By ETIM ETIM
One morning early this year, I was at a barber’s shop in Shelter Afrique estate when a 10-year-old boy hawking stewed beef sauntered into the premises. ‘’Why are you not in school?’’, I queried. He was driven from school, he told me, because he had no notebooks. He lives with his aunty and she had not bought him notebooks, and the teacher did not want to have him in the classroom.
I gave him money to buy notebooks and asked him to return to school the following day. I have not seen the boy since then. So, when the Chief Medical Director of Alma Clinics, Uyo, Dr. Ita Udosen, told me of his plans to donate notebooks to primary school kids in his community, my encounter with the 10-year-old hawker came back to mind. Is the young boy back in school? Did my assistance make a difference?
Akwa Ibom State government has been offering free education for over 20 years now, but many pupils in primary schools don’t have enough books – not even notebooks – and so, learning is difficult. Some parents and guardians actually assume that it is the responsibility of government to provide books to their wards.
Udosen’s initiative will therefore provide succor to some of these kids. He plans to donate 100,000 notebooks to schools in his LGA in the next one year in support of Gov. Umo Eno’s call for leaders at different levels to support their communities in whatever ways they can. Dr Udosen, the South-South Zonal Secretary of APC, began his outreach on Tuesday at St. Thomas RCM Primary School, Afaha Atai before he moved to St. Peter’s Primary School, Mbierebe Akpawat. Head of Service, Engr. Effiong Essien and his community leaders were on hand to witness the Book donation at Afaha Atai, Ibesikpo.
On Wednesday, he went to Government Primary School, Ikot Akpabin, on Tuesday where he donated 1,000 branded exercise books to the pupils of the school. He told the pupils and school management that his gesture was in alignment with one of the key pillars of Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda, which prioritizes education as a tool for social transformation. ‘’Education remains a major factor in shaping a generation and building a productive society’’, he said.
The Head Teacher expressed gratitude to Dr Udosen and his team for selecting the school as one of the beneficiaries. She appealed for assistance with tools to help the school maintain its environment. In response, Dr Udosen contacted Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Obot, an indigene of the community and alumnus of the school, who immediately pledged to donate a lawn mower to the school.
In attendance were officials of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), led by the Director of School Services, Mrs Mandu Ekpeyong; Mrs Josephine Bassey, Director of Early Child Education; Dr (Mrs) Helen Essien, Director of the Federal Teachers Scheme; representatives of the Village Head of Ikot Akpabin; the Special Assistant to the Governor on New and Digital Communication, Mr Destiny Young, and other community leaders. Mrs Ekpeyong commended Dr Udosen’s intervention and cautioned school heads against engaging pupils in personal farming activities, warning that such practices would no longer be tolerated.
Thereafter, Dr Udosen and his team proceeded to Government Primary School, Okop Ndua Erong, where an unexpected incident occurred. A pupil reportedly collapsed before the event began. Udosen quickly shifted into his medical mode; suspended the donation activity and directed his team to rush the child to a nearby health center. He paid for the medical expenses. The pupil was revived shortly after, and the programme resumed. Another 1,000 exercise books were given to the pupils. The event was attended by Hon. Esitima Udosen, Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President who is an indigene of the community, as well as Mr Joshua Okon, a local APC stalwart, among other dignitaries. I thank Dr. Udosen for his initiative.
Although community development is a collective effort, individuals play a huge role in shaping their communities. This is why I call on our political and business leaders to provide whatever help they can in their villages.
