By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Government has, within three years, given grants to 1,700 farmers in the state besides the approval for the acquisition of hundreds of thousands of oil-palm seedlings as part of the tree-crop revolution.
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who stated this in a statewide broadcast to mark the 39th anniversary of the creation of the state on Wednesday, explained that the empowerment include agricultural grants, equipment support and farm inputs.
Governor Eno further explained that the idea was aimed at building an agricultural economy that will create wealth as well as lay foundation for a new era in agriculture.
“We have committed significant resources to support farmers. So far, 1700 of them have been given grants and have approved the acquisition of hundreds of thousands of oil palm seedlings as part of the tree crop revolution.
“We are determined to restore agriculture to its rightful place in our economy. Our land must feed our people. Our farmers must prosper. And our young people must see agriculture not as a punishment but as a business,” Governor Eno stressed.
In the area of youth empowerment by his administration, Governor Eno said that over 4,000 youths have trained at IBOM-LED and Dasac in skills development, entrepreneurship and grants totaling over N2b have been disbursed.
“Youth-friendly centres are being developed to channel the creativity of our young people into technology and the creative industries. Our ambition is to create an environment where our young people can: Learn here. Create here. Build here.Invest here. And prosper here,” he said.
Governor Eno who noted peace, unity and brotherhood in the state as priceless things that must not be taken for granted, urged the people of the state to protect them always irrespective of the political affiliation and ethnic differences.
“Our peace is priceless. Our unity is priceless. Our brotherhood is priceless. Let us protect them. Political differences must never become personal hatred.
“Ethnic differences must never become division. We can disagree and still love one another. We can belong to different political parties and still belong to one Akwa Ibom. Because when the election is over, Akwa Ibom remains. When political arguments end, Akwa Ibom remains. When political offices change hands, Akwa Ibom remains. Therefore, let us always put our state above temporary differences,” he admonished.
He, however, paid glowing tributes to past and present leaders of the state and all those whose daily sacrifices have kept Akwa Ibom moving to greater heights this far.
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