Video of Akwa Ibom Pupil Writing Notes Under Solar Light Shows Hunger For Education, Shame Of A Nation
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
If education according to Nelson Mandela is truly the “key to unlocking a better future, not for individuals, but for society as a whole”, then there is need for the government at all levels to be empathetic to the welfare of the people.
This notion is triggered by the development at the weekend, where a Primary School pupil living at Nsukara Offot, a suburb in Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State, Master Abraham Akaninyene Sunday’s hunger for education was met with frustration.
Master Abraham was seen by a passer-by copying notes and carrying out other school assignments under solar lights in the street because there was no electricity at home.
The young boy, fueled by enthusiasm for learning, beat the all obstacles to perform his school work in the night.
An eyewitness who met with Master Abraham posted on Social Media, “I just met little Abraham this night using the solar street lightings in my area (Nsukara Offot, Uyo) to copy his school notes because there is no electricity.
“I know, the young boy was driven by hunger for education but was frustrated by the shame of a nation.
“The State Governor, Umo Eno on getting wind of the situation has promised to send his aides to the boy’s family for the provision and installation of solar lightings.”
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State’s electricity coverage in 2025 is a work in progress; as the state government had declared a state of emergency in the power sector, aiming to achieve consistent electricity supply to drive economic growth.
To address the challenges, Governor Eno plans to convene a Power Summit between January and March this year, which will bring together stakeholders to review the sector’s challenges and propose solutions.
Also, the establishment of a Power Infrastructure Committee is in the works.
Additionally, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an independent power distribution network licence for Ibom Utility Company to operate in the state.
While there is no specific data on the current electricity coverage in Akwa Ibom State, but these developments indicate government’s commitment to improving the power sector and expanding electricity access to its citizens.
