Akwa Ibom is among Nigeria’s states that would soon benefit from the World Bank’s $300 million Youth Empowerment Funds.

The Sector Leader, Human Development of The World Bank, Professor Foluso Okunmadewa, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Godswill Akpabio at Governor’s Office, Uyo, on Wednesday.

Okunmadewa said: “Recently, the World Bank through the request of the Federal Ministry of Finance has approved a $300m intervention for youth empowerment. And I know youth empowerment is extremely important in your administration. I can tell you that based on the insistence of the Country Director of The World Bank, Akwa Ibom is one of the states expected to benefit from this.”

The Sector Leader, who was accompanied by other World Bank officials, disclosed that they had mobilised zonal managers in charge of Community Social Development Project (CSDP) from 26 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for The World Bank/Joint CSDP Review Management meeting in Uyo. “There are so many youths both in the rural areas and in Uyo that need to be empowered,” he said.

He pledged the continued readiness of the World Bank to partner Akwa Ibom, and commended the state government for partnering the Bank particularly in human development, health sector and education.
“I am here principally to appreciate your partnership with The World Bank particularly in the area of human development. Human development activities of the World Bank clearly complement your transformation agenda that has been widely regarded as uncommon,” Okunmadewa stated.

In his response, Governor Akpabio thanked the World Bank for its partnership in human capacity development and advised the bank to focus their development attention in the state.

Said he: “There is a lot of problems at the shoreline of Akwa Ibom State. I am excited about the youth empowerment programme of the World Bank and our state would be very delighted to take part in it. Youths of the Niger Delta are so many and need to be empowered. Our own is a little bit sad because this is a civil service state and we are trying to lay foundation for future industrialisation. Other states are lucky to have industries, factories and all that. So, they have various means of employment but here we don’t have.”

The governor directed the Commissioner of Finance to immediately release pending N300 million counterpart funding to the World Bank to enable the state to benefit from other World Bank-assisted projects. He assured the Bank of the continuous support of Akwa Ibom people and government in its effort to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

•Photo: Gov. Godswill Akpabio presenting plague to Prof. Okunmadewa, World Bank Sector Leader Human Development . . . Wednesday at the Government House, Uyo.