By Ima-obong Akpantuen and Mary Martins
564 constituents of Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency on Friday, benefited from a ₦505.74 million empowerment initiative.
The initiative is facilitated by Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, member representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpo Enin/Eastern Obollo of Akwa Ibom State in the Federal House of Representatives
The event which took place on Friday, June 27, at Ikot Abasi council headquarters, featured the distribution of income-generating assets and business grants, cars, minibuses, motorcycles, sewing machines, barbing kits with generators, makeup boxes, and cargo tricycles.
Others include fishing nets and accessories, outboard engines, deep freezers, lawn mowers, vulcanizing machines, hair dryers with basins, and educational and business grants as the total value of the distributed items and cash stood at ₦505.74 million.
At the ceremony, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno commended Rt. Hon. Odudoh for his impactful show of grassroots connection and empowerment initiatives.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs and Social Re-Orientation, Barr. Kufre Udosen, conveyed the message of the Governor during the empowerment initiative which directly benefited 564 constituents of Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency..
The Governor praised Hon Odudoh’s dedication to human capacity development and his recent medical outreach programmes, saying this has saved several lives.
He applauded the lawmaker’s empowerment initiatives saying this has deeply endeared him to the state administration.
”When I walked in here and saw the mammoth crowd, I thought the President was here. This shows acceptability by the people”, he said.
In his goodwill message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, speaking through Rep. Baraje Kure, urged constituents to remain steadfast in their support for Odudoh, assuring them that “more goodies will come to the federal constituency.”
In his address to beneficiaries, Hon Odudoh flanked by his wife, Sarah Ofudoh, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the resources given and reinforced his long-term commitment to empowerment.
“I will continue to empower my people in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda. I am here today to give my scorecard having served in the House of Representatives for two years.
“Permit me therefore to say this, in the last 26years that democracy came back to Nigeria, no senator in the House of Representatives had ever facilitated a project to my clan, a clan of three wards with about 20 units. And today I stand here having made a promise two years ago to fulfill that promise”.
He said, “It will interest you to know that I have moved 9 motions, led 4 petitions, in addition to that about 50 pieces of solar lights have arrived for Eastern Obolo, at least two projects have been cut across all clans in Mkpat Enin.
“100 persons will today be going back home with N1million each, 64 people will go back home with 500 thousand naira each, 100 students will go back with 100 thousand naira each making a total of cash support 142 million naira
“I want to assure you that the next two years will be better than this. I will continue to do my best for the benefit of my people”.
Constituents including Edidiong Wilson commended the representative’s impactful contributions, while Lady Ekaette Usip, former Mkpat Enin chairman, remarked that the constituency “has never had it this good.”
On his part, the chairman of the State Assets Management Board, Rt. Hon. Udo Sam Umoatan encouraged the proper utilization of the support.
Highlighting the scale of the support, Odudoh announced that 100 persons were empowered with ₦1 million each, 64 with ₦500,000 each, and 100 students received ₦100,000 each — a total of ₦142 million in direct cash support.
The event drew wide commendation from across political and community lines.
In his speech, Barr. Uwem Ekanem, who chaired the event, praised Odudoh’s legislative achievements and emphasized his remarkable consistency in delivering projects across all three local government areas.
Also, Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. Imeh Williamson Essien, described Odudoh as a man with a giving heart, saying “giving is in his DNA,” and pledged his continued support.
On his part , Chairman of the State Assets Management Board, Rt. Hon. Elder Udo Sam Umoatanencouraged beneficiaries to make proper use of the support received.
Former Mkpat Enin Chairman, Lady Ekaette Usip, declared that “the constituency has never had it this good,” while constituent Edidiong Wilson lauded Odudoh for his grassroots reach and responsiveness.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Emem Alex expressed heartfelt appreciation to the lawmaker.
