Efforts by the Udom administration to transform Akwa Ibom State industrially has earned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government a presidential commendation. Before the massive road projects of the Akpabio administration (2007-2015), the state was better known as a civil service state.
With a top investment banker, Udom Emmanuel, on the saddle as the governor of the oil-producing state, the economic narrative is fast changing as an emerging industrial tiger.
Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, says President Muhammadu Buhari is impressed by the giant infrastructural strides taking place in the 34-year-old Akwa Ibom.
Adamu who spoke in the state was there for an official engagement. He led a delegation for an inspection of the proposed site of a Federal University of Technology, located at Ikot Ukpoinua in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.
The minister also expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation of Governor Udom, stressing that President Buhari is impressed by his administration’s infrastructural strides in the state. He equally expressed Abuja’s readiness to commence work at the university site within the shortest possible time.
Adamu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Education S. T Echono, was accompanied to the project site by the former Minister and Pro-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Udoma Udo Udoma. Others include, Executive Secretary, National University Commission, Abubakar Rasheed and the Director University Education,j Rakiya Gambo.
According to the minister, all is now set for the commencement of work, as take-off funds to facilitate the project will be released in earnest and commended the National University Commission (NUC) for working assiduously in collaboration with the state government and education stakeholders to complete work on the academic brief as regards the number of programs to be run in the institution which would also be of immense benefit to the community.
Speaking also, Governor Udom lauded President Buhari for choosing Akwa Ibom to establish a federal University of Technology. While applauding the gesture of President Buhari, he assured that the mission and vision of the new university will be vigorously pursued.
Udom who spoke through his Education Commissioner, Idongesit Etiebet, thanked NUC for putting quality assurance mechanism to ensure standard in the Nation’s tertiary institution and called on the Federal Government and the investment community to take advantage of the existing peace in the State made possible by the Only God to invest in the State.
He equally thanked the host community for providing the site for the university and urged the youths to grab this God given opportunity, by desisting from destroying equipment, as it will create job opportunities and bring investors to Ikot Abasi.
Chairman of Ikot Abasi, Joshua Affia, earlier in his welcome address, thanked Governor Udom for his leadership qualities and achievements in the State that has qualified Ikot Abasi to accommodate the federal university.
While he further lauded President Buhari for choosing Akwa Ibom to site the University and promised support and cooperation to ensure the project is a success, goodwill messages were presented by the political leader of Ikot Abasi, Obong O. D Etukafia, the member representing Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo Constituency, Uduak Ududo.
Also present at the event were, Commissioner of Rural Development, Enobong Mbobo,
Vice-Chancellor, Akwa Ibom State University, Nse Essien, Special Assistants to the Governor on Education Monitoring, Udeme Udofia and Serah Esitikot.
Others include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Rose Bassey and Directors of the Ministry of Education, Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, Edidem Utukubom and members of Ikot Abasi community council were also present.
