Ubongabasi Ossom Foundation reiterates commitment to development of education in Nsit Atai
The founder of Ubongabasi Osom Foundation, Mr. Ubongabasi Osom has reiterated commitment by the foundation in developing education system in Nsit Atai Local Government Area through the provision of educational materials, facilitation of conducive learning environment and the general welfare of students particularly the vulnerable.
While interacting with our correspondent, Mr. Osom described education as the bedrock of development in any society, disclosing, however, that quality education remains the yearnings and aspirations of people living in rural areas.
“Ubongabasi Osom foundation was berthed out of love for education and the fact that I would not love generation that comes after me to experience neglect in the area of education. The foundation was berthed out of love for the education of the people of Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.
“Although the focus of this foundation is on education, we may also diversify to areas like health, because without good health, the students can not do well in their educational pursuit,” he revealed.
Reflecting on the budget of the foundation, Mr. Osom made it known that seventy percent (70%) of the budget is for education and the remaining thirty percent (30%) goes into other areas such as healthcare, trade and development, skill acquisition, and donations to the vulnerables.
Mr. Osom goes on to appreciate the Chairman Board of Directors, Mr. Ekong Etuk and the Coordinator, Mr. EkereObong Peters for their extant benevolence to the growth of the foundation. The founder who is also a minister of the gospel, made it known, the intensions of running the foundation from his personal funds and however, leaves door open to donors wishing to be part of the project.
In his words, ” we do not depend on public donations for the running of Ubong-Abasi Osom foundation, hence, I have dedicated a certain percentage of my personal income to the running of the foundation so I hope it will grow and impart on the lives of Nsit Atai students and the elderly.”
The clergy while speaking on what inspired him to establish the foundation, recalled how Nsit Atai Local Government in 2014 lost all the GCE examinations centres. He said that this became inspiration to him and the foundation will see how to bring the centres back to Nsit Atai.
Narrating the event that led to the development, “due to the few number of students who registered for the examination, the local government was expected to pay a certain amount of money known as nonviable fee which no one offered to and centres were move from Nsit Atai to other local governments.
Speaking on the successes of the foundation, Mr. Osom disclosed that recently, the foundation has donated educational materials to students and pupils and clothing materials to the elderly in Ikot Abiama village. Currently, the foundation is working on an essay competition for students in tertiary institutions that are of Nsit Atai origin.
Still counting, “the foundation is also working on extending the “Back to School” programme earlier instituted to every Ward and Village in the local government. We also look out for those who are currently having shelta problem across the wards once we come out with something, we will see how to solve the problem.”
The Coordinator, Mr. Ekikereobong Peters said the foundation will in the near future record tremendous achievements in the area of human development and capacity building particularly among the youths. He, however, urged all students in the LG to keep in touch with the programmes of the foundation and take advantage of them while calling for full participation by tertiary education students in the forthcoming essay competion
