The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, at the launched of the ARISE Home Farmers Scheme (AHFS), said the initiative aimed at encouraging every household to have a farm or garden at home.
While launching the scheme during the 2024 edition of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, held at the amphitheatre of Unity Park, Uyo, he said under the AHFS, 50 home farmers will be selected and given ₦500,000 each to boost their farms.
Chief Press Secretary Ekerette Udoh in a social media said the Governor launching of the scheme was to appreciate and adapt the elderly support scheme of his late wife where over 600 aged are selected monthly for empowerment of ₦50,000 each, along with food items and multivitamins.
Also , “the scheme is adapted from the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” he added. She launched the “Every Home a Garden” initiative to encourage first-time female farmers in Nigeria.”
“Akwa Ibom workers would receive a 13th-month salary, while bags of rice will be distributed to each of the 2,272 gazetted villages in the state for merry Christmas in every home,” Governor Eno reiterated.
He further announced the theme of the Carols Festival, as “Peace and Holiness with All Men,” explaining that it reflects the essence of the season.
Again, he reiterated commitment to pay workers ₦80,000 minimum wage effective November 2024, saying it will commence after the state-wide ongoing personnel audit exercise.
Meanwhile, the Governor, has presented a cheque of ₦5,000,000 to Usen Akpan Matthew for his volunteer service.
At the 17th edition of Christmas Carol held in Akwa Ibom state, in 2024, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh,in 2010, event had 25,272 carol singers in attendance won a place in the Guinness World Records.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Christian Nyong described the 2024 edition annual Christmas Carols Festival as “a golden outing.”
The Apostolic Overseer of Sure Word Assembly, Pastor Dennis Inyang, saiid the birth of Jesus Christ denotes God’s ability to do the impossible.
“God specifically sent you to enthrone peace in Akwa Ibom state ,” pastor Inyang told the Governor and admonished him to maintain the unifying spirit.
Truth Live News gathered that the launching ceremony had a touch of colors with prominent gospel artistes in attendance and featured choir ministrations, Bible readings by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki.