… Gets Second Term Nod From Senate President, Stakeholders
By Bassey Nkponam
IKOT EKPENE
In continuation of his magnanimity towards the electorates across Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, the Akwa Ibom governor has presented business support grants worth N260 million, alongside equipment support to 655 entrepreneurs, including farmers and small-scale business owners drawn from the three local government areas of Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, and Obot Akara which make up the Federal Constituency.
At the ARISE Town Square Meetings and Empowerment series, which took place at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, on Thursday, 210 farmers received N105 million; 255 traders got N125 million, six beneficiaries of the Small Medium Enterprises shared N30 million, with each of them receiving N5 million as business empowerment support, while 184 were beneficiaries of the equipment support, and nine got car gifts.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, while addressing the people of Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, appreciated their support, which he acknowledged, culminated in his electoral victory in the 2023 election, saying his decision to empower farmers and small-scale business owners in the area was a fulfilment of his campaign promise.
Eno explained that the Town Square meeting was not just a forum to present his administration’s scorecard, but an opportunity for him to meet and interact with the people, brief them on the government’s developmental efforts in the area, and gather inputs on areas requiring intervention through the NEEDS document.
He reassured the people of the federal constituency of his unwavering commitment to the implementation of the ARISE Agenda of his administration, urging beneficiaries of the empowerment initiative to make judicious use of the funds and equipment to expand their businesses, better their lives and those of their families.
The governor, who promised to accommodate as many people as possible in the empowerment series in future, enjoined the beneficiaries to be prudent in the management of the funds as there was no second chance for those who have benefitted in the scheme.
He assured the Federal Constituency that the NEEDS document so received would be carefully studied and accommodated in next year’s budget for effective implementation and thanked them for their support to his administration which has enabled him to deliver democratic dividends to the people, while also acknowledging the continued support and cooperation from the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio.
The Senate President, Akpabio, represented by his wife, Ekaette, described Governor Eno as a God-sent leader who has changed the narrative of governance in Akwa Ibom.
He thanked him for the numerous life-touching projects he has executed in the Federal Constituency, and for empowering the constituents with business grants, noting that Akwa Ibom would be a greater place if successive administrations would emulate and sustain his inclusive leadership style.
The Senate President urged the people of the constituency to work in unison towards ensuring that Akwa Ibom grows beyond religious, political and tribal barriers, and assured Eno of his support and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure he continues in office beyond 2027.
The member representing Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Essien Udim Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Patrick Umoh, lauded Governor Eno for the town square meeting initiative, which he saw as a true demonstration of democracy.
Umoh, who is a member of the APC, thanked Eno for his inclusive leadership style, and assured him of the commitment and support of the Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, and later moved a motion for Eno’s return as governor, which was unanimously endorsed by the people of the constituency.
The political leader of Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, who presented the NEEDS document to the governor, appreciated him for his inclusive and pragmatic leadership which has transformed the constituency, noting that within the last 20 months, over 42 life-touching projects have been executed in the constituency.
Ibokessien explained that the NEEDS document was a compilation of the critical needs of the people of Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Essien Udim local government areas which make up the Federal Constituency, expressing hope that the needs will be addressed accordingly to bring succour to the people.
The chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Mr Nkom Nkom, who spoke on behalf of other chairmen in the Federal Constituency, applauded the governor for his developmental and transformative initiatives in the constituency, and reiterated their commitment to supporting the governor for another term come 2027.
The director general of campaigns, and former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, while presenting cheques to the beneficiaries, thanked the governor for unifying the State and expressed appreciation to the Senate President, Akpabio, for supporting the Umo Eno-led administration.
Assam noted that the empowerment programme was in fulfillment of promises that the governor made during his electioneering campaign, urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants to improve their businesses.
Other stakeholders including the commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Mr. Nsikak Ekong, who spoke on behalf of members of the State executive council from the constituency; immediate past commissioner for Sports, Sir Monday Uko, and the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, appreciated the governor’s magnanimity in empowering the people of the constituency, and pledged the continued support of the people to his administration.
Highpoints of the event, was the naming of the governor as “Obong Unwam Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency”, and the decoration of the governor with the paraphernalia of the office.
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