No fewer than 7688 citizens across Akwa Ibom State have benefited from grants for farming, trading, equipment support, cars and mini buses worth over N10 billion in the ARISE Empowerment programme of the state government.
The empowerment programme was part of the Town Square Meeting across the 10 Federal Constituencies organised to enable Governor Umo Eno meet with the people and receive their needs document that would form part of the 2026 Peoples Budget.
The ARISE Town Square and Empowerment series began in Abak Federal Constituency with 833 beneficiaries, Oron with 980, Eket with 1,076, Ikot Ekpene with 664 and 540 in Ikot Abasi federal constituency.
It continued with 411 in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, and 677 Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency while 1,187 in Uyo and 476 beneficiaries recorded in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency
Speaking at the grand finale of the town square meeting in Nsit Ubium where 844 from Etinan Federal Constituency benefited from N361.6 million worth of grants, Governor Eno assured of his administrations resolve to empower and strengthen the local economy through micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.
He explained that all the beneficiaries were harvested from the ARISE portal, urging everyone, especially youths, to take advantage of the portal to benefit from the different Government initiatives including procurement, employment, empowerment and others.
According to him, “the State under my watch and leadership, will not give slots to individuals, but I will continue to ensure level playing field for all citizens irrespective of social status, everyone should have equal opportunity.”
“Though the Town Square meeting had ended, I am committed to the service of Akwa Ibom State, the needs document for Etinan Federal Constituency as well as all others across the State will be accommodated accordingly in the 2026 budget, based on availability of funds.”
The Governor said all local government areas have benefited from one project or the other at various stages of completion, promising to build youth friendly centres in all the local government areas of the State, and urged local government chairmen to make land available for the project.
Governor Eno who reiterated his support for local government autonomy, said to ensure that local government chairmen reside within their communities, official residences will be built for all local government chairmen across the State.
He appreciated everyone for taking part in the town square meetings, and specifically appreciated the people of Etinan Federal Constituency for their overwhelming turnout and heroic reception, and directed the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, to facilitate the design for the award of contract for a dual carriageway from Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area to Itreto in Nsit Ubium.
On his part, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President- General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk, appreciated the Governor for making them proud through impactful service, and prayed for more grace upon him to do more for Etinan Federal Constituency and the State at large.
Also speaking, members of the State Executive Council from the federal constituency led by Attorney- General/Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN appreciated the Governor for his people – centric governance and for appointing them to be part of his cabinet, and assured of continuous support beyond 2027.
Also speaking on behalf of local government chairmen from the Constituency, Chairman of Nsit Ubium LGA, Hon Alfred Charles said the God has made them proud with impactful leadership.
