The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research & Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso flagging off the programme.
By Anietie Akpan
Over 230 Akwa Ibom youths have been trained on Filmmaking, Acting & Content-creation Education (FACE) programme.
The five weeks free Youth empowerment training programme on FACE flagged off with more than 230 aspiring creatives that packed the Amunice Event Centre in Uyo at weekend.
The intensive academy draws participants from mostly students and young entrepreneurs in script-writing, cinematography, photography and on-screen acting, all at no cost.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research & Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso who declared open the event, praised the organisers for turning passion into prosperity and used the occasion to brief attendees on Governor Umo Eno’s wider empowerment drive across Akwa Ibom.
“What FACE is doing here aligns perfectly with His Excellency Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda”, Dr Ndueso said and outlined a string of empowerment programmes rolled out in the state by the Governor.
He said the Governor has replaced town-hall sessions with open-air constituency briefings, giving every resident a chance to ask questions and receive on-the-spot support.
On Farmers’ Grant Scheme, Dr. Ndueso disclosed that over ₦2billion has been reserved for small-holder farmers, with individual grants ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million.
He furthered that ₦2billion was also provided for empowerment of business owners and single digits facilities.
“At each town-square meeting, he sets up at least two entrepreneurs from each local government area with ₦5 million apiece”, he said.
A cross section of participants at the training programme.
The governor’s aide narrated that all residents can register their skills and ventures on the new digital platforms that feeds directly into every government opportunity, ensuring transparent, merit-based selection and accountability.
The FACE entrepreneurial programme itself has the support from notable institutions like UN SDGs, UNESCO, 1 Million Youth Action, DFC Media, R2 TV, Agric Empire Resources Ltd, Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, and the Victor Utong Love for Humanity Foundationy.
The Research and Documentation aide hinted that the FACE Initiative has positioned itself as both beneficiary and catalyst by dovetailing with the state empowerment blueprint.
“You leave this hall not just with knowledge but with a government that is ready to track your progress, fund your ideas and celebrate your impact. The future of Akwa Ibom’s creative economy is seated right here, he added .”
Speaking, ..(oordinator of the FACE Initiative Amb Ekaete Frank said it is a free empowerment programme designed to identify, nurture, and develop young creative talents in the media related subsection of Akwa Ibom State.
“The initiative, put together by Room7 Studioz, aims to equip selected participants with practical skills in media and related creative disciplines through a structured training programme, culminating in project execution, a public showcase and startup grants award.”
She said, the FACE Initiative received an overwhelming response with 385 applications submitted from across the state.
“After a rigorous screening and selection process, 200 participants were chosen based on merit, creativity, and potential.”
