Gov. Umo Eno: Empowering Women For Economic Growth

By: Solomon Essiet

Like the saying goes, “The patience dog eat the fattest bone”. It is the turn of the females in Akwa Ibom State to rejoice and count their blessings.

One of the political leaders in my Local Government Area, Ikot Ekpene, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, a Commissioner designate, who made the list of what would be the new Exco forwarded to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday 11th February, 2025 is famously known to say”Do for me, I do for you, Scratch my back, I scratch your back, Life na turn by turn”.

Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is indeed a promise keeper. During the Commissioning of the 60 meter span Nto Ide-Ikot Amba Bridge with 800m approach Road, in Obot Akara Local Government Area, on 16th May, 2024, the Governor said that it was time to look at the plight of the females by considering them for an empowerment Programme through Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre. This was an affirmation that it was the turn of the Governor to scratch their backs too.

According to the Governor, “These ladies and female youths have been with me under rain and shine everywhere we went to during campaigns, and in governance they are still here, celebrating us. They are our biggest cheer leaders, it is time to also celebrate them”. As the Governor made this statement, there was a thunderous and deafening applause capable of blocking one’s ear, as they shouted at the top of their voices in celebration of the kind words from the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking further, the Governor said, I know we have trained several beneficiaries through Ibom-LED and settled them with Five Hundred Thousand Naira each to top-up their businesses and women were among them. But this next set of beneficiaries would be drawn from each of the female youth blog, purple, lemon, GIFA and Ladies in White. The would get the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (#750,000.00) as grant after their training programme. The Governor explained that the additional #250,000.00 is to allow them an opportunity of renting a shop for their businesses as most of them are beginners who may not have any means of livelihood.

Now, that is a father speaking. Governor Eno is a father to all Akwa Ibomites, you can listen to the genuine concern that he raised concerning the female youth empowerment.

At a time that many politicians are known for failed promises, some people dismissed the Governor’s gestures as another round of political talk . But, inspite of many other projects such as Road Construction, ARISE Compassionate homes, Model Schools, Model Healthcare Centres, Aircraft Acquisition, Construction of Estates, Ibom Farming Model, others, going on in the State simultaneously, the Governor being a man of his words fulfilled the promise he made to the female youth on Thursday 6th February, 2025, dishing out 300 Million Naira to the females amidst wild jubilation from beneficiaries.

Through the help of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development Mr. Ime Uwah, I have been able to reach out to some of the beneficiaries who have received the money. Let the Happy Hour begin.

A beneficiary, Abigail Adua from Ikono Local Government Area, was full of joy when I contacted her on phone to know the extent she has gone on her business. She told me that she has already rented a shop and ready for her Oil Palm business. Ekomobong David from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, in her case told me that she is going into the phone accessories business.

Another beneficiary, Favour Essien from Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, who is also a student of political science in the University of Uyo told me that she is going into ICT business and is already operating a computer training centre in Uyo.

Enobong Michael from Uyo Local Government Area, decided to venture into food processing business. I asked her to explain further, she said during their training at Ibom-led, they were thought how to process and package our leaves such as ‘Afang’, ‘Atama’, ‘Editan’, others for local consumption and export. Impressive!

Now, we can appreciate the handlers of Ibom- LED better, as their teachings and mentorship at the centre has not been in vain.

All the beneficiaries did not forget to thank the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for His benevolence and magnanimity towards them, in fulfilling the promise. With the recent empowerment Programme, additional 400 female youth have been taken off the streets and unemployment list and are now on the fast lane to economic freedom and prosperity.

Governor Umo Eno has shown through this gesture that in life, you should show passion, work hard and be conistent at what you do, and you will surely get your reward.

In addition, the Governor is gradually building a new set Akwa Ibomites who value the work of their hands and are ready to contribute their quota to the development of the state

Pst. Solomon Essiet (ACIA)
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.