Distinguished airline captain and Etung-born philanthropist, Captain Edom Tawo, has donated educational materials to government-owned schools across the 10 political wards of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State to support indigent students and promote educational development in the area.
The educational materials were recently distributed to beneficiary schools across the 10 political wards by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bendeghe Ekiem Ward, Comrade Atu Alfred, on behalf of the donor.
Captain Tawo described the donation as the first phase of a carefully planned intervention programme aimed at improving secondary education in Etung, assuring students that further support would follow as part of his commitment to educational development in the area, grassroots development, giving back to the society and reaching the vulnerable.
He urged the students to take their studies seriously despite the infrastructural challenges confronting some of their schools, encouraging them to remain focused, determined and hopeful about a better future through education.
Captain Tawo, who hails from Bendeghe Ekiem in Etung LGA, was a frontline aspirant for the Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency seat during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
Responding on behalf of Etung Comprehensive Secondary School, the Principal, Mrs. Gladys Ikem, expressed appreciation to Captain Tawo for extending the gesture to the institution, describing the donation as a welcome intervention for the students.
“We are very grateful to Captain Edom Tawo, who found this school worthy of benefiting from his kind gesture. He recognised our school and ensured that our students benefited from the educational materials distributed to schools. We say thank you,” she said.
While appreciating the donation, Mrs. Ikem appealed to Captain Tawo to consider assisting the school with infrastructure, revealing that several facilities were in a deplorable condition.
The principal explained that the school had made efforts to address some of its challenges but needed additional support to provide a more conducive learning environment. She appealed to the captain to undertake one or two projects at the school, expressing confidence that such assistance would make a significant difference.
Similarly, the Vice Principal of Government Technical College, Ajassor, Mrs. Oyangha Abong, thanked Captain Tawo for including the institution among the beneficiaries, describing the gesture as an investment in the future of the students.
“On behalf of the principal, staff and entire students of this school, we say a big thank you to Captain Tawo for choosing this school as one of those to benefit from his support. It is not easy. The best thing he has done is to sow a seed in education,” she said.
Mrs. Abong expressed hope that the educational materials would encourage the students to study harder, pursue their dreams and aspire to attain greater heights in their chosen careers. She also prayed for God’s continued protection and success for Captain Tawo, expressing hope that he would sustain his support for schools in the area.
The donation has been welcomed by school administrators as a timely contribution towards addressing students’ learning needs across Etung, while their appeals for infrastructural assistance highlight the need for sustained support to improve school facilities and create better conditions for teaching and learning.
By Kingsley Agim
