Former chairman of Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Israel Idaisin, has urged leaders to invest more in education.
Idaisin, who spoke on Sunday during his thanksgiving service, Carol of nine lessons and musical concert, described education as the backbone of any country.
Addressing the dignitaries, clergymen and people at the event, the former council chairman urged youths to embrace education, to enable them have a big chance to make a difference in their lives and society at large.
He said: “I took it as a challenge to establish a primary school in my community, which hitherto had none, forcing young children to trek several kilometres daily in search of basic education.
“The school is free for all and I still pay the teachers from my personal resources while awaiting government official takeover of the school. This is one of my personal commitments because of the importance I attach to education. I also encourage our people in tertiary institutions through periodic payment of bursary.”
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Thanking God for a successful tenure as council chairman after two terms, Idaisin said he did his best to deliver the dividends of democracy across the council.
In his exhortation, the Methodist Archbishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Emmanuel Udofia, advised politicians and leaders to show exemplary leadership, which will ensure that their activities outlive their earthly sojourn.
He extolled the leadership qualities of Idaisin, describing him as a goal getter and a grassroots leader with the fear of God, noting that his era witnessed peace.
Some of the prominent Nigerians at the event included the member representing Ikono/Ini in the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Ukpong Udoh; Special Adviser to Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Bassey Ekpeyong; former chairmen of councils, clerics, captains of industry and people from all walks of life.