AKWA IBOM, UYO – The Governor of Akwa Ibom state Pastor Umo Bassey Eno’s “An Evening of Grants and Empowerment” was met with a mixture of rare praise and criticism on social media.
While citizens took to Facebook page of the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Ekerette Udoh, to congratulate the Governor for always attending to people’s need, some condemned his act saying, “opening employment portal for Akwa ibom youths would have been his biggest achievement so far.”
In fact, In what was tagged, “An Evening of Grants and Empowerment,” where the Governor awarded N25 million grants to 50 winners of the ARISE Home Farms Contest and N300 million grant to 400 female youths under the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme-3, citizens reminded him that civil servants in the state are yet to get their January salarie.
And the citizens noted that apart from non payment of salaries, the operation thunder driver needs to be given their entitlement of over 13 years of working without entitlement.
The Akwa Ibom state Governor ‘s Chief Press Secretary Ekerette Udoh, in a social media post said Pastor Eno, has showered rewards to the tune of over N500 million on Akwa Ibom indigenes who have shown distinction in their various endeavours.
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In the comments section, Grace James, congratulated the Governor saying, “Congratulations to them. Kudos to our Capacity Governor for always attaining to his people.”
“I emerged as the overall most hardworking staff in the local government where I am working but I was not appreciated as this to motivate me. What is the way forward for local government staff?
Moffat Samuel Jnr: while praying God to bless Governor whom he described as compassionate personified governor. He said “May I also drawn to the attention of HE Pastor Umo Eno, that operation thunder driver needs to be given their entitlement for over 13 years of working without their entitlement being taken care of. Please let the Governor look into their matter. Thank you for anticipating.”
Also, Christian Otuk said , “Indeed, Ono mkpo inam ke ese ekom. Thank you, His Excellency for REVIVING the real spirit of the Akwaibomites. God will grant you all the desires of your heart. Amen.”
Emmanuel Eshiet, also said that “opening employment portal for akwa ibom youths would be his biggest achievement so far.”
Meanwhile, Debbie Hasan, had a different view saying ” the showers 550m for empowerment of the people was for those that voted for the Governor.”
For instance, Patty Michael, decried the situation where the Governor carried out massive empowerment but as at Friday last week civil servants were yet to be paid their salaries.
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“Asuk aka o. Today is 7th February but civil servants in the state are yet to get their January salaries!! Abasi m’odo sha, it’s well,” Michael said.
Others were N20 million prize money to winners of the 2023 Governor’s Cup Tournament, N155 million prize money to 31 Local Government Areas that participated in the 2024 Christmas Unplugged cultural display competition and N32 million to 32 outstanding Civil Servants, as well as several other on-the-spot cash awards and car gifts.
“We are gathered to empower and encourage small and Medium scale enterprises, “We are here to celebrate passion, excellence and the spirit of healthy competition. Tonight, we are here to celebrate what Happy Hour represents: rewards for hardworking, talent, creativity and industry; whether through sports, service delivery or entrepreneurship.
“We are a peaceful, hospitable and blessed State with one of the finest cuisines in the nation. Our road network is among the best in the country and our Ibom Air continues to set a standard in aviation excellence. So we invite the world to come, invest, live and thrive in our State,” Governor Eno said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong and Permanent Secretaries Mrs Grace Akpan, and Mrs Rose Bassey respectively attended “An Evening of Grants and Empowerment.