By David Owei, Bayelsa
A Corps Member, Brown-Ofoeme Ebubechukwu Prosper (BY/24B/2451), has taken a bold step to restore dignity to public education in Bayelsa State by renovating four dilapidated classroom blocks at Community Primary School, Swali, in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The project, executed as part of his Personal Community Development Service (CDS), was driven by a heartbreaking encounter when he visited the school.

During a visit to the school, Brown Ebubechukwu witnessed pupils learning in flooded, roofless classrooms, drenched by rain and struggling to protect their books. The scene, marked by exposed ceilings, broken windows, and missing doors, left a lasting impact on him.

Initially assigned to the Nigeria Police Force, Bayelsa State Command, Brown Ebubechukwu had planned an anti-cultism campaign for his CDS project, however, the condition of the school changed the course of his service year. He immediately swung into action, consulting the school leadership and mobilizing support from kind-hearted individuals to bring the project to life.

The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. The once-neglected classrooms have been completely overhauled, new roofs now shield the pupils from harsh weather, PVC ceilings have been installed, along with 9 doors and 24 windows, giving the classrooms a complete facelift. The entire block, including the administrative office, was repainted, providing a clean and vibrant learning environment.

Today, children who once studied in flooded classrooms now learn in comfort and safety. What was once a forgotten space has been turned into a beacon of hope, thanks to one corps member’s compassion and commitment.

In addition to the renovation project, Brown Ebubechukwu carried out several other impactful programs, including, free eye check-up with medication for NYSC officials in Bayelsa, distribution of exercise books to 200 pupils, sack and soilless farming training for women in Swali, with free seedlings, soap and izal production training, with free distribution to all participants, two-day free medical outreach for the Swali community.

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja

Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, Hon. Kayode Oladele has advocated for a robust partnership between his commision and the National Assembly in order to strengthen the enforcement of equity, fairness and inclusivity in the public service appointments and resource allocation across the country.

Oladele made the appeal while leading a delegation of his commissioners to the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Tuesday

In an opening remarks the Acting Chairman of FCC emphasized the need for both bodies to synergize as well as work together as both institutions have similar constitutional mandates which includes the promotion of national cohesion as well as that of preventing marginalization.

It would be recalled that the Acting Chairman recently assumed leadership position at the Commision even as he informed lawmakers that he inherited an institution that is grappling with low staff morale as well as diminished public trust because of image credibility created by his predecesdors.

According to him, rebuilding the Commission’s internal structures and restoring confidence among Nigerians is very critical to effectively implementing the federal character principle for the purpose of ensuring complete compliance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,MDAs.

Speaking further during the visit, FCC boss promised to align his Commission’s reform agenda with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda stressing that the federal character principle remains central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s vision of inclusion.

He equally assured lawmakers of his strategic plans to ensuring that: “No part of Nigeria must feel excluded in the allocation of opportunities and resources,”

Earlier in his presentation before the House panel, the former lawmaker teasduref of his determination to ensuring that all public institutions comply with the constitutional arrangement of fairness, equity and balancing in all positions of recruitments adding that synergy with the National Assembly will enhance oversight as well as promote transparency for the purpose of reducing national tensions due to perceived marginalization of some tribes and ethnic groups.

FCC boss therefore used the opportunity of the visit to the lawmakers to highlight some key challenges currently confronting his commision even as he also solicited legislative assistance to tackle those issues.

He, however identified inadequate funding as the biggest challenges stressing that with paucity of fund FCC might not be able to fulfilling its major statutory mandate of monitoring over 700 federal MDAs and state-level institutions across Nigeria.

While conversing for legislative supports from lawmakers, the commision pleaded with the Committee to upgrade and support budgetary interventions that would enable the Commission to develop digital compliance tools for the purpose of conducting seamless recruitment audits as well as in sustaining the Nationwide monitoring operations.

The Commision further suggested other strategic measures to lawmakers stressing FCC under his leadership will experience an unpresidented social growth and human capital development.

To ensure a pragmatic peoples oriented program at the Commision, the acting Chairman therefore proposed stringent legislative reforms that will grant his Commision greater enforcement powers along with a joint capacity-building initiatives in partnership with the legislature.

The Commision also used the opportunity to pledge it readiness to work in partnership with lawmakers in the committee noting that such collaboration would assist the two agencies to readily recommit to the constitutional vision of fairness and equity in Nigeria.

He explained: “Let us build a Nigeria where fairness is not a favour, but a right guaranteed, protected, and actualized.”

In his reactions, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character Commision,FCC Hon Ahmed Idris Wase urged the new management of FCC to be specific on his proposed reforms agenda for the purpose of identifying priorities.

The Chairman also used the opportunity to remind the Commision of it dynamic power as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

He, therefore observed that FCC under the constitution has powers more the the Economuc and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.

Lawmakers in the Committee urged the leadership of FCC to ensure immediate enforcement of FCC principles in all Ministries, Department and Agencies of public institutions across the country.

Wives of Nigerian Senators, have commiserated with one of their members Hajia Laila Barau, over the death of her mother, Mrs Nelda Mohammed, describing it as an “irreplaceable loss.”

A condolence message signed by the President, Senators Wives Association of Nigeria (SEWAN) Dr (Mrs) Unoma Godswill Akpabio, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, reads:

“We, the Senators’ Wives Association of Nigeria, extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother. This irreparable loss undoubtedly brings immense grief to you and your family.

“We also commiserate with the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Jibrin Barau and the entire family over her demise and prays for her soul to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

“May the memories of your mother’s love, wisdom, and legacy bring you strength and comfort during this difficult time. We stand in solidarity with you, sharing in your sorrow and offering our deepest sympathies and may Almighty Allah grant her Jannatul Firdaus.

Dr. Mrs. Unoma Akpabio
President, Senators’ Wives Association of Nigeria.