By Tina Agosi Todo, Guardian Newspaper
After 23 years of communal conflict in Ikot Offiong, Odukpani Council of Cross River State, the newly elected Obong of Calabar, Etubom Anthony Ani, is set to provide schools for the community.
With this development, over 20,000 out-of-school children of the community, scattered all over the state owing to the crisis, will now have access to both primary and secondary education.
A former Minister of Finance, who served in the late General Sani Abacha’s administration, Etubom Ani, disclosed this, yesterday, in Calabar, while inaugurating a seven-man committee that will drive the school projects from start to end, identify suitable land for immediate construction of the primary school, while the secondary school will come in the near future.
Etubom Ani said: “When representatives of lkot Offiong community visited me on August 1, 2023, they had complained that for the past 23 years, they had not been given any education, roads and other social services.
“I told them that since education is communal, they should not wait for the government to provide these facilities all by itself; but that they (Ikot Offiong community) should start something on their own.
“I had promised to show leadership by building a primary school, as well as award scholarships to deserving students. I consider education as the bedrock of development and progress. A situation where children cannot go to school means the next generation is wasting, and this must not be allowed to happen.
“It is for this reason that we are setting up a committee to look into the educational requirements of the community, starting with a primary school. Initially, we are going to build a six-room primary school block, with all facilities, and we hope that by this time next year, all eligible children and even adults will begin schooling in the community.”