UNICEF/UNFPA partners Ebonyi Gov’s wife pet project, as official launch of ‘Family Succour Programe’ receives boost from NGOs

Speaking at  the formal launch of the Foundation held at the Akanu Ibiam Conference Center Abakaliki on Saturday, the  Head of UNFPA, Dr. Kante Mamodu, commended Mrs. Umahi for advancing the course of women and other indigent members of the society.

He said that Ebonyi State was one of the States selected by the United Nations to be used for Global Partnership by the World body.

“She championed the campaign on elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGMC), the law on Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP)

Earlier in her address, the wife of the Ebonyi State Governor and initiator of “Family Succour /Upliftment Foundation” Mrs Rachael Umahi , said that the programe had drastically reduced the practice of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGMC) in the State.

She said that the official launch of the Foundation was to give recognition to the Scheme geared towards increasing the number of beneficiaries in addition to accelerating  the scope of its activities.

Mrs Umahi expressed optimism that more women would be beneficiaries of the programme in the years ahead, and commended Development Partners for their laudable assistance to the Foundation.

“This year 2019, we look forward for more women to be beneficiaries, over 300 widows received monthly stipend from the Foundation”

Mrs Umahi said that the Foundation had domesticated the law on “Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) and eliminated the obnoxious practice of Female Genital Mutilation in the State.

The State First Lady enumerated the five segments of the Foundation to include provision of Succour to the physically Challenged, payment of grants to over 4,300 widows totalling N430 million. Payment of medical bills to all children born at various hospitals in the state and the construction of houses for widows.

Speaking at the event, Governor David Umahi described the Foundation activities as worthwhile assuring  that his administration would continue to support the Foundation to achieve its core objective of offering Succour to the masses.

” Today we join hands with the wife of the Governor to rebuild the society, and offer Succour to the down trodden”

Governor Umahi announced that he has directed the Commissioner for Grants/Donor Agencies to take over all the Primary Health Centers in the State.

In attendance at the formal launch of the programe was the wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Ugwuanyi, members of the National Assembly, Donor Agencies. members of the State Executive Council, the State Chief Judge Amselem Nwaigwe. youth Organisations, market women, the Clergy and members of the State House of Assembly among others.

Various Goodwill messages were received from United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the Federal Ministry of Health and other Development Partners.

It would be recalled that the Family Succour and Upliftment Programme was established by the Mrs. Rachael Umahi in 2015 as her pet project. with the objective of offering assistance to the less privileged,  protection of all Rights and Privileges accruing to the womenfolk in addition to eliminating all forms of violence against women among others