The Akwa Ibom State Government is to extend free and compulsory education policy to Ohaobu Community in Ukanafun Local Government Area next September.
The commissioner for education in the State, Prof (Mrs) Atim Antai disclosed this at Ohaobu during an inspection visit to the area on Friday. The commissioner explained that the visit followed a letter of appeal by the community some months before that their primary school shut down for some years ago. She stated that the school would be re-opened so that their children should enjoy the free education policy of the State Government. She described education as a veritable instrument for the development of the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.
The commissioner described Ohaobu community as forward-looking and progressive people who seek bright future for their children. She advised Ohaobu people to ensure the protection of facilities that would be provided by the government, for the reopening of the school closed down some years ago because of a little misunderstanding.
The commissioner commended the dogged persistence of the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Aniekan S. Akpan for the spadework he had done towards the re-opening the school. She said the determination of Akpan who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Education and the understanding of the council chairman, Apostle Sylvester Udokang have paid off as free and compulsory education set for the Ibo-speaking frontier Ohaobu community in Ukanafun Local Government Area.
The education commissioner advised Ohaobu people to bury the hatchet as development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility even as the guarantee on security has been documented.
In a related development, the council chairman, Apostle Udokang thanked the Ohaobu people for their peaceful disposition and understanding and advised them to support the State Government under Governor Akpabio who has brought free and compulsory education to their doorstep. He charged them to take advantage of the laudable policy to prepare their children for a promising future. The chairman expressed appreciation for the supportive role of Ohaobu community to Ukanafun L.G.A.
The deputy chairman, House committee on education and member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aniekan Akpan assured the people of Ohaobu that more dividends of the democracy would be delivered to them. He explained that the State government provided the electricity and the health centre in Ohaobu, advising them to remain law-abiding, as one of their own would represent the community someday.
Elder Akpan who is also chairman, House committee on public accounts maintained that the process of integration of a people takes a gradual approach and appealed to the people to continue in their support to local and state governments. The house member expressed appreciation to the chairman house committee on education, Dr (Mrs) Ekaette Ebong Okon and the Ukanafun Chairman for the proactive roles they played in ensuring that the school commences in September. He thanked the people for their understanding, emphasizing that politics is for development and not for enmity and appealed to Ohaobu people for continuous support Governor Akpabio administration. The lawmaker used the occasion to drum support for continuity to herald a government that would continue in the giant studies of Governor Akpabio and even surpasses Uncommon Transformation renaissance.
In an address presented by Mr. Albert Nwoko on behalf on Ohaobu people, the community thanked “our detribalized Governor and uncommon transformer, Chief (Dr) Godswill Akpabio (CON) who graciously gave approval of this visit with a view to transform our school and community. May God richly bless him”. He gave assurance that Ohaobu is a safe home and her people are peace-loving, hospitable and accommodating. In reaffirmation to our earlier resolution whatsoever infrastructure and manpower brought is safe and secure. We are resolute our undertaking”.
Responding, the chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board, Obonganwan Grace Ekong expressed the readiness of the State Government to re-open the primary school in Ohaobu, pointing out that with the co-operation and understanding of the community the children of the community would enjoy the free and compulsory education of the State Government.
The SUBEB chairman charged the people of Ohaobu community to live by their words as they have assuring protection of lives of government officials and property.
The event was attended by SUBEB topbrass, members of executive and legislative arms of Ukanafun Local Government, Ohaobu community leaders, among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment