Akwa Ibom LG boss disburses N50m to 100 entrepreneurs

During the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries

The Executive Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Gideon Uwa, has “disbursed N50m in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises grants to 100 young entrepreneurs across the 10 political wards of the council.”

Uwa announced the empowerment initiative during a thanksgiving service held on Friday at the council headquarters in Utu Etim Ekpo to mark the second anniversary of his administration.

He said the beneficiaries were selected following a grassroots assessment conducted across the wards to identify young entrepreneurs whose businesses required financial support to grow.

He said, “The youths are at the centre of this administration. Long before today, I took time to conduct a private assessment across all ten wards to identify young people who genuinely needed support to grow their businesses. This initiative is designed to give back and ensure they become self-reliant.”

Uwa further urged beneficiaries to utilize the resources in building and expanding their businesses, saying the initiative is aimed at boosting the local economy of the area.

“Today, we are glad to announce empowerment of 100 young entrepreneurs and business owners in Etim Ekpo LGA. This particular initiative is aimed at expanding and boosting our local economy in the grassroots.

“The selection process is not limited to any ward, but, for the entire 10 political wards of this LGA. I hereby announce a sum of 50 million naira support to boost their businesses. As you receive this support, make sure you use it judiciously”, he said.

The Council Chairman commended the youths for their peaceful conduct and noted that political leaders and stakeholders across different interest groups had united for the development of Etim Ekpo.

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He expressed confidence that the people of the area would vote en masse for candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

The council chairman also inaugurated the Etim Ekpo Coordinating Committee of the Eekpede Initiative, “a support group to rally grassroots support for the President Bola Tinubu, the State governor and the All Progressives Congress candidates for the 2027 elections. ”

Delivering a homily with the theme ‘Gratitude’, Archbishop Emmah Isong emphasised the importance of thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness and protection, urging “individuals and communities to acknowledge God in their leadership journey.”

A guest speaker and chartered accountant, Ofonmbuk Akpan, who spoke on leadership and entrepreneurial development, urged the beneficiaries to manage the funds responsibly and build sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs.

The high point of the event was the presentation of cheques to selected beneficiaries, including Ezekiel Ebebe, Fidelis Innocent Peter and Etinyene Monday James.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Etinyene Monday James thanked the chairman for the gesture, describing it as a lifeline for young business owners in the area.

James promised that the “beneficiaries would judiciously utilise the funds to expand their businesses and contribute to the economic growth of the local government.”