Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, has applauded the magnanimity of the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government (FG) following the weekend’s disbursement of N2.1 billion in free cash to over 28,000 vulnerable poor across the state’s 31 local government areas.
The governor, who flagged off the scheme under the aegis of the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer (RHCCT) programme at the Women Development Centre (EDC), IBB Way, Uyo, the state capital, described the poverty alleviation gesture as remarkable.
Represented by the Acting First Lady and Coordinator of her 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, “The programme is aimed at supporting those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder and expressed his commitment to living behind a legacy of support to the most vulnerable in 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 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.”
Therefore, he reeled out the tate’s complementary efforts in providing business, agricultural, and other empowerment schemes for the poor and vulnerable, alongside the payment of gratuities, over ₦60 billion of which have 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 councils.
According to him, over N2.1 billion has 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 of selecting real beneficiaries devoid of political sentiment.
