By Itoro Etti
Wednesday, 6th October, 2021 will remain evergreen in the hearts of the women of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa state as the political leader of Eket Senatorial District, Chief Nduese Essien put smiles on their faces with N5 million empowerment grant.
The ceremony which took place at Trinity Hall, Afaha Atai Road, Eket, saw 25 diligent women smiled home with N200,000 each as a business support grant.
Speaking at the ceremony, the two term former member of the Green Chamber, said the grant was given to the women to enable boast their businesses as he urged them to judiciously utilize the funds so as to serve as an encouragement to other aspiring female entrepreneurs in the Local Government Area.
Essien, a former Minister of Urban and Regional Planning, assured the recipients of receiving more in six months time if cash given to them is put into good use adding that their performance will determine if they deserve additional support
“I urge you all to see this as a seed support that should take you to the next level and my own contribution towards encouraging our women to be financially independent,” he said.
A former State Exco Member and a stakeholder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Ita Udoh in his remarks, said that any serious minded woman who listens to advice shouldn’t find it difficult utilizing the funds, adding that money is not the problem, rather money management.
The former Youth and Sport Commissioner appreciated Chief Essien for the love he has for the people of Eket at a time the nation’s economy is bleeding, saying that the cash support will go a long way in alleviating the
Speaking on behalf of the Women Stakeholders, Akwa Obonganwan Comfort Enodien lauded Chief Essien for making funds available for women to aid their businesses, urging the women to reciprocate the gesture through proper utilization of the grant.
With tears of joy, one of the beneficiaries, Christiana Peter who spoke behalf of others, thanked Chief Essien for exhibiting high level of love for the women of Eket, saying, “we the beneficiaries are extremely excited about the grant given to us by Chief Essien as we never expected this huge amount.
“Empowering a massive 25 of us is simply incredible and we thank God for giving us a leader such as Chief Essien. We assure him of proper usage of the funds so as to impress him, uplift our standard of living and help create a better society for all” .
Great sons and daughters of Eket Local Government Area that graced the occasion include a former, Wife of former Paramount Ruler of Eket, HRM Akwa Obonganwan Comfort Enodien , Former State House Member, Chief Jack Udofa, Chief C. H. Isong and Group Captain Moses Eno (rtd) among others.
