A’Ibom Govt To support five students for Int’l Debate in Singapore

By Solomon Umanah
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has concluded arrangements to send five secondary school students from the state as part of Nigeria’s delegation to Singapore for an international debate competition billed for this month, September 2024.
  Disclosing this, recently, at a meeting with the students, top officials of her ministry and other stakeholders, the commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, said the process through which the students were selected was holistic, involving series of rigorous tests and examinations given to several students from secondary schools across the state which, she noted, culminated in the emergence of AniebietAbasi Etukudo of Government Secondary School, Afaha  Eket; Victory Daniel of Nigerian Christian Institute, Uyo; Marvelous James of Tevees International Secondary School, Uyo; Emmanuel Wiafe of Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo, and Favour Paul of Christian Secondary Commercial School, Uyo as the most qualified students for the international competition.
  Etiebet, who lauded Governor Umo Eno for his relentless commitment to the educational sector as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda of his administration, maintained, “His Excellency, the governor, catches in on every good opportunity that is possible to foster educational advancement in the state, and the international debate is one of such opportunities which he has invested in to bolster excellence in the Akwa Ibom children”.
While commending the students for their brilliance during the test, the education boss urged the students to aim for excellence, uphold good moral conduct, and make the country proud in their performance at Singapore, pointing out that the journey would be a defining moment in their lives as the exposure will broaden their knowledge, build their intellectual and social capacities, and inspire them to become more confident and ambitious in life.
  Etiebet advised the students to make the most of the rare moments and experiences for a great future, disclosing that the trip was fully funded by the state government, urging them to see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria who were going forth as “shining light” with so much expectation and confidence reposed in them by the state in particular, and the nation in general.
  Speaking on behalf of the students, Master AniebietAbasi Etukudo expressed appreciation to God and Governor Umo Eno for the opportunity presented to them and assured of a successful outing at Singapore.
  A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Mr Nkereuwem James, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for his magnanimity and fairness in the selection of the students through proper coordination of the state Ministry of Education and the state Ministry of Information and Public Relations.
  In attendance at the meeting were the dean of permanent secretaries and permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Stella Etukakpan; permanent secretary, Ministry of Information and Public Relations, Mr James Edet; director, Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education, Dr Glory Ekpo; Dr Eka Maples and some directors in the ministry.