanking QueenPraise for drawing attention to this worrisome situation and raising over a million naira overnight from empathetic and generous Individuals, Organizations, and others, the First Lady has directed her NGO, the Golden Initiative For All, GIFA and her Aides to work with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Female Stakeholders in Eket, to fashion out holistic support for the young mother and her children.

“To start with, the Governor’s wife has made an initial personal donation of Five Hundred Thousand naira only in support of plans to provide immediate accommodation, food supplies, and other necessities for the young family of 5.

“In the coming days, updates will be made available for the benefit of individuals and organizations willing to be involved in plans to provide sustainable help for Grace and her children.“