Essien Udim agog as Governor Emmanuel establishes new schools in Okon
It was indeed the dawn of a new era for Okon people in Essien Udim Local Government Area as Governor Udom Emmanuel moves to site new public Secondary/Primary schools in the area.
The highly elated people of Okon did not hide their joy as they rolled out drums to welcome the Chairman, Essien Udim Local Government Council, Mr Anthony Luke who led the delegation of State Government on inspection visit and official handing over of land by the Community to government for the establishment of new public schools in the area.
Members of the delegation were the State Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Barr Prince Ukpong Akpabio 11; Surveyor General of the State, Mrs Emem Isang; Director Regional Planning, Elder Prince Effiong Akpan of the State Ministry of Lands and Power and other members of the Ministry.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Council, Mr Anthony Luke thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for choosing Okon Clan for the project and commended the Commissioner for Trade and Investment for facilitating the project to come to Essien Udim.
The Council boss described the establishment of the schools in the village as very strategic as it will ameliorate the suffering and pains experienced by children from the area who usually trek to the neighbouring local government areas to school.
He described Governor Emmanuel as a promise keeper and a leader with the passion for development, adding that education is the bedrock of development.
Luke posited that the Governor has given Okon people and Essien Udim at large the greatest gift, maintaining that the people will remain grateful to him and also support his administration to succeed.
The Chairman assured of adequate security of the workers on the site and a serene environment for academic activities when the school commences academic activities as he charged youths in the area to cooperate and protect workers on site when the project starts.
In her remarks, the State Surveyor General, Mrs Emem Isang commended Okon people for their passion for education and peaceful disposition.
Isang posited that the school when completed will boost socio-economic life of the people and also attract other developmental projects to the area.
She stated that Okon Clan is the first beneficiary of Governor Emmanuel’s intervention in education while noting that the Governor has invested so much in health care system in the previous years and is determined to also revamp the education sector.
In his speech, The Commissioner for Trade and Investments thanked the people of Okon for supporting Governor Emmanuel and the local government Chairman, Mr Anthony Luke, pointing out that the choice of Okon for the project was after due consideration of the basic need of the people.
According to him, Essien Udim is one of the local government areas with limited number of schools and therefore the establishment of the school in the area is to offset the deficits
He noted that the Governor is aware of the plight of the people and that he is determined to make life better for them in his completion agenda and called on them to see the project as their own and continue to support government to complete it.
The Clan Heads of Okon, His Highness Obong David Johnny thanked the Governor for supporting Okon son to emerge as the Executive Chairman of Essien Udim in the person of Mr Anthony Luke and also considering the Clan for the establishment of secondary school which according to him was long overdue.
“Okon comprises eighteen villages but has only one secondary school, so, we are hopeful that the school when completed will ameliorate the suffering of our children who normally trek long distances and also cross river to school in Ika. This project will also open this community up for more development.
“Let me also call on the governor to also consider constructing the roads leading to the school to enhance accessiblity of the new school,” he remarked.
The Royal father who pledged the unalloyed support of the people to Governor Emmanuel’s administration harped on timely completion of the project.
The Village Heads of Ikot Uko Etor, Ikot Nya, Ikot Essien, Ikot Ama in Okon Clan also spoke in support of the project as they gladly handed over their land to government for the project.
