Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and the JariBurs Initiative: A New Dawn for Educational Support in Cross River North By Dr. Anne Agi
In a time when faith in governance is often eroded by inefficiency, favoritism, and corruption, one initiative has rekindled hope and restored the belief that public service can indeed serve the people. The JariBurs Educational Support Initiative, powered by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, has not only provided financial relief to students but also set a benchmark in transparency and accountability.
From August 1, 2025, when the scheme was first announced, to August 15, 2025, when the final list of beneficiaries was fully published, the process unfolded with remarkable speed, precision, and integrity.
The Announcement and Rapid Response
On August 1, 2025, Citizen Agba Jalingo, who coordinated the initiative, announced that Senator Jarigbe Agom had set aside ₦50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) to support students of Northern Cross River State origin.
The bursary provided ₦100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Each) each to 500 students, carefully spread across the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the district: Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra, Ogoja, and Yala.
Within the first 16 hours, the registration link received 1,975 applications, and by the close of the portal at midnight on August 3, the number had risen to 3,013 applications. The system was blind to party affiliations, bias, or influence, and applicants could register whether they schooled within Cross River or outside.
Transparency and Process
Citizen Agba Jalingo repeatedly emphasized that Senator Jarigbe had completely stepped back from the selection process. The Senator agreed to stay out of the way, leaving the balloting and verification strictly to the coordinating team.
The steps were clearly outlined:
1. Applications were sorted by LGAs.
2. Duplicate and invalid entries were filtered out.
3. A randomized electronic balloting system (Excel RANDARRAY) was used to select beneficiaries.
4. Verification followed, checking:
- Certificate of Origin,
- Admission Letter,
- Proof of current student status (fees paid),
- Bank details (ensuring no proxy accounts were used).
Agba Jalingo warned parents and lobbyists to desist from interference, affirming that not a dime would be lost or diverted. His insistence on integrity was unwavering, and his updates on social media provided real-time transparency to the public.
Timeline of Efficiency
August 1, 2025: Announcement of #JariBurs.
August 2, 2025: Expansion to include students schooling outside Cross River State.
August 3, 2025: Registration closed with 3,013 applications.
August 6, 2025: Citizen Agba Jalingo reiterated the transparency and independence of the process.
August 7, 2025: He explained the exact technical process of random selection and verification.
August 9, 2025: Random balloting conducted in Abuja with the Senator’s team present. A provisional list of 500 names emerged, subject to final verification.
August 14–15, 2025: Final publication of beneficiaries by LGAs: Obanliku (Aug 14, 6:11am), Obudu (Aug 14, 6:27am), Bekwarra (Aug 14, 7:11am), Ogoja (Aug 14, 2:47pm), and Yala (Aug 15, 5:20am).
Everything from start to finish, wrapped up in 14 days! Wow! To say Citizen Agba Jalingo did a yeoman's job is an understatement!
Impact: Smiles Restored, Burdens Lifted
One young student, who lost her father and whose mother is a subsistence farmer, reached out joyfully after receiving her ₦100,000 bursary, which she said would cover her second-year school fees. She is just one of many whose educational journey has been eased by this initiative.
This singular act has lifted heavy burdens off parents, rekindled hope for many families, and brought smiles back to students’ faces across Cross River North.
Commendation
Senator Jarigbe Agom has shown himself to be a true “People’s Senator.” Beyond politics, he has proven that governance can be people-oriented, data-driven, and transparent. His decision to entrust the process to Citizen Agba Jalingo was bold and visionary.
On his part, Citizen Agba Jalingo, a known journalist, human rights activist and fearless critic of bad governance, proved that given the opportunity, he could deliver public service with integrity and competence. His handling of #JariBurs was a masterclass in accountability and speed. The funds were disbursed directly into verified student accounts with no middlemen, no committees, and no kickbacks.
This reminds us of the good old days when bursaries from governments truly reached students without bias. Sadly, in recent times, bursaries became scarce, and when they appeared, they were often hijacked by political connections. With #JariBurs, Senator Jarigbe has restored that legacy of integrity.
Conclusion
The ₦50 million JariBurs Initiative, spread equitably across the 54 wards of Cross River North, is not just a bursary. It is a bold statement that governance can work when there is sincerity of purpose.
For this, we must thank Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for his vision and commitment, and commend Citizen Agba Jalingo for his flawless coordination. Together, they have lit a path for others to follow in building an inclusive, transparent, and people-centered society.
Indeed, the people of Cross River North will not forget this gesture in a hurry.
LIST OF BENEFICIARIES BELOW: 👇👇👇
Obanliku LGA
Obudu LGA
Bekwarra LGA
Ogoja LGA
Yala LGA
#JariBurs
#JariCare
#JariEnterprise
#LeadershipWithIntegrity
