The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has gifted youths in the state N310 million cash for the massive boycott of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Speaking during a meeting with the youths in Uyo Township stadium on Tuesday, Eno said the gesture was to keep his promise to reward the youths for shunning the nationwide harship protest held from August 1 to 10 across the country.
He announced N10 million reward for youths in each of the 31 local government areas of the state for obeying his appeal against the protest.
“The leadership of the youths in each of the LGAs will receive the money and spread it across the party line. We can’t leave you the way we met you. We are inspired that you listened to our plea not to join the protest, not because we don’t believe in protests or don’t feel what is going on in the country.
“We know there are always people that will hijack the most peaceful protest to vent anger on government facilities. Our leaders have worked so hard in the past 37 years of the creation of our state to put these infrastructure in place. And one minute of anger can destroy all of these hard works.
“We are not ashamed. You did well and we are here to give you a pat on the back. Though you didn’t protest, we heard you loud and clear. We know the issues you’re angry about.
“We know those things that should be addressed. Issues of hunger, of unemployment, pains and high price of food. We try within resources available in our state to address them to the benefit of our people,” he stated.
The governor promised that 100 youths from each local government area would be added to the Ibom Community Watch irrespective of their party affiliation.
He stated that the Ministry of Labour in collaboration with his Senior Special Assistant on ICT would open an employment portal for all youths in the state.
“One thing you must know, our big men when they meat at they club, when they share the money, they don’t know political party. So no discrimination,” he added.
