Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, has empowered 1,187 persons with N492.7 million farm, trade, and business grants in Uyo federal constituency comprising Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai and Uruan local government areas.
The governor disbursed the grants at Uyo Federal Constituency Town Square meeting held at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo, the state capital at the weekend.
He disclosed that 276 constituents were selected to benefit from the ARISE Farmers’ grant, 628 for the ARISE Traders grant, 263 for the ARISE Equipment support scheme, while eight persons benefited from the N5 million MSME grant, and 12 got cars and mini buses.
Governor Eno recalled that within two years of his administration, 116 projects, including roads, health centres, compassionate homes, elderly homes, and primary schools have been executed across the federal constituency.
He explained that the meeting was to receive the Needs document of the Constituency in order to include them in the 2026 Peoples’ budget, and to give grants to the constituents, as would be done in all other federal constituencies.
The governor said the selection process was powered from the ARISE Youth Employment portal and that the beneficiaries were qualified citizens of the federal constituency.
Governor Eno who appreciated the people of Uyo for the massive turn out, said it was indicative of their status as the landlords of Government House, and also appreciated the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah for leading his people to unite with the centre, assuring everyone of more development projects.
Governor Eno appreciated the President Bola Tinubu-led federal administration for making funds available to states, which, according to him, has made it possible to execute the empowerment schemes, the entrepreneurship support and different development projects.
He directed the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom LED) to commence the process of training another 50 persons each from all the recognised female and male support groups, for another set of empowerment.
The governor also announced the federal government-funded ward development empowerment initiative for 1000 persons per ward, and urged the people to return to their respective wards to ensure that entrepreneurs at their respective wards partake in the programme.
He called on the people to support the president for second term in 2027 as well as other APC candidates in the 2027 elections, to further the synergy with him, having enjoyed an overwhelming endorsement as sole candidate for governorship in the 2027 elections.
