Governor Eno Announces New Model Schools For Akwa Ibom State Senatorial District/Federal Constituencies

...Congratulates maiden graduates of Nigerian Navy Military School

The Akwa Ibom State Government has finalized arrangements to establish Model Primary Schools equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and personnel across the three Senatorial Districts, with a replication of the model schools in the ten Federal Constituencies of the state. 

The gesture underscores educational advancement as a critical pillar in the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda blueprint of the administration.

The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, announced this at the maiden graduation and passing out parade of the Nigerian Navy Military School held at the school parade grounds, Ikot Ntuen, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.

He stated that the pilot model school is under construction at Christ The King Primary School, CKS, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, and pledged his administration's determination to provide a conducive learning environment as well as align the curriculum with the realities of Information And Communication Technology (ICT), Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts to produce graduates that will compete with their peers elsewhere in the world.

"Let me at this point thank the Navy for choosing Akwa Ibom as their appropriate location for the establishment of this citadel of learning. As you all know, education is not preparation for life, but life itself, which is the reason why educational advancement is a critical pillar of our ARISE Agenda."

"We are determined to provide conducive learning environments, align the curriculum with the realities of ICT, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, and produce future graduates that will compete with their peers elsewhere in the country."

"We will establish model primary schools across the three Senatorial Districts and later, ten Federal Constituencies. The model school will soon be opened at Christ The King Primary School on Wellington Bassey Way, close to Government House because charity must begin at home."

The Governor, who pointed out that education at both primary and secondary levels remains free and compulsory for public schools across the state, stated that his administration has paid West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for students in public schools in the state and commended the students' exploits in the last WAEC examination.

Impressed by the outstanding performance of the young Sailors, the Governor undertook to pay WAEC fees for students of the Nigerian Navy Military School participating in next year's examination and announced the donation of a one-story building to address the accommodation needs of the institution to complement the eight buildings including hostels, laboratories, halls, and water already provided by the State Government in the institution.

The Governor, who acknowledged that the School was established to groom young able-bodied boys with the right mix of academic excellence, values, and discipline, maintained that the Navy Military School, in just six years of existence, has grown in leaps and bounds to become the most sought-after Navy Secondary School in the country and ascribed the feat to the quality of personnel, the ambience of the institution, academic performance, and the drills which he described as spectacular.

"Education at the Primary and Secondary levels remains free and compulsory. We recently paid the WAEC fees for our students, and I am told the pass grade has inched up considerably. Let me add that because of the outstanding performance that we have seen today amongst this set of junior sailors, we will, as part of our support to the school, undertake to pay next year's WAEC fees for all of our students who will be from this school."

"We have also seen the outstanding work that they have done; I have had conversations with the Commandant of the school, he is doing extremely well with his teaching staff, and we will be celebrating the commandant and the teaching staff."

"We have also been told that they are in need of staff quarters to accommodate all of their staff. The Government of Akwa Ibom State is donating a one-story building block to support them."

"The Government has contributed in the past, and I am told we have constructed about eight buildings, including laboratories, hostels, halls, and piped water. We will continue to support what we have seen here today."

The Governor made a case for the introduction of some elements of military training in the state's conventional schools to instill discipline in the students and directed the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, to make available Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira to each of the best graduating students, as well as a purse to take care of refreshments for both the teachers and the graduates.

The state Chief Executive used the occasion to congratulate the young sailors on their successful completion of their academic program and military training spanning six years and commended their discipline and determination during the training.

He wished them the best in their academic and military careers, advising them to showcase themselves as good ambassadors of the institution and never to forget their earliest beginning in the state in their journey of life.

"And for the five best graduating students, I am requesting the Honourable Commissioner for Education to please make available to each of them Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira."

"To all other graduates and all of the people who made the silent drill and the unarmed drill, and all of the graduates who are here, the Government, through the Honourable Commissioner for Education, will make available Ten Million Naira to you so that you can have a happy hour after a very serious season because after every warfare, comes welfare."

"Finally, let me congratulate you and wish you the very best in the future, both in your academics and in your military pursuits. I have no doubt that you will be great ambassadors of this school, the State, and the Nation. Wherever the journey of life takes you, please don't forget that you had your training in Akwa Ibom and always remember Akwa Ibom as you move along."

The graduation ceremony featured awards presentation to the young sailors in the areas of Best in Academics won by Ys Edozie Chibuike; Best in Military Courses, Ys Abdullahi Yusuf; Best in Regimentation, Ys Umahaba Enoch; Best in Leadership, Ys Muhammed Sadiq, and Overall in Academics and Military Training, Ys Edozie Chibuike.

Other events that spiced the ceremony were a Parade, Unarmed Combat Display, and Silent Drill Display by students of the institution.

Media Unit

Government House, Uyo

12/8/23