Redemption Academy Entrepreneurship Club has sworn in elected executive members as well as bed farewell to those whose tenure ended.
The event which took place on May 17, at the school premises had dignitaries from different parastatals, both at the federal and state levels in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, the Principal, Redemption Academy Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria O. Bassey celebrated the facilitators and members of the entrepreneurship club for the wonderful millstones they have attained.
She noted that the school is known for godliness, discipline and above all zero tolerance for examination malpractice.
The state representative of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Mr. Sopuruchi Egbeke, expressed satisfaction with Redemption Academy, noting that he became in love with the school since the train the trainer mindshift programme of Federal Government in August 2022.
He commended Redemption Academy for keeping to the mandate of the Federal Government in catching the students young in the aspect entrepreneurship.
He noted that the richest people are the entrepreneurs not civil servants.
Mr Egbeke acknowledged the commitment of the facilitators and support of the school management in sustaining the club and promised to forward the report of the event to the Director General/CEO of the Agency Mr Charles Odii whom he said is passionate about the club in all the states.
Egbeke maintained that SMEDAN is a Federal government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Investment. He pledged to support the school with an industrial shoe making machine before the year runs out.
The representative from Civil Society Organisations, Open Forum Care for Humanity Foundation Mr. Mathew Koffi Okono aka Citizen MKO equally commended the school and the club.
Citizen MKO pledged his commitment to continue his partnership with the school and called on Akwa Ibom State Government to implement the Education Roadmap adopted by the immediate past administration which is detailed enough to enhance and replicate the effort of Redemption Academy in the area of entrepreneurship.
Similarly, the representative of Youth for Change Initiative/YOUTHPRIDE, Mr Andikan Uwah appreciated the club for sustainability and stated that the mandate of the organization include training on leadership, entrepreneurship and good governance.
He Harper on the need for students to hold onto the skills they have acquired which he said could become their means of survival in the future.
He opined, “Every child deserves quality education”, child that is not gathered for today will become a menace to the community tomorrow”, he said.
Menstrual Hygiene Day: A’Ibom first lady distributes sanitary packages to girls
Triple E consultant services represented by Dr Edohoeket Eshiet maintained that entrepreneurship is not only about trade and skills, but every facet of life. He also promised to partner the school.
Uduak Okonko a representative from OINT Collection equally encouraged the students on the journey of entrepreneurship, emphasizing that life may not be fair to provide them with white collar jobs after graduation, however with the talents in them, they can stand out in any situation of life.
She promised to partner the school in the area of shoe making.
The facilitators of the programme Elder Ukeme Anwan and Miss Abigail Etim encouraged the members of the club to be more committed to the activities of the club. They unveiled the Club blue print for the in-coming administration as establishment of garden egg farm between May and July, training on production of paint (August to October), implementation of shoe production factory in the school between November and February, and Diamond Challenge competition slated for March to May 2025.
The high point of the event were inauguration of the newly elected officials which was conducted by Dr Edohoeket Eshiet, and gift/certificates presentation to the first runner-up position during the 2023 and 2024 Diamond Challenge organized by Delaware University, USA.
