In keeping with its vision of creating a platform where value can be added to people’s lives, Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP) has impacted another set of one hundred and eleven (111) lives as it celebrated its 10 years anniversary.
The celebration was held Friday, September 19, 2025, at FEYReP Hall along Ben Udo Street, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, with the theme “Empowering Dreams, Enriching Lives, a 10-year legacy”.
In a remark by the founder and former first lady of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Dr Martha Udom Emmanuel, the theme of this year’s celebration represented the true essence of FEYReP, maintaining that for the past 10 years, her NGO has been working tirelessly to ensure that families are doing well because any dysfunctional family produces irresponsible children who in turn contribute to a dysfunctional society.
Mrs. Emmanuel disclosed that the goal of FEYReP is to put families on the platform of success where parents are able to raise their children properly, intimating that her non-governmental organization has a five-point agenda which include creating a platform to showcase a successful family by empowering family members; empowering women to provide economic and emotional support to their families.
Others are advocacy for prevention of teenage pregnancy and education of a girl child; creating a platform for promoting good moral values and economic excellence among youths, saying that a programme had been organized for the boy child tagged: “Bright Future for Responsible Boys”, where it was discovered that so many talents were rotting away among boys of secondary school age due to their involvement in diverse forms of criminality.
She said supporting government is among the objectives of the initiative as government alone can not handle the task of shaping the society, and therefore called on all hands to be on deck.
The founder who disclosed that the mission of FEYReP is “to empower families and restore values in our youths”, expressed happiness that her dream of touching and adding value to people’s lives has been fulfilled considering the many lives transformed through her non-governmental organisation.
Mrs Martha Emmanuel mentioned areas of intervention by FEYReP to include education, health care, empowerment of the people, provision of shelter and fight against gender-based violence (GBV) which she expressed displeasure over its resurgence as there are over 70 reported cases of the menace presently in the office, warning perpetrators to desist forthwith or be ready to face the full weight of the law when caught.
She thanked God Almighty; her husband, the immediate-past governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, whom she described as the pillar of FEYReP; development partners, coordinator and staff of FEYReP, guests and others for their support, resilience, show of love and acceptability, even as she charged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the empowerment received to better their lives and others around them.
Presenting a keynote address on the theme: “Empowering Dreams, Enriching Lives: A 10-Year Legacy”, a former vice chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, expatiated on the meaning of empowering dreams, ways of enriching lives and FEYReP’s 10-year legacy to humanity”.
Professor Ekpo explained that enriching lives signifies providing economic empowerment, promoting education and knowledge, protecting human dignity and rights, investing in health and well-being, creating opportunities for self-expression and voice as well as mentoring and providing educational supports among others.
She commended FEYReP for celebrating a milestone of persistent service to humanity with evidence-based impact stories and a renewal call to do more, saying that legacies are not built on stones but on people’s lives and concluded that FEYReP has succeeded in writing its legacy in ‘healthier mothers, educated children, empowered youths and thriving communities’.
The event featured paper presentation on “How to Grow a Successful Business” by Mr Aniekeme Finbarr; drama by Uncle Chico’s Ghen Ghen Arts, welcome song and cultural displays by students of Cornelia Connelly College, the founder’s alma mater, New Dawn Cultural Troupe.
It also featured inauguration of focal persons from the 31 Local Government Areas in the State, testimonies from beneficiaries, goodwill messages from individuals, partners and donor agencies.
High points of the day were cutting of the 10th anniversary cake and presentation of educational grants to 51 students and seed capital to 59 entrepreneurs with a charge on them to use them wisely so they too may replicate same gesture to others in future.
