News

Full Text: Gov Soludo’s speech at Anambra investment summit

Published

2 years ago

September 8, 2023

A few words to say big welcome to you to this first ever Anambra Investment Summit, at least that is what I have been made to understand. But this is the first time we are having this kind of investment summit of this structure.

So I want to thank and welcome all of you to Anambra State, the light of the nation. You are all welcome.

So apologies, as you could see, the President is in India and with him happened to be quite a large contingent of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs. And I know that a few dozens in the Anambra entrepreneurs who had earlier even confirmed to be here for this summit, unfortunately had to go with him.

But we thought it was better as they were calling me to apologize that they wouldn’t be here because they were going with the President to India. I said that is even better. Go there and negotiate for further investments into Anambra State.

Anambra, the light of the nation is on the move. Our journey to making Anambra the next axis of sustainable prosperity is on course.

As you saw from the video that has just been shown, with an economic size estimated at about $20 billion, the population of about 8.5 million people, it’s important that our people know, the world knows, that Anambra has the highest population density after Lagos.

Anambra State is a hub, locationally. We have a boundary with the North, through Kogi. We have a boundary with the Southwest, South South, via Delta. We have a boundary with River State and boundaries with Enugu, Abia, and Imo states.

It is a state that is potentially accessible by air, by land, and by sea. Once we get the Onitsha port on, dredged and the badges will now be coming down to Anambra

With the Niger Bridge completed, Asaba and Onitsha have become almost like New Jersey and New York, Twin Cities.

We have the largest market in West Africa, it is said. I remember, One of the times that former president Obasanjo visited here and I was seeing him off to the airport and he did mention to me that Onitsha is actually the largest fish market not only in Nigeria, even in West Africa.

You have the billionaires, as has been said, enterprise in human capital. We have 15 major higher institutions, tertiary institutions, 10 universities, three polytechnics, two colleges of education, not to talk about other specialized colleges of nursing, health technologies, and so on and so forth.

We have some first rate hospitals, huge and strong diaspora population, et cetera. The potentials are just infinite. As you just heard, Anambra is number one out of the 17 states in the southern Nigeria in the latest ease of doing business in Nigeria, in terms of state by state, and we are number seven in the entire country.

Five pillars of the Soludo Solution Agenda is on course. Our vision is to build a livable and prosperous smart mega city, and the destination will be the preferred destination to live, to invest, to work, to learn, to relax and enjoy, and we are very deliberate and intentional on trying to make sure that we accomplish the five things.

Again, as you saw in the video, security, law, and order, is improving, we’re aggressively addressing our infrastructural deficiencies.

As of today, about 370 kilometers of roads are being constructed across the 21 local governments of the state.

We have signed an MOU very intentional about addressing the issue of power. We’ve signed an agreement with EEDC. We have pipeline gas being planned to be able to energize independent power plants in order to develop an Anambra electricity market.

Urban regeneration is on course. Provision of Water and ports development, as have been mentioned are all fully on course.

The planning of a railway, a rail feasibility study and master plan, are part of the MOUs we are going to sign today.

About 2000 kilometer of fiber optic ducts are also being laid across the state to give people access to cheap internet. We are also resolutely determined to break the jinx, decade old jinx, about availability of urban and rural pipeline water schemes in Anambra state.

Also on course is the Industrial city, industrial parks. We will be talking about that today.

Export emporium and Africa’s largest shopping mall are on course. That is being designed now, the feasibility study is finished.

The agricultural regeneration, palm and coconut revolution, et cetera, are fully on course

The Chinese ambassador, I understand, the MOU we are going to sign with you will be in regards to mushroom production and export and other strategic investments and export potentials.

China is the largest market at least by the size of the population and so on, and of course, it is also the second largest GDP in the world, a huge market which we need to exploit.

And thank you for coming with the team that you have here. About 400 Chinese live in Anambra and there are two institutions where Chinese language is being taught here in Anambra and as I mooted to you when we pass, we’ll give you an estate where you will build a China town.

It’s not just the Boulevard, we are going to have the China town here in Anambra and you did say to me that you will take it up and get it done. So we are waiting for the Boulevard that you mentioned and the whole lot of others.

Last week or two weeks ago, I had a meeting with 300 of major importers to develop an agenda very deliberately to turn them from being importers to domestic producers and ultimately to begin to be exporters.

We have an agenda with that and we hope to be able to partner with you and with others in this regard. Then we are very deliberate about the sports economy. We are mainstreaming that and I want to say to you when you come again by this time next year, you wouldn’t just go back to your hotels or go to some other places, we will take you to the solution fun city here in Awka and take you through our water parks, amusement parks and country club, anywhere you could just relax and enjoy.

We are very intentional about this, at the Agulu Lake Resort, we are currently acquiring another 200 hectares of land that will be the entertainment leisure city here in Anambra.

The world will be coming to Anambra. Our goal is to turn Anambra from being a departure lounge to a destination point.

We must change that narrative from being a departure lounge to a destination point. The world will intentionally plan to come to Anambra and in a few years time our goal is that any visitor, any foreigner that goes to Nigeria and hasn’t been to Anambra hasn’t been to Nigeria.

Our human capital agenda, we are prioritising that and in the next two weeks I will be addressing our people on education. Our human capital is our biggest resource ever. We have the gas, we have natural resources, solid minerals and so on but our greatest resource is human capital.

We are intentional about developing our human capital to be productive at home but also to be exportable abroad. On governance, everything technology and technology everywhere to mainstream efficient service delivery. Today we know that in Anambra you can now obtain change of title of land, your certificate of occupancy and so on.

It’s gone from taking months and six months, one year, two years. It’s now cut down to three days, three to five days and you get a C of O in Anambra state.

We are very intentional about this and we are not joking about a new local government system as you imagine.

Our environment, our biggest existential threat, we are working towards a plan clean, green and sustainable markets, communities and cities. We are planning better. We are the gully erosion capital of the world. Everywhere gully. And Anambra state is putting out a few billions to fix that.

As we are fixing here, the other places are rising but we are coming with a comprehensive agenda which the state assembly, when they are back from recess will be one of the first bills we will be presenting to them to rescue our environment and make it sustainable.

Our urban regeneration agenda is on course. I can go on and on but just to tell you our potential investors that in Anambra we are firing on all cylinders and Anambra will be that place for you to come.

I am glad Country Coordinator of the United Nations system is here and the Chinese ambassador.

China’s ambassador particularly stressed that this shouldn’t just be talk, we should be closing deals. Yes, we will symbolically sign some deals in a few minutes time. I am sure by the time we listen to our keynote speaker, president of the Afrexim Bank, that would also be mentioning some specific engagements we have with them because we will also be signing an MOU with them today.

This is, we are very intentional and deliberate. I’ve mentioned a structured programme to mainstream people from importation to production and to exportation eventually, especially exploiting the opportunities under the Africa Free Trade Agreement that we have.

The world is for us and Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa

Nigeria by the turn of this century should be in the top three, top four largest economies in the world if we focus our mind

But whatever Nigeria goes, Anambra is determined to get to a point that we will be exporting deliberately in some months to come. And that’s why we have acquired 106 hectares of land at Ukpo Ukwulu where we’re establishing the Export Emporium with the warehouses and aggregation center that will become a free trade zone and export free trade zone soon

Our innovation district is on course designed to midwife the emergence of digital tribe.

Our Youth two skills programme, we’re trying to mainstream deliberately and empower the emergence of MSMEs in the state, organizing funding, thinking it through and trying to do the mentoring process from gestation, project development to execution, execution, execution!

We’re investing, deliberately investing in project development, feasibility studies to take project to bankability.

We’re not just telling you, come and invest. We want to hand-hold and work with you. As I say everywhere, if you have a major investment to make in Anambra, I will become your personal assistant and will be the marketer and officer for you.

When you see me wearing many Ogbunike shoes or wearing the akwete made by the women of akwete in Abia or driving Innoson vehicles as my personal vehicles, it is deliberate, it’s intentional and it is designed to send a message that if we don’t say here we are, nobody is going to say there you are!

I am the chief marketing officer for anything, everything produced here in Anambra.

And soon we’re going to have an expo, a Maiden Anambra expo, and we will be doing that expo shortly in a few months at the Export Emporium. We will invite you again to come to the Export Emporium.

We will be marketing them. And today we will be signing the MOU on a number of projects that will be put together and raising the funding. And there we also be helping them to put together several of the funding with the international consulting firm Mahindra, global consulting, to help us to develop the feasibility study and the master plan for industrial cities and parks.

We are acquiring about 5,000 to 7 ,000 hectares of land that will be a complete industrial city with everything that you need to be there, will be there. This is being planned and a master plan of that is being developed as we speak.

The World Bank Director is here. I am sure he is one of the keynotes speakers, who will also be speaking in one of the panel sessions. They were all here last year the international community. IMF and everybody was here, UNDP, UN system, UNIDO and everybody was here.

We are very deliberate about these partnerships and we will continue to cement them and put Anambra on the map.

Following from here, tomorrow we will be having a ground breaking ceremony for the second automobile manufacturing company here in Anambra after Innoson.

The OMA Cojo Groups at Umunya will be having the ground breaking ceremony to. For some months to come, even days to come, we will be commissioning projects before the end of this year. Anambra is the place. While some are still waiting to see when the situation will be perfect, those who are taking the first move, will have some advantages by moving in and expanding.

As I said, if you produce it here in Anambra, appoint me as your Chief Marketing Officer, and I will be there to do the commissioning.

Today, we have symbolically out of maybe three dozens or so of MOUs that are ready to be signed, we are symbolically choosing quite a few for the symbolism of it, because they covered different sectors.

There is a financing bit of it, which we will have to do with Afrexim Bank. There is the consulting development of bankable feasibility studies that will be done by the Mahindra, as I mentioned, to generate a master plan as well for industrial city.

Then we have the Anambra Intra City Rail. These people have talked about it for decades, but there has been no feasibility study. There has been no master plan. We now want to walk the talk.

We are hiring the CPCS of Canada, an international consulting firm that has helped to meet the needs of several of the train services around Africa, and even the ones that we have had here in Nigeria.

They will be producing a bankable feasibility study for us between now and probably the next six months. We’re signing that agreement today, not tomorrow. They will produce that master plan, and then we will begin to get the money to get it done.

We have the automotive industrial park co -promoter, OMA cojo motors joining us with that. We have the pharmaceutical industrial park, the Awka shopping mall, we’ve chosen sectors, different sectors, different segments and representative of different ones.

Whether it is in the area of commerce, the shopping mall, or in the industrial automotive we are promoting as a government, a public, community, private partnership

And as a state, we are very deliberate. We’re setting up an investment fund that will also go with you if we need to, besides providing you with land and infrastructure. I have come, I applied for this job to help to build a state where I will not only live, retire and die.

This is my home. God didn’t make a mistake in choosing to make me an Anambra. So I’m putting in everything into this. And finally to say we are going to do everything to encourage you in any way that you want to make your business prosper, to help to de -risk your investment here in Anambra.

The coordinator, UN coordinator, made a very fundamental point that we must drive investments but not necessarily be in terms of profit and loss account, but also the social impact.

I want to appreciate my predecessor in office, Chief Willie Obiano, who conceptualised and built this edifice. We will never acknowledge that enough and we thank him, even the airport he also started it and got it where it is, we are still building it and we are hoping we are going to get it completed.

Probably today you have come to Anambra International Convention Centre, hopefully, I haven’t even discussed this with him but if he agrees, if he accepts, the next time when you come here it will now become the Willie Obiano International Convention Centre.

Yes, we accept that’s what we do. We play a different kind of politics in Anambra, a politics of statemanship.

And all my previous predecessors in office, beginning from him, Chief Willie Obiano, he did a great job.

From him you have the others. Even the earliest ones, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, first civilian governor, you get down to Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, who many people will forget that he was the one that established the Anambra State University at his own time.

And of course, Dr. Chris Ngige and Mr. Peter Obi, these are our governors, we are going to deliberately find either institutions, boulevards, major streets, major roads to name after them.

And several of our people deserving of this, former governors, even Dame Virgy Etiaba and some others, Francis Cardinal Arinze or Archbishop Anikwenwa and so on. We have to be deliberate about celebrating our best.

But very importantly, for the event today, for these people who are putting down the amount here, I’ve seen my brother, Pokobros, Igwe Oranu and others, not to talk about Dozzy and others, the Ibetos, the Innoson, the Coschariz and so on and so forth.

All those who have their investments, creating jobs, creating wealth, we will keep on to honor them. And as we honor them, the young ones will now say that in Anambra, hard work is what we celebrate. Integrity is what we celebrate. We don’t celebrate criminality in Anambra.

We don’t celebrate money that we don’t know the source. In Anambra, we celebrate hard work. We celebrate enterprise. We celebrate those who make contribution to society. And this is what Anambra is all about. And if you are about that, I will be yours sincerely, I will be your chief servant and your chief marketer.

Once more, welcome to Anambra and enjoy the rest of it. Thank you very much and God bless.

Post Views: 40

News

PDP govs warn Wike, others not to obstruct November convention

Published

10 minutes ago

August 24, 2025

Kalu Idika

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has warned the Minister of the federal capital territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike and other party leaders not to obstruct preparations for the party’s national convention slated for November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The warning was issued in a communiqué made available to newsmen on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

The governors pledged full support for the decisions of the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) taken in July, affirming that the convention will go ahead as planned.

“The Forum reaffirms its full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention.It urges members to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces; but to see the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development,” the communiqué stated.

The meeting, chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, reviewed national security concerns, threats to democratic institutions, and preparations for the Ibadan convention.

The opposition governors commended PDP members for standing firm against defections and political distractions, insisting that the party remains a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking better governance.

The forum also accused the ruling APC of divisive policies that, according to them, have worsened hardship across the country.

Though, this is coming after Wike during appearance Channels Television on August 19, renewed his criticism of the PDP National Working Committee, rejecting the zoning panel headed by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and disputing the recognition of Ali Odefa as National Vice Chairman (South East).

He warned that tensions could escalate if the party refused to acknowledge the zonal congress that produced his ally, Chief Dan Orbih, as National Vice Chairman for the South-South.

“Well, it is over for now. A few things are remaining, and I have told them that they must do it. Our congress was held in Calabar, and there’s nothing anybody can tell us. If they want to have another round of crisis, so be it. In that congress, Chief Dan Orbih emerged as the National Vice Chairman. They never wanted the congress to be held, but congress was held.The so-called acting national chairman of the party wrote a letter to INEC after congress was held that the congress has been postponed. There is no two ways about it. The National Vice Chairman of PDP South-South is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” Wike said.

Meanwhile, Wike’s fallout with his former G5 ally, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has further deepened divisions in the party.

The FCT minister, who serves in the APC-led federal cabinet, continues to deny accusations of anti-party activities.

Post Views: 28

News

PHOTO: NDLEA Arrests Widow for Cocaine Trafficking with Fake Pregnancy

Published

3 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Precious Nwabuisi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 50-year-old widow in Lagos for allegedly attempting to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine while pretending to be pregnant.

The suspect, identified as Mrs. Ifeoma Ezewuike, was picked up by NDLEA operatives at the Jibowu bus terminal in Yaba on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Mrs Ifeoma Ezewuike.

She was reportedly on her way to Abuja to deliver the consignment when she was intercepted.

According to the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Ezewuike runs a fashion outfit known as Golden Star Creation along Ago Palace Way in Okota.

A subsequent raid on her home led to the recovery of 200 grams of a cutting agent commonly used in the preparation of cocaine.

“In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her husband, who died two years ago, although she has been in the fashion business for over two decades,” Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Other Major Seizures

The arrest was one of several drug operations carried out by the agency in the past week.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted 90 parcels of loud a potent strain of cannabis hidden inside three cartons of kitchen sinks.

The shipment, weighing 48.6kg, was traced to a courier company and had reportedly been imported from the United States.

In Adamawa, a raid on the home of a suspected drug kingpin, Idris Garba, forced the dealer to flee by scaling a fence. His associate, 55-year-old Boniface Nnaji, was not as lucky.

He was arrested in Yola South while attempting to escape.

NDLEA said Nnaji drove into the city with 354,480 pills of tramadol concealed in a Toyota Thundra jeep (FST-885-CZ) and a Toyota Yaris (DSA 776 AA), both of which were impounded.

The agency also arrested another suspect, Neche Okonkwo, at Idah waterside in Kogi State.

He was caught after crossing the River Niger from Onitsha, Anambra State, with 5,000 capsules of tramadol, 400 ampoules of pentazocine, and 200 ampoules of diazepam injections.

Across several states, NDLEA operatives continued their clampdown on cannabis cultivation.

In Taraba, officers working with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) destroyed 7,500kg of skunk grown on three hectares of farmland in Dadin Kowa village, Bali.

Another 901kg was recovered from a warehouse in Uzebba, Edo State, where a 54-year-old woman, Fodo Stella Sunday, was arrested.

In Edo, 14,233kg of cannabis was destroyed across four plantations in Owan West Local Government Area.

In Delta, operatives, backed by the military, cleared 25,500kg of cannabis grown on 10.2 hectares in Emu-Obiogu, Ndokwa West.

In Ondo, 25,025kg of cannabis was destroyed on three farms in Uso.

NDLEA described the series of arrests and seizures as evidence of its renewed pressure on drug syndicates operating across the country.

“These operations reflect our commitment to dismantling criminal networks and preventing dangerous substances from reaching our communities,” Babafemi said.

Ezewuike and other arrested suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

Post Views: 60

Analysis

Why Penis Size Does Not Affect Performance, Fertility — Experts

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Precious Nwabuisi

For countless men, penis size stirs deep anxiety fed by social media, locker-room banter, and pressure from adult content.

But sex experts and urologists agree: size rarely determines sexual function or fertility.

In a revealing conversation with PUNCH Healthwise, clinical sexologist Cecilia Agu and consultant urologist Dr. Gabriel Ogah broke down the myths emphasizing emotional connection, overall health, and sperm quality as far more meaningful indicators of sexual well-being.

Sexual Satisfaction Lies Beyond Size

Agu, who specializes in human sexology, has heard the insecurities countless times. Yet she insists that the fixation on size overshadows what truly matters in intimate relationships.

“Women value intimacy, chemistry, and creativity not centimeters,” she explained, her tone both compassionate and pragmatic.

“In most cases, size doesn’t determine performance or biological capacity. Only rare, clinically significant conditions impact size.”

She points to societal myths that equate larger size with virility.

“Historic portrayals in art and literature, and today’s media, amplify stereotypes. Pornography exaggerates, turning a normal variation into unreasonable expectations.”

Agu also cautioned against the booming market selling “enhancement” remedies.

“That industry profits off insecurity peddling pills, gadgets, and herbal supplements with no proven benefit.

The real dilemma lies in emotional weariness, not physical deficiency.”

She acknowledged true medical conditions like micropenis, often linked to hormonal or genetic causes but emphasized their rarity.

“Anyone worried about hormonal imbalances or developmental issues should seek professional evaluation,” she advised.

“Fertility Is Unrelated to Size” Dr. Gabriel Ogah

Dr. Ogah, a respected urologist, offered a no-nonsense medical perspective on the fertility question.

“A small penis doesn’t reduce a man’s ability to impregnate a woman,” he stated firmly.

“If sperm is healthy and ejaculation occurs, fertilization can happen.”

He added that many young men consult him out of anxiety sparked by unrealistic comparisons.

“Almost always, their size falls within healthy norms. It’s undue stress, fueled by exposure to distorted media portrayals.”

Dr. Ogah also debunked the idea that older men can “restore” diminishing function through enhancement products.

“As absurd as it sounds, many try. But no pill or serum can permanently alter anatomy.

These are myths masquerading as solutions.”

So What Truly Matters?

Both experts agree: prioritizing overall health, emotional intimacy, and stress-free communication far outweighs anxiety over size.

Agu stressed that sex is about connection, not metrics. “Being nervous about measurements sets couples up for dissatisfaction.

But when you focus on pleasure, emotional safety, and experimentation, the experience transforms.”

Dr. Ogah echoed this, emphasizing regular health check-ups. “Good cardiovascular health, balanced hormones, and mental well-being are key. Size doesn’t affect that.”

Dispelling the Myths, Sustaining the Confidence

As myths dissolve under scientific clarity, a bigger concern emerges: how do we nurture a culture free of body shaming? Agu proposed educational steps.

“We should teach young people that anatomy varies. Performance is multi-dimensional. Communication trumps comparison every time.”

Dr. Ogah endorsed that sentiment. “Let’s shift the narrative. Appreciate function over form. Listen to your body, and care for it through healthy living.”

Performance Isn’t About Inches

Size remains largely irrelevant when partners are emotionally in sync, focused on connection, and attuned to shared pleasure.

Fertility hinges on sperm health not size.

Medical concerns like micropenis are rare, but deserve medical evaluation.

Media, culture, and marketing distort reality. Let’s counter that with facts.

Confidence and sexual well-being stem from health, honesty, and intimacy not obsession with size.

In the end, as Agu beautifully summed up, “It’s not the size it’s how you share it.” That truth holds far more value than any number on a measuring tape.

Post Views: 91

News

I’m Not Desperate to Be President – Atiku

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Precious Nwabuisi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said he is more interested in building a better Nigeria than in becoming president at all costs.

Atiku made this known on Saturday during an affirmation ceremony in Lagos for new defectors to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The event saw several political heavyweights from the PDP and Labour Party officially announce their defection to the ADC.

The former PDP candidate, who recently resigned from the party along with other opposition politicians, formally joined the ADC in what he described as a “movement for national renewal.”

Speaking at the event, Atiku said his focus was not personal ambition but the pursuit of a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria.

“Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria,” said Olateju, who spoke on behalf of Atiku.

“It’s not about him being president at all costs. It’s about having a government that can truly deliver for Nigerians.”

According to him, the ADC should not be seen merely as a political party but as a movement dedicated to national transformation.

“It’s no longer politics as usual. This is a new beginning for Nigeria, and that’s what Atiku is championing,” he added.

Atiku further noted that the removal of fuel subsidy and rising inflation have left many Nigerians struggling.

He stressed that only good leadership could deliver lasting solutions.

He also said the coalition was confident that God would use them to bring meaningful change to Nigeria.

On who would likely emerge as the ADC presidential candidate in 2027, Atiku insisted the choice would be left to party members.

“Whoever emerges through a free and fair contest, we will all support. We are not imposing anyone,” he said.

“The point is not Atiku for president at all costs, or Obi for president at all costs. The point is Nigeria.

Whoever picks the ticket will represent the collective voice and aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he added.

Prominent defectors present at the event included PDP Board of Trustees member Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu; former Lagos PDP chairmen Chief Muritala Ashorobi and Retired Capt. Tunji Shelle; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central); and former PDP Youth Leader Mr. Tai Benedict, among others.

They were received by top ADC leaders, including National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Kolawole Ogunwale, and Lagos State Chairman George Ashiru.

Post Views: 83

News

Town Square Meetings: Gov Eno empowers 7688 Akwa Ibomites As Series End
... approves dual carriage way from Afaha Offiong - Itreto Road

Published

7 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has concluded the 6-month Town Square Meeting/Empowerment series, with a visit to Etinan Federal Constituency where he said no fewer than 7688 citizens across the State have benefited from grants for farming, trading, equipment support, cars and mini buses worth over N10 billion.

The series, which began in Abak Federal Constituency with 833 beneficiaries, continued in Oron with 980, Eket with 1,076, Ikot Ekpene with 664 and 540 in Ikot Abasi federal constituencies.

411 and 677 people also benefited in Ukanafun and Itu Federal Constituencies, respectively, while 1,187 and 476 beneficiaries were recorded from Uyo and Ikono Federal Constituencies.

Speaking during the grand finale held at Nsit Ubium Council Secretariat, Ikot Edibon, the Governor said 844 from Etinan Federal Constituency were beneficiaries of N361, 450, 000 worth of grants for the different empowerment packages.

He said all the beneficiaries were harvested from the ARISE portal. He urged everyone, especially youths, to take advantage of the portal to benefit from Government initiatives, including procurement, employment, empowerment and others.

According to him, the State under his leadership will not give slots to individuals, but will continue to ensure a level playing field for all citizens irrespective of social status, stressing that everyone should have equal opportunity.

He said, though the Town Square meeting had ended, his committed service to Akwa Ibom State will continue, adding that the needs document for Etinan Federal Constituency, as well as all others across the State, had been received and will be accommodated accordingly in the 2026 budget, based on the availability of funds.

The Governor said all local government areas have benefited from one project or the other at various stages of completion.

He said youth centres will be built in all the local government areas across the State, and urged local government chairmen to make land available for the project.

Governor Eno, who reiterated his support for local government autonomy, said that to ensure that local government chairmen reside within their communities, official residences will be built for all local government chairmen across the State.

He appreciated everyone for taking part in the town square meetings, and specifically appreciated the people of Etinan Federal Constituency for their overwhelming turnout and heroic reception, and directed the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga to facilitate the design for the award of contract for a dual carriageway from Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area to Itreto in Nsit Ubium.

Governor Eno who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, urged all members and intending ones to participate in the ongoing membership registration/revalidation, as well as in the Continuous Voter registration that has just been started by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He warned youths against insulting leaders, stressing that Akwa Ibom is progressively united in support of President Tinubu, Godswill Akpabio, and of course, his return to Hilltop Mansion, come 2027.

In his tone setting, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, said the meeting was a homecoming for a worthy son of the Federal Constituency who has been fruitful and has served creditably well.

In their separate remarks, General Paul Isang (rtd), Otuekong Sunny Jackson, and Obong Umana Okon Umana said they were proud to identify with the laudable achievements of the Governor, adding that he has done creditably well and deserves a second term.

On his part, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk appreciated the Governor for making them proud through impactful service, and prayed for more grace upon him to do more for Etinan Federal Constituency and the State at large.

Also speaking, members of the State Executive Council, led by Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, appreciated the Governor for his people-centric governance and for appointing them to be part of his cabinet, and assured them of continuous support beyond 2027.

Also speaking on behalf of local government chairmen from the Constituency, Chairman of Nsit Ubium LGA, Hon Alfred Charles, said God has made them proud with impactful leadership.

Presenting the empowerment packages on behalf of the State government, the State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo said he was not surprised by the sea of heads at the event, stressing that it was not just a statement, but a vote of confidence and endorsement for the Governor.

High point of the event was the adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno as sole candidates for the office of President and Governor in the 2027 elections, following a motion moved by Rt Hon Otobong Bob and seconded by Hon Eric Akpan.

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