Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, has doled out N10 million to a young Nigerian girl from Edo State, Precious Bodunde, for pronouncing the five longest words in the English Language with ease.
The Governor, who honoured Precious with an Excellence Encouragement Grant at the Government House, Uyo, noted that he came across the short video of her performance and was thrilled on hearing Precious pronounce those long and jaw-breaking words effortlessly.
He described it as encouraging to see a young Nigerian girl that is so focused, adding that it was quite necessary to encourage such talent.
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Governor Eno who is known for celebrating and encouraging excellence beyond the shores of the State, said that government under his leadership will continue to support and encourage her best and brightest in every field of endeavour.
He said the government had taken note of an Akwa Ibom son who emerged as best in the West African School Certificate Examinations, Akwa Ibomites that went to Singapore, as well as an Akwa Ibom son who played for the under 17 football team, got injured, and could not further his career, saying a night has been set aside to celebrate them and all known Akwa Ibom children who have excelled in their academic endeavours.
The Governor said, “This is special to me. It is simply to encourage her, and to let her know that there is reward for hard work.
Commending the parents of Precious, who accompanied their daughter on the visit, for their investment in their daughter’s developing talent, Gov. Eno encouraged them, as well as parents across the country to be committed to their children’s upbringing, adding that such investment is always rewarding.
Presenting the cheque to the beneficiary, Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Helen Eno Obareki said she was particularly elated that the beneficiary was a girl child, adding that the grant was the beginning of many good things to come her way.
The beneficiary, Precious Bodunde who appreciated the Governor for his benevolence, said she was overwhelmed by such demonstration of love for humanity, adding that it was a joyous way to start the New Year.
“I am so grateful to God for using His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno to do this in my life, I am so happy and this is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, meaning fantastic or extraordinarily good.”
Pastor Israel Bodunde, the father of Precious described the gesture as an unprecedented demonstration of love and the Governor as a detribalised Nigerian.
“I see a totally detribalised personality in the Governor of Akwa Ibom State; a totally unbiased Nigerian with his eyes for excellence. And with this, the Governor stands very tall both here and in future, the reward is there for him. I am quite elated and I am not taking this for granted.’’
Recall that the Governor had last year, through a similar channel invited and sponsored Miss Priscilla Samuel Daniel and two other Akwa Ibomites to the Nigeria Aviation School, Zaria where their dreams to fly a Boeing one day began.
Similarly, the Governor also invited and honoured a young lady, Miss Arit Abam, former National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member from Ugep Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Miss Arit’s story went viral after she posted a video thanking her father for his sacrifices after returning from her service year.
Governor Eno, who saw the trending video with the dilapidated condition of the family house, was moved to lend a helping hand by building an ARISE compassionate home for them.
