Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced an ambitious new empowerment charter aimed at providing opportunities for 100,000 youths across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas.

This programme, set to begin in October 2024, was unveiled at a youth appreciation and engagement rally held at the Uyo Township Stadium. The event served as a thank-you to the youth for their non-participation in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.

During the rally, Governor Eno directed the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Development and the office of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT to create a database for youth employment. The database will gather names and qualifications for potential employment by the state government, investors, and other organisations in the region.

The initiative will see 60,000 youths, selected from the database, receiving a one-off business support grant of ₦50,000 over 12 months. Additionally, 10,000 young people will benefit from the ARISE Entrepreneurial Scheme, aimed at empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Another 3,000 youths will be employed as part of the Ibom Community Watch initiative for crowd control and intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.

Governor Eno, a seasoned entrepreneur, also announced support for educational and vocational training. Paid training at the DAKKADA Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC) will be offered to 1,000 youths, with a monthly transport allowance of ₦20,000 per participant. Students in public tertiary institutions will see their bursary increased to ₦20,000 for undergraduates and ₦30,000 for professional students in fields such as Law and Medicine.

The Governor further revealed that an educational grant of up to ₦300,000 will be provided for students living with disabilities, while 2,000 youths will benefit from the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme (EAP), receiving grants and start-up capital.

Governor Eno also recognised the achievements of the state’s female football team, Ibom Angels, and announced a ₦20 million donation, alongside the provision of a new coaster bus, to support their recent promotion to the first division of the Nigeria Women Football League.

In his speech, Governor Eno expressed gratitude to the youth for their peaceful conduct during the recent protests and reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth development. He also promised to create a dedicated Ministry for Youth Development, to be headed by a commissioner under the age of 45.