...education, business support top empowerment components

...plans to bring CBT/JAMB Centres to Akwa Ibom South underway

...Assam Assam, Frank Archibong, Obot Etukafia, Oro leaders, others, pour encomiums on Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin

By Joshua Akpan/Samuel Udoma

It was promise fulfilled for constituents of Akwa Ibom South yesterday, as Senator Ekong Sampson empowered over 650 indigenes of the district with education and business support grants.

The empowerment event which attracted an array of stakeholders and bigwigs in the district, took place at the Senator Ekong Sampson Constituency Office, 105 Atabong Road, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

The ceremony was chaired by Chief Assam Assam, Director-General of the Umo Eno Campaign Council and former Nigeria's Ambassador to Russia. State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Frank Archibong, Executive Chairman of Eket, Hon. Akan Tommey, his counterpart in Mkpat Enin, Hon.(Lady) Mercy Bassey, many other Chairmen, were among a rich roll call of dignitaries.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, Senator Ekong Sampson said that the briefing, which came on the platform of the Ekong Sampson Empowerment Program (ESEP), was an opportunity for him to tender his account of stewardship and report progress after his first six months in office as Senator. He thanked constituents for the unwavering support he has enjoyed so far in the National Assembly.

Sampson, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, stated that his promise to better the lives of his constituents was not just a political statement during the campaigns, but a lifestyle he has been furthering. He pointed out that ESEP, established since 2004 has carried out numerous life-changing interventions for Nigerians, including scholarships, grants, business support, job placement in both private and public sectors, trainings, vehicle gifts, health outreach and mentorship.

He assured that the scope of the Empowerment Scheme will continue to expand and accommodate more people in the Senatorial District;

'We contemplated empowering 600 beneficiaries initially in this First Phase. But I wasn't satisfied and had to increased it to close to 700, to cater for more strata, including people with Disability and some non-indigenes in the area'. Sampson assured that many will benefit from the scheme throughout his years in the Senate.

Senator Sampson noted that he was very committed to providing employment for his constituents, with the creation of a Special Employment Desk in his office to comb for opportunities for the people of Akwa Ibom South. Recall that recently, some indigenes of Akwa Ibom South have started receiving their appointment letters to top Federal parastatal, courtesy of the Senator's intervention.

Recall too, that, over the Christmas and New Year yuletide, Senator Ekong Sampson had toured all the twelve Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom South, where he feted constituents with cash, bags of rice and other gifts, in the spirit of the season. He also gifted cars to some indigenes of the Senatorial District.

Senator Sampson reiterated that he was in Abuja to tell the fuller story of Akwa Ibom South. He said that only the best was good enough for the district, being a key contributor to Nigeria's economy. The National legislator hinted that he was working tirelessly to attract key infrastructure to the senatorial district. 'Plans are already underway to spread JAMB/CBT Centres in Akwa Ibom South', he stated, amidst a rousing applause.

Dr. Sampson said that as a bridge builder, he will continue to respect the diversity in the Senatorial District. He said that his spread of projects and interventions will always reflect the rich ethnic mix of the district.

The Akwa Ibom South Senator, in his speech, expressed appreciation to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and wife, Patience, who hails from Mkpat Enin just as himself, immediate past Governor, Udom Emmanuel, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and other elders and stakeholders for their continuous support.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Assam Assam said he was overjoyed to be part of such a momentous event, praising Senator Ekong Sampson for making the District proud in just about six months in office, through visible programmes and interventions. He attested that it was unprecedented in the area. Chief Assam commended members of the PDP who stood by and supported Dr. Sampson to emerge as Senator, and tasked the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants.

On his part, Chairman of the Empowerment Committee, Barr. Ini Ikott expressed satisfaction with Senator Ekong Sampson's leadership style, saying the Senator had yet again engraved his famous title as the 'Onomkpoinam' barely six months in office. He thanked the Senator for entrusting him and his Committee with the coordination of the empowerment.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Akwa Ibom, Hon. Frank Archibong described Senator Sampson as 'a legislator with extra capacity', who considers 'needs assessment' to put constituents on the right track with targeted empowerments. 'Thank you for making us proud', he lauded.

Other speakers at the occasion including Sir Obot Etukafia, Deputy Chairman, Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, Chief Eddy Etangnkanga, PDP Chair of Chairs, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey, President-General, Oro Union, HRM Asukwo Abang, Paramount of Mbo, Coordinator of Ward Leaders Forum, Mkpat Enin, Rev. Obot Ekanem, among others poured encomiums on Senator Sampson for putting smiles on the faces of constituents with such thoughtful empowerment and for his focused representation in the Red Chambers.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Torobong Obot, a Medicine/Surgery Student of University of Uyo expressed gladness over the empowerment by Senator Ekong Sampson. She said they were grateful for the gesture and very satisfied with the Senator's representation so far, and reaffirmed continuous support.

Highlight of the day was presentation of cheques and other supports to beneficiaries. Mr. Kiddy Monday, a visually impaired student went home with 250,000 naira, while other beneficiaries went home with a hundred thousand naira and other sums, each.