Udobia Hands Over Classroom Block to Iwuoachang Secondary School

Udobia Hands Over Classroom Block to Iwuoachang Secondary School

By Julius Nsikak

For the people of Iwuoachang Community in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Monday, September 14, 2026, was more than just another school resumption day.

It was a day of celebration, thanksgiving and renewed hope for the future of education in the community as a newly completed and furnished classroom block was officially handed over to Iwuoachang Community Secondary School.

The project, facilitated by the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the eighth Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. (Engr.) Udobia Friday Udo, was commissioned and formally handed over to the school on his birthday.

Located at the proposed site for the new school, the facility is designed to provide a more conducive learning environment and make teaching and learning more enjoyable, practical and effective for students and teachers.

Speaking during the ceremony, Udobia said he deliberately chose the first day of the new academic session to hand over the project so that the school community could begin using the facility immediately.

He said the occasion was particularly meaningful to him because he had always sought to mark his birthdays by making positive contributions to the lives of others.

“I thought it wise that today, being the resumption of school, I should present this facility so that students and teachers can make use of it,” he said.

According to him, every birthday should provide an opportunity to reflect on how lives can be positively affected, adding that the project was his way of giving back to the people he represents.

“On my birthdays’, and I always try to impact lives positively. This year, I have come to hand over this project to the people of Iwuoachang and Ibeno, my constituency at large,” he said.

Udobia expressed appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, for the opportunity and support provided to members of the legislature to contribute to the development of their constituencies.

He also thanked the people of his constituency for their support and confidence in his leadership.

“When I was given the helm to represent Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency at the State House of Assembly, I decided to turn opportunity to advantage and to impact my people positively,” he said.

He explained that the decision to prioritise education was informed by the need to provide children in the area with better learning facilities and create an environment where they could learn with ease.

“I know the need for education and the need to help our children have where to get education, as well as to depopulate the very few classrooms we already have, so that learning would be breezy and enjoyable,”

Udobia described the project as a model that could inspire other stakeholders, government agencies and well-meaning individuals to invest in education.

He added that his vision was to see more parents enrol their children at Iwuoachang Community Secondary School in the coming years and to nurture a generation of young people capable of providing responsible leadership in the future.

“We set this up as a model so that other stakeholders, agencies and good thinking individuals can emulate, with a view to ensuring that in the nearest future, parents can bring their wards to Iwuoachang Community Secondary School and also uphold his legacy.

The lawmaker said the initiative was also in line with the ARISE AGENDA of the state government, particularly its emphasis on repositioning education and improving learning conditions across communities in Akwa Ibom.

He urged the students, teachers and members of the community to take ownership of the facility, protect it and ensure that it serves generations to come.

The commissioning and official handing-over of the facility were performed by Dr. Eunice Thomas, the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Eket Federal Constituency, comprising Eket, Esit Eket, Onna and Ibeno.

Thomas thanked God for the successful completion of the project and commended Governor Eno and Udobia for their contributions to education in the area.

She said the broader objective should be to raise children who would compete successfully not only within Akwa Ibom but across Nigeria and Africa.

“Our goal is to grow and groom the best crop of children in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and Africa. We hope to change the way children experience education at this time by promoting quality and practical education,” she said.

A goodwill message from the Iwuoachang Village Council also commended Udobia for what it described as an innovative intervention in the community.

The council said the construction of the modern classroom block demonstrated a deliberate commitment to changing the educational trajectory of the area.

“The people truly appreciate this effort, and we assure you that we will make good use of it to boost our educational values,” the council said.

The new facility is equipped with three classrooms, a principal’s office, a staff office and separate toilet facilities for students and teachers, as well as well-kitted desks, a store room and a water facility.

Plans for the facility also include a computer system and a smart television linked to the principal’s office, which will be used to support animation and visual learning, enabling students to see and understand lessons beyond what is presented in textbooks.

The project is therefore expected to provide more than additional classroom space, but also introduce elements of technology and practical learning into the educational experience of students.

For the Principal of Iwuoachang Community Secondary School, Mr. Ikpaette Asukpa Ikpaette, the development represents a significant milestone for an institution that had previously struggled with inadequate classroom facilities. He further expressed gratitude to God for allowing the school community to witness what he described as a major transformation.

“Initially, we had an issue with classroom facilities for students to learn, but seeing this development, we are very grateful,” he said.

The Principal stated that the students were excited about the new facility and prayed for continued strength and success for Udobia, while appealing for more development projects in the school.

“The students are happy, and we continue to pray that God will give you the strength to do more. We also solicit for more projects to be brought to the school,” the principal added.

The celebration also provided an opportunity for community organisations to recognise Udobia’s contribution. He was honoured with awards by the Iwuoachang Concerned Forum, Iwuoachang Community Secondary School and Iwuoachang Students Forum.

The event was attended by members of the Akwa Ibom State Legislature, representatives of the local government council, traditional leaders, students, members of the community and other stakeholders.

For Iwuoachang, the new classroom block now stands not merely as a structure of concrete and furnishing, but as a symbol of what investment in education can mean for a community.

And for Udobia, handing over the facility on his birthday appeared to carry a simple message: that a birthday celebration can be measured not only by what one receives, but by what one leaves behind.