Akwa Ibom, UK Borough, Diaspora Community Synergise On Educational, Cultural Exchanges

The Government of Akwa Ibom State has reached an agreement with the London Borough of Southwark, and Akwa Ibom indigenes in the United Kingdom (UK) to have exchanges in the areas of education and culture.

Those agreements were reached at separate meetings held by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, with the Mayor of the Borough, Michael Situ and some indigenes of Akwa Ibom State resident in the United Kingdom.

At the Council Hall of the London Borough of Southwark, where Governor Eno was received by the Borough’s Worshipful Mayor, Deputy Mayor and other members of the Borough’s Council, Mayor Situ, in his speech, proposed a twinning of his borough and the Capital city of Akwa Ibom State, hinting that this alliance will be mutually beneficial.

Mayor Situ, who gave the governor some official memorabilia from the Borough of Southwark, expressed great delight in the governor’s visit and optimism about the benefits that the collaboration between the two governments can bring. He said his officials were ready to visit and commence deeper discussions on the areas of bilateral interest.

Responding, Governor Eno appreciated the proposition made by the Mayor for a twinning partnership between the Borough and Uyo Local Government Area, which he directed the Commissioner for Local Government to facilitate.

The governor proposed an education and cultural exchange on both Government to Government(G2G) and Business to Business (B2B) levels, for the mutual benefit of both parties, as well as an exchange between teachers and students in both climes to undertake knowledge-sharing on teaching methods and other education-related deliverables.

Thereafter, the governor attended a meeting with some Akwa Ibom citizens in the UK, where he briefed them on the promises and prospects embedded in the ARISE Agenda of his administration and the diaspora opportunities therein.

Pastor Eno, who indicated his readiness to collaborate with Akwa Ibom citizens in the diaspora throughout his tenure, also expressed confidence in the capacity of the diaspora to contribute positively to the economic development of the state.

Making their contributions at the meeting, Dr. Ikpe Emmanuel Ibanga (course director at Leeds Beckett University), Dr. Itoro Akpan (lecturer at Staffordshire University), Koko Udom Esq (Construction, Nuclear and power expert), Francis Nkanang (Senior staff, Barclays Bank), Mercy Umoh (Cyber Security expert), Itiemoh Imoh (Programme Leader, Coventry University), Enobong Bassey (Hydrographic Surveyor), and Emem Ekanem (Lecturer, University of Greenwich), offered their expertise to help the state move forward along the lines of integrated development.

They appealed to the governor to interact frequently with the Akwa Ibom community in the United Kingdom.

Earlier, the governor attended the London Political Summit, where his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was the keynote speaker.

In his remarks at the summit, Governor Eno marketed the State as a destination of choice, and, therefore, invited his audience to consider Akwa Ibom as the best destination for their investment and leisure in Nigeria.

Presenting the award of MP of the Year to Rt. Hon. Jonathan Ashworth, who has been the Parliament Member, representing Leicester South since 2011, Governor Eno congratulated the Labour Party MP and other awardees at the event.

The Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who was on the entourage of Governor Eno, while commenting on the new initiative, noted that, “These collaborative efforts indicate a strategic milestone in creating and strengthening international partnerships and promoting cultural and educational exchange, in addition to fostering a sense of community among Akwa Ibom citizens in the United Kingdom.”

Also, on the entourage of Governor Eno on the trip to the United Kingdom were the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong; chairman, Maintain Peace Movement, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem; the CEO, HENSEK Construction Company, Engr. Uwem Okoko, and the SSA on ICT and Digital Matters, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.