The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • How To Help An Activist: This Happen To Me Always BY FIRST BABA ISA

    How To Help An Activist: This Happen To Me Always BY FIRST BABA ISA

    HOW TO HELP AN ACTIVIST

    This happens to me always.

    Whenever I take up a case that goes public I get several calls and texts asking me “please how can I help?” Of course I usually say nothing to such questions.

    I don’t say anything not because I don’t need help, financial help. I do. Most Human Rights activists, if not all, need financial enablement to execute their causes. Infact, and sadly so, I have abandoned several cases I took up for poor clients because I couldn’t foot the bills.

    I have abandoned cases of persons I believe are innocent who are rotting in jails. One that really breaks my heart happens last week. A young chap who is serving a life sentence in Port Harcourt prison got my number and called from prison (yes, it’s possible). I took up the matter but… Flight to PH… And… Became issues. No money. No budget. Justice is capital intensive.

    So why then don’t I answer questions like “what can I do to help?” I don’t for three reasons. All those who asked this question (especially in the Federal Government Girls College, Calabar Saga) or its variant should please take note.

    1. Most people who ask this question don’t really want to give you shishi. They are just having an emotional ejaculation and ventilating their anger. They want that feel-good feeling that at least they tried to help. And I don’t want to burst their bubble by telling them, yes I need some sort of financial help. They will end up not giving a dime and start feeling guilty of sins they have not committed.

    So I allow them have their moment of “Im-with-you-on-this-just-name-the-amount-and-I-will-send-it”. This set of people will usually turn on you and accuse you of extortion and all manner of things if you take their bait and ask them for money.

    2. Though I have never received a dime from anyone to execute a human right case or pursue a legal issue of public interest, my instinct tells me that if someone really wants to help they won’t ask too many questions or even wait for you to provide lengthy answers. They might just need a hint or a brief request and they will give their assistance. “Send me your account details” and “what can I do to help?” or “if you need anything let me know”, takes the same effort to type or say na.

    3. The most important reason borders on ethics. I cannot take up public interest cases and use that premise to raise money. That is unethical and grossly unprofessional and my opponents and detractors can make mince meat of me on this account. You will be shocked at the number of persons waiting and watching for an activist to make a slip so that they can ridicule and embarrass him. In this business of fighting for justice, I have come to realize that public goodwill is better than public money. That’s why activists must be extra careful.

    I will rather, and sadly so, watch someone face the firing squad than raise money to activate the judicial process for him. I will rather dump a case and join the client to weep for lack of justice than ask for monetary contributions from the public to pursue the matter. It’s not pride, it’s ethics. I can raise money to do charity or philanthropy but not legal work per se.

    But how can those who really want to help, help?

    They are those who ask this question because they really want to help but don’t know how. To members of this group. Let me give you a clue. Empower the activist.

    You don’t really have to wait until you see him pursuing a matter of public interest. You already know what the activist does why not give him links and referrals that will breastfeed his bank account? You know for every penny you help him make, a large chunk will go into helping him fight for the masses.

    Why not make him that lawyer that prepares your documents (MoU’s, deeds, contracts, wills, company and NGO registration, juicy litigation, etc)? Some activists have books and other projects that will fetch them money when executed; help them bring such projects to birth.

    It is demonic to always remember an activist when a public interest case without a budget arises but when you want to buy or sell land or prepare a document for an oil deal you don’t remember the lawyer activist. Who are you empowering? I have seen other activists raise funds, but for the lawyer activist nothing is more unethical.

    And this is not just about lawyers. Once you locate an activist, try to locate his workshop or line of business and patronize him. That’s how you put money in his pocket to do what he is doing without turning him into some sort of ass licking beggar.

    Now you know how to support an activist financially. Give him money without waiting for him to beg. Contribute if he is raising funds. Patronize his area of expertise or trade.

    As for those of us activists, those who stake their lives fighting for others, those who take up causes of public interests, let’s lift up our heads to the heavens where all help comes from. Let’s avoid the allure of filthy lucre. Let’s do what we can do with all we have always… God will do the rest.

    Aluta Continua. Victoria Ascerta. Yogejulnor.

    Firsts Baba Isa is a Legal Practitioner,
    07037162029

  • The Raging Arson In UNICAL, A Call For Concern BY PATRICK OBIA

    The Raging Arson In UNICAL, A Call For Concern BY PATRICK OBIA

     

    It was an English philosopher and scholar, Thomas Hobbes who postulated in his book, Leviathan, Book I, Chapter 13 that; “Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every man is enemy to every man, the same consequent to the time wherein men live without other security than what their own strength and their own invention shall furnish them withal. In such condition there is no place for industry… no knowledge on the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

    Hobbes, in this chapter of the natural condition of mankind concerning their felicity and misery, states clearly that all men are made equal by nature while acknowledging that some men may be smarter, or stronger than others even though in the end, this does not impede man’s ability to achieve his means as man’s aspirations and quest for a better life, leads to the locking of horns which lead to hostility.

    In light of the above, life is full of protagonists and antagonists, who all bring about the reality of life stories.

    The recent arson in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) can be likened to what Hobbes described as the “state of nature,” wherein, in the past few weeks, the Ivory tower, founded 47 years ago, has lost back-to-back, academic infrastructure to fires.

    Though, the varsity has, in recent years, witnessed violent activities that have led to the destruction of infrastructure, the most recent which occurred on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 which saw the Department of Continuous Education and Development Studies razed is fresh in mind.

    This is coming three weeks after the Department of Mathematics, was razed on Sunday, 30 January 2022 by what many have described as “strange fire” at the wee hours of that day. A week later, on Sunday, 6 February 2022, the Department of International Relations was gutted by the same magical fire with no history so far with almost nothing saved.

    While the cause of the fire remains a mystery to management, students and the public, there are allegations that, some aggrieved students in the varsity have hands in the destruction as a result of the management’s increment in school fees as well as courses registration which have generated public uproar.

    Also, there are insinuations that students are vexed over the fact that the school is yet to finish its first semester talk less of starting second semester especially as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) indefinite strike has commenced.

    Whichever is correct or wrong, there is no reason to justify destruction in any guise. Meanwhile, this is not time for blame game on whose fault it is.

    It is time to look at the continuous arson with eagle eyes whether done by students or enemies of the institution or whoever; it calls for all hands to be on deck, lest it renders academic activities in the varsity impotent.

    UNICAL management should, as a matter of urgency, beef up security in the campus to protect its assets especially during odd hours but must be careful in order not to affect the innocent ones. Though it is said management has imposed curfew and halted night classes to checkmate insecurity.

    Furthermore, in as much as the institution has increased its fees/service charges, there is needed for an extension in the closure of the portal.

    Like the holy book says: “while men slept, the enemy came and sowed a wrong seed,” It is not time to input damage charges in the service charges to innocent students rather, it is a wake up call for management and relevant security agencies to dive into action and carry out tight investigation and bring perpetrators to book.

    Finally, when a child is beaten, the child runs back to who beats him or her for consolation. Therefore, the management of the University of Calabar as a parent should listen to the wailing of their children (students). A stitch in time saves nine.

    Patrick Obia is a journalist and writes from Calabar, Cross River State.

    NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Patrick Obia and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.

  • The Ongoing Curfew In Ogoja And The Upcoming Ogoja/Yala Bye-election BY FIRST BABA ISA

    The Ongoing Curfew In Ogoja And The Upcoming Ogoja/Yala Bye-election BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    When I heard that the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government had declared a curfew, ordering all residents to turn in by 10:00pm or face the wrath of the law, I was truly concerned where he got the powers to declare a curfew. But I didn’t say anything because Ogoja is my hometown and security is a delicate issue.

    I didn’t want to start sounding legalistic if truly there is a security issue to be addressed. But now that the initial dust has settled, I can see clearly through the facts, the law, the present dangers and the coming dangers, especially in the light of the upcoming by-elections.

    I was told by some residents that the curfew was ordered because a spate of ritual killings hit the town during the festive period. The police did not confirm this. I asked them. I was told by the police that the curfew was rather put in place to combat robbery. Two different stories, one curfew. But I didn’t mind. I just wanted security to be restored for our people.

    But now, I do mind. I have some questions to ask.

    Is the highest number of robbery and ritual killings in Nigeria taking place in Ogoja? Definitely not. Even in cities where these atrocities are hitting the roof daily, is it being tackled by declaring curfew? How effective has the curfew been? We have heard several complaints how the security men are arresting poor okada men, our brothers, and forcing them to pay N26, 000 to bail themselves and their bikes. The curfew has become a means of extorting from the poor masses.

    I think it is time to call off this curfew. Apart from the fact that it is illegal, if it had any good purpose, it has definitely outlive this purpose. Citizens should be allowed to exercise their fundamental right to freedom of movement. They don’t need anyone’s permission to walk freely 24 hours a day. They should be allowed to go about their lawful businesses.

    This curfew must be lifted immediately. If it is not, it will definitely become a veritable tool for political instability in the forthcoming by-elections. The police will be used, in the guise of enforcing an illegal curfew, to prevent the opposition politicians and supporters from moving freely while the ruling party politicians and supporters under the protection of the Governor and Chairman will move around freely. When the opposition finds out they are being prevented from moving freely while others are moving freely and holding the usual nocturnal political meetings, there is bound to be resistance and the real security crisis will happen.

    We want this election to be peaceful. No one should be harassed or intimidated. I call on the Chairman to call off this curfew now before it is exploited to cause mayhem. I call on the security personnel to stop enforcing an illegal curfew.

    If this call is not heeded, the blame for the likely security crisis that might fall out of this, especially during the elections, should be put on the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government and his enablers in Peregrino Hill.

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

  • Substandard Electrical Equipments : Minister Asks NEMSA To Set Up Test Stations In Ports

    Substandard Electrical Equipments : Minister Asks NEMSA To Set Up Test Stations In Ports

     

    In a bid to end the regime of importation of substandard electrical equipments to Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, has asked the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to urgently set up Testing/Certification laboratories in all border ports in the country.

    The Minister stated this on Tuesday when he paid a working visit to the corporate headquarters of the agency located at Dar Es Salam Street, Wuse, Abuja.

    Jedy-Agba who commended the infant agency for the achievements since its establishment about eight years ago, however said that it can do more to bring the needed sanity to the technical aspect of the electricity sector.

    He said that as an agency that’s saddled with the responsibility of enforcing technical standards and regulations, inspections and certification of all categories of electrical installations in Nigeria, it’s important to ensure that before any electrical equipment is put to use, it should be tested and certified.

    According to him, “I’m very impressed with this agency because it’s the heartbeat of the nation’s electricity sector. It’s doing well but it can and should do better. I want you to work harder, corporate with each other and come up with better results”.

    While charging the agency to improve on its revenue generation, the Minister avered that “NEMSA is supposed to be one of the richest agencies under the Ministry of Power. Look at the act establishing the agency to see the laxity you have to generate funds. Nobody will give you money to acquire your own headquarters, generate funds for it”.

    On staff welfare, he directed the Managing Director to “find solution to the issue of Staff welfare. You need to motivate your staff to get their best. You need money to make more money. The job of NEMSA is mostly in the field not offices but those in the field need to be sure of their welfare.

    I want to charge you today to ensure that no electrical equipment is used for any installation in Nigeria without the ceal of approval by NEMSA. Apply to get a stand in all ports; Sea, dry and airports to test and certify all electrical equipments imported into Nigeria. Ensure same is done to facilities produce locally”.

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engr. Tukur Aliyu, thanked the Minister for his guidance which has culminated in the achievements the agency has recorded in since his appointment to supervise the agency.

    Aliyu, however stated that despite the challenges of poor funding and inadequate manpower, the agency has spread so far to nineteen states with Inspectorate Field Offices, four National Meter Testing stations while the new two under construction in Benin and Kano are near competition.

    He also noted that the Electricity Meter Museum built by the agency at the premises of the National Meter Test Stations in Oshodi and Kaduna were completed and ready for commissioning.

    The MD added that “as a result of the magnitude and importance of the work carried out by NEMSA, more staff are needed. The work of inspection and certification in NEMSA cut across all the states of the federation. However, the number of engineers WWE have on ground cannot effectively perform this work”.

  • Just In: ASUU Begins One Month Strike, Says It’s Demands Has Barely Changed Since Signing Of The 2009 Agreement With FG

    Just In: ASUU Begins One Month Strike, Says It’s Demands Has Barely Changed Since Signing Of The 2009 Agreement With FG

    By Mojeed Alabi, Premium Times

     

    • ASUU rounded off its “NEC for NEC” meeting at about 3 a.m. on Monday and will formally brief the press on Monday morning.

    A reliable source at the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has confided in Premium Times that the union resolved to embark on a one-month “comprehensive and total” strike to compel the Nigerian government to accede its requests.

    According to the source, who was part of the meeting, the union took the decision “reluctantly” despite interventions by many prominent Nigerians.

    He said the decision was to save Nigeria’s university system considering what he described as the deteriorating state of Nigerian universities. He said the government’s alleged recalcitrance made the position unavoidable.

    “The indefinite and total strike is for four weeks. We hope government the would do the needful within the next four weeks,” the source said in a terse statement shared with our reporter on Monday morning.

    Premium Times had on Sunday night reported that ASUU had scheduled a meeting it tagged “NEC for NEC” for midnight on Sunday to take the final decision on behalf of the various congresses of its chapters.

    The meeting was a follow-up to the then ongoing two-day marathon meeting which had kicked off on Saturday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

    ASUU rounded off its “NEC for NEC” meeting at about 3 a.m on Monday when the branch chairman of the union in UNILAG, Dele Ashiru, confirmed that the National President, Emmanuel Osodeke would address the media by 9 a.m. on Monday.

    Mr. Ashiru, whose note was tagged; “ASUU Press conference,” said he was inviting journalists on behalf of the union’s national leadership.

    The note reads in part; “Dear colleague, good morning Ma\Sir. Pls ASUU’s NEC media briefing now to hold as follows; Date: MONDAY, Feb 14; Time: 9.00 am; Venue: Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, Behind Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.”

    Mr. Ashiru, however, did not hint at the union’s final decision as he refused to pick follow-up calls from our reporter.

    ASUU’s Demands

    The demands of the lecturers’ union have barely changed since the signing of the ASUU/FG 2009 agreement.

    These demands include the sustainability of the university autonomy, which the union said the introduction of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for the payment of its emoluments violates. The union seeks its replacement with its own University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

    Other demands include the endorsement of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, which it said was concluded in May 2021; release of the reports of visitation panels to federal universities, and distortions in salary payment challenges.

    ASUU also demands funds for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowance, improved funding of state universities, and promotion arrears.

  • 56th Birthday: Caterpillar Movement Calls On Supporters To Pray For Sandy Onor And His Gubernatorial Ambition

    56th Birthday: Caterpillar Movement Calls On Supporters To Pray For Sandy Onor And His Gubernatorial Ambition

    By Elijah Ugani

    As the senator representing Cross River Senatorial District, the Orator of the 9th senate, popularly known as the original Caterpillar marks his 56th glorious birthday, which coincides with the feast  of St Valentine, popularly known as lover’s day.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the DG, Caterpillar Political Movement Chief Joe Obi Bisong, supporters are enjoined to individually pray for Sen Sandy Onor, our dear State, and the entire citizenry. We need Gods country.

    The release reads in full:

    CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT (more…)

  • Gov Ayade Showers Encomiums On Edem Ekong, Describes Him As A Seasoned And Honest Administrator

    Gov Ayade Showers Encomiums On Edem Ekong, Describes Him As A Seasoned And Honest Administrator

    The Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has described Edem Ekong Esq. as an
    honest and seasoned administrator following a courtesy visit by the latter to formally declare his intention to run for the highest position in the State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress.

    Receiving him and other party faithfuls at the Governor’s office, Ayade expressed his
    satisfaction at the quality of sportsmanship whilst noting that Edem Ekong is not just the first person to notify him of his intention to vie for the Office of the Governor in the forth coming general election, but also the first from the South to declare interest, since the
    Governor’s commitment to return power to the Southern Senatorial District in 2023.

    “When I won my reelection bid, I made a promise that my successor must come from the south. I gave my word and will give my right eye to keep it. The south has always stood by my government, they were the first Senatorial District who asked me to run for a second term. It is only natural that I do.

    Edem is someone who is very honest and someone I have worked closely with; a seasoned administrator with the maturity and temerity to follow through with decisions he believes in”. Governor Ayade asserted.

    Responding, Ekong thanked the governor for his kind words and camaraderie towards
    his gubernatorial aspiration. He indicated his readiness to engage the electorates across the state with a view to conscientise them about his ambition and choice of APC as the preferred vehicle for progress in the state.

    Other party stakeholders in the entourage took turns to speak at the event and opined that Ekong’s wealth of experience gathered over the years from working as Commissioner for Lands and Housing and Local Government Affairs respectively, Special Adviser, Departmento Public Transportation (DOPT) and others, make him an ideal candidate for the job.

  • Postgraduate Students, NACRISS Passes Vote Of Confidence On UNICAL VC, Condemns Fire Incidents

    Postgraduate Students, NACRISS Passes Vote Of Confidence On UNICAL VC, Condemns Fire Incidents

     

    OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, CROSS RIVER STATE POST GRADUATE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (CROSSPGRASA) UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, CALABAR.

    11/2/2022

    PRESS RELEASE

    In view of the recent happenings within the University of Calabar arising from unwarranted verbal, social media attacks and scandals directed on the personality of our Amiable Vice Chancellor and most recently the recurring fire outbreaks which we consider as arson ravaging the University.

    After carefully studying the event of recent weeks and after a comprehensive meeting between The Cross River state Community, Unical branch, Members of management staff, critical stakeholders of CROSSPGRASA, PGSG and NACRISS about the possible causes of this ugly and unfortunate trend which is condemable by all ramifications. The house have therefore resolved and recommended as Follows:

    1. That the fire incidents on campus is not a coincidence but a deliberate act by arsonists which the Cross State Community, CROSSPGASA, PGSG and NACRISS jointly and strongly condemn.

    2. That there should be flexibility in the implementation of the ‘No-Fee-No Examination Policy’ by creating an opportunity for those who could not meet the deadline to pay and have supplementary examination.

    3.Management should enhance confidence in the electoral process by providing cyber security for the online voting platform.

    4.Management should as a matter of urgency take a clear position aimed at alleviating the plight of students whose academic problems, probation and withdrawal were discoursed late and/or through no fault of theirs.

    5.There should be proper lighting and illumination of the entire campus.

    6.The security department should be motivated by giving them the required equipments to work with. Again, more security personnel’s should be recruited so as to increase the man-power.

    7.Student Union Leaders (SUG, PGSG, CROSSPGRASA, NACRISS and NANS) should be encouraged and motivated to work harder through veritable reward systems and empowerment.

    8.There should be regular and constant meeting between the Management, Cross River State Community, SUG, PGSG, CROSSPGRASA, NACRISS and NANS not only when there is crisis.

    9.Staff-students relationships especially the HOD’s and Examination Officers should be more cordial and collegial.

    10.University policies should be flexible and not rigid in order to enhance amicability when the need arises.

    11.Staff to staff relationship should be encouraged to be more collegial.

    12.University of Calabar and Cross River State should be put first before personal gains and also, more support should be given to management to succeed despite the slight adjustment in policies that are without doubt still for the good and benefits of the students and the University at large.

    13. CROSSPGRASA and NACRISS will no longer tolerate any form of assault on the personality of our Beloved mother (The Vice Chancellor) of our prestigious institution

    14. CROSSPGRASA and NACRISS believes in the Leadership qualities of our Esteemed Vice Chancellor; Hence pass a vote of confidence on her Leadership style.

    Finally, Cross River State Post Graduate Students’ Association, National Association of Cross River State Students and its parent body, the Cross River State Community, University of Calabar branch shall henceforth not tolerate any level of damage against the University or its Leadership, Especially, our Esteemed Vice Chancellor. Hence has immediately swung into action to bring perpetuators of this ugly and condemable acts into book.
    This is the Stand of all CrossRiverians In Unical!

    Long live University of Calabar!
    Long live cross River state!
    Long live our Amiable Vice Chancellor!
    Long live the Federal republic of Nigeria!

    Aluta continua….

    Comr. Ibok, Emmanuel Okon
    President, Cross River State Post Graduate Students’ Association, University of Calabar.

  • Women Have A Right To Vote And Be Voted For – Linda Ayade

    Women Have A Right To Vote And Be Voted For – Linda Ayade

    By Margaret Asikong —-MOI Office

    Office of the Wife of the Governor.

    The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade has said that women have a right to vote and be voted for in elections, as they can serve on boards and hold the highest offices in the land, as well as contribute in the decision- making process that will ultimately affect the people, families and communities.

    Dr. Ayade stated this recently at the Municipal Dome, Calabar Municipal Headquarters, during a symposium tagged New Voices Symposium, with the theme: “Leadership and Family Values in Women and Youth”, organized by the New Voices of the Lions Club International, District 404 A2.
    In her Keynote address on the topic: “Women in Political Leadership”, Dr. Ayade who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Survey. Dr. Gertrude Nanja Nja, said that women in Political leadership is a subject that has gained increasing interest in today’s world where women continue to be marginalized and left out of the political equation.

    According to her, when her husband, Senator Ben Ayade became the Governor of CRS, she initiated two pet projects—The Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), with its focus on development and the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI), in order to achieve political goals including women participation in politics. She disclosed that, MDF has won ongoing partnerships with several UN agencies including; United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Embassy (UN Embassy), Larfarge, First Ladies Against Cancer, amongst other partners. She stated that “with all these partners we are able to carry out various impactful interventions in the areas of health, education and sustainable livelihoods, amongst the less privileges and vulnerable in our society”.

    The Governor’s wife maintained that CROWEI was set up with the strategic objective of fighting for the political emancipation of women both in the urban and rural parts of CRS and has a simple leadership structure that boasts of membership in every ward of the 18 LGAs of the state, thereby making it easy to mobilize women in every community whenever there is a responsibility, as well as an opportunity for them, adding that women are making dramatic gains in electoral politics worldwide with some of them becoming Presidents and Prime Ministers of nations.

    She lamented the situation where Nigeria as a country continues to record low participation of women in both elective and appointive positions after 23 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999 till date, with the average of women’s political participation remaining at 6.7 percent in elective/ appointive positions, while citing an instance where out of 43 ministerial appointments by the Federal Government, only 7 are women and that currently there are only 7 women out of 109 senators and 22 women out of 360 House of Representatives members.

    She said that CRS is changing the status quo by surpassing the recommended 35% affirmative action in both elective and appointive public service positions, with CROWEI being responsible for the emergence of many women as, Commissioners, Council Chairmen, Special Advisers, Director-Generals, Chairmen of Boards, Councilors, amongst others and that if a woman is not the state Governor in 2023, a woman should be the Deputy Governor.
    Dr. Ayade lauded the efforts of Lions Club in carrying out extensive humanitarian services all over the world, focusing on areas that she is interested in and has made contributions in, such as; sight screening, donation of glasses to patients in need, cancer screening and provision of free drugs to patients, empowering the needy and less privileged in the communities, amongst others.

    She expressed thanks to the Lions Club International for the honour done her in recognizing her for an award.
    In her welcome remarks, the District Governor of Lions Club International, Lion Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi used the occasion to welcome all present, especially the wife of the Governor, while commending her for the good works she is doing in the state through her NGOs. According to her, Lions Club is a humanitarian service organization and enumerated some of their achievements in CRS to include; building a diabetic center in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), eye theatre in General Hospital, Calabar, building an E-library in the state library, carrying out free eye screening, screened 5,000 Cross Riverians on diabetes. She said that their focus in year 2022 is on diabetes, while disclosing that they are currently building an ultra-modern diabetic center in Ogoja and appealed to CRS government to support the project which has reached roofing stage and will be commissioned in April.

    Speaking on the topic “Women Empowerment through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), the Commissioner for Commerce, Barr, (Mrs.) RoseMary Archibong, said that to be a leader one must have capacity to solve the problems of others both financially and otherwise. According to her, MSME constitute the engine room for economic growth in the society and that they are beneficial to the economy for they create jobs. She admonished women to endeavor to make themselves permanent projects to their husbands and avoid losing their relevance, adding that they should be resilient and not give up on themselves due to the environment, while not neglecting the God factor as He is the multiplier and the one that gives good success.

    Highlights at the event included; presentation of an Award of Excellence to Dr. Ayade for her exceptional leadership and being a role model to the women, decoration of the Governor’s wife and her representative as automatic members of the Lions Club International by the Area Director of Lions Club International, Lion Sam Etuk, group photographs, amongst others.

  • If Not That Shamelessness Is A Key Ingredient In Nigeria Politics, APC Cross River State Cannot Be Talking About Zoning Now BY FIRST BABA ISA

    If Not That Shamelessness Is A Key Ingredient In Nigeria Politics, APC Cross River State Cannot Be Talking About Zoning Now BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    #FBIRandomThoughts – Zoning

    1. As elections approach you will hear a lot about zoning and “it is our turn”. Even if you never kn what the hoopla about zoning entails, you will have a fair grasp this period.

    2. I love the concept of zoning. It is the very essence of democracy and the foundation on which participatory democracy is built on. Anyone who doesn’t know this yet, is still a far cry from understanding the concept of democracy as it were or the person is just pretending, to serve ulterior motives. I will come to the deployment of zoning using ulterior motives, presently.

    3. Our present constitution contemplated and enshrined the concept of zoning in several sections; like the sections dealing with Federal Character or the ones mandating the president and governor to make sure their ministers and commissioners come from each state or local government as the case may be.

    4. Clearly, the constitution did not outline a framework for zoning elective positions but the point I’m making is that zoning as it were is not a foreign concept to both democracy in general and our constitution in particular.

    5. Now, the constitutional provision that mandates the President to pick at least one minister from the 36 States of the Federation makes comedy of the thinking that zoning begets mediocrity. Again, this argument is only wielded by folks with a self serving motive. Zoning is not the opposite of competence. This is 2022, there is no state, local government, ward or even village without someone competent to fill an elective position.

    6. If the electorate is ignorant or gullible, they will always elect someone incompetent; if the president or governor is incompetent and ignorant, he will always appoint incompetent people even if he picks them from every village or just one village. Zoning is not to blame.

    7. So, whenever you hear someone say, “we don’t want zoning, we want competence”, that’s the voice of deceit or ignorance talking. Zoning and competence can exist together and there is absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t. Zoning is simply an agitation for equal and fair participation. No more, no less.

    7. If you all agree that it is the turn of my family to produce the next village chief and the kingmakers or voters decided to pick the most incompetent in my family to crown chief, how is that the fault of zoning?

    8. However, we have two major problems with zoning in Nigeria; no clear cut guidelines for its implementation and the insincerity of those who mouth it. I have not seen anyone who truly believes in zoning. It is always a tool of political shenanigans to them.

    9. Let me give you just one example; the Governor of Cross River State. He recently declared that the Governor must come from Southern Cross River State based on the principle of zoning. He has been applauded as an advocate of zoning. But is he? No. Definitely not. Why? The man has a presidential ambition. He confirmed that himself.

    10. If the two major political parties are zoning their presidential ticket to the south, then it should go to the South East. An Igbo man or woman should be president. The South West has taken before, the South South has taken, so it should go to the South East. But here is a South South Governor, who is being touted as an apostle of zoning, being asked about his presidential ambition, and instead of him to say “No, I’m an advocate of zoning, so it is the turn of the South East…” But, my guy said, “I’m ready if my party wants me.” Can you imagine the insincerity.

    11. His aides and supporters in Cross River State are busy sharing his posters for president and shouting #BackToSouth for the governorship position. If double standard had a face. Even in their back to South campaign, it is the Efik, who had produced a Governor that are angling for it. Is that the spirit of zoning? No. It should go round the local governments, wards and tribes.

    12. It is even laughable that the APC, the Governor’s party today, is talking about zoning. In the last election, the Governor who is from the North was running for reelection and the APC fielded two candidates from two factions and both were from the Central! If not that shamelessness is a key ingredient in Nigeria politics, APC Cross River State cannot be talking about zoning now.

    13. So, you see, the concept of zoning, without watertight guidelines for its implementation, will remain good as an ideology but wobbly in practice. So, as much as I love the concept, it is difficult to practice. You don’t even know when someone is using it to hoodwink you.

    14. I have, therefore, resolve to promote this as much as I can but not to split unnecessary hairs about it. I will always consider it but I will not put it first in my consideration for choosing someone for an elective position. That’s why you might see me rooting for someone from the North or Central of Cross River State for Governor if they meet other terms and conditions far above the person from the South.

    15. Look out… Make person no use your head. Zoning has conveniently become a tool of political yahoo yahoo.

    – Written By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, First Baba Isa Esq and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.