News

Deputy Speaker lauds legacy of founder of Start-Ride School Abuja

Published

11 months ago

November 25, 2025

NAN

The Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has commended the legacy of the founder of Start-Rite Schools Abuja, late Mrs Amaka Ndoma-Egba.

Kalu gave the commendation during the 5th memorial annual lecture in honour of founder in Abuja.

The lecture was organised by the school in collaboration with the Victor & Amaka Ndoma-Egba Foundation (VANEF).

Kalu was represented by Dr Clifford Ogbede, the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agricultural and Rural Development in the South East Development Commission.

“The late Mrs Amaka Ndoma-Egba was more than the Founder of Start-Rite Schools, she was someone who embodied a rare blend of discipline, compassion, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

“She believed that excellence should not be constrained by circumstance and that every child deserves the opportunity to rise beyond the limitations of the environment.

“I charge leaders, educators, policymakers and parents, to strive to create systems and build communities that are inclusive, innovative and future-ready.

“Resilience is not accidental, it is built through values, vision and intentional investment in people.

“The idea of going beyond boundaries is a call to stretch our imagination about what education, leadership and community development should be.

“It urges us to dismantle the invisible walls created by access gaps and inequality,” Kalu said.

According to him, the works of Mrs Ndoma-Egba is a reminder that transformative progress happens when we dare to reimagine what is possible and then take bold action to make it real.

He added that, building resilient communities requires more than infrastructure or policy frameworks.

“It demands character, empathy, unity and a shared commitment to the common good. In a world of rapid technological, economic and social shifts, resilience is the currency of survival.

“She understood this and she built a school that not only teaches but shapes citizens who can navigate uncertainty and live with purpose. That is the kind of community that ensures tomorrow is stronger than today,” Kalu said.

Also, the Keynote Speaker, former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, emphasised the importance of giving back to the society.

“Most societies in the world have been built not necessarily by government, but by those private individuals who have made it and are giving back. And this is what late Amaka Ndoma-Egba has done.

““If each and every one of us in the elite class in Nigeria can give back something to those outside our immediate family, we will be a great nation,” Duke said.

The Advisory Board Chairman of the school and husband of the founder, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba in his address of welcome said the Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture is more than a commemoration.

“It is a hub for ideas, a marketplace of knowledge, and a platform where the experience of today’s leaders meets the aspirations of tomorrow’s generation.

“Start-Rite Schools, with its motto, “Securing the Future”, provides young minds with the opportunity to engage with visionaries, learn from exemplary leaders, and cultivate the mindset needed to lead with integrity, creativity, and impact,” he said.

Also, the Principal of Start-Rite Schools, Mr Femi Akinlade, noted that five years after the death of the Founder, the school has continued to grow stronger with the guidance of the Board led by her husband, Ndoma-Egba.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of VANEF, Mr Joseph Oru, said the Foundation was established to sustain the values the late Amaka stood for.

The memorial lecture featured arts and photography exhibition where the creativity, talent and artistic skills of the students were showcased.

The event attracted dignitaries such as former governor of Edo State, Sen. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, and his wife, Justice Folashade Ojo of the Court of Appeal, Cardinal John Onayekan, Bishop Anselm Umoren and many others. (NAN)

Share on Facebook

News

DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development

Published

16 hours ago

October 21, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Samania

The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.

Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.

He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.

According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.

He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.

Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.

He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.

Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.

He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.

Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.

He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.

Share on Facebook