Okon Bassey
14 October 2008
Uyo — Akwa Ibom's free and compulsory education project has received a boost with the donation of 150, 000 exercise books, worth more than N8 million by a socio-cultural organisation based in the state, Utuenikang Ibibio, in support of the programme.
President of the organisation, Captain Ini-Obong Ekong (rtd.) who handed over the exercise books to the state government, said the donation was in appreciation of the developmental strides so far recorded by Governor Godswill Akpabio's administration, which cut across all sectors.
He said members of the largest ethnic group in the state, which name, 'Utuenikang Ibibio' means the 'Lantern of the Ibibio', consider the free and compulsory education scheme as paramount and have resolved to give it their total support. Each of the three senatorial districts, Ekong said, would get 50, 000 of the exercise books, under the first phase of the assistance. Akpabio, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Nse-Abasi Akpan thanked the organisation for the gesture saying the donation really reflected its name.
The Governor called on corporate bodies, other socio-cultural organisations and individuals in the state to support the efforts of the state government in building a literate society, through the free education programme.
In a statewide broadcast to mark the 21st anniversary of the state, recently, Governor Akpabio had announced that the sum of N7 billion would be spent annually to provide free and compulsory education in the state.
The scheme, he said seeks to raise the literacy stakes and banish illiteracy in the state, not only to make Akwa Ibom a model, but also to help the people realize their full potentials
"Our Children have to be trained to accept and imbibe civic responsibilities. They must be children of the 21st Century intellect, driven by quality education with high content of science and technology. They must be bold, courageous but polite, honest and respectful", Akpabio stressed.
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