History

Late Edwin Daniel Mbaba, a prominent politician from Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, he had a daughter by name Edna. In 2012, the Holy Spirit directed Lady Edna to gather the vulnerable women of Nsit Ibom LGA, United by a common goal, to come together and address the challenges they faced. As they engaged in discussions, Lady Edna discovered that these women had simple yet profound problems as they needed someone to confide in and share their burdens with. Motivated by their shared experiences, the women named themselves "Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom." Meaning that their time has come. The women who were growing elderly and old, yearned for their children to be taken care of. Lady Edna took it upon herself and retire to prayers and prayed to God for His direction and assistance which took her 4 years. Our dear mother, it may interest you to know that Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom has a membership of 1,000 women who are indigenes of Nsit Ibom LGA. They all hold their PVC. We are happy to inform you that Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom holds their monthly fasting every second Saturday of the month. Our dear mother, this fasting has been ongoing for 10 years now. We will be glad to have your blessing at our fasting which is held every first Saturday of the month at QIC Primary School Obotetim Ikotekong, Nsit Ibom from 6 PM to 12 PM. Every December of each year is the anniversary celebration and empowerment of 110 members of Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom. Last year December (2023), Ekemini Iban clocked 11 years.

Friends of Ekemini Iban are men and women living with disabilities in Nsit Ibom LGA. One day, Lady Edna witnessed when a car run over one of them at a junction known as Kaduna Junction. She advised him not to stand at the junction anymore. She made inquiries and discovered that there are more of them and ask them to gather themselves. She named them “Friends of Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom”. She trained them in various skills acquisition such as soup making, carpentering, broom making, and shoe making. Lady Edna has encouraged them and married them to themselves which worked out. The good news is that their children are all born without disabilities. They also join Ekemini Iban at their Monthly fasting every second Saturday of the month. The membership of Friends of Ekemini Iban is 50 members across the 11 wards of Nsit Ibom LGA. Lady Edna carters for the few she can as she cannot take care of all of them for now and believes she will do more when she has the resources. The offering gathered at Ekemini Iban fasting is given to the Friends of Ekemini Iban. Every December of each year, in the consummate of the Anniversary celebration of Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom, all 50 members of the Friends of Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom are empowered.
 

In the heart of Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom lies a treasure trove of wisdom and experience, embodied by the revered elderly members who make up the Elders Forum. Time, with its gentle touch, may sometimes leave its mark, rendering some among them frail in old age. Lady Edna observed this delicate juncture and resolved to extend her caring embrace to them. They joined Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom in 2012 when they were very strong and now at old age, have grown to members of the Elders forum. With their wisdom and experience, serve as the Advising Council to the Female Youth Association Purple Girl.

In December 2015, Lady Edna visited Christ The King primary school, Barracks Road where she saw young men everywhere carrying bags of rice. She saw a cousin of hers and inquired what was going on. He responded, “This is where the then governor celebrates Christmas every December for the youths”. She then inquired about the ladies and he answered “What will ladies be doing here? They can’t stand the fight”. Lady Edna promised herself that next December, she would bring young ladies to be part of it and in numbers. She returned home and given a vision by God, she extended an invitation to young ladies of Nsit Ibom L.G.A aged 18 to 35. At the first meeting, over 200 young ladies responded, leading to the formation of the "Ekemini Iban Youth Wing" as it was called then. It quickly became apparent that these young ladies faced immense hardship. Some were already mothers at the tender age of 18, without formal education or opportunities. However, she recognized their inherent talents, skills, and creativity, Committed & Useful and embraced them with compassion. Lady Edna committed herself to providing unwavering support and holistic education to these female youths. She aimed to ignite their inner strength, nurture their talents and skills, celebrate their accomplishments, and transform their futures with boundless possibilities and good morals. The reach of Ekimini Iban Youth Wing not only comprises Nist Ibom daughters but also includes young ladies from the 31 LGA of Akwa Ibom State. Lady Edna renamed the “Ekemini Iban Youth Wing” to “Female Youth Association Purple Girls” On the memorable day of 8th April 2016, in an open field beside New Birth Avenue at 4 lanes, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Female Youth Association (Purple Girls) was inaugurated by Comrade Aniefiok Iwa Udofia, the then SA Youths to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, in the presence of Comrade Emmanuel Ekpeyong Bassey, the then Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, and Engr. Uffot Ebong the then SSA on due process and technical matters to the Akwa Ibom State Governor. Since that day, despite encountering challenges such as blackmail, sabotage, pull down syndrome, hijack, influence of name, attempt to buy out our members and other obstacles, with the grace of God, we have continued to grow stronger, guided by our unwavering faith. Our journey commenced with a modest group of 300 young ladies, and today, we have a membership strength of 31,000 purple girls across Akwa Ibom State and 5 other states. We march forward, unwavering in our commitment, to the glory of God. We are Female Youths, We are Committed and Useful.
 

Future Female Youths was born after Female Youth Association Purple Girls was inaugurated in 2016. In 2017, Lady Edna noticed that the purple girls she has gathered already had children at very tender age. This was a burden to their mothers (Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom) who could not train nor send their children to school and talk less of their children. Lady Edna decided to cater for these children by providing them with books, writing materials and school bags and ensuring they attend school. Lady Edna ensures that if the grandmothers (Ekemini Iban Akwa Ibom) could not go to school or get any formal training, their children (Purple Girls) or grandchildren (Future Female Youths) could go to school or benefit from the training and empowerment of the Female Youth Academy, thereby catching them young. Our dear mother, the beauty of it is that these Future Female Youths become Purple Girls when they turn 18 years of age.

Our Family

The Female Youth Association burgeon as a bountiful family. From the spirited promise of the Future Female Youth to the steadfast grace of the Purple Girls at the age of 18. Becoming a fullgrown woman, they join Ekemi Iban Akwa Ibom and to the revered Elders Forum at old age. This continuum makes us a big Purple Family.