Gov Eno Disburses ₦750M Business Grants to 15,000 Unemployed Youths
From Imoh ESSIEN (UYO)
In a historic move to tackle unemployment and empower Akwa Ibom youth, Governor Umo Eno has disbursed ₦750 million business grants to 15,000 unemployed youths across the state.
This innovative programme provides ₦50,000 monthly grants to 5,000 beneficiaries, with plans to expand the initiative to a total of 60,000 youths drawn from all 31 Local Government Areas over the next 12 months.
Speaking during the official presentation of the grants at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, Governor Eno described the initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and capacity building.
He urged beneficiaries to utilize the grants for productive ventures that will enhance their personal growth and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy and reaffirmed his administration’s focus on creating opportunities that enable youths to thrive and unlock their full potentials.
“This programme is part of a broader charter to highlight and support the immense talent and resilience of Akwa Ibom’s youth”, he said.
Governor Eno also announced plans for civil service recruitment, set to commence soon through the State Youth Employment Portal.
He encouraged youths to register on the portal, which has been designed to simplify access to jobs and other employment-related initiatives, underscoring his administration’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity in public service recruitment.
Additionally, the Governor highlighted several complementary programmes aimed at building youth capacity, including Ibom LED, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, and the Ibom Community Watch initiative.
These initiatives provide vital training, mentorship, and job creation opportunities for young people, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive economy.
“This disbursement is more than financial support, it is a testament to our government’s dedication to turning promises into measurable results.
“We are building a stronger, more inclusive economy founded on the ingenuity, innovation, and determination of our youth.”
He also commended the State ICT Directorate for their pivotal role in digitizing public processes, which has enabled efficient management and accurate record keeping for the programme.
“The robust digital infrastructure backbone we have built ensures transparency and fosters trust in the government programmes “, the Governor added .
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Dr Frank Ekpenyong took time to enlighten the public on the modalities for the selection process and warned that system was configured to weed out people who were not qualified to participate.
Goodwill messages were received from the Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Youth Matters, Comrade Iniobong Akpan and Comrade Esther Bob, the Commissioner for Sport and Youth Development, Sir Monday Uko and the Chairman of ALGON, Dr. Uwemedimo Udoh.
