CSR: GOV ENO APPLAUDS AMITEC OVER 10 WATER PROJECTS IN ORUK ANAM, 50,000 EXERCISE BOOKS

…calls on other contractors, companies to emulate same

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has commended Amitec Construction and Development limited for initiating a corporate Social responsibility project mainly targeted at rural development, youth empowerment and educational advancement.

The Governor made the commendations on Saturday, while inaugurating the 23km Ikot Ekaide- Ikot Okoro- Ikot Ibritam road handled by the construction giants.

“Let me thank the MD of Amitec for taking the lead in sponsoring 5 Trainees to the Dakkada skills acquisition center and donating 10 water projects to communities in Oruk Anam as well as 50,000 copies of branded exercise books to the ministry of education.

“Earlier today, I was at DASAC for the convocation of pioneer Trainees of that institution where I called on contractors to support by sponsoring trainees for the next batch. I am very happy that our brother in Amitec has taken the lead.

“This of the kind of thing we want to see. So, I am calling on other contractors to also sponsor students to the skills training institute. When they finish, you give them starter-packs to start up something on their own” Gov Eno Stressed.

He however, directed the commissioner for education to ensure that 25,000 copies of those exercise books are distributed to schools in Oruk Anam while the other 25,000 can be shared to other schools across the state.

Speaking on the road project, Pastor Eno who was also full of praises to Amitec for quality delivery, expressed satisfaction that a project inherited from his predecessor at 50 percent has been completed. He promised to complete all other economically- viable inherited projects across the state while directing that solar street lights be fixed on the whole stretch of the 23km road.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Amitec, Chief Aiman Saimua who was grateful to Governor Eno for his developmental strides and passion for rural development, said the company’s donation was simply to complement the Government’s visible effort in making life better for the citizens. His speech reads in parts:

“I feel honoured to have been chosen to handle this transformative project which represents a testimony that government in Akwa Ibom State is a continuum.

“The entire stretch of this road traverses 15 villages, out of which 10 of those villages belong to the 12.5km that was handled by Amitec.

“Therefore, to complement the developmental strides of the state government, we will donate 10 water projects for the 10 villages within our section, donate 50,000 copies of branded exercise books to the education ministry and also sponsor initially, 5 persons to DASAC.

As part of my commitment to encouraging a conducive learning environment and quality education of our people, I commissioned and handed over an academic block, which I built, to Maurid College of Nursing Science, Mbiaso, Nsit Ibom local government area, during its maiden matriculation ceremony of 300 students, where I served as chairman on the occasion, yesterday.

I also promised to install solar-powered lightings around the institution's premises to ensure security of the students and property at night.

I used the opportunity to charge the prospective healthcare professionals to focus on their studies, so that upon graduation, they will fill the manpower gap created in the health sector by migration of other professionals for greener pastures.

Part of my address to them reads; "Your journey to becoming healthcare professionals is a call to service and humanity. This is further buttressed in the popular maxim that "health is wealth." This is in line with Harvey S. Firestone's philosophy that "the growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership."

"This quote has consistently guided my life and activities both in private and public service. It is the propelling force behind my mega empowerment, scholarship, bursary, skill acquisition, facilitation of jobs in strategic Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and foreign trainings to Akwa Ibom people."

"Also, the newly completed edifice, which shall be commissioned and donated to the institution today, is my modest effort to encourage this massive investment and, most especially, to ensure you get a conducive learning environment."

"These efforts are aimed at raising Akwa Ibom men and women who are stable enough to compete favourably with their counterparts globally."

Worthy of commendation is the Chairman of Maurid Group of Schools, Dr. Godwin Umontuen, for his foresight and investment in education, and for being a true patriot who cares about the development of the state and country.

His massive investment is interwoven with love and patriotism for the country at the centre. It is selfless, with clear intention to train and equip health professionals needed to provide healthcare services for mankind.

Akpabio: No, that didnt come from Atiku

1.0 The per-second way newsworthy incidents happen in Nigeria, I am not able to wait until Monday to react in my Sun Column to what former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is said to have said against the incumbent President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

2.0 And, I am not going to use my platform -any platform of mine- to repeat whatever he said; thereby indirectly dignifying or spreading the serial presidential attempter’s group agenda against Akwa Ibom and indeed the south south, if not the southern part and the country as a whole.

3.0 But, here’s the thing: what Mr Abubakar said is a lie because unlike himself who has been accused for the records (in a book and in several media footages) by his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, not one of the past political bosses of the senate president ever accused him of that.

4.0 Starting with the iconic former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, under whom Barr. Akpabio began his political journey on I think 6th August 2002, first as Honourable Commissioner, Petroleum and Mineral Resources and later, of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs up until the end of the administration on 29th May 2007 when he took over, there’s no record of the former governor ever accusing his former Commissioner of this.

3.0 Ditto the 2015 to 2019 senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, under whom the current senate boss served as minority leader.

4.0 Even immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, whom Sen. Akpabio served as Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, did not ever accuse him nor has he now when dirty north-south politics is forcing big people to play in the sand.

5.0 So, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should try another trick in their desperation to stop President Bola Tinubu’s second term by leaving Sen. Akpabio.

6.0 By the way, there can be no concluding this sans mentioning the 7-star representation (human capacity building, positioning/empowerment and projects) Senate President Godswill Akpabio has in the last nearly two years offered not just Akwa Ibom northwest, not just Akwa Ibom state, not just the south south, not just southern Nigeria, not the federal republic but also humanity.

7.0 No political allegation whatsoever shall cause any shift whatsoever in the befitting humongous nationwide support Sen. Akpabio enjoys!

Michael BUSH is a Sun Columnist

Female education is crucial for individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Here are some key importance:

1. *Empowerment*: Education empowers women to make informed decisions about their lives, health, and well-being.
2. *Economic Independence*: Educated women are more likely to secure better-paying jobs, reducing financial dependence on others.
3. *Improved Health*: Educated women are more aware of health risks, leading to better healthcare outcomes for themselves and their families.
4. *Reduced Child Mortality*: Educated mothers are more likely to have healthy children, reducing child mortality rates.
5. *Increased Civic Engagement*: Educated women are more likely to participate in politics, voting, and community decision-making.
6. *Breaking Cycles of Poverty*: Education helps women break free from poverty, improving their socio-economic status.
7. *Delayed Marriage and Childbearing*: Educated women tend to delay marriage and childbearing, reducing the risk of early pregnancy complications.
8. *Increased Autonomy*: Education gives women the autonomy to make choices about their own lives, free from coercion or manipulation.
9. *Better Family Planning*: Educated women are more likely to use family planning methods, reducing unintended pregnancies.
10. *Societal Progress*: Educating women contributes to overall societal progress, as educated women are more likely to contribute to economic growth, innovation, and social change.

Investing in female education is essential for creating a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable society.

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GOV ENO MOVES TO CREATE MORE INDIGENOUS MILLIONAIRES WITH PROCUREMENT PORTAL

𝑩𝒚 Henshaw Nyong & Atuekong Paul Bassey

The Akwa Ibom State Government has taken another bold step toward transparency and economic empowerment with the launch of a digital procurement portal aimed at creating more opportunities for indigenous contractors.

At a joint press briefing on Friday at the Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Engr. Frank Ekpenyong, Ph.D., described the initiative as a trailblazing that will ensure fairness in the bidding process for government contracts.

Taking journalists through a PowerPoint presentation, the Commissioner explained that the new portal, created on the directive of Governor Umo Eno, is designed to eliminate favouritism and backdoor dealings while allowing qualified contractors to apply for projects seamlessly.

“We are here today because we have a governor who believes in transparency. His directive was clear – every contract and procurement bidding must be open to all qualified persons. This portal ensures that only competent contractors with proven capacity are selected for government jobs,” he stated.

Ekpenyong further disclosed that the platform provides contractors and vendors access to numerous projects, including the construction of over 400 houses this year, covering Commissioners’ quarters, Legislative and Judiciary quarters, Medical Village, AKBC headquarters, and Aviation quarters, among others.

He urged interested contractors to visit procurement.akwaibomstate.gov.ng and register, explaining that each applicant will receive an 11-digit unique number after successfully completing the process.

Speaking on the Akwa Ibom Electronic Identity System (AKeID), Engr. Ekpenyong explained that residents need to provide their National Identification Number (NIN), Voter Identification Number (VIN), and bank details to register. He described the system as a secure, one-stop portal designed to streamline personal verification processes.

According to him, once an individual is verified, they will be assigned a unique 11-digit number, which will serve as a single access key for multiple government platforms, including the procurement portal, employment portal, MSMEs portal, and bursary portal.

“This will eliminate the stress of repeatedly entering personal details like bank information, NIN, and VIN when applying for government services,” he added.

The portal, he said, can be accessed at identity.akwaibomstate.gov.ng.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, had highlighted Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to development, recalling the governor’s recent engagements, from town hall meetings and the ARISE Entrepreneurial Support Scheme to the inauguration of a Model Primary School and the Maritime Hub in Oron.

He revealed that it was during the last Delivery Advisory Meeting that Governor Eno directed the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy to create the procurement portal to ensure that contractors and vendors with capacity can bid for jobs without undue interference.

The press briefing was attended by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet; Permanent Secretary, Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC); and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Essien Ekefre Ndueso, among others.

GOV ENO BEGINS TOWN HALL MEETINGS WITH DISBURSEMENT OF N5.1 BILLION BUSINESS GRANTS

...reaffirms commitment to enhance MSMEs, rural development

833 Akwa Ibom indigenes from Abak-Etim Ekpo-Ika Federal Constituency have received their part of the N5.1 billion ARISE Grant ermarked for farmers, traders, craftmen equipment support and ARISE MSME support schemes by Governor Umo Eno.

The breakdown of the disbursement include N111 million to 178 crop, fish and livestock farmers, N176 million to 442 traders of various categories, N30 million to six Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operators and equipment support running into hundreds of millions to 198 craftmen, as well as six beneficiaries of minibuses and three car beneficiaries.

Speaking at the maiden Town Hall Meeting/Empowerment ceremony at the Abak Township Stadium, the State Governor identified micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs as the engine that powers sustainable economic growth and restated his administration's resolve to reach out to them both in the city and at remote locations across the rural communities to empower them and enhance their growth.

"We want to support small medium scale enterprises. These small businesses are the engine of the economy. These are the small traders, farmers, those people that have their handwork. Those are the people that help the economy, they employ two or three people and they provide food for their homes. We must support them. I know what you are doing and we will keep supporting you," Governor Eno stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to rural development, the Governor maintained that he would be satisfied to take governance to the rural communities and leave enduring legacies in their lives and environments.

This, he explained, was the reason he chose to embark on painstaking profiling of potential beneficiaries to avoid urban-based enlistment of portfolio traders and farmers, attesting to the utmost transparency and due diligence of the selection process and that the beneficiaries were real and verifiable, while also admonishing beneficiaries to make good use of the grant with the consciousness that it is a one-off opportunity.

"No more will we sit in Uyo and write names of people we do not know. We have profiled all these people. If you check the brochure or go to Akwa Ibom State Government website, you'll see all their names, their phone numbers and their addresses so you can go and verify whether they got the monies or not.

"We have visited their businesses; we have visited their farms and they are not portfolio business people, so we have decided to come to their Federal Constituency to disburse the money and we will do same to others. But one thing is, once we support you, your name is captured on the portal so you cannot get it again. It will be some other peoples turn. So use your own well.

"I want to be remembered as the Governor who brought governance to the rural areas. I want to be remembered as the governor who interacted with the rural communities so they too can smell the fragrance of government. They can have good schools, good roads, good hospitals. They can have water, they can have basic necessities of life."

The Governor commended the cooperation of the leadership of Abak Federal Constituency, especially for working collaboratively to produce a unified needs document, maintaining that the document carried the essence of the day's event.

The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, leading stakeholders of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas to make a presentation of their charter of needs, called for a motion which was moved by, and seconded by Hon. Mfon Idung and Rt. Hon Aniekan Umanah respectively, that Abak Federal Constituency will unanimously support Governor Umo Eno to continue in office beyond 2027 in appreciation of his goodness to the people of the area.

In their various goodwill messages, a chieftain of the APC and Provost of Federal College of Health Sciences, Jos, Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudo, former Legal Adviser of the PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN and former Attorney General of the State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, lauded the Governor's integrity in keeping to his promise to the electorate and assured him of continuous support of the people of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika.

Interacting with Government House Correspondents, some beneficiaries of the grant; Inemesit Abraham and Semfon Dickson, expressed heartfelt gratitude over the grant, describing it as an apolitical, well-targetted empowerment programme. They noted that God is currently governing the state and using Governor Umo Eno as a human vessel.

Media Unit
Government House, Uyo
9/3/25

The education of the girl child is a fundamental human right and a key factor in the overall development of societies. Yet, across the world, there are still barriers—cultural, economic, and structural—that prevent millions of girls from accessing quality education. In many regions, gender inequality continues to hinder girls from receiving the same opportunities as boys, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and limited opportunity.

The Importance of Educating Girls

Educating girls is not only a matter of justice and equality but also an investment in the future. Studies consistently show that when girls are educated, they are more likely to invest in their families and communities. An educated girl is more likely to delay marriage, have fewer children, and contribute to the economy. Furthermore, girls who are educated are more likely to send their own children to school, creating a generational cycle of empowerment.

Impact on Communities and Societies

The benefits of educating girls extend beyond the individual. It has a profound impact on communities and societies as a whole. For instance, research indicates that when women are educated, they are more likely to participate in the workforce, engage in entrepreneurial activities, and make significant contributions to their economies. Additionally, educated women tend to promote better health and educational outcomes for their children. They are more likely to prioritize nutrition, healthcare, and education, leading to healthier and more prosperous future generations.

On a broader level, the education of the girl child plays a key role in advancing gender equality. When girls have access to education, they gain the skills and confidence to challenge discriminatory practices and assert their rights. This, in turn, can lead to social and political change, as women and girls become more active participants in decision-making processes.

Challenges to Education for Girls

Despite the clear benefits, many girls around the world face significant barriers to education. In many developing countries, poverty remains one of the biggest obstacles. Families who are struggling to make ends meet may prioritize sending boys to school over girls, as they see boys as the future breadwinners. Additionally, cultural norms and traditions often dictate that girls should stay at home and help with household chores or get married at an early age, rather than pursuing their education.

In some regions, violence and conflict further complicate access to education for girls. Schools may be destroyed in wars, and girls may face the threat of violence or kidnapping while traveling to and from school. In many societies, sexual harassment and gender-based violence in educational settings also discourage girls from continuing their education.

Global Efforts to Promote Education for Girls

In recognition of the importance of educating girls, various global initiatives have been launched. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, with a particular focus on gender equality. Organizations such as Malala Fund, Girl Up, and Plan International work tirelessly to advocate for girls' education and to provide financial and logistical support to help girls access education.

Governments, NGOs, and local communities have made strides in improving girls’ access to education. However, there is still much work to be done. The challenges faced by girls in different regions of the world may vary, but the goal remains the same: to ensure that every girl, regardless of her background or circumstances, has the opportunity to fulfill her potential through education.

Conclusion

The education of the girl child is a cornerstone of social and economic development. Educating girls leads to better outcomes for individuals, families, and societies at large. While progress has been made, barriers still persist, and it is critical that efforts to promote girls’ education continue to grow and evolve. By addressing issues such as poverty, gender inequality, violence, and cultural norms, we can create a world where every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. In empowering girls through education, we empower the world.