Hardship: Akwa Ibom Gov Lifts 476 Less-privileged With N239m Grants

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has approved the disbursement of N239 million grant to empower 476 less privileged rural dwellers out of poverty.

The governor, who disbursed the grant during the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency Town Square Meeting at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, headquarters of Ikono local government area, warned against misappropriation of the grant, explaining that the facility was meant for investment in farming, trading and equipments.

Presenting the cheques, the governor said “the beneficiaries were qualified citizens of the Federal Constituency who had registered through the ARISE Youth Employment portal, and were duly selected.”

He called on everyone to embrace the digital method of getting jobs, empowerment, contracts and other government’s freebies, explaining that “it was imperative to do things differently to provide a level playing field for everyone in order to accommodate those who have no one to recommend them.”

The governor pointed out that his administration was touching lives and raising men and women who have the requisite capacity, willing to work and have registered on the ARISE portal.

“Let me speak to the young people of Akwa Ibom. We have a portal. The economy of the world today is based on data, and we must be able to show statistics of what any government has done. In God we trust, but for man, show us your data.

“We have opened portals for almost everything; procurement, employment, bursary and we are paying those who have registered. For Ikono and Ini, we have empowered 476 of you with the total sum of N239, 150, 000. All their names and phone numbers are here.You can call them.You can find out. These people registered on the portal. Don’t let anybody deceive you, if you don’t register on the portal, nothing for you.

“Any student, or graduate that doesn’t know how to use computer is deceiving himself or herself. In the forthcoming screening, we are going to use computer, and as you finish, you see your result,” Governor Eno said.

Explaining the reasons for his people – centric governance disposition, he said, “I became a Governor by the grace of God, by the instrumentality of Deacon Udom Emmanuel and I did not know anybody. If we were looking for people to be Governor in this State, I would not have chosen myself, but it is the grace of God that chose me. Now, having been brought by the grace of God, I must allow that same grace to reach other people who do not know anybody.

“You must be able to apply without knowing the governor, without knowing the deputy governor or knowing the Secretary to the State Government and you get a job. That is my mission.

“Anyone waiting for slots is wasting time. Go to the portal and apply, and when you are invited, answer the questions well and get the jobs or contract,” he said.