The Inoyo Toro Foundation has honoured the outstanding performance, resilience and dedication of teachers and journalists in Akwa Ibom State, presenting prizes worth N7.5 million at its 18th Teachers’ Awards and 5th Ray Ekpu Award for Investigative Journalism.

The excellence awards held on Friday, November 8, 2025 was held at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo.

For teachers, the award was categorised into teachers, grand mentors and principals’ award.

According to the Inoyo Toro Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Award Screening Committee, Prof. Enobong Joshua, the 2025 edition of the award drew 200 applicants, including 180 teachers, 11 mentors, and nine school principals. He said a total of 150 teachers participated in the computer-based test across six subjects which are English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics before the finalists emerged.

In the teachers’ category, Nyakno Essien of McIntre Secondary Community School, Utu Abak, clinched the first prize in Biology, while Anthony Akpan Essien of Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo, took the second position. In Chemistry, Udeme Felix Ekanem of Aka Offot Community Secondary School, Uyo, won the top prize, ahead of Nkereuwem Andrew Udo of Community Secondary School, Ibiaku Ibiono, who placed second.

The Economics category saw Ndifreke Edet of Brotherhood Secondary School, Ikot Ide Akpakpan, Ibesikpo, emerge as first prize winner, followed by Glory Monday Umanah of Offot Ukwa Secondary Grammar School, Obio Offot, Uyo. In English Language, Imoh Archibong of Cornelia Cornelly College, Afaha Oku, Uyo, came first, while Kufre Akpan Benson of McIntre Secondary Commercial School, Utu Abak, placed second.

For Mathematics, Emmanuel Akpan of Ikpe Community Secondary School, Ibom Edet, Ini, won the first prize, while Ofonime Okorie of Nduo Eduo High School, Eket, emerged runner-up. The Physics category was topped by Michael Sunday Moses of Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket, with Blessed Sunday of Asong Community Secondary School, Mkpat Enin, coming second.

Each first prize winner received ₦300,000, while the runners-up received ₦200,000.

In the Grand Mentors’ Award segment, which rewards experienced teachers who have successfully guided others to win prizes, Edidiong George Idioh of Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe, won in Biology; Joshua Udo Udo of Lott Carey Baptist Secondary School, Afaha Obio Eno, Ibiono, in Chemistry; Ubon-Obong Archibong of Mclntre Secondary Commercial School Utu Abak won in English Language, Felix Oku Effiong of Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket, in Physics; and Godswill Bradford Inyang of Salvation Army High School, Efa, Etinan, in Mathematics. Each Grand Mentor received ₦500,000 for their exceptional contribution to mentoring.

In the Principals’ Award, Mrs. Augusta Afahaenam Etukudo of Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket, was named best principal in the State, with Imo Etim Okori of Nigerian Christian Secondary School, Ukpom Abak, and Uwem Jacob of Unity Model College, Obongtong, Nsit Ibom, placing second and third respectively. The winner of the first prize got N500,000, Second – N300,000 while Third position got N200,000.

Prof. Joshua in his remarks had said the Foundation has since 2007 remained committed to repositioning education in Akwa Ibom State by motivating teachers and school heads toward excellence and professionalism.

He said “This is our 18th year of positive contribution to the education sector of Akwa Ibom State. Our objectives remain to encourage teachers in core subjects, promote healthy competition, and inspire mentorship and dedication among educators.”

He added that the Foundation is poised to encourage teachers of Science, Mathematics, English Language, and some other endangered subjects in Akwa Ibom State public secondary schools, stimulate awareness for the study of these subjects and also promote healthy and positive competition for excellence among teachers.

The Award Screening Committee Chairman explained that the foundation remains committed to help teachers become more dedicated to their profession by consistently updating their knowledge and mentoring other colleagues even as they would continue to offer mentorship opportunities for public secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State through volunteers from diverse professional backgrounds.

In an interview after the award, Mrs. Augusta Etukudo who emerges winner of the Principals’ Award thanked the Foundation for its consistency, describing the award as “a great motivation for teachers and administrators to keep striving for excellence and nurturing students who will impact society positively.”

The ceremony also featured the 5th edition of the Ray Ekpu Prize for Investigative Journalism, where three journalists were honoured for outstanding investigative reporting. Ekemini Simon of TheMail Newspaper emerged overall winner for the fourth time, receiving ₦500,000. Saviour Imukudo of Premium Times came second with ₦300,000, while Enwongabasi Elisha of The Crest Newspaper placed third with ₦200,000.

The investigative journalism prize is sponsored by Inoyo Toro Foundation, Thomson and Grace Investment Limited and Oto-Obong Uwah.

Chairman of the Screening Committee, veteran journalist, Nsikak Essien, said the 2025 edition received 27 entries the highest since inception and commended the rise in both quality and diversity of investigative stories.

“The issues covered were richer, more competitive, and more socially relevant,” Essien said. “We owe immense gratitude to Mr. Udom Inoyo and the Inoyo Toro Foundation for launching and sustaining this prize. No organization has done as much for journalism development in Akwa Ibom State.”

He called on editors to prioritize investigative journalism pointing out that newsrooms should focus on investigative reports rather than routine event coverage.