Governor Eno Empowers 3,100 Youths, Raises Students’ Bursary To N50,000

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has offered to train 3,100 youths across the State at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC) in the next academic session to position them for sustainability to tackle life’s challenges.

Speaking while receiving youths during a rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio in Uyo, Governor Eno said the State was committed to raising a vibrant youth community.

“What you have done today gives us much more inspiration to continue to work for you, to continue to put in our best to ensure that we create a future that our youth will be proud of. We continue to ensure that we make provision for our youths in the area of human capital development.

“The Dakadda Skills Acquisition Centre is training and training our young people. So, I am directing that for this academic session, each local government area will send 50 people. And, apart from the State sponsoring 50, local governments will add 50 to make it 100 for each local government area,” he said.

The Governor also announced a 150 per cent increase in student bursaries, saying that from January 2026, each student would receive N50,000, as opposed to the N20,000 received earlier.

He advised youths to either attend school or acquire a skill, stressing that the government was prepared to support them in either endeavour.

The Governor highlighted some of the government’s efforts towards youth development, including the construction of youth-friendly centres across all local government areas of the State, equipped with solar power, internet, and other essential facilities.

He stated that the Ministry of Youth Development was working towards developing a policy for youth development in the State, adding that the government has been youth-friendly, with many youths appointed as Commissioners for Youths, House of Assembly members, local government chairmen, and personal aides.

Speaking on other areas of youth empowerment, the Governor said through Ibom Air, 40 Akwa Ibom indigenes have been trained in aviation school, 20 as pilots and 20 as engineers, adding that in January 2026, another 10 would also be trained as pilots.

“We are developing our young people for sustainability. While I support people giving you money once in a while, our youths must rise above handouts; you must be able to stand in the comity of youths across this country and hold your heads high, and you are doing it. We are seeing our young people; they are doing well in school and in their profession.

“As a government, I promise you that as far as God keeps me here, I will fight for your cause, we will make provisions for our youths, women, children and the elderly,” he said.

He appreciated President Tinubu for releasing funds to States to enable them to run their programmes, and assured that in 2026, the State will continue to empower youths through skills acquisition.

Governor Eno appreciated the youths for their endorsement and support, saying, “On behalf of the state government, President Tinubu and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, I thank the youths for their continuous support and partnership.”

In his remarks, the member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Martins Esin, said the youths constitute 60 per cent of the state’s population, assuring the Governor of their massive support in 2027.

On his part, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, said the youth have decided to unite in progress following the Governor’s footsteps in uniting the State, and assured that the youth will be united in support of the trio and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr Uwemedimo Udo, said, “These are the Youths of Akwa Ibom State coming out to thank you and to affirm that come 2027, they will continue to support the President of Nigeria, Governor Umo Eno, Senator Akpabio, and all APC candidates.”