Ekaette Unoma Akpabio was born on 9th June 1971 in Ozom
Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. She is a
renowned philanthropist and women and children's rights activist. She is the
wife of Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and incumbent
Senate President of Nigeria.
Her Life Beginning and Educational Background
Ekaette was the daughter of the late Beatrice Nkemdilim and
Godwin Ejike. She started her education at Zik Avenue Primary School, Enugu,
and moved on to City Girls Secondary School, Enugu, where she earned her West
African School Certificate. She went further to Abia State University, Uturu,
and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education Accounting. She is a devout
Catholic and an active participant in charity work since she was a child.
Her Personal Life
Ekaette is the wife of Godswill Akpabio and shares five
children with him, four daughters, and one son. Their marriage has been one
that is touted as being built on partnership and shared values. Ekaette has
kept her private life within her family despite her husband's highly public
political life, devoting her time to raising their children and being present
for her husband's activities.
Her Philanthropic Activities
During her tenure as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State
between 2007 and 2015, Ekaette founded the Family Life Enhancement Initiative
(FLEI), a non-governmental organization aimed at enhancing the well-being of
families, women, and children. Under FLEI, she came up with some landmark
programs:
i. Shelter for Widows Programme: Under this programme, over
a hundred two-room bungalows, fully equipped, were made available to the widows
across the state, providing them not only with a roof but also with a new sense
of self-respect.
ii. Multiple Birth Programme: Addressing the special needs
of multiple birth families, the program provided health education,
mother-care kits, and financial assistance to more than 4,250 families, in
confirmation of the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health.
iii. Women Agro-Entrepreneurship Development Programme
(WAEDEP): In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, WAEDEP disbursed
agro-input finance to over 4,000 women farmers, promoting food security and
women's economic empowerment.
Ekaette's advocacy also led to the passage of progressive
legislation in Akwa Ibom State, namely the Child Rights Act of 2008 and the
Widows Protection Act of 2013, which protected the rights of vulnerable groups.
Her Recognition and Rewards
In appreciation of her charitable endeavors, Ekaette
received an outstanding Zik Prize for Humanitarian Leadership in 2020. It was
in recognition of her tireless efforts in empowering the vulnerable and service
to societal development through her various interventions.
Recent Developments
In February 2025, Ekaette openly came to her husband's
defense following sexual harassment accusations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She described the accusations as unfounded, detailing her
husband's disciplined character and respect for women.
Conclusion
Ekaette Unoma Akpabio is a living testament to selfless
service and activism. From the modest beginning of her life in Enugu down to
the impactful role she has played as First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, she has
consistently championed the cause of the oppressed, especially women and
children. Her projects have made an indelible impression on a number of lives,
testifying to her unabated resolve for humanitarianism and societal
development.
