Connect Initiative, a socio-political group of entrepreneurs and professionals is set to commemorate the 60th birthday of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno by empowering 60 vulnerable people from across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

The empowerment programme scheduled to hold in Uyo, the State capital on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 would witness the group presenting financial support to the beneficiaries.

According to a statement by the Connect Council“ Knowing full well His Excellency’s modest and humble disposition, we totally agree with his decision not to throw any huge party when many of our people are struggling to meet their basic needs, which has led the state government to establish the Bulk Purchase Agency and introduce a Food Sufficiency Intervention Programme which involves the distribution of free staple foodstuff: rice, beans and garri.

“For us at Connect Initiative, we believe we should support this noble vision of giving a boost to people at the grassroots. We believe that by helping these people develop, the beneficiaries can gain the power to sustain their livelihoods, achieve self-sufficiency and also contribute their quota to the development of our dear state.

The Council further stated “Governor Umo Eno has been in the forefront of efforts engendering business and economic growth with the creation of different initiatives including the establishment of the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Centre (Ibom-LED) aimed at cutting down poverty figures and providing unique opportunities for youths interested in making a career of their talents, thus his idea of not feeding them fish but teaching them how to fish is commendable.

Connect Initiative which was one of the groups that campaigned vigorously for Governor Umo Eno at the last gubernatorial election noted that in line with its pay-off line “connecting the dots”, it would henceforth be linking government’s programmes to the people at the grassroots with innovative and value-added projects that would have direct impact on the people.

A former member of the National Assembly from Rivers State, Dagogo Farah, has said but for the political maturity and sagacity employed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other leaders, the Peoples Democratic Party would have “‘played into the hands of some individuals, who wanted it to implode to improve their political fortunes at its 98th National Executive Committee, NEC meeting on Thursday.

Dagogo, who described Atiku as the National Leader of the party said this while describing the outcome of the NEC meeting as another demonstration of the resilience of the party to weather any storm that comes its way.

Dagogo who represented the Degema-Bonny federal constituency in the House of Representatives noted that that in the build up to the NEC Meeting, suggestions and permutations had been rife of the likelihood of the PDP running into another round of crises as the party tries to navigate a path for the North Central Zone to produce a substantive National Chairman to complete the truncated tenure of former Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Dagogo was quoted in press statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Lawal, Dagogo as saying this while speaking on the sidelines of the NEC meeting that saw Umar Damagum retaining his position as the Party’s Acting National Chairman until the subsequent NEC meeting scheduled for August.

The former lawmaker pointed out that those who genuinely have the best interests of the PDP at heart made timely sacrifices to keep the party firm and afloat.

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According to him, for the political maturity and sagacity employed by the Party’s National Leader and Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, along other leaders, before and during the NEC Meeting, the party would have “‘played into the hands of some individuals, who wanted the party to implode in order to improve their political fortunes”‘.

He expressed optimism that by the adjourned date of August, Damagum would have seen that “it is in the best interest of the party for him to vacate the position for a more purposeful and result oriented leadership”.

” For me, the outcome of the NEC Meeting was a win-win situation. Against all odds, the party came out unscathed and will continue to wax stronger. Yes, the Acting Chairman retained his position, but it is obvious to him now and others that it would be in the best interest of the party for him to vacate that position for a more purposeful and result oriented leadership by August.

Dagogo further said that “The so called tension generated in the build up of the NEC meeting was actually orchestrated by the inordinate desire of some few individuals who wanted to thwart the sterling call by party faithful for a review of its failing leadership and directionless.

“The Party however did not play into the hands of those individuals, who wanted the party to implode in order to improve their political fortunes, thanks in good measure to the political maturity and sagacity employed by the Party’s National Leader and Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, along other leaders, before and during the NEC Meeting. We are where we now because of their sacrifices and dedication to the party, ” he added.