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85-year-old school transformed into an ultra-modern Model Primary School with 17 furnished classrooms, ICT centre, library and solar power.
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Teachers get accommodation as the project includes furnished residential quarters for teachers and the head teacher.
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Obot Akara gets two Model Primary Schools within one year, as Governor Eno deepens investment in education and human capital development.
September 08, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has transformed an 85-year-old primary school at Ikpe Mbak Eyop in Obot Akara Local Government Area into an ultra-modern Model Primary School, in what the state government described as a strategic investment in the future of Akwa Ibom children.
The school, originally established by the Methodist Mission in 1939, was commissioned on Monday as part of the administration’s efforts to upgrade educational infrastructure and create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning across the state.
Representing Governor Eno at the commissioning, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports and Dean of Commissioners, Sir Monday Uko, expressed satisfaction with the transformation, recalling that he attended Primary Six in the same school in 1980.
Uko described the project as an investment in the future of the state, stressing that the school could produce future governors, legislators, doctors, engineers and other professionals.
He said the transformation demonstrated the importance attached to education by the Eno administration, noting that developing human capital remained critical to the long-term growth of Akwa Ibom.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Umoh Umoh, who gave an overview of the project, said the school reflected Governor Eno’s innovative approach to governance and implementation of the ARISE Agenda.
According to him, the institution, which started as part of the Methodist Mission’s activities in the community, has been completely upgraded to meet contemporary educational standards.
The renovated facility comprises 17 fully furnished classrooms, additional classroom facilities, an ICT centre and a library, while solar-powered infrastructure has also been provided to ensure a reliable electricity supply.
The project also includes furnished residential accommodation for teachers and the head teacher, with essential household facilities, as well as perimeter fencing, a gate and security facilities.
Prof. Umoh said green areas were incorporated into the school layout to create an aesthetically pleasing and child-friendly environment that would enhance learning.
He added that the state’s free and compulsory education policy, which provides pupils with exercise books, school bags, shoes, socks and uniforms, was helping to reduce the financial burden on parents and improve school enrolment ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session.
Uko further disclosed that Obot Akara had received two Model Primary Schools within the year, describing it as a feat yet to be recorded by any other local government area in the state.
The Chairman of Obot Akara Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Akpan, described the commissioning as another landmark development for the area.
Akpan commended Governor Eno for what he described as his consistent attention to the local government, noting that about 20 projects had been implemented in the area under the present administration.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the first elected female Chairman of Obot Akara, Mrs. Agnes Ewewen; former House of Representatives member and Founder of Rafia City Book Club, Abom Tony Esu; Member representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Hon. Patrick Umoh; and Member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency, Hon. Jerry Otu.
They commended the governor’s investment in the area and pledged continued support for his administration.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, government officials, local government chairmen, lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, political appointees and other stakeholders.
The pupils also added colour to the event with a welcome song as the newly transformed school was formally commissioned.
Praising the intervention, a teacher at the school, Mr Udo Monday, said the institution had been in a sorry state before the renovation. He said the transformation had restored dignity to the school and provided pupils and teachers with a more suitable environment for learning and teaching.
He pledged the support of residents for the administration while also urging them to sustain their support for Governor Eno and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
