A’Ibom govt partners London Borough on education exchange programmes

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom Government has entered into a partnership agreement with the London Borough of Southwark on education, sports and culture exchange programmes in areas of common interest.

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom made this known during a courtesy visit to him by the delegation from the Southwark Council, led by the Mayor, Mr Michael Situ at Government House in Uyo.

Eno said the delegation was in the State to finalise arrangements for the exchange programmes and other mutually beneficial ventures in areas of education, business, sports and tourism.

He said the visit was a demonstration of integrity and commitment to the exchange deal, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to fulfilling their side of the partnership obligations with utmost transparency.

The Governor said the programme is to give overseas exposure to some bright but not-so-privileged Akwa Ibom children and encourage them to believe in hard work.

“For my child, grandchildren or the child of anyone in this room to fly to London is no news, the news is that brilliant child in a public school in the village who didn’t even think of or have hope of going to the airport, being made to sit on a 6-7 hours flight to arrive the UK and you tell him this is just the beginning.

“If you take your education more seriously, it can take you to any part of the world and you can sit on the table with anyone.

“That’s the catch for me. If I can get one Akwa Ibom child motivated with that, I would have succeeded, so I take this as a project,” Eno said.

Eno said though the cost may be high due to unfavourable exchange rates, the human capital development investment for the state and the benefits for Akwa Ibom children outweigh the cost.

He assured the Southwark Council of the integrity of the Akwa Ibom people, adding that modalities have been put in place to ensure the return of everyone in due time.

“I can guarantee on our honour that every child and member of staff that will leave to the UK, will return.

That is the commitment I have made because we hope to make this a continuous thing, ” he said.

Earlier, Situ lauded the ingenuity of the government and people of Akwa Ibom for not only indicating interest in partnering with his government for exchange programmes but taking steps at a very impressive pace to actualise the partnership.

“When we all think of ourselves as being here for service, the job of governance becomes very simple in the sense that your focal point becomes what will benefit the people and how to address their issues and concerns,’ he said.

Situ said schools in the London Borough of Southwark that have been scheduled for the exchange programme were already excited about it.

He expressed optimism that the people of Southwark, especially those of African descent, will be excited to also have the opportunity to visit Akwa Ibom for interactions in culture, sports and other areas of interest.