Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s determination to ensuring that the State becomes a beacon of academic excellence.‎‎
The Governor stated this in Calabar during the official closing of the just-concluded Statewide Student Academic-Thon Challenge held in Calabar and organised by the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Advocacy. ‎‎
The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on General Duty, Mr Ekpenyong Akiba, appreciated the participants for their dedication, pledging that his government would continue to invest in initiatives that promote learning, critical thinking, and innovation for a better Cross River. ‎‎He added that education remains a central pillar of his administration’s development strategy. ‎‎
In her speech, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Advocacy, Comrade Abasiofiok Akpabio, said her office in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the State Planning Commission, and other key education stakeholders, organized the Cross River State Students’ Academic-Thon Challenge, CRISSAC, to celebrate academic excellence, and firmly redirect the focus of students towards intellectual pursuit. ‎‎
Also speaking, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Associate Professor Stephen Odey, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Cyril Itam, explained that the competition was to foster creativity, innovation, and academic excellence among students. ‎‎
He expressed optimism about the future of education in the State, saying, “This Academic-Thon Challenge reflects our commitment to improving the quality of education in Cross River State.‎
‎In her presentation, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, Professor Francisca Bassey, emphasized the need for parents and teachers to create an environment conducive for students to study.
‎‎Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to winners of the competition where Master Eminence Edem from Government Secondary School, Adiabo, Tinapa, in Odukpani Local Government Area of the State emerged as the overall best student in the competition with a cash prize of one million naira, a scholarship, a laptop and other gift items.‎‎
Atonyire Joshua Ikwenji of Government Secondary School, Shikpeche in Obanliku Local Government Area, was the best-performing WAEC student in Cross River State, clinching the ₦250,000 grand prize.‎‎Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School won the quiz category, while Government Secondary School, Adiabo emerged as the overall best-performing school, receiving a ₦2 million project funding award. ‎‎The winner of the spoken word performance received ₦150,000, while every participating student went home with a ₦10,000 consolation prize.‎
