By Solomon OKPO
The ₦100 million business grant earlier scheduled for December 14 in the Eket Senatorial District has been postponed to a new date to be announced by the Empowerment Committee, chaired by Barrister Ini Ikot. According to the committee, the shift is to ensure full inclusion of persons with disabilities across the district.
Speaking with our reporter, a member of the Empowerment Committee, Mr. Daniel Essien, praised Senator Ekong Sampson for what he described as a “thoughtful and inclusive” decision. According to Essien, the senator’s insistence on accommodating people with disabilities demonstrates his commitment to equity and fairness in the distribution of opportunities.
Senator Ekong Sampson has continued to receive widespread commendation for his developmental strides in education and business empowerment since assuming office. His interventions in the education sector include the sponsorship of the bill establishing the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, and the facilitation of a multi-million-naira project for the institution.
He also sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Eket, and has been instrumental in the progress toward the full take-off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron. In addition, the senator launched a ₦500 million sports development endowment programme for schools within the district.
Several schools have benefited from his infrastructure projects, including the provision of ICT/Computer-Based Test centres, staff quarters, classroom blocks, hostels, laboratories, and perimeter fencing in institutions across Mkpat Enin, Eket, and Okobo, among others. His projects are evenly distributed across all local government areas in the senatorial district, covering education, health, water, electricity, and road interventions.
In the latest wave of his educational support initiatives, more than 500 students from Akwa Ibom South received financial assistance, with each student getting ₦200,000 to aid their academic pursuits. Teachers were not left out, as many received at least ₦250,000 each in recognition of their contributions to the growth of the sector.
The new date for the rescheduled ₦100 million business grant is expected to be announced soon by the Empowerment Committee.
