Innocent Udoidiong Foundation Steps in to Lift Pupils from Dust 

…Presents dual desks, uniforms, ors to four schools in Etim Ekpo

Imó Etim

In a season where several reports have revealed that many pupils and students in public schools in Akwa Ibom are currently without sufficient or sometimes no desks at all to sit on, making learning a no-fun experience to school children, Innocent Udoidiong Foundation, a non-profit organisation has come to the aid of pupils in dire need of seats in Etim Ekpo local government area. 

Innocent Udoidiong Foundation (IUF), aside stepping in to offer hand outs and educational supplies to schools in local government areas like Abak, Mkpat Enin, Uyo, and Ibeno, visited four primary schools in four communities in Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 to present dual desks, school uniforms and a set of school band. 

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Tony Esin who represented the Chairman and Founder of the organisation, Innocent Udoidiong said the foundation has in the past two years touched lives in various ways especially in the area of educational development, and also in ensuring that the vulnerable in the society get help to live meaningfully. 

He stated that the IUF is not affiliated with any politician or government, but is an NGO with the sole aim of philanthropy which stems from the drive to serve humanity.  Esin added that the items presented to schools were based on the needs assessment of schools as gathered through the Foundation’s physical evaluation. 

Speaking while receiving the items, Mr Mfon Udoessien, Head Master of Government Primary School, Nkwot Ikot Ebo expressed gratitude to the Foundation for coming to the rescue of the children noting that the gesture will in no little measure enhance learning in the school. The Head Teacher who described the situation before the arrival of the dual desks as pathetic said the students, teachers and community are now delighted over the fact that their relief has finally come. 

He said: “On behalf of my Education secretary, Bishop Ekon, I receive these items with gladness from the Innocent Udoidiong Foundation for presenting dual desks to pupils to enhance learning. 

“Because no good learning can take place when school children are seated on the floor, It gives us a sense of joy to see that our pupils finally have seats to sit on and learn. We appreciate this kind gesture from the depth of our hearts. We had written to the government since I arrived in this school  in 2021 but to no avail.”

Mr Udoessien also pleaded with government, organizations and concerned individuals for more assistance in providing tables for teachers, generating set to pump water for the toilet facility, and possibly more desks for the pupils, as the ones provided does not address their entire needs.

Mr Tony Esin while presenting the items to QIC group school in Ibio Nung Achat, on behalf of the IUF, noted that the Foundation’s effort is towards complimenting the free and compulsory education policy of the Akwa Ibom state government. He added that the Foundation is willing to partner with NGOs, and good spirited individuals in giving back to the people. 

He said: “It may please you to note that, the Founder, Mr Innocent Udoidiong, a scholar based in the United Kingdom is an indigene of Etim Ekpo local government area, and an Alumnus of QIC group school Ibio Nung Achat and this is his Alma Mater. So, dear pupils, with this gesture to you, he believes you will grow in knowledge even higher than him. 

“From our findings, most public schools in the State are not well equipped with infrastructures up to standard to encourage effective learning. Most times, students are found sitting on bare floors to learn, coupled with inadequate teachers to handle various subjects, so the IUF will continue to do this with the belief and hope that these items will be used in a way that will be meaningful and productive”.

The benefiting schools were: Government Primary School, Nkwot Ikot Ebo which received 20 dual desks, Holy Rosary Catholic school, Ikot Udo Obong received 10 dual desks, QIC Primary School, Uruk Ata 2 also received 10 dual desks and QIC group school, Ibio Nung Achat received 72 school uniforms to pupils, and a set of school band. 

The Innocent Udoidiong Foundation is a non governmental organisation duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), a charity organization that has its sole mandate and vision to touch the lives of vulnerable people in the society.

So far, the organisation has visited schools and presented aid items to Government Primary Schools Aka 1, Uyo, Secondary Grammar School Ukpenekang, Ibeno, Government Primary School, Ikot Akpan Nkop, Mkpat Enin, and St Mary primary school, Ediene Abak amongst others.