By Abasi Ita,
Calabar
The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, on Friday flagged off the distribution of Smokeless Cookstoves and Wonder Cooking Pots to women across the state, as part of efforts to promote clean energy, improve family health, and protect the environment.
The event, held in Calabar, was organized in collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Atmosfair Germany, and the Cross River State Government through the Council on Climate Change and the Green Economy Commission.
Mrs. Otu, who was represented by Mrs. Asi Akiba, wife of the member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the initiative is designed to promote energy efficiency, reduce reliance on firewood, and minimize smoke-related health challenges among women and children.
“The smokeless stoves and wonder pots will not only save time and money but will also protect our forests and improve air quality,” she said.
Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Mrs. Otu noted that Nigeria records about 95,000 deaths annually from smoke-related illnesses caused by inefficient cooking methods, mostly affecting women and children. She added that the project would also ease the financial burden on families who spend over ₦1,000 daily on firewood.
The First Lady commended NASENI and Atmosfair Germany for their partnership and praised the Green Economy Commission, chaired by Hon. Oden Ewa, for driving environmental sustainability in the state.
“This project reflects Governor Bassey Otu’s people-centered vision, which prioritizes women’s empowerment, innovation, and environmental preservation,” she said.
Speaking, Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalid Halilu said the collaboration aligns with the agency’s core principles of Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialization, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the smokeless cookstoves and wonder pots were locally developed through research and use agricultural waste as fuel, reducing cooking time and energy consumption by over 40 percent compared to traditional methods.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations and Chairman of the Green Economy Commission, Hon. Oden Ewa, described the initiative as a practical step toward a healthier and greener society.
“Each of these stoves or pots distributed today represents cleaner air, healthier families, empowered women, and a greener future for our state,” Ewa said.
The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, community leaders, and development partners, marking another milestone in Cross River’s drive toward sustainable and eco-friendly development.