The unwavering commitment of Governor Umo Eno to grassroots development was once again on display as a model primary school was commissioned in Obot Akara Local Government Area.
The event took place at St. Patrick’s Model Primary School, Nto Ide, Obot Akara Local Government Area on Thursday, 31st July, 2025.
Representing the Governor at the commissioning event, former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Chief Assam E. Assam, SAN, commended the people for their support and urged them to take ownership of government projects.
“During campaigns, I kept saying this man will do what he says he will. That he is a man of his word.
“The development in this community has shown that Umo Eno is serious with grassroots development.
“The governor has done his part. the traditional institutions and the youth must protect this investment.”
Describing the newly commissioned model school as “a garment” given to the community, Chief Assam emphasized that its care would determine future government interventions.
“When a child is given a cloth and he does not wash it or handle it well, the father would not be encouraged to give him more.
“The governor is very focused on what he wants to do. This model primary school here is like a garment to Obot Akara.
“You must guard it jealously.”
In a strong appeal to community youth, he cautioned against vandalism and theft.
“To the youths, this property must be protected by you. It is not a place for stealing equipment and selling them to the nearby community. As the school is being celebrated today, it should be kept as posterity for tomorrow.
“The government is very serious about the fact that if a project is cited in a community and the community does not protect it, more projects may likely not come to such place again. And that is the statement I am telling you, because it is important that you know.”
Chief Assam also conveyed Governor Eno’s assurance that all promises made to Obot Akara remain active.
”The governor asked me to assure you that there is no project he had said he will do in Obot Akara that he has forgotten because he is interested in the growth of the land – taking stock of the project evaluation of the local government.
”I want to thank these children. It is because of them that this school was built. After passionately receiving and celebrating the governor, he was moved to do this for you.”
Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Monday Ebong Uko, who was also present, expressed deep gratitude for the Governor’s fulfilment of campaign promises.
“When we had campaigns in 2023, the governor made a promise to the people of Obot Akara. I never went back to him.
“But on his own, he called us and awarded the Nko-Usaka-Annang road project.”
He recalled how the children’s performance during the commissioning of a nearby bridge moved the governor to initiate the school project.
“It was the outstanding performance of the children during the commissioning of the bridge nearby that prompted him to promise to build this school.
Today, we are here to commission it, and I thank the governor.”
Also in his goodwill message, Rt. Hon. Saviour Udoh, thanked the governor, appreciating him for the good works he has done in Obot Akara and pledged the peoples support come 2027.
”Today is a very wonderful day in the life of Nto Ide people. The Governor is a promise keeper. The prayer from this community is to give him long life, may God almighty keep him for us. his second term is assured come 2027.”
Giving an overview of the facility, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, described the school as a prototype for what primary education infrastructure should be across the state.
“This is a facility developed by our education-friendly governor. If you look at the playground, it’s very spacious. We have play equipment, televisions, child-friendly furniture, and even a headteacher’s residence fully furnished.”
The school also features ICT-equipped classrooms and a library to prepare children for global competition. “We have a computer room so that children learning in this school can compete with other children all over the world,” she said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Obot Akara, Rt. Hon. Simon Akpan, welcomed the governor’s delegation and lauded him as “a promise keeper and true son of the land,” citing the numerous ongoing projects in the local government and pledging continued support for the Eno administration “even beyond 2027.”
Also speaking, the Clan Head of Nto Ide, Okuku Jacob Afangideh, offered prayers for the governor, saying, “May God bless and illuminate the governor’s path.” He also appealed for more development projects, including roads and a general hospital to tackle maternal mortality in the area.
The commissioning of the model primary school marks another stride in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, further cementing his administration’s focus on inclusive and community-based development.
