A’Ibom College Of Science & Tech Seeks Gov’s Assent To Enhance Status

By Etop Umoidem

The Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim, Ikono Local Government Area, has appealed to Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to show enough magnanimity in assenting to the Bill for a full take-off of the institution as “Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology”, which was passed into law by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

According the institution, assenting to the bill will provide the legal framework for effective take-off of the new status given the institution as College of Science and Technology.
The appeal was made by the Acting Rector of the institution, Elder Vincent Essien, during the 12th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the college auditorium recently.

In his welcome address, the Acting Rector, Elder Vincent Essien, described matriculation as a “concept in education that unveils an opportunity for newly admitted students to be initiated into the ideals, values and tenets of any citadel of learning such as the state-owned College of Science and Technology.

Elder Essien opined that for the College to conduct matriculation for the 12th set of new intake was no mean an achievement, adding that the institution has come of age to be reckoned with in the comity of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. He took time to educate the audience on the brief history of the institution, where he said the school started as the School of Remedial Studies and was upgraded to College of Arts & Science in 2003 before Governor Udom Emmanuel gave the new status as College of Science and Technology.

He used the occasion to appreciate members of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for passing the Bill to confirm the status of the College, which is expected to be signed into law soon by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“We solicit our dear Governor to show enough magnanimity in assenting to the passed Bill to provide the legal framework for effective take-off of the new status given the institution”, Elder Essien said.

Elder Essien extolled Gov Emmanuel for his interest and efforts in turning around the fortune of the institution. He reassured the matriculating students of the college of the Management’s resolve to continue to provide an enabling and conducive environment as well as unparalleled teaching and learning opportunities that would serve as a platform for their future adventure in life, while warning students to shun any activities that would threaten their academic pursuits, which include cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing, sexual harassment, sorting and students unrest.

On his part, the Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom State, Professor Nseabasi Essien, acknowledged the selfless commitment of the Management of the Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology led by Elder Vincent Essien in training the students of the institution. He assured them of the State Government’s readiness to attend to the needs of the College, taking into cognizance the fact that the structures and facilities of the College are disgracefully out of proportion.

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Represented by the Director of Secondary and Higher Education, Mrs. Glory Ekpo, the Education Commissioner expressed optimism that Governor Udom Emmanuel whom he described as education-friendly Governor, would take positive steps towards attending to the needs of the institution.

The Commissioner used the occasion to advise the students to shun social vices and other activities that might truncate their academic activities in the institution.

Other speakers at the event were: the Rector of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Dr. Moses Umobong, represented by Engr. (Dr.) O. E. Osung, who charged the students to be diligent and committed to their studies and abide by the rules and regulations governing the institution. He stressed that studying to obtain their certificates is the primary reason why they are in the institution, and advised them to work hard towards achieving their aims in the institution.

High point of the occasion was the official admission and presentation of the matriculating students by Deans of Schools to the Rector of the College who officially admitted them into the College for learning.

Meanwhile, it is on record that Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim – Ikono, produced the overall best results in the 2018/2019 Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE) in the entire Nigeria.

One of the students who responded on behalf of the matriculating students spoke glowingly about the lecturers whom he described as hard-working and committed to their duties. He promised to maintain discipline and high moral standard throughout their stay in the College, while promising to contribute at least a bag of cement from each of them for perimeter fencing of the College. He used the opportunity to appeal to the Governor to give assent to the College Bill that has just been passed into law by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, so as to enable the College benefit immensely.