No fewer than 620 people from Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika Federal Constituency smiled home with cash supports ranging from N150,000 to N5,000,000.
The beneficiaries ranging from farmers, small business owners and entrepreneurs were rewarded at Abak Township Stadium during the commencement of Federal Constituencies Town Hall Meeting/Empowerment Series, by Governor Eno.
Six beneficiaries bagged a five million naira grant each, while 178 farmers received N500,000 each under the ARISE Farmers Grant with the aim of supporting agricultural development in the region, 442 other recipients across various sectors were awarded grants ranging from N150,000 to N700,000, based on their business needs.
Also, 198 individuals into businesses such as vulcanizing, tailoring, hairdressing, and welding, among others, were also scheduled for equipment support, ensuring that local businesses had the tools to enhance their work and increase productivity.
Speaking at the event, the Governor took a moment during his speech to encourage the recipients of the grants to make wise use of the funds. He reiterated his support to young people as his government is centered on impacting the generation.
“I tell you that if there is any governor that will root for you as young people, it is this governor standing here. I want you to put on your sleeves, study hard, work hard.
“I will be here to continue to support you. We will always support our people so that they can excel.”
Emphasizing his commitments to governance and rural development, Governor Eno added, “I want to be remembered as a governor who brought governance to the rural areas.
“I want to be remembered as a governor who interacted with the rural communities so that they too can have a fragrance of governance. They can have the basic necessities of life.”
Speaking further, the Governor stated that his administration’s goal was to uplift rural communities, expand development, and curb rural-urban migration by providing necessary support.
“We came to work with you. We came to expand the frontiers of development in our state. We came to stop rural-urban migration. We came to provide support to our people to ARISE and fulfill their potentials.”
Eno also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming endorsements he had received from the people, which he described as inspiring to his future political plans.
“We remain dedicated to this as long as you continue to support us. Thank you for your overwhelming endorsement for us to run for office again in 2027.
“We will continue to do what you have elected us to do. I believe that we will come back again before the campaign starts. Thank you for this robust engagements.”
Looking ahead, Governor Eno made a promise that resonated with the women community, the release of 15 minibuses for female commercial drivers in the state. The minibuses are set to be distributed on Tuesday, March 11, in a move aimed at empowering women in the transportation sector.
Goodwill messages were received from prominent stakeholders from the three local government areas, including the local government chairmen, who spoke through the Chairman of Ika, Utibe Nwoko, as well as national chairman of the Maintain Peace Movement, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, former Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, the former deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, MFR as well as the Itai Afe Annang, Obong Blaise Awakama, Provost of Federal Institute of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos, Prof Nkereuwem Etukudo among others.
They all eulogized the Governor for his laudable programmes and policies and pledged their support to his reelection in 2027.
The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, who conveyed the NEEDS programme of the federal constituency, confirmed their decision to support the Govenor for eight uninterrupted years.
High-points of the event was a motion for the adoption of Governor Eno till 2031,moved my Etim Ekpo/ Ika House of Assembly member, Hon. Mfon Idung and seconded by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah
Gifts were shared with the Governor, and these included food items by the women from their farms, goats, cows and palm fruits seedlings.
