In fulfillment of his promise to care for the vulnerable, Governor Umo Eno has handed over a fully furnished 2-bedroom Compassionate Home to a homeless widow, Mrs Comfort Linus in Nto Omum – Nto Edino in Obot Akara Local Government Area.
The Compassionate Home which is the 460th since Governor Eno’s emergence comes fully furnished with solar powered electricity and borehole and is also legally transferred through a deed of gift, granting Mrs Linus complete ownership rights.
The gesture is part of the ARISE Agenda’s Humanitarian Support pillar, aimed at giving dignity and shelter to widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups across Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking during the handover, Governor Eno said he is determined to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable in our society, a promise he made before emerging as Governor.
Represented by former Commissioner for Agriculture and Women Leader, ARISE with Renewed Hope Initiative , Dr.Glory Edet, the Governor reiterated that he was fulfilling a promise of providing dignity and shelter to the vulnerable in the state.
“We made a covenant with the people that no one will be left behind. Today we are keeping that promise. This home is to give you comfort, security, and a new beginning,” Dr. Edet said.
“This house is not charity. It is your right. Government exists to serve the people, especially those who have no one to speak for them. This is the ARISE Agenda in action,” she added.
She announced that the Home comes a starter pack – a N500,000 gift from the Governor to help the beneficiary start a small business and become self-reliant.
The Village Head, Chief Isidore Ibritam commended the Governor for remembering the forgotten, describing the project as a home built with compassion.
In her speech, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga said Governor Enos administration has continued to prove that governance is about touching lives and is specially committed to the betterment of lives of the vulnerable.
In an emotional-laden speech, the beneficiary, Mrs Linus recounted the times she used to grapple with rainfall and years she spent struggling to survive since her husband’s demise describing Governor Eno’s intervention as timely and heartwarming.
Earlier, the Chairman of Obot Akara Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Dominic Simon, represented by his Vice Chairman, Hon. Mercy Okure, thanked the Governor for the numerous developmental efforts in Obot Akara, describing the construction of Compassionate Homes in every ward in the Local Government as unprecedented.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information, Rt Hon. Aniekan Umanah, also highlighted some of the Governor’s major interventions in Obot Akara, including two model primary schools and the Nto Ideh–Ikot Amba Bridge urging the people to rally behind Governor Eno for dividends.
Earlier,giving an overview of the project, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs, Prince Nsikan-Abasi Umoekpo said the house was the 460th since inception of Governor Eno’s administration and said the Governor has promised to hit the intended 500 mark before end of his first term.
