That Gov. Udom Emmanuel is building a monument for educational development in Akwa Ibom State is no longer in doubt, as this is evidently clear in the many feats, laurels and trophies trooping into the state from the education sector almost on a daily basis. One of the areas that has enjoyed the cutting edge approach of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s leadership acumen is the education sector in the State. This is visible at the level of investment and passion that the governor has brought to bear.
Perhaps, with the understanding that education is the bedrock for the development of any society, Gov. Emmanuel’s investment in the area of education is enormous and diverse with considerable efforts towards covering every gamut of the sector.
Pertinently anyways, it could be recalled that two Junior Secondary School Students of Akwa Ibom State schooling at the Northern Annang Secondary Commercial School, NASCO, Utu Etim Ekpo in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, emerged the 2nd runners up during the recently concluded Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition, which held in Stockholm, Sweden. The students who competed with 32 other countries had won the first position at the National level of the competition in Abuja, where they were celebrated by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and were sponsored by the Akwa Ibom State government to represent Nigeria at the world level. And, in his usual magnanimity, the Governor awarded them scholarship to any higher institution of their choice after their victory at the international level of the competition.
Most recently also, precisely over the weekend, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Victor Inoka, again, received Master Elijah Umanah, who emerged the best student in the intellectual bravery category in the just concluded Indomie Independence Day Awards, IIDA – 2018 edition. In what could be described as unprecedented, Akwa Ibom Schools Children are breaking new grounds, shinning out the light of the ‘Dakkada’ philosophy of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, as well as changing the narrative, as these children clinch trophies and laurels both at National and International Competitions in a non – stop manner.
On the Indomie Independence Day Awards(IIDA), it is a corporate social responsibility initiative from the stable of Dufil Prima Foods, the maker of Indomie Instant Noodles. The Awards which began in 2008, is geared towards recognising and celebrating children below the age of 15 who have exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger or societal challenge. The IIDA initiative has so far benefited 40 Nigerian children who have shown exemplary character and bravery.
For the 2018 edition of the Awards, Master Elijah Umanah, a 13 – year – old Senior Secondary 2(SS2) student of the Centenary Staff College, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, won the first position of the Intellectual Bravery Category, for creating reading glasses, using touchlight, solar panel and universal serial Buss(USB) pot. A device that can be used for reading, listening to music and charging of phone – A Trispecs. Quite a unique creativity embellished with an unprecedented intellectual bravery.
Receiving the award, Master Elijah Umanah, who was overwhelmed by emotions, said: “l feel extremely happy and very proud of this award. I thank Dufil Prima Foods for finding me worthy for this award. This award will further encourage me to continue on the path of invention”. – Master Elijah Umanah added. Asked what he intends to study in the University, Master Elijah Umanah responded by saying that, he wants to quickly finish his secondary school education and go into the University to study a course that is known as Mechatronics, a new course which has to do with remote system and robotics, combining Mechanical and Electronics engineering, which only a few Universities offer in Nigeria.
So far, the Indomie Independence Day Awards(IIDA) initiative has been able to positively impact the lives of about 40 Nigerian children who have shown exemplary courage in different aspects of intellectual, social and physical braveries, of which an Akwa Ibom child has featured prominently bringing to bear the “can do ” spirit that is inherent in the Akwa Ibom people, a clear manifestation of the Dakkada philosophy of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.
Receiving Master Elijah Umanah in his office, the Education Commissioner expressed with pride that, Akwa Ibom children are daily breaking new grounds in the education sector, making Akwa Ibom to be globally recognized. He extended the deep appreciation of Akwa Ibom State Government and that of the education friendly Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to Master Elijah Umanah for the honour done the state, reiterating that, the education friendly Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is committed to monumentally develop education in Akwa Ibom State. He noted with delight the provision of conducive environment as well as sound learning and teaching equipments in schools across the state as notable interventions that has enhanced quality education delivery in the State, which he said, has reaped off conspicuously on the likes of Master Elijah Umanah and the two students of NASCO as light bearers.
Responding on behalf of Master Elijah Umanah’s community, the village head of Efa Ikot Ebiko, Etteidung Samuel Koffi Umanah, who doubles as the father to Master Elijah Umanah, expressed with visible excitement his unreserved appreciation to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for his unwavering commitment towards raising the bar in educational enlightenment and development in the State. Adding that, he was proud of his son’s unprecedented creativity and performance at the just concluded Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA), which he said, has brought tangible recognition to the community – Efa Ikot Ebiko and Akwa Ibom State at large. He further stated that, “investing in educating the children in our communities is key to sustaining our way of life and preserving our heritage. Hence, our education system needs to be fit for the purpose of equipping our children in every community across our state for the challenges that lies ahead for these children”. And, this is one area that our Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has acknowledged, and has shown tremendous capacity in transforming. Therefore, I deeply appreciate Governor Udom Emmanuel for his commitment towards sustaining the free and compulsory education policy of government in the State as this has opened the window for education to become hugely accessible in the state while also ensuring that top quality education is maintained in our school systems. – Etteidung Umanah added.
Speaking on behalf of the school, the Principal, Centenary Staff College, Uyo, Rev. S. A. Umontuen thanked Master Elijah Umanah, for his ingenuity and also making the school proud, while also appreciating Governor Udom Emmanuel for his effort at overhauling and over turning the education sub-sector in the State, which he said, has yielded substantial dividends as seen in the Sterling performance of Master Elijah Umanah at the Indomie Independence Day Awards, he commended the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Victor Inoka, for his kind disposition towards Master Elijah Umanah’ achievement. He also expressed optimism that, Master Elijah Umanah’s future is a bright one considering what he has been able to do at his age.
Present during the visit were, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Helen Ante, Directors in the Ministry of Education, the Principal, Centenary Staff College, Rev. S. A. Umontuen, Political Adviser to the Village Head of Ikot Ebiko, Hon. Sunday Umanah, Staff and Students of Centenary Staff College among others.
