29/09/2026
IKOT NSEYEN AGOG, AS BISHOP AYAH VISITS
—Commissions Renovated and Remodelled School Block, Scores Catholic Education High
By Cosmas Michael Essiet
The usually serene village of Ikot Nseyen in Nkwot, Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was in an electrifying mood today, Tuesday, September 29, as the faithful of St. Mary’s Parish, Ikot Nseyen, friends and well-wishers rolled out the drums to celebrate in thanksgiving to God, as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. John Ayah, paid a pastoral visit to the community.
The visit featured particularly the blessing and commissioning of the newly renovated and remodelled Assumption Nursery/Primary School, Ikot Nseyen, an assisted project of the Pontifical Mission Societies (Pontificium Opus a Sancta Infantia).
The school was founded in 1994 by the then Bishop of Uyo Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ekuwem, now Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar, with the purpose of providing quality education to children in the rural community. Over the years, however, the school building deteriorated considerably, leaving the facility in need of urgent attention. Through the intervention of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the school has now received a major facelift and is wearing a new look.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION AT THE ZENITH
In his remarks, Bishop Ayah placed Catholic education at the zenith of quality and affordable education, particularly highlighting the contribution of Catholic schools to the development of children across the Diocese and beyond.
“Anytime you think of quality and affordable education, you think of the Catholic Church. Our schools are premier institutions of learning, founded on the principles of Catholic Education and dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence. We form, we don't only teach them academics; we teach them ethics and etiquette. We develop them academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and otherwise,” the Bishop said.
The Bishop particularly thanked the Pontifical Mission Societies, through the Director of the unit in the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Isidore Akpan, for facilitating the renovation and remodelling of the school.
He also appealed to the elders, leaders and people of Ikot Nseyen to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance. He urged them to protect the school against vandalism, theft and other acts that could undermine the purpose for which the facility was provided.
HEAD TEACHER EXPRESSES GRATITUDE
In her address of welcome, the Head Teacher of the school, Obongawan Esther Udofia, expressed profound appreciation to Bishop Ayah and the Pontifical Mission Societies for the intervention.
She described the renovation as a timely and benevolent gesture that had given the school a much-needed facelift, particularly at a time when the institution was in dire need of infrastructural improvement.
The Head Teacher noted that the renewed learning environment would not only improve the physical appearance of the school but would also provide the pupils and teachers with a more conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
COMMUNITY PLEDGES TO PROTECT FACILITY
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Village Head of Ikot Nseyen, Ette Idung Prof. Sylvester Akpan, expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing the occasion as significant to the development of the community and the education of its children.
The Village Head acknowledged the importance of the school to the community and pledged the commitment of the traditional institution and the people of Ikot Nseyen to the protection and proper maintenance of the newly renovated facility.
He assured the Bishop, the Pontifical Mission Societies and other benefactors that the community would regard the school as a collective asset and would work to ensure that the purpose of the intervention is sustained for the benefit of present and future generations.
PARISH PRIEST THANKS BISHOP, PMS
Also speaking, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Parish, Ikot Nseyen, expressed appreciation to Bishop Ayah for his pastoral visit and for the interest shown in the development of the school and the community.
He thanked the Pontifical Mission Societies, particularly Very Rev. Fr. Isidore Akpan, whose efforts, he noted, were instrumental in making the renovation possible.
The Parish Priest also appreciated all those who contributed in one way or another to the success of the project and the commissioning ceremony, describing the renovated school as a significant investment in the future of the children and the community.
The commissioning ceremony ended with renewed appreciation to God for the successful completion of the project, as the community celebrated not only a transformed school facility but also a renewed investment in the education, formation and future of its children.
To God be the Glory!
