Inside Gov Eno’s Latest Far-Reaching Empowerment

Over 10,000 sets of equipment worth billions of naira have been presented to 2,000 entrepreneurs engaged in various crafts including tailoring, barbing, shoe making, welding, laundry, hair styling, car wash, make up artistry, baking, palm and cassava milling, vulcanizing, and tiling under the ARISE Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme.

Also presented were 77 mini buses, 31 saloon cars while others who have distinguished themselves in various educational pursuits in recent time got various cash gifts.

Governor Umo Eno also used the event to launch the https://procurement.akwaibomstate.gov.ng/

Under the academic excellence category, Edidiong Essien who scored 8 As in the 2023 West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE was awarded N10 million, a medical doctor, Dr. Joseph Akpan, who scored 10 distinctions out of eleven courses, was awarded full tuition and living expenses for masters degree studies outside the country, while 5 Akwa Ibom students who won the Singapore- Bilateral International School Debate got N15 million, with ab additional N5 million going to the teachers that led the team.

Also awarded in the exceptional grit category was a female tipper truck driver, Otobong Philip Udoh, who was gifted N5 million for daring to venture into a male-dominated trade.

Presenting the empowerment packages and awards to the beneficiaries at the Uyo Township Stadium, the State Governor who is a seasoned entrepreneur, said the event was in furtherance of the continuous push to stimulate the State’s economy through MSMEs, adding that SMEs are the driving force for the creation of a thriving middle class.

He applauded President Bola Tinubu for his economic policies which according to him were gradually revitalizing the economy.

The Governor assured that his government will continue to support enterprise, industry and other meaningful engagements by Akwa Ibomites.

On the procurement portal, he said government wants to open opportunities for more indigenous companies and professionals to bid for government contracts.