Will they ever forget Thursday, May 2nd ? I mean the 800 young entrepreneurs ! They spoke with joy and gladness . They sang and hummed the chorus of good governance composed by the Pastor -Governor. And tears of joy rolled down their cheeks in realization that they have been brought down from the three top of poverty to the speed lane of prosperity as beneficiaries of the 400 million Naira Business Accelerator Programme of Governor Umo Eno.
Volumes of books have been filled and airwaves saturated with the different acts of governance and kindness of the governor but the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP) has written a glittering new chapter in the golden book of Akwa Ibom State.
Under the different categories of the programme including the Ibom-LED Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme, Ibom-LED Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship Programme, Ibom-LED Business Mastery Programme and Ibom-LED Start-up Accelerator and Incubation Programme, beneficiaries received 500 thousand Naira grant to plunge into their entrepreneurship.
Governor Eno did not just give them money, he ensuered that the beneficiaries were properly schooled in business management in order to inculcate in them the core values of business, especially in financial discipline so that the money will be in safe hands.
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It was an event with memorable scenes. Beyond being clad in their uniforms, they literally wore garments of changed destinies, as poverty handed over the baton of their destiny to prosperity, and made their relay race of self reliance highly promising.
The programme defied deformities, as even persons living with disabilities were positioned to be able to make the best out of their lives. It was triple blessings for Mr Jones Okon Akpan of Jones Manufacturing. Governor Eno made his day, and he carried the day, with the directive for him to have a good means of mobility as well as an additional financial support.
The compassionate governor stooped to make Jones conquer his challenges, accepting a shoe from the appreciative beneficiary while the hall erupted in reverberating cheers and shouts of commendation on the governor.
The day was filled with such moods, and it was not out of place. No celebration can be too much for an accelerator programme considering its attendant benefits.
With this, Governor Umo Eno has signposted intensive mentorship designed to rapidly grow their businesses with their start-ups. It will also open a network of opportunities for them with the golden seed in their hands. This is also like pollen grains in the anther of the flowers for potential investors, with mutual benefits.
Governor Eno has an intimidating business profile. He knows the place and potency of mentorship. Hence the programme was designed to make the beneficiaries have access to mentorship for valuable insights and advice.
It was equally an opportunity for the entrepreneurs to fetch from the streams of networking opportunities, meeting like minds in business, and working together to attain their business goals as a team.
Of course, the icing on the cake was that the “golden” seed was given to them. Seed money was likened to giving them wings to fly to the firmament of economic flourish, provided they go in the direction and altitude of caution and circumspection.
There were a galaxy of benefits radiating from the banquet hall, from where the beneficiaries can launch themselves into the hall of fame through entrepreneurship.
Governor Eno has used the programme to launch Akwa Ibom youths into a supportive ecosystem that will fast track their growth, put them in the hatchery of ideas and on the trajectory of boom and greatness.
And this could have also been described a crusade that converted many from the streets of gallivanting to the tables of work that will put food on the table of the people.
Among the many beneficiaries were young men who earned a living as clowns, popularly known as playboys. They described their inclusion as a lifetime opportunity which they have grabbed with two hands, noting that they will do everything to guard against their going back to square one.
There were multiple testimonies from the beneficiaries who said Governor Umo Eno is the best thing that has happened to their lives. But put frankly, they are not the only ones who have seen the Illuminating path to walk to greatness. Governor Umo Eno’s light is ubiquitous in Akwa Ibom State.
Everyday, he changes people’s destinies for good, working passionately to plant smiles permanently on the faces of the people, and it is imposing and contagious in a beautiful way!
This is the story of the lifetime empowerment for 800 Akwa Ibom people. It is the story of an accelerator programme that has engaged the gear for the future. Indeed, this well thought out initiative Governor Umo Eno has put Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs on auto-pilot. With this, they will cruise triumphantly to their destinations of economic prosperity and self reliance.
What a way to begin the celebration of Governor Umo Eno’s first anniversary!
