By Divine Sam
In a bold move aimed at promoting grassroots economic empowerment and reducing rural poverty, the Member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, has rolled out a ₦1 billion family-based business grant initiative for 1,000 families across his constituency.
Each of the selected beneficiaries will receive ₦1 million to support and scale their small businesses under Batch 1 of the empowerment programme, scheduled for disbursement in December 2025. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure inclusive development across the 300 villages in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam.
To ensure transparency and equitable distribution, a 14-member Central Planning Committee (CPC), 24 Ward Coordinators, and 2 Media Coordinators have been inaugurated to supervise the selection and disbursement process.
The family-based model, according to Rep. Idem, is designed to prevent the hijacking of empowerment programmes by political elites or influential figures, thereby prioritizing rural dwellers, the underserved, and those without political godfathers.
Key Selection Guidelines:
- Three families per village will be selected via a community balloting system.
- Each selected family will nominate five members, from which one beneficiary will emerge.
- One female beneficiary per village is mandatory.
- Beneficiaries must submit verified ID and personal bank account details. Cheques will be issued directly to their accounts.
- A mandatory 3-day entrepreneurial training will precede the disbursement.
- A reputable Nigerian business consultancy will monitor fund usage post-disbursement.
Any village with selection disputes will forfeit their right to self-nominate, and the CPC will assume full control of the selection process in such areas.
“This initiative will be a yearly empowerment drive until all 5,000 families across Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency have benefitted,” Rep. Idem affirmed. “It is my commitment to building a self-reliant, business-savvy, and economically empowered constituency.”
Rep. Unyime Idem’s 7-Point Agenda Includes:
- Infrastructure Development
- Federal Employment Facilitation
- Foreign Scholarships & Trainings
- Skills Acquisition and Empowerment
- Health
- ₦1 Billion Family-Based Business Grant
- Effective Representation in the National Assembly
Central Planning Committee Members:
- Hon. Saturday Akpan – Chairman
- Chief Elder Bassey Essien – Vice Chairman I
- Elder Samuel Akpan – Vice Chairman II
- Dr. Paul A. Udofia, Hon. Nseobong M. Umanah, Apst. Barr. Efremfon Usenideh, and others
- Dianime Uko – Secretary
Ward Coordinators Covering All 24 Wards:
The coordinators, including Hon. Uko Idiong (Ukanafun Ward 1), CSP James Harry Ukata Rtd. (Ukanafun Ward 2), Hon. Okokon Etiebet (Oruk Anam Ward 1), and Hon. Mrs. Mabel Udongwo (Oruk Anam Ward 12), among others, will interface directly with the communities and guide the nomination processes.
Constituents are advised to direct all enquiries to their respective Ward Coordinators.
This initiative marks yet another step by Rep. Idem in fulfilling his electoral promise of creating wealth, supporting entrepreneurship, and ensuring that no family is left behind in the drive for sustainable development
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