Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, has empowered over 160 market women across the district with financial support and training to improve their livelihoods. The empowerment programme, organised by the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, in collaboration with Aqil Transnational Ltd., concluded on October 3, 2026. The initiative aimed to equip women engaged in small-scale businesses with modern knowledge, practical skills, and improved approaches to managing and expanding their enterprises.
The programme was conducted in two phases, with the first phase held at Hotel 45 Hall in Ikom Local Government Area and the second phase at Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area. As part of the intervention, each of the 160 participating market women received financial support of N100,000 to enable them to strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods. Certificates of participation were also presented to the beneficiaries at the end of the training.
Speaking on behalf of Senator Eteng Williams, his Liaison Officer, Mr Ikoi Uket, popularly known as Ben Bruce, said the Senator remained committed to improving the socioeconomic wellbeing of his constituents through legislation, human capital development, and empowerment programmes. Senator Eteng had, over the past three years, consistently worked to deliver dividends of democracy beyond his primary legislative responsibilities.
According to Mr Uket, Senator Eteng Williams considered capacity building and support for small businesses important tools for reducing poverty and unemployment across the senatorial district. He urged the beneficiaries and other constituents to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the initiative aligned with efforts to build a stronger and more productive economy.
The latest intervention is part of Senator Eteng’s continuing efforts to promote women empowerment and support small-scale businesses across Cross River Central. In 2024, the Senator implemented a poultry empowerment scheme for women interested in starting or expanding poultry businesses. Beneficiaries received practical training, start-up birds, feeds, and financial assistance to establish their enterprises.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with journalists at the training venue expressed appreciation to the Senator for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful. They urged other elected representatives to emulate the initiative by investing more in human capital development and supporting small businesses in their constituencies.
The programme further underscores Senator Eteng Williams’ stated commitment to ensuring that his representation translates into tangible improvements in the livelihoods and economic wellbeing of the people of Cross River Central. Senator Eteng has consistently maintained that sustainable development goes beyond physical infrastructure, stressing the need to invest in people, strengthen livelihoods, and create opportunities for constituents to become economically self-reliant.
Key points
- Senator Eteng Jonah Williams empowers 160 market women with N100,000 each to strengthen small businesses and promote economic self-reliance.
- The programme aims to equip women with modern knowledge, practical skills, and improved approaches to managing and expanding their enterprises.
- Senator Eteng has consistently worked to deliver dividends of democracy beyond his primary legislative responsibilities.
