Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has released the sum of N492 million to 1,187 youths to assist them in trading, farming, and equipment support, stressing that the massive grant was to encourage entrepreneurship among youth in the state.
A breakdown showed that 276 out of the number benefited from the ARISE Farmers grant, 628 from the ARISE Traders grant, 263 from the ARISE Equipment support scheme, while eight persons benefited from the N5 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) grant, just as 12 got cars and mini buses.
Speaking at the Uyo Township Square, at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo, over the weekend, the governor disclosed that within the two years of his administration, 116 projects, including roads, health centres, compassionate homes, elderly homes, and primary schools, have been executed across the Federal Constituency made up of Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Attai, and Ibesikpo Asutan LGAs.
He explained that the meeting of stakeholders from the federal constituency was to receive the Needs document of the Constituency in order to include them in the 2026 People’s budget, give grants to the constituents, as part of a programme to reach all the federal constituencies in the state.
While remarking that the 1,187 beneficiaries were selected through a process powered by the ARISE Youth Employment portal, he stressed that they were qualified citizens of the Federal Constituency.
He commended the people of Uyo for the massive turnout, saying the attendance was indicative of their status as the landlords of Government House, even as he appreciated Prince Enobong Uwah, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), for leading his people to unite with the centre.
Governor Eno assured that more development projects will reach down to the grassroots, adding that “I received the needs document from the people of Uyo with an open heart, and promised to treat it accordingly, based on availability of funds.”
He expressed appreciation to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal administration for making funds available to states, stressing that the facility has made it possible to execute “the empowerment scheme, the entrepreneurship support, and different development projects.”
In a bid to ensure inclusivity and consistency, the governor directed the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom LED) to commence the process of training another 50 persons each from all the recognised female and male support groups, for another set of empowerment.
He stated: “The federal government-funded ward development empowerment initiative for 1,000 persons per ward,” and urged the people to return to their respective wards to ensure that entrepreneurs at their respective wards partake in the programme.
“I urge you to support the President for a second term in 2027 as well as other APC candidates in the 2027 elections, to further the synergy with him, having enjoyed an overwhelming endorsement as sole candidate for Governorship in the 2027 elections.”
Recall that on assumption of office, Governor Eno announced his commitment to celebrating Akwa Ibomites who are making impacts in their different careers across the world.
Earlier, while presenting the Needs document, the SSG, who is also the political leader of Uyo, Prince Enobong Uwah, commended the governor for the impactful development projects in the Federal Constituency, adding that the constituency has been enjoying double the projects executed in other federal constituencies, even as he assured of more support for the governor in the 2027 election.
The high point of the event was the unanimous adoption of the Governor as the sole Governorship candidate for Uyo Federal Constituency in the 2027 election, following a motion moved and seconded by Rt. Hon. Mark Esset and Hon. Ubong Attah, respectively.
