The Federal Government has pledged its support for the Mansion of Blessedness, a women’s group that recently inaugurated the Mother Elizabeth Multipurpose Factory in Asiak Obufa Ayanganse village.
The factory, which has an investment of over N85 million, was officially commissioned on October 4-5, 2024.
At the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the importance of women’s collective efforts in driving economic growth.
Represented by Mrs. Angeleen Nkwocha from the Ministry’s Child Department, Kennedy praised the group’s commitment and resourcefulness in raising funds to establish the factory.
“We highly commend the efforts of this group. We will do all we can to support this commendable initiative,” Kennedy stated. “This massive investment will boost food availability in the country and create jobs, which will assist in lifting many from unemployment.”
Mrs. Glory Oho, the head of the Mansion of Blessedness, shared that the project received backing from the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, led by Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, and the Cross River Basin Development Authority. Oho revealed that members of the group contributed N10,000 each to raise the initial N40 million for the factory.
“We’ve expended over N85 million to purchase palm oil processing machines, as well as equipment for producing pure water, garri, and nuts cracking,” Oho noted. “Production of liquid soaps, organic palm oil, and garri will soon commence. We aim to engage 30 personnel initially, with half of the employment slots reserved for our members.”
The group has also established a three-hectare palm fruit plantation, initiated in 1960 by Mother Elizabeth Esu Obu, the factory’s namesake. Oho announced that they have received orders from significant buyers for the delivery of 50 drums of palm oil and emphasized their commitment to the Federal Government’s call for increased agricultural production to enhance food security.
Rev. Nyam Bissong, Chairman of the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria, represented by Mr. Donatus Owan, lauded the factory’s potential impact. He stated that it would transform the palm oil milling business beyond Cross River State and pledged his association’s support in providing basic training in palm oil production and tree nurturing for better yields.
The establishment of the Mother Elizabeth Multipurpose Factory not only marks a significant achievement for the women involved but also stands as a promising step toward bolstering local economies and enhancing food security in Nigeria.
