ORUK ANAM
In continuation of his superlative performance in the National Assembly, the member for Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Mr Unyime Idem has donated a 300-seater capacity 6 classroom lecture hall and 50-seater e-learning centre at the Obio-Akpa campus of Akwa Ibom State University, (AKSU), in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. The centre was inaugurated, Monday, by Gov Udom Emmanuel and formally handed over to the university for use.
The governor, represented by his commissioner for labour and manpower development, Mr Aniefiok Nkom, commended the lawmaker for being exceptional in his representation, and urged other politicians to emulate Idem’s style of representation.
Emmanuel, who described his administration as education-friendly, said his government has in the last seven years prioritize education and would continue to do so till he leaves office. He explained that the state owned university has not been on strike due to his government’s commitment towards ensuring a hitch-free academic session in the university.
Emmanuel implored the students to make use of the facilities to the best of their abilities and endeavor not to destroy the new facilities as other students after them would also make use of the facilities.
“I want to implore you to please make sure that you make use of this facility to the best of your ability, knowing that other people are coming behind you”.
“If you give a community quality education, you’ve exposed that community to the world. I urge other politicians to emulate Idem’s”
He noted that the e-learning facility has exposed the community to the world.
The commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet applauded the National Assembly member for attracting life touching projects to the Federal Constituency. She explained that Emmanuel’s administration pays premium to qualitative education which aligns with sustainable development goals, SDG’s of the United Nations.
She praised the lawmaker for keying into the Emmanuel’s development drive.
“By virtue of this project, Idem has portrayed himself as a lover of education which is the bedrock of development of any society.”
Idem thanked God for His benevolence in his life, the gift of sound health, and the opportunity to be at the inauguration, saying, he was particularly, happy to be there to inaugurate the 300-seater capacity 6 classroom lecture hall and 50-seater capacity e-Learning centre. “Being here for the exercise stems from the importance I attach to education.
Education is not just a preparation for life; it is life itself. It helps people become better citizens, helps people be gainfully employed as well as help people to be able to differentiate between what is good and what is bad. Education helps us grow, develop and shape our society.
“This is not the best of times for university education in our country as lecturers have been on strike for more than six months now and with no end in sight. The reasons for the strike are well known.”
He called on both the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), to find a common ground as a way of ending the perennial issue of strike in the interest of the students and education, adding that, “a nation that cannot develop and educate her citizens cannot develop anything else.”
The lawmaker stressed that the value of education was enormous and government needs to do more to improve the quality of education. These, he said, include: providing critical infrastructure, teaching and non-teaching resources and the right learning environment for students to optimally reap the benefits of education as a national resource. It is the need to support government, further enhance the importance of education that prompted me to donate these projects to AKSU.
Idem said: “It is also my little way of contributing to the completion agenda of Gov Udom Emmanuel and the promotion of knowledge. These projects will support the raising of the next generation of ICT compliant leaders, scientists, teachers and those who would help advance the course of humanity.” The lawmaker urged the beneficiaries not to only make judicious use of the facilities but also take advantage of the numerous benefits they have to offer. Let me assure the management of the state university of my continuous support in achieving its education mandate.
Idem said he had also donated a total of 7 six classroom blocks with VIP toilets, and 6 E-learning centres containing 250 computer sets, internet facilities, generating sets and alternative energy sources to many schools in the federal constituency.
He listed them as: E-Learning Centre at Community High School, Usung Atiat, Ukanafun; E-Learning Centre at Afaha High School, Ikot Udombang, Ukanafun; E-Learning Centre at Community Secondary School, Urua Ekpaenang, Ukanafun; E-Learning Centre at Community Secondary School, Mbiakot Oruk Anam LGA;
E-Learning Centre at Community Secondary School, Ikot Esenam, Oruk Anam LGA. Other educational projects, he listed include: Twin Six Classroom Blocks with VIP Toilet at Community High School, Usung Atiat, Ukanafun; Six Classroom Block with VIP Toilet at Government Secondary School, Ikot Oku Usung, Ukanafun; Six Classroom Block with VIP Toilet at Model Secondary School, Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam; Six Classroom Block with VIP Toilet at Government Primary School, Ikot Otor Iwuo, Ukanafun;
Two Classroom Block with VIP Toilet at Urban High School, Ikot Akpan Essien, Oruk Anam; Six Classroom Block with VIP Toilet at Migrant Farmers Primary School, Ikot Akpan Nsek Oruk Anam; Six Classroom Block with VIP Toilet at Methodist Primary School, Ikot Akpan Udo, Oruk Anam.
The projects to be inaugurated here today include well-furnished 300-seater capacity 6 classroom block lecture hall with VIP toilet, 50-seater capacity E Learning centre with full complement of VSAT internet facility, computer tables and swing chairs.
“Let me end this remark by saying that according to Malala Yousafzai “if you want to end war, send books instead of sending guns; instead of sending tanks, send pens and instead of sending soldiers, send teachers and teaching materials” and this is exactly what we have done here today.”
The vice chancellor of the university, Professor Nse Essien thanked the federal lawmaker for the laudable investment.
The project inauguration ceremomy was witnessed by stakeholders from Oruk-Anam/Ukanafun federal Constituency, royal fathers, management of the university, staff and students.
Prominent indigenes of the constituency including the political leader of Ukanafun, Obong Eno Akpan, the chairman of Ukanafun LGA, Pastor Godwin Inyieng, the immediate past chairman of Oruk Anam LGA, Obong Ubong Idiong, Chief Soni Udom, the special assistant to the governor on project and PDP standard bearer for Oruk Anam state constituency come 2023, Mr Sampson Idiong, the paramount ruler of Oruk Anam, Obong Johnson Obosi and that of Ukanafun, Akuku Amos Akpan and others paid glowing tributes to Idem for effective representation and pledged their resolve to mobilise electorates in the constituency to give him massive vote for second term come 2023.
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