PRINCE AKPABIO DONATES HOSTEL TO AKPOLY …Immortalizes late father, promises to do more

Hope has emerged for students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, fifteen years after it lost on-campus residency for students, as the institution on Friday, April 7 2017, took delivery of an ultramodern hostel block built and donated by Friends of Prince Ukpong Akpabio.

Inaugurating the facility at the official handing over, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio on behalf of his friends extolled the sterling qualities of his late father, Sen. Justice Nsima Akpabio, whom the building is named after; saying there could not have been a better way of immortalizing a man who gave his all in promoting quality education.

Barr. Akpabio recounted the pivotal role of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in character formation, noting its improved academic standing evidenced in the geometric rise in students’ population informed the need to ensure they have a befitting learning environment that would enhance productivity.

Worried about the decaying state of some infrastructures, Akpabio called on all stakeholders to join hands in building the school and announced plans to again partner his friends to furnish the hostel and make it conducive for the students.

He commended the Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi and the Rector, Barr. Israel Affiah for their dedication to the founding ideals of the institutions which centers on excellence, saying their tenure has witnessed monumental growth and partnerships that would make the school the envy of others.

Describing Prince Akpabio’s gesture as ingenious and rare, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi commended his benevolence, which has given impetus to the institution’s poise to ensure students return to the hostels to forestall some avoidable tragedies occasioned by travelling long distances to school, including criminality and accidents.

She listed the various support from the State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, saying the school is repositioned to mould graduates that will provide the needed manpower to drive the ongoing industrialization policy of government, while urging the students and the school community to support government’s programmes and policies.

Moved by such magnanimity the Rector, Barr. Israel Affiah, on behalf of management lauded Akpabio’s goodwill and called on the students to be more committed to their studies to justify the huge investment and interest of public-spirited individuals, and assured the donor on the proper maintenance of the facility.

Full of commendation to the donor, the Chairman Obot Akara Local GovernmentTransition Committee, Com. Emmanuel Amama and Member Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Leo Umana as well as the Akwapoly Sug President, prayed God’s blessing on Barr. Akpabio; calling on others to emulate his example.

The about 500 bed hostel with insult convenience, electrical appliances, court yard and borehole is to be managed by Legacy accommodations, as screening of students who are expected to occupy it is already on course.