Gov Eno distributes N550m to Akwa Ibom farmers, entrepreneurs, sports champions, others
In a bid to fulfill his commitment to nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and reigniting interest in agriculture, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has awarded a total of N550 million to distinguished indigenes of the state excelling in various fields.
The event, titled “An Evening of Grants and Empowerment,” saw N25 million allocated by Governor Eno as grants to 50 winners of the ARISE Home Farms Contest, alongside N300 million granted to 400 female youths participating in the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme-3.
Additionally, N20 million in prize money was awarded to the winners of the 2023 Governor’s Cup Tournament, while N155 million was distributed among 31 Local Government Areas that took part in the 2024 Christmas Unplugged cultural display competition. Furthermore, N32 million was given to 32 exceptional Civil Servants, along with numerous on-the-spot cash awards and car gifts.
In his address to the attendees, Governor Eno emphasized that the event highlighted his administration’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship, ensuring food security through agricultural initiatives, celebrating excellence, and fostering a spirit of healthy competition among the people of Akwa Ibom in their respective pursuits.
Eno stressed that his administration remains committed to gradually moulding and building Akwa Ibom into a destination of choice saying, “We are gathered to reaffirm commitment to food security and agricultural sustainability through our various initiatives.
“We are gathered to empower and encourage small and Medium scale enterprises, ensuring they leverage their skills and creativity to stimulate economic growth and personal development.
“We are here to celebrate passion, excellence and the spirit of healthy competition, whether through sports, service delivery or entrepreneurship. Tonight, we are here to celebrate what Hapy Hour represents: rewards for hardworking, talent, creativity and industry. When you put in the work, you should also take the time to celebrate your effort.
“We are here to celebrate a milestone for our young female youths that have have just graduated from the Leadership and Entrepreneurial school. You have always been our cheer leaders, but tonight we are your cheerleaders. That’s why we are here tonight. We are here to celebrate that.
“We are here to celebrate Akwa Ibomites. We are here to celebrate you who have decided to arise to our call that everyone can own a farm, even if it is a home garden,” he said.
The Governor further assured that his administration will not relent effort at making the people the centre of governance, uphold the principles of accountability and probity and ensuring transparency, inclusivity and fairness in implementation of policies and programmes.
“We are a peaceful, hospitable and blessed State with one of the finest cuisines in the nation. Our road network is among the best in the country and our Ibom Air continues to set a standard in aviation excellence. So we invite the world to come, invest, live and thrive in our State,” Governor Eno said.
Setting the tone for the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah said it was basically a fulfilment of promise to the different sets of beneficiaries, adding that there was need to celebrate them and have a happy hour.
In their different explanations of the processes through which the beneficiaries emerged, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong and Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, and that of Sports, Mrs Grace Akpan, and Mrs Rose Bassey respectively, gave clarity on the transparency, fairness and due diligence employed to ensure probity, while also extolling the magnanimity and inclusiveness of the Governor.
