By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
A Cross River-born engineer and entrepreneur, Dr. Amba Ndoma Egba, has paid the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration fees for 97 indigent students of Akparabong Community Secondary School (COSSA) in Ikom Local Government Area, his alma mater.
The intervention, which began in 2023, has continued through 2024, 2025 and 2026, benefiting students from different classes and helping many remain in school despite financial challenges.
Dr. Ndoma Egba said the gesture was his way of giving back to the institution that laid the foundation for his academic and professional success.
“I am a product of this school, and I believe no child should be denied education because of poverty,” he said.
Recalling his upbringing in Akparabong, the engineer noted that many rural families struggle to balance household needs with educational expenses, forcing some children to abandon their studies.
According to him, education remains the most effective tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for young people in underserved communities.
As the son of a farmer, he said he understood firsthand the financial burden faced by parents and decided to adopt a multi-year support programme to provide stability for vulnerable students.
“One session is not enough to guarantee continuity. By supporting indigent students over several years, I want them to focus on their education without fear of interruption,” he added.
The initiative has drawn commendation from stakeholders. A member of the Parent-Teacher Association, Mr. Anthony Odey, described the intervention as timely and impactful, while teacher Mr. Mbeh Nsan Osim said the support would keep many students in the classroom who might otherwise have dropped out.
Also speaking, a parent, Mrs. Elizabeth Okoma, praised the gesture, describing it as an investment in the future of the community.
Beyond the WAEC sponsorship, Dr. Ndoma Egba has previously purchased JAMB forms for more than 40 students and sponsored law graduates from the community through law school. He urged other successful indigenes to support educational development in their communities, stressing that collective action can accelerate grassroots transformation.
