… distributes over ₦40 Million worth of empowerment items to PDP faithful
…as party vows to recapture power in next LG election
In a heartwarming display of generosity and a practical demonstration of his commitment to his party, despite the outcome of the election which was riddled with some strange political abracadabra, the 2024 PDP Chairmanship Candidate in Essien Udim, Engr. Enobong Patrick, has unveiled the 2025 Enoabasi Empowerment Programme.
This initiative which saw the distribution of over N40 million worth of empowerment items to Essien Udim people, comes barely 48 hours after Governor, Umo Eno, splashed over ₦550 million on Akwa Ibom farmers, entrepreneurs, footballers, and outstanding civil and public servants.
The event, held Saturday was attended by all PDP stakeholders in the area, and saw 600 supporters smiling home with bags of rice. Additionally, 15 women and female youth received sewing machines, while another 14 women were empowered with hair dryers. Furthermore, 20 male youths were given barbing kits with rechargeable clippers to enhance their barbing saloon businesses.
Engr Patrick’s empowerment scheme also included a ₦100,000.00 Business Support Grant for 153 PDP supporters. Moreover, 13 individuals received cassava grinding machines, and eight students studying in various tertiary institutions were awarded scholarships to help them complete their studies. Work is also underway for the construction of a solar-powered borehole for Ikot Ebok Village, the hometown of Engr Enobong Patrick, in Odoro Ikot, Essien Udim LGA.
Addressing the gathering, the 2024 PDP Chairmanship candidate appearing unruffled by the experience of the last election, expressed gratitude to Essien Udim PDP for their unwavering support. He assured that as long as Governor Umo Eno remains in office, the PDP family would continue to experience joy and prosperity. Essien also thanked the party for their love and solidarity during the last local government election, promising to fulfill every promise he made to his people with the governor’s continuous support.
He explained that his decision to empower his supporters and Essien Udim youths is in line with his personal philosophy of developing people, building capacity, and empowering small and medium businesses, maintaining that the approach which aligns with the Governor ‘s ARISE Agenda is designed to achieve sustainability and profitability, creating employment and generating wealth for Essien Udim people.
Reacting to Engr. Essien’s generosity, DG of the Eno Abasi Campaign Council, Barr. Martins Umanah, himself a former Council Chairman, Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Nse Ntuen, also a former Council boss, and the House of Assembly Member for Essien Udim, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio and several other stakeholders who spoke at the event commended for being a loyal party man despite the outcome of the last local government election in the area, and urged party faithful to remain calm assuring that the PDP would certainly launch a come back in the next election in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mbetobong Emmanuel poured encomium on Engr. Essien for putting smiles on their faces, and pledged their readiness to make good use of the empowerment items received.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the Member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, and the Director General of Campaigns, Atuekong Barr. Martins Umanah KSJI. Other attendees included political appointees from Essien Udim, members of the Local Organising Committee, Eno-Abasi Campaign Organization and a cross-section of PDP members in Essien Udim LGA.
