UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno has flagged off the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme worth over N2.1 billion, in the State.
At the flag-off of the scheme, which was part of the National Social Investment Programme, with support from the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which took place at Women Development Centre, Uyo, Friday, July 25, 2025, Governor Eno said the Programme was aimed at supporting those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder.
The governor, who was represented by the coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Helen Obareki, further expressed his commitment to leaving behind a legacy of support to the most vulnerable in the society and governance through more life-touching programmes.
“I have always said that even though we are currently embarking on numerous audacious projects of deep economic significance, the greatest legacy I hope to leave behind, will be our impact in the lives of the people, especially the most vulnerable and in the process, help restore their faith in the noble ideals of government and governance.”
The governor assured that Akwa Ibom government will continue to support the President’s Social Investment Programmes which, he said, have provided succour and empowerment to the poorest and neediest in the State.
Eno mentioned the State’s efforts in providing business, agricultural and other empowerment schemes for the poor and vulnerable, alongside the payment of gratuities, where over N60 billion has been paid out of a N98 billion backlog spanning 2012-2023, and urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and continue supporting the President’s initiatives.
Earlier, the commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Emem Ibanga, thanked Governor Eno for his dedication to the welfare and poverty alleviation of the people, noting that under his leadership, over 205 ARISE Compassionate Homes have been built and commissioned for vulnerable individuals.
In his opening remarks, the Akwa Ibom State focal person, National Social Investment Programme, Dr Godwin Akpan, noted that the Conditional Cash Transfer is a component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope, hinting that Akwa Ibom was enlisted on the programme in 2019 with 29, 117 households registered in nine local government areas, and later scaled up in December 2023 to accommodate all the 31 local government areas.
Akpan further said a total of over N2.1 billion has so far been disbursed to beneficiaries, between January and July 2025.
Goodwill messages were presented by the commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Linus Nkan, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas and chairman of Ika Local Government Council, Barr. Utibe Nwoko, who all commended President Tinubu for making social security an important aspect of governance, and promised to act as social catalysts to
enhancing the living standard of vulnerable people.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Joseph Emmanuel, a visually impaired resident from Ikot Ekpene Local Government, expressed gratitude to both the federal and state governments for the transparent process used to identify less privileged individuals, to benefit from the initiative.
The event also featured a symbolic cash transfer to some of the beneficiaries and presentation of debit cards, while the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs choir, expressed their joy through songs.
About 28,000 vulnerable individuals drawn from the social register of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom, are beneficiaries of the programme, which is providing debit cards worth N75,000, covering three months.
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