Wevole Ezin, Calabar
Over 20,000 out of school children of a community in Cross River state, scattered across due to 23 years of communal crisis can now go back to school.
This opportunity to go back to school is the courtesy of the Obong Elect, HRH Etubom Anthony Ani who has offered to build a brand new primary and secondary school for the war turned Ikot Offiong community.
The Obong Elect, HRH Etubom Anthony Ani has setup a committee to start up the construction of secondary and primary schools in Mbiabo Ikot Offiong community in Cross River State.
Ani who was a former Minister of Finance during the military administration of late Gen. Sani Abacha stated this in an address sighed and issued to some newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday, noting that he had made the promise to the community during their solidarity visit to his resident in August 1, 2023.
According to him, that the community members had complained that for the last 23 years, they have not had access to education, road and other social services, adding that he has always considered education as a birth-rock of development and progress in any society.
The Obong Elect said, “During the visit of lkot Offiong community to me on August 1, 2023, they had complained that for the last Twenty-three (23) years, they had not been given any education, roads, and other social services. I had immediately, thereafter, said that since education is communal, they should not wait for the government to provide these facilities all by itself; but that they (Ikot Offiong community), should start something on their own.
“I had promised to show leadership, by building a primary school, as well as award scholarships to deserving students. I have considered education as the birth-rock of development and progress. A situation where children cannot go to school means the next generation is a wasted generation and this must not be allowed to happen.
“It is for this reason that we are setting up a committee to look into the educational requirements of the lkot Offiong community, starting with a community primary school.
“Initially, we are going to build a Six (6) room primary school block, with all the facilities; and we hope that by this time next year, all eligible children (and even Adults) will commence school at lkot Offiong community.
“As I have reiterated above, no community should wait for Government to provide all basic amenities, particularly in this period of hardship and shortage of money. I believe that the Government on seeing what we have done, will naturally intervene to secure the project.
He said to this end, the primary school will be funded by donations, gifts and contributions from the people of Ikot Offiong community and the name donated will be properly evaluated and treated as a contribution from the people.
He assured, “Aside from personal contributions that I will make towards the completion of the school, I am awarding Fifty (50) brand-new scholarships to the first fifty(50) completion students of the primary school; so to you, my dear people of Ikot Offiong, the ball is in your court, so hurry up and seize the opportunity given.
The school will be built in the name of Ikot Offiong people, by Ikot Offiong people; however, its progress will be supervised by a Trust.
“Ikot Offiong community most give us a guarantee that the Pupils’ property, and school properties will be safe; and that none of the Pupils, Teachers or other Staff will be molested.
“The people of Ikot Offiong most form a ring around the school, so as to ensure that anyone entering its portals is safe and free from all threats, actual dangers or anything associated with violence.
The Obong Elect further inaugurated a seven man committee to oversee the construction of the primary school, chaired by HRH (Dr.) Etubom Nyah Asuquo, Secretary, Chief Ekpo Eyamba. Other members are; Chief Igoni Archibong , Chief Henry Okoh, Chief Bassey Okon Asuquo, Rev. Bassey Ekanem and Chief Etim Akpaso.
Reacting shortly after the inauguration, the Community Leader, Chief Okon Lazarus Okon thanked the former Minister saying, “We are grateful for what the Obong elect has done for us. In the past he used to give us fish but now he is teaching us how to fish in Ikot Offiong. God will bless you for giving us education again after many years of crisis.