The Speaker who gave the admonition on Thursday at the Assembly Conference Room during RHAB-YESS Cheque Presentation Ceremony expressed hope that the support funds would add value not only to their businesses but to the society as a whole.

Represented by the Honourable Member representing Mbo State Constituency, Chief Effiong Johnson, the Speaker tasked beneficiaries of the scheme to take advantage of the responsibility given them and be exemplary in the society.

He however noted that he would be embarking on unscheduled routine visits on them to see how their businesses are faring.

His words, “I want you to invest this seed money into your various businesses. I believe it will help you to expand and add value to you, others and the society.

“As an efficient benefactor, I will be embarking on unscheduled routine visits to the beneficiaries to see how you are fairing in your respective businesses.”

In his remarks, Chairman of the event, who is also the Director of Account in the House of Assembly, Sir Jeremiah Efe, appreciated the Speaker for offering seed money to young entrepreneurs across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom to develop their businesses.

He maintained that “the gesture is in line with the industrialization policy of the State Government which is enshrined in the Dakkada Philosophy of Governor Udom Emmanuel.”

Sir Efe further charged the winners of the June Edition to be resourceful by making good use of the seed fund.

Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Chief Janet Amba, encouraged the winners to persevere, focus and be passionate about their trades with the fear of God as their opium in business.

Chief Amba, who is also the immediate past President General of Oron Union, hinted that 31 SMEs Desks have been set up in the 31 LGAs of the State to serve as platforms to organize entrepreneurs in the State, saying “if this is given much attention, Akwa Ibom State will be compared to China or Singapore in no time.”

She thrilled winners of the June Edition by augmenting their prizes with the sum of N20,000; N15,000 and N10,000 respectively.

In his brief, the Special Assistant to the Speaker on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, who coordinates the Scheme, explained the selection process that drew up winners through an online contest.

Also gracing the event was popular Nollywood star, online influencer and Special Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Aniebiet Francis.

The 1st Prize (N250,000) went to a University of Uyo graduate of Civil Engineering, Mr. Moses Daniel Udofia, a fashion designer and a native of Nsit Ubium LGA.

The 2nd Prize (N150,000) also went to a University of Calabar graduate of Accounting, Mr. Idongesit Samuel Okon, a Photographer and a native of Abak L.G.A.

Miss Blessing Aniedi Akpan, a University of Uyo undergraduate from Ibiono Ibom LGA, who majors in Interior Décor, got the 3rd Prize (N100,000).

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The Speaker gave the admonition during the prize presentation ceremony to winners of the fourth edition of his empowerment scheme, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme (RHAB-YESS), held at the Assembly Conference Hall, Uyo , on Tuesday.

Represented by the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Hon. Otobong Effiong Bob, the Speaker said the aim of the empowerment was to enable young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and attract investors in near future.

He however urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of funds given to them adding that, the gesture was part of efforts to complement the Dakkada philosophy of Gov. Udom Emmanuel which encourages everyone to find something doing.

His words, “the essence of this programme is to lend critical support to those who are already into business ventures.
It is a way of complementing the philosophy of our governor and ensuring that people of the State especially, youths have something doing and they can generate funds and employment for themselves.

“This is another example of legislative – executive partnership to better the lives of Akwa Ibom people and we will ensure that this programme is sustained.”

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant on Marketing and Brand Management to the governor, Mr. Ime Uwah, told the participants to ensure they create and uphold value in their businesses in order to remain relevant and progress in their business venture.

According to him, “If you create value, your business will sell. The more lasting the value you create the more relevant your business will be for a long term.

“Financial education is key to growing and sustaining your business. You need to understand cash flow, how to block leakages because most budding businesses crash in the first phase of existence because the initiators lack financial education.

” You must always have at the back of your mind to make your business attractive as an investment. What investors look for are Integrity in the business operation, proper organization and documentation.

“If we can have at least 10 persons committing this amount of money every month into small and medium scale businesses. That will be a huge sum injected into our state economy.”

The SSA who commended the Speaker and the organisers of the programme for the transparent selection process revealed that RHAB-YESS is a creditable platform that is adding value to young people in small scale businesses.

In his opening remarks, the Special Assistant to the Speaker on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, stated that RHAB-YESS is an initiative of the Speaker to support Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Enterprise Development Drive through the Dakkada Philosophy.

He further stated that in four editions since inception of the programme, the Speaker has doled out financial support to the tune N2 million to boost 12 existing ventures and encouraged more entrepreneurs to participate and benefit from it.

Winners of the May edition of the RHAB-YESS contest are Miss Esther Okon Eyakndue, a graduate of Sociology from the University of Uyo and a vegetable farmer, who clinched the first prize of N250, 000; Mr. David Okon Ekanem, an agric entrepreneur, who cultivates cucumber, got N150, 000 while Mrs. Helen Effiong Essien, owner of a small scale palm oil mill in Obio Etoi, Uyo Local Government Area, went home with N100, 000.

In her vote of thanks, on behalf of beneficiaries, Miss Esther Eyakndue expressed appreciation to the Speaker for initiating and sustaining such a transparent and unbiased programme to assist entrepreneurs and promised to make good use of the funds.

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The Speaker gave the admonition on Wednesday at the Conference room of the Assembly Complex before doling out a sum of N1Million to six beneficiaries for the two months in view.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Charles Iwatt, the Speaker explained that the program was in line with Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s policy of entrepreneurial development and economic expansion through trade and Agricultural activities.

He said the total lockdown in the state occasioned by Corona virus pandemic could not allow the organizers to issue the March winners of the empowerment scheme their cash , hence the reason for merging them with those of April.

His words “due to the situation in the country, we can not have a full ceremony. But I urge the beneficiaries both in the first, second and third series to utilize effectively any amount given to them to add value to their businesses.

“I congratulate all of you for meeting the criteria and scaling through the process of selection successfully.”

Also Speaking, the Special Assistant to the Speaker on Media and Communication, and one of the coordinators of the programme, Darlington Udobong said RHAB-YESS as a strict initiative of the Speaker was meant to boost small scale business in the state adding that anyone who resides in the state and has a small scale business is qualified to participate in the contest where members of the public through e-voting would select three winners that would benefit of the funds.

According to Udobong, “entry for the RHAB-YESS is open to every young entrepreneur in the state. The strategy is to give opportunity to every business startup in the state. To participate for the contest simply go to the programme web site www.rhab-yess.com and fill out the form that is basically to introduce yourself and your startup business and then upload a short video about your business to the website.

“The best videos will be selected and posted on our Facebook page for voting. Videos with the highest comments will be shortlisted and the best three will become winners.”

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of cheques to the six beneficiaries which made of three from March and three from April batches.

For March batch, the beneficiaries included; Mmenim Udobong Wilson -N250,000; Utibe Effiong Okon – N150,000; and Utibe Akwa – N100,000.

The April batch were; Blessing Monday Akpan – N250,000; Aniedi; Edem Asuquo – N150,000; and Dorcas Friday Ekungbe – N100,000.

Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other beneficiaries, Blessing Akpan, appreciated the benefactor, Rt.Hon.Bassey and the organisers of the event for their benevolence and promised to use the funds wisely for the growth of their various businesses.

The post Akwa Ibom Speaker Challenges Winners Of His Empowerment Scheme first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The House under the speakership of Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey decried the rising cases of rape and other violent crimes in Akwa Ibom State and noted that the need for capital punishment against offenders was necessary.

The bill tagged, “A Law to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life, Prohibit all forms of Violence Against Persons and to Provide Maximum Protection and Effective Remedies for Victims and Punishment of Offenders and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis and fifteen others.

Rt Hon. Dennis, in the lead debate, condemned recent violent crimes in the State and said the Bill when passed into law, will protect women, children and other persons against abandonment, circumcision, domestic and economic abuses.

He said it will also curb forced financial dependence, sexual exploitation, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse and said there must be penalties to discourage offenders from these acts.

The Member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko who is a co-sponsor of the Bill, said violent crimes were not only particular to women, maintaining the Bill when passed into law, will also protect the men from all forms of harassment.

Another co-sponsor of the Bill and Member representing Onna State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien, said the Bill seeks to criminalise harmful traditional practices and urged his colleagues to support the bill to see the light of the day.

Others who spoke in support of the Bill, including the Member representing Ika/Etim Ekpo State Constituency, Hon. Mfon Idung, that of Ini, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong; Abak State Constituency, Hon. Udeme Otong;
Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudu and Member Ukanafun State Constituency, Dr. (Mrs) Charity Ido, lauded the lead sponsor, Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis for bringing up the bill, saying it will further promote peace in the state.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey who lauded Members for their interests in the Bill, referred it to the House Committee on Woman Affairs, Social Welfare and Cooperative and directed the Committee to report back to the House within one month.

Earlier, the House also directed the state Ministry of Works to intervene on the failed portion of the Enen Atai Itam axis of Calabar-Itu Highway, following a Motion of urgent public importance brought before the House by the Member representing Itu State Constituency, Hon. Kufre-Abasi Edidem, who informed the House of the deplorable state of the road.

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