The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • Ayade Calls On Enumerators To Do Thorough Work In The National Business Sample Census As Data Collected Will Form The Basis For Intervention

    Ayade Calls On Enumerators To Do Thorough Work In The National Business Sample Census As Data Collected Will Form The Basis For Intervention

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has called on the enumerators for the conduct of National Census of Commercial and Industrial Businesses (NCCIB) in Nigeria to undertake a thorough, detailed and comprehensive job, considering the significance of the data, which is to determine intervention by both World Bank and International Organizations.

    Ayade made the call while he declared open a three day training of 64 data collectors/enumerators to be deployed to the 18 local government areas of the state.

    The Governor was represented in the event by the Commissioner for Industries, Mr. Peter Egba, and held that “I want to use this opportunity to call on the enumerators undergoing this training to be more committed now than ever to ensure a thorough and detailed data collection during this exercise as the data collected from this survey will form the basis for intervention by both the World Bank and International Organizations.

    “This survey will not have come at a better time than now considering the number of industries this administration is building.
    It will provide both the government and private sector as well as farmers the opportunity to identify raw materials for a particular industry. The Feed Mill Industry for instance, necessarily follows that one should know that the need for the cultivation of yellow maize and soya beans is very necessary, since they will be off takers”

    Delivering the keynote address, the South South Zonal Controller of National Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Oboh Ismaila, noted that the exercise is going on simultaneously in all the 36 states of the federation including FCT. This exercise provides us the opportunity to right the wrongs currently going on in Nigeria.

    He revealed that this exercise was last held in Nigeria in 1997/1998.

    “Left for the federal government alone, this exercise will not hold, but the World Bank has facilitated this process.

    “Keynote address is to make appeal, I hereby appeal to cross river state government to take ownership of the process by providing the security needed by the enumerators to undertake a thorough and comprehensive job” he added.

    He called on the Commissioner, Local Government Affairs to step up and get the Local Government Chairmen on board to drive the process.

    He however charged the enumerators to brace up to the challenges associated with the tedious nature of the assignment. All the 18 LGAs, villages have been segmented and must be covered.

    Earlier, the Statistician General of the State, Dr. Josephat Ogar, stated that “policies are developed from challenges, we have gaps that will enable us to identify these challenges.
    We are gather here to train you to collect data that will enable us address these challenges. This exercise is to last for 50 days, kindly consider making yourself available to enter the nooks and crannies of the state to get data that will form the fulcrum of our developmental agenda.

    “Industries, Businesses and Enterprises in the state should support the census or Enterprise survey by making information available to the Enumerators that would come around to interview them.

    “This is so because Enterprises would be the first beneficiaries of the data which would inform interventions around Enterprise development and assistance.
    The exercise is not for taxation but purely for development planning and intervention”

    On his part, the state Acting Director of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Ogban Ammissine Usetu, noted that “since independence, Nigeria has struggled to tap properly and positively her human and material potentials to kick start and establish a very strong and sustainable industrial base, this can only happen when we put in place a strong, verifiable national and state records, statistics and sustainable supervision as I implore this programme to achieve.

    “The National and State Bureau of Statistics are to be commended for coming together to put records straight by the conduct of National Census of Commercial and Industrial Businesses. It will be very much advisable to give ample considerations by looking the direction of the micro, small and medium scale enterprises, as these are the bedrock of industrial growth in the economy”

    The National Census of Commercial and Industrial Businesses in Nigeria is organized by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with World Bank under the Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP).

    The objectives of the census is to determine the growth of businesses, both formal and informal in Nigeria, to assist in the development of a national directory of commercial and business establishments as well as provide the country with comprehensive and detailed information about the structure of the economy.

    The training is to last between 6th – 8th October, 2020 while field work is to commence from 12th October – 3rd December, 2020.

  • 40th Rotary Installation Ceremony: Mr. Sam Atsu, And 26 Others Conferred With Awards Of Different Categories Of Service.

    40th Rotary Installation Ceremony: Mr. Sam Atsu, And 26 Others Conferred With Awards Of Different Categories Of Service.

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    As part of the activities to mark the installation of the 40th President of Rotary Club of Calabar, Mr. Sam Atsu was presented with an award of Professional Service, in recognition of his unique and sterling services to the Cross River State government and the society.

    The event was held on Saturday, 3rd October, 2020 at 520 Kolanut Event Centre, Barracks Road, Calabar.

    Presenting the award, the newly installed President of the Club, Chief Peter Ojie PhD, described Mr. Sam Atsu as a gentleman of very high moral standard and repute, a technocrat who has created a niche for himself in Finance and Administration, who spent his life in the United Kingdom developing his potentials with tact and proficiency in line with global best practices.

    On invitation by the governor, Mr. Sam Atsu left his family in the United Kingdom to offer services to the Cross River State government as Senior Special Adviser on Treasury and Audit.

    Apart from the professional services he renderes, Mr. Atsu’s exceptional display of humility and humane sacrifices in the discharge of his duties is soul edifying.

    The Club’s President maintained that “Mr. Sam Atsu is not a politician, but having admired his humility and proficiency, his aura and passion for humanity which aligns completely with the tenets of Rotary Club, we have to select him for this award.

    “Mr. Sam Atsu is a gentleman to watch and I have decided to mentor him politically, when I’m done with him, he will sure be a sought after in our political space”

    Responding after the award, Mr. Sam Atsu dedicated the award to all technocrats the world over who channel their expertise to the ideals of the society for the good of the common man.

    “This award came to me a surprise, I never knew that there is something that I’m doing right that caught the attention of Rotary Club. Having come to the realization that I share similar views about life with Rotary Club, I have no reason whatsoever not to join the club.

    “I see this award as a call and motivation to sustain my services to humanity using my expertise” he added.

    Those who were awarded during the installation ceremony include: Sen. Prof. Ben Ayada, Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Emmanuel A. Akabe, Deputy Governor, Nassarawa State, Prof. Sandy Onor, Sen. Ndoma Egba, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo, Rt. Hon. Eteng J. William, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, High Chief Eugene Akeh, Mr. Chris Agara Esq, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bekomson, Prof. Thomas Agan, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, Mrs. Stella Odey-Ekpo, Mrs. Blessing Egbara amongst others.

    Rotary Club International was founded in 1905 by a Chicagoan Attorney named Paul Harris to encourage professionals with diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships for humanitarian services.
    It is an international non-profit service organization, made up of communities, business and professional Leaders united in the ideals of service to advance goodwill and peace around the world.

    The Club has over 1.22 million Rotarians organized into 35,000 Clubs and 535 Districts in over 200 countries and geographical regions.

    The club encourages high ethical standards in all circular professions.

  • Ayade Industries….Before They Shut Down – By Agba Jalingo

    Ayade Industries….Before They Shut Down – By Agba Jalingo

    By Admin

    Even with the chequered history of the Cross River state government in managing state owned companies, governor Ayade insisted from take-off that he believes government has business doing business.

    He didn’t stop there; he argued his point very explicitly, citing similar models from other parts of the world. Additionally, he has created a cluster of industries that are supposed to provide jobs for Cross Riverians and revenue to decouple the State from federal allocations, in the words of the professor governor.

    In the Ayade Industrial Park, unmistakably visible from the aircraft as you touch down Margaret Ekpo international airport, along the Goodluck Jonathan by-pass in Calabar alone, we have:

    1. Cross River state Garment Factory.

    2. Cross River State Rice Seeds And Seedlings Factory (Rice City).

    3. Cross River State Pharmaceutical Production Company (Calapharm).

    4. Cross River state Chicken Processing Plant (Calachika).

    5. Eastern Instant Noodles (CallyNoddles).

    6. The Fabrication Academy of West Africa is also located in Calabar but not in the Ayade industrial park.

    7. There is the Banana Plantation and Processing farm in Odukpani. (That one is already dead sef.)

    8. Poles, Piles and Pylon factory in Akamkpa.

    9. Ekori Toothpick Factory. I don’t know which market I have seen it, not even in government functions.

    10. Ultra Modern Cocoa Processing Factory in Ikom.

    11. Ultra Modern Rice Processing Mill in Ogoja.

    12. Roof tile Manufacturing Plant in Ogoja.

    13. Groundnut Processing Factory in Bekwara.

    But these projects are as highfaluting as they sound. Only the garment factory and the rice city have people who still resume for work with all the bottle necks and they are still paid from government purse like civil servants, while the other companies are at various levels of construction, some barely taking off, some stalled. I am not quite sure about the present state of the Ekori toothpick factory. Even the government does not patronize its own toothpick.

    The State House of Assembly has repeatedly expressed concerns about the sustainability of these companies and asked the governor to privatize them. The Speaker and the Majority Leader of the House have said in different fora that the companies were gulping more from government purse than they generate and urged the governor to privatized them. The House also passed a resolution to that effect.

    Other stakeholders have also expressed worry about the ability of the Ayade government to privatize the assets of the companies transparently owing to the lack of transparency and acquisitionist tendencies of his government.

    Also, besides the fact that these industries are over priced due to the different levels of corruption padded into the procurement processes, the shareholding and/or ownership of the Special Purpose Vehicles SPVs that were incorporated to run these companies are shrouded in ominous secrecy. Only governor Ayade, his younger brother and co-governor Franco Ayade, DG Due Process, Alphonsus Eba and Commissioner for Industry Peter Egba, seem to be abreast of those details and they are not willing to tell Cross Riverians the whole truth.

    Then, the most excruciating challenge for these companies is that the governor does not have the money and time to see his intentions through. No matter how well meaning he may be, he has put his hands in too many pies and the reality is that, he can only get enough allocation to barely pay salaries and manage to ramp a few things together before he begins his 2023 departure/survival race.

    And the possibility is that these companies will not survive after May 29, 2023, after which they will become luxury apartments for reptiles and rodents. And very painfully, the lame excuse as usual will be that “My successor failed to continue from where I stopped.”

    But right now that voices of reason are calling for a rethink, the governor will not listen. It is a familiar path. $450million was spent on developing Tinapa by Donald Duke. With all the projections and good intentions, Tinapa failed and the rest is history. Ask Ayade if he continued with Imoke’s projects and why he should expect his successor to continue with his!

    I really wish the story will change, that the graph will take a different curve, but the signs are clear that we are not, so yet again, we are on course to building another set of monuments that will stand as a painful reminder of the inability of our governor to blend, vision, passion, fantasy and reality.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #968DaysToGo
    #AyadeLegacy
    #ShineYourEyes
    #FollowOurMoney

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are strictly that of Agba Jalingo and does not represent the views of The Lumine News or its staff.

  • Obudu Local Government Chairman Calls On National Boundary Commission To Use The 1914 Lord Lugard Boundary Line For Proper Demarcation

    Obudu Local Government Chairman Calls On National Boundary Commission To Use The 1914 Lord Lugard Boundary Line For Proper Demarcation

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Boniface Ewhe has called on the National Boundary Commission NBC, to use the 1914 boundary line and bacon to properly demarcate the boundary between Benue and Cross River states to curb the incessant communal disputes between the two states.

    Hon. Ewhe made the call during the stakeholders meeting with the Cross River State Boundary Committee today, October 2nd in Government House, Calabar, in preparation for an enlarged meeting with the National Boundary Commission NBC, in Abuja.

    The Chairman named the communities affected by the lingering communal skirmishes with the Benue counterparts to include; Abonkib, Igwo, Ukwortung, Mgbenege and Ukpirinyi.

    The Chairman expressed disenchantment over the rate of destruction suffered by his people owing to the Federal Government’s inability to join the coordinates of the boundary line where beacons were not planted, Which makes it easy for the Benue counterparts to trespass and cause havoc. He however commended the steadfastness and resolve of his people to maintain law and order, while they await the intervention of the National Boundary Commission.

    The Chairman used the opportunity to commend the Chairman of the National Boundary Commission NBC, for his resolve to find lasting solution to the interstate incessant communal clashes, and charged the commission to give the demarcation exercise the urgency it deserves to avert further breakdown of law and order.

    The Council boss however commended the painstaking efforts of Sir Lord Lugard for the great job done which makes it very easy for the National Boundary Commission NBC.

    The Chairman recalled previous efforts made by the commission to resolve the boundary challenges which has always been stalled due to some reasons that have never been disclosed to the people who are at the receiving end of the tunnel, with resultant effects on lost of lives and properties Worth millions of naira. He further called NBC to swing into action expeditiously.

    Mr. Ewhe reiterates the commitment of the people of Obudu Local Government Area to maintain peace and order and called on the Cross River State government to give NBC the support it deserves to ensure that the boundary line and beacons are planted now that the National Boundary Commission NBC, is set to bring lasting solution to the affected local government areas.

    The Chairman paid special commendation to the Deputy of Cross River State who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, Prof. Ivara Esu who is also billed to lead the delegation to meet with the National Boundary Commission NBC, in Abuja for his dogged disposition and resilience in the pursuit of a lasting boundary between Cross River and neighbouring states and maintained that he is more decisive and resolute now than ever to pursue the demarcation exercise in Obudu to a logical conclusion.

  • Unity Schools To Reopen In October 12th – Adamu

    Unity Schools To Reopen In October 12th – Adamu

    Admin

    The Federal Government has directed unity schools in the country, earlier closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to reopen on October 12th, 2020.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, announced the reopening of the schools on Friday in Abuja, explained that the COVID-19 curve has been flattened.

    According to the Minister, schools across the country, are, however at liberty to fix resumption dates and ensure that there are adequate safety measures while doing so.

    Mr Adamu warned that schools that fail to adhere to outlined COVID-19 safety protocols, risk closure if there is any outbreak from such learning facilities.

    Source: Channels

  • C’River North APC Ticket : Agi Only Holding Brief For Me, Akpagu Breaks Silence

    C’River North APC Ticket : Agi Only Holding Brief For Me, Akpagu Breaks Silence

    By Inyali Peter

    The winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC Cross River North Senatorial primary, Prof. Zana Akpagu has said that he remains the legally nominated candidate of the party for the October 31st bye-election.

    Akpagu who spoke for the first time since the September 3rd APC primaries said that he’s not bothered by the decision of the party to forward another name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as candidate, assuring that his “stolen’ mandate will be retrieved.

    It will be recalled that Akpagu who’s the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (Unical) was declared winner of the primary at the collation centre in Ogoja by the Senatorial Returning Officers but Chairman of the panel, Alhaji Suleiman Nakowa later announced Joe Agi who came second in the election as winner in Abuja.

    Since the development, they have been disenchantment within the APC in Cross River with some members even threatening to mobilize against the party in the election if the winner of the primary is not allowed to fly the ticket.

    But Akpagu has urged his supporters not to panic as he was in the process of reclaiming the ticket.

    According to him: “the events of the past four weeks regarding our great party’s ticket for Cross River North has not been really palatable for every lover of democracy but we expected it as darkness and light are constantly in disagreement. For some reasons, I decided to remain quite and calm but my calmness at some point has been misconstrued for something else, hence my decision to speak through this address.

    A lot has happened and happening in our great party regarding the ticket for Senate bye-election. Our victory in the party’s primaries is already in the public domain but for whatever reason, the party through the instrumentality of some strong individuals who are tacitly working with the opposition to frustrate our Party’s chances of winning elections in the state decided to substitute my name for my brother who came second to me.

    The development has been shocking but expected. They may have succeeded in sending a wrong name to INEC as candidate but I can assure you that it’s just for a moment. It’s not yet uhuru for them because their candidate is only holding brief for us”.

    He added that “We’re more confident now than ever that the party has learned some lessons from the ugly Zamfara and Rivers States scenarios as such would not want to trade in such paths again especially now that it’s rebranding. APC cannot continue to blow its chances of winning elections by imposing people who were never properly nominated as candidate.

    If we lost in the field, we’ll have accepted defeat as democracy is all about the people. But since we did not, we’re not going to stay and watch some people with vested interests continue to destroy the party in the state for their selfish reasons”.

    The VC maintained that “We are not deterred by what has happened because for us, we know and believe that power only come from God through the people and not just a select few. There’s something we have that they don’t and that’s you, the people.

    I want to urge all our supporters to remain calm but steadfast. We didn’t come into the Senate race for a joke. We came to fight for the emancipation of our people and nothing has changed our resolve. We remain very committed and unrelentingly dedicated to seeing it through to the end not as spectators but as active participants and eventual winners”.

    While thanking his supporters and members of APC in the state for the support so far, he said “I call on all our supporters not to join our opponents in horse-trading but remain committed to the ideals that make us unbreakable and unbeatable. We’re still fully in the race and we don’t have any doubt that in the end, we’ll reclaim our stollen mandate.

    The party belongs to all of us and not a privileged few thus, we won’t rest until the impunity in Cross River State APC is sent to the abyss”.

  • Desecrating Our Institutions As A Legacy – Barr. Venatius Ikem

    Desecrating Our Institutions As A Legacy – Barr. Venatius Ikem

    By Admin

    Governor Ayade who has refused to abide by the persistent recommendations of the National Judicial Council and swear in Justice Ikpeme as Chief Judge of the state, hopes to rely on a Judicial process to advance his Political career as an affront on civilised society. To be fair, he is not hoping to rely on a legitimate judicial process because he has no legitimate case anywhere. He hopes to corrupt his way to “Justice” by obtaining illegal Court Orders.

    As it stands the Judicial arm of Govt in Cross River State is on her knees, comatose, without a Chief Judge for the first time in history because the National Judicial Council refused to do Gov Ayade’s bidding and recommend his choice as a Chief Judge of CRS! The standoff has left the state without a Chief Judge. How sad! I hope those judges in his “faction” are learning. I must commend those judges who are seeing beyond Ayade at their sacred call in the service of the motherland.

    Currently, the Governor has moved his contempt for the judiciary further to the Federal High Court of Justice sitting in Cross River State, obtaining embarrassing Court Orders against all known processes of Law, in a desperate bid to force a Senatorial Candidate as a surrogate for his return to the Senate in 2023! How much more desperate can Ayade become?

    It is becoming clear to all that Gov. Ayade’s megalomania or obsession with Power is bringing a new dimension hitherto unknown into the body Politics of Cross River State. The predictable next move will be killing of Political opponents. His brother the co-Gov is alleged to be boasting that he can do anything to opposition voices and nothing will happen! As things stand, kidnapping is on the upswing.
    We remain focused and undaunted.

    Those he labelled as “desperate” are now looking like saints! For a man overwhelmingly rejected as a monumental failure in the history of governance in our state to attempt to perpetuate himself in power against the will of the people through illegal and violent means, spells doom for the future of our state, yet most of our “enlightened” citizens are in silent subservience because we lack the courage to speak truth to power!

    Gov Ayade has desecrated all known norms and destroyed all institutions of Government, his family members throw their ill-gotten acquisitions from the public till in our faces and he continues to move deliberately to dictate what our future should look like, allegedly corrupting all institutions on his way.

    Well, some should know that there will be consequences, now or later. Already a couple of careers are on the line of destruction in the judiciary and INEC. The resistance is not sleeping. Some folks in INEC who issued unauthorized endorsement of illegal congress results know what I’m talking about as well as some Judges already making visits to the National Judicial Council.

    Let the message be clear: we must fight to redeem our state and salvage her because nobody from anywhere else is going to change things for us, but ourselves. Unless we stand up to this bully and his totalitarianism, using extant Civil society structures for good governance there will be nothing left when Gov. Ayade is done with us.. We will seek Judicial redress and file complaints against abuse of office by public Servants as become necessary. It might be slow, but Justice will surely come. Don’t despair; don’t think nothing is happening. A lot is happening. The only thing not happening is governance because the Gov has redirected all resources of government, human and material, towards fighting for his Political survival and continued relevance.

    For His Emperial Majesty’s information, The National Judicial Council, is not an arm of the Cross River State Govt that he can intimidate into submission and buy at will like the Cross River State House of Assembly! It is a body of very eminent jurists and judiciary Administrators who understand the critical role of the Judiciary in sustaining a civil society. They may not be perfect, but they know their job.

    The judiciary may have some judges who may be corrupt like all human institutions, some whose courage may fail them sometimes, but largely they are men and women who stand for Truth and Justice!

    Governor Ayade is hardly comfortable with such men and women.

    It is even terrible when you remember that Gov.Ayade claims to be a “Lawyer” or that he read Law! Actually, I have not heard him claim that he is a lawyer, just that he read Law and went to Law School. I know if he passed the Bar Examination, we would have been regaled with pictures of him in a wig or wig and gown. I am sure that very soon University of Calabar will offer him an LLM degree with distinction and before the end of his tenure an LLD. I am very sure that by that time he would have attended less than a dozen lectures!
    He is the Governor!

    Come to think of it doesn’t it surprise you that you have never seen Gov. Ayade in wig and gown? Or address himself as “Barrister” despite his love for titles? Yet we are told that he attended Law School?

    For the clergy, I wish all his spiritual Advisers many more praying hours. Of course Christ said he came for the lost sheep, not for those who are sinless. Your job has been cut out for you. Who am I to judge, seeing that we all sin differently. But remember that our land cries out for Justice and restitution…
    But remember also the prophets of yore who stood up against bad governments in their time, like Prophets Jeremiah, Elijah, John the Baptist. Those who have chosen to use the sacred scriptures to justify bad governance in return for a table in the action and taken refuge in cold complicity should remember that there is a day of reckoning for them too.

    Anyway, more relevant to us is that for all those he is paying and destroying with his mantra of “Politics with Ethics” , I wish you well but you will be remembered when the New Cross River State will emerge after the years of the locust!

    Have a great day all.

    Long live CRS!

    Vena.

    Disclaimer: This article is purely the opinion of Barr. Venatius Ikem and does not in any way reflect that of The Lumine News.

  • #29 Sacked Magistrates, Simon Utsu Writes Governor Ayade

    #29 Sacked Magistrates, Simon Utsu Writes Governor Ayade

    By Admin

    A social commentator and critique, Mr. Simon Utsu has written Governor Ben Ayade demanding the reinstatement of 29 magistrates that were sworn in since February 2019.

    Mr. Ustsu took to his verified Facebook account @Simon Utsu to call on the Governor to consider the reinstatement of these magistrates.

    Find full text of the letter:

    “Dear Gov Sir Benedict Ayade,

    “I read your reasons for delisting the 2,000 civil servants from the payroll- they were valid. By choosing to reinstate them in light of that, you did noble. Very commendable. I owe you one bottle of Jacob’s tonic wine 🍾 for that… to be delivered/redeemed when next I’m in Calabar.

    “You should also address the 29 magistrates that were sworn in since February last year but who were also sidelined and are yet to be paid. They were duly employed after a rigorous recruitment process that was advertised on national dailies.

    i

    “They were then posted to various courts across the country. 29 were sent to Cross River state but due to some differences you(Ayade) had with the former chief judge of the state, they haven’t being paid a dime in over 19 months and are not being engaged.

    “The speaker of the CRSHA Eteng Jones Williams, Deputy speaker Joseph Bassey and the leader, Peter Odinga should please do all that they can to make sure this is also resolved amicably.

    “Your administration has had the worst relationship with the judiciary since the state’s creation.

    “Kindly do all you can to make sure the relationship status changes from bad to at least good. Regularisation of the employments of the 29 magistrates currently wallowing in career limbo, is going to be a very good step in that direction. And that should be followed by the confirmation of a substantive Chief Judge in line with the directives of the NJC.

    “Happy new month to you and the family Sir.

    “Warm Regards
    Simon Utsu”

  • Sen. Sandy Onor Supports Three Constituents In Central Senatorial District To Start Business.

    Sen. Sandy Onor Supports Three Constituents In Central Senatorial District To Start Business.

    By Modlin Odu

    The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial district, Ntufam Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor have been described as a Youth friendly leader who is very concerned with their yearnings towards growth.

    This assertion was confirmed by Sylvester Okare of Osopong ward in Obubra LGA, who is one of the beneficiaries of the senator’s magnanimity. The elated Sylvester took to his verified Facebook account @Sylvester Okare to pour encomium on the Special Assistant to the distinguished senator, Miss Modlin Odu for providing the opportunity for him to benefit from the senator’s benevolence.

    Mr. Sylvester had profusely thanked the senator and referred to his as a man who understands the needs of his constituents, prayed God to enlarge his coast to enable him reach out to others.

    Okare made this disclosure when Miss Modlin Odu presented a cash donation from the cerebral Senator to three Youths of the district today, October 2nd, 2020 for skill acquisition and business initiatives.

    Other beneficiaries are Bruno Ikpi and Jerry Roland Abang alias Okosisi from Buda ward in Boki local government area.

    These personal reach out and other youth development programs soon to be launched are among the Senator’s strategies of encouraging gainful engagements of youths in the Senatorial district to enable them add value to the society in general.

    The beneficiaries thanked the Senator, describing his gesture as uncommon and thoughtful giving the challenges of the times and promised to be diligent in their respective ventures.

     

  • CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM THE HON SPEAKER, CRSHA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S 60TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY.

    CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM THE HON SPEAKER, CRSHA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S 60TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY.

    CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM THE HON SPEAKER, CRSHA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S 60TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY.

    I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari,
    GCFR, all the 36 State Governors especially, Sen. Prof. Ben. Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, on the Occasion of the 60th Independence Anniversary of our great Country, Nigeria.

    I appreciate all those who fought for Nigeria’s Independence and indeed to every Nigerian, I say congratulations.

    It is not easy to attain 60 years of age. A man at 60 is a matured man and for Nigeria, we have had uninterrupted Democracy from 1999 to date and I must say democracy is the best option of governance”

    Our Independence represents freedom from oppression and I wish to also use this auspicious occasion to advise every Nigerian to stay closer to God. Nigerians should think of what to do to better the lives of fellow Nigerians.

    We must all; think Nigeria, think Cross River!

    God bless Nigeria!

    Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams,
    Speaker, CRSHA