Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has applauded the magnanimity of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for the disbursement of N2.1 billion free cash to over 28,000 vulnerable poor across the 31 local government areas of the state at the weekend.
The Governor, who flagged off the scheme, under the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer (RHCCT) programme in Uyo, the state capital, described the poverty – alleviation gesture as remarkable.
Represented by the Acting First Lady and Coordinator of his late wife’s office, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, the Governor noted that the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), with support from the state’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, would go a long way towards assuaging the pains facing the vulnerable population in these hard times.
He explained that, “the programme is aimed at supporting those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder and expressed his (Tinubu) commitment to leaving behind a legacy of support to the most vulnerable in the society and governance through more life-touching programmes.
“I have always said that, even though we are currently embarking on numerous audacious projects of deep economic significance, the greatest legacy I hope to leave behind, will be our impact in the lives of the people, especially the most vulnerable and in the process, help restore their faith in the noble ideals of government and governance,” he assured.
The Governor also vowed continuous support for the President’s social security schemes, which according to him, “have provided succour and empowerment to the poorest and neediest in the State.”
He, therefore, reeled out the complimentary efforts of the State in providing business, agricultural and other empowerment schemes for the poor and vulnerable, alongside the payment of gratuities, where over ₦60 billion has been paid out of the ₦98 billion backlog spanning 2012-2023, and urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and continue supporting the President’s initiatives.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Emem Ibanga, commended Governor Eno for his dedication to the welfare and poverty alleviation of the people, noting that under his leadership, over 205 ARISE compassionate homes have been built and commissioned for vulnerable individuals.
The State Focal Person for the NSIPN, Dr Godwin Akpan, explained that the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), “is a component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), recalling that the State was enrolled in the scheme in 2019 with 29, 117 households registered in nine LGAs, and later scaled up in December 2023 to accommodate all the 31 LGAs.
According to him, over N2.1 billion has so far been disbursed to beneficiaries, between January and July, 2025.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Joseph Emmanuel, a visually impaired resident from Ikot Ekpene LGA, expressed gratitude to both the federal and state governments for the transparent process deployed in selecting real beneficiaries devoid of the sentiment of politics.
