…unveils Faith Oben-Etchi Foundation to support the needy and downtrodden
By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi, PhD, has brought smiles to the faces of 300 widows with his N30 million empowerment grant.
The event was in honour of his late wife, Mrs Faith Oben-Etchi, who passed away on 25 October 2024.
“This year, we’re setting aside N30 million to take care of the widows,” Oben-Etchi said, while unveiling the Faith Oben-Etchi Foundation in honour of his wife on Friday at the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) building in Calabar.
He disclosed that initially, 100 widows were earmarked for the empowerment but when he looked around and saw the need, he decided to increase the target to 300.
Oben-Etchi said he believed in what his wife stood for, adding that his journey would not have been completed without his late wife.
“It wasn’t something I planned for, I actually wanted to honour my wife. My journey would not have been complete without Faith Nkoyo Oben-Etchi. There is nothing I join my hands to pray with her that God will not give me. I believe very much in what she stood for, to cater for the downtrodden, that’s why we’re here today.
“We did an evaluation on the beneficiaries. I wanted to target 100 people. I later increased it to 200, but today, there are 300 on the list,” he stated while urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the grant to improve their businesses and livelihood.
The former two-term member representing Akamkpa II State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly said it has always been the goal of his wife to empower the vulnerable with business skills and grants.
“It is what my wife really wanted. She has a great passion for widows who are downtrodden. Not just widows, as going forward, we’ll feed the street children as we did during her posthumous birthday.
“We will support the aged. We also intend to impact children who are not able to go to school. So far, I’ve been taking care of 866 children’s education, since when I was elected a House Member, and some, up to the university level,” Oben-Etchi said while soliciting prayers from the widows and well-wishers.
READ ALSO: 70% of Nigerian women living in extreme poverty — Minister
He thanked his in-laws, friends, Healthy Billionaires Club and Timber Dealers Association, for their support.
Earlier, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, re-echoed the good life lived by the late Faith Oben-Etchi. “The takeaway from here is that when you’re alive, live a good life of positive impact. If his wife didn’t live a positive life, we wouldn’t be here today. I am very happy because we are unveiling a good thing that will change lives,” he stated while calling for support for the family.
In his remarks, Mr Great Ogban, Director General of the Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), lauded Oben-Etchi’s courage to turn a day of mourning into a day of smiles.
“I want to commend my boss and mentor for changing 25th October to add smiles to lives as against the day when we weep and mourn.
“The person we’re here to celebrate was a serial entrepreneur with over three businesses. Unveiling this foundation to support your businesses is like transferring the lantern to you. Make good use of this opportunity,” Ogban stated.
The widows were also lectured on how to make good use of the grant.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Loveth Bassey thanked Rt. Hon. Oben-Etchi for thinking about the widows at a time when the nation is faced with economic crises.
“I am very excited. I want to thank God for the wisdom he has given to you (Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi) to think on what to give to the widows. We will continue to pray for you and as well, make good use of the grant to better our lives,” she declared.
Goodwill messages also came from Hon. Sylvester Nsa, former NDDC Commissioner in the State; Mr Francis Ekpo, Director General of the State Electrification Agency (SEA); Hon. Magdalene Ekpe, Leader of Akamkpa Legislative Council and Chairman of Leaders of Legislative Councils; Pst. Maurice Nkong, Special Assistant on Public Relations; Joseph Ishaje, Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Mrs Onoyom Bassey, Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Forestry Commission as well as several others.
Donations of N1 million and N500,000 were made by the DG SEA and the Timber Dealers Association, Akamkpa II chapter.
Converseer reports that the beneficiaries were drawn from across the nation, including Akamkpa I & II, Living Faith Church, and other parts of the state.
The beneficiaries receive the grants via bank transfer, while those without bank accounts are referred to MEDA to be paid.
