By TOROBONG EKPO
From a staff strength of 31, 23 students and three building wrapped in an undeveloped Ediene-Abak community of Abak Local Government Area in September, 2010, I will try to X-ray a brief detail of a citadel of learning, Tower of Ivory Schools, which between 10th and 16th July will be celebrating its six years anniversary amidst outrageous increase of staff numerical to 203, with students at 430 and 605 pupils as well as a branch situated in Uyo, the State Capital.
Tower of Ivory Schools could best be described as a mustard seed, which has grown to become a shed for intellectuals and a hope for future leaders. The narrative could not be properly explained without input from the former Deputy Inspector General of Nigeria Police, DIG Udom Ekpoudom, who despite being a security expert decided in 2010 to correct some anomalies in the academic and learning environment.
According to Ekpoudom, who is also the Proprietor and Chairman Board of Governors of the schools, “The Schools were established to fill a wide gab that existed in our educational system despite the numerous private schools around. They came on board not only to help the numerous children academically but to bring in moral training that would make our future leaders disciplined and God-fearing. Though the school did not lose sight on academics but moral training is being given prominence.”
INFRASTRUCTURAL RENAISSANCE/POWER SUPPLY
Tower of Ivory Schools which started with only three building in 2010 wrapped in a remote area of Abak Local Government Area has increased their infrastructure in 2011 by adding elementary arm which consisted of crèche, nursery and primary school sections. The Hostels are tastefully furnished while staff quarters, classrooms, laboratories, library are fully air conditioned with a view of giving comfort to both students and teachers. Aside from the landscape of the institutions which has made teaching and learning simple and enjoyable, the school has grown on daily basis with tentacle spread into 41, Idoro Road Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital in September, 2015.
Tower of Ivory Schools has other sources of power supply such as: dedicated electric transformer, two giant electric generators, solar and inverted system, as such, the schools seldom rely of Public Power Supply.
STAFFERS
As at last count, the numbers of staff in the institutions have increased from thirty-one to two hundred and three with Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.ED) as minimum qualification exception of crèche teachers.
SPORTING FACILITIES
The institutions has top chart by being the only secondary school, at least in the South-South region of the country with squash court. other sporting facilities of the school include: Standard football pitch, Lawn tennis, volleyball, badminton and basket ball courts, table tennis and swimming poll.
SECURITY
Off course, as a retired DIG of Police Force, Udom Ekpoudom has provided twenty-four hours security patrols in the school compounds. As such, sinister behairviour such as Cultism and other vices are not allowed.
HEALTH
The institutions have medical doctors and other personnel’s attached to the institutions, in addition to medical centres in Abak and Uyo Local Government areas of the state.
ACADEMICS
Tower of Ivory Schools is known for excellence in academic activities as their students excel above average in any given competition. For instance; they were rated high in the Science Olympiad, Cowbell Mathematics Competition, National Galleria of Art, Talent Hunt, Akwa Ibom State Inter-Secondary School Competition, Volley Ball, Akwa Ibom Dakkadda Creed recitation, Akwa Ibom State NNPC/MPN Atletic Champions and Independence Day celebration competitions among others.
Aside from competition, students undergo national excursions to educational/tourist sites centers in Nigeria such as Obudu Cattle Ranch. As per African excursion, this year, students of these schools embarked on site seeing in Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast. They also went to United State of America, United Arab Emirate as part of their international excursion.
ANIVERSARY
As earlier stated, the sixth anniversary of this schools, will commence on 10th and end on the 16th of July with the unveiling of an Ultra-Modern Assembly Hall of the institution, presentation of Awards to eminent personalities, two of whom are Messrs Anthony Clement Udom and David Okon Sergeant (Utang Akwa Ibom) for promoting indigenous culture through traditional languages-Annang and Ibibio.
Also, the biography of the retired DIG Udom Ekpoudom will be presented by the governor of Akwa Ibom State, while there will be paper presentations, carnival float, concert and suya night, Art and Cultural exhibition among others.