The education crisis in Nkari community, Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has been eased with the commissioning of a new model primary school by Governor Umo Eno.
The intervention is significant for pupils in the community who had been out of school for two years following the absence of a functional school facility.
Commissioning the Methodist Model Primary School, Nkari, as part of activities marking the state’s 39th anniversary, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, said the affected pupils had been denied basic learning opportunities during the period.
“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,” Umoh said.
He said the completion of the project had restored access to formal education for children in the community.
“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,” he added.
The project is part of 12 projects being commissioned across Akwa Ibom in connection with the state’s 39th anniversary, with the administration presenting rural infrastructure and education as key components of its development programme.
Speaking at the event, the member representing Ini State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Lawrence Udoide, said the project demonstrated the governor’s decision to proceed with development efforts despite controversies 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,” Udoide said.
Also speaking, Aloysius Etok described the project as evidence of the administration’s intervention in rural 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,” Etok said.
He, however, urged traditional rulers, stakeholders, youths and women in Ini to sustain peace, stressing that insecurity and conflict could undermine development projects.
“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,” he said.
The school project is expected to complement the ongoing road intervention linking Nkari with Mbiabong Ikot Udofia, Odoro Ikpe and Uyo, potentially improving movement and access to markets and public services for residents of the rural communities.
