The governor of Akwa Ibom Stste Mr. Umo Eno has commended the innovative and entrepreneurial skills of youths in Akwa Ibom State. The governor was speaking while participating in the Made in Akwa Ibom Trade Fair opening ceremony of the Ibom Leadership and entrepreneurial development center, formally (Ibom E- Library) as one of the occasions in commemoration of the State’s 36th anniversary.
The Governor, who was visibly overwhelmed with what he witnessed, directed that N50 Million be given to the business school for the registration and training of the entrepreneurial students, while N500, 000 each will be disbursed as take-off grants to the students as soon as they complete their training.
He reiterated his determination in ensuring that the small and medium-scale enterprises grow and contribute to the development of the State. He also maintained that he will do everything within his power to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
“While budgeting for the anniversary, I had cut down N250M. I am now donating the N250M to the Ibom LED. And this is how it will be shared.
From the money that I saved from that budget, I am donating it to you for everyone who has registered so far. Put it at 400 people.
“To each and every one of them, you will share, fifty million is for the school so that it can serve as their training fees. So let it be that I have paid for that. As you graduate them, if the job is for those who did not have NAFDAC Number, make sure you help them have it.
“Look at their products and see how these products look good. Train them and then help them look for market too. As you finish training them, each of them shall have N500,000.00.
He also stated that his desire is to create employment opportunities for the state’s growing population
The Governor maintained that his decision to convert the Ibom E-Library is to create space for the Entrepreneurial And Leadership School. He said that the facility was left unused, stating that it was better to have a Business School in the State than pay huge sums to train Akwa Ibom people elsewhere.
“That we transform and restructure this place which was a former E- library and attach it to something else which our children who desire to learn trade can come here, register and learn. We would not be able to pay transport for our children to go to business school in Lagos and abroad, but we can pay school fees for our children to come to Akwa Ibom Business School”, he stated.
The State Commissioner for Economic Development, Emem Bob, praised the Governor for keeping to his promise of making sure that businesses in the State are encouraged and supported. He also applauded the governor for his effort in promoting the trade fair initiative.
Bob stated that the compilation of the Database of all the SMEs in the state as directed by the Governor will be extended to allow for the registration of more businesses and therefore urged the people to key into the entrepreneurial programmes of the government to enable them benefit from it.
He vowed to ensure that the vision of the governor in the training and setting up of the people was effectively realized. Overjoyed with the turn of events, the Team Leader of the Ibom LED crew and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Centre, Pastor ImoAbasi Jacob, said the Governor’s action is a clear indication of his understanding that entrepreneurship is the backbone of economic development.
About 400 entrepreneurs were mobilized for the fair. Different skills acquisitions and products were on display at the events, ranging from foot wares, bags, kitchen utensils, technological gadgets etc all made in Akwa Ibom, by the Akwa Ibom youths.
IMAGE: Dakada group
