• AKHA Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Elder ) Udeme Otong in a group photo with the leadership and members of Abak Itenge Women Cooperative Society during his empowerment scheme at his Abak Itenge Country home, Abak State Constituency recently
By Emmanuel Ebong
On the 6th of January, 2024, the dawn broke over Abak Itenge, a quaint village nestled in the Abak local government area of Akwa Ibom State. The villagers, including the youth leader Israel Elijah, Uduakobong Udoumoh, Usen Jonah Urom, and Chief Imo Akpakpan, embarked on their daily chores, oblivious to the eventful day that lay ahead.
Their day took an unexpected turn with the arrival of their illustrious son, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, the third most powerful man in the state. As the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) disembarked from his convoy, the village erupted into spontaneous jubilation. Elder Otong’s homecoming was not just a ceremonial visit; it was the inauguration of the first phase of his ‘Skills Acquisition Training Settlement and Empowerment’ programme.
The event was marked by a vibrant yet concise ceremony at the Speaker’s ancestral abode. Twenty-eight fortunate beneficiaries of the programme under first phase were presented with an array of empowerment items. The beneficiaries included Israel Elijah and Uduakobong Udoumoh, who were gifted brand new mini-buses, while Usen Jonah Urom and Chief Imo Akpakpan were presented with tricycles.
The economic empowerment programme also opened new avenues for Ubong Etim, Etido Iwok, Nsehe Johnson, Edidiong Akpan, and Imo Ekpo, who became proud owners of motorcycles. Eight budding entrepreneurs – Margaret Michael Iwok, Idongesit Etukudoh, Bright Emmanuel Noah, Iniobong Abraham, Abigail Inyang, Etimbuk Philip, Mmenyene Udo, and IsongkeAbasi Essien – received sewing machines to boost their businesses.
The generosity of the Speaker’s programme did not stop there. Israel Friday Effiong was presented with spray painting equipment, and Ndianabasi Jonah received a vulcanizing machine. In addition, Christiana Effiong, Abasiofiok Philip, Ubokobong Udoetok, Joseph Akpanurom, Akaninyene Ekpo, and Nseobong Etim Effiong were given HP computers, power generators, barbing kits, auto mechanic tools, and hairdressing kits, all free of charge, following the successful completion of their training programmes.
The Abak Itenge Women Cooperative Society was not left out of the largesse. They were presented with a cheque of N5 million, while Vision for Excellence ( Abak) Multipurpose Cooperative Society received a cheque of N1 million to expand their businesses, paving the way for a brighter future.
Thus, the day that started as an ordinary Saturday turned into a memorable one for the residents of Abak Itenge, as they witnessed a significant step towards economic empowerment and community development, thanks to the initiative efforts of their son, Elder Udeme Otong.
In the event characterized by gratitude and mutual appreciation, the Rt. Hon. ( Elder) Udeme Otong, accompanied by his wife, Deaconess Margaret Otong, stated that his act of goodwill was not only a fulfillment of a promise made during his thank you tour of wards in Abak in December, last year, but also a testament of his commitment to the economic empowerment and self-reliance of his constituents.
The Speaker noted that he had sponsored these beneficiaries through a skills acquisition training programme, after which he deemed it necessary to further empower them with start up packages. The intention behind this initiative, according to Elder Otong, was to enable the beneficiaries to apply the skills they had acquired and become economically independent. This, he believes, is a fundamental step towards self-reliance and sustainable development in the community.
The Speaker, expressing his gratitude to the people of Abak Itenge Village for their unwavering support during his re-election, pledged to replicate this empowerment initiative across the entire Abak State Constituency. He acknowledged their instrumental role in his successful second journey into the State House of Assembly and his subsequent emergence as the Speaker of the 8th Assembly.
Otong also seized the opportunity to solicit the continued support of his kinsmen for the Umo Eno led administration, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective action in achieving shared goals.
The beneficiaries, overwhelmed with joy, heaped praises on the lawmaker, recognizing him as a true son of Abak Itenge who has stayed true to his roots. They prayed for divine blessings, long life, and wisdom for him to effectively steer the affairs of the 8th Assembly.
In solidarity with the Speaker, several community leaders also delivered goodwill messages. The Village head of Abak Itenge, Chief Monday Udom; representative of the church, Rev. I.G. Uboh; Coordinator of Abak Itenge Ministers Forum, Bishop Abasiakan Otong; Youth leader of Abak Itenge village, Israel Elijah; Women Leader of the village, Deaconess Atim Philip, and the Abak Chapter Chairman of PDP, Prince Ben Ebong, all expressed their appreciation for Otong’s impactful representation since his return for a second term.
They lauded him for choosing to celebrate his esteemed office with his kinsmen in his village and for his unwavering commitment to his promises. They prayed for his continued success in the 8th Assembly, expressing their firm belief in his leadership and his vision for the constituency.
No doubts, this strategic move was designed to provide the necessary resources for the beneficiaries to thrive, while also promoting an entrepreneurial spirit among the Abak Itenge residents. The significance of this largesse cannot be overstated. By investing in his community, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong is not only supporting local businesses but also contributing to the overall economic development of Akwa Ibom State. This laudable initiative is expected to generate employment, increase incomes and improve living standards for many families within the community.
Moreover, this empowerment programme is a testament to the Speaker’s commitment to his constituents. It reflects his dedication to fostering economic growth and his vision for a prosperous Akwa Ibom State.
In conclusion, the empowerment package presented by Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong is a significant step towards achieving economic growth and prosperity in Abak Itenge and the wider Akwa Ibom State. It is a commendable initiative that other leaders could emulate to stimulate economic growth and development within their respective communities.
• Elder Emmanuel Ebong is the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly
