The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing, has expressed gratitude to Governor Godswill Akpabio for appointing and swearing-in three of its members as Permanent Secretaries in the State Civil Service.

The union, in a note of appreciation to the governor, signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Etim Ukpong, and the Principal State Secretary, Comrade (Dr) Mike Ike Ene, acknowledged that the magnanimous gesture from the governor had gone a long way to showcase his love and respect for teachers.

According to a statement by the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, the union leaders also noted and commended the huge investment of Governor Akpabio in the areas of free and compulsory education from primary to senior secondary level; massive renovation of schools across the three senatorial districts of the state, payment of 27.5% Teachers Enhancement Allowance (TEA) alongside the new minimum wage to teachers and other professional colleagues in the three education boards.

Equally, the recent appointment of teachers as Permanent Secretaries, migration of principals of schools and zonal directors from salary grade level 16 to salary grade level 17 as Principals-General, the NUT leaders observed, have fulfilled the saying that “when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice,” especially in the education industry.

Identifying with the determination of Chief Akpabio to reposition education in Akwa Ibom State, the Union urged its members who have been appointed as Permanent Secretaries to justify their appointments by putting in their best in their new positions.

As the NUT sees it, the appointment of Mr. Marcus Edwin Enene, a former Principal at Q.I.C, Ndon Eyo, as Permanent Secretary, Political and Legislative Affairs Bureau; Mr. Ephraim Jimmy Oton, former Deputy Zonal Director, Local Education Committee, Abak, as Permanent Secretary, State Secondary Education Board; and Dr Ekong Jimmy Effiong as Permanent Secretary, State Technical Schools Board, the NUT by an “amiable, digital, dynamic, pragmatic and education-friendly Governor” is worthy of commendation

•Photo shows Governor Akpabio.

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