Tue Sep 10 18:37:55 UTC 2024: ## Akwa Ibom Governor Rewards Youths for Boycotting #EndBadGovernance Protest

**Uyo, Akwa Ibom State:** Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced a cash reward of N310 million to the leadership of Akwa Ibom youths for their decision to boycott the recent #EndBadGovernance protests held across the country from August 1st to 10th.

The governor, who had previously appealed to the youths to avoid participating in the protests, expressed gratitude for their cooperation during a thank-you rally held at the Uyo Township Stadium on Tuesday. He stated that each of the 31 local governments would receive N10 million, to be distributed across party lines by the youth leadership.

Governor Eno acknowledged the challenges faced by youths, including hunger, unemployment, and the high cost of living, assuring them that his administration is committed to addressing these issues within the state’s resources.

Beyond the cash reward, the governor announced further initiatives targeted at empowering the youth. These include:

* **Adding 100 youths per Local Government Area to the Ibom Community Watch, regardless of political affiliation.**
* **Increasing the student bursary from N10,000 to N20,000 for undergraduates and from N20,000 to N30,000 for postgraduate and professional courses.**
* **Launching an online employment portal in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and the Senior Special Assistant on ICT, allowing youths to register, upload their qualifications, and be matched with suitable job opportunities.**
* **Providing monthly business grants of N50,000 to 5,000 youths through the employment portal to support the establishment of small businesses or farms.**

The governor’s announcement was met with positive responses from stakeholders who also urged him to prioritize the completion of the Ibom Science Park, a project initiated by former Governor Obong Victor Attah, aimed at accelerating technological growth in the state.

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