Uncategorized
Hon Otolo Empowers Ipuole Okuku Youths With Event Centre Facilities
…Presents flat screen television set, generator, dual view decoder
By Ebriku John Friday
As part of his corporate social responsibility, the General Manager, Cross River State Waste Management Agency, Hon Oko Sunday Ebeku (aka Otolo) on Saturday fulfilled his promise as he empowers Ipuole Okuku community youths with provision of facilities for setting up of an event center to generate revenue and support youth development.
The facilities presented to the youths include a flat screen television set, generator and a dual view decoder. The community youth leader and vice chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Okuku Ward, Mr Patrick Ogar received the items and receipts of purchase onbehalf of the youth, which amounted to about N260,000.
Hon Oko and his entourage, had earlier visited the palace of the clan head of Okuku, HRH Ogamode Odaji Ipuole, where they met with the the clan head and his council of chiefs to brief them of the empowerment and received royal blessing ahead of the exercise.
He said the gesture was to get the youths profitably engaged, help them shy away from drug abuse and other social vices that is ravaging the lives of many.
In his entourage are former two terms member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Tom Agi, Chief Willie Ibu, Councilor for Okuku Ward, Hon Ogar Joseph Offiono, President of Omgbotuche Ayi Yala Welfare Initiative, Amb Comrade Okori Benard Oko , Prophet Emmanuel Okpe of House of Glory International Ministry (HOGIM), Special Assistant (Security) Mr Wonah Joseph, (aka Jeobella), SA Print Media, Comrade Ebriku John Friday JP, SA on Special Education, Comrade Ogar Wodah amongst others.
Hon Tom Agi in his remarks called on the youths to take advantage of the days gathering and work for the growth and development of the community and urged them to set up an Okuku Students Association.
An elder of the community who gave the vote of thanks appealed for the provision of cassava grinding machine which according to him will go a long way to succour the suffering of the community processing of Garri.
Responding, Chief Willie Ibu, a critical stakeholder called for oneness in the community and that by so doing other needs of the community will be met going forward.
While making a closing prayer, a community woman prayed for more blessings, peace and love to thrive in the community as well as peaceful celebration of the new Yam festivities.
High point of the event was cash donation by Hon Otolo and others to the chiefs, youths, women and elders of the community who gathered in their number to witness the exercise for the New Yam Festival celebration.
Speaking to journalists on the empowerment, Hon Oko said, “What I have done this morning is part of my social responsibility to my community. It’s a way of engaging the youths too. We have done presentation this morning. A television set, generator, and a dual view decoder, just to open an event center viewing centre to view matches and all that instead of going to all the way to the town. Before now, they go to town to watch football and sometime they come back in the night. The risk of traveling along this road.
“The last time we met I promised them that I was going provide an event center and that is exactly what we have done today. I have provided the event center facilities, tv set, generator and a decoder to be managed by the youths instead of going into drugs and other social vices. Whatever they generate here can assist them to do a lot of things in the community. It’s not free, I have asked them to have a management committee that would collect money in their behalf, they should have an account where what they generate can be lodge this money because they need to recharge the decoder, fuel the generator, maintain the generator and other such services.
“So I am just coming back home to present this facilities for my people, make them comfortable so they can shy away from all these social vices. It’s basically to make them comfortable and give themselves sense of belonging.
Sending message of peace ahead of this year’s Yala New Yam Festival billed for August 30, 2021, the Ambassador for Peace who condemned the recent communal clash between Itega-Okpame and O’Oba people communities of Yala and tasked all leaders to work together for lasting and sustainable peace across the Yala nation.
“About six days ago I was given an award in Abuja as Ambassador for Peace. I am returning peace to my beloved people of Yala. A week ago or there about there was a communal clash between Itega-Okpame and the O’Oba people. It was an unfortunate incidence. This is the first time in Yala nation that we are experiencing that kind of thing. I have come with peace, that this year’s new Yam we are going to celebrate is tagged Peace New Yam Festival, for Yala people to embrace peace.
“Without peace there is nothing you can do, so I am talking to my people and all our leaders that I know, let’s not see it as O’Oba and Itega-Okpame issue, it is a Yala issue. It’s our own issue. All hands must be on deck to make sure there us peace between the Itega-Okpame and the O’Oba people. If we don’t do that tomorrow it would move to another community. So let’s put a stop to it.
“There’s no good way of doing a bad thing. A bad thing is a bad thing. Whoever is involved a bad thing is a bad thing. Let us not cove anybody. Let us not pretend to say. Anybody that is involved in that crisis should be held responsible. So I preach peace. This new Yam let us preach peace and make sure that Yala has peace.”
Uncategorized
NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
