Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, was concerned about the attitude of politicians in putting themselves, their relations and cronies in the state government ARISE empowerment grants meant for the less privileged.
Baring his mind at the May edition of Government House Monthly Covenant Service held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, Eno advised the privileged Akwa Ibomites to allow their wards partake in the different programmes meant for the less privileged.
Speaking on the empowerment initiative of his administration, the Governor noted that “Let us respect ourselves. Most of us here are richer and can afford or even sponsor these grants of N500,000 or N1million meant for the less privileged. The grants are not for you or your family members.
‘‘Stop applying and putting your names and those of your family members. Please, allow the poor to get these State’s grants for their businesses and for improvement in their standard of living,” he stated.
Recall that during the ARISE Town hall meeting for Ukanafun/Oruk/Anam Federal Constituency held at Government Primary School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk on Tuesday, April 29, politicians in Ukanafun were found to have put their names, their relations and cronies in the empowerment scheme and traders’ grants meant for the less privileged in the area as reflected in the event programme.
However, the Governor used the occasion to announce plans to inaugurate key projects in the State as part of the activities to mark his second anniversary in the office.
Some of the projects, the Governor said, include a 200-bed Ibom International hospital, a 5000-seater Ibom International Convention Centre, and a 200-bed Ibom Hotel.
He said an interdenominational thanksgiving service to celebrate the anniversary will hold on May 25, 2025, at the International Christian Worship Center, Uyo, adding that it would be an opportunity to gather as a State and thank God for His faithfulness and mercies for the past two years.
The Governor, also a clergyman, urged the fathers of faith, and other religious leaders to pray for peace and good governance in the state, avoid meddling into politics but to focus on God for the overall good of the state.
He directed interested applicants from the state to apply and fill in some vacant positions in the State Civil Service, emphasizing that only the applicants that have registered on the State’s ARISE Portal and applied, will be considered for the employment.
“We have announced employment in the State Civil Service. Two of the vacancies have already been made public – the positions of Occupational Safety Officers and State Counsels.
“Kindly let your wards go to the State’s ARISE Portal to apply. It will be difficult for anybody to get that job if he or she is not registered on the Portal. Applicants will be invited for examinations and get employed at the end of their evaluations,” he emphasized.
The Governor urged parents to encourage their children to embrace the world’s technological changes in order not to be left behind as the world is fast becoming almost completely digitalized on its activities.
“After this set of recruitment, we will be taking teachers. I have requested to be given the appropriate number of vacancies for teachers that we need, and the number that we can accommodate. I don’t want to fill the whole place, then unable to pay. So, when it is time for teachers, we will advertise and you will go to the Portal to apply”, he hinted.
The State Chief Executive explained that procurement of contracts, grants, and the likes can now only be accessed through the Portal and urged citizens to update their knowledge on this to be part of the system.
“When we launched our procurement portal, people criticized us. Now, Federal Government has launched its own. That is the way the world is going now. We need to encourage our people to be part of this development so as to be more productive and relevant,” he stated.
Eno emphasised on the need for all to focus on enhancing the current peace and unity enjoyed across the State, and called on all and sundry to desist from unnecessary speculations and permutations, as such might be counterproductive.
He appreciated everyone for taking part in the May edition of the service, and wished everyone a happy new month.
Earlier in his message on the theme of the service, “The God of Great Wonders” taken from the book of Psalms 77: 14-20, Emmanuel Udofia, Primate Emeritus of the African Church, had said God’s great wonder is a divine act that surpasses natural laws and human efforts, stressing that every second in a man’s life is filled with mighty wonders.
He admonished Christians not to give up in hard or troubling times, but to keep trusting God who is able to do great wonders.
How Ukanafun politicians hijacked grants for cronies
The state Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan put the names of his two children as beneficiaries of the grant and his nephew for a mini-bus.
Similarly, the immediate past member who represented Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. (Mrs) Charity Ido put herself and the immediate past Transition Chairman, Elder Godwin Ekpe included his wife and brother.
Investigation by Straightnews shows that major PDP stakeholders in the area included their relations and cohorts as beneficiaries of the grants.
‘‘When Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel empowered less privileged kids in Ukanafun during the 2022 Dakkada Digital Skills Boot Camp Training which was 200K Naira / Laptops, both children of the State PDP Chairman made the list of beneficiaries ( See Pages 33 and 39 of the programme).
In the 2022 list, the children were numbers 33 and 49 under Governor Udpm Emmanuel administration and under Governor Umo Eno administration, they were placed under number 15 and 16 ’’ the online newspaper discovered.
See list of a few beneficiaries:
- Hon. Dopse Sandy, immediate past Councillor
- Itohowo Idorenyin Ekpenyong, Ward PDP Exco/relative to Dr. Frank Ekpenyong slot
- Akpan Editi Aniekan, the PDP Chairman’s son
- Akpan Ekemini Aniekan, the PDP Chairman’s daughter
- Umakiso Victor Umoh, former Vice Chairman
- Udousung Item Matthew, a nephew to PDP Chairman’s wife
- Enobong Oliver, recently appointed SA — MP Emem Udom’s slot
- Etukudo Ekaette Mojima, PDP chapter women Leader
- Hon. Saturday Akpan, Commissioner 1, Local Government Service Commission/Former House of Assembly Member
- Akpan Etiowo Sampson, brother to the political leader, Obong Eno Akpan and serving Ward PDP Chairman
- Ifiok Sampson, Former Councillor and Aide to Obong Eno Akpan
- Dr. Charity Ido, immediate House Member, AKHA
- Amadie Ikator, ally to Ubokobong Umoh — Sen. Akpabio’s aide
