**Headline:**
In a significant move towards fostering industrial growth and economic empowerment in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has distributed a total of N400 million as business grants to 800 entrepreneurs under the State's Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP).
The presentation ceremony, held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo, marked a pivotal moment in the state's commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering wealth creation.
Governor Umo Eno congratulated the beneficiaries for their successful completion of the programme, emphasizing their pivotal role as ambassadors of the EAP. During the cheque presentation, the Governor stressed the importance of utilizing the grants wisely, highlighting that success in business hinges more on training and determination than the initial seed capital.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Umo Eno shared insights on entrepreneurship, urging the beneficiaries to prioritize business over politics and offering personal anecdotes of his own entrepreneurial journey.
He underscored the significance of determination, sacrifice, and community support in achieving sustainable business growth.
The event was not without moments of compassion, as the Governor, moved by empathy, provided additional support to a physically challenged beneficiary, Mr. Jones Okon Akpan, ensuring he received means of mobility and further assistance for his manufacturing venture.
Key figures from various sectors, including Pastor Imoabasi Jacob of Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development, Ms. Nnena Ugwu from Pan-Atlantic University, and Chief Assam Assam SAN, commended the Governor's commitment to business development.
They advised the beneficiaries to uphold discipline, commitment, and focus in their entrepreneurial pursuits to maximize the impact of the grants.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, officials from Ibom-LED and alumni associations pledged to utilize the grants judiciously for business expansion, promising to contribute positively to the economic landscape of Akwa Ibom State.
The distribution of these grants signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Akwa Ibom, with expectations of sustained support and further initiatives to nurture local businesses and drive economic prosperity.
