53 Disabled Constituents in Essien Udim state constituency smile as lawmaker splashes cash, food and clothing materials
In continuation of the celebration of his first one year as lawmaker representing Essien Udim state constituency, 53 persons living with disabilities have smiled home with cash, food item and wrappers.
The donation was the highlight of a town hall meeting between the lawmaker, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio, and persons with disabilities, women and youths.
Prince Akpabio, who is the Deputy Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Economic Development and Planning also supported three physically challenged with business grants of N150,000 each to expand their businesses.
The event also featured presentation of a special anniversary business support grant of N200, 000 and N150,000 to 13 indigenes among them, five women, five youths and three persons with disabilities.
It could be recalled that Prince Ukpong Akpabio had earlier gone round 12 out of the 13 wards in Essien Udim and presented business support grant of N100,000 each to 20 indigenes.
The last ward (Ukana West Ward 2) will take their turn Sunday, 16th August, 2024 being the finale of his anniversary celebration.
At the town hall meeting which took place at Essien Udim Local Government Council Headquarters, Afaha Ikot Ebak, wife of the lawmaker, Mrs Ndifreke Ukpong Akpabio also donated 20 pairs of wrappers to persons with disabilities in support of her husband’s gesture.
Addressing the people, the Essien Udim representative, described the physically challenged as the most ignored in the society, stressing he was emotionally touched putting smiles on the faces of those who need it the most.
He assured that he would do everything possible to continue to support the education and empowerment of the physically challenged so that they can engage in trades, artisanship and other businesses to earn a living, rather than begging.
Prince Akpabio who was accompanied by his AkeminiAwasi Campaign Organisation also treated persons with disabilities to a party and took time to distribute the food item and wrappers to each of them to the admiration of the audience.
In a goodwill message, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disabilities, Comrade Ubong Ikpe
described Prince Ukpong Akpabio as a exceptional leader, expressing gratitude to him for giving persons with disabilities a sense of belonging.
“My MP, this is a testament. We belong to a group that people mostly forgets. In your leadership, you have done practical inclusion not by words of mouth but by action. I am so impressed by this love for persons with disabilities. I will report exactly what I have seen today to my Boss, Governor Umo Eno. Because of the love that the Governor has for persons with disabilities, I was the among the first set of persons in his list of appointees and that appointment was accompanied with N100m educational intervention fund for persons with disabilities. Prince Ukpong Akpabio has today represented what they Governor stands for. Sir, you represent the Governor’s ARISE agenda by including persons with disabilities in your scheme of empowerment.” Comrade Ikpe said.
