The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced a cooperative support fund of N20 million for women in each of the state’s 369 wards, a financial intervention expected to inject about N7.38 billion into grassroots businesses across the state.
The initiative is designed to strengthen women-led enterprises, expand access to capital at the community level and deepen financial inclusion among women involved in small and medium-scale businesses.
Governor Eno made the announcement during a women’s mobilisation and sensitisation programme held in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, where he explained that the fund would be accessible to women across the state through organised cooperative societies.
According to the governor, the programme is aimed at supporting women who operate small businesses in local communities and enabling them to expand their economic activities.
“The money is meant to assist women in their small businesses and improve their economic activities across the wards,” Eno said.
He explained that the fund would be distributed through registered cooperative societies to ensure that the money reaches genuine beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
The governor noted that the cooperative structure was chosen deliberately because it allows groups of women to organise themselves, access financial support collectively and manage the funds responsibly within their communities.
Officials said the intervention would ensure that every ward in the state receives N20 million dedicated specifically to women entrepreneurs, traders, farmers and other small-scale business operators.
Governor Eno also emphasised that the programme would be open to women across the state irrespective of political affiliation.
“This initiative is for all women in Akwa Ibom State. It is not based on political party. What we want to do is support women and help strengthen their businesses,” he said.
To ensure transparency and proper documentation, the governor stated that Permanent Voter Cards would be used as part of the identification process for beneficiaries.
He explained that the use of PVCs would help the government verify applicants and maintain accurate records of those benefiting from the programme.
The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, commended the governor for what she described as a major step toward strengthening women’s economic participation across the state.
Eyakenyi encouraged women in the state to organise themselves into cooperative societies so they could access the support fund and benefit from other empowerment initiatives introduced by the government.
She also urged women to ensure they possess valid Permanent Voter Cards and complete their National Identification Number registration in order to participate in government programmes.
“Women should organise themselves into cooperative groups so they can benefit from the various empowerment programmes designed for them,” Eyakenyi said.
The Special Adviser in charge of the Bureau of Cooperative Societies, Mrs Alice Ekpenyong, said the government intends to disburse the funds directly through registered cooperatives in order to eliminate intermediaries.
She explained that this approach would ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution of the funds.
Ekpenyong noted that the cooperative model would also encourage financial discipline among beneficiaries because members would be required to manage and monitor the funds collectively.
“The government plans to disburse the funds directly through registered cooperative societies to eliminate intermediaries and ensure transparency,” she said.
She urged women across the 369 wards of the state to take advantage of the programme by joining cooperative societies and participating actively in their activities.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwa, also supported the initiative through a donation of N5 million.
Represented by his wife, Dr Inemesit Uwa, the SSG commended Governor Eno for prioritising women’s economic empowerment and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening small businesses.
Similarly, Barrister Eno Idem, SAN, donated N5 million in support of the cooperative programme.
The Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence Nteyin Dr Solomon Etuk, CFR, also praised the governor for introducing the initiative, describing it as a programme capable of strengthening women’s businesses and improving family welfare across communities.
Etuk offered prayers for wisdom and guidance for the governor as he continues to lead the state.
The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Iniobong Ekong, said the governor has consistently demonstrated commitment to grassroots development through policies that directly impact communities.
Ekong noted that the cooperative fund would significantly improve access to capital for women who operate small businesses across Akwa Ibom.
According to him, many women in rural communities struggle to access loans from traditional financial institutions, making the government-backed cooperative funding initiative an important intervention.
“The administration’s policies are already translating into tangible community benefits,” Ekong said.
Officials said the N20 million allocation for each of the state’s 369 wards represents one of the largest grassroots women-focused economic support programmes introduced in the state.
The initiative is expected to strengthen small-scale enterprises, expand economic opportunities for women and boost business activity across communities in Akwa Ibom State.
