As part of the 39 projects being commissioned across Akwa Ibom State to mark the 39th anniversary of the state, Governor Umo Eno on Saturday commissioned the Methodist Model Primary School, Nkari, in Ini Local Government Area, describing the project as part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that children in rural communities have access to quality education.
The commissioning of the school marks a significant intervention for the Nkari community, where pupils had been out of school for the past two years due to the absence of a functional learning environment.
Representing Governor Eno at the commissioning, Senator Aloysius Etok said the Governor has continued to make his impact felt wherever he went, particularly through projects designed to improve the lives of people in rural communities.
Senator Etok, who said the Governor has done a lot for Ini Local Government Area, described him as a promise keeper, a people-centred leader, a man of peace and a Governor whose projects were impacting both rural and urban communities.
“One thing is certain: Governor Eno is a promise keeper. He is a people-centred Governor, a man of peace, a man of projects, and a Governor whose impact is felt in both the rural and urban areas.”
He further disclosed that Governor Eno had assured him that all ongoing projects in Ini would be completed, particularly the access road to Nkari, which, when completed, would connect the community to Mbiabong Ikot Udofia, Odoro Ikpe and Uyo.
The Senator, however, appealed to stakeholders in the area to work with the state government to restore peace, stressing that development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.
“When there is no peace, there can be no development. The Paramount Ruler, stakeholders, youths and women of Ini Local Government Area should partner with the state government to maintain peace in the local government area.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ini Local Government Area, Hon. Inibehe Umah, thanked Governor Eno for choosing to locate the project in Nkari, describing the school as a life-touching and future-impacting intervention.
Hon. Umah said the project was particularly significant because Governor Eno had, during his visit to the area, expressed his desire to establish one of his projects in Nkari.
The Ini Council Boss, described the school as a demonstration of the Governor’s sincerity and commitment to spreading development across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Ini people have seen the sincerity of His Excellency and, to me, this school marks the establishment of peace in Nkari land.”
He also expressed optimism that the ongoing road project would soon link Nkari to Mbiabong Ikot Udofia, Odoro Ikpe and other parts of Ini Local Government Area, thereby improving connectivity and economic activities in the community.
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, said the intervention had become necessary after pupils in the community were deprived of access to formal education for about two years.
“For the past two years, these pupils have been out of school. They have not had a place to call a school, they have not had a classroom, they have not had access to teachers and they have not had access to educational incentives.”
According to him, the project had not only restored hope to the pupils and their parents but had also demonstrated the government’s determination to ensure that children in remote communities were not left behind in the state’s educational development.
“Your Excellency, you have not only brought renewed hope to these pupils and the parents, you have also brought a functional state that these pupils will become equal with every other child in Akwa Ibom State and in the world.”
Also speaking, the Member representing Ini State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, recalled that Governor Eno had, during his visit to the area on September 2, 2023, for the burial of the late leader, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen, promised to provide the community with a befitting school.
Hon. Udoide said the Governor remained committed to the promise despite the challenges and narratives surrounding the area.
“Despite the stories that went around about this area, the Governor, who understood that the word of a king is power, stood his ground to ensure that this school was built and handed over to the people of this community and, by extension, the people of Ini Local Government Area.”
He described the intervention as evidence of the Governor’s commitment to the development of Ini, asserting that the scale of projects undertaken by the Eno administration in the area was unprecedented since the advent of democracy in the state.
Also, a former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, commended Governor Eno for fulfilling the promise he made to the community.
“Your Excellency, whenever you make a statement, you must make sure you fulfil it beyond the expectations of the people. The commissioning of this school is a proof that you are a man that keeps his word.”
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, described the new school as a welcome development for the people of Ini, stressing the importance of primary education as the foundation of the education system.
“Ini people are very happy for this beautiful school. We know that primary education is the fulcrum of education. We thank you for giving us this beautiful educational edifice.”
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area, Edidem Udoette Edon, thanked Governor Eno for the project and for extending the administration’s development agenda to the people of the area.
The commissioning of the Methodist Model Primary School, Nkari, brings to 12, the number of projects being commissioned across Akwa Ibom State in commemoration of the state’s 39th anniversary.
