By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
Atleast 17 secondary schools in Akwa Ibom have received a facelift following the remodeling and equipping of their science laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Consultant in charge of the project and CEO of Pinnacle Northstars Associate Limited, Mr Aniekan Umoette, who took journalists on an inspection tour of the laboratories yesterday, explained that the sorry state of science laboratories in schools in the state moved the Governor to award a contract for their refurbishing and equipping.
“When I came into Nigeria, I met the Governor and he specifically instructed me to go to find out the different schools that are lagging behind especially in science subjects and after I did, he awarded a contract to my company which refurbished the labs with state-of-the-art facilities. We have also delivered the equipment to the seventeen schools.” Umoette explained.
Teachers and students from the benefitting schools who recounted their inability to conduct practicals due to a lack of conducive and well-equipped laboratories prior to the remodeling stated that most times, they resorted to alternatives to practicals.
Principal of Secondary Commercial School, Iwawa Usung Eket in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Council, Mr. Anietie Ubiong, was certain the newly-furnished science laboratories presented by the state government would bolster the teaching of science and was optimistic the school would produce medical and engineering professionals in the future.
“I have received the science equipment sent to the school by the Akwa Ibom state government. Today, the students are using the science equipment and this will help them get acquainted with the subject as they carry out their practicals daily.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel is a promise-keeping governor. He has not only built the lab, but equipped it to the standard we would be proud of. This gesture is a reaffirmation of the high premium the government has placed on the educational sector in this state.” Ubiong said.
A student of St. Mary Science College, Ediene Abak in Abak Local Council, Iboro Udom, was elated to have his practical classes at their newly-furnished Chemistry laboratory.
“Our new Chemistry laboratory was just done by the state government and here in St. Mary’s, science subjects are taken seriously and with these equipment, our practicals are conducted regularly.
“The government has done well in providing all the laboratory instruments and equipment needed for our studies. I say a very big thank you to the Akwa Ibom government for the provision of the facilities and equipment in our school.” Udom enthused.
Some of the schools that benefitted from the benevolence of the project include: Onna People’s High School, Abat, Onna LGA, Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Akpan Ishiet, Onna, Etinan Institute, Etinan LGA and St. Mary’s Science college, Ediene Abak, Abak LGA,
Others include Secondary Commercial School, Iwawa Usung Eket, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Community Secondary School, Oruk Anam LGA, Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Uso, Eket LGA, Methodist Senior Science College, Oron LGA.
