RismadarVoice Reporters, May 5, 2026
In line with his sustained commitment to human capital development, the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, KSJI, has once again demonstrated his passion for education by awarding a fully funded Master’s degree scholarship to the Overall Best Graduating Student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Miss Mary Nicholas Umaha.
Miss Umaha also received the Prince Ukpong Akpabio Prize, a cash award of ₦200,000 for first-class graduates from Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The latest intervention adds to a growing list of education-focused initiatives by the lawmaker, who has over the years, sponsored numerous students in tertiary institutions and instituted a standing prize for first-class graduates from Essien Udim.
Miss Umaha, a native of Adiasim in Essien Udim Local Government Area, graduated with an exceptional cumulative grade point average of 4.90 during AKSU’s combined 9th to 12th convocation ceremonies.
Notably, the event also marked a personal academic milestone for Prince Akpabio, who earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Receiving the top graduate in his office in Uyo on Monday, the lawmaker described her achievement as both remarkable and symbolic of the untapped potential within Essien Udim.
“Miss Umaha represents the very best of our constituency: discipline, resilience and excellence,” he said. “Education is serious business. This scholarship is not just a reward, but an investment in your future. Use it to build yourself, support your family and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Prince Akpabio congratulated Miss Umaha on her outstanding academic feat, describing the support as an effort at rewarding excellence and inspiring a culture of academic distinction among young people in Essien Udim.
In her speech, an emotional Miss Umaha, a graduate of the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing it as a life-changing moment.
“I am truly inspired by my representative’s commitment to education,” she said. “This journey was not easy, but with the support of my parents, family and friends, I persevered. This scholarship is a major boost and I will continue to strive for excellence and inspire others.” She said.
Her father, Mr Innocent Umaha also spoke at the event, thanking Prince Akpabio for honouring his daughter and recalling a longstanding relationship with the Akpabio family.
He noted that he once served under the lawmaker’s father, the late Hon. Justice Nsima Akpabio, when he was chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Council.
