By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
Six years after the #EndSARS violence destroyed the library of the state-owned Nigerian Chronicle in Calabar, the newspaper’s outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Florence Oluohu, has donated 60 books on journalism and media studies, alongside old editions of the publication, to help rebuild the collection.
Oluohu, who is retiring after 35 years in the Cross River State Civil Service, said the donation was motivated by her desire to restore a library that once served as an important resource centre for journalists, researchers and members of the public.
She presented the materials as she marked her 60th birthday, drawing from her personal collection of books on journalism, research, media ownership and related subjects.
The library was among the facilities destroyed during the October 2020 #EndSARS violence in parts of Calabar, an incident Oluohu said had left her deeply troubled.
She recalled wondering how she could contribute to restoring the facility, which she described as a valuable part of the newspaper’s institutional heritage.
“I felt terrible when the library was burnt down six years ago. I asked myself what I could do and what contribution I could make to bring back the legendary library,” she said.
Oluohu expressed hope that the donation would help replenish the library’s holdings and preserve valuable resources for journalists and future generations of media practitioners.
Receiving the books, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ekpenyong Cobham, said the government would support efforts to enrich the library with additional resources.
Cobham described Oluohu as a prolific journalist who had made a significant contribution to the corporation during her 35 years of service.
He also warned against the theft of books and other materials to be kept in the library, stressing the need to protect the resources for public use.
“Government will equally enrich the library, as nothing can replace it, not even the internet,” he said.
A former editor and general manager of the newspaper who later became the state’s Head of Service, Dr Ogbang Akwachi, said Oluohu had distinguished herself in her career and highlighted the importance of mentoring younger journalists.
Akwachi, who said Oluohu and some other colleagues had understudied him, called for greater attention to the transfer of professional knowledge and the retention of experienced personnel.
He warned that the intellectual capacity acquired through years of practical experience should not be allowed to waste away.
He also commended Governor Bassey Otu for remodelling and refurbishing the newspaper corporation’s premises.
The General Manager of the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation, Sam Nsor, and veteran journalists, including Dr Judex Okoro, Lawrence Mama, Ursula Ikpali, Charles Eniang and the newspaper’s current editor, Obol Oka Ibor, also commended Oluohu’s professional contributions.
In a statement read at the event by NUJ Assistant Secretary Kingsley Agim, the state council chairman, Archibong Bassey, described Oluohu’s career as an example of professionalism, resilience and dedication.
Bassey said her rise to the position of editor-in-chief reflected her competence and commitment to journalism, adding that she remained an inspiration to women journalists and younger practitioners.
The NUJ chairman also cited Oluohu’s membership of the Nigeria Guild of Editors as evidence of her standing in the profession.
