Henshaw NYONG. TheHILL. | EDUCATION | May 21, 2021.
It was a moment of joy and jubilation in Eket Local Government Area, when the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, visited the area on Friday, to inaugurate twenty five (25) newly completed projects and inspect eighteen (18) ongoing ones, all spread across the oil rich city.
The multi-level ultra-modern school buildings and other projects are part of the infrastructure completed by the InterMinisterial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC).
However, Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok, venue of the inauguration was a sight to behold as the number one citizen and his entourage were warmly received by cultural troupes and Students who sang various solidarity songs in appreciation of the gesture.
Apart from the elated Students and Teachers, the event also attracted illustrious sons and daughters of the area including the member representing Eket in the State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. David Lawrence, the Paramount Ruler of the area; Edidem E.C.D Abia and his wife as well as the Executive Chairman, Eket Local Government Council; Hon Akan Tommey.
Others were; Chapter Chairman of PDP; Obongiwaad Emmanuel Mbong, former House of Assembly member; Hon Ayang Ayang, Brigadier General Anthony Etukudoh (Rtd.), Royal Fathers, Mbong Iban, Youth and women groups among others.
The State Chief Executive who informed the mammoth crowd of spectators that
education was the most potent tool of empowerment and one of the most tested ways to close the gap between poverty and wealth, thanked Eket youth for being peaceful.
He said it was because of the peace that the people had provided that made it much easier for his government to put up the enabling infrastructure.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Rt Hon Frank Archibong, enumerated innumerable internal roads and other infrastructure in the area that are billed for inauguration within the year and solicited for the peoples continued support.
Before cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the new Dinning Hall, Assembly Hall and fencing of hostel at the Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok, Archibong who also had his wife; Obonganwan Bright Archibong at the occasion, announced the approval of the Governor for the construction of 3 more classroom blocks in the institution.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Interministerial Projects, Prince Sampson Idiong, had expressed appreciation to Governor Emmanuel for his developmental strides for Eket people.
Idiong who lauded the youth of Eket for cooperating with the IMDLCC contractors, informed that out of the 38 InterMinisterial and Direct Labour projects started in Eket, 25 were ready for inauguration, while 18 others would be ready in few weeks.
On his part, the Executive Chairman, Eket Local Government council, Hon. Akan Tommey Ikott, specifically eulogized Governor Udom Emmanuel for fulfilling his promise to Eket people through infrastructure development. He however, appealed the number one citizen to look into the deplorable Idua Road in the area with a view to salvaging the situation.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Principal of Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok; Mrs Abigail Akpan, the Paramount Ruler; Edidem Abia, member, Eket State Constituency in the House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. David Lawrence, Chapter Chairman of PDP; Obongiwaad Emmanuel Mbong, President of Female Youth; Esther Nta, Brigadier General Anthony Etukudoh (Rtd.) among others, thanked the governor for keeping the promise made to Eket people, summiting that the development of school infrastructure would aid learning.
Meanwhile, the governor’s entourage had the Commissioner for Finance: Mr. Linus Nkan, Commissioner for Information and Strategy; Comrade Ini Ememobong and Commissioner for Special Duties; Rt Hon Okpolupm Etteh.
Others were; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Imo Moffat, Commissioner for Housing; Atuekong Raphael Bassey, Commissioner for Health, Prof Augustine Umoh, Commissioner for Rural Development; Mrs Enobong Mbobo, Commissioner for Women Affairs; Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Honorary Special Adviser for Health; Dominic Ukpong, among others.
