The Akwa Ibom State Government says it is set to empower about 110,000 women across the state through cooperative societies, with at least 300 women to be selected from each ward for the programme in October.
Governor Umo Eno announced the initiative in Uyo during the launch of the Federal Government’s rural women empowerment programme and the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to beneficiaries in the state.
Eno said the initiative, which would cut across the 31 Local Government Areas, was part of his administration’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for women and strengthening household welfare.
He described women empowerment as a critical component of the ARISE Agenda, noting that women had the capacity to multiply resources entrusted to them and create wider economic benefits for their families and communities.
“Akwa Ibom State will empower 110,000 women across the state through cooperative societies in October, this year. At least 300 women will be selected from each ward across the state for the programme,” the governor said.
According to him, the state initiative would complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which is already providing financial support to women to establish and expand their businesses.
The governor commended the Federal Government for bringing the LPG distribution programme to Akwa Ibom, saying 27,000 households had been targeted under the intervention.
“We are particularly pleased that this programme prioritises women, youths and vulnerable households. Empowering women creates a multiplier effect that strengthens families, communities and local economies,” Eno said.
He said the LPG initiative was not merely about distributing gas cylinders, but about improving living conditions, protecting the environment and creating economic opportunities for beneficiary households.
Eno also described gas as a catalyst for industrialisation, job creation and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, saying the programme underscored Akwa Ibom’s potential as a destination for gas-based investments.
He said the state’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, skills development and economic inclusion was consistent with its efforts to create sustainable livelihoods and expand opportunities for residents.
The governor noted that access to cleaner cooking gas would reduce household energy costs, improve health outcomes and protect women and children from the dangers associated with traditional cooking fuels.
Describing Akwa Ibom as “open for business,” Eno called on investors to explore opportunities in LPG plants, cylinder manufacturing and maintenance, gas storage, transportation and logistics, clean cooking solutions, gas processing, petrochemicals and gas-based manufacturing.
He assured investors that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment through transparent governance, infrastructure development and partnership with the private sector.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the event marked the launch of two major national interventions in Akwa Ibom: the rural women empowerment initiative for entrepreneurship development and the distribution of LPG cylinders under the Decade of Gas National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme.
Ekpo said the programmes were designed to promote women’s dignity, safety, enterprise and wellbeing in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for placing women’s empowerment at the centre of national development, stressing the link between women’s economic empowerment and access to clean cooking energy.
“Women’s empowerment and clean energy cooking are deeply connected because both begin at the household level and create wider benefits for health, enterprise, family wellbeing and community development,” he said.
