The Akwa Ibom State Government is set to roll out a major empowerment programme targeting about 110,000 women across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas through ward-level cooperative societies.
Governor Umo Eno announced the plan in Uyo during the launch of the Federal Government’s rural women empowerment initiative and the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders.
The programme is expected to strengthen women’s access to financial support and improve their ability to engage in small businesses and other income-generating activities, particularly in rural communities.
The initiative is being implemented through cooperative societies established across the state’s 369 wards. The state government had earlier announced plans to inject ₦20 million into cooperative societies in each ward, with women expected to be among the key beneficiaries.
Governor Eno said women’s empowerment remains an important part of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, particularly its focus on improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
Under the plan, about 300 women are expected to be registered from each ward, which would produce a potential reach of approximately 110,700 women across the 369 wards.
The Governor has also directed that women empowerment programmes in the state should be channelled through cooperative societies to ensure better coordination and wider grassroots participation.
The cooperative initiative is part of the state government’s broader economic empowerment efforts. In July, the state Executive Council approved ₦31 billion for an economic empowerment programme expected to benefit 165,912 residents across the 31 LGAs, including women, youths, traders, farmers, transport operators and small businesses.
The latest intervention is expected to give more women, particularly those in rural communities, opportunities to expand their businesses, improve household incomes and contribute more actively to the state’s local economy.
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