GOV ENO PAYS LAST RESPECT TO LATE BARR. BEN UDOWA

...describes him as a friend and man of many parts

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commiserated with Mrs Lydia Udowa and family on the demise of her husband, Late Barr Ben Udowa.

In a condolence message delivered to the deceased family during the funeral held at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region Region 49 Headquarters, Eket, Governor Eno said the loss of a spouse, especially at such a relatively young age, evokes a deep sense of grief, assuring them that the whole state share in their painful moment.

He described the late Barr Udonwa as a man of many parts, a financial services expert, lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, mentor and a beloved community leader, adding that he had inspired many to chart a course of personal development and growth.

The Governor observed that the deceased successfully led his multidisciplinary group of companies, Madelyn Group, and served the State meritoriously until his sad passing as the Executive Director, Other Investments in the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP), and distinguished himself as a dependable and far-sighted member of the critical agency.

He noted that as a good friend, late Barr Udowa believed and supported him wholeheartedly, a gesture which culminated to his successful campaign and subsequent emergence as Governor of the State in the 2023 general elections.

The State Chief Executive therefore urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that despite his short sojourn on earth, he was able to record a lot of impactful achievements, touched many lives and lived a life defined by Christian virtues, and prayed God to rest the soul of the departed.

The wife of the deceased, Mrs Lydia Udowa, thanked the Governor for leading State government functionaries to give her late husband the last respect, saying that the family is grateful for the gesture.

Mrs Udowa spoke of her late husband as a good and humble man, saying, "from the huge pouring of condolences from groups and individuals, my husband has been described as an exceptional man of great virtue."

Media Unit
Government House, Uyo
28/3/25

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An entrepreneur assumes the risk and is dedicated and committed to the success of whatever he or she undertakes.
-- Victor Kiam

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

Success is Where Preparation & Opportunity Meet

This quote from race car driver Bobby Unser comes from someone you’d guess just got there from putting their put all the way on the gas. Not so. It is especially important today for entrepreneurs to be prepared. There are always opportunities. You can’t make the most of them unless you are ready.

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.

_"The best way to make money is to solve a problem."_ - Robert Kiyosaki


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Celebrating Women's Achievement

From scientists to artists, activists to entrepreneurs, women have made incredible contributions to our world. Today, we honor their achievements and recognize the barriers that still exist. Let's work together to break down these barriers and create a brighter future for all

Mark Zuckerberg once said

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk." -

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