Governor Umo Eno has promised to empower fifty farmers in the state with the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000 ) each as a way of incentivising farming in the state.
According to Pastor Umo Eno, the empowerment would mark the official launching of the ARISE Home Farmers Scheme (AHFS), an initiative aimed at encouraging everyone to have a farm or garden at home. He said 50 home farmers will be selected and given 500,000 each to boost their farms.
The Governor noted that the scheme is adapted from the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who earlier launched the “Every Home a Garden” initiative to encourage first – time female farmers to cultivate home gardens.
The Governor urged everyone to spread love especially to the less privilege, and presented a cheque of N5, 000, 000 to one Usen Akpan Matthew for his volunteer service, while promising better days for those who have imbibed the ARISE spirit and have volunteered their services at different areas of need.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh said the 2024 Christmas Carol was the 17th edition, adding that in 2010, a concert featuring 25,272 carol singers made it to the Guinness World Records, and the event has consistently been improving over the years.
He commended the Governor for furthering on the largest single gathering of Christian worshipers worldwide, stressing that it remains the most longed-for, and well-attended Carol festival in the country and beyond.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Christian Nyong, commended the Governor for furthering on the annual Christmas Carol festival and described the 2024 edition as a golden outing.
He also commended the Governor for not disappointing the Christian community, adding that he is not just a pastor by title, but more by mantle, and urged everyone to continue to pray for him as, according to him, Governor Eno remains the best thing that has happened to the State.
In his message on the theme of the Carols festival, Pastor Dennis Inyang, the Apostolic Overseer of
Sure World Assembly, said the birth of Jesus is a sign that God can do the impossible, stressing that Jesus is the prince of Peace, and if anyone must pursue peace successfully, the person must accept Jesus.
He commended the State Governor for his unifying spirit, adding that God specifically sent him to enthrone peace in the State, and urged everyone to live peaceably with all men.
