My Mission Is To Help Those Who Have Nobody – Gov Eno

…. Empowers Ikono, Ini Federal Constituents With Over N239m Grants
By Bassey Nkponam 
IKONO
The Akwa Ibom governor has said his mission in the State is to help those who have nobody, as he empowered 476 indigenes of Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency with over N239 million grants covering farming, trading and equipment supports.
Pastor Umo Eno, who stated this last Thursday, at the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency Town Square Meeting And Empowerment Series, which took place at the Ikono Local Government council grounds, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, said the beneficiaries were qualified citizens of the federal constituency who had registered through the ARISE Youth Employment portal, and were duly selected.
Eno noted that his administration was touching lives and raising men and women who have the requisite capacity, are willing to work, and have registered on the ARISE portal, stressing the need for all to embrace the digital method of getting jobs, empowerment and other government contracts, as it was imperative to do things differently to provide a level playing field for everyone in order to accommodate those who have no one to recommend them.
“We have empowered our young people in Ikono and Ini, and one of them is your son, U&K. I didn’t know he is an Ini son. So, as we see capacity, we continue to encourage it. We will encourage our young people regardless of where they come from. I love everybody, I am governor for Akwa Ibom State. What I want to see is capacity. Show me that you are ready. When you have a small job, do it and be ready for more. The Bible says, ‘He that is faithful in little, shall receive more’.
“Let me speak to the young people of Akwa Ibom. We have a portal. The economy of the world today is based on data, and we must be able to show statistics of what any government has done. In God we trust, but for man, show us your data.
“We have opened portals for almost everything; procurement, employment, bursary and we are paying those who have registered. For Ikono and Ini, we have empowered 476 of you with the total sum of N239,150,000. All their names and phone numbers are here.You can call them.You can find out. These people registered on the portal. Don’t let anybody deceive you, if you don’t register on the portal, nothing for you.
“Any student, or graduate that doesn’t know how to use computer is deceiving himself or herself. In the forthcoming screening, we are going to use computer, and as you finish, you see your result.
   “I became a governor by the grace of God, by the instrumentality of Deacon Udom Emmanuel and I did not know anybody. If we were looking for people to be governor in this State, I would not have chosen myself, but it is the grace of God that chose me. Now, having been brought by the grace of God, I must allow that same grace to reach other people who do not know anybody. 
“You must be able to apply without knowing the governor, without knowing the deputy governor or knowing the secretary to the State government and you get a job. That is my mission. Anyone waiting for slots is wasting time. Go to the portal and apply, and when you are invited, answer the questions well and get the jobs or contracts.
“I want those who have nobody to benefit from my programmes. I was sent to those who have no one. If it was by having someone, I wouldn’t be here today. God passed through Deacon Udom Emmanuel who stood by me. So, I will also stand by others who have no one.
   “I met a young engineer who is working at our Agricultural equipment leasing project, and I asked her: how did you get the job? She said she applied on the portal and they gave her. Those are the testimonies I want to get. So, young people, support groups, go to the portal, if you are qualified, they would pay you and it reflects in your group.
“Let us for once run a government of the people, by the people and for the people which is democracy, so that people who have nobody can become somebody. Don’t let anyone deceive you with special projects or others, because we are all special,” he said.
Following a request by stakeholders in the area, Eno approved immediate intervention in the State College of Science and Technology, and directed the commissioner for education to visit to ascertain the things needed to facilitate accreditation for the programmes of the school, opining that the college could either be maintained as a College of Science and Technology, or converted into a campus of the Akwa Ibom State University based on their preference.
He rewarded one of his personal assistants on protocol, Blessed Lawrence Essien, for impacting on his community through a water reticulation and other projects, and promoted him to the position of special assistant, urging other appointees at different categories to emulate him.
The governor said he had received the needs document of the federal constituency and would accommodate as many as possible, depending on availability of funds.
The secretary to the State government, Prince Enobong Uwah, while setting the tone for the event, said the visit was to appreciate the constituency, and also receive their needs document to be included in the 2026 budget.
The chairmen of Ikono and Ini Local Government Councils, the commissioner for agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor and that of trade and investment, Dr Ubong Inyang, a former House of Representatives member, Professor Ini Udoka, and former commissioner for finance, Sir Sunday Udo Akpan, lauded Governor Eno for his numerous impactful strides in the constituency.
Presenting the needs document, Senator Aloysius Etok appreciated Eno for his leadership strides in the State and pledged continued support beyond 2027.
The event ended with the award of a chieftaincy title of Ette Iberedem to the governor by the traditional rulers of the constituency, and his adoption alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Senator Godswill Akpabio, as candidates for the 2027 elections, following a motion that was moved by the House of Representatives member for Ikono and Ini, Mr Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo and seconded by House of Assembly member, Mr Lawrence Udoide.