The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet says the immediate past Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, CON, performed creditably well in lifting the standard of Education through students- friendly educational policies and welfare programmes, which saw the Students from the State excelling in national and international competitions.
Mrs Etiebet described as untrue, allegations by a local newspaper in the State against the former Governor, saying it was wrong to quote her in such a biased report when she never granted an interview to the said newspaper.
The Commissioner made the clarification in her office during the presentation of cheques to Akwa Ibom indigenes who gained admission into the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
According to her, “Two days ago, a newspaper “The Mail” carried a news stating that I granted an interview where I said that the immediate past Governor didn’t do anything in the Education sector.
“I want to say that I didn’t grant any interview, my Permanent secretary is here, and the information officers are here. At no point did we have any interview with any Media house on Education in the last administration, that report was totally untrue”, she added.
“Former Governor Emmanuel granted scholarships to indigent students, subsidized school fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, sponsored several categories of students in specialized fields notably maritime safety, aviation and meteorological studies, to training within and outside the country.
“Our students came out in flying colours in several competitions because of the quality of education in the State and several schools were given a facelift in infrastructure, which is why accreditation was restored in various courses in all the State-owned tertiary institutions. and it is really unfair for any true journalist to come out and castigate the previous administration in Education.
“Government is a continuum and Governor Umo Eno is pursuing Education advancement with renewed vigour, awarding scholarships and bursaries, building model schools and buying shoes, bags and books for school children.
She advised journalists to always check facts and verify information before going to the press.
At the event, the Commissioner announced that Governor Umo Eno whom she described as Mr Compassionate, has paid a total of 79 million Naira for the fees of the four students respectively.
“It is because of the Governor’s big-heartedness that we are here today. The big daddy with the big heart.
“We need to have our own pilots and air controllers as we have the best and only State-owned airline in Africa.
“We have Wilson Ezekiel Wilson standard pilot Course -SP35, Daniel Priscilla Samuel, SP35, Edna Emem, Akpan, SP35, Udourom Michael Patrick, Standard Air Traffic Control.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Humanitarian Service, Prince Nsikanabasi Umoekpo said that Governor Umo Eno was moved with compassion after his wife, Mrs Patience Umo Eno showed him a viral video Priscilla made on social media.
He further urged them to study hard and become good ambassadors of the state.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Priscilla Daniel expressed gratitude to the Governor for making her dreams a reality stating that her being in the aviation school will enlighten the girl child in her State and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
Barr. Ezekiel Akpan, father to Wilson Ezekiel, explained that it was a difficult journey stating that they had written lots of letters but he is grateful that it finally paid off. He prayed for blessings on Governor Umo Eno and his wife, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno and also for the success of the children in the aviation school.
He prayed for blessings on Governor Umo Eno and his wife, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno and also for the success of the children in the aviation school.
The event had in attendance, The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mrs Stella Etokakpan, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Humanitarian Service, Emem Essien, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Humanitarian Service, Mfon Isreal, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Emma Akpabio and many others.
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