Uruan Council Chairman Doles Out N4 Million Business Grant To Youths, Cautions Against Social Vices
In line with the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, the Transition Committee Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, Hon. Surv. Iniobong Ekpenyong, has empowered four youths selected from the four geo-political zones in Uruan with a million naira business grant each.
The cheques were presented to the recipients during a one-day Youth Summit organised by the Local Government Council in partnership with the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation (Uyo Federal Constituency), with the theme “Fight against Insecurity and Drug Abuse.”
The recipients, Richard Nelson Effiong, Southern Uruan; Mr. Charles Moses Etim, Northern Uruan; Mr. Yeti Eyoh, Central Uruan; and Mrs. Felicia Etim Akpan, South East, all operate small and medium-scale businesses in the Uruan Local Government Area.
Explaining the motive behind the grant, the council boss said, “The local government considered giving something tangible to selected youth to enable them to fund their businesses, and we had to spread it to the four political blocks of the local government area. To this end, I wish to plead with other youth that may have wished to be captured to exercise patience, as this shall be done from time to time as we cannot handle everyone at this time.”
He urged youths to be positively involved in the security of their communities as well as help the government with good information that will help in the protection of citizens, rather than get involved in negative vices that will destroy their future in the long run.
Ekpenyong frowned at the collaborative action of some youths going around destroying government properties such as transformers, cables, and metals, which adversely leads to power outages in some villages, and their involvement in village head tussles.
He charged youths with the need to be alert at all times to identify strange individuals in their communities and those who may be out to perpetrate evil, as his administration will not condone such.
Also speaking at the event, the Senator Representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey, represented by Comrade Unyime Jonah; member representing Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Itorobong Etim; and Political Adviser to the Governor, Akparawa Godwin Ntukude, advised youths to live above peer pressure; instead, they should channel their skills and potentials to productive ventures and maximise the resources available at their disposal for self-development.
Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Youth (Uyo Federal Constituency), Mr. Idorenyin Umoh, thanked Gov. Eno for providing the opportunity for the summit to be held and to all participants who braved the hard economic situation to attend. He reiterated the importance of collective efforts in addressing societal challenges and urged the youths to seize the opportunities presented to them to become agents of positive change in Uruan Local Government Area and beyond.
The summit, which served as a platform for dialogue, education, and equally equipping the youths with knowledge and resources to combat drug abuse and insecurity while fostering a sense of responsibility and civic engagement, enjoyed the presence of notable dignitaries, including the security operatives, Vice Chairman of Uruan Local Govt. Evang Uduak Udoenang, and Members of the Transition Committee of Uruan Council.
