Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has urged youths to embrace entrepreneurship, discipline and hard work, warning that government support is a lifeline and not an entitlement.
The governor gave the charge in Uyo while declaring open the Business Concept Note Workshop and Opening Ceremony for the Women-Focused EAP 4.0 Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP) 4.0 at the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre, Ibom-LED.
Governor Eno told participants that the programme provides ₦250,000 for shop rent and ₦500,000 for stocking, alongside skills training, to empower them for self-reliance.
“We put skills in your hands. We give you funds to rent shops, ₦250,000, then another ₦500,000 to stock up the shops. But please, see this as an opportunity, not a campaign promise. Life owes you nothing. Government can only support you once; it is your responsibility to grow your business,” he said.
Avoid dependency
The Governor stressed that entrepreneurship is central to building the middle class and urged the youth to avoid dependency.
“We are not on a campaign ground. We are in a business environment… see it as a lifeline,” he cautioned.
Citing the biblical parable of talents, Governor Eno charged the trainees to invest wisely in ventures they are passionate about. He warned against the misuse of funds, saying, “I am a pastor myself. You don’t use your seed money to pay tithe. Pay tithes from profit, not capital. Discipline, sacrifice and hard work are what sustain a business.”
Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s two priorities—the Compassionate Homes Project for vulnerable families and entrepreneurship for job creation.
“Entrepreneurship is nation-building. When you succeed, you become my testimony. Don’t waste this lifeline—turn it into sustainable wealth,” he declared.
He also challenged youths to form registered business groups and take advantage of opportunities in ongoing housing and development projects.
The governor assured participants that the application process for future grants would remain transparent and portal-based, with platforms for mentorship and monitoring.
Pioneer trainees
He was joined by the Deputy Governor, members of the State Executive Council, officials of Ibom-LED, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), beneficiaries and other stakeholders as 500 female youths, including DASAC pioneer trainees, began training under the women-focused batch.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development and General Manager of Ibom-LED, Ime Uwah, praised Governor Umo Eno for driving the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme, which has trained 1,200 beneficiaries since 2023. With the new batch of 500 trainees, he said, the total will reach 1,700 entrepreneurs.
“You’ve not just instructed us to do the training, you’ve gone as far as also giving grants of ₦500,000 to ₦750,000,” Uwah told the governor, noting that strict monitoring ensures funds are used for their purpose.
He announced the inauguration of the Association of Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurs, saying it would “galvanise the entrepreneurial community” to sustain the governor’s vision.
Uwa said the concept-note workshop helps participants reshape their mentality and develop strong business ideas, assuring the trainees, “Just give us 10 weeks of your lives, and we are going to do a turnaround.”
The beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation to the State Government for the life-changing opportunity and committed to bettering not just their lives but the State with the knowledge and empowerment from the programme.
The EAP in the last two years has supported over 1,200 entrepreneurs, disbursed more than ₦600 million in seed capital grants ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦750,000, and transitioned many from informal trade to scalable businesses.
Ibom-LED also facilitates access to a ₦4 billion matching-fund loan facility with the State Government and the Bank of Industry for businesses ready to expand.
Governor Eno also used the occasion to inaugurate the Executive Council of the Association of Akwa Ibom State Entrepreneurs.
He said monitoring and evaluation would ensure accountability and sustained impact.
The governor again emphasised to the 500 trainees that it is not just about money; it is about building character, dignity, and the future of Akwa Ibom State.