Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing investments in education, describing it as a cornerstone of his government’s ARISE Agenda.
Governor Eno gave the assurance when the Board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), led by its Chairman, former Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.
Highlighting ongoing interventions, the Governor said his government has concentrated efforts on the foundation of learning by building model primary schools across the 31 local government areas of the State. He added that, beyond infrastructure, the state has provided free school uniforms, books, shoes, and bags to support pupils and encourage effective learning.
“We will continue to focus on education as a critical component of the ARISE Agenda. Already, we have model primary schools in every local government area, and we are set to flag off model secondary schools. Our goal is to ensure that Akwa Ibom children access quality and qualitative education from the ground up,” Eno stated.
He expressed appreciation to TETFund for its support to tertiary institutions in the state, particularly the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), and commended former AKSU Pro-Chancellor, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, for his outstanding contributions to the growth of the institution.
Governor Eno also pledged a conducive environment for TETFund’s planned annual retreat in the state and used the occasion to commiserate with Masari over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as Masari’s close ally.
In his remarks, Alhaji Masari disclosed that the Board was in Akwa Ibom to commission TETFund-supported projects at AKSU, including new buildings for the Faculties of Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering (Phase One), and Management Sciences. He lauded the peaceful atmosphere in the state and announced that the board had unanimously agreed to host its next annual retreat in Akwa Ibom.
AKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nse U. Essien, acknowledged the institution’s immense benefits from TETFund interventions, stressing that the partnership has strengthened the university’s infrastructure and academic capacity.
The TETFund delegation also included Hon. Aboh Uduyok, Arc. Babatunde Olajide, Mr. Abdulmumin Oniyangi, Kalu Okoro, Arc. Ekpenyong Ayi, Amos Anetekhai, and Chidozie Nwangwu. Top AKSU officials present were Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof. Otoabasi Akpan and Prof. Ita-Ewa Oboho, Registrar Dr. Ebi G. Eno-Ibanga, Bursar Dr. Jacob Eseneyen, University Librarian Dr. Nse E. Akwong, and Head of Obio Akpa Campus, Prof. Nkanikpo I. Ibok.
