Florence Oluohu
A veteran journalist, Florence Oluohu has clocked 60 years of age and retired after investing 35 years in the Cross River State civil Service.
To mark her diamond jubilee, and as she was bowing out of the service as Editor-in-Chief of the state-owned The Nigerian Chronicle, founded in 1974, she donated her collections of media and journalism books, 60 in all, as well well as old copies of the newspaper, dating back many decades, to the Chronicle Library.
She said it was her own way of helping to restock the Library, a resource centre, patronised by all and sundry in the days of yore, but was destroyed by the infamous endSARS violence of 2020 which destroyed most famous institutions, homes, industries in parts of Calabar.
“It has been very remarkable that suddenly I have worked in this corporation for 35 years. I give God all the glory. The donation of these books and old newspapers may not mean much but it’s deeply significant. I felt really terrible when the Library was burnt down six years ago by the hoodlums. I asked myself ‘what can I do; what contribution can I make to bring back the legendary library?’
“These books are some of my book collections. They’re on journalism, research, media ownerships, and allied topics. I am happy to donate 60 copies to help restock the Library, and to mark my diamond jubilee…”
Receiving the books, the Commissioner for information and orientation, Ekpenyong Cobham congratulated Lady Oluohu for the unblemished 35 years of service at the corporation, describing her as a fine and prolific journalist.
He said she has left behind a good legacy but warned against stealing of intellectual property, including the books donated.
Assuring that the state government will enrich the Library with more resources, he added that today’s technology where much of the required information can be assessed online, can not really replace the library.
“Lady Florence Oluohu is leaving behind a good legacy but we’ll continue to tap from her rich reservoir of media knowledge.
“We’re grateful for the kind donation of these media books. Government will equally enrich the Library as nothing can replace it, not even the internet. Let me warned against stealing of these books and other materials that’ll be stocked as such will be dangerous.”
Former editor of the paper who rose equally to become the general manager and editor-in-chief of the paper, climaxing later as Head of Service in the state, Dr Ogbang Akwachi eulogised Oluohu for excelling in her duties, saying she and a few others had understudied him.
Akwachi emphasised importance of good mentoring younger colleagues in order to better the future.
He also emphasised the need to retain of persons with years of practical experience, and that intellectual capacity should not be allowed to fizzle out.
He commended Governor Bassey Otu for remodeling and re-equipping the sprawling premises of the newspaper corporation.
General manager of the state broadcasting corporation, Mr Sam Nsor and other veteran journalists present, including Dr Judex Okoro, Lawrence Mama, Ursula Ikpali, Charles Eniang, including the current editor of the paper Obol Oka Ibor also spoke highly of the hardworking Oluohu, and commend the governor for refurbishing the corporation.
In a statement Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Archibong Bassey read at the event by her representative, assistant secretary of the union Kingsley Agim, she described her career as a testament to professionalism, resilience and excellence.
Bassey described Oluohu’s attainment of the top editorial position as a reflection of her hard work, competence and commitment to the profession, noting that her career remains an inspiration to women journalists and younger practitioners.
“Lady Florence Oluohu has distinguished herself through years of dedication, professional excellence and service to journalism. Her rise to the position of Editor-in-Chief is a testament to her resilience, competence and commitment to the highest standards of our profession,” Bassey said.
She described noted that her membership of the Nigeria Guild of Editors reflected her standing in the profession and commitment to advancing journalistic standards.
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