UYO-The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has been recognised for her contributions towards improving maternal and child healthcare in the state.
The recognition, the “Safe Motherhood Ambassador” Award, was conferred on her by the convener of the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Project, Dr Aniekeme George, during a dinner and awards ceremony held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Ibom Hall, Uyo.
The event brought to a climax, the IOM Medical Missions, which was carried out across 20 local government areas in the state over the past two weeks, attending to thousands of pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of five.
Speaking at the event after receiving the award on behalf of the Coordinator, office of the first lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, the Team Lead of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, appreciated the IOM Project for honouring Lady Obareki and recognising her efforts towards advancing the well-being of mothers and children.
Abraham assured that GIFA would continue to support subsequent editions of the IOM Project, with a view to expanding access to essential maternal and child healthcare services and ensuring that more women and children across the state benefit from the initiative.
She further commended the IOM team and partners for their commitment to taking healthcare services and health education closer to women and families, noting that sustained collaboration among stakeholders would contribute significantly to reducing maternal and child mortality in the state.
Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the IOM Project, and Chief Executive Officer of the Carelife Character Foundation, Dr Aniekeme George, appreciated organisations and individuals who partnered with them to supported the IOM 2026.
George disclosed that a total of 36,477 women across the 20 Local Government Areas benefited from various interventions under the project, including free antenatal and postnatal care, medical consultations, maternal health literacy and other essential services.
He noted that the achievements recorded by the project would not have been possible without the contributions and support of partners in the coalition, commending them for their commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare across the state.
Other award recipients included the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr Uwemedimo Udo; Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme( ECEWS), Centre for Clinical Care and Research( CCCRN); Ibom Air; Imabridge Africa; Mary Slessor Akan/Glo Foundation, Helen Keller International; the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists( NAWOJ); Wives of All Local Government Chairmen(WALGON); and other organisations and individuals who contributed to the success of the IOM Project.
During the event which was hosted by the Uyo Local Government Council, mothers of 10 healthy babies identified during the IOM Medical Missions in Uyo Local Government Area earlier in the day as being breastfed exclusively, received packages from the Chairman’s wife, Mrs Akaninyene Udo.