Eastern Obolo Chairman Emulates Gov Umo Eno’s Compassion, Unveils ₦31.5m Youth, Women Empowerment Scheme

 

Taking a cue from Governor Umo Eno’s compassionate leadership style and people-focused approach to governance, the Executive Chairman of Eastern Obolo Local Government, Rt. Hon. Samuel Nteogwuija, has kicked off a ₦31.5 million empowerment programme.

The scheme, tagged Unifier First Batch Skills Acquisition and Business Grant Scheme, was launched on Monday, June 23, and has so far benefited 60 youths and 10 women drawn from the ten wards in the oil-rich council area.

Addressing a cheering crowd of beneficiaries, Nteogwuija said the initiative was in direct response to the inclusive governance model being championed by Governor Umo Eno, adding that he is simply following the Governor’s example of touching lives through deliberate empowerment.

The Council boss said; “I consider myself a proud beneficiary of Governor Umo Eno’s transformational leadership. What we are witnessing today is not just an event, it is the fruit of the political freedom and encouragement His Excellency has extended to council leaders."

Nteogwuija recalled that shortly after assuming office seven months ago, he made a personal commitment to veer off from the usual path of token interventions and palliative handouts.

According to him, the manpower gap in Eastern Obolo, especially in technical and specialised skills, necessitated a long-term empowerment solution.

“Today, that promise is taking form. We are offering real training in practical fields such as truck and forklift operation, crane and bulldozer handling, catering, security and more. These are skills that create job opportunities beyond our shores,” he stated.

He stressed that the empowerment project was funded through careful planning and internal discipline, not from any external donations or government bailout. According to the Chairman, every kobo used for the ₦31.55 million programme was realised through prudent management of council resources.

“This is not a one-off show. It is not politics. We have put our money where our heart is. No external funding, no donations, just careful savings and the will to do right by our people,” he added.

In addition to the technical skills programme for the youth, ten women entrepreneurs will also receive direct business grants to support and scale their small-scale enterprises.

Our reporter noted that the initiative drew massive commendation from community leaders, traditional rulers, clergy and other stakeholders, who hailed it as a bold and selfless move to reposition Eastern Obolo through capacity building and inclusive growth.

Many speakers at the flag-off event noted that the Chairman’s commitment reflects a growing wave of development-focused leadership at the local level, fuelled by the Governor’s ARISE Agenda which empowers local government chairmen to lead with vision and empathy.

The empowerment drive is expected to run in batches, with more beneficiaries lined up for future editions.

Elated Eastern Obolo people who spoke to our reporter said the ripple effects of the programme could trigger a shift in the council’s economic fortunes, reducing dependency and creating a pipeline of skilled labour ready to take on opportunities across and beyond Akwa Ibom.

ENTIRE MKPAT ENIN IS APC FOR ENLIGHTENED STATE INTEREST - Attah

 

... Joins party with supporters

In a politically significant development for Akwa Ibom State, renowned maritime consultant and grassroots politician, Akparawa Johnson Attah, on Friday led a good number of his supporters in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move he described as being in the enlightened interest of the state.

Attah, who hails from Ukpum Minya Ward 4, an urban and politically strategic ward in Mkpat Enin, made the declaration at Ekong Sampson Hall, Mkpat Enin Council Secretariat, where the APC State Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, alongside the Chapter Chairman, Hon. Utitofon Jeremiah, formally received the decampees.

Addressing journalists and bloggers after the ceremony, which also had in attendance all the political bigwigs of the area, both serving and former political office holders, Attah declared: "Entire Mkpat Enin is APC for enlightened state interest."

According to him, the recent shift in the political alignment of Mkpat Enin is not driven by personal ambition or sentiment, but by the collective understanding that Governor Umo Bassey Eno’s defection to the APC is a critical strategic move to reposition Akwa Ibom within the national political grid.

He told newsmen that; “We are not here for politics as usual, not at all. We are here because we recognise a leadership that is calm, focused, Christ-centric, and result-oriented. Our leader, Governor Umo Eno has shown capacity and courage in leading this state. The only right thing to do is to follow him to the centre where true progress and prosperity lie.”

Attah, who boasts over 25 years of experience in Nigeria’s shipping and logistics industry, and widely regarded for his policy advocacy around the Ibom Deep Seaport, said his decision to join the APC alongside the entire Mkpat Enin people was informed by a genuine desire to see the area and Akwa Ibom benefit from deeper federal participation.

“My action and that of my kinsmen are about inclusion. It's about access. And we believe that Akwa Ibom under Governor Umo Eno has chosen the right path by connecting to the federal political engine,” he added.

The high-level defection, witnessed by APC chieftains, youth leaders, women groups, and stakeholders from across the entire wards of Mkpat Enin, was marked by jubilation and chants of solidarity as party flags and symbols were handed over to the new entrants.

Attah urged other well-meaning sons and daughters of the state to put the interest of Akwa Ibom first and close ranks around the Governor, who he described as “the stabilising factor” in the state's current political climate.

Etinan Ready to Protect Ibom Paint Industry – Uko Umoh

 

...Vows to Deal Ruthlessly with Saboteurs of Government Assets

The Executive Chairman of Etinan Local Government, Hon. (Obong) Uko Umoh, has declared the readiness of the Council to provide robust security around the revitalised Ibom Paint Industry and vowed that anyone caught sabotaging government assets within the locality would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the official commissioning of the refurbished paint manufacturing plant in Etinan on Wednesday, the council boss lauded Governor Umo Eno for what he described as a historic and people-driven intervention in the once-abandoned facility.

“This factory had been lying waste for years, a shadow of its original promise. But today, thanks to the vision and political will of Governor Umo Eno, it has come back to life. This is a bold step towards industrial revival in line with the ARISE Agenda, and we are not taking it for granted,” Hon. Umoh stated.

He said the gesture marked a new chapter not just for Etinan but for the entire state, stressing that the economic impact of the company would reverberate across communities, especially in job creation, youth engagement, and local enterprise development.

The Chairman assured that the local government would throw its weight behind the sustainability of the project by ensuring the safety of the factory’s installations and environment.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to protect this investment. I want to make it clear, anyone caught attempting to vandalise or sabotage any government property here or elsewhere in Etinan will be dealt with decisively and in line with the law. We are not going to tolerate any act that seeks to derail what the government has built,” he warned.

Hon. Umoh also commended the Governor for the choice of Mr. Ime Uwah as Sole Administrator of the company, describing him as a thoroughbred professional with a track record of results.

“This is a critical appointment and the Governor got it right. Ime Uwah is tested and trusted. We are confident that with him in charge, the Governor’s vision for Ibom Paint will be realised in full,” he added.

Meanwhile, the inauguration drew an array of leaders who accompanied the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. They included, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah, Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, Commissioners, Members of the National and State Assemblies among others.

Excitement in Etinan as Gov. Eno Inaugurates Revitalised Ibom Paint Industry Wednesday

 

There is growing excitement in Etinan Local Government Area ahead of the scheduled visit of Governor Umo Eno on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, for the inauguration of the revitalised Ibom Paint Industry.

The event, which is slated to hold by Noon, is expected to draw top government officials, stakeholders, and residents, as the Governor continues his drive to revive moribund industries across the state.

A statement issued by the Executive Chairman of Etinan Local Government, Hon. (Obong) Uko Umoh, a copy of it was sent to our medium, called on the people of the area to turn out en masse to welcome the Governor and show appreciation for the project, which he described as a major boost for local industry and economic development.

“We shall be receiving our beloved Governor and benefactor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D to Etinan. His mission is to commission the revitalised Ibom Paint Industry. By all sense of appreciation, we owe our Governor a rousing welcome,” the statement read in part.

The local government chairman urged residents to be seated by 11am ahead of the Governor’s arrival, expressing confidence that the people of Etinan would show the same hospitality and support for which they are known.

The Ibom Paint Industry, which had been dormant for several years, is one of the key assets revived under Governor Eno’s administration, in line with the industrial pillar of the ARISE Agenda.

According to the elated Council Boss, the revival of the factory will create employment opportunities, stimulate local production, and boost the economy of the area and the state at large.