1st Anniversary Celebration of Free & Compulsory Education

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE DURING THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN AKWA IBOM STATE HELD AT IBOM HALL ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2009.

Today, we have not gathered to celebrate the victory of politics or the triumph of administrative policy, we have gathered to celebrate common sense. A lot of kind things have been said about our free and compulsory education policy and it has been described in superlative terms. We thank everyone for the kind compliments extended to us over this policy, but let us never forget that we can tar all the roads in our state, build countless infrastructures and establish sundry industries, but if we do not train the next generation to manage these legacies, our efforts would be in vain.
For too long we have been more concerned with yesterday and today more than with tomorrow. But yesterday is history, though we spend millions to celebrate it by building museums and other artifacts to commemorate it. Today is a gift from God and that is why we call it “the present” and we unwrap its package and enjoy the bounties of God. Tomorrow is enveloped in the womb of today.
And so we decided that tomorrow was too important to leave to chance. There are two ways of facing the future. You can face it with apprehension or you can face with anticipation. And in anticipation of a future in which our children will all be literate we inaugurated this policy. In acknowledgment that though our children may not have the same talents, they should all be given an equal opportunity to develop their talents, we embarked on this program. As a panacea for all those, in the past, who could not go to school because their parents were poor, and to ensure that the same fate does not befall their children, we set up this project.
Today this impressive turn out of Akwa Ibom people, especially the school children to celebrate the First Anniversary of this policy gladdens our hearts. It is a testimony that the people of our state love education. It is a proof that we broke the fountain of their bottled desire with this policy, and let loose a mighty stream which shall quench the thirst of those who hunger for education in our state for years to come.
I commend the Ministry of Education, its parastatals and all well-meaning stakeholders in the education sector, and indeed the entire people of Akwa Ibom State for turning out en mass to join us in celebrating this turning point in our history. When we took the decision to provide free and compulsory education for our children, we were prepared to meet whatever challenges the decision would throw up and we braced ourselves for the consequences. So far we have invested financial resources in excess of N20 billion in the project.
Since our concern was as much with free education as it was with qualitative education; this huge investment addressed decades of infrastructural decay in our schools, provided science equipment and sundry instructional materials in our schools and provided scholarships and grants to meet critical demands of the free education programme. Today school enrolment has tripled and when I pass by our renovated schools teaming with pupils, I feel a deep sense of pride that this is our most important and productive investments.
It is noteworthy that all great industrial nations have a common history of having embraced a policy of free, inclusive and accessible education for their people at some point in their history. Apart from this, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights maintains that every individual is entitled to education as a matter of right. It is a common part of the world’s popular wisdom that geniuses usually get born in “mangers” not in palaces and if such get born in our state, we have created the conditions with this policy for him to excel already – no matter the circumstances of his birth.
And so I charge our children and parents today to remember that to whom much is given much is expected. You should take complete advantage of this opportunity to fulfill your destinies. You should not roam the streets anymore instead of studying in your school. Do not bend down your shoulders and accept the burden of servitude as a houseboy or housegirl, lift up your eyes and see the vistas of opportunities, which education holds for you and go for it.
I commend all the individuals and groups who have supported this programme in one way or the other, particularly those who have provided books and equipment. I single out for our appreciative mention groups like Utuenikang Ibibio, Ati Annang, Examination Ethics International and Akwa Ibom Association in the United States among others.
Finally let me close this address with a story I identify with. The nation of Israel was at the brink of defeat during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The Prime Minister, Golda Meir, frantically sought American intervention to save the nation. This was at the thick of the Watergate Scandal and impeachment proceedings had been commenced against President Richard Nixon, but he was still president. She frantically called Nixon in the night and told him tearfully that Israel would soon be destroyed except he intervened. Nixon intervened and directed that all American military exports be diverted to Israel. This was his last order.
He was to say later that when Golda Meir called him that night he heard the voice of his mother. His mother used to read him stories of Hebrew people in the Old Testament. And one day while reading him the story, she paused, and said prophetically, “Richard, if the Jews ever need your help, do not hold it back.” Nixon remembered it that night and took action and he was to say after that perhaps God made him president to save the Jews in their day of need.
I am in that situation as the Governor of our State. My mum did not read me Hebrew stories but I saw the stress and felt the pain she went through in sending us to school, as a widow. And so in her life, I sensed early in life that if children ever needed my help to get education free, I would not hold it back. And if God, in His infinite mercies, made me Governor to save our children and give them a bright and happy future, I accept this as my cross. I have put my hand to the plough and I will not turn back no matter the cost.
I thank you all for pushing this plough with me. We are marching together on the right side of history, and baking a future for our children. And at the head of our march is our God who has been our help in all our endeavours. To Him and Him alone I dedicate the success of this policy.
Thank you and God bless all of us.