The Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria (AKISAN), United States of America has doled out the 2021 scholarships worth about N1.5 million to 12 Akwa Ibom indigenes studying in the University of Uyo.
At the colourful ceremony held at Watbridge Hotels and Suits, IBB Avenue, Uyo, AIKSAN rolled out scholarship scheme to the students offering Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy and Engineering courses in the university.
The recipients included Gideon Ndedu from Eket, Joshua Tom from Etim Ekpo, Osmond Ntah Robinson from Etinan, Kingsley Edet from Ibiono Ibom, Unwanaobong Nyong from Ikono and Victor Nkereuwem from Mbo.
Others were Emmanuel Ekot from Mkpat Enin, Wisdom Ekwere from Nsit Atai, Edidiong Inyang from Onna, Fortune Richman from Oruk Anam, NdjoAbasi Umoh from Ukanafun and Joel Benjamin from Urue Offong/Oruk Local Government Areas.
The final awardees wrote essay on the topic: My vision for Akwa Ibom State and sent to AKISAN, USA for marking and scoring by the Education Committee of the non-profit making organization last year.
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The AKISAN- USA National President, Mr. Itoro Akpan-Iquot in the AKISAN website wrote ”After a very meticulous and transparent selection process, below are the names of the winners of our 2021 scholarship awards. Congratulations to all the winners and a very good job on the part of members of our AKISAN USA Education/Scholarship Committee.’’
Akpan-Iquot said the selection process was laborious and tough, noting ”If are one of the 12, know that you have earned your award. We know that this award will go a long way to cushion the effects of high school fees and get one step further to earning your education. Know that in the 21st century, education is more important than ever so do not waste the opportunity to get it.’’
He congratulated the winners of the scholarship awards and their parents, and thanked the parents for giving their children value education, saying ”We decided to do more than scholarships and medical missions and all this required money we did not readily have at our disposal.’’
He said the organisation which would be 35 years in August this year has 30 chapters with the aim of promoting, encouraging and fostering unity among Akwa Ibom people both in the United States and in Nigeria.
According to him, the organisation has in the last 18 months trained 70 individuals in Information Technology, to manufacturing beauty and cleaning products, culinary arts and Agro-business.
Speaking at the venue, Dr. (Mrs) Ini Adiakpan, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, commended AKISAN for awarding the scholarships to the Akwa Ibom indigenes, but advised the recipients to complement the gesture by studying harder to justify the efforts.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet congratulated the recipients, and emphasized the need for more Non-Governmental Organisations to emulate the gesture by awarding scholarships to indigenes of the state.
Etiebet who was represented by Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Ekpo called on the organization to give more slots to female children, but called on the recipients to give back to the society on completion of their studies.
In her comments, the Commissioner of Power and Petroleum Development, Dr. John Etim Etim who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs) Valerie Obot, lauded the effort of the organization in giving scholarships to the students, and urged the recipients to think of giving back to Akwa Ibom society after graduation for others to benefit from the scheme too.
Responding for the recipients, Edidiong Inyang who is studying Medicine and Surgery thanked AKISAN members for the awards, and pledged to make good use of the gesture.
