The first batch of 100 young business owners in Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Federal Constituency has carted away business grants ranging from 1 million Naira to N500,000 and N250,000, under the Oro Youth Enterprise Scheme (OYES).
The scheme is sponsored by the Member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, and Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Martins Esin.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Oron on Saturday, Esin emphasized that the scheme aims to stimulate economic growth within the constituency by financially empowering 300 young entrepreneurs.
“We have built so much political capital in our constituency over the years, I believe that now is the time to build economic capital.
“The OYES initiative is in line with our campaign promise in our RIDE Agenda to strategically empower our people, and I urge every beneficiary to view the financial support you are receiving as a springboard to where you wish to be,” he said.
He further expressed gratitude to the OYES Committee led by Anthony Okpoabasi for their diligent selection process, resulting in the first batch of 100 beneficiaries.
The lawmaker said he was convinced that the right beneficiaries had been selected, provided they were all indigenous constituents between ages 18 and 45, who are business-inclined.
The beneficiaries however received admonishment from an Economics scholar and consultant, and former Commissioner for Economic Development, Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit, who delivered a lecture on Financial Management.
The first batch of beneficiaries consists of persons selected from a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, ICT, arts, fashion, science, catering, trading, and general merchandise.
While 5 entrepreneurs each received one million naira, 25 persons each received five hundred thousand naira, and 70 persons each received two hundred and fifty thousand naira.
The Rep member was joined at the cheque presentation by the Chairman of Oron Local Government Transition Committee, Hon. Murphy Esin, the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Transition Committee, Hon. George Henshaw, the Chairman, Udung Uko Local Government Transition Committee, Hon. Godwin Okponung , as well as the Chairman, Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Transition Committee, Hon. Dr. Tukubok Okpoyo.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Barr. Omen Bassey, Senior Special Assistant (Political Affairs) to the Governor, Elder Anietie Okon, a business magnate, Mr Roland Esin, Special Assistant (Youth Mobilization) to the Governor, Mr Godswill Ekpenyong, Special Assistant to Governor on Media, Mrs Queen Onuoha, and members of the Forward Oro Campaign Organizations, including Engr. Benedict Edenseting, Barr. Ita Okpoyo, Pastor Okon Ekenim, Obonganwan Sarah Bassey, Mr Suday Roland Bassey, and a lecturer in the field of Economics, Dr Godwin Essang, among others.