By Emmanuel Ikpe
Well to do individuals in the private sector have been urged to throw in their support to educational development in Akwa Ibom State, as government cannot do it alone.
The President of Prince Uwem Essien Foundation gave the charge while speaking with newsmen shortly after an empowerment program the foundation held for students of public schools at Onna People’s High School, Abat in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State at the weekend. Addressing the gathering, Prince Uwem Essien said that the organization was born to address the needs and challenges of Youth, Women, Children and the less privilege ones with support in the education sector.
He said theme for this year edition being Rediscovering our culture and languages was chosen to defined a “shared system of learned believe social behavior, institution and norms that characterized a human group or society, the ideas, custom and social behavior of the people.
The 30th edition of the Prince Uwem Essien Foundation for Youth, Children and Women Empowerment showcased annual inter-school football and quiz competition and educational awards for secondary students in Onna Local Government Area.
The benefited schools went home with educational materials, trophy and cash prizes.
Chairman at the organization, Bishop Solomon Umoh, the preciding Bishop of Liberated Chapel, Onna, described the gesture as philanthropic, noting that there’s a need for more private individuals involvement in developing education sector in the society.
While commending Prince Uwem Essien Foundation for their good works, the clergy expressed enthusiasm to encourage such magnanimity, as it present a platform for empowerment, development, social reengineering among other things.
At the event, Coach Charity Gabriel Udo-Ikwe, a former super FALCON coah picked gave financial support to schools who merged victorious in football and pick best players there for training.
Also commending the gesture done by Prince Uwem Essien Foundation was the Secretary to Onna LGA Council Hon Mfon Akpbio who colloberated need for private individuals participation in educational development in the society.
The epoch making event witnessed speech presentation , cultural dance, ballad, reading in Ibibio language, Traditional Music, among other things. High points of the event was presentation of Books and other educational materials to the participated schools.