...As Government doles out millions of naira to MEGP Pitch Deck Winners

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has listed perseverance, sustained interest and commitment as major characteristics every entrepreneur should strive to posses if they must make their marks in the business landscape. Governor Emmanuel made this assertion Wednesday, during the certification ceremony and induction dinner organized for batch V participants of the Akwa Ibom State Youths Entrepreneurial Development Programme tagged My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme (MEGP).

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Sir Charles Udo, charged the Participants of the MEGP who were newly inducted into Alumni Network, to join him in transforming the history of the state from a mere Civil Service and political jobers' state to one of the major industrial hubs in the country as no economy can ever develop by relying only on public Sector. Udom praised his Senior Special Assistant on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr Ime Uwah for effectively driving his vision in entrepreneurial development, innovation and business education, describing him (Uwah) as an entrepreneur in words and deeds.

Earlier in his tone setting remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr Ime Uwah expressed delight on the massive turn out and interest Of Akwa Ibom Young Entrepreneurs towards the MEGP batch V, which according to him, is a clear indication of the value that our youths place on business knowledge acquisition. Uwah said the 5th batch of the MEGP trainings received the largest applications for admission into the programme with over a thousand applicants applying for only two hundred slots.

Speaking further, the Governor's aide thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for expanding the scope and capacity of the programme as evident in the larger training facility and richer training module. He however stressed that as Governor Udom Emmanuel's tenure gradually winds down, there was need for successive governments to ensure that the programme is sustained beyond the Udom Emmanuel years, so as to consolidate on the positive impacts of the programme in the Akwa Ibom State business sphere.

Good will messages we received from dignitaries at the event, including the SSA on multilateral and donor agencies, Mr Ndiana Abasi Udom, SSA on youth matters Mr Aniefiok Wilson Iwaudofia, as well as Dr. Wisdom Patrick Enang, who is the operations engineering Lead at ExxonMobil. Other dignitaries who graced the certification dinner include representatives of the Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Water resources, Pastor Umo Eno, and that of trade and investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, wife of the commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy affairs, Mrs Bright Archibong, Nollywood star Ini Edo, as well as the special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mrs. Meflyn Anwana.

The event also featured the presentation of certificates and induction of the batch 5 participants into the MEGP alumni network, and climaxed at the announcement of winners and presentation of prizes to winners of the MEGP Pitch Deck Series 3; During which Perry Essien Nelson won the first prize in the social enterprise category, to clinch the one million naira prize money, while Utonne Ekefre and Udoh Idongesit Kasie won the existing business and start up categories to take home five hundred thousand naira and two hundred and fifty thousand naira respectively. Consolation prizes of varying degrees were also announced for all finalists in all categories.

Participants who spoke with our reporter thanked the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for the MEGP programme which they said has added knowledge and zest to their entrepreneurial pursuit.