Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has expressed optimism that Nigeria was on the verge of recovering from her prevailing socio-economic challenges, assuring that the painful era would soon give way to a new dawn of prosperity.
The Governor urged Nigerians to maintain their patience, assuring that the ongoing economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government was gradually yielding fruits.
He further noted that the measures taken by President Tinubu in repositioning the country have engendered positive multiplier effects across the sub-nationals.
Addressing the constituents drawn from the Uyo federal constituency comprising at the Uyo township stadium for the ongoing town hall meetings across the 10 federal constituencies, the governor restated his commitment to lifting his people out of poverty in line with the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
He, therefore, donated 10,000 sets of business equipment to 2,000 entrepreneurs engaged in various crafts including tailoring, barbing, shoe making, welding, laundry, hair styling, car wash, make- up artistry, baking, palm and cassava milling, vulcanizing, and tiling under the ARISE Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme (AEESS).
Also presented were 77 mini buses, 31 saloon cars to various beneficiaries, while some others who have distinguished themselves in various educational pursuits got various cash gifts under the Academic Excellence Award (AEA) and Exceptional Grit Award (EGA).
Under the academic excellence category, Edidiong Essien, who scored 8 Alphas in the 2023 West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) was awarded N10 million; a medical doctor, Dr. Joseph Akpan who scored 10 distinctions out of 11 courses in his final examination at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) was awarded full tuition and living expenses to study for a masters degree outside the country.
Five Akwa Ibom students who won the Singapore-Bilateral International School Debate received N15 million, with an additional N5 million going to the teachers that led the team.
Also awarded in the exceptional grit category was a female tipper truck driver, Otobong Philip Udoh from Ikot Ukana, Nto Edino, Obot Akara LGA, who got N5 million for daring to venture into a male-dominated trade.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr Joseph Akpan conveyed their appreciation to Governor Eno, saying the gesture was a pleasant surprise that has not only made up for the years of rigours, but would encourage others to aim for excellence in their chosen endeavours in education or business.
