By Judith Eze
Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has said his office will support the first lady’s pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO) to improve the standard of living of the people.
Nwifuru gave the assurance on Wednesday, during the official inauguration of the Foundation, a Pet Project of his Wife, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, in Abakaliki.
According to him, the initiative would make life meaningful for the rural dwellers.
The governor commended the wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, for inspiring wives of governors in providing quality life for the society.
“The initiative will serve as a base to address the health issues of rural women, their empowerment and upliftment from poverty,” Nwifuru said.
Mr David Umahi, the Minister for Works, acknowledged that health, as part of the pet project, was apt in improving the needs and well-being of people in the state.
Umahi, who is also a former Governor of the state, said there was need for the state to self actualise, confidence for growth and development to strive.
“The choice of your pet project is good because their is need to take care of women, children and other vulnerable groups,” Umahi said.
Mrs Nwifuru, wife of the Governor and the initiator of BERWO foundation, requested that the initiative was best done collectively for sustainable impact and actualisation.
According to her, the foundation demonstrates deep passion for the well-being of women, children and vulnerable ones.
The governor’s wife noted that the birth of the foundation was geared towards alleviating plights of the downtrodden, creating awareness to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) and advocating for victims, supporting second chance education for the citizenry.
The Nigerian Governors Wives Forum, represented by Mrs Chioma Uzodimma of Imo, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun of Ogun and Mrs Eyoanwan Otu of Cross River, called for collaboration between government and private sectors to improve livelihood of the populace.
Mr Edward Nkwegu, Chairman of the Occasion, also called for support to actualise the project.
Mrs Nkechi Echiegu, Team Leader of BERWO, noted that the initiative was not just a project but a manifestation of a shared vision to address pressing issues and to foster a better quality of life for all residents.
Echiegu added that the project envisioned a society that supports women, youth and children to achieve their full potential with improved health care, better education and facilitating active involvement in economic empowerment.
“BERWOR Is a call to action and collaboration by all to contribute towards a common goal to impact on the lives of people,” Echiegu said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the unveiling of GBV facility for rehabilitation of survivors by Mrs Nwifuru.
