The leadership, members and beneficiaries of Team Ma Adiaha Solidarity Movement have strongly refuted allegations circulating on social media accusing the Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Otu, of exploiting and extorting poor and vulnerable women through the activities of the movement.
At a press briefing held by the movement, the Director General, Archbishop Prof. Margaret Ene Ita, described the allegations as false, malicious and politically motivated, insisting that Her Excellency has no involvement in the day-to-day administration of the organization.
“The allegations that Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Otu, is extorting poor and vulnerable women through Team Ma Adiaha are completely false, malicious and politically motivated. Her Excellency has never directed, authorized or encouraged anyone to collect money on her behalf. Team Ma Adiaha is an independent women-focused movement whose activities are managed by its executives and members,” Archbishop Ene-Ita stated.
She maintained that those behind the allegations were merely attempting to discredit a woman whose commitment to the welfare and empowerment of women across Cross River State is evident through numerous humanitarian interventions.
The briefing also featured contributions from other executives of the movement who highlighted the numerous interventions championed by Her Excellency across Cross River State.
They emphasized that the programmes and empowerment initiatives associated with the First Lady are non-partisan and designed to benefit women across the state irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity or background. The executives further disclosed that all registered members of the movement received a refund of the ₦30,000 registration fee, describing the gesture as further proof that the initiative was never conceived as a means of exploiting women.
According to them, beyond the refund, many women have benefited from cash empowerment packages, food support, wrappers, business grants, healthcare interventions, skills acquisition programmes and the distribution of commercial buses. They noted that several beneficiaries have become economically independent through these interventions, with some women now operating as commercial drivers and supporting their families through the opportunities provided.
Beneficiaries present at the briefing also shared testimonies of how their lives have been transformed through various interventions facilitated through the movement.
One beneficiary stated that many women have received benefits far exceeding the ₦30,000 registration fee often referenced by critics.
“I am surprised by these allegations because the facts speak for themselves. I have benefited far beyond the ₦30,000 registration fee. Some members have received empowerment packages worth up to ₦200,000, while others have been supported with bags of rice, wrappers, cash grants and even commercial buses. Today, some of our women are commercial drivers, earning a living and supporting their families through opportunities made possible by this movement. Nobody has been forced to pay money for the support they have received. What we have experienced is empowerment, not exploitation,” she said.
Several other beneficiaries shared similar testimonies, highlighting various interventions they had received through the movement, including business support, food assistance, healthcare interventions and skills acquisition opportunities.
The women maintained that the visible impact of Team Ma Adiaha Solidarity Movement across communities in Cross River State stands as proof of its commitment to improving the lives of women and vulnerable groups.
The press briefing ended with a unanimous call on members of the public to disregard the allegations and continue supporting initiatives that promote the economic and social advancement of women across the state.
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