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.
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