Gov Eno Presents N750m Business Grants To 15,000 Unemployed Youths

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
In fulfilment of his promise to empower youths of the state, the Akwa Ibom governor has presented N750million worth of business grants to 15,000 unemployed youths drawn from the 31 local government areas of the State, with 5,000 youth benefitting from the first tranch of N50,000 grant each.
At the official presentation ceremony, which took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, Thursday, Pastor Umo Eno said the amount so disbursed covered grants for the months of October, November and December with each of the 5,000 beneficiaries billed to go home with three months grants, each.
Eno said the initiative was a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and capacity building, adding that the programme will continue until 60,000 youths are paid.
He noted that the grant was part of a broader charter to highlight and support the immense talent and resilience of Akwa Ibom youths, urging beneficiaries to utilise the grants for productive ventures that would enhance their personal growth and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
Eno, who acknowledged the great attributes embedded in majority of Akwa Ibom youths,  challenged them to think big, put their hearts and souls into where their passion and skills are, as government was ready to partner and support them.
The state chief executive officer, who promised to give Akwa Ibom youths the wings to fly, the fuel to lift their flight of success and guidance to land safely, stated that the aim of government via the scheme was to ensure that youths, rather than being used as touts during political campaigns, engage in something meaningful to make a difference.
  “This is one of the schemes I earlier on announced.And, today, I am happy to announce that you are the first set of beneficiaries, 15,000 of them, representing 5,000youths drawn from all the 31 local government areas who are gathered here in this hall will be paid N50,000 each, which is for October, November and December.
“This programme is part of a broader charter to highlight and support the immense talents and resilience of Akwa Ibom youths.So, I hope that this little effort of government will be appreciated. Even if it is groundnut, or whatever you have chosen to do.And, even if you choose to become a laundry man, you can take cloths, wash them, iron and keep them clean and people will patronise you,” Eno said and reaffirmed his administration’s focus on creating opportunities that enable youths to thrive and unlock their full potentials.
Eno said that the disbursement was more than a financial support, as it was a testament to his administration’s dedication to turning promises into measurable results, while also building a stronger, more inclusive economy founded on the ingenuity, innovation, and determination of Akwa Ibom youths.
According to him, the disbursement was to proof in concrete terms that “we don’t just talk the talk but we also work the talk.”
  The governor announced plans for civil service recruitment in the state, scheduled to commence soon through the State Youth Employment Portal, and urged youths to register on the portal, which has been designed to simplify access to jobs and other employment-related initiatives which, he noted, underscores his administration’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity in public service recruitment.
Eno listed the various complementary programmes aimed at building the capacity of youths in the state to include Ibom-LED, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre and, the Ibom Community Watch initiative, saying these initiatives provide vital training, mentorship and job creation opportunities for young people, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in the current competitive economy.
He lauded the State ICT Directorate for their pivotal role in digitising public processes, which has enabled efficient management and accurate record keeping for the programme, noting that the robust digital infrastructure backbone built by government ensures transparency and fosters trust in the government programmes.
The senior special assistant to the Governor on ICT, Dr Frank Ekpenyong, explained the modalities for the selection process, stating that the system was configured to weed out unqualified persons from participating.
The commissioner for youths development and sports, Sir Monday Uko, senior special assistants to the Governor on Youth Matters, Comrade Iniobong Akpan and Comrade Esther Bob, and the chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria( ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udoh, offered their goodwill messages, where they thanked Governor Eno for his show of love and fulfilment of his promise to Akwa Ibom youths.