AKSG to invest more in Education

Governor Udom Emmanuel has reiterated that his administration will continue to invest massively in educational sector in the state.

He stated this at the weekend during the Maiden Students Town Hall Meeting and Inauguration of Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme, organized by the Office of Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, at AKWAPOLY.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Paul Udofia, the Governor said his administration has changed the face of infrastructures across public schools in the state and has sustained the free and compulsory education.

He noted that his administration is interested in the quality of knowledge impacted on the students.

“We prioritize the issue of welfare and the quality of knowledge impacted on our educational institutions which are based on our cardinal appreciation of the potency of an educated populace for the sustainability of our industrialization”.

He maintained that his administration has constantly engaged in the training and re-training of education personnel, establishment of special welfare package and scholarship programme for students.

On the issue of accreditation of courses in the state-owned institutions, Mr Udofia said “one of the things His Excellency asked me to do, on assumption of duty, was to ensure that, at least, all the courses offered by our higher institutions receive appropriate accreditation in 2017. So His Excellency is going to make robust contributions and provisions, to ensure that these courses are accredited”.

While acknowledging the support and loyalty enjoyed by his administration from the Students community in the State, the Governor pledged the continued partnership of his administration to the Students body and called on public spirited individuals to support the Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme, which he said will improve the quality of skills among students and reinforce them to make informed choices in the society.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Elder Effiong Essien expressed optimism that issues raised by the students will be promptly addressed by the Governor, through the Ministry of Education and urged the students to see themselves as ambassadors of peace in their different institutions. 

Earlier in her address, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters and convener of the meeting, Comrade Aquilla Otobong Akpan, said the Town Hall Meeting was a feedback mechanism which would afford students ample opportunity to interact with the government, and seek clarification on issues affecting their welfare. 

She stressed that the Governor was passionate about the welfare of Akwa Ibom students and thanked them for attending the meeting.

Highpoints of the Town Hall Meeting included an interactive session by students representatives, ceremonial tree planting by the Governor and induction of Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen as Patron of the Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme. 

The occasion was graced by students from all tertiary institutions in the state.