By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Indigenes of Ubium in Nsit Ubium Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State but resident abroad have invested in the educational empowerment of their kindred at home to guarantee better future.
The group under the aegis of Ubium Development Association (UDA) USA Incorporated, took the initiative to promote education and preserve the legacy of late Architect Ime Ekpo, former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in the state who died in 2021.
Recently over the weekend in Uyo, the group awarded
scholarships to eight indigenes of the community for the 2026/2027 academic session. The beneficiaries are students in tertiary institutions studying Architecture, Medicine and Surgery, Electrical Engineering and Chemical/Petroleum Engineering.
Presenting the awards to the beneficiaries, UDA International President, Dr. Victor Uko said the beneficiaries, who received between N200,000 and N300,000 towards their education emerged from 18 applicants for the memorial scholarship awards.
The beneficiaries are Idorenyin Victor, Architecture; Wisdom Uboh, Medicine and Surgery; Bassey Monday, Electrical Engineering; Peace Umoh, Medicine and Surgery; Ubongabasi Bassey, Medicine and Surgery; Emmanuel Essien, Electrical Engineering; Ubong Esema, Chemical/Petroleum Engineering; and Essienimoh Daniel, Electrical Engineering.
In a goodwill message, UDA National President, Inyang, described the scholarship as an investment in human potential rather than merely financial assistance.
She urged the beneficiaries to combine academic excellence with integrity and eventually use their knowledge and achievements to create opportunities for others.
Chairman of UDA USA Inc. and the 2026/2027 Scholarship Committee, Ibok Esema, also congratulated the beneficiaries, describing their selection as a reflection of their academic performance, discipline and commitment to personal and community development.
Esema urged the students to uphold the values associated with Ekpo, including integrity, service, creativity and commitment to societal development.
“This scholarship is more than financial support; it is an investment in your future and a vote of confidence in your potential to contribute meaningfully to Ubium, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and the world,” he said.
The scholarship programme was publicly announced at Ekpo’s funeral on March 5, 2021, following his death. UDA subsequently began receiving applications through flyers, emails and online platforms.
The memorial scholarship forms part of UDA’s broader community-development interventions in Akwa Ibom.
According to the association, it provided 32 boreholes in 32 primary-school communities during the tenure of former president Eka Morgan.
It also conducted three medical missions under former president Samuel Essien, while the administration led by Dr. Anietie Edohoukwa facilitated skills training for 62 youths.
UDA said the projects reflected its effort to deploy diaspora resources to address practical needs in education, healthcare, water supply and youth development.
The scholarship programme represents an expansion of that intervention from physical infrastructure and humanitarian services to direct investment in human capital.
The association said Ekpo maintained a strong relationship with UDA and served on its Community Advisory Committee, which was established to strengthen communication between diaspora members, communities and government.
According to UDA, Ekpo supported its free medical and surgical missions during his tenure as commissioner and helped communicate community concerns to the state government.
The association said his role in facilitating communication and providing feedback on development issues contributed to its decision to establish the scholarship in his memory.
UDA said the initiative was designed not only to honour Ekpo but also to create opportunities for young people whose professional training could contribute to the development of Ubium, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
The association said it would continue to deploy its resources, professional networks and relationships to support sustainable development in Ubium and the wider state.
The scholarship was established in honour of Ekpo, whose career combined professional practice in architecture, public service and community development. A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects. He was inducted into the institute’s fellowship in November 2017 in recognition of his professional and humanitarian contributions.
Present at the ceremony was the Clan Head of Ubium, HRH Etebom Ukpong Udoewa, who presented the awards to the beneficiaries.
