The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged the young entrepreneurs expected to benefit from the N50 million Ibom Ignite 2026 business grant to deploy the funds wisely and judiciously to grow their business ventures and improve their livelihoods in general.

Speaking at the Ibom Ignite 2026 Conference in Uyo, Eno explained that he conceived the gesture for youths, saying, “Take the seed, plant and groom it religiously to accomplish your set business goal to turn around your enterprise and live for the best.”

The Governor stressed that the success of any business venture will depend on the discipline and commitment of its owner, regardless of the amount invested, describing the grant as investment intended to support business ideas and promote enterprise development.

While warning beneficiaries against spending the funds on personal pleasure or unproductive ventures, he added that business owners must understand the importance of managing their resources wisely to achieve their objectives and ensure the sustainability of the enterprises.

Eno therefore hinted that 1,000 Compassionate Homes is targeted in his second term identifying the construction of more than 500 Homes for vulnerable residents across the 31 local government areas as one of his administration’s major achievements during its first term.

On education, the governor unveiled plans to increase the students bursary in public tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State from the current N50,000 to N200,000, saying,under the proposed arrangement, students studying Medicine, Law and Engineering would receive N250,000 each.

He explained that the planned increase is aimed at easing the financial burden on students and helping them meet their educational expenses, stating that the new bursary arrangement would take effect if he won the governorship election scheduled for February 2027 and was sworn in for a second term.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining free and compulsory education in public primary and secondary schools, while expanding support for young people pursuing higher education and to equip young people with the knowledge and practical skills needed to become economically productive.

Earlier, the guest speaker and Chief Executive Officer of Strategy House Limited, Dr. Maxwell Ubah, urged young people to change their mindsets to achieve economic growth and become socially relevant.

Ubah argued that wealth creation begins in the mind rather than in the external environment, citing Singapore and Dubai as examples of places that overcame geographical limitations through sound economic policies, visionary leadership and deliberate development strategies.

The CEO however identified potentials, problems, passion and possibilities as key ingredients for success, urging participants to take bold steps towards achieving their goals despite the limitations they might encounter.

Other speakers included the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hensek Integrated Services Limited, Engr. Uwem Stephen Okoko (FNSE); Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Paul Bassey; and the governor’s Delivery Adviser on Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh.

Also the conference featured the Sole Administrator of Ibom Paint and Programme Director at Ibom-LED, Mr. Ime Uwah, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Start Innovation Hub, Mr. Hanson Johnson.

The conference brought together speakers and participants to discuss entrepreneurship, youth development, business opportunities and strategies for building a more prosperous future.