Golden
Innitiative For All
An Innitiative of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State
Established in December 2022, "Golden Initiative For All" is to complement the efforts of government by undertaking various programs and projects in supporting and promoting initiatives that improve:
Environmental health, the economic status of women, enhancing literacy and learning skills in children, improving sanitation by greening public spaces, focus on child and maternal health and home for the elderly.
OUR VISION
Our Vision is to deliver excellence as a team and impact positively on the lives of the people living in Akwa Ibom.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to identify and implement initiatives that support government efforts to improve the lives of Akwa Ibomites especially women, children and the elderly.
OUR WORK
The Golden Initiative For All is focused on improving and supporting the government in reducing maternal motality, improving the health of children as well as providing avenues to increase the economic contribution women and the elderly.
As part of her efforts to support His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno the Governor of Akwa Ibom State’s quest to grow the economy and develop the people, the First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, intends to build on the successes of her predecessor and focus on areas that will improve the lives of women, children and the vulnerable in the state. Her commitment to maternal and child health, literacy and learning, environmental health, women’s economic empowerment, disease prevention, and support for physically challenged persons is commendable.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
The first lady plans to focus on improving maternal and child health in the state. The goal is to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate of the state. Under this priority, there are two vital areas of focus namely support for pregnant women as well as selected new born AkwaIbomites.
1.1. PatCare Maternal Program
Selected pregnant women of the state will be enrolled unto the Golden Initiative Support Program, they will benefit from regular medical outreach during pregnancy. Essential items such as toiletry, sanitary and medicines will be distributed to them regularly during this period directly under the Office of the First Lady.
1.2. PatCare for Kids
It is a joy to welcome newborns into the state, therefore selected new babies (0-5 days) in the state will benefit from this welcome package which will be a combination of items and essentials such as toiletries, baby foods, buckets, etc.
A desk shall be established in the Office of the First Lady to liaise with all selected hospitals and other health facilities to identify qualified women and new babies for this program.
ENHANCING LITERACY AND LEARNING
Pastor Patience Umo Eno aims to improve literacy and learning outcomes in the state. This will involve supporting programs that provide access to education, promoting adult education, and advocating for policies that enhance the quality of education in the state.
2.1. Keep a Child in School Program
The provision of educational scholarships to brilliant but needy students is a crucial step towards promoting access to education and reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state. This will help to ensure that brilliant students who would otherwise be unable to afford an education can access quality education and fulfill their potential. Scholarships would be awarded based on merit or need, and the selection process would be transparent and rigorous to ensure that only deserving students are selected.
2.2. Donation to Schools
Selected schools shall benefit from support to make their learning environments conducive for citizens of the state. This would involve providing infrastructure and resources to enhance the quality of education in these institutions. Some of the areas that would be targeted include the provision of modern classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other facilities that enhance the learning environment.
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
The first lady recognizes the importance of a clean and healthy environment in promoting good health outcomes. She intends to support programs that promote environmental health, such as waste management and sanitation.
3.1. Water of Life Project
Good sanitation practices are important in preventing the spread of diseases and promoting good health outcomes. The first lady could support programs that promote good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and clean water supply. She could also advocate for the provision of public toilets and promote the use of toilets to reduce open defecation.
3.2. Health Education
Promoting good environmental health practices requires education and awareness-raising. The first lady would support health education programs that promote good hygiene practices, waste management, and environmental conservation.
IMPROVING ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN
Women make up a significant proportion of the workforce in the state, with many engaged in trading and farming activities. However, women face several challenges in accessing financial resources and market opportunities, which limits their ability to grow their businesses and increase their revenue.To address these challenges, the first lady would implement programs that provide women with the opportunity to increase their revenue and grow their businesses. Some of the initiatives that would be implemented include:
4.1. Access to finance
The first lady would work with financial institutions and other stakeholders to develop innovative financing solutions that meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. This would involve providing microfinance loans, grants, or other forms of financing that are tailored to the needs of women-owned businesses.
4.2. Market Opportunities
Women-owned businesses often face limited market opportunities, which makes it difficult for them to sell their products and increase their revenue. The first lady would support initiatives that promote access to markets, such as trade fairs, exhibitions, and online marketplaces. These initiatives could help women-owned businesses to connect with buyers and increase their customer base.
4.3. Networking & Mentorship
Women entrepreneurs often lack access to mentors and networks that can provide guidance and support. The first lady would facilitate the creation of networks and mentorship programs that connect women entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders who can provide guidance and support.
By implementing programs that provide women with the opportunity to increase their revenue and grow their businesses, the first lady aims to improve the economic status of women in the state. This would have a positive impact on the overall economy of the state, as women-owned businesses contribute significantly to the state's GDP. Additionally, improving the economic status of women could help to reduce poverty and promote gender equality in the state.
FIGHT AGAINST COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
The first lady recognizes the threat of communicable diseases to public health in the state. She intends to support programs that promote disease prevention and control, such as vaccination programs and health education campaigns.
5.1. Cervical Cancer
The PatCare Team will conduct periodic door-to-door cancer screening & awareness campaign in the state. The aim is to increase Diagnosis, Treatment Management Aid and Counselling. House-to-house, create awareness, teaching breast self-examination, self-oral screening, discussing signs & symptoms of all other cancers.
We will monitor & manage each suspicious case individually, refer such cases to hospitals, for further examination, diagnosis, and treatment. We will collaborate with the hospitals to provide treatment at subsidized rates under the government-aided schemes whiles the remaining expenses are taken care of by PatCare.
5.2. Access to healthcare
Access to healthcare services is critical in preventing and treating communicable diseases. The first lady would support initiatives that improve access to healthcare services, such as the provision of mobile clinics called the “Wheel of Hope” in underserved areas.
SPECIAL CARE FOR THE AGED AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS
Pastor Patience Umo Eno aims to provide special care and support for physically challenged persons in the state. This could involve providing assistive devices, advocating for the rights of persons living with disabilities, and supporting programs that promote their social inclusion.
6.1. Lean on Me Project
Vulnerable groups often face challenges in accessing public facilities, including healthcare facilities, schools, and public transport. The first lady could support initiatives that improve accessibility for vulnerable groups, such as the provision of ramps, wheelchairs, wheelchair-accessible entrances, and accessible public transport.
6.2. Employment
Vulnerable groups often face discrimination and limited employment opportunities. The first lady would support initiatives that promote employment opportunities for vulnerable groups, such as the provision of vocational training, job placement services, and support for entrepreneurship.
6.3. Golden Aged Initiative
This model will provide some basic health screening, physical exercise, public education, nutritional food and entertainment to the elderly and people with disabilities (PwD) on a regular basis across the 3 senatorial district of the state. These centers shall operate at daytimes only with assigned busses community rotational basis. At the center there shall be:
Mini Clinic and a doctor for basic health screening, Entertainment area (TVs, Ludo, Draft etc.) Canteen with free hot meals Resource persons to talk on: health, basic literacy, the Word of God, motivations, etc.
Gender-based Violence
Gender-based violence is a global crisis, however the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated its impact. Lockdowns and other mobility restrictions have left many women trapped with their abusers isolated from social contact and support networks. Increased economic precarity has further limited many women’s ability to leave abusive situations. COVID-driven economic and social instability will also heighten the risk of child marriage, female genital mutilation and human trafficking. At the same time, the pandemic has exposed women leaders to backlash, leading to threats, abuse and harassment both online and offline. Violence against women leaders can prevent them from carrying out their duties regardless of the position they hold.
What Her Excellency would do:
- Increase resources for shelters, hotlines and other services so that they can meet heightened demand.
- Protect elected and non-elected women leaders from gender-based violence.
- Any efforts to protect and combat violence against women in politics must consider women in all their public roles, including women civil servants and experts.
- Consider the communication needs of older women and women with limited access to ICT -- e.g. by setting up emergency warning systems in pharmacies and grocery stores.
- Make information and communication channels accessible for women with disabilities.
- Scale up public awareness campaigns, particularly those targeted at men and boys.
- Develop and implement measures to address online and ICT facilitated violence.
- Increase funding to women’s organizations. Evidence shows that the strength of women's organizations is one of the biggest factors in driving positive EVAW policy changes.
- Ensure women’s economic independence by enabling access to and control over regular, secure and long-term income.