By Simeon Iniemem
In line with her objective to eradicate poverty through education, the Inoyo Toro foundation has commenced activities geared towards capacity training for Akwa Ibom public secondary school teachers who won the 2019 excellence award. The first training which held at Emmjm hotel, Dominic Etuk avenue, Uyo last weekend was witnessed by the Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Education, Prof Nse Essien who charged them to utilize the opportunity offered by the foundation to excel in their chosen career.
Facilitators for the training were Dr. Enobong Joshua, who is the Chairman Screening Committee of the foundation, Mr. Ekanabasi Ubong, former permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Imo Bassey, Programme Facilitator, Mr. Joe Udoh, State Secondary Education Board and a retired vice principal, Mrs. Lydia Nkan – both members of the screening committee.
A line up of capacity training is usually organised after the yearly award to expose the teachers and horn their teaching and mentoring skills, as they are expected to mentor other teachers to be like them and not rest on their oars.
About 23 recipients of last year’s award will be leaving in April, 2020 to the American International School, Lagos for further trainings courtesy of the Akwa Ibom state government. The impact of the foundation on Akwa Ibom education sector in the past 12 years according to previous winners and stakeholders is overwhelming with clear indication that if the foundation is empowered to continue, there would be a significant leap of progress in the state’s education sector.
Thus, the undoubtable consolation from the foregoing is that, with what Inoyo Toro Foundation is doing in the past 12 years, the initiator of the foundation, Mr. Udom Inoyo has not only left an indelible impression in Akwa Ibom state education sector, his imprint is engraved in the lives of Akwa Ibom state teachers, many of whom are financially empowered to work hard to better the society.