Nigerian Navy receives Model School from Akwa Ibom government…as Chief of Naval Staff applauds Governor’s strides in education

Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel has officially handed over Model School, Awa Ubium to the Nigerian Navy, for the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Girls’ Secondary School.

The handing over ceremony took place on Friday April 28 at the premises of the newly remodeled school in Awa Ubium, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and was witnessed by top military officials as well as major education stakeholders in the country.

In her address, the education Commissioner, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet thanked Mr. Emmanuel whom she described as an education-friendly Governor, for his continuous commitment to development through education, stressing that the ceremony marks another milestone in the history of the educational advancement of the state.

Etiebet, who represented Governor Emmanuel at the event, noted that the nation’s socio-economic development rests on the quality of education given to her children. Describing children as the greatest resources of any nation, she maintained that the prosperity and quality of any nation’s future is determined by today’s children and their abilities to solve critical problems in the contemporary society.

She described education as the only key that can unlock these abilities, hence the investment in children’s learning in the past 7 years as top priority and a greatest preparation that Governor Emmanuel has made for the future of the State.

According to Etiebet, Governor Emmanuel’s strides in the education sector include; sustaining free and compulsory education in all public schools, taking over 34 community/missionary schools, construction and renovation of over 6000 class room blocks, strategic interventions in tertiary institutions, regular distribution of education materials, prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments, timely payment of subvention to public primary and secondary schools and annual payment of over one billion naira for WAEC, NABTEB and other examination fees, amongst others.

Etiebet said that as a woman, she is delight that the institution is not only a symbolic mark of girls’ child development, but a strategic advancement of education that will also boost the economic fortunes of the people.

She commended the Nigerian Navy for keying into the gender equality advocacy of the Akwa Ibom first Lady, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel while expressing confidence that the other armed forces will consider the state suitable enough for the establishment of their girls’ Command Secondary Schools.

Speaking also, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Emerald Gambo Lawal Suburu, described the event as historic and memorable. He said the establishment of Navy Girls School in Onna will further strengthen the existing partnership between Akwa Ibom state Government and the Nigerian Navy.

Gambo, who was represented by the Commander, NNS, Ikot Abasi, Comdr. S.G Olubode Fazas, extolled the developmental strides of Governor Emmanuel in the education sector and expressed confidence that the development will encourage girl children education in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the host communities, the village Head of Awa Iman, Obong Ubong Efang, and the acting village head of Afaha Ubium, Chief Barr Ubong Adiakpan, in their respective remarks, expressed joy over the new development and assured the Nigerian Navy of their absolute support, cooperation and peace in the community. They appealed for special consideration for admission and job slots for their qualified children.

High point of the event was the hoisting of ensigns and official presentation of the facility’s keys and documents by the Education Commissioner on behalf of the state government, to the representative of the Chief of Naval Staff.