The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in collaboration with Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mbo, Eket and Esit Eket Host Community Development Trust (EMOIMEE), last Friday, flagged off entrepreneurial and skill acquisition programme, with a starter pack of N500,000 for 300 indigenes of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
A Board of Trustees member representing Ikot Abasi and former commissioner with National Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Justus Ntuk, in a speech, commended the beneficiaries for their interest, assuring that the project, which is in installments, will cut across the length and breadth of the local government.
According to him, the programme is non-political and advised beneficiaries to avail themselves of the opportunity to add values to their lives and extend the benefits to the society.
The selection of beneficiaries was meticulously done and the funds are directly sent to their bank accounts by Mobil Producing Nigeria, after a thorough scrutiny and verification, he said.
Presenting the beneficiaries to the facilitator, member of the management committee and former chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Barr. Uwem Ekanem, corroborated Justus Ntuk that the beneficiaries were carefully selected, adding that they are existing, responsible business men and women, who will utilize the funds and expand the scope of their businesses.
Also speaking, chairman, Ikot Abasi Transition Committee, Barr. Godwin Udonta, while flagging off the training session, appreciated the selfless sacrifices and priceless contributions of the leadership of EMOIMEE in the socio-political advancement of the area and described them as catalysts for the development of Ikot Abasi.
Head of the EMOIMEE management team, Dr. Linus Okon, assured Ikot Abasi that the trust will attract more development projects, even as he called for patience, understanding and cooperation with EMOIMEE to enable them address development needs and devastating effects of oil exploration in the host communities.
He said the project was designed to engage the youths and discourage the alien culture of idleness and corporate begging among the youths.
Paramount ruler of Ikot Abasi, Edidem U. J. Ntuk Obom, while appreciating EMOIMEE, charged beneficiaries to grab the chance and take their business to the next level.
Represented by Obong Ubong Udom KSJI, the monarch admonished the beneficiaries to invest and inject the funds in businesses that will yield profit and benefit their immediate families and the larger Ikot Abasi Local Government.
Speaking in the same vein, a member of EMIOMEE advisory committee and former member of the National Assembly, Akpan Micah Umoh Ph.D, while advising beneficiaries to be good ambassadors and public relations officers of EMOIMEE, equally enjoined them to protect Mobil facilities and image with a riot act that beneficiaries who fail to account for their investment will be prosecuted, as machinery has been put in place to conduct periodic auditing of compliance.
