Wife of Akwa Ibom state Governor, Her Excellency Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel has admonished inmates of government special homes to imbibe good family morals of being obedient to their guardians, respect their elders as well as fear and honour God in order to become good and worthy citizens of the state.
The first lady made the call during her official visit to three Government managed homes namely; Correctional Children’s Home, Aka Offot, Divine Children’s Home, Effiat Ofot and the Special Children Home, IBB way all in Uyo.
Speaking at the respective homes, Deaconess Emmanuel charged the inmates of the homes to be of good behavior, believe in God, cultivate the ‘I can do mentality’ and look into the future with great hope saying that God in his grace will strengthen and make them productive citizens. She advised the inmates against indulging in crimes that could be inimical to their future adding that the Government under the leadership of Deacon Udom Emmanuel as Governor would not rest on its oars in ensuring that successes recorded is maintained and even improved upon. The first lady thanked the coordinator, care givers and staffs of the various Homes for their continued labour of love noting that she was impressed with what she saw on ground.
Deaconess Emmanuel also paid special tribute to her predecessor, Mrs. Akpabio for establishing two of the homes saying that her labour of love for the vulnerable will forever be appreciated by all in the state. She promised to follow the footsteps of her predecessor by assuring the inmates that their welfare will still remain paramount.
The Permanent secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Cecilia Inyang in her remarks said they were thrilled to have the first lady in their midst. She described her as a mother whom God has brought for a purpose for the children of Akwa Ibom state saying that the Homes were indeed living up to their duties. She appreciated the immediate past Government for its supports towards the Homes while soliciting for continued support from the present administration.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the coordinator of Correctional Children’s Home and Divine Children’s Home, Mrs. Asuama Sydney said the homes were built and donated to the Ministry of Women Affairs by the immediate past wife of Governor. She noted that the Correctional Children home has various training departments such as carpentry, soap making, creative art adding that the trainers’ and teachers of the home are doing great job in ensuring that the inmates are reintegrated into the society.
Accompanying the first lady on the visit was the wife of the Transformation Initiative chairman, Mrs. Ime Ephraim Inyang as well as directors in the ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.