By Joseph Atainyang
The youths of Ikot Abasi, Eastern Obolo and Mkpat Enin Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State have been charged to rise and protect the coconut refinery located in the area.
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke gave the charge yesterday, Saturday, June 2, when he visited one of his mentees in his agrarian farm in Ette Village, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.
He said the youths should rise and protect the coconut refinery situated in the area because the initiative was part of their dividends of democracy as brought by the government of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to better their lives in the area.
Condemning the evil activities of the villagers who were bent on disrupting government plans by attacking the contractors, Speaker Luke enthused that, apart from job creation which the refinery was going to bring to the people of the area, it also had the potential of shooting the state high into the international market as an exporter of coconut oil which he said was one of the much sought after globally.
Speaking to his mentee, Solomon Solomon, Rt. Hon. Speaker noted that his visit was in line with his resolve to ensure that conscious efforts were being put in place to fight poverty, hunger, unemployment and also encourage youths to key into the Dakkada Philosophy of Governor Udom Emmanuel by engaging in meaningful activities in order to be self-reliant.
Speaker Luke who had been taken round the farm, said he was delighted by the progress made so far by Solomon, adding that his visit to the farm was to see things for himself and to put a helping hand financially to encourage him.
He called on all Akwa Ibom people to key into the Dakkada philosophy of Governor Udom Emmanuel by rising to greatness.
“As a person, when Solomon told me of the things he has done and his intension the to sell one of his cars to buy land so as to start this farm, I was moved, and I can say that what I’m seeing today is great.
This is good and is a clear demonstration of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Dakkada Philosophy,” Speaker Luke noted.
He pledged to do everything within his power in order to ensure that anyone that stands up, stands strong.
Making a donation of five hundred thousand naira as a support to help Solomon move forward, Speaker Luke prayed God to bless and prosper the works of his hands.
Luke with his mentee
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Activity Farm, Mr. Solomon Solomon expressed gratitude to the People’s Speaker, Barr. Onofiok Luke for his show of love by visiting his farm to encourage him.
He told the Speaker that he started his farm with 500 naira but that presently, he could boast of thousands of naira from sales of his farm produce.
Explaining that with the little plot, he was able to employ about eight casual workers to help him in the farm, Solomon who is himself a graduate, encouraged youths of the state who are graduates not to sit at home and wait for white collar jobs but go into farming.
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