IPAC hails Gov. Umo Eno’s ₦3.2bn education investment, says Akwa Ibom children are biggest winners
Tony Okoh, Uyo
Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has applauded Governor Umo Eno for approving over ₦3.2 billion for the payment of examination fees and students’ bursaries, describing the intervention as a landmark investment in the future of Akwa Ibom children and a clear demonstration of visionary leadership.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo, the State Chairman of IPAC, Hon. Blessing Umo, praised the Governor’s commitment to educational development, saying the initiative reflects the administration’s unwavering determination to build a knowledgeable, skilled and competitive generation through strategic investments in human capital.
According to her, the Governor’s approval of ₦1.968 billion for the payment of examination fees for students in public schools, alongside the release of ₦1.3 billion for students’ bursaries, represents one of the most significant educational interventions in the state’s recent history.
She noted that the administration also increased the bursary award from ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 per beneficiary, describing the upward review as a timely response to the prevailing economic realities confronting students and their families.
Hon. Umo said the approvals reaffirm Governor Eno’s resolve to ensure that no Akwa Ibom child is denied access to quality education because of financial constraints.
“Education remains the greatest legacy any government can bequeath to its people. Governor Umo Eno has once again demonstrated that the future of Akwa Ibom children matters deeply to him. By committing over ₦3.2 billion to examination fees and bursaries, he has lifted a huge financial burden from thousands of families while giving hope to students to pursue their academic aspirations without interruption,” she stated.
The IPAC chairman explained that the intervention extends beyond financial assistance, describing it as a strategic investment that would enhance the state’s long-term socio-economic development.
She observed that the Governor’s decision to fully fund major examinations, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Common Entrance Examination, promotion examinations and other critical assessment exercises, would significantly improve access to education, reduce school dropout rates and promote academic excellence across public schools.
According to her, the enhanced bursary scheme will equally provide much-needed relief for indigent students, encourage greater enrolment in tertiary institutions and strengthen the state’s human capital development agenda.
Hon. Umo urged students across the state to reciprocate the Governor’s goodwill by remaining committed to their studies, shunning cultism, drug abuse and other social vices, while striving for excellence in their academic pursuits.
She maintained that Governor Eno has consistently demonstrated through his policies and programmes that education remains one of the key pillars of the ARISE Agenda, adding that sustained investment in the sector is essential for building a prosperous and globally competitive society.
The IPAC chairman also called on parents, education stakeholders and all well-meaning Akwa Ibom citizens to support the Governor’s education reforms, stressing that the benefits of the investment would extend beyond the present generation and contribute to economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.
She concluded that the latest approvals have further strengthened Governor Umo Eno’s reputation as a compassionate, people-centred leader whose policies continue to prioritise the welfare, empowerment and future of Akwa Ibom children.
