Vice Chairman of Conference of Nigerian Speakers and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has commended his alma mater, St Mary’s Science College (SMASCO), Ediene-Abak, for maintaining educational standard in the state, attributing his achievement and climb in life to the trainings he got from the school.
The Speaker gave the commendation on Saturday at the maiden International Convention and official inauguration of SMASCO Old Students’ Association (SOSA), themed “SMASCO, Let’s Unite,” held at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo.
“I am what I am today because of the knowledge and discipline impacted in me during my secondary school days at SMASCO. My becoming a Member of the State House of Assembly can vividly be attributed to what I gained and learnt from SMASCO. So, I really commend this unity through SOSA. I urge all of us to ensure the vision of this school is kept alive,” Rt. Hon. Bassey said.
Speaking further, Rt. Hon. Bassey, who is also Chairman of South-South Speakers’ Forum, said it was “a great honour to have the old students returned after decades and celebrate the school’s 33 years of excellence in education.”
“I sincerely welcome all the students to this maiden event. It is true that no matter what you become in life, your senior remains your senior. I could see my seniors and school fathers here,” he added.
While commending all the past Principals of the school, particularly Sir Chrysanctus Askak, for instilling discipline, the Speaker assured the school management that he, alongside other old students, will put up world-class infrastructure that will further enhance educational system in the school.
Some of the of the old students of SMASCO included the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Emembong; Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr Uwemedimo Udo; Chairman of Uruan Local Government Council, Surv. Iniobong Ekpenyong; Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Council, Hon. Eric Akpan, among others.
Highpoint of the event was a fund raising session for ultra-modern science laboratories in the school.
