By Iyoho Emmanuel
ABUJA- The Uyo Senatorial District Association, Abuja, has appealed to the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Aniekan Bassey, to partner with the association to drive youth empowerment, education support, and inclusion of Akwa Ibom North East indigenes resident in the Federal Capital Territory in national development programmes.
The appeal was made on Friday, July 10, 2026, by the Convener of the association, Bishop Sam Bassey, during the maiden Mid-Year Sit-Out of the association held at Akwa Ibom House, Abuja.
Bassey said the association was seeking three key areas of support from the Senator: partnership to align with his development agenda for the district, assistance in skills acquisition, youth and women empowerment programmes and scholarships for indigent students in the FCT, and inclusion of the association in key projects and programmes so that Uyo Senatorial indigenes in Abuja can contribute to the growth of the district.
He noted that many sons and daughters of Uyo Senatorial District are serving in key federal ministries, agencies, and the private sector in Abuja, but lack a coordinated platform to aggregate their contributions back home.
The maiden gathering brought together over 300 indigenes from the nine local government Areas of Uyo Senatorial District, including elders, women leaders, youth executives, professionals, members of the security agencies, business community, and students.
Bassey said the association was not formed for politics, but to serve as a bridge between government and the people, and to ensure that Uyo Senatorial District indigenes in the FCT benefit from federal and state interventions.
Describing the event as historic, he said the sit-out was conceived to foster “unity in the middle of the year” and to take stock as a people far from home. “By the grace of God, the maiden Mid-Year Sit-Out was a resounding success. The turnout was impressive and the spirit of fellowship was evident,” he said.
The event featured intercessory prayers for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, goodwill messages, cultural performances, a health talk on preventive care, and a mentorship session for young professionals and undergraduates in Abuja.
According to Bassey, the association was birthed out of consultations that began on June 18, 2024, and a planning committee was inaugurated in early 2024, followed by wide consultations across the 9 LGAs, with formal operations commencing in the second quarter of 2024.
He listed the association’s core objectives to include fostering unity and fellowship among indigenes in the FCT, providing welfare support in times of joy and challenges, mobilizing resources for community development, speaking with one voice on matters affecting the people, partnering with government and other stakeholders, and upholding Akwa Ibom values and heritage.
Bassey announced that before December 2026, the association would launch a Uyo Senatorial Education Support Fund for indigent students and a Women and Youth Skills Grant to train members in ICT, tailoring, catering, and agro-processing.
He called on all Uyo Senatorial District indigenes resident in Abuja and environs to join the association, adding that with unity, prayer, and hard work, the association will be a blessing to the people.