Faith
By Etebong Akpan
The Surefuture Education Foundation (SEF) has reinforced its commitment to expanding access to quality education and preparing young people for future opportunities with the successful hosting of the pilot edition of its Education & Career Advancement Forum 2026, where 15 students received scholarships to support their tertiary education.
The forum, held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Nsit Ubium Local Government Council Secretariat, attracted selected secondary school students from across Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, alongside education stakeholders, parents, teachers, traditional rulers, government officials, development partners, volunteers and members of the media.
With the theme, “Beyond JAMB: Building Pathways to Education, Skills and Opportunity,” and the sub-theme, “Inspiring Educational Aspiration, Mentorship and Future Readiness,” the event sought to equip young people with the knowledge, guidance and practical skills required to succeed beyond gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
In her welcome address, the Founder and Executive Director of Surefuture Education Foundation, Dr. Faith Umoh, said the initiative was conceived out of concern for the growing number of young people who possess the desire to succeed but lack adequate guidance, mentorship, career direction, exposure to opportunities and structured support beyond the classroom.
She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to expanding educational access through scholarships, mentorship programmes, skills development, teacher capacity building, health promotion and community wellbeing initiatives.
According to Dr. Umoh, many young people continue to face financial hardship, inadequate career guidance and limited educational opportunities, making scholarship support and mentorship critical tools for helping them overcome barriers to academic and personal success.
She encouraged the students not to allow their backgrounds to define their future, assuring them that discipline, hard work, mentorship and God’s grace could position them for greatness and enable them to become positive agents of change in society.
Declaring the forum open, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, described education as one of the greatest investments any society can make.
He commended the Surefuture Education Foundation for its vision of raising educated, skilled and purpose-driven young people, noting that education remains a powerful instrument for personal empowerment, poverty reduction and national development.
Dr. Ukpong urged students to take advantage of the knowledge shared during the forum while calling on government agencies, corporate organisations, development partners and public-spirited individuals to support initiatives that promote educational advancement.
In her keynote address titled, “Advancing Education, Family Support and Future Readiness in Line with the ARISE Educational Advancement Agenda,” the wife of the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Mrs. Imaobong Alfred, applauded the vision of the Surefuture Education Foundation, describing the initiative as a timely intervention that complements ongoing efforts to improve educational access within the local government.
She highlighted the Education Trust Fund established by the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Mr Charles Alfred, as a strategic intervention designed to assist students pursuing tertiary education, adding that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to investing in human capital development.
Mrs. Alfred stressed that education remains the foundation of sustainable development and one of the most effective means of securing a prosperous future for individuals and society.
Quoting the popular saying that “education is a passport to the future; tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” she urged students to remain focused, embrace opportunities for learning and skills development, and prepare themselves for the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Delivering a presentation on “Education with Purpose: Linking Academic Excellence to Career Outcomes,” Principal General and Professional Counsellor at Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo Offot, Uyo, Mrs. Nsikan Etim Edet challenged students to move beyond the mindset of merely passing examinations and becoming intentional learners with clearly defined career goals.
She observed that education goes beyond obtaining certificates, describing it as a lifelong process of acquiring knowledge, developing skills, building character and preparing individuals to contribute meaningfully to society.
Mrs. Edet also urged parents, teachers and school counsellors to play more active roles in guiding young people towards purposeful education and successful careers.
Other resource persons included Dr. Sunday Edet Enidiok of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, who spoke on “Navigating JAMB and Tertiary Admission Successfully”; Associate Professor Dr. (Mrs.) Idongesit Akan Udi of the Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, who addressed participants on “Mentorship, Accountability and Academic Success”; and Engr. Dan Achadu, Centre Manager, Technology Incubation Centre, Uyo, who delivered a presentation on “Skills Awareness and Employability: Exploring Emerging Career Pathways.”
The forum also featured a parents’ and stakeholders’ engagement session titled “Building Shared Responsibility for Students’ Success: A Call to Action,” facilitated by Dr. Catherine Eyo of the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
Collectively, the speakers encouraged students to pursue academic excellence, cultivate good character, embrace mentorship, acquire digital and employability skills, remain disciplined and prepare themselves for opportunities beyond the classroom.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Hon. Otobong Bob, Member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Mrs. Comfort Bob; Mrs. Emem Orok, wife of the former Executive Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area; Etteidung Emmanuel, Village Head of Atan, Nsit Ubium; Dr. Anietie Ikot, Director in the Ministry of Education; and other invited dignitaries.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of scholarships to 15 beneficiaries studying in tertiary institutions. The recipients included students of the University of Uyo, the College of Education, the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, as well as a skills acquisition trainee awaiting admission into the university.
The forum attracted participants from 14 secondary schools across Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and reached about 250 beneficiaries, including students, teachers, parents, scholarship recipients, volunteers, partners and education stakeholders.
Speaking with journalists after the event, Dr. Umoh expressed gratitude to God for the successful hosting of the forum and appreciated the Chairman of the occasion, keynote speaker, guest speakers, government representatives, participating schools, teachers, parents, volunteers, donors, partners, members of the organising committee and the media for their invaluable support.
She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to expanding scholarship opportunities, strengthening mentorship programmes, promoting skills development, building strategic partnerships and sustaining future editions of the Education and Career Advancement Forum as part of its broader vision to improve educational outcomes and community development.
The maiden edition of the Surefuture Education & Career Advancement Forum ended with a renewed commitment among stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in building pathways to education, skills development and opportunities that will empower young people to realise their full potential.
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