Senator Ekong Sampson.
By Etim Etim
At a time many Akwa Ibom students are having problems supporting themselves in schools, Senator Ekong Sampson recently disbursed N100 million to over 500 students in his senatorial district, the largest individual-funded scholarship program ever launched in the state. Each student received N200, 000, while some teachers, selected from every LGA in the district, collected N250, 000 each.
I commend Senator Sampson for the initiative. Any support given to enhance quality education for Akwa Ibom students is welcome. There’s no better legacy to leave for the younger generations than unhindered opportunities quality education and skill acquisition. We have to continually strive to build a society in which most of our children have opportunities to acquire them. My own story is a testament. Sampson’s initiative is therefore a commendable complement to what the state government has been doing.
The second component of his education-support program will feature skills acquisition and support for small businesses in the area. Senator Sampson’s backing for education is well rooted in his own personal journeys. A son of a civil servant, he has a Ph.D in law and has built careers in journalism, law and public service. In 2014, he established a school, named Excellence College, in his native Mkpat Enin LGA. It was tuition-free until he handed it to government years later. He’s also sponsored a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Medical Sciences in Eket; while another of his education-related bill meant to give legal backing to the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, is at Third Reading and would soon be passed into law.
This scholarship scheme has warmed the hearts of many parents and students in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district. ‘’I feel incredibly fortunate to have you as a leader and champion during these challenging times’’, Gospel Ekpenyong, a University of Uyo student from Urue Offong Oruko, who is a beneficiary of the program, wrote in a beautiful message to the senator. Such words of gratitude have been coming in from across the 12 LGAs.
Senator Sampson has a little known hobby – one which reflects his love for knowledge. Even as a senator, he regularly volunteers his time to teach English language in secondary schools in his senatorial district.
It’s a subject he sored A1 in WASC 41 years ago, but the passion has not waned. In the last year, he’s taught at St. Vincent Secondary School, Oti-Oro, Okobo; St Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, Eket; Regina Coeli, Esene, Ikot Abasi; Secondary School, Ibotio/Ndon, Mkpat Enin. Very few privileged Nigerians have such a hobby.
I will conclude by also commending Aliko Dangote who announced a N100 billion annual scholarship program on Friday. It will run for 10 years and that will add up to N1 trillion Naira. Dangote is a unique Nigerian and an authentic African icon. May God continue to bless these generous givers.
Etim is a Journalist and Political Analyst based in Abuja.
