In keeping with his charter with the youths of the State and in furtherance of his youth empowerment initiatives, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has disbursed ₦750 million in business grants to 15,000 unemployed youths.
Presenting the cheques at Government House, Uyo, the Governor said the event was a testament to the fact that, “We don’t just talk the talk, but we also walk the talk.”
Recall that the Governor had presented an audacious plan to empower fifty thousand (50,000) youths across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, beginning in October 2024, in appreciation of their commitment to the development of the State.
He noted that although putting the machinery in place to achieve a goal is always challenging, the official launch of the programme is proof that, “Whatever we say, we mean it. I am sure that by the report of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT this afternoon, you have seen the robust work that has gone into this programme.”
Governor Eno explained that the grant is aimed at supporting unemployed youths to start something meaningful while waiting for other employment opportunities on the portal.
He noted that 60,000 youths will benefit from the programme within one year and urged the beneficiaries to ensure the judicious application of the seed money, think big, and put their hearts and souls where their passions are.
He assured that the State is ready to support willing and prepared youths to achieve their full potential, saying, “The majority of our youths have great attributes, and I want to use this opportunity to challenge you to think big, put your hearts and souls into where your passion and skills lie, and the Government will partner with and support you.
“You have all it takes to succeed. I will give you the wings to fly, the fuel to lift your flight of success, and the guidance to land safely. All you need to do is believe and apply your faith, and it will happen. If it could work for me or anyone else, it can and will surely work for you,” he added.
For the umpteenth time, the Governor appreciated the youths for staying away from violent tendencies, their continuous support for the ARISE Agenda, and their contributions to the development of the State.
Presenting a progress report on youth-related support initiatives of the government, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and Digital Services, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, noted that the business support grant to 15,000 youths was a fraction of the overall 100,000 youths targeted to be empowered through different initiatives.
He said the programmes, including skills training at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, the recruitment of 3,000 youths into the Ibom Community Watch, and the increase in bursaries for students in public tertiary institutions from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 for undergraduates, and from ₦10,000 to ₦30,000 for professional students (Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Agriculture) for 20,000 students in the 2024/2025 academic session, as well as educational grants for 1,000 public tertiary institution students living with disabilities at ₦250,000 for undergraduates and ₦300,000 for professional and postgraduate students, were in progress.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Eno Ime Akpan, who described the Governor as a compassionate father, appreciated him for the numerous empowerment packages for the youths.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Sir Monday Uko; the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udo; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths, Mr. Iniobong Akpan; and the Special Assistant on Female Youths, Mrs. Esther Sam, appreciated the Governor for fulfilling his promise to the youths and assured him of their continuous support for the ARISE Agenda.
