By Aniefiok Christopher
Akwa Ibom Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritise quality of education in the state in line with the educational advancement thrust of the ARISE Agenda programme.
Governor Umo Eno gave the assurance Tuesday during the grand-finale of the 2025 Children’s Day celebrations at Uyo Township Stadium on the theme “Stand up, Speak up: Building A Bullying-Free Generation” which, he said, was quite apt and timely.
Speaking through the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Umoh, the Governor said Children’s Day is usually an avenue for the government to renew its efforts and commitment to the welfare of children and building a better future for them.
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“Our philosophy in governance is anchored in the understanding that we must invest our time and resources to prepare a bright future for our children. That is why we are holistically investing in their education and the last letter ”E” in the Arise Agenda stands for education”.
Speaking further, he said the strongest tool to give our children for tomorrow is education and other skills so that they can compete with their counterparts nationally and on the global stage.
Eno stated that his administration has built model primary schools across the State in just two years with modern facilities and have gone ahead to provide shoes, school uniforms and books to encourage them in their learning.
“Soon, we will flag off the construction of model secondary schools in all three Senatorial districts equipped with world-class facilities, staff quarters and ICT centres. Our target is to ensure that public schools have the capacity to compete with private schools, and that our children are not denied quality education because of the circumstances of their birth.
He said the State government has strengthened the Child Rights Law in the state with appropriate legislation and commensurate sanctions for defaulters and would not condone child abuse or molestation of any sort, and the culprits shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Governor pledged to encourage and reward Akwa Ibom child who stands out academically, as a means to spur others, as he urged parents to ensure that their wards stay away from anti-social tendencies such as cultism.
While congratulating the children on this year’s Children’s Day, the Governor charged them to make their families and our State proud, with the promise to implement policies and programmes that will protect our children.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Etukudo, had said the essence of the yearly event is to enhance the overall well-being of children, adding that the day serves as a reminder to all stakeholders of the importance of protecting and nurturing children, ensuring their rights and providing opportunities for their development.
Underscoring the importance of the 2025 theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying Free Generation”, the Commissioner highlighted the UN’s record that about 10 person of children were currently affected by cyber bullying, while 1 in 3 students worldwide had at one time or the other been victim of bullying.
According to her, the UN report further indicates that up to a quarter of adolescent girls experience gender based violence, especially bullying and up to 40 percent of these incidents occur at school and with a lot of consequences that affect not just learning, but certain traumatic conditions such as loneliness, insomnia and at the extreme case, suicidal thoughts.
She was appreciative of the dynamic and child-friendly Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for his unwavering love, passion and commitment toward the educational advancement of Akwa Ibom children as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda of the present administration.
The Commissioner equally commended the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki for her Back-to-School Education Programme which, she said, has brought tremendous support and relief to parents and guardians.
The 2025 Children’s also featured presentations from the Akwa Ibom State Children’s Parliament and Match Past by school children and voluntary organisations followed by presentation of prices to the winning schools with Community Secondary School, Aka Offot emerging the first position for the secondary school category, while African Child Nursery Primary School emerged the overall best for the primary school category, among others.
