The Okoroyong community in Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom State, celebrated with excitement as Ibom Developers FZE and Sterling Petrochemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. (SPFL) delivered a major boost to education, donating essential learning materials to students of Okoroyong Comprehensive Secondary School.
The gesture, hailed as a rare and impactful intervention, drew praise from the village head, school authorities, students, and community stakeholders, who described it as a significant step toward uplifting the next generation.
Their commendation followed the donation of learning materials — including school uniforms, sandals, exercise books, school bags, pencils, and pens, to students at Comprehensive Secondary School, Okorinyong, as part of the company’s Community Development Programme.
Speaking during the presentation, the Village Head of Okorinyong, His Royal Highness, Chief Godfrey Tallick, described the gesture as the first of its kind from any corporate organisation or government agency since the school was established.
“The school has been in existence for four years and nobody has given us anything. So I thank Ibom Developers FZE and SPFL for these school supplies. I am happy that you have come. I see school bags, water bottles, and school uniforms. On behalf of my community, we are grateful, and we pray that it does not end here,” he said.
The Principal of Comprehensive Secondary School, Okorinyong, Mr. Daniel Ichen, lauded Ibom Developers FZE and SPFL for placing the academic needs of the students at the centre of its community interventions. He described the support as timely and impactful, noting that it would help improve the learning environment.
Also expressing appreciation on behalf of the students, Miss Patience Lawrence Tuesday, a senior student, thanked Ibom Developers FZE and SPFL for the gifts and assured them that the gesture would motivate the students to study harder and remain committed to their academic pursuits.
Addressing the students, Mr. Benjamin Isaac, Base Manager of Ibom Developers FZE and SPFL, urged them to take their studies seriously and acquire knowledge and skills that would prepare them for future opportunities, including within the company.
The Community Development Programme Coordinator of Ibom Developers FZE and SPFL, Ms. Grace Inyang, explained that the intervention was inspired by the observable needs of the students. “When I visited the school, I noticed that some students had no uniforms while many lacked writing materials. We decided to provide uniforms not only for those who didn’t have them, but for all students,” she said.
She added that the gesture aligns with the company’s commitment to supporting education and improving social welfare across its operational communities.
The initiative, stakeholders noted, reflects the Ibom Developers FZE and SPFL broader vision of building stronger host communities through education. It is expected to enhance students’ morale, improve school attendance, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable human capital development in the area.
