Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, has applauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for its commitment to higher education infrastructural development and funding.
He said his policy on educational development as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda blueprint, would not be compromised.
The governor gave the assurance when the board of TETFund led by its chairman, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Uyo.
He said his administration has thus far focused more on primary education, and has built model primary schools across the 31 local government areas in the state.
Beyond the structures, he said, the government has provided school uniforms, books, shoes, and bags for the pupils to encourage learning.
“We will continue to focus on education as a critical component of the ARISE Agenda. As a State, we are more focused on our primary education, building model primary schools across the 31 local government areas of the state. The primary schools stand as models to be replicated. We have also provided uniforms, books and shoes to encourage learning,” he said.
Announcing that the government would soon flag off model secondary schools, the governor assured that his administration would stop at nothing to ensure quality and qualitative education for Akwa Ibom children.
Governor Eno said the State Executive Council meeting was extended to accommodate the courtesy visit given the strategic importance of the visit, and appreciated TETFUND for its support to tertiary education in the state and the Akwa Ibom State University, AKSU, in particular.
He also appreciated Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, a former pro-chancellor of the State University for his remarkable contributions to the development of the state, describing him as a perfect gentleman with innumerable impacts across the state.
The governor appealed for more support in developing tertiary institutions in the state. He assured the board of continuous partnership and a conducive environment for hosting their annual retreat in the state.
He used the opportunity to commiserate with Alhaji Masari, a former governor of Katsina State, over the death of his close ally and leader, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and prayed for God to grant him eternal rest.
Responding, Alhaji Masari said they were in the state to commission projects at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), at Ikot Akpaden, in Mkpat Enin LGA, and expressed delight that the recipient institution was able to complete and commission the projects.
He commended the Governor for his development strides, the peaceful ambience, and the hospitality they had enjoyed since his arrival, saying the Board had agreed to host its annual retreat in the state.
On his part, the vice chancellor of AKSU, Prof. Nse U. Essien said the board was in the state to commission very important projects and enumerated the different projects to include the Faculty of Biological Science building; Faculty of Physical Science building; Faculty of Engineering, Phase One, building; Faculty of Management Science building, among others.
Prof. Essien who acknowledged that the university has benefitted immensely from TETFUND, expressed optimism that the team’s visit to the governor will yield much more dividends to the state.
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