May 29, (THEWILL) – The Arewa Journalists Forum has lauded Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, over the recent empowerment of 800 youths with N400 million, saying it will catalyze the growth and development of small and medium scale entrepreneurs and businesses in the state.
The Forum added that his policies on agriculture and human capital development are building confidence in youths to return to farming and help bridge the gap between food production capacity and consumption to help stabilise the prices of foodstuffs in the state.
President of the Forum, Hassan Galadima, who bared the minds of the forum during a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, said the forum was able to make the assessment after monitoring developments across the country in the last one year.
“We are advocates of good governance and responsible leadership and strive to keep leaders on their toes, commending those who merit it to encourage others, and objectively criticising those who fall below expectations in order to make them sit up.
“Hence, we continue to track developments and highlight such wherever they are found irrespective of region and religion.
“Based on the reports from our members from all the States of Nigeria, and other media practitioners, most of whom are resident in the respective States, and the media reports we have monitored over time, we are thrilled by the accomplishments of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno
“He has distinguished himself in leadership in all the criteria we deployed for selection, including business and human capital development, agriculture, inclusivity in governance, education, care for the vulnerable and general approach to governance.
“In all ramifications, Governor Umo Eno has changed the narrative, and given a practical definition of democracy by taking power to the people, spiced with aggressive rural development,” Galadima said.
He described the N400 million business support grant to 800 youths as unprecedented in the region, adding that the N20bn so far released for the payment of gratuities of civil servants, both dead and alive, was a clear testimony of his desire to support the economies of families.
“He has empowered 400 entrepreneurs in the State with N400 million at N500,000 each, and the programme is ongoing. This is unprecedented in any part of Nigeria, and we are proud to identify with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“Governor Umo Eno has had a fantastic relationship with the workers in the State as well as those who have retired. He has so far approved about N20 billion for the payment of gratuities and other entitlements to retirees, most of whom were primary school teachers, who have always been neglected. Those in service are equally given their due entitlements.
“Very importantly, Governor Umo Eno has given agriculture a pride of place in the quest to attain food sufficiency and food security in the State. Work is ongoing at the Ibom Model Farms which is a replication of the Songhai Farms with its success story in Port Novo, Benin Republic. There is massive investment in agriculture across the State.
“Therefore, we in the Arewa Journalists Forum present Governor Umo Eno to the nation as a workable model, exemplar and a shining example of good leadership, a light that attracts good governance.
“We believe strongly that his leadership is a worthy model for other leaders in the country to emulate, and we encourage them to do the same. We believe this will help spur other governors and leaders across various levels of leadership in the country,” the President stressed.
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