Over 500 Akwa Ibom women on Thursday benefited from the fidelity bank empowerment program tagged: Give Her Power Outreach and Golden Initiative for all Women Empowerment.
The event which took place at the banquet hall government house Uyo Akwa ibom State saw about 50 sewing machines and 50 grinding ,500 bags of food items alongside ₦25 million grant provided for elated women who attended the ceremony.
Speaking at event, the Coordinator Office of the First Lady of Akwa ibom state Lady Helen Eno Obareki said the items been distributed are seeds of resilience that are being planted.
According to her, “We are unlocking potential. We are saying to three hundred mothers, sisters, and daughters of Akwa Ibom State: We see your hard work, we believe in your capability, and we are backing your dreams with the tools you need to succeed.
Lady Obareki hinted that women are the central drivers of Akwa Ibom’s economic growth and needed the necessary support to thrive.
She added, “We have seen time and time again that when you lift an Akwa Ibom woman, you lift an entire community. She does not just feed her household; she expands her business, hires her neighbours, and brings stability to those around her.
“Today, we are handing over cash grants alongside critical business tools and equipment carefully chosen to scale your work. Let me speak plainly to every woman here, whether you run an enterprise from your doorstep or operate a registered shop: these machines, appliances, and tools are not gifts or souvenirs. They are instruments of real economic power”.
She highlighted that the empowerment package is structured to touch diverse facets of trade and commerce: One hundred women in the tailoring and fashion industry are leaving with professional sewing machines, ready to stitch a brighter future for their households. Another one hundred are receiving modern grinders that will transform agricultural processing into viable, everyday commercial enterprises at the local level. The last batch of one hundred women are stepping into the digital and financial mainstream, as 20 of them will receive financial empowerment alongside Point of Sale (POS) machines to bridge the gap in grassroots commerce and modern banking.
“Additionally, the remaining 80 will receive cash grants. When a market woman or trader gets access to commercial food processing equipment, professional sewing machines, and Point-of-Sale machines, her work changes completely. She stops struggling to survive day-to-day and steps into real business expansion”
She highlighted that giving our women these practical tools provides them a seat at the table and turns small roadside businesses into solid wealth generators across Akwa Ibom.
Expressing gratitude to the fidelity bank, Lady Obareki said, “Visionary goals require strategic partners. On behalf of our women, I express my sincere appreciation to Fidelity Bank Plc. When we presented this vision, Fidelity Bank stepped forward with remarkable speed and commitment, providing Twenty-Five Million Naira (₦25,000,000.00) in direct financial support along with 500 bags of food items through the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative”
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, South, Fidelity bank, Mrs Pamela Shodipo said the Fidelity Bank believe that true empowerment must go beyond words.
According to her, “Empowerment is about giving people the tools, the capital, the opportunities and the confidence to turn their potential into possibilities—and their possibilities into prosperity.
She added, “That is the philosophy behind our Give Her Power Initiative, and it is why we are delighted to partner with the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) and the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State on this important programme.
“When you empower a woman, you do not empower just one person. You empower a family. You educate children. You strengthen communities. You create businesses. You create jobs. And ultimately, you strengthen the economy.
“This is why Fidelity Bank is proud to support today’s programme with 50 sewing machines and 50 grinding machines, providing women with practical tools to establish or expand income-generating businesses.
“We are also providing 500 bags of food items through the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, alongside ₦25 million in financial support for the GIFA Economic Women Empowerment Programme.”
