BY PHILIP NWOSU
The innovative strides of the Akwa Ibom State government under Governor Umo Eno have earned high praise from Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu. The commendation came during a reception for Akwa Ibom secondary school students on an educational trip to the UK, held at the Nigerian House in London.
Addressing the students, Ambassador Maidugu praised the state government’s efforts in preparing its youth for the future, stating that the initiative would serve as a model for innovative ideas at the High Commission. He stressed the importance of promoting Nigeria’s image positively and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting Nigerians living in the UK.
During the visit, senior officials from the High Commission provided the students with briefings on the functions of various departments, including Protocol, Immigration, and Education, offering valuable insights into the workings of the Nigerian government abroad.
Comrade Ini Ememobong, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, represented Governor Umo Eno during the visit. He expressed the governor’s gratitude to the High Commission for its support and extended an invitation to Ambassador Maidugu to visit Akwa Ibom. He also thanked the Ambassador for his dedication to ensuring the success of the educational trip.
Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Education, commended Governor Umo Eno for providing students with this life-changing opportunity and acknowledged Ambassador Maidugu as a key partner in the success of the trip. She emphasized that the experience would motivate the students to work harder in their academic pursuits.
As part of the trip, the students visited several iconic UK institutions, including the Science Museum, Imperial College, and Cambridge University. At Imperial College, they participated in a session on aeroplane design led by Andy Chipling, and a talk on ‘Engineering and the Future’ by Dr. Sunday Popoola.
One of the student participants, Akaniyenne Ekeredimo, shared her excitement, saying, “I was particularly inspired by Imperial College and Cambridge University, and I am motivated to pursue further studies at one of these prestigious institutions.”
