By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
Akwa Ibom governor has earmarked N800 million for the empowerment of non-indigenous communities of Ndi Igbo, Arewa, Yoruba, and the Niger Delta, amongst others, in the State.
Pastor Umo Eno, who announced this over the weekend during the Igbo Unity Day celebration, organised by the socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo worldwide, Akwa Ibom State chapter, which took place at Ibom Hall grounds, Uyo, said the proposed empowerment was borne out of his administration’s commitment to fostering unity and inclusivity, ensuring that all residents, regardless of ethnic background, feel valued and empowered to contribute to the state’s growth and development.
Eno emphasised that since some members of the socio cultural groups were born in Akwa Ibom, and having established their businesses in the State as well, they should be treated as part and parcel of the State.
He commended the leadership of the Igbo community for engineering unity amongst themselves, and for embracing peace and unity which has become the hallmark of the current administration, stressing that with unity, a lot could be achieved for their overall good.
The governor, who was conferred with the title of the Grand Patron of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, in recognition and appreciation of his benevolence and inclusive governance, lauded the Igbos for their impressive and exemplary entrepreneurial spirit.
“Let me congratulate and celebrate the Igbo community in the State for your great spirit of enterprise and faith in our collective democracy.
“The Igbo people here are part of our social fabric. They have added value to our community through their remarkable spirit of industry and brotherhood,” he stated.
According to him, Akwa Ibom was fast becoming a melting pot where various cultures and tribes come together in a symphony of love, unity, and peaceful co-existence and has been able to achieve the feat because of the State government’s intentional pursuit of peace, security, and hospitality, which the State currently inrepresents nationally.
Eno appreciated Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for honouring him as their grand patron and for declaring their unanimous support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and himself, in 2027.
He pledged continued partnership with the Igbo community as well as all the non-indigenous communities to sustain the existing harmonious relationship, as long as they live in peace, obey the laws of the land, and do not involve or perpetuate criminality.
President of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Kayceey Chidiadi, lauded Eno for his visionary and impactful leadership, stressing that his peaceful and unifying attributes have permeated their forum and is responsible for the peace and unity in the community which had eluded them for many years.
Chidiadi expressed gratitude to the governor for appointing their members into his government, admitting that such privilege has never been extended to them since the creation of the state, assuring that Igbo community was united in support of his re-election as well as that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Godswill Akpabio.
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