UNIUYO Alumni, AOPSHON Honour Gov Eno

UYO
The outstanding performance of Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has continued to attract recognition from far and near.
The latest recognitions have come from two important educational associations, the University of Uyo Alumni Association and the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON).
On Tuesday, the governor was honoured with an ‘Eminent Alumnus Award’ by the University of Uyo Alumni Association.
Receiving the award at the 2024 UNIUYO Alumni Reunion, which took place at Ibom Icon Hotel, Uyo, Governor Eno acknowledged the university’s role as a major supplier of trained manpower for the state and promised that his government will continue to do its best for th einstitution and the alumni association.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno, an alumnus of Uniuyo, noted that alumni play a crucial role in the development of their alma mater, noting that abandoning one’s alma mater after graduation is akin to pushing down the ladder after using it to ascend heights.
The governor encouraged the alumni to commit to giving back to the university, no matter how little, to help address some of its pressing challenges.
“Beyond personal donations, some of us are in positions where we can facilitate projects in the university. We can even volunteer our skills and expertise in certain areas of need by the university as well as mentor the students.
“Considering the strategic role of the University of Uyo as a major supplier of trained manpower for the state, the Akwa Ibom State Government is intervening in the construction of internal roads and other infrastructure in the institution. We will keep doing our best for the school both as its host and alumni,” he said.
Eno, who dedicated his award to God and the late First Lady of the state, commended the president of the alumni association, Barr Onofiok Luke, and members of his executive committee for organising a successful reunion.
In his remarks, Luke said under his leadership, the association has facilitated the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy for the university and also deepened relationship with key institutions like the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Education, NUC, TETFUND, among others.
Luke, who appreciated Governor Eno for his support to the association, advocated the release of take-off grant and increased federal support for the University of Uyo.
The event which was chaired by the chairman of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, Obong Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, featured presentation of awards to the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, represented by his wife, Dr. Inemesit Uwah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, amongst others.
Meanwhile, Gov Eno has been conferred with an Excellence Award by the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) during the national workshop of the body which took place in Uyo.
Presenting the award to the governor, recently, on behalf of other members of the association, the national president, Comrade Lagha-Owei Zik, said the award was in recognition of the governor’s selfless contributions to the welfare of headteachers, teachers, students and pupils in the state.
He lauded the governor for initiating policies and programmes to repositioning education in Akwa Ibom, particularly at the primary school level.
While receiving the award, Governor Umo Eno, expressed appreciation to AOPSHON for the honour done him and pledged to do more in the education sector and all other sectors of the state.
The governor, who was represented at the event by the commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, commended the organizers of the workshop for giving Akwa Ibom the hosting right to assemble the calibre of educators, whom he noted,  had made significant contributions toward educational advancement in their respective states in particular, and the country at large.
Eno disclosed, “In Akwa Ibom State, my administration has deliberately made education one of the core pillars of the ARISE Agenda by prioritizing it, particularly at the primary and post-primary levels, where the pupils and students currently benefit from the free and compulsory education policy of the state government.”
He further stated that his administration had embarked on the “construction of world-class model primary schools, payment of WAEC, NABTEB and other examination fees for students in the exiting classes, provision of a conducive environment for teaching and learning, regular training and retraining of teachers as well as provision of welfare package for teachers, to mention but a few.”
The state chief executive who described Akwa Ibom State as “a destination of choice, hosting numerous national and international events, said with the atmosphere of peace and tranquility pervading the state, an ideal environment for intellectual gathering had been created.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Akwa Ibom State chairman of AOPSHON, Comrade Etim Akpan, thanked the governor for the various educational policies and programmes initiated by his administration, which he noted, had reduced their sufferings and made them to be counted as workers in the state.
He listed such policies and programmes as, prompt payment of salaries, donation of customized exercise books to learners in the state, payments of N20,000 and N50,000 civil service bonus and wardrobe allowance to teachers, respectively, as well as payment of 13th month salary to teachers like other workers in the state.
The AOPSHON chairman said, “Your personal love toward the teaching profession has made you build model schools in each of the 31 local government areas and truly release subventions to all headteachers and principals for smooth running of schools.”
Akpan equally lauded the governor for ensuring monthly release of funds for payment of pensions and gratuities of retired teachers in the state.
The workshop, which had as its theme, Educational Leadership In Primary School: A Study of Effective Practices, drew headteachers and other participants from across the country.