NEWS
Sen Oko Boosts 34 Schools With Textbooks, Science Equipment, Others In Cross River North
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Cross River Northern senatorial district in the upper legislative chamber and chairman, Senate committee on Diaspora and CSOs, Senator Rose Oko has boosted 34 schools with educational materials as her 2016 zonal intervention project.
The educational materials presented to the benefiting schools include: 12,000 textbooks; 120 science equipments kits; 2,700 science textbooks; 320 school desks and 6 classroom blocks.
Excited students and authorities of the benefiting schools across the five local government areas of the senatorial district were full of appreciation and praises for the distinguished senator.
Read full speech below…
ADDRESS BY SEN. ROSE OKOJI OKO, SENATOR REPRESENTING CROSS RIVER NORTH ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF LEARNING MATERIALS, BOOKS, SCIENCE EQUIPMENTS AND DESKS TO SCHOOLS IN THE SENATORIAL DISTRICT
I am pleased and indeed honoured to welcome you all to this occasion. I bring to you the good people of Cross River Northern Senatorial District in general, staff and pupils of St. Ben’s Primary School, Mfuma in Particular, my warmest greetings as I present books and other essential learning materials to enhance your studies and improve the standard of education in our senatorial district. We will on this occasion present desks to your school.
My vision in representing you in the upper chamber of the National Assembly is to consistently reach out to my senatorial district with the dividends of democracy in terms of infrastructural development, instructural materials and human capacity development using my zonal intervention provisions as well as reaching out to friends of our Senatorial District to attract other projects. In our line of intervention we have also scheduled to train youths in entrepreneurial skills and provide start up grants; provide scholarship for our youths in secondary and tertiary institutions and also provide empowerment tools for poverty alleviation.
Recall that we had last year embarked on a medical outreach programme in which over 80 surgeries were carried out, 800 eye glasses given out, counseling on deadly diseases provided at a cost of N8 million; and hospital equipments worth N40million handed over to our people and hospitals in Obudu, Obanliku, Bekwara, Ogoja and Yala LGAs.
This intervention is part of my zonal intervention projects for the 2016 budgeting year. They are also a series of empowerment programmes slated for 2017 which will include scholarships, skill acquisition programmes and entrepreneurship training programme with startup grants as well as poverty alleviation tools for the good people of Cross River North senatorial district.
I wish to assure our people in Cross River North, that I will do my best to justify the confidence that you have continued to repose in me by first voting me into the House of Reps in 2011 and now the senate in 2015. Indeed, during my tenure in the House, I used my zonal interventions to provide 24 nos 6 classroom blocks and 3 classroom blocks in 22 wards of Ogoja/ Yala Federal Constituency, constructed 6 boreholes, attracted through the NDDC three road projects currently under construction:
1.Ochubi – Olachor Ipuole road, Okpoma, Yala
2.Igoli Ogoja – Abakpa – Ndok Junction road, Ogoja
3.Mary Knoll ringroad, off Abakaliki road, Okuku, Yala
facilitated the employment of over 20 of our youths in federal establishments and provided empowerment tools (20 garri factories, 18 block molding, 9 grinding machines), 12 tricycles, 5 cars, 20 motorcycles, 20 sewing machine, trained 20 women and empowered them with startup kits of Forever Living products, trained 56 youths in entrepreneurship and gave N100,000.00 to each participant as startup grants. Let me once again assure you that, notwithstanding the present economic recession in our dear nation, as a senator I will do all within my power to continue to reach out to our people.
This event is a token of my appreciation for the confidence once again reposed in me by electing me to the upper legislative chamber. In this present intervention, we are intervening in a total of 34 schools across the Northern Senatorial District comprising provision of science equipments to 13 schools; provision of textbooks and reference materials to 10 schools; provision of classroom desks to 4 schools; and construction of 6 nos 2 classroom blocks; all at total cost of N185million. I urge you all to use these materials judiciously to improve the standard of education of your pupils to the benefit of our dear state.
Thank you and God bless you all
LIST OF SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM TEXTBOOKS IN CROSS RIVER NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT (SEN. ROSE OKO)
1. Community Science School, Olachor, Okpoma, Yala
2. O’nwu Secondary Grammer School, Yahe, Yala
3. Government Science School, Egbe-Mbube East, Ogoja
4. Igbeku Comprehensive Secondary School, Okuku, Yala
5. Begiaka Technical School Ibong, Begiaka, Obudu
6.Comprehensive Secondary School, Gakem, Bekwara
7.Technical Secondary School, Ijiraga, Yala
8. Community Secondary School, Utugwang, Obudu
9. Community Secondary School, Ishibori, Urban I, Ogoja
10. Nkim Iborr Community Secondary School, Aladim, Nkim Iborr, Ogoja
DISTRIBUTION OF SCIENCE EQUIPMENT & BOOKS
1.Government Science Schoo,l Ipong, Obudu
2.Community Science School, Olachor, Okpoma, Yala
3.Community Secondary School, Ukpa, Bekwara
4.Secondary Grammar School, Wanokom, Yala
5. Government Secondary School, Ijiegu, Yache, Yala
6. Yache Community Secondary School, Aliforkpa, Yache, Yala
7. Community Secondary School, Ore-Ijegu, Yala
8. Ubec Junior Secondary School, Abachor, Okuku, Yala
9. Bendi Technical Secondary School, Bendi II, Obanliku
10. Yala Secondary Commercial/ Secondary School, O’oh, Yala
11. Wanihem Science Secondary School, Wanihem, Yala
12. Nwang Community Secondary School, Nwang Ekajuk II, Ogoja
13. Comprehensive Secondary School, Okwel- Urban II, Obudu
14. Bekwara Secondary School, Abuochiche, Bekwara
15. Mount Camel Girls Secondary School, Igoli, Ogoja
DESK
1. Community Primary School, Ijama, O’oh, Yala
2. Community Primary School, Eshakom, Ntara II, Ekajuk, Ogoja
3.Community Primary School, Okpodon 3 Igede, Ukelle North, Yala
4. St. Ben’s Primary School, Mfuma, Ukelle South, Yala
CLASSROOM BLOCKS CONSTRUCTION
1. Bugene I, Primary School, Sankwala, Obanliku
2. St. Pius Primary School, Udiege, Obudu
3. St. Patrick Primary School, Egbe-Mbube (Mbube West I), Ogoja
4. Community Science School Olachor, Okpoma Yala
5. Covent Primary School, Ugaga, Yala
6. LEA Primary School, Ijiraga, Yala
NEWS
Nigerian Born Int’l Journalist, Livinus Chibuike Victor, attempts to attain Interviewing Marathon of 72hours 30 Seconds
Journalists plays an essential role in promoting transparency, challenging power, and giving a voice to the voiceless. Despite increasing threats to press freedom across the world.
As the world reflects on the vital role journalists play in upholding democratic values, Livinus Chibuike Victor, Imo State born globally acclaimed journalist, proudly announce a historic Guinness World Record attempt for the longest interviewing marathon, with the Theme (NIGERIA OUR STRENGTH) scheduled to take place from 28th September to October 1st 2025, at Tangier Hotel, 34, Ekukinam street, Besides ABC Transport, Utako, Abuja.
The record attempt according to Victory, aims to highlight the enduring impact of journalism in a democratic society, a profession that continues to educate, empower, and hold those in power accountable. In an age where truth is often under siege, this initiative seeks to draw attention to the essential need for a free, ethical, and fearless press.
“Democracy is impossible without an informed public, and journalists are the ones who make that possible, “This attempt is not just about setting a new world record; it’s about celebrating truth, integrity, and the powerful role journalism plays in building and sustaining open societies.
The Guinness World Record attempt will feature a series of activities designed to engage the public, celebrate press freedom, and honor the sacrifices made by journalists around the world.
Members of the public, media professionals, and civic leaders are invited to witness and support the event as it unfolds over three inspiring days at the Tangier Hotel, Ekukinam Street, Utako,.Abuja, Nigeria.
About Livinus Chibuike Victor
Livinus Chibuike Victor is a Nigerian journalist known for his fearless reporting and advocacy for Press Freedom. He has worked tirelessly to promote transparency and accountability in society through his work.
The immediate past National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Dr. Chris Isiguzo (MFR), has been celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award by journalists from the South East Zone C during a special homecoming held in his honour at the NUJ Enugu Council Press Centre.
Speaking at the event, NUJ Vice President (South East), Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, said the recognition was in appreciation of Isiguzo’s remarkable leadership and contributions during his tenure as National President. He described him as “a pathfinder, a trailblazer, a mentor, and a leader,” noting that he positioned the South East as a strong voice within the Union.
Chairman of the occasion and SSA to the Enugu State Governor on External Media Relations, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, stressed the importance of quality leadership recruitment in a democracy, urging citizens to reject vote buying and selling. He charged the media to intensify civic education to ensure credible leadership choices.
The current NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, praised the South East leadership for honouring Isiguzo, adding that it was the first time a sitting national president would honour his predecessor. He expressed confidence in the new Enugu Council leadership under Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, urging members to give full support.
In his response, Isiguzo expressed gratitude to the Union, recounting his administration’s achievements such as member registration, creation of the NUJ website, restoration of peace in councils, improved relations with state governments, and enhanced staff welfare.
Delivering a keynote address on “Leadership Recruitment Amid Challenges of Poverty: The Role of the Media”, UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, represented by Prof. Olaiwola Usman, linked Nigeria’s poverty crisis to poor leadership choices, stressing the media’s role in promoting credible recruitment of leaders.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of the NUJ South East Zonal Lifetime Achievement Award portrait to Isiguzo by Comrade Yahya, alongside tributes from NUJ and NAWOJ leaders.
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has expressed deep sorrow over the lives lost in the recent fire at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos.
The Fund said its thoughts are with the families, colleagues, and organisations affected, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, United Capital Plc, UBA, Afriland Properties, and others.
NSITF’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, sent heartfelt condolences, saying: “Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones. We stand with you in this time of grief.”
He also commended the courage of emergency workers and the swift action of the Lagos State authorities in containing the situation.
To support those affected, NSITF has activated its Lagos support desk to work with employers, families, and government agencies. The desk is helping with incident reports, claims processing, and benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
This covers dependants of the deceased as well as rehabilitation support for survivors. “Our case officers are ready to guide families and employers every step of the way,” Faleye assured.
The Fund noted that the tragedy highlights the importance of workplace safety and the need for organisations to take precautions to prevent such disasters.
NSITF urged all employers to: Strengthen workplace safety measures and emergency protocols, especially in high-rise buildings and around backup power systems.
Report incidents quickly to NSITF so support can be provided without delay.
Ensure their organisations are registered with NSITF and that Employees’ Compensation contributions are up to date to guarantee full protection for their workers.
“These measures can save lives, reduce risks, and ensure timely support for those in need,” Faleye stressed.
On behalf of NSITF’s Board, Management, and Staff, he extended the Fund’s deepest sympathies to all those affected, pledging continued collaboration with the Federal Government and Lagos State authorities to protect Nigerian workers.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
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