…empowers Ini youths with ₦500,000 each in Phase 1
In furtherance of the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Executive Chairman of Ini Local Government Area, Hon. Inibehe Umah, has launched a groundbreaking empowerment initiative tagged “U Rise, We Rise Empowerment Scheme” valued at ₦120 million naira.
The scheme , designed to foster economic growth, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods among the people of Ini, kicked off with Phase 1 on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, where youths were each empowered with a cash grant of ₦500,000 to support their entrepreneurial ventures.
According to the Chairman, the empowerment scheme is structured to cover hundreds of youths, market women, and elders across Ini on a monthly basis. He described the Scheme to mean that as UmoEno Rise , we Rise with him even beyond 2027.
Speaking during the official launch at the Ini Local Government Secretariat, Odoro Ikpe, Hon. Umah described the empowerment initiative as a bold step towards raising a new generation of entrepreneurs and wealth creators within the local government. He emphasized that the scheme is not a one-off gesture but a continuous empowerment plan that will run in phases until hundreds of Ini indigenes benefit.
“This initiative is about building capacity, reducing unemployment, and giving our people; the youth, market women, and elders the needed push to achieve their dreams. When one person rises, the entire community rises; that is the philosophy behind the ‘U Rise, We Rise’ scheme,” Hon. Umah declared.
Hon. Umah also used the occasion to admonish youths on the need for good conduct during the Governor’s visit to Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency on August 21, 2025, for a Town Hall Meeting and Empowerment Programme. He advised that those who may not immediately benefit from the Governor’s empowerment package should not be disheartened, as the Council, through the ‘U Rise, We Rise Empowerment Scheme’ will ensure they are accommodated and supported in subsequent phases.
Hon. Umah reiterated that the empowerment programme is in line with the vision of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, particularly in the areas of Rural Development, Wealth Creation, and Economic Empowerment. He further assured that the scheme will cut across various sectors including agriculture, small-scale businesses, ICT, and vocational skills development.
Beneficiaries of the first phase expressed profound gratitude to the Chairman for his foresight and generosity. They pledged to utilize the funds judiciously and to become ambassadors of the scheme by impacting others in their communities.
They hailed the initiative as unprecedented in the history of Ini Local Government Area, stressing that it will reduce poverty, discourage rural-urban migration, and boost local economic activities.
Among the beneficiaries who appreciated the Chairman were; Mr. Godwin Ekpenyong from Ikpe Ward 1, Mr. Otu Awak from Ikpe Ward 2, Mr. Jacob Akwara from Itumbonuso Ward 3, Mr. Udoette Udo Iseyen (Black) from Nkari Ward 4, Mr. Emmanuel Nnah from Iwere Ward 5, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan Bassey from Ward 6, Mr. Titus Charles from Ward 7, Mr. John Africa from Ward 8, Mr. Ezekiel Ema from Ukwok Ward 9, Mr. Efiok Emmanuel Frank (Temple) from Ukwok Ward 10, Mr. Akanimo Isaac Moses from Ward 11, Mrs. Mfon Titus from ward 7 and Miss Peace John from Ikpe ward 1 and others.
DG of INIBEHE-INI CAMPAIGN COUNCIL, Elder Edet Udoakang, praised the Ini Council Boss for the gesture and advised the beneficiaries to utilized the funds to better their lives.
