By Kelvin Obambon
Team Mma Adiaha, a prominent socio-cultural women’s organization in Cross River State, has categorically denied circulating allegations linking the group to the extortion of its members under the influence of the First Lady.
Speaking during a media chat in Calabar on Monday, the Director General of the organization, Bishop Prof. Margaret Ene-Ita, described the rumours as “baseless, malicious, and deliberately fabricated by political opponents.”
According to Ene-Ita, the allegations are a calculated attempt by detractors to diminish the growing popularity and public standing of the Governor’s wife, who has recorded significant achievements within a short period.
Clarifying the relationship between the organization and the First Lady, the Director General emphasized that Team Mma Adiaha is an independent, self-managed body. While the association sought and obtained permission to use the First Lady’s name, she holds no official or administrative role within the group.
“Her Excellency is neither an officer, administrator, nor a decision-maker within Team Mma Adiaha,” Ene-Ita stated. “She does not participate in the day-to-day administration of the association, nor has she ever directed, influenced, or instructed members to make any form of payment to the organization.”
Ene-Ita explained that membership is strictly voluntary, and routine internal processes – such as registration and the optional procurement of uniforms – are handled entirely by the elected leadership and members themselves.
To counter the claims of fraud and extortion, several registered members and beneficiaries of the group’s empowerment schemes came forward during the media parley to share their experiences.
Vivian Imogbo, a member from Bekwarra Local Government Area, stated that her registration was entirely voluntary and described the immense support she has received since joining.
“There was a time Her Excellency called us, gave us very expensive wrappers, gave us our 30,000 Naira registration fee back, and gave us rice. In March, we were given 200,000 Naira to go and start a business,” Imogbo said, adding that the group regularly provides welfare and transport allowances to its members.
Similarly, Lady Odo-Hogan, a Zonal Representative from Calabar Municipality, corroborated the refund of the N30,000 registration fee and confirmed receiving N200,000 on 20th March to expand her business. She noted that the group’s outreach extends even to non-registered residents, referencing a recent empowerment initiative for local market women who received 200 bags of rice, umbrellas, market tables, and cash.
Another member, identified simply as Comfort, waved aside the extortion claims, offering to show her transaction alerts as proof of the financial support she received. “Team Mma Adiaha has been a movement that has been benefiting the poor masses in terms of health, market women, education, different angles, even to the communities,” she asserted.
The leadership of Team Mma Adiaha urged the public to disregard the politically motivated propaganda, reaffirming its dedication to unity, cultural preservation, and community development.
The DG ended by expressing confidence that Cross River residents are discerning enough to see through the falsehoods, declaring that “no amount of falsehood can erase the visible impact of good leadership.”
