By Solomon Umanah
IBESIKPO ASUTAN
The commissioner for education has lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TaoreedLagbaja and Major General Solomon Udounwa(retd) for their commitment in ensuring completion of renovation works at the Lutheran Primary School, Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, who made the commendation in a goodwill message sent to the military authority during the commissioning of the renovated primary school, Wednesday, said the decision by the military to embark on the renovation of the Lutheran Primary School, Nung Udoe, was in line with GovUmo Eno’s priority of advancing the cause of education in Akwa Ibom under his ARISE Agenda.
The commissioner, who spoke through the director of Pre-Primary, Primary and Special Education (PPSE), Mrs Esther Ekotumoh, specifically thanked the executor of the project, Major General Solomon Udounwa (retd), for renovating and equipping the school with modern facilities of high standard which, she noted, had not just given the school a complete facelift, but a congenial atmosphere for teaching and learning.
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, had commended the executor of the project, Major Gen. Solomon Udounwa, for his foresight in giving back to his community, particularly in renovating and equipping the school that shaped his formative years.
The governor, who was represented by the commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien (retd), appreciated the military authorities for the initiative of fostering social development in the communities where their leaders were raised, stressing, “this gesture builds hope and confidence in the pupils when they see the older alumni remember their roots.”
He noted that the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation programme aligns with the educational advancement of his government as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda, hence his determination to always lend support towards such projects now and in the future.
In his homily, Archbishop Christian Ekong of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN), admonished Christians to always make effective use of the opportunities given to them by God by giving back to the society in their own little ways.
The cleric who lauded General Udounwa (retd) for his foresight in spearheading the execution of the project, and urged other indigenes of the state to emulate him by reaching out to the less-privileged in their communities.
In their separate remarks, the Chiefs of Defence and Army Staff, Generals C. J. Musa and TaoreedLagbaja, respectively, acknowledged the high-quality standard adopted in the execution of the school project, pointing out that the implementation of the project was a reflection of the collective vision for the growth and development of our society in the future.
They maintained that the Nigerian Army’s approach in conceptualising social projects in the various communities was to foster cooperation between the people, the military and government, adding that the programme cuts across critical areas such as healthcare, economic development, educational support and community development, with a view to improving the living conditions of people within the benefiting communities.
The project executor, Maj. Gen. Solomon Udounwa (retd), thanked God for a successful retirement from service to the nation, as well as the two Service Chiefs for honouring him with their presence at the event, adding that the Civil – Military Cooperation programme had afforded him the opportunity of attracting direct benefit of his enlistment in the military to his community through the school project.
Udounwa lauded Gov Umo Eno for his unwavering determination to advance the cause of education as well as internal security in the state, aside other areas of interventions, maintaining, “It gladdens my heart to be able to do this for community and precisely the school where I received my first schooling in life, it is indeed a dream come true,” he remarked.
Goodwill messages were received from the chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Mrs Akon Akpan; former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uwem Ita Etuk; the paramount ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Edidem Clement Ekpenyong, among others.
High points of the occasion were the commissioning of the renovated Lutheran Primary School, Nung Udoe by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TaoreedLagbaja, assisted by the Chief of Defence Staff, General C.J. Musa, as well as presentation of awards to deserving personalities at the event.
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