By Uduak Akai
Pan African Comprehensive Secondary School, established in 2015, has in its nine years of existence demonstrated strong commitment and passion towards developing the next generation of leaders not just in Akwa Ibom State but across the globe.
Located at Km 12, Airport Road, by Ibiaku U-Turn, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the school, in line with its vision of producing best brains that would compete favourably with their counterparts in all ways anywhere in the world, has provided standard and 21st century facilities that have enhanced effective teaching and learning.
Apart from the said facilities which include: science laboratories, conducive classrooms, spacious dormitories, refectory, 24-hour power supply, potable water, internet services, perimeter fencing, a clean, serene and conducive learning environment. The school also has Entrepreneurial Department; thus equipping the students with necessary skills not only to make them self-reliant but to also make them employers of labour upon graduation.
The school with qualified teachers has since its inception broken several excellence academic records as its students are known for getting As and Bs in West Africa School Certificate Examination (WASCE) and above 380 points in the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) which has earned them admission into various tertiary institutions in choice disciplines.
Aside from their outstanding academic performance, the students are not lagging behind as they come out tops in national and international competitions and winning laurels for the school. The awards include: 2022 United Nations/NDLEA Overall Best Prize; Overall Best Certificate Award from Brilliance and Excellence Performance Group, 2022; United Nations/NDLEA Quiz Competition 2021and Overall Best (with highest number of winners) during the Discover Me Project 3 Talent Competition, Uyo, 2022; among others.
As part of its yearly activities, the institution’s graduation ceremony to celebrate its fifth set of best brains and 2024 Christmas party was held at the school’s sports grounds to send forth graduating students and as well celebrate other students and their parents in this Yuletide.
Addressing the gathering, the chairman, Dorben Group, Dr. Akpan Ben Ekwere, thanked God immensely for the enablement to be part of the event and His benevolence upon the institution.
Ekwere averred that the school, established in Uyo in 2015 with just 11 students, now has over 200 students.
The chairman expressed delight with the quality of graduates produced by the school since its establishment, adding that graduates of the institution gain admission instantly into various tertiary institutions within and outside the country to study their choice courses.
“I am extremely delighted that my students are spread across various tertiary institutions of learning around the globe in furtherance of their academic pursuits in their choice courses. I am so impressed with their outstanding performance. Pan African students do not spend a year rewriting WASCE or UTME as they make As and Bs and score over 380 respectively. I will continue to provide best facilities here to nurture best brains”, the chairman emphasized.
He appreciated staff for their pains and sacrifices towards moulding the students to excel academically, assuring that their labour of love shall not be in vain.
He particularly thanked the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and parents for their contributions and keeping faith with the school, praying God to continue to provide for them to be able to train their children.
Ekwere expressed joy that 80 per cent of the graduates this time have already gained admission to study professional and other courses in tertiary institutions across the globe.
He thanked the overall best graduating student, Master Ikpanesitobong Etuk, and other best graduating students in various subjects for their brilliance and encouraged them to maintain their standard as good ambassadors of their alma mater.
Earlier in his opening remark, the chairman on the occasion, Mr Akpan Umoh, said the mission behind the establishment of the school was to develop critical thinking in the students and prepare them to be great future leaders.
He urged the graduating students to see the Pan African School as a stepping stone to greater academic heights.
Speaking on behalf of management, the vice principal, special duties, Mr Aniebiet Udoh, said the fifth graduating ceremony and 2024 Christmas party marked a significant milestone in the lives of the students as they celebrated their achievements.
Udoh described the 2024 graduates, tagged “The Class of Elites,” as very special as it was the first time the school graduated over 40 students in one class.
He described the theme for this year’s graduation, “Social Media Influence on 21st Century Education” as apt, a reminder of the opportunities and challenges that the social media presents to educators and parents alike.
Udoh reasoned, that in spite of its challenges, social media opens new avenue for learning, collaboration and communication as it enhances students access to array of educational resources.
In his valectory speech, the outgone senior prefect for boys and overall best graduating student, Master Ikpanesitobong Etuk, said the day was remarkable as it officially marked the end of their secondary school journey, adding that this departure would avail them the opportunity for a higher stage.
Etuk, who also emerged the best graduating student in Sciences and Mathematics, appreciated the management and staff of Pan African School for giving them quality education.
He thanked their parents immensely for sacrificing for them to gain quality education and assured them that their sacrifice shall not be in vain.
Goodwill messages were received from the administrator, Dorben Group, Dr. Doris Ekwere; the PTA chairperson, Mrs Idoroenyin Ukpa; the mother of the day, Prof. Uduak Enang, and Prof. Emmanuel Umana among others.
High point of the graduation ceremony was presentation of awards to staff, the overall best graduating student; best graduating students in all the subjects and the first, three students in different classes.
Cash donations and other gift items were presented to the students.
Discussion about this post