A total of thirty one billion naira only (N31b) has been approved by the Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, for economic empowerment of citizens across the 31 local government areas.
Under the arrangement, each local government will receive one billion naira only and it is for thousands of farmers, traders, small business owners across the state.
This was one of the major decisions taken at the meeting of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Eno at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo.
Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Ph.D, said the fund had already been provided for in the 2026 budget.
He explained that the programme will cover youth skills acquisition and starter packs, grants for traders, support for women’s cooperatives, agricultural inputs for farmers, assistance for small and medium-scale businesses and transport empowerment, including the distribution of tricycles to qualified beneficiaries.
According to him, the Executive Council has constituted a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government to work out the implementation framework and ensure transparent distribution of the intervention across the state.
Council, according to the Information Boss, also received an update on the forthcoming working visit of President Bola Tinubu to Akwa Ibom, during which he is expected to commission key projects executed by the Eno administration as part of activities marking the state’s 39th anniversary.
Among the projects lined up for commissioning are the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, the Airport Hospital, Aviation Village, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre, AkwaGIS, the State Secretariat Annex and the ARISE Palm Resort. Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been directed to conclude preparations ahead of the President’s visit.
On the health sector, Umanah said the Council reviewed the state’s emergency healthcare response and noted that more than 2,854 health workers have so far been recruited, while 29 model primary healthcare centres have been completed, with another 17 undergoing upgrade.
He added that government has also acquired three CT Scan machines, with three more expected, alongside two MRI machines, while Governor Eno directed that more medical doctors be recruited through faster administrative processes to bridge manpower gaps in public health facilities.
The Executive Council further approved the transmission of nine health-related bills to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health sector regulation across the state.
Umanah also hinted that council equally approved plans for Christmas Unplugged 4.0, fixed December 18 for the 2026 Christmas Carol Festival and announced a two-day youth conference aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and responsible leadership among young people.
