The Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Gideon Uwa, has disbursed N50 million in grants to 100 young entrepreneurs across the council’s 10 political wards to support business growth and stimulate the local economy.
Key Highlights
- Etim Ekpo LG Chairman Gideon Uwa disbursed N50 million to 100 young entrepreneurs.
- Beneficiaries were drawn from all 10 political wards after a grassroots assessment.
- The grants were announced at a thanksgiving marking the second anniversary of his administration.
- Uwa inaugurated the Etim Ekpo Coordinating Committee of the Eekpede Initiative ahead of 2027.
- Beneficiaries pledged to use the funds responsibly to grow their businesses.
Uwa announced the empowerment initiative during a thanksgiving service held on Friday at the council headquarters in Utu Etim Ekpo to commemorate the second anniversary of his administration.
He explained that the beneficiaries were selected following a grassroots assessment conducted across the 10 wards to identify young business owners who required financial assistance to expand their enterprises.
According to the council chairman, the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to youth development, economic empowerment and self-reliance.
“The youths are at the centre of this administration. Long before today, I took time to conduct a private assessment across all 10 wards to identify young people who genuinely needed support to grow their businesses.
“This initiative is designed to give back and ensure they become self-reliant,” he said.
Funds To Strengthen Small Businesses
Uwa disclosed that the N50 million grant is intended to strengthen small businesses, promote entrepreneurship and create opportunities for economic growth at the grassroots.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously, stressing that the success of the programme would depend on their ability to invest the money in productive business activities.
He added that the selection process covered all 10 political wards to ensure that eligible entrepreneurs across the local government area had the opportunity to benefit.
The chairman also commended the youths for maintaining peace in the area and noted that political leaders and stakeholders across different interest groups had united in their commitment to the development of Etim Ekpo.
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Eekpede Initiative Inaugurated Ahead Of 2027
Speaking on the forthcoming 2027 general elections, Uwa expressed confidence that residents of the local government area would support candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As part of the activities marking the anniversary, the chairman inaugurated the Etim Ekpo Coordinating Committee of the Eekpede Initiative, a support group established to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu, the Akwa Ibom State governor and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of cheques to selected beneficiaries, including Ezekiel Ebebe, Fidelis Innocent Peter and Etinyene Monday James.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, James expressed gratitude to the council chairman for the financial support, describing it as a lifeline for young business owners seeking to grow their enterprises.
He assured the chairman that the beneficiaries would utilise the grants responsibly to expand their businesses, create opportunities and contribute to the economic development of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
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