Students under the aegis of Akwa Ubok Abasi Students Wing have lauded the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, for his pragmatic approach in addressing the concerns of students, particularly the sponsorship of more than 400 undergraduates in higher institutions of learning across the country.
Speaking at an event organized to mark the 2022 edition of International Students’ Day, a member of the leadership structure, Comrade Enobong Duff, lamented the challenges faced by students in recent times as a result of the drastic economic hardship that has characterized the nation.
Guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Emmanuel Akpan, highlighted the need for increased investment in education and advocated for states of the nation to increase their annual budget for the sector to enable the provision of more infrastructures and personnel for effective teaching and learning.
On payment of bursary and welfare of students, a student leader, Comrade Emediong Benson, urged the students to assess the candidates that have presented themselves for the office of the Governor of the state, based on antecedents and what they have done in previous assignments to enhance the welfare of students.
He said Senator Albert has carved a niche for himself on the issue of students’ welfare with the facilitation of the scholarship scheme, urging him not to abandon the students and his agenda for them when he emerges Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023.
In his response, the Director-General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, represented by Dr. Unyime Okon, outlined the plans of the YPP Gubernatorial Candidate for the education sector.
Dr. Okon described the agenda as unprecedented and conceptualized to guarantee a quantum leap.
He highlighted increased budgetary provision, enhancement of teacher-to-pupil ratio, upgrading of schools, effective monitoring and performance evaluation based on indicators, training, and retraining of teachers, and promotion of research as some of the strategies outlined for systematic development of the education sector.
The event had the theme ‘Evaluating the State of Education in Akwa Ibom‘ and featured short speeches by student leaders and beneficiaries of Senator Bassey Albert’s Scholarship Programme. The students also presented materials to Akwa Ubok Abasi campaign organization.
