Gov Eno Initiates Welfare Programme For Akwa Ibom Elders

Elderly persons in Akwa Ibom State are set to benefit from a special programme of the State Government, as Governor Umo Eno announces a welfare support fund christened the “ARISE Initiative,” effective January 2024.

Governor Umo Eno who made the announcement today Sunday, January 14, while addressing worshippers at All Nations Christian Ministry Int’l, Eket, said the ARISE Initiative is to replicate the humane initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the federal level.

It would be recalled that 250 elderly Akwa Ibom people received One Hundred Thousand Naira, (N100,000.00) each from the Twenty Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00) disbursement from the First Lady’s Elderly Support Scheme.

The funds were disbursed in a special function held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

He said the Renewed Hope fund was a seed sowed by the first lady of Nigeria and needs to be continued by the first lady of Akwa Ibom because leadership transcends political leanings.

Read Also: A’Ibom Senior Citizens Share In Renewed Hope Elderly Support Scheme

According to him, “the first lady of Nigeria has shown the way, the first lady of Akwa Ibom would take over and continue the support project for the elderly, and it will be known as ARISE Initiative. Everyone who knows me knows that I copy every good thing.”

This, he added was in line with his avowed commitment to work in sync with the Federal Government and to support the administration of President Tinubu, especially to demonstrate respect for the President for not interfering with the judicial process that saw to his affirmation by the Supreme Court, though he remains in PDP.

Governor Eno said the initiative will be administered by the office of the State’s First Lady through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare .

He said while the First Lady was perfecting plans for her own pet project, the ARISE Initiative should serve as her first project and assured that there will be monthly funding by the State Government for the initiative.

Outlining criteria for administering the fund, the Governor said 500 elderly persons across the 31 LGAs will be selected rotationally on monthly basis and with the help of Transition Chairmen, each of them will get a package of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00), some multivitamins, food, water, soft drinks, adding that a monthly report will be sent to his office to monitor implementation.

“Every month, through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, the Office of the First Lady will get money, she will bring 500 elders across the 31 local government, every month, and give 50,000 each. No name must be repeated for at least six months so that it can go round as much people as possible. Local Government Chairmen will handle the selection, and not stakeholders,” Governor Eno stated.

The Governor cautioned that the initiative was in line with his social welfare package to support the elderly and must be seen and felt especially in the local government areas, urging the operators to ensure it is driven smoothly without any form of manipulation.

“These people have laboured for this State, a lot of them are retirees, let us honour them. Treat them as your fathers and mothers,” he appealed.