By Nelson Utip
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state as part of events heralding his first year in office has commissioned The remolded Christ the King Model Primary School and Government School Ewet Offot, with a promise to build model schools in every local government area of the state.
In his speech at the inauguration ceremony held at CKS Model Primary School Grounds, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the governor stated that the project has various benefits apart from modernized standards of education one of which is providing employment opportunities for citizens of the state.
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Governor Eno stated that services including the provision of uniforms, making of shoes and school bags, among other items are handled by artisans from the state, he congratulated the pupils for being the first to experience the educational advancement drive of his ARISE Agenda. He assured that the ARISE Model School will be replicated across all The Local Government Areas in the state, calling on corporate entities and individuals operating in the state to partner with the government to see to the actualization of the vision. “It was nine months ago that I paid an unscheduled visit to this school, and I was shocked by the dilapidated state of the school, which had existed for years. Right there and then, I directed that the entire school be pulled down to be replaced by a brand-new Model primary school in line with our policy to improve our educational standard from the primary school level.
“We are replicating this Model in all the local government areas of this state. This is a bold initiative, and at this point, I dare say that the government cannot do it alone. I hereby call on organizations, corporate entities to immortalize their names by adopting a school and building to our specifications or even exceeding these specifications in our rural communities as part of their CSR.
“We have provided one million exercise books and will print more for all our pupils in primary schools. We are providing them with free school bags, uniforms, and shoes. Let me tell you, these uniforms are made here in Akwa Ibom by tailors here. The shoes too are made here, and as such, we are providing jobs for our artisans, tens of thousands of them.” The governor stated.
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The state’s Chief Executive admonished Headmasters against subletting the school facilities for social or religious activities, he pointed out that the school is meant to provide an atmosphere of convenience, comfort, and inspiration to the pupils to enable them to engage in their school activities without distractions.
“We appeal to the community to allow this to remain a school. We don’t want the community to turn this into a community football field. We don’t want the community to come here and ask for any room to hold church programs. The Heads of the two schools and other schools we are building must understand that. Don’t rent it for anything; if you do that, we will dismiss you.
“We want this school to remain in excellent condition for our children. We are providing security, and we are making sure that the asset management and maintenance agency will take charge of this school and all our facilities.
We must ensure that they are very well maintained.” He continued while expressing optimism that the model schools would reduce the rate of out-of-school children, he called on the Asset Management and Maintenance Agency to take over the maintenance of the school and all other state-owned facilities. Pastor Umo Eno, the governor thanked the contractors for the timely delivery of the project adding that the young contractors in charge of the CKS and Ewet Model School epitomize the “Can Do” spirit that should be seen in every Akwa Ibom youth and called on the youths to maximize the opportunities in all the ongoing projects in the state.
He announced plans to engage consultants to ensure the training of teachers to enable them to deliver on their responsibilities, reiterating his goal of empowering youths and providing them with the requirements to build their careers and live by acquiring a skill. The governor directed the appointment of education monitors from the ten federal constituencies, whose duties, among others, will be to furnish him with adequate information on the infrastructure status of schools in rural areas, adding that 35 pupils from public schools will proceed on an exchange program in the UK.
In their remarks, The Uyo Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, and other stakeholders including the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, HRM Edidem Sylvanus Okon and The Head Teachers of the two schools, were full of praises for the Governor for refurbishing their schools while pledging to ensure that the facilities are protected and fully utilized.
