6TH PHASE EMPOWERMENT COMMENCES AS IKONO RECEIVES REP. UKPONG-UDO
….N50m in business grants, cars, motorcycles disbursed
The Member representing Ikono-Ini Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo, has made good his promise of a 6th phase of empowerment for the people of his constituency. Ukpong-udo who, during the last phase of empowerment in April 2022, announced another round of empowerment to be held between the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, today commenced the exercise during an inter-denomination Worship service and Reception organized in his honour by Mkpoikana-abasi Campaign Council in conjunction with Ndiya/Usung Ikot Idaha.
The Service superintended by the Shelter of Grace Ministries and which was held at the Methodist Primary School, Ikot Odu, Ndiya in Ikono Local Government Area, had amongst the guests, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East and Gubernatorial flagbearer of the Young Progressives Party, Obong Bassey Albert, Rt Hon. Emmanuel Ekon and Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo, flag bearers of the party for next year’s polls. Other dignitaries included Sir Emem Akpabio, Chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi campaign council and several other indigenes, friend and well-wishers.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo disclosed that he is duty-bound to keep his promises to his people, and announced that only 25% of the total empowerment package for this phase was up for disbursement today. This included 4 Motor vehicles and 11 Motorcycles for 15 recipients; Business grants ranging from N100,000, N200,000, N300,000, N500,000 and N1million for 120 indigenes; as well as another N15million in welfare to many others women and youths in the area. A total of about N50million was disbursed in total during the ceremony. In a separate programme and development aside this largesse, he used the occasion to empower 110 widows to the tune of 1.5million who were carefully selected from the 22 units of ward 8, Ikono LGA with cash gifts and wrappers courtesy of his amiable wife, Mrs Kuseme Ukpong-udo
Ukpong-udo appreciated Obong Bassey Albert and his entourage for their presence at the event, reiterating that YPP had grown in leaps within a very short time within the 280 Units of the constituency following the just concluded ward-to-ward voters’ sensitization exercise and the attendant mass defection to the YPP. He restated his support for the the incoming Governor of the State and pledged his commitment to the service of the people.
Sen. Bassey Albert Akpan in his admonition said he will continue to preach the gospel of liberation, stressing that happy days are ahead going by the good plans in place for every citizen of the Akwa Ibom. He noted that YPP is God’s own party and that the people can no longer be deceived, and so no manipulation of the opposition party can thwart the agenda to salvage the leadership quagmire of Akwa Ibom State.
In his exhortion during the interdenominational service, Pastor Felix Abia, the presiding pastor narrated the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were thrown into a fiery furnace when the refused to obey a king’s ungodly instruction for idol worship, likening them to the political situation in Akwa Ibom when the YPP are the Jews, who stood their ground against the graven image set-up by the king. He added that there is no greater furnace than the impoverishment of the people and unemployment.
Barr. Inyangidim Edet, the Director General of Mkpoikana Abasi Campaign Council recounted numerous challenges faced during the 2019 electioneering period which eventually, the will of God prevailed. He thanked God for His benevolence and divine coverage throughout the voters’ sensitization exercise in the 21 wards of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.
Other speakers included Sir Emem Akpabio, the Chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi campaign council, who eulogized Rep. Ukpong-Udo for his magnanimity and notable contribution to the development and advancement of the Young Progressives Party (YPP). Hon Asuquo Udo the Member representing Ikono State Constituency assured all not to be deterred by intimidation of opposition and reiterated his firm determination to fight the course of Ikono and Eastern Ibibio to a victorious end.
