UMO ENO’S VISION FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Redefining Development Within And Without Borders

In a recent display of support for excellence, Governor Umo Eno personally recognized a talented young girl, Precious Bodunde, who impressively demonstrated a rare and exceptional ability to publicly spell and pronounce long English words with no phobia of any kind.

In the midst of spurious criticism of the gesture, many began to juxtapose the governor’s recognition of Precious with the government’s recent initiative of providing 15, 000 unemployed graduates with business seeds of N50, 000 each with additional 45,000 others to receive theirs subsequently.
Many critics appear to overlook a fundamental difference between the concepts of “reward” and provision of “seed” for business development. It is vital to clarify these differences so people could gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the governor’s distinct approach.

A reward is often a one-time acknowledgement for exceptional performance, celebrating milestones achieved or significant contributions made. Rewards can be either tangible or intangible, monetary or non-monetary, but their true value lies in their ability to inspire individuals to pursue and achieve greater excellence. For instance, it is common practice among parents to reward their children for significant academic achievements as positive encouragement.

Similarly, Governor Eno embodies the role of a supportive father figure. As a private citizen then, he consistently spotlighted and rewarded the academic accomplishments of young achievers within his community, providing scholarships and organizing celebratory events for top pupils and students. Long before he became the governor, he often organised and hosted annual gatherings for such students who excelled academically, ensuring they felt recognized and valued. This approach reflects his genuine commitment to nurturing talents and celebrating success.

By recognizing Bodunde, Governor Eno was simply being himself – an advocate for excellence. Critics may benefit from watching the video of the girl’s performance to truly appreciate the merit of that recognition. It brings to light the joy and collective pride in recognizing young talents and the potential they hold for inspiring others.
The governor highlighted Miss Bodunde’s achievement to inspire students in Akwa Ibom State. He has consistently emphasized his willingness to adopt and implement positive practices from elsewhere, and this instance was no exception. After all, who wouldn’t want their child to excel like Precious and be recognized by a sitting governor?

Conversely, the financial support of N50,000 provided to 15,000 unemployed graduates in the state is an example of a seed and not a reward. Such support is designed to enable these individuals to cultivate a process leading to viable business ventures. The true reward will come when those graduates successfully transform the initial seeds into thriving businesses.
Having built a successful business from the ground up, Governor Eno knows firsthand that success is not determined by the amount of capital available but by one’s willingness and determination to nurture a seed into a flourishing tree.

The N50, 000 may be called small, but seeds are not considered for their sizes but for the potentials they hold for tomorrow. The above amount can become the transformative seed in the hands of the unemployed graduates, provided they reflect on who entrusted it to them and the purpose behind it. A true master always has a clear vision for the seeds he places in the hands of his people. This scenario mirrors the biblical parable, where only those who caught the vision, ultimately reaped the reward.

If those beneficiaries truly understand that the governor relies heavily on data-driven insights for his decisions, they would recognize the importance of accounting for the so called small seeds entrusted to them and demonstrating how those seeds have impacted their ventures when the time for rewards comes.
It is, therefore, essential for them to use the seeds wisely and strategically to disprove the skeptics. The governor’s message to them was clear: rather than succumbing to idleness, engage in entrepreneurial activities. By placing that micro seed in their hands, he encouraged them to start small, focusing on any ventures of their choice, and grow from there.

There are various aspects of business needs that can be pursued with N50, 000. Those who think that there is no particular business utilisation for such an amount of seed are not inclined. For instance, having a unique business name registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) primarily fulfils one part of getting a business started and about half that seed can handle that. With their brand identities officially established and social media accounts created, any creative beneficiaries could explore simple ventures like drop-shipping, which may require little to no upfront investment.

Furthermore, tapping into other local markets for specific products such as fruits or processed farm produce can yield significantly in due course. I dare say that many of those graduates who have since ventured out with their seeds and with a sense of purpose are already on the path of growth and soon may be further rewarded or recognized for their efforts by the governor – similar to the servants in the biblical parable who multiplied their talents and were commended and rewarded by their master.
Governor Eno’s data-driven approach, to me, suggests much that he will likely track the business impact of the seed money from the beneficiaries, and for certain, the reward awaits those who will earnestly make it count.

I call on all beneficiaries of the strategic initiatives for youth development by the governor to indeed make it count by ignoring critics but maintaining focus on growing the seeds in their hands just to appreciate the governor’s remarkable commitment to their empowerment.
Frankly, if we are to raise a banner for youth empowerment in our nation today, Governor Eno’s banner will be amongst the largest, stretched to capture the 1,200 entrepreneurs and 400 female youths trained and empowered through Ibom-LED, 200 youths currently undergoing skill training at Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), 15,000 youths funded with business seeds with 45,000 more in the process of being funded, 550 youths trained and employed by Ibom Community Watch, 100 youths plus trained on integrated farming, not to mention others presently benefiting from diverse scholarship schemes, bursaries and other educational grants as well as those on appointments as Personal Aides. Clearly, Governor Eno’s commitment to youth empowerment deserves celebration rather than criticism.

Governor Umo Eno is a pragmatic leader whose insight on balancing development both within the state and beyond is indeed remarkable. Let us rather continue to trust his highly intelligent approach to governance than critize a single act of reward to a deserving citizen of our Niger-Delta where Akwa Ibom is notably, one of the leading states on many fronts including urban and rural developments, aviation, tourism and youth development amongst others..

GOVERNOR’S AIDE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS WITH ORPHANS

For the children and management of Band of Hope Orphanage, it was Christmass 2024 will remain evergreen in their annals as aide to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Elder Sunny Inyang paid visit to celebrate the yuletide season with them.

In line with the Arise Agenda of His Excellency, Pst. Umo Eno, Ph D, Elder Sunny M. Inyang, Special Assistant to the Governor on Multimedia, spent the moment with the children home in Eket, in company of his dear wife, family members and friends, as they savoured the joys of the season with the kids, and made real the love of God for them.

The kids couldn’t hide their feelings as they sang delightfully in welcoming the visitors.
The Proprietor of the centre, Pastor Godwin Thomas was on ground to receive them and showed gratitude for the gesture of Elder Inyang and family. He used the opportunity to thank His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno for his compassion for poor, particularly his numerous humanitarian programmes for the less privileged, the elderly and the vulnerable.

He solicited more support from government and kind-hearted citizens to help sustain the orphanage.
The Proprietor and the children sang and prayed for the family for sharing the joy of the season with them. Items donated included clothes, food items, toiletries and cash.