Ex-DSS Boss, Ekpenyong Ita Promotes Quality Education for Indigent Students, Seeks Assistance

The Teacher Essien Ita Itam Foundation Board of Trustee has approved scholarship awards for 50 beneficiaries in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The foundation was established in 2014 by Mrs. Temitope Ekpenyong Ita, the late wife of the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Ekpenyong Essien Ita, in memory of his late father to help indigent students, especially the girl child, get access to free and quality education. Mrs. Ita was a strong advocate of access to education by every child, especially the girl-child.

A statement released by the Board of the foundation, dated December 5, 2023 and signed by Mr. Ita himself, listed the areas the award would cover to include, tuition, book allowance, WAEC/NECO examinations fees, and boarding fees.

This is as the Board of Trustees of the trust fund has appealed to the DSS for financial assistance to enable the foundation meet its 2023/2024 target of providing computer sets, and scholarships to indigent students from Cross River South Senatorial District.

The Foundation in a letter dated September 27, 2023 signed by its Chairman and former DSS boss, Ita, said the assistance would go a long way in helping the foundation attain its objectives.

In the letter addressed to the Director of Operations of DSS, he said access to basic education by every child has since gone beyond the reach of a large number of Nigerian children.

He noted that the main aim of the foundation is to give scholarships to indigent students from Cross River South Senatorial District. So far about 500 have benefited from the scheme; that is 50 students every year.

According to Ita, recently the Foundation donated 15 computer sets to Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School, Calabar established in July 1898. The school reciprocated and named a “House”, after my late wife Temitope Ita House on 24th November 2021.

“Accordingly, the activities for 2023/2024 by the Foundation have commenced. We intend to donate more computer sets to Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School with a view to gradually upgrading the school to a Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Centre. This is in addition to awarding 50 scholarships to students of tertiary Institutions from Cross River South Senatorial District.

“Consequently, children so deprived are unable to make informed choices about life, provide opportunities, create money or stimulate the economy and a healthier life. The ever widening gap between the “haves and the have nots” in educational opportunities in the Cross River South Senatorial District is what the Trust Fund is determined to bridge. I believe that children are the heart of every society and education wil enable them as good citizens to take on life challenges confidently and also contribute to building peaceful, secured and sustainable communities,” the statement reads.

The training and retraining of teachers in the state was also highlighted indicating the foundation’s willingness to assist in training of some teachers in the state.

“I am aware that teachers are pivotal and the fulcrum on which all educational activities revolve. They are indispensable in shaping the minds, attitude and skills of the coming generation. Conversely teachers also need the skills, knowledge and support that will enable them meet the diverse learning needs of the next generation. In order to achieve the aim of education for all, more teachers need to be recruited and trained or replaced as they leave the profession.

“Accordingly, because of the shortage of teachers in some schools in the Senatorial District, the Trust Fund has employed eight (8) temporary teachers for Government Secondary School, Creek Town and Government Technical College, Efut Ibonda. The Trust Fund has also provided fifteen (15) computers to Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School, Calabar.

“The foundation therefore urges the state government to look into the issue of lack of teachers in educational institutions. Attention should be paid to rehabilitation of learning institutions and basic school facilities must be put in place. There must be monitoring and evaluation of the system in addition to improved allocations to the education sector.

Mr. Ita called on the beneficiaries to properly utilise the opportunity as there will be termly assessment of their performances. Among the benefiting schools includes, Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, St. Patrick’s College, Calabar, West African People Institute, Calabar, Edgerly Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Government Technical College, Efut Ibonda, Odukpani LGA, Government Secondary School, Creek Town, Government Secondary School, Adiabo, Duke Town Secondary School, Calabar, amongst others.