Akwa Ibom unveils cooperative scheme for women 

As part of efforts to promote economic growth and self reliance, the Akwa Ibom State Government has announced a cooperative empowerment scheme for women in each ward of the state and a large scale digital skills training programme targeted at youths.

Akon Eyakenyi, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, disclosed this over the weekend, during the Akwa Ibom State Women Monthly Prayers at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, with the theme, “And The Lord Answered.”

According to her, Governor Umo Eno will launch the ARISE Cooperative Network before the end of July with a plan to inject N20 million into each ward across the state in support of women owned cooperative societies.

She said 300 women are expected to be registered in every ward to benefit from the initiative, and urged women who are yet to register to do so through their ward structures, noting that registration officials are currently working across the local government areas to capture eligible beneficiaries.

“The programme is designed to touch the lives of less privileged women and provide them with opportunities to engage in meaningful economic activities,” she stated.

Eyakenyi also announced the commencement of a youth digital skills development programme aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge required to secure remote jobs and compete in the global digital economy.

She explained that the initiative target was the training of 1,000 youths from each of the 31 local government areas annually, adding that successful participants would receive laptops from the government upon completion of the programme.

Eyakenyi called on parents and guardians to encourage their children to take advantage of the opportunity by registering through the designated portal whenever the programme reached their LGA’s.

Speaking on the achievements of the administration, Eyakenyi commended Governor Eno for what she described as prudent resource management and purposeful leadership, noting that the state has continued to witness remarkable infrastructural development.

She further described the governor as a leader, who values and supports women, stressing that several of his policies and programmes are designed to improve the economic well-being and social advancement of Akwa Ibom women.

The deputy governor urged women to ensure that their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain valid and readable, advising those with damaged or faded cards to renew them ahead of future elections.