A total of 655 entrepreneurs, including farmers and small-scale business owners in Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, have received business support grants totaling N260 million and equipment support from Governor Umo Eno.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the three local government areas of Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, and Obot Akara, which make up Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, received their business empowerment support on Thursday, 17th April, 2025, during a Town Square meeting held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.
Addressing the people of the Federal Constituency, Governor Eno appreciated their support, which culminated in his electoral victory in the 2023 election. He said his decision to empower farmers and small-scale business owners in the area was a fulfilment of his campaign promise. He explained that the Town Square meeting provided an opportunity for him to meet and interact with the people, brief them on the government’s developmental efforts in the area, and gather inputs on areas requiring intervention through the NEEDS document.
While reassuring the people of the Constituency of his unwavering commitment to the implementation of the ARISE Agenda of his administration, Pastor Eno urged beneficiaries of the empowerment initiative to make judicious use of the funds and equipment in expanding their businesses.
He also acknowledged the support and cooperation he has continued to enjoy from the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio.
President of the Senate, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, represented by his wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, described Governor Umo Eno as a God-sent leader who has changed the narrative of governance in Akwa Ibom and assured him of the support of the APC to ensure he continues in office beyond 2027.
Other stakeholders of the Federal Constituency, including Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien; the House of Representatives Member for Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Dr. Patrick Umoh; members of the State Executive Council from the Constituency including Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong and Dr. Anthony Luke; the House of Assembly Member for Essien Udim, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio; the House of Assembly Member for Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, Hon. Jerry Otu; Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government, Hon. Aniefiok Nkom; that of Essien Udim, Hon. Ntiedo Usoro; and that of Obot Akara, acknowledged the spread of people-oriented projects across the three local government areas by the Governor in less than two years, and were unanimous in their resolve to ensure the sustenance of his laudable programmes and initiatives with a second term mandate come 2027.
Highpoints of the event, which drew a massive and excited crowd, included a motion moved by the House of Representatives Member for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Dr. Patrick Umoh, declaring total support for the Governor to continue in office beyond 2027. The motion was seconded by the House of Assembly Member for Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency, Hon. Jerry Otu.
