The Vice President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Zone F, South South, Comrade UduakIkang Obeten Okorn has flagged off a “Back to School Exercise” in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, with a call on state leadership in the zone to replicate the action.
The two days exercise which was in collaboration with a Frontline humanitarian foundation, Pink Africa and other partners, took place at three selected schools in Yala Local Government Area, Community Secondary School Uchu, UBEC Secondary School, and Model Secondary School, Okpoma, respectively.
The “Back to School” team monitored the level of Covid19 awareness and compliance in the schools, and used the occasion to donate 800 face shields, 1000 nose masks, sanitizers, Pedal Operated Metal Hand Wash Stations, exercise books and other writing materials to the schools, as well as counselled the students on Career Choice.
In her message, the NAWOJ Zone F, Vice President, said the media, as the watchdog of the society, owed it a duty to keep the public aware and updated about developments around them, adding that the rate of deaths recorded from the Covid19 pandemic could be reduced if everyone played their part in protecting themselves and their loved ones.
Comrade Obeten Okorn said the need to always follow the Covid19 protocols, especially the wearing of facemasks in public has become even more pertinent, as President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the law prescribing six-month jail term for persons convicted for disobeying any COVID-19 guideline.
She counseled the students on the need to study Mass Communication and its related courses, given the various opportunities the course provided.
While calling on leadership of states in the zone to replicate the Back to School Exercise, in any way they could, Comrade Obeten Okorn reiterated the commitment of the female journalists in Zone F to continue to protect the right of the public to know the truth in line with the vision of NAWOJ.
The Chief Executive Officer, Pink Africa Fountain, Dr. Nchewi Elemi said there were so many areas of need in schools especially those in the rural areas, and called for more synergy amongst stakeholders in education, philanthropists, Non Governmental Organisations , Faith Based Organisations and politicians to make learning interesting and conducive for children.
The Principals of the benefitting schools visited commended Members of NAWOJ Zone F and the Pink Africa foundation for the gesture and called for more synergy.
In all the schools visited the students expressed happiness, and their desire for more of such visits.
