*As more reactions trail N10M, house gifts
By our Correspondents
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has set the social media space on fire following his donation today, of Ten Million Naira (N10m) to one Precious Bodunde from Edo State with most attacks coming from the youths of the state.
Their grievances stem from the fact that while the governor last month, gave some unemployed youths, mostly graduates of the state the sum of fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) each as business startups, he (governor) gave the young Edo girl ten million Naira for pronouncing the five longest words in the English language.
The governor had penultimate month also built a house for one Miss Arit Abam from Ugep, Cross River state.
According to a news report from the governor’s media handlers parts of which read: “In line with his detribalised(sic) and compassionate disposition, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has honoured a young Nigerian from Edo State, Precious Bodunde, for pronouncing the five longest words in the English language with ease.
The Governor, upon his invitation, honoured Precious with an Excellence Encouragement Grant of N10 Million at the Government House, Uyo.
He noted that he came across the short video of her perfomance(sic) and was thrilled on hearing Precious pronounce those long and jaw-breaking words effortlessy(sic), adding that it was encouraging to see a young Nigerian girl that is so focused, adding that it was quite neccessary(sic) to encourage such talent.
Governor Eno who is renowned for celebrating and encouraging excellence even beyond the shores of the State, said that government under his leadership will continue to support and encourage her best and brightest in every field of endeavour”.
Governor Umo Eno was quoted to have said, “This is special to me. It is simply to encourage her, and to let her know that there is reward for hard work”.
The ten million Naira cheque was presented to the beneficiary by the governor’s first daughter and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki.
The report further stated: “Similarly, the Governor had also invited and honoured a young lady, Miss Arit Abam, former National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member from Ugep local government area of Cross River State.
Miss Arit’s story went viral after she posted a video honouring her father for his sacrifices after returning from completing her service year, and Governor Eno, who saw the trending video with the dilapidated condition of the family home, was moved to lend a helping hand by building an ARISE compassionate home for them”.
Reacting to the developments, youths of the state who took to their social media handles to express their displeasures, alleged that the governor was not interested in genuinely empowering Akwa Ibom indigenes.
“How can a governor give fifty thousand Naira to an unemployed graduate for a business startup? What kind of business can someone start with N50k? Maybe he wants him to start fried groundnut-selling business.
But today, you are not ashamed to post here that the same governor gave ten million Naira to a small girl for simply pronouncing English words. Who are we deceiving?”, @AustinUkpong said on one of the WhatsApp platforms monitored by our correspondents.
Others said: “The best way to react and make a strong statement is for the beneficiaries of the fifty thousand Naira ‘slap’ to return it to him (the governor)” -@Francis Ekaiko A.
“Yes, let’s return the 50k to him. It’s an insult to an unemployed graduate. Does the governor want them to start hawking pure water?” ~Utibe Etim
“The governor is not interested in genuinely empowering Akwa Ibom youths. He has just shown his true colours” -Spartan.
“50k to Akwa Ibom unemployed youths to start business, whooping N10M to a young Edo state girl for pronouncing English words. Hmmm…” -Ekong Titus.
“All shades of wrong.
Gov. Umo Eno watched an Edo girl online who spelt and pronounced the five longest words in the dictionary.
He sent for her and gave her N10 million.
Back home in his state, he gave youths N50,000 as grant to start business just last year December, a meagre N50,000 that can’t fill a car tank.
Charity begins at home. We are a people that rewards outsiders while our people suffer. Apart from Godswill Akpabio, all governors before him raised no one but rather made them poor.
Why do Akwa Ibom big men hate to help themselves but can help outsiders and women?” -Fejiro Oliver (The Oguonota 1 of Africa).
“That N50K business grant to Akwa Ibom youths is not only worthless, but insulting, especially when considering that some of these youths are graduates.
Come to think of it, what kind of business does the governor want a graduate to start with N50k under this harsh economy? And now, he gives a whooping N10m to a small girl just for spelling???? Gosh!” -Jackson Etukudoh
