The Lumine News

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  • Why The Authentic List Of PDP Ward And Chapter Exco Is Sacrosant BY JARIGBE AGOM JARIGBE

     

    I have watched patiently from the sidelines as our party is being dragged and muddled in the mud by persons whose sole intentions are to cause commotion within the party and destroy it perpetually before eventually moving to another party they’d been hobnobbing with in the last few years.

    To prevent our party from imploding, I have therefore, decided to speak out to project my voice of reason on why we must embrace the rule of law, equity and justice to resolve the lingering issues rather than continuing on the current arbitrariness and authoritarianism which we have all seen to be counter productive.

    It is my well considered opinion that, the subsisting result of the the PDP Ward and Chapter Congresses in CRS is Sacrosanct and must not be tempered with under any guise or pretensions. The reason for towing this line of action fastidiously is that the congresses followed due processes and were conducted in line with the guidelines of the PDP and monitored by INEC as required by law.

    The Authentic list was ratified by the NWC of the Party and Certified by INEC. Today, as I write, both INEC and the Party have the Authentic list. I went to Court, when I discovered that the governor’s group was trying to substitute the list with a concocted list put together by the Governor himself, his younger brother, Frank and some of their cronies.

    My decision to approach the court was to give legal backing to the Authentic list and to pre-empt and stop the Party from yielding to pressure from the governor to manipulate and alter the list in his group’s favour.

    At the trial, the Authentic list was affirmed by the Trial Court and the governor’s group lost out. The Judgment was appealed against me by the governor’s group. Again, the judgment was upheld by both the Appeal and the Supreme Courts. The Judgment of the Apex Court, finally resolved the matter and put the controversy to rest. The Judgment was given on January 6, 2021.

    I will like to know what would have happened if I had lost at both the appellate and supreme Courts, would they have accepted the victory or not? Surely, they would have insisted that the ruling remains sacrosanct and that’s what I am also insisting to be done. To underscore the authenticity of the Authentic list, it was used thereafter in the conduct of the Primary for the Senate By-election and also used for the zonal congress which held in Port Harcourt recently.

    It is my humble view that the Reconciliation Committee effort forced on the party by a self centred group that must win at all times is an after thought and cannot achieve anything. If it is with regards to the Ward and Chapter Excos, it is far too late in the day to contemplate such a mission because any alteration to the authentic list is contemptuous to the apex court’s ruling.

    I believe strongly and rightly so too that the NWC knows that the Authentic list is sacrosanct. The Party Leadership would not want to be charged for Contempt. I need to stridently sound this note of warning because of the grievous implications of tampering or causing an alteration to Authentic list.

    For one, the implication of altering that list is that the PDP in Cross River State will not be able to file Candidates that are validly nominated in 2023. The main Opposition Party in the State will take every available position. The reason why we would have such an outcome is that an illegal Exco cannot vote to nominate a candidate meaning that you cannot put something on nothing.

    Furthermore, I consider it grossly inappropriate for the NWC to be an accused and a judge, it certainly cannot Approbate and Reprobate. The Committee which had earlier ratified the list cannot in all intent and purpose make a volte face turnaround to alter it in just one fell swoop even after using the list in obedience to subsisting Court judgement.

    I am worried about the fate of our party because of the vultures hovering overheard. We see ominous signs in the horizon orchestrated by Agents who have been sent to destroy our Party. They are the ones hired to play the hatchet role of destroying causing acrimony with intent to destroy the party before moving to another party. Not too long ago, we were witnesses to an open romance between our leader and the ruling party. This is not the first time. Can we please ask Governor Ben Ayade, the outcome of his meeting with the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC? Can we also ask him the outcome of the meeting he had with some APC bigwigs in the Villa?

    I recognise that some of our leaders have inordinate ambitions and are blinded to the realities. I wish them luck. For me, I strongly advise against and will not subscribe to political rascality and disobedience to Judgments of Courts.

    I would also want to put on notice that I will not hesitate to facilitate an action against anyone who decides to be contemptuous. The National Organising Secretary is the Custodian of the Authentic list and I do not see him compromising his integrity. Going forward, can I also suggest that we probe to find out all those who contributed funds to the APC in 2019? If we do, are we sure we will not find contributions from some PDP governors including our own? I am not a purveyor of bad news but cannot be fooled either.

    This Party belongs to all of us. I am a major stakeholders. If that list is altered anywhere, the Party dies in Cross River State. Let the Committee move on and try to harmonize the various interests, moving forward as we gravitate towards the State Congress and National Convention.

    We must preserve the supremacy and not kill the Party, in trying to make one person happy in Cross River State. Whatever we do differently to that list now, is an illegality that cannot be swept under carpet. We have Party members whose tenures are already running as ward and Chapter Exco members. Any attempt at dropping them, will definitely be resisted. The Courts are there. Those who want to leave the Party, should be honorable enough to leave, without destroying our Party. The Party made them and the least they can do, is to leave it the way they met it. They should not accept the role of being the hatchet men.

    My advice to the reconciliation committee is to do a dispassionate report, taking into consideration the legality or otherwise of altering the Authentic list, being men of proven integrity, with track records of service delivery. Those attributes are not about to be eroded, due to extraneous influences and manipulations.

    Remember that, for some of us who have been fought by the Party, to please the Governor, we are already down and therefore, fear no fall. We have been widely and openly discriminated against, not minding our consistent loyalty to the party. Yet, we are assets to the Party in our various Constituencies.

    To be accorded our dues, we must not have the treasury of the State in our hands. As grassroots politicians, we don’t need the State’s treasury to win our elections. Did Hon Alex Egbona have access to the Treasury of the State when he went to the House of Representatives in 2015?

    I know the governors that contribute to the existence and sustenance of PDP in this Country, while some sit on the fence, flirt around and play games with all the other Parties, for their personal benefits. This is not the time to play the ostrich. The Party has to move on.

    Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

    (Senator-Elect)

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and does not represent Theluminenews or the organization he works for.

  • UNFPA Partners CRSG, Holds Training On Gender Based Violence In Emergencies

    By Izukah Favour

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Cross River State, organized a 4-day training programme on Gender based Based violence Violence in Emergencies (GBViE), to cushion the effects of the increasing number of people affected by gender based violence in the world, particularly in Cross River State.

    The training which was held at Danic Hotels, Calabar for four days, (April 26th, 2021 to April 29th, 2021) had in attendance major stakeholders and service providers responding to cases of GBV in the state.

    According to UNFPA, the aim of the training was “to increase the knowledge, skills and professional competencies of state and non- state actors to provide effective services to GBV survivors in humanitarian settings”.

    During the training, selected facilitators addressed participants on Gender gender based violence, approaches to gender based violence as well as effective ways to handle cases of gender based violence in the field.

    Speaking during the training, the UNFPA FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Analyst Ms. Theresa Adah, reiterated the need for cases of GBV to be treated as urgent.

    According to her, Gender gender based violence is a life threatening, global health and human issue that violates international law and the principles of gender equality.

    She stressed that failure to address cases of GBV with urgency will lead to a continuous cycle of violence.

    Ms. Adah hinted on the major factors contributing to the increasing cases of Gender gender based violence which she listed as; the make-up of the community/ communities and family systems, Gender gender inequality and discrimination.

    Participants were advised at the training that in delivering humanitarian services to cases of Gender gender based violence survivors, “it is important that protection of survivors is central”.

    Participants were also educated on their primary objective as humanitarian workers and service providers while handling cases of GBV, which is to “alleviate suffering, save lives and maintain human dignity.”

    The training however highlighted the community approach as a strategic way to reduce Gender gender based violence to its barest minimum.

    Speaking on the event and its partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Commissioner, Ministry of Women affairs, Mrs Rita Agbo Ayim, stated that the partnership between UNFPA and the ministry was very important especially as the number of gender based violence cases is on the increase in the state.

    She averred that the ministry is a mother umbrella and as such, collaborations and partnerships like this training, are always welcomed as they help the ministry to effectively carry out its function especially in addressing cases of gender based violence.

    “The Ministry of Women Affairs is the mother umbrella and we are expected to collaborate and work with all partners to ensure that the result is achieved”.

    Ayim advised perpetrators of Gender gender based violence to desist from the act as the law would not compromise in dealing with perpetrators.

    The Commissioner thanked UNFPA for the training as she maintained that the knowledge acquired would be used by participants to scale up their services in the field.

    She urged participants to ensure that they make use of the information learnt to effectively carry provide their services.

    “Let us ensure that the impact of this training is felt while we are at the field”. She added.

    Speaking during the training, The Head of Office, UNFPA Cross River Sub-office, Calabar, Dr. Omolaso Omosehin, stated that the reason for the training was due to increase in the cases of Gender based violence in the state.

    According to him, “one in 3 women have been assaulted globally by a close intimate partner”.

    Speaking further, he stressed that in Nigeria, the situation has increased due to the crisis in Cameron.

    “Particularly in Cross River State, we have a high number of survivors who have migrated from Cameron. Humanitarian workers and service providers in the field are facing so many challenges, hence, the need for the training.

    “We know that humanitarian workers face a lot of challenges trying to see to the needs of the refugees.

    “We decided that it was necessary for those who manage GBV survivors as well as refugees are well trained and that is why the training is very important”.

    He maintained that the training would help strengthen the capacities of humanitarian workers and GBV service providers in the state.

    He disclosed that UNFPA expects participants to train others who were not able to attend the training and put to practice what has been learnt.

  • APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    The All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State has commended the leader of the party in the state and Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, for facilitating grant for 200 women from the state.

    In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Bassey Ita, the party said that they were overwhelmed by the gesture and efforts of the Minister to reconnect the Federal Government and Members of the party in the state especially in the area of social inclusion agenda.

    Recall that recently, some women numbering two hundred (200) were shortlisted for payment of N20,000 each under the Special Grant for Rural (poor) Women component of the Social Investment Programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and superintended by the Minister, Hajia Sadiya Farouq.

    Instrumental to the shortlisting and facilitation of the payment of the money to at least, eleven women from across the 18 local government area of the state was the Honourable Minister of State, Power
    ,Jedy-Agba.

    Excited by the development, APC said that
    under the leadership of the Minister, “in view of the responsibility given us as a party to mobilize the rural women who were mostly members of our great party to benefit from the programme,we most heartily appreciate the Honourable Minister for this great gesture.

    We are particularly overwhelmed with joy and confidence that a new dawn beacons which brings a gapping reconnect between the Federal Government and Members of our party in the state especially in the area of social inclusion agenda”.

    The party assured that “we are confident that, tomorrow counts for our party with the illumination that today’s gesture of the Honourable Minister has brought” .

    The APC added that “the grips of pervasive injustice which usually come from the outcry of isolation and neglect in earning from our central government has been relaxed as gleaned from the aforementioned.

    Our members can now heave a sigh of relief that indeed, the special largesse to our party women has open a new vista of opportunity to talk more rural women and men alike into the APC fold which had hitherto been Herculean to achieve for the pervasive injustice”.

    While noting that the party looks forward to having many more such robust gestures from the Minister and other party leaders in government, they insisted that the current party leadership in the state remains the only rallying point to appropriate developmental options meant for members.

    “The responsibility of sustaining the existing peaceful atmosphere we have so far enjoyed in the party is a burden we have resolved to shoulder, and we wish to submit that we shall continue to disallow undue sentiments whatsoever arising from distribution of opportunities to take toll on our hard earned stability.

    Honourable Minister Sir, we congratulate you once again for the gesture and for the confidence reposed in the party to mobilize our women for the special grants”.

  • Ayade’s Chief Of Staff, Hon. Martin Orim Donates Vehicle To First Priest From Wife’s Community

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Hon. Martin Orim has donated a vehicle to the first to be ordained priest from the Roman Catholic Mission RCM Bedia.

    The Soon to be ordained priest, Rev. Jeremiah Udida will be the first priest from Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area, where the wife of the Chief of Staff hails from.

    Hon. Orim had pledged the vehicle during the thanksgiving ceremony of Major General Parker Undiandeye at RCM Bedia.

    During the thanksgiving, the Priest In Charge of RCM Bedia, Rev. Fr. Paschal Ngang had told the congregation that the major challenge faced by the church was how to purchase a car for the new Priestley’s to be ordained.

    Announcing the donation, the Priest In Charge of RCM Bedia, Rev. Fr. Pascal Ngang wrote, “I just got this car for the first priest of Bedia origin to be ordained on Saturday the 8th of May, 2021,” as he shared images of the red Toyota Corolla on Saturday.

    Rev. Jeremiah Udida is among the ten Deacons to be ordained priests for the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja on the 8th of May, 2021 at St. Benedict Cathedral Ogoja, as part of the activities for the centenary celebration of the diocese.

  • Saviour Orim, Obudu Born Primary One Grammarian To Meet Patrick Obahiagbon In Abuja.

    By Elijah Ugani

    Former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon, the Igodo-migodo, has reached out to the father of Master Saviour Orim from Ufambe – Ubang in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Master Saviour Orim who has trended recently in video is reported to be a primary one pupil. The video got the internet trending with commentators wondering the mastery at which a primary one pupil could display while chunking out grammar effortlessly.

    Master Savior is said to have wished to speak like the former lawmaker. The video got the attention of Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon and he wants to meet the primary one grammarian.

    Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon wants to mentor Master Savior Orim and pay his fees till University.

    Information available to TheLumineNews indicates that arrangement has been concluded between Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon and the father of Master Savior to be flown to Abuja next week.

    TheLumineNews was the first to indicate interest to offer Master Savior Orim scholarship, GFO Orim Foundation announced a scholarship up to the university for Master Savior Orim, and Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon has also announced scholarship up to the university for Master Savior.

  • The Akpanke Foundation Empowers A Cripple With Wheel Chair, Sewing Machine And A Shop To Start Business

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Akpanke Foundation has come to the rescue of a cripple who despites all odds a learned a trade but could not afford a shop and a sewing machine to start up her own business.

    The Founder of The Akpanke Foundation, Mr. Peter Akpanke took to his Facebook page to share his emotions when he met with the cripple.

    He said “On Friday Evening, my dear Friend and Spiritual director of The Akpanke Foundation, Very Rev Fr Roger Mowang talked to me about a certain physically disabled girl who despite her situation, struggled to acquire a skill but needed basic equipments to start up.

    “Since I was home, my team and I accompanied by some friends decided to Pay the said girl whom I didn’t know a surprise visit in her house. It was an unbelievable reality for this young lady, her mother and other siblings.

    “I broke down in tears at some point not because I interfaced with a physically disabled person, perhaps by virtue of my chosen path of service to humanity,it has become normal that I meet this category of people every day. But yesterday’s case was particular because it gave me and almost every body who was present the opportunity to reflect and be reminded that we are who ever we are because of the grace of God. I don’t think i have been that emotional in recent times like I was yesterday.

    “By the grace of God, young Agnes today now has a wheel chair, sewing machine, a shop and some Projects to start up with courtesy of The Akpanke Foundation.

    “I decided to share this story to inspire those who are currently going through challenging situations and those who feel limited by the financial periscope of things in their family. Where you come from or what you are shouldn’t determine what or who you will tomorrow. Agnes would have decided to leverage on her condition by begging for arms on the street like others with similar disabilities, but she decided to confront her limitations in the battle for survival and she’s winning .

    “The shoes some of us now wear in the society today once look expensive even in thoughts, but we thank God for bringing us thus far. Even if others believe in their horses and chariots, I will always hold on to the name of the Lord.

    “The battle is Against poverty..
    Let’s join hands in bridging the Gap…”

  • NANNM Commends Chief Joe Obi Bisong, Confers Award Of Honour On Him

     

    The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institution Sector, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, has commended the Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Chief Joe Obi Bisong for his display of professionalism in service, mentorship, and immense contribution to the nursing profession in particular and humanity in general. Speaking at the NANNM(FNPH, Calabar) Send-Off Party in honour of 38 retirees on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, NANNM Chairman, FNPH, Calabar, Mr Monday Patrick Anake described Chief Joe Obi Bisong as a qualified, certified and experienced nurse whose drive for empathy is worth emulating.

    In his speech, Chief Bisong who served as Chairman of the occasion poured encomium on the Medical Director, Dr Bassey Edet whom he described as “A man who combines competence and excellence” as he delved into what inspired him into the nursing profession: “The watch worn by nurses that time was not a common thing; they hung it on the chest protruding downward with two clear biros of which one must be red and one could be either black or blue. The immacularity of the uniform was another thing, sparkling uniform. But, the major drive for me was empathy. I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of the other person. These factors drew my admiration to the nursing profession.”

    Short of his expectations, Chief Bisong lamented the twist of hope that befell him as he said: “From my first day in the school of nursing my expectations were very different from what I came to meet. I thought I was going into an institution where there was going to be freedom, where there was going to be a lot of things. But, when I got there the very first thing they told me with emphasis was “this is nursing. The actions ordinary you could have carried out and become a stepping stone for the growth of the profession were said to be an affront to the profession. Questions for clarification were said to be disrespectful. This became the issue.”

    In a congratulatory message to the retirees Chief Bisong said: “In an event such as this where people have put in 35 years of meritorious service, it’s no mean feat and all we need to say to them is congratulations”. He lamented the poor preparation of workers towards retirement as he said: “It is a dangerous situation when you work for 35 years and retire without a house of your own and your children are still in school. Pension is supposed to be the money you use to buy drug supplements, eat good food and enjoy yourself. Having made this fundamental mistake and you begin to train your children with pension is not a very good development. We don’t use pension to build houses. When you begin to wait for monthly pension just to buy one or two bags of cement, that also is not a very good situation. If you are hit by health challenge in the course of such you discover that you would be buried in an uncompleted building.”

    The event drew the presence of representatives of national executive of NANNM, serving and retired nurses, and families and friends of retirees.

  • Caterpillar Movement Reacts To Francis Etang’s Article: Cross River State Power Rotation, Whither Prof. Sandy Onor Ambition From Central

     

    The attention of the Caterpillar Movement has been drawn to an article captioned “CROSS RIVER STATE POWER ROTATION, WHITHER PROF SANDY ONOR AMBITION FROM CENTRAL” circulating on the social media purportedly authored by one Mr Francis Etang for himself and assumed principals.

    Ordinarily the Caterpillar Movement would have chosen to ignore the baseless and unfounded allegations whose sole purpose is to smear the name and integrity of our principal, Distinguished Senator Prof. Sandy Onor, the incumbent Senator representing the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. But we decided to respond for the sake of posterity and history; More so to save the discerning public from the pernicious diatribes inherent in the hallucinatory article of an ill informed person.

    The said article is expressly malicious, frivolous, tenuous and laden with tissues of distorted facts, half truths, spurious and unsubstantiated claims against the person of the Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor.
    It is noteworthy to state unequivocally that the said article is pedestrian and infantile and falls within the limited knowledge and imagination of the author whose sole purpose is to hoodwink the discerning public, discredit the imprimatur of the Caterpillar Movement and cause unnecessary anxiety in the politics of our dear state.

    In view of the aforesaid, we wish to address some of the jaundiced issues raised in the write up.

    1. Admittedly, the said Francis Etang confirmed that the Ejagham Speaking Nation in Cross River State are the largest group spread across the three Senatorial Districts; Unfortunately the same person accused Distinguished Senator Prof Sandy Onor of whipping the Ejagham sentiment for Governorship in many fora. Assuming without conceding that the above claim from Mr Etang is true, what is wrong with an Ejagham Man aspiring and becoming Governor of Cross River State? We make bold to state that Senator Prof Sandy ONOR is a patriotic citizen and imminently qualified to aspire for any office in the land without necessarily whipping ethnic sentiments.

    2. On the issue of Zoning, the author not only lacks the basic information but he is totally clueless on the issues bothering on the subject matter and ended up confusing himself. He stated that:
    “one of the topics of discussion as the 2023 elections draws near is the rotation of the office of the Governor of the state, which has gone round the three Senatorial Districts, which was HITHERTO NOT PART OF THE AGREEMENT.”
    So, what was the content of the agreement?

    He went further to claim that “the South ought to have taken power back immediately after His Excellency Liyel Imoke as the POWER ROTATION was between CALABAR and OGOJA”. From the above Premise, one can easily deduce the double-tongued nature of the writer who ended up approbating and reprobating at the same time. How can someone who claimed that there was hitherto no agreement for Zoning, also claim in another twist that there was a Zoning arrangement of Power Rotation between the old CALABAR and OGOJA Province? If his claims are anything to go by, one wonders on which premise he is now basing his argument for an exclusive zoning to the Southern Senatorial District after alluding to the fact that there was never anything called Zoning in Cross River State politics. Let us further reiterate that between the period of 1999- 2019, there was never any form of Exclusive Zoning in Cross River State, as election in Cross River State was a free for all affair for the three Senatorial Districts in Cross River State. Now, let us further assume without conceding that there was an agreement for Zoning between the Calabar and Ogoja Province, who then were signatories to this zoning agreement between the Calabar and Ogoja Province? Was it a political party affair or the collective agreement of the people of the State? Put differently, are these agents of geo-ethnic division not aware that the calabar-ogoja accord was founded on a completely different aspiration located within a different geopolitical context? In any case,this accord was suggested in the hay days of the defunct cross river state, which is today Akwa ibom and the present cross river state and accordingly, the geopolitical dynamics that characterised the past and present situations are completely different.

    3. On his claim that Distinguished Senator Prof Sandy Onor is stretching his luck too far, we wish to reiterate that it is foolhardy for one to place the cart before the horse. Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor is too busy with the business of delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents and working for the stability of the party, hence he is not perturbed by the shenanigans of people who lack the decorum to understand that POWER comes from God and not from the postulation of man about Largest or Smallest Local Government Area or even Senatorial district or ethnic group.

    4. On the claim that the Distinguished Senator has hobnobbed with different Political Parties within the last ten years,
    we state without contradiction that the writer of this thrash lied from the pit of hell. Since after leaving the APP for PDP in 2002 on completion of his sterling tour as chairman of Etung, Senator Onor has remained for over a decade, consistent with the PDP, discharging roles placed on his shoulders with commendable aplomb and huge positive impact.
    Sen. PROF Sandy ONOR has never been a member of ACN. Infact, the said photograph of Sandy ONOR which this serial liar cited and claimed to be a picture of Onor as an Agent of ACN was the picture taken in INEC office, Calabar with sandy Onor as the PDP agent defending the interests of the party. The issues surrounding his senatorial election in 2015 are well known by all PDP faithfuls and need no further elaboration in order to let sleeping dogs be.

    5. For emphasis, it was because of his rare leadership qualities and love for humanity, that the good people of Central Cross River Senatorial District gave him their mandate to represent them as Senator in the 9th Assembly of the Nigerian Senate, under the platform of the PDP, where he has distinguished himself in a very short time. Let us further state that the PDP faithfuls know who is with them and who is against them, and when the chips are down, they shall separate the chaff from the wheat.

    Interestingly, the Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor is just too busy alongside other progressive members of his party, building bridges across all divides of our polity for the good of all the people, to concern himself with spurious accounts of ill informed paid agents.

    6. While we understand that the fictitious write-up does not represent the thoughts and best interests of the majority of the good people of the southern Senatorial District because of the inconsistencies and narrowness of the writer,
    we wish to categorically state that Distinguished Senator Prof Sandy Onor is not opposed to anybody, Senatorial District or ethnic group contesting for the office of the Governor in Cross River State, come 2023.

    Let it be placed on record that it was Sandy Onor, alongside other young progressives who nurtured, supported and actualized the idea of an Efik Governorship in 1999. He has therefore paid his dues as a broadminded patriot and believer in the Cross River project and would appeal to all those interested in the Governorship of Cross River State, to break free from the odious cocoon of geographic politics and endear themselves to the people based on who they are and what they can do to better the lives of majority of Cross Riverians.

    On his ambition come 2023, the distinguished Senator has resolved to speak when the moment summons him and he would do so with Biblical boldness to the satisfaction of majority of PDP faithfuls and Cross Riverians at large.

    God Bless Cross River State.

    From all of us in
    THE CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT
    HON (Chief)
    Joe Obi Bisong.
    DIRECTOR GENERAL

  • Minister Unveils First Fully Operational Solar Power Facility For Nigerian Mall In Abuja

     

    The ongoing power sector reforms by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration recorded another huge achievement yesterday as the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, and other industry stakeholders unveiled the 609kWp solar power facility to energize the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja.

    The project which was formally activated by United Kingdom company, Actis along with developer, CrossBoundary Energy, (CBE)
    one year ago, is the first fully operational solar rooftop facility for a Nigeran mall and the second power purchase agreement (PPA) for one of Actis’ malls in
    Africa.

    Speaking after touring the facility, Agba commended the team of expert’s vision for providing clean energy to one of the largest malls in Nigeria.

    He said that “the solar hybrid project at Jabi Lake Mall is another example of Nigeria’s pioneering role in clean energy transition and also highlights the critical role Nigeria is already playing in the UK COP26 Energy Transition Council”.

    The Minister commended the efforts of partners in providing support for the implementation of the federal government Energizing Economies Initiative programme (EEI) .

    He assured that the Jabi Lake solar power project is one of the many others to be inaugurated in Nigeria in the coming months.

    On his part, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency, the implementing agency, Engr. Salihijo Ahmad commended the team for maintaining such a sustainable design.

    While explaining that the EEI supports the rapid deployment of renewable energy solutions to provide clean, safe, affordable and reliable energy to economic clusters such as markets, shopping centers and industrial facilities, he added that through EEI, businesses are already being sustainably powered across Nigeria.

    Also speaking, the United Nations Special Representative of Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, says “this represents a good example of UK private sector companies like Actis implementing sustainable clean energy transition projects at scale across the African continent, with a particular focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UK’s COP26 Energy Transition Campaign.”

    Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Ben Llewelyn-Jones, noted that, “the solar installation at Jabi Lake Mall represents a pioneering initiative by Actis, a UK managed investment firm, to commit to the pressing sustainable initiatives in Africa while adhering to sound economic principles. It serves as a case study for others to emulate.

    “I am delighted that Nigeria is a prominent member of the COP26 Energy Transition Council, which seeks to accelerate the transition to clean power as part of a green economic recovery, through enhanced cooperation.”

    On his part, Principal at Actis, Tolu Sokenu, said, “We are very proud to be Nigeria’s first mall powered with solar energy. As pioneers in Sub-Saharan Africa’s commercial real estate space, we wanted to show that incorporating environmental sustainability energy efficient buildings across the continent is achievable. It supports our mission to reduce our carbon footprint and have a positive impact on the environment. It will also heavily reduce our reliance on grid and diesel while providing energy savings for the mall.”

    Head of Business Development for CrossBoundary Energy, James Shoetan, added that “now that we’ve commissioned this solar plant, CBE is providing Jabi Lake Mall with cleaner, cheaper, reliable power and with no upfront cost or technical risk. It’s fantastic to work with early adopters like Actis, who can inspire like-minded businesses in the region to make the switch to solar.“

    There are 1,848 solar PV modules located on the roof of the mall which generates approximately 850MWh per year of electricity. Besides cutting energy costs, the solar facility will cut Jabi Lake Mall’s reliance on polluting diesel generators and will reduce carbon emissions by over 13,000 tonnes in line with the Paris agreement and sustainable development goals.

    Jabi Lake Mall, located next to Jabi Lake in Abuja. The mall building adopted a “green-by-design” approach, guided by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainability principles to accommodate solar renewable energy.

  • Innovate To Meet The New Normal, Dr. Linda Ayade Tells Staff.

     

    The President of the Mediatrix Development Foundation and wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade, has said that the COVID-19 pandemic had created a new normal, and as such, visionary organizations must adopt new ways of doing things to achieve their developmental goals rather than waiting and wishing that things will return to how they used to be.

    Speaking during an interactive session with staff of the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), Dr. Ayade encouraged the staff to be especially creative in adopting new approaches in managing their school-based projects as the present reality no more encourages large gatherings, hence affecting the operations of the MDF Health Clubs in various schools across the state.

    The Founder then called on all staff to put on their thinking caps and come up with innovative approaches in impacting communities in 2021 while tasking the management to step down trainings to the new staff.

    Speaking earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of MDF, Mr. Jeffrey Adamade, briefed the President on the 2020 partnerships which he described as successful. MDF implemented various projects in the year under review including Peaceful Co-existence with UNHCR; the TAFT project focusing on empowerment of Refugees and Host communities in Akamkpa with UNWOMEN; and, the US Embassy-funded small grant project respectively.

    About 15 of the 28 staff of MDF were present in the Calabar office during the interaction and each staff had the opportunity to share their experiences since joining the organization.

    The Governor’s wife encouraged the staff to be diligent in their work and to consider their contributions to the NGO as an investment into humanity and their own career growth.