By Freshgist
Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno has commended the Transition Committee Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Hon Mercy Bassey for interpreting the state government vision on Educational policy Framework in the council.
Speaking on Thursday, at the council secretariat during the grand finale of Mercy Bassey's Quiz and debate competition, governor Umo Eno's wife described the council TC as an Academia who understand the impacts of Education on children added that competition will help to groom and equip the students as the future leaders.
She said Hon Bassey’s commitment to the development of education in the local government was in line with the policy drive of the governor particularly on the advancement of education in the state, lauded the consistency and prays that her resources be multiplied for sustainable Development in the couch area.
The first lady who was represented by the Coordinator, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), Pastor Anne Abraham, noted that education was priority to the state government because of its potentials of shaping the future, added that the annual competition among schools in the rural communities will help bridge the gap in education.
She commended the teachers and parents for taking pains to prepare the young brilliant minds for the Quiz and debate competition which serves as a yardstick for their future success story, she also encouraged the participants who could not win to cheer up, knowing that every failure was a stepping stone to success, that the skills and experiences they've gained sofar are invaluable and will be very useful for their future endeavours.
“This competition marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards achieving intellectual growth, critical thinking and the spirit of healthy competition among our young minds. The intelligence and brilliance displayed by all participants throughout this competition have been truly inspiring.
“Each of you have demonstrated not only a deep understanding of various subjects but also the invaluable skills of articulation, reading and teamwork. Competition like this are more than just mere contests. They are platforms that empower our youths to voice their thoughts, challenges, conventional knowledge and propose innovative solutions to the pressing issues of our time.
“These events help to groom and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow, individuals who could shape the future with knowledge, empathy and commitment to excellence”, she stated.
On her part, the Chairman, State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Hon. Ekaette Ebong Okon also commended Hon Mercy Bassey for her zeal in education, consistently and successfully completion of the 2024 Science Quiz and debate competition as it reflects the quality education that the state is known for, adding that such intellectual exercise will go a long way to complement the efforts of the state government.
“I feel highly elated about what I have seen here today. This is a prove that education is a powerful tool to change a society. Imagine these little children, already having self confident in public speaking and are able to research on debate topic to enable them back up their points. I understand that this is fourth edition of this competition so I want to specially commend the Chairman of Mkpat Enin for promoting quality education”, she said.
She noted that the outcome of education depends on the quality of education that the children receive, adding that if the goal was to make the society better and also shape the future, then the children must be given the best learning opportunities and necessary support.
She encouraged the students to embrace learning and critical thinking during educational activities and shun cramming as it was a major downfall of learning practices.Sttressing that the state government was committed to sustaining and improving the free and compulsory education policy as well as other education-friendly initiatives, appealing to parents, teachers and other stakeholders in the educational sector to cooperate with the government in order to achieve the lofty goals for the sector.
She promised to take back the message to the state government that Mkpat Enin Local government Area was in need of science teachers and other basic amenities to expand the growth of education in the state.
Earlier in her opening speech, Hon. Mercy Bassey disclosed that the annual competition was one of her contributions to the struggle to secure the future of the area, adding that was an effort geared towards helping secondary students in the local government learn to think intensively and critically.
“From inception, the objective of this competition, which is now in its fourth edition, was to foster a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and effective communication among students. We aim to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.
“In our bit to further improve the standard of this highly competitive contest and to accommodate the interest of other students who are not science based, we introduced debate this year strictly for the arts students. The exclusive nature of the quiz for science students and debate for art students showcases the diversity and inclusivity of this competition”, she stated.
She commended the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno and wife for setting the pace for education development through education-friendly programmes in the ARISE Agenda and GIFA respectively
“As the chief sponsor of this contest, I am proud to announce that it is designed to meet up with the ARISE Agenda ideology of the Akwa Ibom State governor’s free and compulsory education in the state in order to boast self-confidence through re-enforcement and re-awakening of the reading culture and strengthening the folds of education in our community.
“As we bring this edition to an end, I want to reassure that we have identified areas that we need to improve and will surely do in subsequent editions.
She Congratulated the winners of the Science Quiz and debate competition, the schools that participated, saying that their courage and bravery had no second , while expressing optimistic that the future is bright for all, she thanked the Managing Director, Ibom Power Company, Engr. Meyen Etukudo, Sterling Global and other sponsors for co-sponsoring the competition, as well as the entire members of the organising committee who ensured that the competition was smooth and successful.
At the end of the competition, Hope Academy, Ikot Ekpe, took first position in quiz, while Community Secondary Commercial School, Iffe Town and Ikpa Ibom Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Ekong, took second and third positions respectively.
While in Debate Competition, Community High School, Ikot Essen, took first position, while Hope Academy, Ikot Ekpe and Father Fintans Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Ntot, took second and third positions respectively.
Rounding up the award and medals for the winners, The overall winners went home with N350,000, while the second position won N230,000, and the 3rd prize was N120,000, to be shared at 40% to the School, 30% to teachers and 30% to the students to encourage them to put more efforts in the next annual compensation.
Other dignitaries at the event include, Akparawa Udeme Udofia STAN Akwa Ibom state, Director in SSEB; Barr Godwin Udonta, Transition Committee Chairman, Ikot Abasi Local Government; Hon Elder Bill Nago, Transition Committee Chairman, Eastern Obolo Local Government; Mrs Uduak Ekong, Press Secretary to the wife of the governor; Com Edet Ukosin, Head of Local Government Service (HOLGS); Hon (Pastor) Friday Afia, Secretary, Mkpat Enin Transition Committee; Mrs Eno Akindutire, Comrade Ofonime Essien.
