Cornelia Connelly College Alumni Hands Over Four Renovated Hostel Blocks

….. appreciates government assistance to alma mater
By Timothy Ekpo
Uyo
As part of efforts to provide a conducive hostel accommodation to students of Cornelia Connelly College (CCC), Afaha Oku, Uyo, the Old Girls Alumni Association, has renovated and handed over four hostel blocks to the management of the school.
At the handing over of the project, the National President of the old girls, Dr Ini Usoro, appreciated Akwa Ibom Government in its sustained efforts towards the provision of facilities and infrastructure that would improve the quality teaching and learning for academic excellence.
Addressing the gathering comprising the Commissioner of Education, members of the association, staff and students, Usoro said the establishment of the presence of the association at CCC, was to accomplish three cardinal objectives of serving as role model and mentors, promote the reputation of the college as a safe place for nurturing the girl child and the provision of projects to support the academic and physical infrastructure of the school.
Describing education as the key to unlocking ones potential and building a brighter future, the alumni president explained that ability of the old girls to achieve their mission in the completion of projects from fund raising, donations and membership dues, reflected the dedication of the association to CCC’s development.
She noted that renovation of four dormitory blocks, was borne out passion and collective decision to assist their alma mater with a view to reciprocating the college’s gesture in grooming them in their respective career that has made them to emerge as responsible members of the society, within and outside the country.
“Today’s event is a testament to our collective commitment to give back to the school that laid the foundation of our personal and professional growth”
Listing the renovated hostels as St. Joseph, St. Anne, St. Elizabeth and St. John, Usoro stated that the nature of work carried out in the dormitories were block work for walkways and steps, floor finishing, doors and windows, electrical fittings, fans, water facility, ceiling boards and flower beautification.
Usoro noted that the importance of the key improvement could not be over- emphasis as a conducive living environment was crucial for students safety and academic success, as the association believed that the gesture would add value to the physical and mental health of the students.
She commended members of the alumni, especially the USA/ Canada chapter for their unwaivering support for the actualization of the project.
Speaking, the representative of the association, USA/Canada chapter, Professor Patience Akpanobong of the class of 1980, said she visited the college 12:years ago and was not comfortable with the situation of CCC and that presently, the story was different and commended the old girls for their passion and commitment to ensure that the state of infrastructure has been restored.
Akpanobong stated that with good resources and better technology, the situation now was better than before as the various chapters of the alumni were working hard to support the college, adding that in partnership with the state government, much have been attracted to reposition the school for academic excellence.
She told the gathering that the college has produced great women in all sphere of life and as such the association could not ignore the younger generation of students there since they will be agent of change and development in the society.
The Principal of the school, Mrs Caroline Udofia, said the college has produced outstanding women in various professions, in Engineering, Medicine, Law and politics. She acknowledged the contributions of Dr Martha Emmanuel, an old girl of the college in the building and renovation of classrooms, chapel, principal and staff quarters, provision of generating set, building of sister’s convent, among others.
Udofia commended Akwa Ibom Government for the ongoing erosion control project to safe the school library, but appealed for the provision of solar light, upgrade of perimeter fence to ensure the safety of students against infiltrators and a school bus.
The Commissioner of Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, represented by the Director, State Education Quality Assurance Services, Ministry of Education, Dr Roseline Mfon, said Government was excited to be part of the event, bearing in mind the contributions of the old girls to the growth of the school.
Etiebet noted that the renovation and the handing of the four dormitory blocks, in addition to previous projects executed in the school, was no mean feat, but deserved commendation as it would go a long way to boost Government efforts to provide quality education in line with the ARISE Agenda philosophy.
The Commissioner applauded the old girls efforts in supporting the growth of their alma mater and appealed to other public spirited individuals and groups to emulate the association’s in partnering government to make quality education accessible to Akwa Ibom children.
Highpoints of the event were the handing over of the four hostel blocks and inspection of ongoing project, the Khan Academy: a free online self- paced digital classroom.