* WASCO moulded me to be what I am today
* I am giving back to the school
Israel umoh
A member of Nigerian House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem has inaugurated the completed six-classroom storey building in his alma mater- Western Annang Secondary Commercial School (WASCO) in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Idem, who inaugurated the classroom block worth millions of Naira on Saturday, August 8, said this was in addition to a two-classroom block he had built, furnished and handed over to the school.
WASCO, a premier secondary school in the area established in 1972, has produced four members in Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, a local government Chairman, Professor, Doctorate degree holders, Engineers, top civil servants, Captains of industry and media gurus.
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The building provides six fully furnished classrooms, with 20 desks and chairs in each classroom, bringing all to 120 desks and chairs.
The six-classroom storey block built and completed by Idem
In the two-classroom block are 40 desks and chairs, bringing to 60 the total number of desks and chairs provided under the two projects as well as furniture for the principal and teachers, visitors’ chairs and a solar lighting system.
Speaking at the colouful event, Idem, an alumnus of the school, commended the parents, Teachers Association (PTA) and Alumni Association of WASCO for bestowing him with double Awards of Excellence for executing the life-touching projects in the school.
‘‘For me, this was more than the commissioning of buildings. It was a homecoming. It was an opportunity to return to a place that played a significant role in shaping my academic journey, character and outlook on life.
The two-classroom block with 40 desks and chairs earlier provided by Idem
‘‘One of the noblest ways to express gratitude is by giving back. This project is my modest contribution towards strengthening the educational environment that once nurtured me. It is my way of saying thank you to WASCO for believing in young minds and helping to mould generations of responsible citizens.’’
According to him, ‘‘These structures are, to me, more than buildings and furniture. They represent an investment in the comfort, dignity and academic development of our children. I believe that when we provide young people with a conducive environment to learn, we are not only improving their education; we are investing in the future of our communities and our nation.
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The Chairman of House Committee on Public Procurement reaffirmed his commitment to the development of education across the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, saying ‘‘Our interventions will continue to encompass infrastructure, scholarships and bursaries, learning materials, skills acquisition, digital empowerment and other initiatives aimed at equipping our young people with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.’’
Idem, therefore, urged WASCO students to take full advantage of these facilities, advising ‘‘Remain disciplined, diligent and focused on your studies. Respect your teachers and parents, shun drug abuse and other social vices, avoid negative peer influence, and embrace hard work, integrity and excellence. Your future is in your hands.’’
He also appealed to WASCO alumni, both at home and in the Diaspora, to join hands in supporting the continued development of their alma mater, adding ‘‘There is so much we can achieve when we collectively give back to the institutions that helped shape us.’’
While pledging his continued support and goodwill to delivering life-touching projects across the Federal Constituency, he noted ‘‘This is not my first contribution to WASCO. In the past, I established an ICT centre furnished with computers and other necessary infrastructure and installed solar-powered lights to illuminate the school premises at night.’’
The WASCO Alumni Association President, Mr. Victor Ekanem Abang thanked the member in the House of Representatives for providing such basic infrastructure in the school.
Abang recalled that when he visited the school some years ago, the school was in ruins and he decided to tag their reunion meet: WASCO, Forgotten and Abandoned, commending Idem for restoring the lost glory of the hitherto forgotten but abandoned school.
He, however, called on Rep Idem to renovate a dilapidated existing one storey building in the school to give the place a new facelift.
The ex-member of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Saturday Michael Akpan, recounted the standard the school bequeathed to many alumni including himself.
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Akpan, an alumnus of the school, recalled that in then University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), someone challenged him as being a product of a village school, but he finally trounced the fellow by making Second Class Upper while the person made Second Class Lower.
Recounting his achievements in providing scholarship awards, N1 million to each of the 1,000 people in the Federal Constituency, and restoring electricity to the constituency, among others, he thanked Idem for building and completing the new building for their alma mater.
Also speaking, Hon. Emem Etokabasi Udom, a member in the State House of Assembly thanked him for the gesture.
Udom, who is an alumnus of the school, called on other well-meaning alumni to contribute to the development and growth of the school by providing other basic infrastructure.
The Principal of the school, Mr. Sunday Harry hailed the House of Representatives member for earlier providing solar light, donating 40 computer sets and for donating a six-classroom storey block to the school.
