Leprosy patients are dignified people, stop stigmatization against them – Dr. (Mrs.) Ekanem

For over 13years, Dr. Mrs. Edward, Idongesit, has been rendering services burned out of passion for the society. A female entrepreneur, who chooses to render selfless services through her non-governmental organization, Founder | Executive Director | Humanitarian | Entrepreneur | Educator | Advocate for Women and girls. She is a purpose-driven leader passionate about creating sustainable impact across communities through education, empowerment, and enterprise. As the Founder and Executive Director of Weal Global Foundation, Dr. Idongesit lead initiatives that
empower women, girls, and underserved populations through capacity building, education, mentorship, leadership development, health, and welfare support.

In addition to her humanitarian and philanthropy services, she is also the founder of: *E3 Integrated Services – A logistics, and haulage firm. *Harvard Junior and High School – A values-driven academic institution focused on excellence and leadership. *IDEE Creatives Services – Food processing, hospitality and innovation-driven agency.

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With over 10 years of experience in the banking sector and professional certifications in journalism, production and presentation, she brings a diverse perspective to development and enterprise. She is committed to fostering total well-being and building systems that enable people—especially women and girls—to thrive.

In an exclusive interview with CAPITAL POST’s Atekojo Samson Usman in Abuja over the weekend, she revealed how her non-governmental organization lifted many women, girls and vulnerable ones out of poverty through training in capacity building, leadership development and economic empowerment.

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Also, concerned about stigmatisation of leprosy patients, she ensured that her NGO takes the campaign of stigmatisation to nooks and crannies of the country through media advocacy.

Passionate for the plight of leprosy victims, she has taken welfare support and initiatives to the leprous peoples’ colony, Ekpeneobom in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom through her non-governmental organization, a feat that is rarely seen amid stigmatization in decades. Excerpts:

CAPITAL POST: What can you say of your foundation with regards to community
activities?

In Weal Global Foundation, I lead a passionate team, deeply committed to transforming lives through impactful community-based initiatives. Our work focuses on empowering vulnerable populations particularly women, girls by addressing pressing social and economic challenges.

CAPITAL POST: Why did you have to focus on the women and the youth? it because you are a female? Weal global focus on women and girls stems from a deep understanding that they are often the most vulnerable yet most powerful agents of change in communities.

Women around the world particularly in the underserved areas face disproportionate challenges including poverty, gender-based violence, limited access to education, health care and economic opportunities. By empowering women and girls, we are not only addressing inequality but also investing in the whole families, communities and the future
generation.

It was an intentional thing to work for women and girls because I believe that when a woman rises, the world rise.
Empower a woman! Empower the world!

CAPITAL POST” What is the mileage of your operations? Is it only the south-south? Is it only the south-east? Or the entire nation?

Actually, we operates in 2 states in southern Nigeria – Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom- serving about 10 rural and pre -urban communities and reaching 10, 000 women and girls through education, health and economic interventions.
Also, collaborate and network with other organizations that their vision align with ours.

CAPITAL POST: First of all, have you been collaborating with any agencies? Have you been collaborating with any agencies during your operations? Weal Global Foundation believes that partnership is key to sustainable development. Over the years, we have collaborated with various local, national, and international agencies to extend the reach and effectiveness of our programs. These partnerships have enabled us to provide critical support in areas such as education, health, economic empowerment, and humanitarian relief; examples of our collaborative efforts includes: *Partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics to support nutrition and malnutrition intervention programs for leprosy patients and vulnerable children. *Working alongside Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) on education support programs and textbook recycling initiatives. *Working alongside with Civil Society on Mental Health Drug Demand Reduction (CiSMHeDDR), Participation in coalitions with Business and Professional Women and standing committee member, International Business Trade and Technology to enhance visibility and cross-sector impact. Member, Australia Institute Business and Enterprise Facilitator.

Through these partnerships, Weal Global Foundation continues to strengthen its mission—ensuring that women and girls thrive through collective action, resource sharing, and advocacy.

CAPITAL POST: So how do you get your funding?

Weal Global Foundation funds many of its programmes through income from its affiliated businesses, reinvesting profits into education, empowerment and humanitarian initiatives. This social enterprise model ensures sustainability and deepens our impact.

CAPITAL POST: What area of activities you focus with regards to women and girls?

Just like I said earlier, I have a strong belief in equity and human dignity, and I oversee, design and execute high-impact programmes such as leadership development, education and mentorship specifically for the youth from secondary and above.

Economic empowerment, Health and Wellness for women, widows, leprosy and physically challenged persons, mostly the vulnerable ones in marginalized communities.

CAPITAL POST: We have heard of a tradition where twins are an abomination to the family and they are killed. Is there anything like that which the former Missionary. Mary Slessor tried to tackle? I know you were not born then, but you might have heard about it. Is that tradition still ongoing in the south? If yes, what is your foundation doing to correct the anomaly now that we are in the 12th century?

Presently such tradition and belief has been eliminated. And so, we don't have anything, we don't have to struggle with that because the knowledge of storytelling, drama, media and school programmes to promote positive cultural transformation and reinforce the dignity of every child, including the twins. Our intervention have help change the people mindset and has help spread the information abroad and every person knows that to

CAPITAL POST: Are you taking this beyond just providing medical care to psychological concerns? You said something about government inability?

To take Weal Global Foundation's vision beyond medical care to include psychological care, especially in a country like Nigeria where the government cannot meet everyone’s needs, We adopt a community-centered, partnership-driven, and scalable approach such as expand our vision and mission statement by updating our organizational vision and mission to explicitly include mental and psychological well-being. For example: “To foster total well-being—physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially—of vulnerable populations through integrated care, capacity building, and sustainable support systems.”

We also integrate mental health into Existing Programs by training our medical outreach and community volunteers to include basic psychological first aid. Also, add trauma healing, stress management, depression screening, and suicide prevention to your health initiatives. Use existing community health outreaches to raise awareness
on mental health stigma and support seeking behavior. We also develop and set community psychological support hubs in areas where we serve leprosy patients, orphans, widows, or women in distress by using trained community-based counselors, religious leaders, and social workers. Integrate these hubs with your empowerment programs (skill-building, education, etc.).

CAPITAL POST: As critical as these activities are, are you looking towards citizen engagement by collaborating with State Houses or assembly to come up with a policy? So that beyond your foundation, government and others are able to take up that responsibility?

To collaborate with the State House of Assembly so that the government can support your initiatives (e.g., those under Weal Global Foundation), you need a strategic advocacy and engagement approach. Here’s how to go about it: 1. Identify the Right Committees and Lawmakers, focus on legislators and committees related to: • Women Affairs; Social Welfare • Health • Youth Education •Poverty Alleviation; Empowerment, these committees will influence funding and policymaking relevant to the initiatives. We are also looking at developing a Formal Proposal / Position Papers • Brief on Weal Global Foundation and • Overview of current challenges (e.g., mental health, vulnerable children,
education gaps, • Specific areas where you seek government support, Financial grants.

Again, we are looking at requesting a Legislative Advocacy Meeting, sending a formal letter requesting an audience or stakeholder engagement meeting with • The Speaker or Deputy Speaker, • Clerk of the Assembly, • Relevant Committee Chairpersons clearly state our agenda, requesting legislative collaboration or inclusion of our cause in state planning and budgeting.

CAPITAL POST: Let’s look at the scope of your activities. To what extent have you covered Akwa Ibom State in terms of capturing the vulnerable ones and what is the number of people who have benefited from the World Global Foundation?

These figures include medical support, psychosocial interventions, food packages, skill acquisition training, and educational materials.

Major Programs/Initiatives in Each State
Akwa Ibom State
• Leprosy & Malnutrition Outreach at Ekpenebon Hospital, Etinan
(2012–2025)
• Nutrition packs, hygiene kits, psychosocial support
• Widow Economic Empowerment Scheme (Annual since 2015)
• Sewing machines, soap-making, startup grants
• Orphan Support Program
• School kits, mentorship programs in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene
Port Harcourt
• Women of Worth (WoW) Skill Acquisition Program (2016–2024)
• Widows trained in catering, tailoring, and bead making
• Back-to-School for Orphans Campaign in collaboration with churches
(2014–

2023)
• Community Health Days offering screening and counseling to elderly and
abandoned widows

Impact Highlights
• Over 3,850 direct beneficiaries across both states
• 30+ orphans supported through education sponsorship
• 7 medical outreaches and mental health interventions for leprosy patients
• 800+ widows trained in sustainable businesses
Challenges Noted
• Limited government partnership
• Mobility issues for leprosy patients in remote areas
• Poor follow-up funding for widows post-training

Next Steps / Expansion Areas
• Establish mobile psychological care units in rural communities
• Form cooperatives for trained widows to scale their businesses
• Launch “Adopt an Orphan” Scholarship Fund in collaboration with private
schools
• Advocate for state legislative inclusion of these vulnerable groups

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