Some primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State which had remained dilapidated for years have been renovated by ExxonMobil under its Academy for Educational Development (AED) school of Excellence project.

The four schools renovated are Government School, Ikot Edeghe, Mkpat Enin LGA, St. Patrick’s School, Nto Ide, Obot Akara LGA, St. Paul’s Primary School (CMEC), Afaha/Afia Nsit, Nsit Ibom LGA and Q.I.C. Secondary School, Ika Annang, Oruk Anam LGA.

In her remarks during one of the events at QIC Secondary School, Ika  Annang, the Executive Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Gloria EssienDanner said the Schools of Excellence was funded
by  ExxonMobil to help develop 20 disadvantaged schools in Akwa Ibom and  Cross  River  States  and  provide increased access to education for the  girl_child.

Essien_Danner, who was represented by Mr. Nigel Cookey_Gam,  Manager, Media & Communications,  disclosed  it  was implemented through  Academy  for  Education  Development  (AED)  as part of the Foundation’s  Women  Economic  Opportunity  Initiative, (WEOI) .

This initiative, she further said, was aimed at ameliorating the economic and educational challenges facing the girl_child through the provision of scholarship, mentoring, teacher  training and materials, classroom furniture and infrastructure upgrade  in selected schools in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Dr. NseAbasi Akpan commended ExxonMobil for  its continuing support to the state in critical sectors as education and  health.  Dr. Akpan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the  State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mfon Ebienang, expressed delight at  the facelift the renovations have given  the beneficiary schools.

Dr.  Akpan said the efforts complement the state government’s efforts  at revamping the educational system of the state, including the introduction of free and compulsory primary and  secondary education.

AED’s  Chief of Party and education specialist, Prof. Bienvenu Marcos in   his  address thanked ExxonMobil Foundation for the financial support for   the implementation of the project.  He  highlighted some of the   achievements  of  Schools  of  Excellence  Project in Akwa Ibom State which include  renovation  of four  schools, award of scholarship program to 389   pupils  and students, training of 161 teachers, head teachers and school   inspectors  on active pedagogy and gender sensitive approaches, training   of  20  female  teachers, three  mentor  coordinators  and mentoring of 500  students.

ExxonMobil  Foundation  is  the  primary  philanthropic arm of the Exxon, ‘Mobil  Corporation  in  the  United States.  The Corporation through the   Foundation engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance   education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has   significant operations.