An Akwa Ibom-born educationist, Emmanuel Abraham, says he has helped in curbing rural-urban drift bedevilling many Nigerian communities owing to dearth of basic social amenities coupled with white collar job.
Abraham, the proprietor of Topfaith University, Mkpatak in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, talked boldly that he has reversed the trend from rural-urban drift to urban-rural drift through establishment of top-flight schools in his village.
Abraham, a PH.d holder bared his mind at the book launch, Village Boy by Anietie Usen, multiple-award winning journalist held at Sheergrace Arena, Uyo in Akwa Ibom on Friday, February 26.
The educationist recalled telling the then governor during the inauguration of Topfaith International Secondary School, Mkpatak in 2008 that his vision of establishing the schools in the village was to reverse rural-urban drift.
He thumped his chest that by establishing nursery, secondary school and university in a village, he has provided gainful employment opportunities to many graduates and other qualified persons, thus bringing back many who have worked and resided in urban areas.
The academic who was the book reviewer saw Village Boy as a wake-up call for many to embrace rural areas with attendant village life that is characterised by naturalness, life’s realities and serenity.
Abraham lamented that 75 per cent persons born and raised in the urban areas usually miss real life usually equated with good naturalness to meaningful and purposeful youthful life and grooming.
Mr. Udom Inoyo, a retired Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil, lauded the author for chronicling his village life experience for many read and learn how to become great stars in their future endeavours.
Inoyo who was one of the special guest at the event recalled as a child participating in bush clearing, weeding and harvesting and emphasised the need for many to return to village life seen a gateway to nature.
Mr. Udeme Ufot who was the Chairman of the occasion thanked Anietie for the publication and talked with relish how he and his peer group used to go for termites and cricket hunting in the village.
Ufot, the managing director of So&U, a foremost advertising company in Lagos, said he was yanked off to Lagos at the age of four, recalling that he had resided in Zaria, Calabar where his father was the pioneer Registrar of University of Calabar before he proceeded to Lagos, where he has lived for more than 40 years now.
He recalled that his father- Onofiok Ufot- while he was in Lagos served as the President of Afaha Akpan Ekpo and Afaha Iman and from there he was conscripted to join the association as a member, the meeting which, according to him, helped him to knowing many sons and daughters of the area including Anietie.
Describing Anietie’s graduation from a village boy to a multiple-award journalist as a clear case of grass-grace experience, Ufot donated N1 million for the book launch and called on many to return to village life as a way of prolonging their life.
The event was graced by Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe, secretary of All Progressives Congress Caretaker Committee, Senator Effiong Bob, PDP stalwart, and Hon. Onofiok Luke, member representing Etinan-Nsit Ibom-Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, among others.
