Vulnerable persons from the 13 wards in the Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, including the aged, nursing mothers, youths and other categories of the less privileged, whose names were captured in the updated social register, embarked on ceaseless prayers for the success of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The over 5000 beneficiaries, who filed out in their numbers at the Council Secretariat to receive food palliatives, courtesy of Gov. Eno, to cushion the biting economic situation in the country, said that prayers for more of God’s wisdom, guidance and direction are all they can give back to the governor for his magnanimity towards the less privileged.
The ongoing free food distribution exercise of the Akwa Ibom State Government under the Arise Food Security Program has continued to elicit joy amongst beneficiaries.
The staple food items, which include bags of rice, garri and beans, were given to the beneficiaries upon presentation of their food vouchers earlier shared with them through the governor’s personal assistants in their wards.
One of the beneficiaries, who spoke with correspondents, Mrs. Eunice Ekpot, beaming with smiles, praised the governor for the love extended to Etinan, stressing that they will remain eternally grateful to him.
According to her, “For the kind of love shown to us in Etinan in dire times like this, all we have for our dear governor is ceaseless prayers. We will continue until God intervenes and gives him success on all sides. Only a compassionate father will remain restless when the children are hungry. He is not restless but now responsive to our cries.”
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In their separate remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, and Transition Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Lawrencia Etuk, appreciated the governor for the free food program and described the governor as a caring leader who prioritises the well-being of his people.
Addressing the people shortly before the commencement of the distribution exercise, the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Dr. Dan Akpan, and General Manager, Hon. Unyime Etim, assured that there was enough food in the truck for everyone and urged beneficiaries to conduct themselves orderly to receive their share.
A former Member of the House of Representatives and Media Consultant to the State Governor, Mr. Aniekan Umana, while commending the people for the orderly manner in which they conducted themselves further advised them to take advantage of the second farming season flagged off by the governor on Wednesday.
Umana averred that the palliative will only endure temporarily. At the same time, farming will permanently address the problem of hunger and hardship facing the country, urging the people to own farms regardless of the size.
Meanwhile, the food distribution exercise, which marks its seventh day today with Etinan, will continue on Monday, September 30, with a visit to Ika Local Government Area in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
On hand to receive the team from the Bulk Purchase Agency to Etinan were the State Attorney General and Commission for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, Transition Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Lawrence Benedict Etuk, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Mr. Anietie Usen, former Chairman of Council, Surv. Cletus Ekpo, PDP Chairmanship candidate in the area, Mr. Uko Umoh, aides of the Governor, and Ward Personal Assistants to the Governor.
