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KORA 360 Professionals holds maiden Open Gala, confers awards of recognition on educators in Abuja
KORA 360 Professionals on Saturday launched its maiden Open Gala in Abuja, during which educators were brought together to strategically network and socialise for greater productivity.
Convener of the Open Gala Launch, Onyinyechi Etusi said the unique convergence of educators on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was put together to provide a platform to accord educators the right accolade that they deserved.
According to Etusi, “Education being one of the sectors KORA 360 is interested in, it is just appropriate for KORA 360 Professionals to host teachers to a memorable evening.
“The aim of OPEN Gala Launch is to bring educators together to strategically network, socialise, be empowered, unwind, and have fun.
“More specifically, it is to officially launch the educators’ Social and Professional Network (SPN) called OPEN – ORGANISATION OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS IN NIGERIA.”
Etusi, in her welcome address, explained that KORA 360 Professionals was a coaching and consulting firm driving change in education, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and humanitarianism.
From left, Executive Director KORA 360 Professional, Onyinyechi O-Etusi, Executive Secretary Health Reforms Foundation of Nigeria, Dr. Sonny Okorie presenting Award to Mrs Adeola Remi-John during KORA 360 Professional Launch in Abuja.
“With pastoral care, we offer a holistic approach to personal and organisational growth. We are committed to empowering the workforce in every organisation, hence increasing productivity and efficiency.”
She explained that the name KORA 360 Professionals means – Keeping Organisation Running Ahead all around professionals, adding that “Our pride values at KORA 360 Professionals include – Professionalism, Reliability, Innovation, Diversity, and Empowerment.”
She said there was a clearer perspective of other areas KORA could function based on passion and expertise, including education and entrepreneurship, stressing that this led to the birth of KORA 360 Professionals in 2024.
“Since becoming what we are now, we have touched lives through humanitarian services and empowered entrepreneurs and educators through training, webinars, and mentoring. We have also provided pastoral care to individuals who need spiritual guidance and companionship,” Etusi stated.
She said that KORA 360 Professionals as an organisation was interested in the personal development of teachers both on leadership and personal levels through coaching/mentoring, training, seminars, and workshops, among others.
Other interests of the organisation, she said, included Organisational structuring and development, professional recruitment and consultation in expert areas, event planning ranging from small business meetings to large conferences and the likes, ergonomic designing, online shop and a foundation.
She listed the organisation’s upcoming event to include Charity Walk – Feed a child/family this holiday and Entrepreneur Workshop.
The keynoter at the event, Dr Oyenike Babayemi-Saulawa spoke on “The Role and Impact of Emotional Intelligence in Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century in Nigeria,” saying that Emotional Intelligence (EI) played an active role in almost all of decision making.
She said that the ability to identify, understand, and manage those emotions was such an invaluable skill, adding that “in a competitive workplace, developing your EI skills is vital to your professional success.”
She submitted that major companies had compiled statistical proof that employees with emotional intelligence undoubtedly affected the bottom line.
“In fact, companies with employees that have high levels of emotional intelligence see major increases in total sales and productivity,” she further posited.
She listed a number of factors that undergird emotional intelligence in the learning environment and the workplace, including self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
Babayemi-Saulawa cited a study by the University of Lagos (2021), which showed that 70% of students in EI-focused programmes had improved interpersonal skills; teachers with EI training report a 40% reduction in classroom disruptions, schools with EI initiatives see a 25% increase in student academic performance, while emotional resilience programmes reduce student dropout rates by 15%.
She listed benefits of EI for teachers and students to include, for teachers, building stronger connections with students, enhancing classroom management and reducing stress and burnout; while for students, improving academic performance, fostering emotional resilience and encouraging collaboration and teamwork.
She listed strategies for promoting EI in Nigerian schools to include incorporating EI training into teacher education programs, developing EI-focused curricula and activities, engaging parents in fostering EI at home, establishing mentorship and peer-support programmes, and leveraging technology to teach and assess EI skills.
KORA 360 Professionals conferred awards of recognition on some educators on the occasion, including the Permanent Secretary FCT Education Secretariat, Mrs Joy Chinwe Okoli who was represented by Director School Services, Mrs Magdalene Uzonanya; Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Ondo, Hajia Adeola Ganiat Yusuf; and Dr Sonny Okorie, among others.
By Gloria Ikibah
Communities in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, are beginning to see visible signs of change as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu recently launched a series of public infrastructure projects.
The initiative, which began on Friday, took Kalu across three key wards Bende, Itumbauzo, and Uzuakoli, where he formally opened a number of completed facilities. These include blocks of classrooms, administrative offices, rehabilitated roads, and new boreholes.
Bende Constituency, one of the largest in the country with 13 wards, has long grappled with infrastructure gaps. The newly delivered projects are seen as part of a broader effort to close those gaps and raise the standard of living in the area.
Residents say the projects are already making a difference in both school attendance and ease of movement between villages. Many hope this momentum continues in the months ahead.
…as labour minister call for stricter laws to protect workers
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed serious concern over the state of workplace safety in Nigeria, calling for urgent legislative action to prevent further injuries and fatalities.
Speaker Abbas made the call during the 2025 World Day for Safety Conference, with the theme: “The Legislative Perspective: Safety First – Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians”, organised by the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
The Speaker who was represented by Ondo lawmaker, Rep. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, said that the occasion was a reminder of the need to protect Nigerian workers from occupational hazards.
He said: “Today’s event is very significant, especially in the lives of workers across the globe. It reminds us of the need to guarantee the safety of workers against occupational hazards and fatalities.
“In societies where life is not given the right premium, workers are exposed to various accidents and dangers. Every worker has a right to be protected.”
Speaker Abbas acknowledged the global importance of the World Day for Safety, which was launched in 2003 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and shared alarming statistics. “About 2.3 million workers lose their lives every year from workplace injuries and health hazards, with about 160 million non-fatal injuries,” he noted.
Abbas lamented the lack of reliable data In Nigeria, and said the most recent figures—238 deaths and 3,461 injuries in the construction industry—date back to between 2014 and 2016. “Even those reports are incomplete,” he added.
He also cited a study at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, which found that 52.7 percent of health workers surveyed had experienced needle pricks, while 53.3 percent reported incidents of blood splashes, and linked this to greater risks during outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19, recalling the sacrifices of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh and Nurse Justina Ejelonu, who died after coming in contact with the index Ebola case in 2014.
The Speaker blamed many of the injuries in construction sites and criticised the neglect of safety in public buildings.
“Unsafe acts and unsafe working conditions, including lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), hoisting gear, appropriate scaffolds and ladder protection.
“Most public buildings and workplaces in Nigeria are design-built and opened for use without safety checks. Apart from fire extinguishers, you hardly see buildings marked with reflective signs that guide workers in emergencies”, he lamented.
Abbas promised that the House would review and streamline existing laws to improve enforcement and public health protections.
“As the law-making body, the House of Representatives is poised to cause the necessary review of existing laws and seek ways to make them more effective in safeguarding public health and safety”, he added.
The Chairman Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Rep. David Idris Zacharias in his welcome address said the event marked a historic moment in our nation’s journey towards building a safer, more resilient society.
He stressed that safety must be prioritized, embedded in every policy, and included in every planning phase of our national projects. Whether it’s construction, road, workplace, environmental, or food safety, these are not peripheral issues—they are central to our well-being.
According to Zacharias, the committee’s mission is not only to pass laws but to ensure they are implemented effectively.
He acknowledged that enforcement gaps, poor awareness, and weak appreciation of safety still plague the country. However, he added, and that these challenges present us with immense opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and learn from others.
The committee chairman therefore called for partnerships with businesses, labour unions, NGOs, and the public.
He promised stronger enforcement, increased funding, more monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.
“Safety must be everyone’s concern. From the smallest corner shop to the largest industrial complex, we all have a role to play. We envision a future where safety is embedded in every organisation’s culture, every construction project, and every government policy,” he said.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, in his message called for stronger legislation and cooperation among stakeholders to build a safer work environment for all Nigerians.
He also emphasised that while innovation is necessary, it must not come at the cost of workers’ welfare.
He said: “The theme of today’s conference, The Legislative Perspective: Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians, highlights the critical role of legislation in helping to shape a resilient and future-ready occupational safety and health framework.
“Legislation is central to navigating the digital frontier responsibly; ensuring that innovation does not erode the foundational rights, dignity, and welfare of the Nigerian worker.
“The safety of our workers must be anchored on secure technologies, sound data protection, and inclusive policy frameworks that uphold international labour standards”.
Dr. Dingyadi also stressed the importance of collaboration through the tripartite model involving government, employers, and workers’ organizations, to ensure policies are both enforceable and inclusive.
He further acknowledged delays in reviewing labour laws but said progress had been made, and called for unity across all sectors to build a lasting culture of safety.
“Year 2024 marked significant progress with the publication of Nigeria’s revised OSH Country Profile and the Federal Executive Council’s approval of landmark OSH regulations such as the Construction Safety Regulations 2024”, he added.
The Minister also spoke about the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, which he said was developed through wide consultations.
“The Ministry has led the development of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which has been crafted through our distinctive Tripartite Plus framework. We count on the continued partnership of all stakeholders to make this a reality.
“Together, let us rise to the challenge of building a resilient safety culture, underpinned by innovation, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to protecting the lives of all Nigerian workers”, Dingyadi stated.
Reflections of Victor Oluwafemi Walsh in development communication, policy innovation in Africa
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