By Bassey Nkponam
IKOT ABASI
It was a cash rain on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency Town Square meeting and Empowerment series, organised for the people of Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas, as 540 beneficiaries got different categories of support worth N250 million.
At the event which took place at the Ikot Abasi Local Government council field, the beneficiaries were empowered through a wide range of support measures, including business and farmers grants; Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and equipment support schemes, as well as vehicles.
Speaking at the event, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said the names of the beneficiaries, their trades and their phone numbers, and the amounts given them were all published in the official event brochure to show transparency that government can be fair.
Eno thanked the people of the Constituency for the massive support given him during the elections, saying, “we have returned to say thank you and not only are we saying it by mouth, we are also saying it with projects in Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas.
“We have opened up rural communities; we have given rural roads; we have opened up from Mkpat Enin into the secretariat of Eastern Obolo a dual-carriage road. These are things that have not happened before, and we have focused on the development of our rural communities.
“We have given water, we are building schools and hospitals. Beyond all that, we are giving physical empowerments, giving grants to farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
“We are running a people-oriented government, and we want everyone to participate and be proud of this government. What is however more important is that we are progressively moving forward, linking Akwa Ibom to the centre, to belong, to get its rights, and be counted.
“We are making it possible for the child of a common man, who has no godfather or godmother, but applied through the portal to be screened and given a grant. We are making it go round, not on party or group basis, but on the basis of our right as Akwa Ibomites”, he said.
He said the meeting was intentionally arranged to return to the people in appreciation for their support before, and during the governorship election and for the past two years of his administration.
Eno said the essence of the Needs Assessment Document of the constituency so presented was to allow room for citizens to participate in governance by present their demands for inclusion in the 2026 budget.
The governor stressed the need for the State to move progressively to feel the full impact of the Federal Government, saying, “Believe in us. Believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because the future is bright. And, we will continue to run on our ARISE Agenda, on a united Akwa Ibom to work together because united, we stand, divided, we fall.
“Now, we are coming together across party lines, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and Pastor Umo Eno in 2027, must return for their second terms in office,” he stated.
Setting the tone for the event, the secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah, said the meeting was an avenue to take government closer to the people and listen to their needs that will eventually make up the 2026 budget.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen of the three local government areas that make up the Federal Constituency, the Ikot Abasi council chairman, Mr Ime Williamson Essien, described Governor Eno as a visionary leader, a promise keeper and a lover of good things who will be remembered for demystifying and simplifying leadership during his time.
Essien thanked the Governor for all the projects he has executed in the Federal Constituency in the area of roads, education, health facilities and numerous impactful projects which have improved the living condition of the constituents, and pledged their support for the governor beyond 2027.
Presenting a goodwill message on behalf of youths of the constituency, the senior special assistant to the governor on Youth Mobilization, Mr Iniobong Akpan, thanked Governor Eno for not leaving the people of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency out of his projects execution.
The political leader of Ikot Abasi Local Government, and managing director of Hensek Integrated Services, Mr. Uwem Okoko, an engineer, thanked Governor Eno for coming to receive the Needs Document of the Federal Constituency.
He mentioned the provision of a power sub-station as one of the major needs of the Federal Constituency, stressing that the need for a return to the era of constant power supply, which Ikot Abasi was known for during the days of Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).
Speaking on behalf of the Senatorial District, the Senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson, highlighted the strategic historical significance of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, while describing Governor Eno as a beacon of hope whose visit was remarkable.
Sampson thanked the governor for the numerous live-touching projects he was executing in rural areas especially in major economic centres of the State.
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