By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Managing Director of the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA), Mrs. Glory Ekpo-Oho, has urged graduating students of CRBDA Secondary School, Calabar, to remain focused, pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development, describing them as the nation’s future leaders and professionals.
Ekpo-Oho made the call on Tuesday during the school’s 2026 Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony, where 57 students completed their secondary education.
Congratulating the graduands, she expressed confidence in their ability to excel in higher institutions and future careers, noting that they represent Nigeria’s next generation of engineers, doctors, architects and other professionals.
She described CRBDA Secondary School as one of the country’s leading secondary schools, citing its consistent academic excellence and outstanding performance in national examinations.
According to the Managing Director, the school’s reputation was further reinforced by the exceptional performance of one of its female students, who emerged among Nigeria’s top scorers in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Ekpo-Oho commended the school’s management, principal and teaching staff for maintaining high educational standards and encouraged them to sustain the culture of excellence for the benefit of the students and national development.
Chairman of the occasion, Princess Maria Oben, advised the graduating students to uphold the fear of God, integrity and hard work as they advance in life.
She urged them to protect the reputation of their families and alma mater by avoiding negative influences, while commending parents and teachers for their commitment to raising responsible and disciplined young people.
In an address delivered on behalf of the Principal, Lady Florence Odok, the Vice Principal, Mrs. Itoro Williams, described the ceremony as a celebration of the school’s 12-year journey of academic excellence and the unveiling of its maiden yearbook.
She explained that the school, established in 2014 as an extension of the authority’s nursery and primary school, has developed into a centre of academic excellence through sustained investment in quality facilities, discipline and educational development.
Williams paid tribute to the pioneer consultant of the schools, Lady Josephine U. Ogar, for laying the institution’s foundation, and commended the current education consultant, Mrs. Glory Ntuk, for maintaining high academic standards and quality assurance.
She also applauded members of staff for their dedication and praised parents for their unwavering support, describing the strong partnership between the school and families as the cornerstone of the institution’s success.
Addressing the graduating students, she encouraged them to remain disciplined, focused and God-fearing, urging them to serve as worthy ambassadors of the school wherever they find themselves.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling and launch of the maiden CRBDA Secondary School Yearbook, edited by Mrs. Mbereobong Blessing Sammy.
The publication, initiated and supervised by Education Consultant Mrs. Glory Ntuk, documents the school’s achievements and milestones over the past 12 years.
The ceremony also featured a valedictory speech delivered by Master Ekong Benedict Moses on behalf of the graduating class, while outstanding students in various academic categories, alongside teaching and non-teaching staff, received awards for excellence.
The event attracted top officials of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, members of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), parents and other distinguished guests.
As part of activities preceding the graduation ceremony, the graduating students embarked on educational excursions to the Cross River State House of Assembly and the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Afokang.
A Bonding and Appreciation Day was also organised to celebrate the students alongside their parents and teachers.
