Ex-Finance Minister Ani Initiates Scholarship Scheme For C-River Community

• Says Car plant underway to curb youths’ unemployment

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Nigeria’s Former Minister of Finance, Etubom (Dr) Anthony Asuquo Ani, has rolled out a Scholarship Scheme aimed at empowering the youths of Esine Ufot Mbiabo Ikot Offiong in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State for economic advancement and productive living.

Etubom Ani, who was a Minister during the military regime of late General Sani Abacha, said the Scheme is targeted at empowering the displaced people of the area and ensuring they do not experience drawbacks in their educational pursuits.

Similarly, the Efik traditional title holder also hinted that plans are underway to establish a car assembling plant in the area aimed at curbing unemployment and creating jobs opportunities for the teeming youth population across the state.

Addressing the people of Esine Ufot Mbiabo Ikot Offiong, who paid him homage in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Etubom Ani assured them all efforts are geared towards ensuring they benefit from the Scholarship Scheme and employment opportunities that would be created soon by the initiatives bring put on ground.

Charging the people to continur being peaceful and law-abiding at all times, Etubom Ani, who contested as a candidate for the revered Obong of Calabar throne, expressed commitment to stay focused on contributing to the development of Cross River.

This is as he pledged to engage his extensive networks, both within and outside the country, to attract development programmes to the South-South state.

In their remarks earlier, the people of Ikot Offiong, led by former Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda, Etubom (Prof) Nya Eyoma Asuquo, used the opportunity to pledge support and loyalty to the former Minister.

According to them, this is to further acknowledge his immense contributions to development initiatives and sustained efforts at uplifting lives within the various communities.

It is on record that for over 23 years now, the people of Ikot Offiong have have been involved in frequent communal clashes with their neighbours from Akwa Ibom State.

Etubom Ani was the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as well as Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning from 1994 – 1998 during the Sani Abacha regime.