Back to School Initiative by Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen Enters Second Phase

“Bringing Hope to Inner-City Families in Johannesburg.”

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG

The annual “Back to School” Giveaway has once again reaffirmed its place as a vital lifeline for vulnerable families in Johannesburg’s inner-city communities, as the second phase of the 2026 edition was successfully carried out on Wednesday, 5 February. The program, which covered Yeoville, Berea, Hillbrow and surrounding areas, continues to stand as a powerful example of grassroots leadership driven by compassion, consistency and a deep sense of community responsibility.

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the initiative was founded by Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen with the core objective of easing the burden on struggling households and ensuring that children begin the academic year with dignity, confidence and the basic tools required for learning. In neighborhoods where economic hardship, unemployment and social pressures often threaten access to quality education, the program has become a beacon of hope and a reliable support system for many families.

The second phase of the 2026 edition expanded the reach of the initiative, delivering school materials to more children and households. The distribution included essential learning items such as school bags, exercise books, writing materials and other educational supplies designed to give pupils a strong start to the school year. For many families, these items represent not just material support but also a renewed sense of encouragement and belonging.

Speaking during the distribution, community leaders emphasized that education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty and social exclusion. They noted that when children begin the school year without the necessary materials, it often leads to embarrassment, low self-esteem and, in some cases, absenteeism. The “Back to School” initiative seeks to address this challenge by restoring dignity and creating a more equal starting point for all learners.

Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen, the founder of the program, was accompanied by fellow community leaders including Hon. Angel Monalisa, Hon. George O. Sylvester and Hon. Otono Osiaima. Their presence reflected a shared commitment to service, unity and the collective responsibility of leaders to uplift their communities. The program was not presented as a political event but as a humanitarian intervention aimed at empowering the next generation.

Over the years, the initiative has grown from a modest distribution effort into a widely recognized symbol of unity, inclusion and social responsibility within the inner city. It has consistently attracted support from volunteers, community stakeholders and concerned individuals who believe in the transformative power of education.

One of the most remarkable features of the program is its inclusive, pan-African character. This year’s beneficiaries were not limited to any single nationality. Children from Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Mozambique and several other African countries received support. This diversity reflects the true identity of Johannesburg’s inner city, where people from across the continent live, work and raise families together.

Community members praised the initiative for promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among African nationals. In a city often affected by economic competition and social tensions, the “Back to School” program offers a different narrative with one that highlights cooperation, solidarity and the shared responsibility of building a better future for the continent’s children.

Parents who attended the distribution expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that the rising cost of living has made it increasingly difficult to provide basic school supplies for their children. Many described the program as timely and impactful, especially at a period when households are under significant financial pressure at the start of the school year.

For the children themselves, the event was more than just a distribution exercise. It was a moment of excitement, encouragement and affirmation. Receiving new school materials in a supportive and celebratory environment gave them a sense of pride and readiness for the academic challenges ahead.

Observers have noted that the consistency of the program over four years has helped build trust and credibility within the community. Unlike one-off charity events, the “Back to School” initiative has become an expected and dependable intervention that families look forward to each year. This consistency has reinforced the idea that genuine leadership is measured not by words, but by sustained actions that improve lives.

The second phase of the 2026 edition also highlighted the importance of collaborative leadership. By bringing together multiple community figures, the program demonstrated that collective efforts can produce stronger and more lasting results. It sent a clear message that community development is not the responsibility of one individual alone, but a shared mission that requires cooperation and unity.

As the program continues to grow, organizers have expressed their commitment to expanding its reach and impact in the coming years. Plans are already being considered to involve more partners, attract additional support and reach even more children across the inner city.

Ultimately, the “Back to School” initiative is more than a seasonal act of charity. It is a long-term investment in education, dignity and social stability. By ensuring that children begin the academic year equipped and confident, the program contributes to better learning outcomes, improved self-esteem and stronger community cohesion.

The successful completion of the second phase on 5 February 2026 stands as another milestone in the program’s journey. It reinforces the enduring belief that when leadership is guided by compassion and service, communities can rise together without borders, without barriers and with renewed hope for the next generation.

SOWORE’S OBSESSION WITH PRESIDENT TINUBU, RENO OMOKRI & I.

By Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

I was informed that Omoyele Sowore made references to things I allegedly said against President Bola Tinubu 11 years ago to somehow exonerate himself in the criminal case that he is facing for defamation. He claimed that I said that President Tinubu killed Chief Funso Williams in 2003. This is false. I never said that President Tinubu killed Funso Williams.

What I said was “I am not Funso Williams: I cannot be killed like a chicken”. Those were my EXACT words: nothing more & nothing less.
I said them 11 years ago & I have long since retracted them & accepted the fact that they were not only inappropriate but that they may have also been misconstrued!

It is a measure of how desperate Sowore is that he should be dragging up statements that I made 11 years ago about President Tinubu during the 2015 presidential election campaign which I have long since retracted & withdrawn in an attempt to help fight his case in court.

History records that I was in the opposition PDP at the time (2015) & was the Director of Media & Publicity in President Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign Organisation & a lot of ugly things were said by both sides against one another’s candidates & party leaders during the heat of battle. That is the nature of Presidential campaigns everywhere in the world.

For the record I left the PDP 6 years ago & joined the APC in 2021. Since that time I have supported the party selflessly & perhaps more relevantly I played a key role as Director of New Media & Special Operations in President Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2023.

Throughout that campaign the record shows that morning day & night both myself & the Directorate of 250 people that I headed spoke & fought for the President & contributed to his victory.

Outside of that for the last two years since he was sworn in as President I have been unwavering in my support for him & have sought to defend him & his Government vigorously. If I had any misgivings about him I doubt I would have done all that. For Sowore to try to rope me or @renoomokri into his matter to justify his despicable behaviour is absurd. Reno may have opposed the election of President Tinubu in 2023 but after the President emerged victorious he has not only retracted all he said about him but he has also fought for him gallantry & defended his policies.

That is what any decent & well brought up person would do when faced with the truth & after he sees the light. Instead of trying to get us involved in his mess I would advise Sowore to do the honorable thing & retract his statements about the President or prepare for jail.

Whichever way it makes no difference to me & I could not care less. Reno, myself & millions of others have taken a stance for Tinubu & no matter how many times he brings up our names in court to justify his asinine comments it will not help him.

I advise him to face his case with decency & decorum & plug his mouth. That is the only way he will escape the net he has found himself in. Reno & I found the right path & walked it. We also had the decency to accept the fact that comments we made years ago against the President were not only inappropriate but also wrong.

It takes courage to do that. I believe Sowore should cultivate that courage & accept that what he said about the President was also wrong & totally unacceptable. If he refuses to do so he should be ready to prove his case in court or face the consequences of his words & actions.

I conclude by mentioning the fact that it is a reflection of President Tinubu’s decency & humanity that he can welcome into his ranks those that once fought against him & opposed him.

He has been magnanimous & that is a mark of a leader. That is also why we stand with him & shall continue to do so regardless of the words of nauseating & inconsequential little distractions & obnoxious irritants like Omoyele Sowore.

(FFK)

@OfficialAPCNg
@OfficialDSSNG
@officialABAT

Ogun State Turns 50: Genesis Global Prophet Israel Offers Prayers for Unity During Celebrations

As Ogun State celebrates its golden jubilee, it is worth recalling that the state was created on February 3, 1976, and has since witnessed rapid development and growth across its entire domain.Ogun State has demonstrably proven itself to be one of the most progressive states in Nigeria, boasting rapid development, as observed by Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe in a statement released through his media aide, Oluwaseun Fabiyi.

“I am proud to hail from Ogun State, a region blessed with an abundance of mineral resources and home to a significant number of manufacturing companies in Nigeria, which is a testament to the state’s unique blessings and favour. Ogun State is richly endowed with esteemed public figures who have distinguished themselves in diverse fields such as politics, academia, religion, entertainment, and sports. The state is proud to have produced leaders of national stature, including a President and Vice President of Nigeria, while its entertainment and sports personalities have garnered international recognition, consistently positioning Ogun State at the forefront of national achievements” Governor Dapo Abiodun’s regime has prioritized infrastructural development, commissioning roads, and showcasing achievements that demonstrate Ogun’s remarkable progress, worthy of commemoration at fifty.

Ogun State has emerged as a pivotal entity in Nigeria, steadily growing in strategic importance. Strategically situated near Lagos, it serves as a vital commercial corridor, connecting the nation’s economic hub to the Southwest region. By living up to its reputation as the Gateway State, Ogun unlocks opportunities for enterprise, tourism, and development.Economically and infrastructurally, the state has progressed significantly, and its political journey has been outstanding in all facets.

It is with great pleasure that I join in celebrating this milestone with Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, while praying for increased unity within Ogun State and beyond, to ensure that the state’s progress translates into rapid growth for its inhabitants.