By Kelvin Obambon
In a bid to ease the financial burden on parents ahead of the new academic session, leader of Polling Unit 16, Ward 6 in Calabar South Local Government Area, Hon. Archibong Orok, on Saturday, presented educational support grants totalling N400,000 to primary school pupils in the area.
During the ceremony, 20 pupils drawn from public primary schools, whose parents are registered voters in PU 16, were each presented with N20,000 in cash. The initiative, organized in alignment with the “People First” agenda of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, aims to boost human capital development and consolidate political support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of future elections.
Delivering his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion and Chairman of Calabar South, Pastor Patrick Archibong, commended the organizers for taking steps to keep children in school and away from street life.
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“The reason for this scholarship is to help parents out of stress, to make sure you go to school on time without any problem, and to draw you away from child abuse,” Archibong noted. “This scholarship will ensure that the pupils are not driven from school.”
He also encouraged the parents to maintain their alignment with the ruling party, attributing the intervention to divine goodwill and political loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the benefactor, Hon. Archibong Orok, explained that the initiative emerged following strategic interactive sessions with the APC State Working Committee.
“Human development and canvassing for more votes are central to our goals,” Hon. Orok stated. “PU 16 had this initiative: scholarship for our students and the second phase will be cash support for small businesses. We are giving out scholarships to 20 students of government primary schools whose parents are voters in PU 16. In just three weeks, we arranged all of this.”
He added that the low-key nature of the event was intentional to ensure direct impact on the beneficiaries without unnecessary political crowd gathering, setting a milestone targeting over 700 committed voters in the unit before the 2027 general elections.
In her address, the President of National Association of Calabar South Students Worldwide, Comrade Ruth Asuquo, highlighted the transformative power of education and urged the beneficiaries to utilize the support wisely.
“Today is not just about the presentation of scholarship or empowerment material. It is about investing in people, creating opportunities, and giving hope to the next generation,” Asuquo said. She also announced upcoming collaborations with the local government council to extend similar support to more pupils in the area.
Similarly, the Supervisor for Education in Calabar South, Hon. Lawrence Ekeng Inyang, charged parents to apply the funds strictly to school supplies as schools prepare to resume.
“That money given to you is to buy uniforms and exercise books,” Inyang emphasized. “School is about to resume next week. Please, that money is not meant for any other business; it is strictly for your children’s needs.” He further promised to replicate the Ward 6 initiative in his home base of Ward 11.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries’ families, Comr. Ekeng Kubianga thanked Hon. Orok and the PU 16 leadership, describing the gesture as a timely relief for struggling households.
The event was attended by business leaders, educational stakeholders, and party stalwarts, including the APC Ward 6 Chairman, Paul Offiong Etim, and the APC Caucus Leader and Chapter Chairman of Calabar South, Hon. Archibong Ironbar.
