US-based Iboko Offot native donates education materials to primary school

A US-based Uyo native and philanthropist has donated three sets of educational materials to the St. Patrick’s Primary School, Iboko Offot, Uyo.

The handing over ceremony performed on Wednesday at the school Assembly Hall, through the proprietor of Alma Clinic and Surgery, Dr Ita Udesen, was witnessed by the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Uyo Local Government Council and the Community people.

Receiving the equipment, on behalf of the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Essien, commended Dr John Bassey Akpakpan Ekpe for his kind gesture of remembering his root, saying it promotes educational advancement, which he said is a heartbeat of the Gov Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.

Noting that the computers being donated would serve as springboard to their digital learning process, and especially serve the purpose of a computer laboratory currently being constructed in the school, Prof Essien charged the community to collaborate with school management to provide adequate security to the equipment.

“The Akwa Ibom State Government is very proud of this investment. We are interested in training the pupils, not only to come out with flying colours and to have good jobs, but to also become purveyors of development.

“Governor Umo Bassey is building model schools across Akwa Ibom State. The purpose of this is to show what schools should look like.

“The main issues being raised here are those of flooding and security. I can tell you that Gov Umo Eno is very passionate about the security of the lives of pupils. While I charge the community to work with the school management to ensure the security of the equipment, I assure you that the government will take action on the erosion challenge in the school”, Prof Essien said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Anietie Etuk, thanked the donor for his thoughtfulness and the Umo Eno administration for its education friendly policies in the state.

While urging public spirited persons to emulate the gesture of Dr John Bassey Akpakpan, Anietie Ekong, who was represented at the event by the Board’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Roselyn Mfon, advised the pupils to study hard so as to grow and become responsible citizens that will contribute to the growth and development of the state.

Making the presentation, Dr John Bassey Akpakpan Ekpe, himself a former pupil of St. Patrick’s Primary School, Uyo, stated that the items, including five computer sets, 20 two-seater desks and three mowers will serve as a spark to ignite passion, build confidence and promote learning excellence.

He said, “The 20 two-seater school desks will sit at least 40 pupils in the Computer Laboratory, while the three mowers will be used to keep the school environment clean at all times.

“The computers will help to introduce basic computer concepts and operations to pupils in primary Five and Six; build pupils’ confidence in using digital tools for learning and creativity; and promote responsible and safe use of the intern and digital devices.”

Dr Akpan who spoke through the facilitator of the project and MD of Alma Clinic and Surgery, Dr Ita Udesen, emphasised the need for government to introduce basic computer training, with relevant tools at the primary education level, especially at the rural areas, so the pupils could easily become familiar with the use of computer in the emerging era of computer-based examinations.

Goodwill messages were received from the Village Council Chairman, Edem Dan Akpan; Village Head, Eteidung Udeme Usanga, Prof Chris Ekong of University of Uyo and Chairman of Uyo local government area, Mr Uwemedimo Udo.

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