1. Edirin Sokoh Centre for Special Education and Skills Development
“The Journey So far”...
by the
President/Founder

2. Overview of the Centre
The Centre was conceived out of my deep concern for lack of amenities to cater for children with special needs especially those with autistic problems.
It was also partly due to a society that consciously or unconsciously stigmatizes the condition of such children out of ignorance.
It was also on my journey to find treatment for my son that enlightened me on the possibilities that the condition of my son and indeed all children with similar problems can largely be managed if some special attention is given to them.
Thus this centre was conceived to serve as a special education and skills development centre that will cater for the special needs of challenged children especially autistic children.

3. The Dream
To do something positive on the possibility that autistic children and those with similar challenges could be managed if special attention is given them.
To provide trained personnel/equipment to handle autism with related cases so that those afflicted could live normal lives and be useful to their immediate families and the society at large.
To minimize the trauma faced by parents of children with special needs
To provide special care and training for children with special needs
To eliminate the stigma which the society attaches to autistic children and people with related cases.

4. Mission Statement
To serve as a pioneer special education and skills development centre providing accessible and functional quality education and skills development to children with special needs in a conducive and enabling environment; provide supportive counseling, love, care and hope for the intellectual special needs student and their affected families; and create awareness amongst communities to serve as change agents to support stigma reduction and for greater communal support that will build the confidence of the children as equals with their peers.

5. Vision of the Centre
To support the education and skills development of intellectually challenged children in order to facilitate the development and harnessing of their full potentials for self reliance, socio economic independence and societal relevance in caring and loving environment.

6. Goals of the Centre Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3
To ensure the provision of a conducive environment that supports teaching and maximizes learning abilities
Goal 2
To ensure that all the students meet high standards for academic achievement which prepares them to compete in a global economy and to exercise responsible and productive citizenship.
Goal 3
To ensure the provision of carefully tailored individual support to enhance the abilities of each of the students

7. Goals of the Centre (II)
To create an optimal environment for teaching and learning environment by providing for the fundamental needs of all the students
Goal 5
To increase the support and involvement of all citizens in promoting the social, emotional and academic growth of the students.

8. Goals of the Centre (III)
To ensure that all teachers, administrators and staff meet high performance standards which will prepare them to fulfill their roles and responsibilities of the department of Education.
Goal 7
To acquire and develop skills appropriate for self actualization relative to economic needs of the society.
Goal 8
To manage resources effectively and equitably in order to ensure that all students achieve at high performance levels.

9. My Belief
I believe that all children can attain the highest possible academic achievement when trained in a conducive environment that aims to identify and strengthen each student’s weaknesses;
that early diagnosis of learning problems with appropriately successful interventions will create the highest level of success for all students;
that excellence in learning and teaching occurs only when high academic expectations are upheld for all students and teachers;
that all students benefit from a comprehensive education program that includes arts, health and physical education;
that teachers must be supported by a strong staff development program and recognized for excellent performance;
that Love and Care for the special needs children is central to their development;

10. The Board of Trustees
In furtherance of our desire to actualize the dream of the centre a Board of Trustees was constituted for the Centre.
The Centre was named Edirin Sokoh Centre for Special Education and Skills Development situated in Ughelli, Delta State of Nigeria.
The BOT is made up of the following:
Prof. Eyitayo Lambo (Former Minister of Health) Chairman
Dr.(Mrs) Patricia Love Ogboru (President/Founder) Member
Prof Park Idisi (Prof of Economics, UNIABUJA) Member
Late Senator Martyns Yelowwe (Former Senator) Member
Chief (Mrs.) Ceclia Ibru (MD/CEO Oceanic Bank) Member
Prof Iheanacho Izuka (Prof of Special Education) Member
Mr. Alex Uwanogho (USA Coordinator) Member
Dr. Joseph Asonye Nnorom Member
Mr. Oghenemine Sokoh Member
Mrs. Abive Okwah Member
Mrs. Evelyn Emeh Member
Bar Austin Okwa Secretary/Legal Adviser

11. Professor Eyitayo Lambo        -        Chairman
(Former Minister of Health)
A professor of Health Economics, Educationist, Planner and former Minister of Health of the Federal republic of Nigeria and presently the Chairman of Primary Health Care Development Agency. Professor Lambo studied Economics in Nigeria, US and the UK, taking a doctorate in operation research in health. After 16 years he left the university as a professor to join the WHO Regional office for Africa. “You could say I built the discipline of health economics in the consultant in the Region”. Professor Lambo was quoted to have once said.
Professor Lambo has worked for many National and International organizations and recently pioneered the building of a Health Center in his village or in his own words – “his little London” with funds that he raised through public spirited individuals. He is currently the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Edirin Sokoh Center for Special Education and Skills Development.

12. Dr. (Mrs.) Patricia Love Ogboru      (-        President / Founder
Director Administration Federal Ministry of Education)
Dr. Patricia Love Ogboru holds a Ph.D in Financial Management from St. Clements’ University, British West Indies and a Masters degree from the University of Benin. She also holds two Post Graduate Diplomas from the University of Watford and the University of London all in the United Kingdom. She also holds a B. A. (Honours) in English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
She is a seasoned Administrator, banker, technocrat and Financial Expert who has carved a niche for herself in Public Service which has seen her hold very sensitive positions in PTF, Delta State Government, Poverty Evaluation as state Secretary, FCT, Ministry of Health, as Director, Finance and Supplies, Federal Ministry of Energy, Director (Admin and Supplies) in the Federal Ministry of Education.
Dr. Ogboru is the First female Fellow and first Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria.
Dr. Patricia Ogboru is a humanitarian with passion for children and women empowerment. She is the President and Founder of the Edirin Sokoh Center for Special Education and Skills Development.

13. Chief (Mrs.) Cecelia Ibru        -        Member
(Managing Director / CEO – Oceanic Bank Int’l PLC-EX)
The first lady of the Nigerian Banking Industry is by any measure a remarkable person. She confounds all expectations of what a banker must be, except in her ability to make some of the shrewdest decisions in the country’s financial sector.
Ibru received a B.Sc (Honours) in Sociology from London University in 1971, a master of Philosophy from North East London University and a certificate of Eligibility from the council of legal Education in London.
Ibru is one of Nigeria’s most highly honoured female CEOs. She sits on the board of some many companies and organizations among which is the Board of Trustees of the Edirin Center for Special Education and Skills Development as a result of her contribution to the upliftment of the under-privileged and challenged children in the society.

14. Professor John Iheanacho        -        Member
Prof. John Iheanacho is a Professor of Special Education and a former Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Jos.
Amongst the very many Academic and Non Academic position held by Professor Iheanacho include the Head of Department of Special Education of the University of Jos. Founder, Center for Learning disabilities, Jos and Pioneer Researcher in the use of mega vitamins for treatment of learning disabled children.
Professor John Iheanacho is a member of the Council for exceptional children in the United State of America and the President, council for exceptional children in Nigeria.
Professor John Izuka Iheanacho is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Edirin Sokoh Center for Special Education and Skills Development.

15. Professor Idisi Odojomo Park   -Member
(Professor / Lecturer, University of Abuja)
Professor Idisi is a professor of Agricultural Economics with a Ph.D in Development finance and Macroeconomics. Professor Idisi was at various times a consultant to UNIDP, FORMECU, World Bank, ADPS, and PCU amongst other responsibilities of note.
Prof. Idisi is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Edirin Sokoh Center for Special Education and Skills Development.

16. Dr. Joseph Asonye Nnorom - Member
(Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chembio Diagnostics Nigeria Limited and Director, West African Region, Chembio Diagnostics Incorporated, New York, USA.)
Dr. Joseph Nnorom has a wide range of experience spanning services in both National and International Organizations which includes reputable International agencies like the USAID and CDC. His work experience has seen him attend international conferences in over twenty countries. He was conferred with the Meritorious Service Honours Award from the United States Department of State, Washington DC in 2005 and also the National Honours Award by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for a meritorious service to the nation during the 1985/86 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year.
Dr. J. Nnorom holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Lagos and Bachelor of Science degrees in Medicine with specialty in Surgery and Health Sciences from the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University). He is presently a member of the Governing Board of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and Member, Board of Trustees of the Edirin Sokoh Center for Special Education and Skills Development.

17. Mr. Oghenemine Sokoh       -        Member
Mine Sokoh is an excellent and hands-on business administrator with a B.Sc in Business Administration (Concentration Management). His experience in business management gained being on the board of other successful ventures is a credit to his ability in his field. He has a good knack for organizational logistics, project execution and framework formation for specific projects.

18. Mr. Alex Uwanogho     -        Member
(USA Coordinator)
Mrs. Abive Okwah       -        Member
Mrs. Everlyn Emeh      -        Member
Barrister Austin Okwah     -   Secretary / Legal Adviser

19. The Journey so Far
The BOT of Edirin Centre has met 11 times to deliberate on the way forward for the Centre.
The Strategic Framework for the centre has been designed by the Technical Committee headed by Prof Park Idisi of the University of Abuja.
The BOT has considered and approved the Strategic Plan.
The BOT has inaugurated a Project Launch Committee headed by Dr. Joseph Nnorom (formally of USAID and CDC) to Plan for the Launching of the Centre.
The Launch Committee has submitted an interim report and it is presently working on the Project Launch Plan.
The immediate past First Lady, Hajia (Dr.) Turai Umaru Yar’Adua graciously received the BOT and promised to support its activities and attend the Ughelli Launch as Special Guest of honour.

20. The Journey so Far
The Centre now has an operational Website
A detail architectural design for the complex have been concluded and approved by the BOT
The academic curriculum covering all levels of training for the centre is been developed.
The Centre is now registered with the Federal Ministry of Women affairs and the Federal Ministry of Education.
A Liaison Office has been acquired in Abuja at Suite C55, EFAB Plaza, Area 11, Abuja
The project site has being cleared and a block of Six Classroom blocks has been completed by the BOT
PZ Cussions Foundation has graciously sponsored the construction of one out of the three blocks comprising the skills acquisition centre.

21. 2 Hostel blocks have been completed for the boys and girls.
Provision of 30 iron beds, mattresses, and side cupboards for each bed has been completed as well.
Treated mosquito nets have been made available with the assistance of the Universal Basic Education Commission.
Also an overhead water tank, 4 Standard sockaways and septic tanks have been sponsored by the Universal Basic Education.

22. A Family Xmas fiesta was organized by Mrs Abive Okwah (BOT Member) at the school premises on the 26th Dec under the sponsorship of the founder and the company Secretary / legal Advise.
Partial furnishing of the Principal’s office, her secretary’s office and the staff room have been completed.
Generator – A 60 KVA Giant generator has been supplied to the school –sponsored by the Founder.
PHCN Electricity supply has been connected to the school – by the Founder.

23. Partial office Equipment – Computers, computer accessories, Air-conditioners, Printers, Photocopier and stationeries have been supplied to the school- courtesy Founder, BOT
The school has formally commenced to the public since August 2011.
However, the turnout of pupils has been very low as only 2 pupils are currently been trained regularly. This is contrary to our projected figure of 20 pupils for the 1st year

24. The Journey so Far
The BOT has made contact with organizations and individuals both within and outside the country with a view of creating Linkages.
The BOT intends to also bring on board Nationally and Internally recognized role models, Media Persons and Professionals.
The Board has established relationship with the Federal Ministries of Education, Health, Women Affairs and Science and Technology . It has also established relationship with NAFDAC and the MDG office in the Presidency
The former Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister of State for Education and the former DG NAFDAC (now Minister for information and Communication) were in attendance at the 7th BOT while the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDG sent in Apologies.

25. The Journey so Far
The BOT led by its Chairman – Professor Eyitayo Lambo has visited the site of the Project twice (the most recently been on the 17th January, 2009) with a view to acquainting itself with the facts on ground.
His Royal Majesty, the Ovie of Ughelli kingdom, who received the BOT during the first visit pledged the support of the Kingdom for the project and prayed for its success.

26. The Next Steps
The BOT has concluded plans to launch the centre. The launch will take place in both Abuja and Ughelli. The Plan of Action for the Launch has been presented by the responsible committee and approved by the BOT
The BOT intends to raise funds from well meaning individuals, National and International Organizations, Corporate organizations, Government and private organizations.

28. +

35. AHMED MODIBBO MOHAMMED HOSTEL

36. PAT LOVE HOSTEL

44. NEW HAPPENINGS THE MALE AND FEMALE HOSTEL - BLOCKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED WITH FULL BOARDING FACILITIES THE CENTRE HAS FORMALLY OPENED CLASSES TO PUPILS SINCE AUGUST PUPILS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

53. Thank you and God Bless