The government of Akwa Ibom State will collaborate with The London Borough of Southwark in an educational exchange programme between students of Akwa Ibom origin and their United Kingdom counterparts, the deal to this effect was sealed when The Mayor of The London Borough of Southwark, Michael Situ was a guest of Governor Umo Eno at The Government House in Uyo.
The deal covers other areas of common interest between the two entities as the two governments agree a partnership
The UK delegation was in the State to finalize arrangements for the exchange programme and other mutually beneficial ventures in the areas of education, business, sports, and tourism.
Governor Eno, while welcoming his guests described Situ’s visit as an indication of integrity and commitment to the exchange deal promising that the State Government will fulfill it’s side of the partnership obligations with utmost transparency.
Elucidating his intent in bringing the exchange programme, the governor stated that the programme is to give an oversea exposure to some bright but indigent Akwa Ibom children while encouraging them to believe in hard work.
Governor Eno was full of praises for The Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, for his effort in bringing the vision to fruition.
“… for my child, grandchildren or the child of anyone in this room to fly to London is no news, the news is that brilliant child in a public school in the village who didn’t even think of or have hope of going to the airport, being made to sit on a 6-7 hours flight to arrive the UK and you tell him this’s just the beginning if you take your education more seriously, it can take you to any part of the world and you can sit on the table with anyone.
“That’s the catch for me. If I can get one Akwa Ibom child motivated with that, I would have succeeded, so I take this as a project,” he explained.
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He said programme is worthwhile in spite of the harsh economic atmosphere , the human capital development investment for the state and the benefits for Akwa Ibom Children will outweigh the cost.
The governor directed The Commissioner for Information Comrade Ini Emembong who facilitated the programme to facilitate interactions between the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, Heads of Schools, Local Government Councils and other stakeholders with the Southwark delegation to fine-tune processes towards a smooth take-off of the programme.
He assured the Southwark Council of the integrity of Akwa Ibom people, explaining that modalities have been put in place to ensure the return of everyone in due time, affirming that the programme will not just be a one-off thing.
“I can guarantee on our honour that every child and member of staff that will leave to the UK, will return.
That is the commitment I have made because we hope to make this a continuous thing”. The governor said while proposing a forum of Akwa Ibom-Southwark Business Communities to help explore opportunities for investments between the two entities, he assured his guests of his administration’s commitment to maintain the State’s prestige in sports and tourism as having the only FIFA-certified stadium in Nigeria, to encourage partnership in sports.
Mr. Michael Situ The Mayor of The London Borough of Southwark appreciated the ingenuity of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State for not only indicating interest in partnering with his government for exchange programmes but taking steps at a very impressive pace to concretize the partnership, describing Governor Umo Eno’s leadership as service oriented.
“when we all think of ourselves as being here for service, the job of governance becomes very simple in the sense that your focal point becomes what will really benefit the people and how to address their issues and concerns”.
The Mayor said while intimating his host that schools in the London Borough of Southwark that have been selected for the exchange programme were already excited about it and expressed optimism that the people of Southwark, especially those of African descent, will be excited to also have opportunity to visit Akwa Ibom for interactions in culture, sports and other areas of interest. He affirmed his satisfaction with the infrastructure and ambiance in the state.
