Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State restates his commitment to supporting and enhancing small businesses in the state, aligning with the A.R.I.S.E Agenda of his administration.
In his address to the congregation at the All Nations Christian Ministry International, also known as the Lord’s Kitchen in Eket Local Government Area, Pastor Eno emphasized that the Ministry of Trade and Investments has been directed to assess street vendors for potential assistance, reflecting the government’s approach to aiding and ensuring their success.
Additionally, he announced plans to establish a business school to provide opportunities for individuals without occupations, as it is not feasible to accommodate everyone seeking government appointments.
His words: “There is no way we can appoint everybody to work in Government. It is not possible. But there is a way we can help you go into trade and eke a living with what you are doing. The government is going to specifically budget money to help strengthen small businesses.
”I can tell you that on good authority. And the only way you can benefit is to have something doing. I will not lie to you, if a man keeps sending you money everyday and you keep looking up to that man, the day he will stop giving you, you will get angry with him.
“But if the man helps you to stand on your own, you will have your own mind and appreciate him. This is how men are raised. I beg of you, for those who have nothing doing, we are going to open a business school.
“And even before we open one, try and ask yourself, what will I really do for a living because I assure you help will soon be available. A man can only produce his kind. I am an entrepreneur and I will determine to support small businesses.
“That is why when you see me stand by the roadside and encourage those traders, we are not doing show. I can never forget that I used to be like those people. I used to carry soft drinks on my head and hawked for my mother at the Airport back then in Ikeja. I was selling drinks even as a senior prefect in my school.”
He added: “Whenever God takes one out from an orphanage, the person should remember that there are other people in the orphanage. So he should not fail to return to the orphanage because God must have sent him help because of his being there in that orphanage.
“When you see me do that, it is not a show. I want to support them because some of those women you see on the roadside, that is all they have. They train their children and pay their rent from there. Anytime you support them, you are supporting the entire family.
“We have instructed the Ministry of Trade And Investment to take stock of small-scale business entrepreneurs across the state so that we can see how to help them since they are not in any organized setting. Without this measure no one will reach them.
“It is better to help those people who got up early in the morning, went to the market, bought some fruits and grocery items and stand by road side to sell than to give money to people who will just wake up by 10am to stretch and wait till 5pm and begin to send me some wonderful texts.”
