Some of the beneficiaries displaying their symbolic cheques at the ceremony.
By Anietie Akpan
In fulfillment of his campaign promises, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has doled out N361.4 million to 844 persons from Etinan Federal Constituency.
The donation comes in the form of farmers grants, traders grant, equipment support, MSMEs, cars and mini buses beneficiaries.
In a release from the Governor’s Media Unit on Saturday, the donation at the occasion was followed by the symbolic presentation of cheques to some of the beneficiaries by the State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntokekpo.
At what was tagged a grand finale in the series of Town Square meetings between the Governor and his people, held at the Nsit Ubium Council Headquarters ground in Ikot Edibon, the people unanimously voted in support of the re-election of the Governor and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The Governor had thanked the people for the massive turnout saying “it is organic, spontaneous and electrifying.”
He said, having received the needs documents from all the federal constituencies, he was going to select the very critical ones for inclusion in the 2026 budget, noting that some could still be captured in the remaining part of the subsisting budget.
The Governor said the recent Impact Assessment Summit organized by his government, afforded everyone opportunity of seeing that every local government in the State has been positively affected by his administration, but added that where gaps were noticed, corrections would be effected.
Excited Pst Umo Eno, PhD at the Town Square meeting.
On his policy of establishing Youth Friendly Centres in all the local government areas, the Governor urged local council chairmen to each, avail him of 1000sq metre of land for the project, and also harped on the essence of encouraging youths in computer training.
Following the premises laid by speakers at the event, a voice vote was moved by the Nsit Ubium State Constituency lawmaker, Otobong Bob and seconded by Hon Eric Akpan of Nsit Ibom State Constituency with the people affirming their decision to support the All Progressives Congress and its candidates Governor Eno and President Tinubu.
Speaking, stakeholders of the federal constituency, through their Political Leader, Senator Effiong Bob, held that Governor Eno’s performance had endeared him to the people of the entire State, insisting that, “if you were not a good governor they would not have accepted you”.
“We are not here to speak about what are you doing, or what you have not done, or what you are about to do, because we know that you have done your best within these two years.
Sen Bob who was confirming the position of the earlier speakers at the event, Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udo, Mr Umana Umana and Gen Paul Isang (Rtd), said, “You have 8 yrs mandate, so your mandate will be judged at the end of 8 yrs, but for the two years, you have done so much for our people as had been said in the programme”.
Consequently, he wooed for support for President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Governor.
On his part, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, acknowledged that God has used the Governor to accomplish much for the State.
Sea of heads at the Town Square meeting in Etinan Federal Constituency.
He said the huge crowd was a true reflection of the love and confidence of his people in him.
“As royal fathers, our role is to guide and advise, and in that spirit, I thank you sincerely for all you are doing for the sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State. We are confident that you will not let your people down.
“We are proud to identify with you, to support you, and to pray for your continued success. Already, you have been named the Best Performing Governor in Nigeria, and we encourage you to keep up the good work so that you will continue to win even greater honors”, the monarch added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Alfred Charles, on behalf of the three chairmen in the constituency, hailed the Governor as “the pride of Etinan Federal Constituency”, assuring that the constituency would stand solidly behind him all the way.
This was corroborated by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, who spoke on behalf of members of the State Executive Council from the constituency.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, described the Governor as a compassionate and inclusive leader, as well as the best performing Governor in Nigeria, who in just two years, has earned the love of his people and a doctoral degree in learning.
He thanked the Nsit Ubium people for supporting their son, assuring everyone that, “you have a Governor who is not just performing, but excelling”.
