Following the widespread publicity and criticism of the inclusion of the name of Barr. Etetim Onuk, former Chairman of Itu Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State Government’s empowerment list, the former Council helmsman has spoken out.
In a press statement released to the media Barr. Onuk denied permitting the inclusion of his name in the purported empowerment scheme for farmers, adding that although he is a farmer, he knows nothing about the inclusion of his name as a beneficiary of the grant, adding that the category of the grant he was so included remains too low for him and meant for the less privileged.
The press release reads:
𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
𝗥𝘁. 𝗛𝗼𝗻. (𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿.) 𝗘𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺 𝗢𝗻𝘂𝗸’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
I, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Etetim Onuk, former Chairman of Itu Local Government Area, wish to address the recent allegations that I lobbied to be included in the empowerment list/grant meant for the less privileged under Governor Umo Eno’s initiative in Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency which my name erroneously appeared on the programme.
I categorically distance myself from these allegations as falsely spread across the social media because it doesn’t represent my character and person, but it’s the handiwork of mischief makers who believe in pulling down one another for selfish gain and interest.
As a public figure, I have always been committed to serving the people with integrity and transparency. The notion that I would seek personal gain from a program designed to benefit the less privileged is not only baseless but also malicious and demeaning.
Also, I am the Managing Director of Eseh Farms & Feeds Limited; a company that is fully involved in large-scale Agro and Livestocks based farming. l am a full member of the Association of Large Scale Farmers in the State. I have never at any time applied for or solicited for the grant of such assistance from the State Arise Entrepreneurial Portals, or at all.
I can recall vividly that some months ago; I received a call from one Enobong from the Agric ARISE team that inquired about my farm in ltu, and sought for permission to visit the farms for inspection which l readily obliged. Thereafter, the team visited one of my farms located at lkot Akpan ltam, ltu Local Government Area.
I did not have any idea, and l was not told that l would be included as one of the beneficiaries in the farmers’ grants. I was utterly and roundly surprised when I saw my name on the list as one of the beneficiaries under the ARISE Farmers category.
On citing my name on the list, I reached out to the appropriate authorities to express my disappointment and readily asked that my name be immediately deleted from the list because even as a farmer, the purported grant is way too low and not the category my farm should belong to, because there are many young farmers in Itu that the grant would help to boost their businesses than myself.
I am always in support of initiatives aimed at empowering the downtrodden and I believe that Governor Umo Eno’s empowerment program in the just concluded Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency Town-Square meeting was administered fairly and transparently, without favoritism or nepotism, in which relevant authorities ensured that the selection process for the empowerment was credible and unbiased.
I am aware the media has gone agog with different narratives while some are purely invectives, but let me reiterate here that I’m a politician with a conscience, and as such wouldn’t intentionally usurp what is/was meant for the less privileged.
I appeal to the general public to disregard the allegations of my empowerment of Five Hundred Thousand Naira and also urge the media to verify information before publishing and to avoid spreading unfounded allegations that could tarnish the reputation of individuals.
Sincerely,
Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Etetim Onuk
Former Chairman, Itu Local Government Area.
10/05/2025.
It is believed that the release would nib the ongoing vituperations against the person of Barr. Etetim Onuk in the bud.