By Okeke Eunice
On Monday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio distributed empowerment items worth billions of Naira to his constituents in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District as part of his empowerment initiative.
At the event, Akpabio provided his constituents with business grants and a range of items, including sports utility vehicles, cars, buses, tricycle pick-ups, farm tricycles, keke tricycles, vulcanizing machines, knapsack sprayers, makeup kits, deep freezers, generators, grinding machines, motorcycles, computers, and mini hand tractors.
A statement from the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, revealed that traditional rulers from the Senatorial District were also included in the distribution. Each of the 10 Paramount Rulers received a sports utility vehicle, and more than 500 students were awarded scholarships and bursaries.
Senator Akpabio stated that the items and grants would help stimulate economic activities, improve livelihoods, and enhance the overall well-being of the recipients.
He explained that the empowerment program was a way of thanking his constituents for their support during the last elections, both for him and President Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio praised the people of his senatorial district for their overwhelming support of President Tinubu, highlighting that over 119,000 of the 160,000 votes for the president in Akwa Ibom State came from his district.
He also commended President Tinubu for establishing development commissions across the country, emphasizing that this would accelerate grassroots development.
“We established regional development hubs for the president to send empowerment to different areas of Nigeria. The 10th National Assembly is committed to ensuring that development reaches the grassroots,” Akpabio remarked.
The Senate President urged the people of the South South and South East regions to continue backing President Tinubu’s administration, stressing that the president has shown dedication to the growth of both regions.
He added, “One of the best decisions President Tinubu made for the South South region was his support, along with the APC, for the region to produce the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria once again.”
The constituency briefing and empowerment event was attended by Senators, political figures, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women’s organizations, and youth groups, all coming to express their support for the Senate President.
At the event, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, commended Senator Akpabio’s leadership at the 10th National Assembly, noting that his pragmatic approach had earned him the support of Senators from all parties.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated that Akpabio had fulfilled the mandate of the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, which is why they had decided to re-elect him to the Senate for continued effective representation.