For distancing themselves from the #EndBadGovernanceProtest, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has announced plans to launch a Social Welfare Programme for youths in his State.

Eno, who announced this on Thursday, August 1, 2024, during the August edition of the monthly Covenant Service at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, stated that the programme will provide monthly support for 5,000 youths across the State.

He said that this was a gesture to reciprocate the youths of the State for choosing to distance themselves from the ongoing #EndBadGovernance Protests in some states of the federation which commenced on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Pastor Eno said he was moved to conceptualize the initiative, given the resistance of youths to join the ongoing protests which, according to him, had adverted the likelihood of violence in the state.

While urging the youths to maintain the status quo for the remaining days of the protests, the governor disclosed that the Social Welfare Programme would be launched in October this year, and would accommodate unemployed youths across all the 31 local government areas in the state.

“Let me start by thanking Akwa Ibom youths. They have done extremely well. Let these words get to them; that I’m very proud of them. I am proud of them for keeping Akwa Ibom safe. They did not protest; not because the Police stopped them, but God spoke to them. I am extremely grateful to our youths for understanding that we can dialogue and get all what we want.

“We will launch a programme that will support about 5000 youths in Akwa Ibom monthly. It will go round across the entire local government areas. We should be able to support youths that are not employed to have something that will help them”.

Gov. Eno, however, called for more inclusion of women in political programmes, while urging women to support their own in their quest to occupy public offices in the forthcoming local government election slated for October 26, 2024.