Former Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil companies in Nigeria and Advisor, Inoyo Toro Foundation, Mr Udom Inoyo has been conferred an Award of Excellence in Human Capital Development by the Central Executive Committee of Oron Union.

The honour was bestowed upon him at a Dinner/Awards Night organized as part of the 96th Annual General Meeting of Oron Union on Thursday, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and consistent contributions towards the enhancement of human capital development in Akwa Ibom State, through the Inoyo Toro Foundation.

Represented on the occasion by Mrs Nkoyo Etuk, Mr Inoyo appreciated the leadership of the Union for the recognition, noting that there is still much to be done to reduce the huge human capital deficit prevailing in Nigeria.

According to him, “We need a robust master plan not only for the quality education of our young ones but also to strengthen the economy and create meaningful job opportunities. We need to catch up with others in this technology driven century.”

Charging Oron Union to sustain its culture of awarding scholarship to their youngsters, Inoyo said, “When on March 20, 2021, I was invited by the Lagos branch of this 96-year-old organization to speak, I had cause to plead that you do everything in your powers to return to the values of the founding fathers, Chiefs Ekpu Edubio Odoro, Anwana Osin Anwana(John Anwana Esin) and Okon Eyokunyi Isong.”

“I am happy that you are on that path and I congratulate the leadership of the Union. Oro Nation must reorder her priorities, investing in the education of their children and wards to once again be the shining light in building a culture that promotes respect for hard work, enterprise, togetherness and adherence to the rule of law,” he added.

He further explained that the Inoyo Toro Foundation has continued to remind critical stakeholders on why there must be significant investment on human capital, stressing that although government has a major role to play, it cannot achieve so much alone.

Highlighting some past efforts made by the Foundation, Inoyo said “the organization which started with a focus on incentivizing public secondary school teachers and providing mentorship opportunities for students, is now in its 15th year.

“One of the earliest things we did in 2011 was a partnership withKeystone Bank to provide Methodist Boys High School, Oron and three other public schools carefully selected from the 3 senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom state, with Information and communication technology centers.

“Each school was provided with a computer laboratory, a generating set, and a project coordinator to coordinate the British standard curriculum as part of the Foundation’s vision to share International Curriculum Standards with the students in our public secondary schools,” he continued.

Also honoured on the occasion in different award categories were the Senator Representing Akwa Ibom South, Sen. Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, Managing Director, Desicon Engineering; Mr Akan Udofia, General Manager (Marine/Logistics), NNPC; Chief Asuquo Inuikim, Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police; Chief Asuquo Amba, among a few others.