By Patrick Ekpo, Uyo
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has approved a scholarship award for an indigene of the state Ms Priscilla Samuel Daniel to pursue her course of studies at the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
Governor Eno made the pronouncement on Wednesday following a message of appeal by the lady on the social media which was forwarded to him by the First Lady and progenitor of Golden Initiative, (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno.
A statement obtained from the Government House Press Unit on Saturday said Eno was moved when he got the message that Miss Daniel was offered such a choice admission but could not afford the fees.
The statement said ” The state government under my watch is ready to support and encourage girl – child education as well as every Akwa Ibomite who is making efforts to earn a decent living”.
The governor commended her for scaling through the processes that earned her the admission and urged her to remain focused on her dreams
He directed the Commissioner for Education, Idongesit Etiebet and Special Assistant on Humanitarian Services, to “work out the details of the scholarship for her and the two other financially challenged Akwa Ibom people who had been identified as having the same challenge despite gaining admission into the prestigious institution of learning”.
In a chat with the beneficiary, Priscilla, she expressed delight at the humanitarian disposition of the Governor stressing that she was overwhelmed with joy.
Ms Daniel, who is a graduate of Electrical Electronic Engineering Technology from Auchi Polytechnic, said her dreams have always been to fly an aircraft, adding that at some point she was discouraged to further the dream given the huge financial involvement.
“I love aviation, and it all started from my nursery school when I was asked to act as a pilot in one of our presentations. That day, I was given a very big cardigan with belt to demonstrate one who is about to fly.
“After my nursery school, I attended Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket, and Each time I walked to school and saw a helicopter landing at the then Mobil Airstrip, I always said to myself, I must fly this.
“Though some people actually discouraged me because I am a woman, giving the impression that it is a job for men only. I never gave up. After my HND programme in 2020, I applied to the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria and it took the school three years to call us for evaluation exams, but thank God that I made it.
“I feel very excited, I don’t know how to express it but I am very happy. When I stood in there with the Governor, I was just saying in my heart, ‘thank you God for passing through Governor Umo Eno to make my dream a reality because at some point it felt like it was just a dream that won’t come through, but I just had to keep pushing, I told myself that I won’t give up. This is not just for me, but for Akwa Ibom State, I will continue to be a good ambassador of our dear State,” she added.
She appreciated the First Lady, for taking her case to the Governor, and prayed that God will continue to guide and guard her to remain a blessing to the girl child, the state and humanity in general.
