Students in higher education from Akwa Ibom State have expressed their appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for fulfilling his promise to grant bursaries to undergraduates and launching a N100 million intervention fund for Students Living With Disabilities. The governor’s commitment to education in the state received praise during a meeting with student leaders in Uyo.
The gathering aimed to update students on the governor’s plans to commence bursary payments to all Akwa Ibom students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The governor, represented by his Personal Assistant on Students Affairs, Wisdom Offong, encouraged the students to focus on their academic pursuits and avoid behaviors that could hinder their quest for excellence.
The governor assured the students that the necessary software applications for executing Geographic Information Systems (AKWAGIS) to manage bursary awards are ready. This system will ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement process. The meeting was intended to explain the processes and progress made concerning the bursary payments and to hear the contributions, suggestions, and observations of the attending student leaders.
The governor also urged the students to set positive examples and serve as role models for their peers. He emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious activities promptly to security agencies.
Ubong Ekwere, the National President of the Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS), expressed the students’ determination to support the governor’s administration. He appealed for the swift disbursement of bursaries to all students from the state in higher education. Ekwere commended the governor for various initiatives, including the educational intervention fund, building model primary schools, and timely payment of WAEC fees for secondary students, all achieved in a short time in office.
The Governor’s dialogue with the students attracted numerous student leaders, including Ibiangake Asuquo, the National Financial Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
