The member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Otobong Ndem, has empowered 168 of his constituents including men, women & youths.
The beneficiaries are to be trained on various vocations such as welding and fabrication, photography/video coverage, carpentry, hair dressing, computer repairs/maintenance, automobile maintenance, brick laying and fashion design while others were to receive cash grant to either establish or sustain their small and medium scale businesses. According to him, 58 persons will received cash ranging from N50,000.00 to N500,000.00 to support or start their businesses while others will be empowered with skill training.
Addressing the recipients at the opening of a 3-day Entrepreneurship/Skill Acquisition Training & Empowerment Seminar organised for them at the Council Hall, sponsor of the programme, Engr. Otobong Ndem said that the aim of the exercise was to give hope to the hopeless and promote self reliance among youth in the area. According to the lawmaker, the heights attained by great men today were not realized by sudden flight but, while their companion slept, they were toiling upward through day and night to fulfil their destiny in life.
Hon. Ndem described the money given to the beneficiaries as a seed which if properly invested and managed would germinate and bring bountiful harvest in future; urging them to make good use of the opportunity offered them.
He maintained that he was moved by passion for his constituents to take Mkpat Enin people off big men’s gate, where many have been hanging to request for “fish” hence, his resolves to teach them how to fish through entrepreneurship development and skill acquisition. The lawmaker however announced his intention to mount a programme to assist the less privileged ones in the area that are studying in various institutions of learning in the Country.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser, Political & Legislative Bureau and Water Resources to the government of Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Ekong Sampson informed the crowed that the sponsor of the programme, Hon. Otobong Ndem is “performing so pragmatically well” in the House of Assembly and that he has set a pace in human empowerment in the state. He called on the people to continue in their support to the PDP and the government of the state; stating that outstanding achievements of Udom’s administration in the Local Government Area as seen in the construction of Ikot Usop – Ikot Ededge Road, the award of contract for the construction of Ibekwe – Ikot Unya – Ibiaku – Ikot Akata Road and sighting of coconut refinery at Ikot Akpan Okop, were evidence that the PDP Government is working positively for the people of Mkpat Enin.
Commenting on the event, the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Ini Ememobong, charged the beneficiaries to be focused and resilient in whatever they will do to achieved their desire goals in life. He commended Hon. Otobong Ndem for the life touching programme and his effort in promoting the government and the party at the grassroot level.
Goodwill messages were also received from member, representing Etinan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Aniefiok Dennis, Mkpat Enin Transition Chairman, Mrs. Ekaette Usip, PDP Chapter Chairman of Mkpat Enin, Mr. Anietie Akpan amongst others dignitaries.
On his part, Chairman of the Planning Committee Tpl. Akpabio Ufot-Akpabio, stated that beneficiaries of the programme were drawn from 14 wards, 4 clans and 87 villages across Mkpat Enin Local government Area.
Tpl. Akpabio advised those that were not fortunate to be included in the 1st batch list not to panic, as they would benefit in the 2nd or 3rd batch of the programme as earlier announced by the sponsor. He stated that the empowerment programme is to “promote entrepreneurship, enhance peace and development and “strengthen socio-economic fabric of the area. He charged beneficiaries not to see the exercise as a political reward rather, as a genuine effort by the sponsor to improve the standard of living and reduce poverty in Mkpat Enin.
The beneficiaries were lectured on the A-Z of Starting and Sustaining Small Business by Blessing Akpan, Entrepreneurship Mindset and Skill Development, Unlocking the Entrepreneurship Potentials and Business Accounting and Records keeping by Mrs. Inemesit Ekpoabasi, all from Unik Consultancy Service, Uyo.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Udofot Udofot of Ukpum Minya ward 3 and Mr. Okon Essien of Ibiaku ward 3, thanked the lawmaker for his magnanimity in giving their lives a meaning. They promised to reciprocate the gesture by making good use of the opportunity offered them.
The participants equally vowed to give Hon. Otobong Ndem and Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel their full support comes 2019 elections in the State.
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