…lauds Maurid on 12th matriculation
Senator-elect for Akwa Ibom South, Rt Hon.(Barr) Ekong Sampson has revealed how his academic sojourn in the polytechnic gave him strong intellectual foundation that he enjoys till date. Dr. Sampson offered the insights yesterday when he delivered his goodwill message as Chairman of the 12th Matriculation Ceremony of Maurid Polytechnic, Mbiaso, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin is a proud of Polytechnic education. He graduated with Distinction from The Polytechnic, Calabar in his early academic years. Often, the former State Environment and Petroleum Resources Commissioner has always cited the strong educational foundation that the Polytechnic laid for him.
Addressing the over 600 matriculating students of Maurid Polytechnic yesterday, Dr. Ekong Sampson charged the school’s new intakes to use the encompassing ‘dynamics and components of education’ that polytechnic offers to better their intellectual foundations.
‘Let me salute all of you on your milestone. Like I have always said, one of the most remarkable chapters of my life was my education in a polytechnic. I am a proud product of Polytechnic education. And I dare say, Polytechnic graduates rank among some of the very best you will see around’.
Speaking further, the Senator-elect stated:
‘Polytechnic education plays a critical role in Nigeria’s advancement because its products have been exposed to a lot of dynamics and components of education. Feel very proud, just as I felt very proud many years ago when I was in the Polytechnic, Calabar during the good old days. I have been very proud everywhere to extol the qualities that we found in that great institution’.
The former two term Ex-Lawmaker for Mkpat Enin paid tribute to the founder of Maurid for his intervention in deepening the education sector of the country. He also lauded staff and the host community for providing enabling environment for the institution to thrive:
‘Today, I pay tribute to the vision of your founder, the steadfastness of your teachers and indeed, the corporation of this community. This school has clearly change the face of this community’.
Sampson, holder of a Doctorate degree in Law, and author of several academically acclaimed books admonished the newly matriculating students to capitalize on the ‘compass for attainment’ provided by the school and ultimately commit themselves to ‘develop that genius that lies you’. He urged them to be of good conduct and behaviour throughout their stay in the school.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Rector of the School, Mr. Augustine Ukit charged the students to make the most of their stay in the institution and be good ambassadors of the citadel of learning.
Among the dignitaries who graced the matriculation were the Chairman, Governing Council of the School, Dr. Godwin Umontuen, Paramount Ruler of Okobo, HRM Ovong Ita Edet Okokon, top management brass of the school, community leaders, stakeholders and parents/guardians of matriculating students.
© Samuel Udoma