RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
The Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr John Ayah, has commissioned the renovated and remodelled Assumption Nursery/Primary School in Ikot Nseyen, Nkwot, Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The commissioning formed part of the Bishop’s pastoral visit to St. Mary’s Parish, Ikot Nseyen, on Tuesday, September 29, and attracted members of the Catholic community, traditional leaders and other residents.
The renovation of the school was supported by the Pontifical Mission Societies through the Pontificium Opus a Sancta Infantia.
Assumption Nursery/Primary School was established in 1994 by the then Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Joseph Ekuwem, who is now the Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar.
The institution was established to provide education for children within Ikot Nseyen and surrounding rural communities.
Over the years, the school infrastructure deteriorated and required substantial rehabilitation, leading to the intervention that resulted in the renovation and remodelling of the facility.
Speaking during the commissioning, Ayah emphasised the role of Catholic schools in providing academic and character development for children.
“Anytime you think of quality and affordable education, you think of the Catholic Church,” the Bishop said.
“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.”
Ayah thanked the Pontifical Mission Societies and its Director in the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Isidore Akpan, for facilitating the renovation and remodelling project.
The Bishop also appealed to community leaders and residents of Ikot Nseyen to take responsibility for protecting and maintaining the facility.
He urged residents to guard the school against vandalism, theft and other activities that could damage the infrastructure or undermine its educational purpose.
Head Teacher of the school, Obongawan Esther Udofia, expressed appreciation to Ayah and the Pontifical Mission Societies for the intervention.
Udofia said the renovation came at a time when the school was in need of significant infrastructural improvement.
She said the upgraded facility would provide pupils and teachers with a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Village Head of Ikot Nseyen, Ette Idung Prof. Sylvester Akpan, also welcomed the development, describing the project as important to the community and the education of its children.
Akpan pledged that the traditional institution and residents would work towards protecting and properly maintaining the renovated school.
He said the community would treat the facility as a collective asset and ensure that the benefits of the intervention were sustained for present and future generations.
The Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Parish, Ikot Nseyen, also thanked Ayah, the Pontifical Mission Societies and other individuals who contributed to the project.
He described the renovated school as an investment in the education and future of children in the community.
The commissioning marked the formal reopening of the upgraded facility for continued educational activities in Ikot Nseyen.
