August 12, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has disbursed N492.7 million in farm, trade, and business grants to 1,187 beneficiaries in Uyo Federal Constituency, comprising Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai, and Uruan local government areas.
The grants were distributed during the Uyo Federal Constituency Town Hall meeting, held at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo, over the weekend. The event drew a large crowd of constituents, party faithful, and community leaders.
Governor Eno revealed that 276 beneficiaries were selected for the ARISE Farmers’ Grant, 628 for the ARISE Traders’ Grant, and 263 for the ARISE Equipment Support Scheme. In addition, eight persons benefited from the N5 million MSME grant, while 12 others received cars and mini buses to boost their commercial activities.
Highlighting the scope of development in the area, the governor stated that his administration had executed 116 projects in the constituency in just two years. These include roads, health centres, compassionate homes, elderly homes, and primary schools, all aimed at improving the living standards of the people.
He explained that the meeting also served to receive the constituency’s “Needs Document” to ensure that identified priorities are reflected in the 2026 People’s Budget. He assured that similar empowerment programmes would be replicated across all federal constituencies in the state.
Governor Eno stated that beneficiaries were selected through the ARISE Youth Employment Portal, which ensured a transparent process and targeted qualified citizens. He described the programme as a deliberate effort to create sustainable income sources for residents.
Expressing gratitude for the massive turnout, the governor said it reflected the Uyo people’s pride as “landlords” of Government House. He also commended the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, for uniting his people with the state’s development agenda.
The governor directed the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom LED) to begin training an additional 50 persons each from all recognised male and female support groups for a fresh round of empowerment.
He further announced the Federal Government-funded Ward Development Empowerment Initiative, which will support 1,000 persons per ward. He urged constituents to return to their wards to ensure entrepreneurs benefit from the programme.
Governor Eno also called for continued political alignment with the centre, urging the people to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and other APC candidates. He noted that such synergy had already brought visible benefits to the state.
He reminded the audience that previous rounds of grants under the ARISE programme had transformed many lives. Farmers who benefited last year, he said, have expanded their cultivation areas, increased yields, and employed more farmhands.
Traders who received start-up or expansion funds have grown their businesses, some moving from roadside kiosks to full shops, while artisans equipped under the Equipment Support Scheme have doubled their customer base and improved service delivery.
He cited the example of a Nsit Atai beneficiary who used the traders’ grant to establish a wholesale provision store, now employing three youths from the community. Another farmer from Uruan reportedly tripled his income by introducing mechanised farming after receiving the grant.
Governor Eno stressed that such testimonies prove the ARISE initiative’s sustainability model, where grants are not handouts but strategic injections into the local economy, yielding long-term benefits for both recipients and their communities.
He pledged to sustain and expand the programme, assuring that every federal constituency will have equal access to empowerment opportunities in line with his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth.
