August 17, (THEWILL) – A former federal minister of finance, HRH Etubom Anthony Ani, has explained his decision to intervene in the educational needs of Ikot Offiong Community.
Etubom Ani disclosed that education is the bedrock of any society and when children don’t go to school, the next generation will be wasted.
He made this known in his speech during the inauguration of the committee for the construction of primary/Secondary schools for Mbiabo Ikot Offiong community.
In his words, “During the visit of lkot Offiong community to me on August 1, 2023, they had complained that for the last Twenty-three (23) years, they had not been given any education, roads, and other social services.
“I had immediately, thereafter, said that since education is communal, they should not wait for the government to provide these facilities all by itself; but that they (Ikot Offiong community), should start something on their own.
“I had promised to show leadership, by building a primary school, as well as award scholarships to deserving students.
“I have considered education as the birth-rock of development and progress. A situation where children cannot go to school, means the next generation is a wasted generation and this must not be allowed to happen.
“It is for this reason, that we are setting up a committee to look into the educational requirements of the lkot Offiong community, starting with a community primary school.
“Initially, we are going to build a Six (6) room primary school block, with all the facilities; and we hope that by this time next year, all eligible children (and even Adults) will commence school at lkot Offiong community”, Etubom Ani said.
He gave the committee six terms of reference, which include identifying suitable land, ascertain cost of the project and also to liaise with the CRS Ministry of Education and other institutions to ensure the takeoff of the primary school by October 1, 2024.
He promised to award apart from his personal contributions, he will be awarding Fifty (50) brand-new scholarships to the first fifty(50) students of the primary school.
He also inaugurated a seven (7) man committee to oversee the construction of the primary school with Etubom Dr Nya Asuquo as Chairman and Chief Engr. Ekpo Eyamba as secretary.
In his remarks, Etubom Nya Asuquo, Chairman of the committee, thanked the Obong-Elect for his magnanimity.
He said the community has not had any facility for 23 years, so the first good thing that has come to that community is the primary school that would be functional and running.
He said his people who are mainly fishermen with war imposed on them, will now be able to send their children to school so that even those who are adults and also fishermen, can equally go to school to learn how to read and write.
Also speaking, a Community Leader in Ikot Offiong, Chief Okon Lazarus Okon said they are grateful to the Obong Elect for giving them education after over two decades.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
