By Etoro-obong Inyang
The Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem, has pledged his support to his constituent, a student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, who recently lost his belongings in a devastating fire incident in Ikot Ekpene.
Edidem, who represents Itu State Constituency, made the pledge yesterday during a visit to the scene of the inferno to sympathise with the victim, Giver Utibe Effiong, a final-year student of the Department of Electrical Engineering, whose residence was completely destroyed in the fire accident.
Describing the incident as “heartbreaking,” the Deputy Speaker assured the student that his academic journey would not be disrupted by the unfortunate event.
“The loss is indeed painful, especially for a young student striving to build a future. I want to assure you that you are not alone in this. I will stand by you and support your recovery,” Hon. Edidem said during the visit.
The Deputy Speaker was warmly received by members and executives of the National Association of Itu Students (NAITS), Akwa Poly Chapter, the Students’ Union Government (SUG), and other student leaders.
Speaking on behalf of the student community, Comrade Moses Inyang, Worldwide President of Itu Students; Comrade Precious Michael, President of NAITS Akwa Poly Chapter; and Comrade Winner Archibong, Speaker of the SUG, expressed gratitude to the lawmaker. They commended his quick response, describing it as, a “display of compassion and responsible leadership”.
Other students who spoke during the visit lauded Edidem’s intervention as a timely gesture of solidarity, emphasizing the importance of public officials showing up for their constituents in times of crisis.