UYO – The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr Ime Okon, says he has spent over N11 million in empowering 250 youths in his constituency.
Okon told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday that the youth were empowered with vocational skills and award of scholarships to be self-reliant.
He said that he had spent over N6 million in awarding scholarships to some of the beneficiaries in tertiary institutions across the country and N5 million on various skills acquisition schemes.
“As part of the efforts to support the free education policy of the state government, my office in the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 academic sessions spent more than N6m on scholarship to students in tertiary institutions. [eap_ad_1] “We have also spent N5 million on training other youths on various skills and small businesses as well as giving them start-up packs,” he said.
Okon said that the beneficiaries acquired skills such as computer repair, fashion designing and welding.
The lawmaker expressed the hope that the youth would not only be gainfully employed but create jobs for others.
He added: “It is my belief that the gesture will go a long way to improve the quality of life in our society”.
Okon urged the beneficiaries of the skills acquisition programme to be focused and make the best use of the opportunity to better their lives and the society.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries has commended the lawmaker for the gesture and promised to be self-reliant and contribute to transforming the area.
Mrs Eno Okon, a widow, who got N100, 000 under the business support scheme, lauded the legislator for including widows in his empowerment programme.
She said that “for Ime Okon to remember a widow like me in his empowerment programme, God will also remember him in all his endeavours.” (NAN)[eap_ad_4]
