The President of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Atlantic Shores Deck, Eket Chapter, Akwa Ibom, Mr Mfon Etukudo, has urged parents to keep their children in school despite the country’s economic challenges.
Etukudo made the call on Wednesday at a meeting with the Udua Offing Etok Market Union and Management Committee in Eket to commemorate the 2026 International Literacy Day (ILD).
He described quality education and purposeful upbringing as the greatest legacy parents could give their children.
“We are here to speak about something that is perhaps the most important investment any parent can make, and that is the education of children,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that International Literacy Day is marked annually on Sept. 8, with the 2026 theme: “Educate a Child Today, Empower a Family Tomorrow.”
Etukudo urged parents not to allow economic hardship to determine their children’s future, stressing that education remained essential to personal and societal development.
“Parents, please send your children to school. Do not allow the difficulties of today to determine the future of your children,” he said.
He warned that denying children education because of financial difficulties could create greater challenges and expenses in the future.
“When you complain of money and do not send your child to school, you end up spending more money to solve problems arising from illiteracy,” he said.
According to him, education goes beyond obtaining certificates, as it equips children with essential skills to read, write, calculate, communicate, reason and make informed decisions.
Etukudo added that literacy also enabled individuals to understand contracts, receipts, agreements, medical instructions, government policies and business opportunities.
Also speaking, the President of the Udua Offing Etok Market Union, Mrs Nse Monday, said she would discourage parents from allowing their children to trade in the market during school hours.
Monday thanked the association for sensitizing market leaders and parents on the importance of investing in children’s education.
The meeting featured the presentation of exercise books and pens to children of market leaders in Eket.
