By OSWALD AGWU

The Speaker, Nigeria House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated his Senior Legislative Aide and veteran journalist, Chooks Oko on the occasion of his 60th birthday celebration.

Oko, a Fellow of the Nigeria Guild of Editors clocked sixty Friday, April 24 amidst glowing tributes and compliments from family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers.

In a congratulatory message to Oko, signed by the Chief of Staff to the Hon. Speaker, Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi, dated 24th April 2026, the Speaker described a 60th birthday as " a milestone in human life." He extolled Oko's life of service in his career and Humanity in general and wished him God's continued protection.

The message reads: "On behalf of the Hon. Speaker and staff of the office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, I write to congratulate you on this auspicious occasion of your 60th birthday celebration.

"To celebrate a 60th birthday is a milestone in human life. Yours has been a life of service, both to the office and humanity in general.

"The office of the Speaker is therefore delighted to be part of this celebration for God's faithfulness in your life has been characterised by grace, tenacity, and divine guidance.

"I extend our best wishes and prayers for God's abiding grace, mercy and continued protection to you and your family. May this special day be filled with joy, love and cherished memories.

"Once again, the Honourable Speaker wishes you a happy 60th birthday."

From the midnight of April 23 to dusk of April 24, Oko's social media Channels were inundated with hearty wishes from mentees, family, friends and well-wishers, all acknowledging his kind heartedness, dedication, community spirit and dependability.

Among those who wrote or commented early in Oko's Timeline include the chairman, Nigeria union of Journalists, Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Samson Nwafor; Editor, Nigerian Patriot Newspapers, Elder Oswald Agwu; the Southeast Bureau Chief of the Sun Newspaper, Nze Magnus Eze and the pioneer Ebonyi State NUJ chairman and former Information Commissioner, Chief Abia Onyike. They described the celebrant as a good man and silent achiever, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health to continue to positively impact humanity.

Nze Magnus Eze wrote: "Having known you these past decades, I could confirm that His grace is enough for you. Big congratulations"

The celebration was climaxed in a get-together at the Abakaliki Golf Club with continued rain of good wishes, tributes and prayers. Among those in attendance at the event was the member representing Afikpo/Edda federal constituency, Hon. Idu Igariwey. Others included Prof. Amari Omaka (SAN), Prof. Henry Urochukwu, Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, Chief James Aroh Nweke and the former representative of Ohanivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state, Hon. Darlington Okereke.

Meanwhile, the celebrant, Oko, had earlier made a post on his Timeline appreciating God for keeping and sustaining him to the honourable age of sixty.

He wrote: "Gratitude, thanksgiving, appreciation and love are banging cymbals and rhymes in my heart as I thank God Almighty for granting me access to the sixth floor today. What more can I say? All glory, adoration and praise are yours, Father, today, and always!."

Update news