A total of 692 residents of host communities in Akwa Ibom State are to benefit from education, vocational training and business support under an intervention by the Effiat and Mbo Host Communities Development Trust.
 
The beneficiaries were unveiled at the Trust’s 2026 orientation exercise held at the Emerald Events Centre, Uyo, on September 8.
 
They comprise 72 people selected for vocational and skills training, 400 education bursary beneficiaries made up of 200 secondary school and 200 tertiary education students, 40 full secondary school scholarship beneficiaries and 180 recipients of business grants.
 
Chairman of the Trust, Inam Okon, said the programmes were designed to create opportunities for the beneficiaries and their communities.

“Today, we are not just presenting bursaries and scholarships to deserving beneficiaries. We are also creating opportunities for learning, skills, growth and empowerment,” he said.
 
The vocational training will be delivered by Dakkada Training Centre, Azimarine, which will provide welding and fabrication training, and Aptech Computer School, which will handle computer training.
 
The Trust will cover tuition, accommodation, feeding and other programme-related expenses for the trainees, who will also receive monthly stipends and take-off support upon successful completion.
 
Under the education programme, each of the 200 tertiary education beneficiaries will receive a one-off grant of N500,000, while 200 secondary school students will receive bursaries.

Another 40 beneficiaries will receive full secondary school scholarships until completion of their secondary education.
   
The Trust will also provide business grants to 180 recipients, with 80 per cent of each approved grant released upfront and the remaining 20 per cent paid after verification that the initial disbursement was used for the approved business purpose.
 
Oriental Energy Resources Limited, the Settlor of the Trust, said the intervention was part of its commitment to sustainable development in its host communities.
 
The company’s Managing Director, Mustafa Indimi, said the establishment of the Trust was intended to create lasting value in the communities.