NIGERIA, UYO – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, has urged the state’s youth to strive for excellence, emphasizing that job opportunities will be awarded based on competence rather than personal connections.
He made this known on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Model Primary School in Uko-Oyukim, Oron Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency in employment.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Ekerette Udoh, the governor highlighted the importance of the Procurement Construction Portal, stating that it would provide fair opportunities to qualified individuals.
“We are opening up the Procurement Construction Portal to encourage our young people who have the requisite qualifications,” he said.
He further stressed that without registration on the portal, even personal relationships would not influence job placements, adding, “If you are not on that portal, even if you’re my mother who has gone to be with the Lord, I can’t help you.”
Governor Eno also assured that while a few jobs might be outsourced to external professionals with specialized expertise, 90% of job opportunities would be reserved for Akwa Ibom residents.
“We are not engaging in trial and error because we are in a hurry. I am not dealing with you based on where you come from but on your deliverables,” he stated.
The governor commended Mr. Ukeme Peter, a young contractor whose company successfully executed the school project, urging other youths to emulate his dedication and professionalism.
READ MORE:Â NANS Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum to Northern Governors Over School Closures
Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi praised Governor Eno’s passion for education, describing him as a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the sector. “Your Excellency, you are a man who sees into the future.”
“You love education, and that is why you went through all the levels to attain a PhD,” she remarked, emphasizing the significance of laying a strong foundation for future academic success.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, described the newly commissioned Model Primary School as a benchmark for quality education infrastructure.
“The Model Primary School, Uko-Oyukim, is an edifice that serves as a world-class example of what a primary education cradle should look like,” he said.
The facility includes 19 classroom blocks accommodating 495 students, an ICT lab, a library, an auditorium, and an ultra-modern football field, among other features.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the community, Oron LGA Chairman, Mr. Okon Enweme, lauded the governor for transforming the school.
“We thank you for changing this place. Those who have been away for three years will not recognize it anymore,” he noted.
Truth Live News learned that the event concluded with a special presentation by the pupils, who delivered a local ballad and a message of appreciation to Governor Eno and his team.