Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has applauded his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Pastor Umo Eno, for extending his Compassionate Home Initiative (CHI) to reach the less-privileged families in Cross River.
Pastor Eno, has extended his benevolence to neighbouring sister state by handing over a newly built and fully-furnished three-bedroom bungalow to Mr. Ubi Obono Abam, the father of Miss Arit Abam, former National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member from Ugep local government area of Cross River State.
LEADERSHIP Friday learnt Miss Abam’s story went viral after she posted a video honouring her father for his sacrifices after returning from completing her service year, and Governor Eno, who saw the trending video with the dilapidated condition of the family home, was moved to lend a helping hand.
Represented by the attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom (SAN), the governor on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, handed over the house documents and a business support grant of N500,000 to help the beneficiary in his farming business.
He commended the father of the ex-corps member, saying, “I am very proud of you; if you hadn’t raised your daughter with such values, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Responding, the Cross River governor, Senator Otu, who was represented by his commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Helen Isamoh Egodo, described the gesture as a testament to the enduring bonds of brotherhood, unity, and shared values between the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
He said: “A big thank you to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno. God will replenish you a million times for this remarkable and compassionate home for Mr. Ubi and his family. It is not just an act of charity but a shining example of being a good neighbour. You have shown that our shared heritage goes beyond boundaries and that we can stand by each other in time of need.”
In his overview of the project, the special assistant (SA) to the governor on humanitarian services, Prince Nsikanabasi Umoekpo, described the building as “a well-furnished three-bedroom bungalow, equipped with a solar power borehole, 24-hour solar power electricity, an external kitchen, and a fully fenced compound.”
Umoekpo revealed that the governor has completed 36 of such projects, which have already been handed over to beneficiaries across Akwa Ibom state, with an additional 164 of such projects at various levels of completion.
Umoekpo shared the story of how the governor was moved by a viral video and decided to take action, recalling that the governor’s team had traced the young lady in the video to where she served in Bayelsa State to obtain her home address.
Stakeholders in the community including the Paramount Ruler of Yakuur LGA, His Royal Majesty, Obolo Ofem Eteng; former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Barr. Okoi Obon Obla, Head of Yakurr LGA, Mrs. Rita Egbe, commended Governor Eno’s gesture of compassion and dedication to improving the lives of those in need.
The beneficiary, Mr Ubi Obono Abam, and his daughter, Arit, commended Governor Eno and expressed deep appreciation for his kind gesture.
“If someone had told me the video would turn out this way, I wouldn’t have believed it,” she enthused, fighting back tears.
She prayed for God’s continuous blessing on the governor and his family and also appreciated her state governor, Out, for giving her automatic employment in the state civil service.
