The Senator representing Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District Dr Aniekan Bassey today at the prestigious Onyema Oguchukwu Hall of the University of Uyo presented a keynote address in a symposium organized by The Institute of Education and Professional Development in collaboration with TETFUND Centre of Excellence on Computational Intelligence University of Uyo with a theme: Public-Private Synergies – AI adoption, Educator’s Capacity Building and Sustainability.
Speaking at the event the Senator who was ably represented by his official spokesperson, an erudite scholar, Dr. Eventus Edem eulogized the organisers of the event led by the Director of the institute of Education and development Prof Usen Ikpe, the Chairman of the event Deacon Ubong Andrew Essien and other key stakeholders who were mostly academia for the vision and cognitive ability to anticipate into the future especially with the emergence of AI technological innovations to enhance the educational sector in Nigerian universities. According to him, Artificial Intelligence AI has come to stay, and we must be ready to utilize it effectively and efficiently to advance academic activities and other fields of human endeavors.
The Senator, in his speech, assertively called for the prioritization and utilization of public and private synergies, which serves as the theme of the event by adopting AI technological innovations, building the capacity of educators, and ensuring its sustainability. All hands should be on deck to make sure we meet up with the global best practices in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ARISE agenda of Excellency Pastor Umoh Eno PhD, Senator averred.
The Senator, an alumnus of the institution used the occasion to enumerate unfettered involvement in the advancement of education in the Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District and, by extension, Akwa Ibom State. He reeled out most of his tangible intervention programs and initiatives he has embarked upon which include provisions of scholarship to students, procurement of JAMB forms, provisions of grants, procurement of laptops, and provisions of educational and instructional facilities worth millions of Naira to Primary and Secondary Schools across the 9 LGAs of the Senatorial District to enhance teaching and learning. According to him, the Senator also provided science equipment to schools and built ICT centers worth ₦222 Million across Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, in addition to his support to the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Uyo, for technological advancement and innovations after the successful defence of his Ph.D in the Institution last year.
The Senator, who serves as the Chairman Senate Committee on Diaspora and Nongovernmental Organizations NGOs was honored by the Institution and given an award in recognition of his effective representation and staunch commitment to the development of education in Nigeria.
The University of Uyo Vice Chancellor, Prof Samuel Adewumi, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Enobong Ikpeme, also presented his speech and declared the 2026 Conference opened. The event witnessed a book launch which was reviewed by Prof Eno Etukudoh Eyo.
The event had other key speakers who spoke eloquently about the growth, development, and usability of the prevailing technological innovations in Nigeria to advance teaching and learning. They are; Akwa Ibom State Education Commissioner Prof Ubong Umoh and Prof Nyaudo Ndaeyo, Prof Comfort Ekpo, and Prof Akpan Hogan Ekpo, who were all former Vice Chancellors of the University of Uyo.
Others are; Deacon Ubong Andrew Essien, Prof Philip Asuquo, Prof Nsini Akpan, Prof Ime Emah – Dean Faculty of Education, Prof Patricia Enang, Prof Alice Udosen, Prof Iniobong Nkang, Prof Patience Usoro Usip, Prof Offiong, Prof Ubong Umoh, Prof Enobong Ikpeme Rep of VC, Prof Eno Etukudoh Eyo. Prof Udo Ukpong, Dr. Lucy Akpan, Prof Felicia Ekpu, Dr. Uwanna Uyanga, and many others.
