Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has inaugurated the fourth cohort of the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to grooming new business leaders and advancing entrepreneurship under the ARISE Agenda.
The inauguration, held at the Ibom-LED Complex in Uyo, saw Governor Eno charge participants to approach the 10-week intensive training with passion, focus, and discipline. He announced that each participant would receive a ₦500,000 startup grant at the end of the programme.
“You are in a state that is not only training you as entrepreneurs but also providing seed capital to start your journey. Do not treat it as an entitlement; the ₦500,000 can transform your life if you manage it wisely,” Governor Eno said, stressing that Ibom-LED would guide them in turning the funds into sustainable ventures.
Recalling his own entrepreneurial journey, the Governor narrated how he began with a modest 5-room hotel that grew into a business chain through focus, discipline, and God’s grace. He also highlighted his administration’s financial prudence, noting that Akwa Ibom has not borrowed in over two years, yet continues to fund life-changing projects such as EAP and the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ime Uwah, SSA to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development and DG of Ibom-LED, disclosed that the programme has already trained 1,200 entrepreneurs, with 500 more benefiting in this cohort. He emphasized that Ibom-LED monitors businesses post-training to ensure sustainability, while announcing the creation of the Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurs Association, which will unify the state’s business community.
During goodwill messages, Pastor ImoAbasi Jacob, Team Lead of Ibom-LED and MD of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), praised the transformation of the former Ibom e-Library into a thriving entrepreneurial hub. He said the centre now nurtures globally competitive business minds supported by a strong alumni network.
Similarly, Prof. Enoidem Usoroh, Rector of DASAC, commended Governor Eno for integrating DASAC graduates into the EAP, describing the partnership as a significant boost for skills and business development in the state.
The event also featured the formal inauguration of the Association of Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurs, with Mr. Ime Uwah elected as its pioneer president. Governor Eno pledged ₦10 million in support for the association while challenging it to register at least 10,000 business owners to strengthen mentorship and uplift the dignity of labour in Akwa Ibom.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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