Gov. Eno grants scholarships to indigent students in Aviation College, others
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
In response to a viral social media appeal and in line with his commitment to educational advancement and youth empowerment as contained in the ARISE Agenda,
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved a comprehensive scholarship package for needy indigenes of the State to pursue their careers in their chosen vocations.
The approval came, following the Governor’s response to a viral message on the social media by one Miss Priscilla Samuel Daniel to further her studies at the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria in Kaduna State.
Governor Eno, who pronounced his approval yesterday (Thursday) June 6, 2024, when he invited the beneficiary to Government House in Uyo said, the gesture followed appeal by her (Priscilla) on the social media, which was forwarded to him by her wife, Patience Umo Eno who is the progenitor of Golden Initiative, a pet project of the First Lady.
Governor said, he was moved when he got the message from his wife that an Akwa Ibom daughter was offered such choice admission but could not afford the tuition fees.
He explained that, his administration was ready to support and encourage girl – child education, as well as every Akwa Ibomites effort to earn a decent living.
The Governor commended Miss Priscilla for scaling the processes that earned her the admission and urged her to be focused in her dreams and directed the Commissioner for Education and Special Assistant on Humanitarian Services, to work out the details of the scholarships for her and two other financially challenged Akwa Ibomites, earlier identified as having similar challenges gaining admissions into their choice institutions.
Miss Priscilla in appreciation to the governor’s humanitarian disposition of the Governor said, she was overwhelmed with joy.
Miss Daniel, a graduate in Electrical Electronics Engineering Technology from Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State said, she nursed the ambition of becoming a pilot from childhood but, was discouraged from fulfilling her dream owing to huge financial involvement.
According to her, “I love aviation and it all started from my nursery school days when I was asked to act a pilot in one of our school’s drama and performing arts. That day, I was given a very big cardigan with belt to demonstrate like a pilot.
“After my nursery school, I attended Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok in Eket Local Government Area and, each time I walked to school and saw helicopter landing at the then Mobil’s airstrip, I would always said to myself, I must fly an aircraft one day.
“Though some people actually discouraged me from realizing the dream because I am a woman; given the impression that, it is men’s vocation, I didn’t give up. After my Higher National Diploma programme in 2020, I applied to the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria and it took the school three years to call us for evaluation examinations but, thank God that I made it.
“Today, I feel very excited and I don’t know how to express my happiness. When I stood in there with the Governor, I was just saying in my heart, ‘thank you God for passing through Governor Umo Eno to make my dream a reality because at some point, it felt like it was just a dream that won’t come through.
But, I just had to keep pushing and I told myself that, I won’t give up. This is not just for me, but for Akwa Ibom State, I will continue to be a good ambassador of our dear State”.
She also appreciated the First Lady, Patience Eno for taking her case to the Governor and, prayed God to continue guiding her to fulfill her career to remain a blessing to the girl – child, the state and humanity.
