Mary Slessor–Akan Glo Foundation Empowers 800 Multiple-Birth Families as Mary Slessor Day Is Marked

 

… Progenitor Dr Glory Edet Assures Expanded Outreach In 2026

The Mary Slessor–Akan Glo Foundation on Tuesday staged a remarkable humanitarian outreach as it commemorated the birth of Mary Mitchell Slessor, the Scottish missionary whose courage ended the killing of multiple-birth children and the banishment of their mothers in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Abia States.

At a well-attended event held at Ibom Hall grounds, Uyo, the Progenitor of the Foundation, Dr Glory Edet, presented empowerment equipment, including sewing machines, hair dryers, ovens and complete accessories, to parents of multiple births earlier sponsored for vocational training by the Foundation.

Our Correspondent reports that the gesture drew wide commendation, not only for its scale but for its consistency. Since inception, the Mary Slessor–Akan Glo Foundation has taken the front seat in humanitarian service, especially for women and vulnerable groups across different age brackets. Its programmes have focused on helping ordinary women acquire skills, stand on their feet, and become meaningful contributors to their families and communities.

However, Tuesday’s event carried the same signature. Beyond the equipment handover, more than 800 multiple-birth families received food and non-food support items, a lifeline many beneficiaries described as timely, transformative, and reflective of the Foundation’s culture of compassion.

Dr Edet, who is the former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Akwa Ibom State, said the outreach was designed not merely to honour Mary Slessor’s legacy, but to deepen the culture of protecting and uplifting families who once suffered cultural hostility. She noted that multiple-birth households often face heightened economic pressure, and the Foundation will continue to open opportunities that ease their burden.

The University Don reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to sustaining structured empowerment programmes, targeted welfare interventions, and continuous skill-support initiatives designed to help women attain stability, dignity, and economic relevance. She added that these efforts complement the superlative performance of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, whose administration has consistently demonstrated deep interest in humanitarian and gender-focused development across the state.

Meanwhile, the Foundation says it will expand its outreach in 2026, with new clusters of skill incubation, small-business support, and welfare programmes already being designed for rollout across the state.