05/08/2026
RELIEF AS IKONO RECEIVES GOV ENO’S ARISE FREE FOOD
Relief came in bags of rice and beans to thousands of vulnerable residents of Ikono Local Government Area on Wednesday, as the fourth Phase of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s ARISE Free Food Distribution Programme reached the area, offering a measure of respite to vulnerable households in the area.
The distribution exercise, held at the Ikono Local Government Council Secretariat, saw 7,000 bags of rice and beans made available to vulnerable residents, with beneficiaries drawn from different communities across the local government area through the State Social Register.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Area, Hon. Otobong Essien, thanked Governor Umo Bassey Eno for extending the food intervention to the people of Ikono.
She also acknowledged the presence of the state government delegation monitoring the exercise and urged beneficiaries to remain orderly throughout the distribution process.
The Chairman further encouraged residents to take advantage of government initiatives whenever they are introduced, recalling that some residents had previously benefited from a Federal Government intervention.
“I thank the Governor for giving Ikono people what to eat.
“Few months ago, the Federal Government had given N75,000 to those who came out for the debit cards distribution initiative, partnering with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
“More good things are coming. I encourage everyone to draw closer to government initiatives whenever they are brought to you and you will stand to benefit.”
Hon. Essien also urged residents to participate actively in the electoral process, calling on them to get their Permanent Voter Cards ready to vote for All Progressives Congress candidates at the federal and state levels.
In his address, the General Manager, Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, said the food items were sent to Ikono on the directive of Governor Eno as part of his administration’s efforts to ensure that vulnerable residents have access to food.
“We have come from the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.
“The Governor has sent me with 7,000 bags of rice and beans to Ikono today. The Governor wants his people to have what to eat.”
He explained that beneficiaries were required to present their vouchers at the designated distribution point to receive their food items.
The General Manager said the food intervention was part of the administration’s broader programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents, citing projects and initiatives such as road infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education, agriculture and entrepreneurship.
He noted that the Governor, after undertaking projects including roads, compassionate homes, hospitals and health centres and model schools, as well as providing students’ bursaries, farmers’ grants and other forms of empowerment, has continued to support vulnerable households through direct food distribution.
“This is the fourth phase of this distribution since the Governor came into office.
“So far, this initiative has touched over 700,000 people.
“All you have to do is to go with your voucher to the truck and get your bag of food.”
He added that the sustained interventions of the administration demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of the people, saying, “A Governor who has done these things deserves a second term.”
A group of beneficiaries, mainly widows, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for what they described as his love and concern for the people of Akwa Ibom.
“We thank Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for the love he has for Akwa Ibom people.
“He has given us food to eat, provided affordable education for our children, built houses to accommodate those who could not afford one. May God bless him.”
They also commended the Governor for extending the intervention to widows and elderly residents, saying the gesture had provided relief to vulnerable households.
“The women of Ikono are saying Pastor Umo Eno has done well. For providing food to widows and old women like us, we say may God bless him.“
The Ikono exercise marks the 22nd Local Government Area visited in the ongoing fourth phase of the ARISE Free Food Distribution Programme, as the State Government continues to extend the intervention to vulnerable residents across the 31 local government areas of the state.
