*gives life support, others to indigenes
Ubong Sampson – Uyo
Aside running his legislative duties of presiding over the house and generally overseeing the affairs of the Akwa Ibom state legislature, Speaker Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly has taken the path of humanitarian service, as his earlier initiated empowerment scheme as culminated into a full blown foundation.
The Rt. Hon Aniekan Bassey Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme Foundation (RHAB-YESS Foundation), a not-for-profit and non-political organization, has reiterated its commitment to the wellbeing and financial greatness of Akwa Ibom youth, women and children.
The foundation, aimed at discovering, mentoring and supporting young entrepreneurs and indigent students to self-sustainability, made its stance known on Friday during its ‘Meet and Greet’ session with students and winners of the 19th and 20th editions of its empowerment scheme at the Conference Room of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Uyo.
Addressing the young entrepreneurs and students, the sponsor of the programme and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, said the Foundation is a platform that encourages educational excellence, entrepreneurship and in sync with Governor Udom Emmanuel’s enterprise development drive.
Represented by the Director of Account in State House of Assembly, Sir Jeremiah Efe, the Speaker charged beneficiaries at the event to prudent in their respective pursuits; create opportunities for others, and strive for the best in their endeaviours.
He further urged young entrepreneurs, indigent students and youths of Akwa Ibom to take advantage of the numerous programmes of the Foundation.
Also speaking, the Special Guest of the event and Queen of Culture and Tourism Nigeria, Miss Precious Ottoh, thanked the Speaker for his unparalleled gesture and kindness towards the youths.
She appealed to beneficiaries of the programme to maximize the opportunity before them and also multiply same for others to benefit.
Earlier in his remarks, the Foundation Manager and Special Assistant to the Speaker on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, who hinted that “the programme is not restricted to indigenes of Uruan Local Government Area where the Speaker hails from but open to every Akwa Ibom youth,” said the Foundation has supported 59 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), trained 28 artisans and also given over 383 special supports.
Beneficiaries of the 19th and 20th editions included Anietie Emmanuel Udo (N250,000), a Barber from Itu LGA; Maurice Ubong (N150,000), a Drycleaner from Mbo LGA, Liberty Ubong (N100,000), a Clothier from Nsit Ibom LGA.
Others included Glory Job Ernest (N250,000), a Makeover Artist from Uyo LGA; Nyabuk Eberefiak (N150,000), a Farmer from Uyo LGA, and Emmanuel Anthony (N100,000), a Petty Trader from Nsit Ubium LGA.
While Queen Culture and Tourism Nigeria got N150,000 to support her pet project, the Foundation also gave N240,000 to eight students in the tertiary institutions and N40,000 to two secondary school students as educational support.
