The Christ The King Primary School,(CKS) along Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital is now wearing a brand new look, courtesy of Governor Umo Eno and it’s ready for commissioning, Friday, May 17, 2024.
Situated within Uyo metropolis, the school established in 1946 by the Catholic Church was later taken over by the government.
In an interaction with newsmen in Uyo on Thursday, the Media Consultant to Governor Umo Eno, Hon Aniekan Umanah said CKS faced a series of dilapidation over the years until the Governor stepped in sometime in July 2023 to rescue the school from further decay, when he undertook an unscheduled visit.
He explained that the Governor had directed an immediate rebuilding and upgrading of all facilities at the school premises, and also extended the same intervention to all public Schools across the State.
Umanah said the school which serves as a model of the State government’s vision in the area of educational infrastructure development, comes with facilities which include; a modern Welcome Centre & Reception, a fully furnished, 6 classroom block, an administrative block, a fully stocked Library, ICT Centre, laboratories, Staff quarters, Clinic, asphalted Internal roads, furnished staff quarters,100 lots Car park, football field, Children play area, fenced Compound and security post.
According to the Media Consultant; “Education is a key component in the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda of the Umo Eno led administration, and this beautiful edifice, well equipped with necessary educational materials and infrastructure is a practical demonstration of His Excellency’s determination to reposition the education sector in the State”.
It will be recalled that the Governor when he visited the school in its former dilapidated state to interact with the pupils and teachers in July 2023, said “This school is strategically located so it should be a model. We want to start here to create that model primary school we’re talking about. I have just interacted with the pupils, they are vacating on the 28th of this month”
“I have extracted a commitment from the Head Mistress and she has promised that if provided with necessary facilities, they (teachers) will reside here. I remember the compound Master of those days and other key position holders in the schools used to live within the school premises”
The Governor’s Media Consultant further explained that just a few days after the Governor’s directive, an indigenous contracting firm, U&K Construction was mobilized to the site and they have been able to interpret and translate the vision of the Governor into reality.
“ As you can see, the school is totally wearing a new lease of life. This is an exciting milestone for the school, its pupils and the community. The commissioning ceremony will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the school’s history and it’s indeed Governor Umo Eno” ‘s First Year of
Office gift to the pupils “, Umanah added.
Meanwhile, the schedule for the commissioning of the school, as contained in the master programme for the First Anniversary of the Governor, indicates that Friday next week the 17th of May is slated for the inauguration of the school by the Governor.
By Mfonobong Ukpong
