For many years, the people of Ikot Etok Eren village in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have lived without a school. Children trekked long distances to Ikot Udofia and Ikpe to attend school. But, this year, the story changed when a son of the soil, Mr Udeme Blessing Udofia, established a tuition-free primary school, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
Inspired by the desire to support a society where the right of children to live in safety and dignity is affirmed, Mr. Udeme Blessing Udofia has established Miracle International School, a free-tuition private primary school at Ikot Etok Eren Village, Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State. Until recently, the community had no single school, be it public or private.
Udofia disclosed that the school is tuition-free in order to help eradicate illiteracy in the community and encourage education, noting that knowledge is power. “For a long time, there was no school in the community at all. As a result, some of the children were unable to attend school while others travelled to neighbouring community to be educated. As we speak now, the community still does not have any school except the new Miracle International School that I founded’’
According to Udofia, a graduate of Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the school project started in 2013 while he was on compulsory one year National Youth Service Corp scheme in Anambra State.
He stated that he was inspired to build the school because he was determined to reverse the narrative of the children who have been abused and denied basic education.
“I want a society where the right of children to live in safety and dignity is affirmed. Our children have been abused sexually and psychologically. So, I decided to set up this school to protect and respect the dignity and rights of all children irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, nationality or religion,” he said.
The new school, which is located on a three plots of land, has about five classrooms, administrative block, library, store, playing facilities, band and a generator. He disclosed that he runs the cost of maintaining the school and payment of staff salaries from his personal earnings as a business man.
On his future plan, he said: “My future plan is to have a vocational institute that will take lots of the youths from the streets and empower them to be future entrepreneurs. We also want to have a safe and better Nigeria for our future leaders.”
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