By SUNDAY FRANK
Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, Uyo has convokes and certified 74 students of the Institution with the award of National Diploma with David Akpan Udo from Department of Computer Science Technology as the Overall best graduating student.
The institution issued certificates in the maiden convocation and third matriculation Ceremonies of the school that had His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno as the Special Guest of Honour at the school premises, 3 College Road, Atan Offot ,Uyo, behind the State Secretariat.
The Polytechnic also conferred Fellowship Awards on Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong (Prince) Enobong Uwah, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ekott, Chairman, Governing Council, Heritage Polytechnic, Eket; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Mrs Idongesit Etiebet; Transition Chairman, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Dr Kingsley Frank.
Others were: The State PDP Chairman,Rt. (Hon.) Aniekan Akpan Chairman of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) Obong Ide Owodiong-Idemeko and the Transition Chairman, Uyo Local Government, Dr Uwemedimo Udo.
Speaking, Governor Umo Eno saluted the Governing Council and Management of Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic on their commitment to providing an alternative learning environment for the students by complementing the effort of the federal and state government through the respective higher institutions owned and funded by individuals.
“I thank you for the invitation extended to me to be part of this two-in-one evet of the Polytechnic. On behalf of the government and the good people of Akwa Ibom, I congratulate the convoking and matriculating students, their parents and guardians and the management of the Institution on today’s event” 
The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet congratulated Engr Dr Victor Williams on his achievements of running a functional Institution of learning.
“Doing this as a private citizen is worthy of commendation and emulation and it aligns with what the former first lady of the United States of America, Senator Hilary Clinton once said, “to build and nurture well rounded children, it takes a village” he slatuted
Governor hinted that his administration sees education as a vehicle for development, he believes that prosperity is tied to prioritizing education because no society grows and achieves sustainable growth without the education of its citizens, adding that education is synonymous to development.
The Governor further disclosed that his policies in the educational sector are to build golden future for the students of Akwa Ibom State.
In his speech, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, Uyo, Dr Victor EU Williams noted that
the Polytechnic is his modest contribution to human capital development as it was built to support the core economy potentials and the rich resources in oil and gas, engineering, tourism, agriculture, maritime and healthcare system
“Today, the Polytechnic is rich in academic content and quality”
Dr Williams registered his appreciation to God for the success story of the Institution and to Governor Umo Eno for his partnership in giving the school land to establish Petroleum and Maritime Training Centre and assured the Governor that the school will soon invite him for the graduation of the first batch of the Arise Oil and Gas trainees which he said started in the last four months as part of the institution’s contribution to the Arise agenda.
“Your Excellency, we have used our competence, skills , equipment and facilities to carry out this specialized training free of charge. What remains now is the payment of certification fee for fifty trainees. Your Excellency, well paid jobs are waiting for them. Kindly help us in paying for their certification, please. ”
The BOT Chairman of the Institution informed the Governor that some of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira entrepreneurship grants were part of the students.
To the convoking students, the BOT Chairman intimated that the goal of every student is be gloriously adorned with the academic gown signifying a great sense of achievement and celebration.
While he welcomed the matriculating students to the prestigious Polytechnic where he described as a home of academic excellence and centre for skill development, charged them to take advantage of the manpower and facilities to enrich themselves with knowledge and skills.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Nnamonso Akpabio celebrated Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, Uyo for its three years of existence as Government accredited Institution in Akwa Ibom State.
“It is on record that Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, Uyo, Akwa lbom, is three years, considering Federal
Ministry of Education (FME) and National Board for Technical (NBTE) in February, 2021 to operate as a recognized Polytechnic in Nigeria”
“Apart from the 3″ matriculation ceremony we are having the pleasure to also announce that the Institution had produced the
1st batch of National Diploma graduands in November, 2023, and that is the reason we are convoking today. While the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes will commence this year 2024 after NBTE resource inspection. It is indeed, a historic achievement that the people of Akwa Ibom and lovers of skill-based education should celebrate”.
Giving a breakdown of the maiden Convocation,the Rector, Engr. Akpabio said that a total number of 74 graduands have been found worthy both in character and learning for the Award of National Diploma of the Polytechnic by approval the Academic Board of the Institution for the 2021/2022 graduating class, the total number of male graduates produced from the programme was 45, while the total number of female produced was 29.
Altogether, only one student
made a distinction grade in National Diploma as the best student, David Akpan Udo, a male student of Department of Computer Science with Reg NO: IMPI2021/ND/CS/038, 2021/2022 academic session.
Responding on behalf of the Fellowship Award recipients, The Secretary to the State Government, Otuekong Enobong Uwah appreciated Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic for the honor done on him as one the recipients of the Institution’s Fellowship Award.
Otuekong Uwah was represented by Idongesit Orok who acknowledged the contribution of Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, in human capital development and assured the school of more government partnership and support.
Speaking after the convocation, the overall best graduating student, David Akpan Udo disclosed that their journey at Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic was not a straight line, recounting how they stumbled, scolded questioned, supported,
and celebrated at last
“We’ve learned not only from textbooks, but also from the diverse perspectives of our peers, the guidance of our tutors,
and the support of our families. To all our lecturers, a heartfelt thank you for challenging us, igniting our curiosity, and instilling in us the thirst for life-long learning. You pushed us beyond our perceived limits, and for that, we are eternally grateful to both academic and non-academic staff”.
The combined event witnessed dignitaries from all walks of life.