Akwa Ibom Community announces scholarship scheme for indigent students, pledges cultural revival

The Afaha Inang Community in Onna Local Government of Akwa Ibom State has announced a scholarship scheme for its indigenes studying in institutions of higher learning within Nigeria.

The community, which boasts of the highest number of University Professors in the Local Government Area has been at the forefront of spearheading the training of its brilliant students both within and outside the country dating back to the 1960s.

Elijah John, a University Don and President General of the community known as Afaha Inang Unity Forum, made the announcement during a meeting in Uyo, the State capital, which also served as the annual get-together for members drawn from home and abroad.

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According to him, the scholarship scheme will reward brilliant students of the community whom are already in institutions of higher learning adding that with donations from members, the community is set to revive its long standing tradition.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that our sons and daughters can be seen and heard. We are no longer going to be satisfied playing a second fiddle,” he said.

He said the first set of the scholarship scheme would see 16 students selected from the community adding that four students would be chosen from og the four communities

“Our focus is to support our sons and daughters into positions of responsibility,” he stated.

In his goodwill message, the former Chairman of the State Hotels and Tourism Board, Ini Akpabio described the gathering as a cultural revival and urged the younger generation not to abandon their indigenous language adding that “there is no place like home,” while the Secretary to Onna Local Government, Ini Akpabio urged members to rise and rewrite the history of the community.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of an excellent award to two prominent indegenes of the area including Obongawan Nancy Akpabio who recently celebrated her 90th birthday .

Obongawan Akpabio is the brain behind the Nanet hotels which has branches in many parts of the country.

The other awardee, Ifiok Akpan, was honoured for his philanthropy and self less service to the community.

Others present were Aniekan Abasiattai , a renowned gynaecologist while the ceremony was chairman by Ukana Akpabio, a retired professor of Chemistry and High Chief, Ekanem Noah

Also, friends and inlaws of the community were not left out in the end-of-year get-together.

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