By Shadrach Okon
Governor Umo Eno has cautioned entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State against using their business capital to throw party and engage in frivolous spending.
Governor Umo Eno gave the caution while empowering entrepreneurs, traders and farmers in the maiden town Hall Meeting in Akwa Ibom State held in Abak Federal Constituency.
“Don’t throw your seed capital on air. Don’t throw party with it. ,,If you are lucky to be among the beneficiaries of our empowerment today, use it well. Know that you have only one opportunity to benefit from this grant. We have alot of other Akwa Ibomites that we want to empower so no one will be given consideration twice,” Eno said.
Governor Eno who declared his commitment to work with and support the youths of Akwa charged the youths to work hard while government supports them to grow.
“I tell you that if there is any governor that will root for you as young people, it is this governor standing here. I want you to put on your sleeves, study hard, work hard. I will be here to continue to support you. We will always support our people so that they can excel.”
Governor Eno further stated that he wants to be remembered as a governor who interacted with rural communities by making them to feel the fragrance.
“I want to be remembered as a governor who interacted with the rural communities so that they too can have a fragrance of governance. They can have the basic necessities of life. We came to work with you. We came to expand the frontiers of development in our state. We came to stop rural-urban migration. We came to provide support to our people to ARISE and fulfill their potentials.”
The Guide Newspaper reports that a total of 620 people drawn from Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika Federal Constituency benefited from the cash supports ranging from N150,000 to N5,000,000.
The beneficiaries comprising farmers, small business owners and entrepreneurs were empowered at Abak Township Stadium during the commencement of Federal Constituencies Town Hall Meeting/Empowerment Series, by Governor Eno.
Six beneficiaries received five million naira grant each, while 178 farmers received N500,000 each under the ARISE Farmers Grant with the aim of supporting agricultural development in the region, 442 other recipients across various sectors were awarded grants ranging from N150,000 to N700,000, based on their business needs. Also, 198 individuals into businesses such as vulcanizing, tailoring, hairdressing, and welding, among others, were also scheduled for equipment support, ensuring that local businesses had the tools to enhance their work and increase productivity.
The Guide reports that goodwill messages were received from prominent stakeholders from the three local government areas, including the local government chairmen, who spoke through the Chairman of Ika, Utibe Nwoko, as well as national chairman of the Maintain Peace Movement, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, former Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, the former deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, MFR as well as the Itai Afe Annang, Obong Blaise Awakama, Provost of Federal Institute of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos, Prof Nkereuwem Etukudo among others.
