21/06/2026
₦5 Million, 25 Shops, One Chancellor: How Prince Ukeme Ukpong Took Business Support Straight To The Market
There were tears, prayers, and pure joy as the Prince Ukeme Ukpong Mega Foundation moved across markets and streets in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, June 20, 2026, releasing ₦5 million in business support grants to traders and small business owners under its “22 June For The People” outreach.
It all started with a simple but powerful question the Foundation had earlier thrown to the public on Facebook: “What can ₦200,000 do for a trader or business you know?” Nigerians responded in their numbers, tagging hardworking traders, market women, and artisans across Akwa Ibom State who needed a financial push to grow.
But forget the idea of beneficiaries queuing up at a grand event hall to collect a cheque. This time, the cheque came looking for them, inside their shops, on their market stalls, and even by the roadside where they hawk their goods. The Chancellor of the Foundation, Prince Ukeme Ukpong, personally led members of the team on a tour across markets and business addresses, meeting nominated traders one after the other and handing over ₦200,000 each to 25 selected beneficiaries, a total disbursement of ₦5,000,000, fully funded by the Chancellor himself as sole sponsor of the Foundation.
The day began at 37 Utuks Lane, with a widow named Mrs Agnes Bassey Etuk from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. Her small shop had remained closed for months after she ran out of capital to restock. With tears in her eyes, she narrated how she had been struggling alone since losing support. The Chancellor introduced himself, sat with her, and handed her ₦200,000 to restart her business, promising the Foundation would check back on her. Overwhelmed, she prayed passionately for Prince Ukeme Ukpong, asking God to continue strengthening him to help others.
From there, the team moved to Akpan Andem Market, where Mrs Grace Ime Akpan, a fish seller, and Mrs Rose Felix Sunday, a seafood seller, both received ₦200,000 each. They described the daily struggle of rising costs and shrinking profits, and said it felt like “life had returned” to their businesses.
At Aka Road, Point of Sale operator Mr Chris Bassey received his grant, expressing deep gratitude and describing the intervention as timely. On Abak Road, Eyakitoro Praise Akpan, popularly known as Barber Praise, a female barber at Ikot Ntuen Nsit opposite the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, also received ₦200,000. The Chancellor encouraged her to keep doing what she is passionate about, and she described the moment as a turning point, saying she finally felt seen and supported.
The outreach continued across Itam Market, Calabar-Itu Road, Ikot Ekpene, Nto Ndang, Uruk Uso, and Ikot Abia Idem. At Itam Market, livestock seller Mrs Precious Nsima Solomon shed tears of joy, saying that as God had remembered her through the Foundation, the same God would remember and bless it. On Calabar-Itu Road, pig farmer Wisdom Ime Sunday also received support.
At Ikot Ekpene Main Market, foodstuff seller Esther Joseph Ukpong and food seller Imaobong Peter James both received their grants. But the most touching moment of the day happened off the script. Prince Ukeme Ukpong was moved by the sight of an elderly woman, Madam Arit Akpan, hawking fufu in the market. Without hesitation, he blessed her with ₦200,000, even though she was not on the original nomination list. The excited woman showered prayers on him and the Foundation.
Still on the road, at the Market Road traffic light, the team patronised fruit vendor Etini Udeme Joshua before handing her the grant, buying from her first, then blessing her, a small gesture that spoke as loud as the cheque itself.
At Abiakpo Ikot Osurua, stylist Joy Benson narrated how shocked and excited she was when she got the call informing her she had been selected. In Obot Akara Local Government Area, chemist Grace Emmanuel and shoemaker Sunday Mbaba, both at Nto Ndang, received their support. At Uruk Uso waterside, meat seller Alice Bassey was blessed, while at Ikot Abia Idem, bag maker Madam Ofonime Victor and craftsman Mr Unyime Friday Etim each received ₦200,000.
Back in Uyo, the team’s final stops included Deborah Udo, a food seller at Bae Arena, foodstuff vendor Mary Obisung, and fashion designer Emmanuel Nda, each walking away ₦200,000 richer and visibly grateful.
Every stop told a different story of survival and silent struggle, yet every single one ended in relief, gratitude, and prayer. Beneficiaries repeatedly called on God to grant Prince Ukeme Ukpong long life, strength, and the continued grace to remain a blessing to others.
This is what the ₦5 Million Business Support initiative was built to do: meet people where they are, not where it is convenient to find them. It is yet another expression of what 22 June For The People stands for, proof that real impact does not wait in an office for people to come knocking; sometimes, it goes out, finds the shop with its doors closed, and opens it back up.
The business support tour comes just days after the Chancellor paid a total of ₦3.5 million in school fees for selected students during the “Empowering Students for Sustainable Impact” breakfast, held on Wednesday, June 16, 2026, at Monty Suites, another offshoot of his birthday celebration.
Activities marking Prince Ukeme Ukpong’s birthday will round off on Sunday, June 21, 2026, with a thanksgiving service at Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church, Ebenezer Diocese, Uyo.
One Birthday. Many Impacts.
