Inoyo Support Group

10/08/2024

15/09/2022

05/09/2022

In a clime where teachers largely live in squalor, discountenanced by the high and the mighty, including the political class, the bulk of them resign their fate to the well-worn African saying that teachers...

18/08/2022

25/01/2022

Grass to Grace: Relishing my Destiny Helpers & Success Story - Saviour Christopher Uko

My star is shinning everyday. Never to dim again but ever to shine brighter and brighter, breaking forth on stony grounds and smashing them to tiny pieces. I will let the world know who I am - Saviour Uko

My story begins with 3 instances of dropouts from the University. Basically, the first two were for lack of funds, which saw me relocating from Calabar to Lagos. The third was intentional because I had at that point discovered my potential and purpose, hence the need to build a well rooted foundation, such that could carry a 100 storey skyscraper kind of destiny. I left the course I was doing and my school after counsel from Pastor Mrs. Eno Lawrence. That was the *paradigm shift* of a once battered destiny.

While inquiring from God to know why I had to go through those 'supposed' hard times, all I had Him say to me was, "There's No Glory Without A Story".

Eleven years after my secondary education, at the 11th hour, I was admitted to study Business Administration at the University of Lagos. It wasn't easy but a worthy journey and I appreciate the Almighty God for the grace.

My appreciation also goes to Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Dele-Giwa (the wife of the great media icon, late Dele-Giwa) for her moral and financial support. I know she wouldn't like me to do this but how can I be silent? What a mother who loves someone else's child, unconditionally? I never lacked school fees anytime there was a need to pay. Same with Mr. S.J. Asamudo, a man of excellence and principle to the core, who approved and sponsored my movement from Calabar to Lagos. He did all he could to support me.

My parents also tried their best to push me but I saw my relocation to Lagos as a divine arrangement. I eventually finished, making myself, my parents, Mr. Asamudo, and of course Mrs. Dele-Giwa proud with a second class upper.

In my final year, I had the privilege of meeting Barr. Udom Inoyo in the company of Dr. Akata as the then President of AkwaCross Students' Association (UNILAG-DLI) at the instance of the Association's recognition of Inoyo Toro Foundation's effort in fostering educational development. *Barr. Inoyo then doubled as the Advisor of the foundation* and the Executive Director, Human Resources Department, ExxonMobil Affiliates in Nigeria.

Surprisingly, I was in the same building (Mobil House) with Mr. Inoyo since 2006 but never knew how much impact he was making. It was in the process of AkwaCross Students embarking on the search for those who were making efforts to promote and improve education in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States that I became aware. No one else came near Mr. Udom Inoyo as a private citizen, let alone a foundation.

It is good to point out that before we discovered the impact that Inoyo Toro Foundation was making in 2015, the foundation had been running silently for about 8 years.

He (Barr. Inoyo) invited us after receiving our letter. With a feeling of happiness and nervousness within me, the type you feel when meeting a 'big man' for the first time but he made me feel comfortable.

While Dr. Akata and I sat relaxed throughout the meeting that lasted close to an hour, he stood.

What an epitome of humility!

Though he was happy for me as a person, Barrister Inoyo was concerned that Akwa Ibom youths were not harnessing enough of the opportunities available to build capacity that will meet today's world demand.

Then he said to me, "Da! I'm happy for you but you must not stop at your first degree. Go ahead and obtain a master's degree at least. So that you'll be well-positioned to compete for opportunities ahead".

I was wondering how possible that would be when I had struggled to break the jinx of "No graduate" in the whole of my family. But the determination to not settle for less fixed my eyes upon the goal.

Today, the story is different. Though it wasn't an easy journey, but grace, destiny helpers, and determination made it happen.

January 20, 2022, is an epoch-making day in my life as I join other graduands to convocate with a Master of Science degree in Organizational Behaviour from the prestigious University of Lagos.

I am proud to be a post-graduate degree holder and still dreaming further, God willing.

The meeting with Mr. Inoyo was a unique opportunity that unlocked my vision further to realities that I wasn't exposed to. That is why it's been said that your network (quality of people in your life) determines your networth.

I'm highly favored and privileged to have met great mentors such as Dr. George Akpan, Dr. Soji George, Dr. Akin Akintunde, Dr. Mrs. Uche Onokala, Dr Simeon Ifere, Dr Sulaimon Adebiyi, Dr. Olayemi, Rev'd Dr. Eseme & Pastor Mrs. Esther Unen, Mr. Asamudo, Pastor (Hon) Ita Udoh, Mr. Olorunwa Otudero, Mrs. Funmi Dele-Giwa, Pastor and Mrs. C.D. Uko (my parents and first mentors) and not forgetting the mentor of mentors, Barr. Udom Uko Inoyo.

Permit me to also appreciate my wife - Imoh - for being a great pillar of support. No other woman would have been well suited for me. Thank you my Diamond. I equally appreciate other friends and colleagues too numerous to mention here.

The fascinating lessons learnt during the course of my MSc programme were timely; especially while at the helm of affairs as the MSc Governor General of the five specializations (Management, Marketing, Operational Research, Operations and Production Management and Organizational Behaviour) in the department of Business Administration. The value added cannot be over emphasized and now I am definitely in a better mould.

It is not really about obtaining a master degree but the story that characterized the journey. I owe to as many young people that care to listen, the counsel that being a star is possible with effective planning, discipline, hardwork, determination, having the right people around and of course, the God factor. All things are possible to those who believe.

So if you ever thought you can't or will never make it, remember my story, that I was born into a family without any "spoon" let alone a wooden or silver spoon but had to work so hard as a cleaner to further my education. Today, I have moved to the level of a management staff in the same organization that I started off as a cleaner. All one needs, is to get started and you will be amazed how God takes the wheel.

I am a star and this is just the beginning of the journey to greater heights.

Saviour Christopher Uko
Afia Nsit Village
Eket Local Government
Akwa Ibom State

20/09/2021

Inoyo Attends Akwa Ibom Movie Producers Inauguration
..discloses why Inoyo Toro Foundation sponsored 33 students in movie production

The Advisor, Inoyo Toro
Foundation, Mr. Udom Inoyo, was among the dignitaries who attended the inauguration ceremony of the Association of Movie Producers in Nigeria (AMP) Akwa Ibom state chapter.

Inoyo, was a special guest of honor at the event held at the Conference Hall of the Watbridge Hotel & Suits, IBB Way, Uyo, last Saturday.

Speaking, in his goodwill message, Inoyo narrated how his passion for acting led him to feature in Wole Soyinka's satiric play, 'The Trial of Brother Jero' at age 17, which was covered by NTA, Channel 6, Aba, while he was a student at the Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene.

He pointed out that having acted so well, his teachers at the college were not happy that he registered to study Political Science and later Law because they felt he had an authentic calling in Performing Acts.

"I think I may have been good in Performing Arts because at age 17, NTA channel 6, Aba, covered Wole Soyinka’s satiric play, The Trial of Brother Jero, which I played the key role, while a student at Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene. My teachers at the college were not happy when I enrolled to study Political Science and later Law. But they took consolation in the fact that my younger sister, Eno, at the same FGC, studied Theatre Arts in the university."

Inoyo confessed that he admires movie producers and their pursuit, that besides producing movies to make money, the contribution of stakeholders in the movie industry to the mental well-being of the nation is enormous, though it is yet to be fully appreciated.

He further affirmed the enormous role that movie producers play in creating jobs and promoting the culture of Nigerians as the reason why in 2020, the Inoyo Toro Foundation partnered with The Royal Arts Academy, a film monotechnic based in Akwa Ibom State to train 33 students on a 3 months certificate program in various aspects of the creative and performing arts.

While congratulating the Aniebiet Francis-led executives on their inauguration, the special guest of honor said that he values the body and would like to engage the movie producers in a discussion on how to collaborate with them to aid them to succeed more.

In her inaugural speech, the Akwa Ibom Chairperson of the AMP, Aniebiet Francis thanked the guests for attending the event and informed the gathering that Nollywood has attracted global attention with the movie "King of boys" taking the front role as one of the most talked-about movies on Netflix, hence, Akwa Ibom should take advantage of the global acceptance and recognition which Nollywood is enjoying.

She observed that any government that is serious about job and wealth creation, tourism development, and diversifying her economy must place great value on movie production.

She said: "An investment in the movie industry is an investment in hospitality, food, music, makeup, fashion, etc. The producers are ready, we need sufficient support and partnership to succeed."

The inauguration was attended by the national body, headed by the National President, Association of Movie Producers, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, MFR, National President, Director's Guild of Nigeria, Victor Okhai; National Grand Patron, Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, Andy Boyo; Sunny Mcdon BOT Member, AGN; Francis Onwochei Veteran Actor, Director; and Anthony Chukwuma, National Financial Secretary of the AMP. Others dignitaries are the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Local Government, and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, the Facilitator of Inoyo Toro foundation, Mrs. Imo Bassey, Mr. O. J. Adiakpan, among others.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to the Inoyo Toro Foundation for exemplary partnership in training and upscaling the talents of the youth in Performing Arts.

02/07/2021

01/07/2021

2021 TEACHERS AWARD SCREENING EXERCISE. Register at
award.inoyotorofoundation.org

12/06/2021

02/06/2021

Ibom Air score card for May 2021: 96% schedule reliability & 90% on-time performance. ⁠
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We sincerely regret the rescheduled and the delayed flights and any inconveniences caused to our valued customers. We will strive to do better moving forward. Note: the 2 cancellations were due to the sit at home order in Enugu.
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For our previous On-Time Performance Statistics, visit www.ibomair.com/on-time-performance-reporting.⁣⁠
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31/05/2021

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