REACH OUT AND SMILE INITIATIVE FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT PAYS VISIT TO HON. AKAN OKON

Reach Out and Smile Initiative for Social Empowerment, a humanitarian organisation committed to the course of liberation and emancipation today paid a courtesy visit to their Patron, Hon. Akan Okon, Hon.Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties in his Ewet Housing home. The group which has as its motto "strengthening the weak hands" comprises of over 100 coperatives with not less than 20 women in each.

The Founder of the group, Amb.Mrs Ruth Utuk in her opening remarks thanked the women for turning up enmasse to celebrate with their patron. The group she stated exists in the 36 States of the Federation including Akwa Ibom State with branches in Zambia, Rwanda and Conga. Furthermore she said the group comprises of 20 cooperatives in each Local Government and all were farmers. She appreciated God for the safe journey of the women and assured them of the Patron's goodwill this yuletide.

The Patron, Hon. Akan Okon in his response appreciated the group for calling on him. He described the organisation as proficient while expressing his happiness with their activities, strides and programmes. He indicated that he had accepted to be the patron of the group while commending the group for playing a critical role during the last LGA elections.

"When once you empower a woman, you're empowering the family.I strongly believe if you give women opportunities, they have the power and capacity to change the world", He said. He promised to host the group in grand style in the new year. He reiterated that the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel had done a lot for women as portrayed by FEYREP, the pet project of the First Lady, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel.

He prayed God to reward the group for their services to humanity while expressing his excitement over the existence of Cooperative societies within their ranks which he said would make it easier to channel help to them. He pledged to work with the exco of the group to ensure the group gets sufficient government interventions.

The Housing Boss stressed that building Akwa Ibom State takes the effort of all and thanked the women for supporting the Government of Governor Udom Emmanuel. The Governor he said attaches so much value to Civil Servants as shown in prompt payment of salaries and other welfare packages. He urged them to continually pray for the leadership of the State. He reminded the group that its success depended on God and not on any individual and solicited their prayers.

The group members prayed for long life and prosperity for the Housing Boss