Ibom-LED: Tracking Progress, Measuring Impact of Gov Eno’s Empowerment Initiative 

Ibom-LED: Tracking Progress, Measuring Impact of Gov Eno’s Empowerment Initiative 

By Emma Akpabio

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State is redefining empowerment in Nigeria by going beyond providing funds and equipment through various empowerment programs to establishing a dedicated team saddled with the responsibility of visiting beneficiaries of various empowerment initiatives to measure impact.

This team of experts, domiciled within the Ibom leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Center, Ibom-LED, regularly conducts on-ground evaluations, engaging directly with empowered individuals and small businesses to assess how the support has translated into growth, sustainability and improved livelihoods.

According to the General Manager of Ibom-LED and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mr Ime Uwah, the check-ins helps the state government to track progress and address challenges while getting feedbacks that will help better future programs.

“Asides from the compulsory training for selected youths who are beneficiaries of government empowerment initiatives, at Ibom-LED, we follow up on all beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of funds and equipment received during government empowerment.

“It is already a public knowledge that Governor Eno’s doesn’t give Entrepreneurs what he likes, he directs us to carry out needs assessments, ask the targeted beneficiaries of their greatest needs and provide them accordingly.

“As we speak, our team goes out everyday for unscheduled visits on those who received monies during the town square meetings and those who received equipment during the Arise entrepreneurial equipment support scheme. I am happy to disclose that the impact has been very positive. Governor Eno is very big on entrepreneurial development.” Uwah added.

From this testimonial, it is obvious that the initiative of monitoring progress and measuring impacts, reflect Governor Eno’s commitment to data-driven governance and ensuring that every intervention truly uplifts the people of Akwa Ibom State.

By measuring real impact, Governor Eno’s administration aims to refine future programs and scale up success stories that drive economic development at the grassroots level.