Another ₦1 Billion For Ukanafun/Oruk Anam As Idem Expands Agricultural & Business Support
By ETETE EKONG
MEMBER representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rep. Unyime Idem, has announced a second ₦1 billion empowerment programme for 1,000 constituents.
The initiative will support farmers and entrepreneurs across the constituency. Under the scheme, each beneficiary will receive either ₦1 million in cash or agricultural and business equipment worth more than that amount.
According to Idem, the form of assistance will depend on each beneficiary’s business and specific needs. The programme also aims to strengthen enterprises, improve livelihoods and stimulate economic activities in the area.
The second phase follows the first ₦1 billion intervention, which Idem launched on December 6, 2025. During that exercise, 1,000 beneficiaries received grants of ₦1 million each.
However, the new phase introduces detailed selection guidelines to promote wider participation and transparency. Eligible applicants include women, youths, men, older persons and persons with disabilities.
Applicants must also belong to families that did not benefit from the first phase. Furthermore, the selection process must remain free from political and religious considerations, as well as undue influence from prominent individuals.
Under the guidelines, each village is expected to nominate three beneficiaries, subject to the programme’s overall target of 1,000. At least one nominee from every village must be a woman.
Village selection committees will oversee the nominations. Each committee will comprise four members: the village political leader as chairperson, the village head as co-chair, the youth president as secretary and the women leader as a member. Family heads will also participate in the process.
The committees will select nominees through consensus or ballot where members fail to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, the Central Planning Committee will observe the exercise without directly choosing beneficiaries.
All four village committee members must sign the nomination forms before submission. In addition, the organisers may cancel nominations where credible evidence of irregularities, misconduct, disputes or serious non-compliance emerges.
An independent verification exercise will also confirm nominees’ residency and assess the committees’ due diligence. Consequently, successful applicants must provide verifiable personal details, a recent passport photograph and a valid means of identification.
Idem’s office further stated that beneficiaries would receive payments directly through their verified bank accounts. Proxy accounts will not be accepted.
Before receiving the support, selected beneficiaries must attend compulsory business training organised by a Nigerian business firm. The firm will also monitor the grants to encourage their use for the approved agricultural and business activities.
The inauguration of the village committees will hold on Saturday 21 November 2026, at the Unyime Idem Mega Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Centre, Barracks Road, Ukanafun Local Government Area. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
Subsequently, the committees must submit completed nomination forms to the Central Planning Committee by 15 December 2026. Constituents seeking clarification are advised to contact their respective village committees.
Idem’s office explained that the programme would run in annual batches. Therefore, eligible constituents who do not secure support in the second phase may still receive consideration in subsequent rounds.
