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Author: The Lumine News

Eight Corps Members Bags Governor Award, 12 To Repeat The Service Year As NYSC Passed Out 778 In Cross River

By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

Out of the 778 Corps Members of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream II, 8 have carted away State Governor’s award, 3 received merit awards from the NYSC governing board chairman, 9 got Commendation letters from the State Coordinator while 12 are to repeat the service year.

The State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Nakamba disclosed this through the Assistant Director in charge of Reward and Discipline at the NYSC Cross River state Secretariat, Calabar, Mr. Abel Udofia on the occasion of the low-key passing out ceremony held across NYSC offices at the 18 local government areas of the state.

While on a monitoring trip to the various local government areas, the Coordinator, showered encomiums on the Corps Members for playing prominent roles in their various host communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance of both staff and Corps Members to health guidelines put in place to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“Gentlemen Corps Members, I salute the speed with which you responded to the fight against COVID-19 under my watch. Despite the option made available by NYSC Directorate Headquarters for you to go home, some of you who stayed behind and were able to contribute meaningfully through the production of nose masks.

“Worthy of mention is the cooperation from the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, Team in the state who tirelessly produced nose masks across the 4 NYSC Zonal formations. This truly indicates the trainings given to you during your Orientation Course did not go in vain. May God reward you abundantly”, the Coordinator stated.

Sharing her experience and joy, Corps Member Alexandra Tochi Chibueze who emerged winner of Miss NYSC for the Batch wished that the service year be extended. “It has been so far a learning process. For every step of the way, there was always something new to discover. I find the whole journey so interesting; I don’t even want it to end. Sadly, everything that has a beginning has an end. The saddest part of it is that it won’t even be a party courtesy of the pandemic and the mere thought of it is depressing and really sad. But it’s better to be safe than sick”, she expressed.

Chibueze who is one of the winners of the Governor’s award further mentioned that the service year shaped her mentality and perspective of life. She said, “It has served as an eye opener to what is really obtainable in the society outside the comfort of home. It has created a platform for self discovery and has encouraged me to be a better citizen. It has also allowed me to serve as an instrument in contributing to national development”.

July 16, 2020
Prof John Inyang Delivers N45 Million To Amunga, Busafong Communities Of Obanliku

By Admin

The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Prof. John Ofem Inyang has delivered a forty five million naira (N45m) cheque to Amunga and Busafong communities of Obanliku Local Government Area.

As compensation for the 44,000 hectares [Busafong] and 77,000 hectares [Amunga] of lands which the State Government acquired for a proposed resort and tourism consort, Busafong community received a cheque of twenty million naira (N20m) while Amunga community received twenty five million naira (N25m).

Issuing the cheques to the representatives of Amunga and Busafong communities, Barr. Boniface Abadem and Barr. Anthony Obi, respectively, Prof. Inyang praised his boss, Governor Benedict Ayade for having the people of both communities and even the entire Obanliku at heart, even with a very low state allocation.

The Lands Commissioner while appealing to the communities to corporate with the state government, highlighted the benefits which abound for the community now and even the generations to come; “I crave the indulgence of Amunga and Busafong communities to corporate with the state government because their children are going to benefit from this projects. These are projects that will create employment, transform your economy and announce your culture and social behavior to the world,” Prof. Inyang said.

Applauding the State Governor for redeeming his portion of the bargain by availing the communities their respective compensation package, Prof. Inyang said; “This is one of the biggest ceremonies that we often experience as a ministry. It is always gratifying for us when we get to this point where the government of the state will release compensation as agreed with a community; and today we are here to do a formal presentation of this compensation”.

In their respective responses, the representatives of the both communities appreciated the State Government and further promised to utilize every opportunity given them by pushing Obanliku to the brim of its development.

July 16, 2020
Alleged CRN Elders Resolution : Don’t misconstrue PDP committee of friends as that of the NORTH

By Concerned APC faithfuls

Concerned faithfuls of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Northern senatorial district of Cross River State have reacted to the committee of friends meeting conveyed by Gen. Anthony UKpo Rtd. and claimed that it was a northern stakeholders meeting, and call on all well meaning constituents of the district to disregard such hallucinations and held that such resolutions was a figment of the imagination of the committee of friends.

Find full text of the release by the concerned APC faithfuls who pledged anonymity.

“Some PDP leaders from the north allegedly met on the 8th of July to chat over some bottles of wine and today, people are circulating a release allegedly issued by them as resolutions concerning the forthcoming Cross River North bye-election. In all honesty, even they themselves know that the resolutions would be obeyed only in the breach.

“The shocking but inconsequential
document reportedly retained the Senate seat in Ogoja/Yala federal constituency. And in 2023, they zoned the Senate seat again to Ogoja which is still part of the federal constituency.

“Our highly respected elders contradicted themselves when they used federal constituency to zone the bye-election but used local government to zone that of 2023.

“How can you tell other local government to hands off the bye-election for 0goja/Yala federal constituency but in another resolution say Ogoja which is part of the same constituency should get the seat in 2023?

“Besides, the convener of the forum Gen. Anthony Ukpo and the Secretary, Leonard Anyogo are from Yala. In fact, out of the seven persons that allegedly met to take the non-implementable decision, three are from Yala. This explains why the resolutions were purely a Yala and Ogoja thing and nothing more.

“To be modest, what they’ve done is nothing but complete abuse on the collective sensibilities of the entire Northern senatorial district and should be disregarded in its entirety. This is because some people are obviously taking the entire zone for granted otherwise, how can you explain the decision to call a meeting that favours only one federal constituency in two separate Democratic tenures?

“In any case, they made a grievous mistake by calling Gen. UKpo PDP committee of friends meeting a Northern Elders’ Forum Meeting. We don’t need a soothsayer to tell us that even in PDP, this document cannot hold sway, not to talk of other political parties.

“Nobody should misconstrue a meeting of friends skewed to favour a particular local government and federal constituency to a meeting of the North. If they are interested in peacefully resolving the issues surrounding the bye-election, then the set up of the forum should be all inclusive. Leaders of all parties and youths organizations should be involved and not just a few friends.

July 16, 2020
Misconstruing Joe Agi’s (SAN) Rhetorics By Infant Terrible

By Ogar Emmanuel Oko

Yesterday didn’t pass quietly as it ought to have been as far as social media in relation to northern political domain is concerned. This disquietness was given steam by rabble rousing activities of yayo induced fellows.

While the good and peaceful people of Bekwarra nation were busy in their characteristic industrious, innovative, hospitable and easygoing way of life at the farm; office, market, worship centre and at home, their peace and esteemed regards held by all and sundry were almost murdered and obliterated by the inordinate handiworks of some diminutive infant terrible and hell raisers who peddled a-near destabilizing rumour against the very revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Agi, an aspirant in the forthcoming northern Cross River senatorial by-election in order to sow seed of discord in the heart of the people, nay Bekwarra.

About 48 hours ago, Mr. Joe Agi, an illustrious son of Ijegu Ojor in Yala LGA while consulting some extract of Ogoja people, made statements that hinges on his professional services to the Ogoja people in the past and sadly, his demagoguery have been misconstrued; twisted out of context, intending message ripped into shreds and self-deduced falsehood not from his statement blown out of proportion just to reduce his reputation and acceptability before the estimation of his supporters; eligible electorate and the general public.

All illustrious sons and daughters of Bekwarra know that Joe Agi being a seasoned lawyer and a man of letters would be reasonable and smart while making statement as it borders on politics at all times. How could a man whose maternal umbilical cord is traced to Bekwarra would stoop low to cast aspersion upon the breast that suckled him? No man having ambition to represent the people will undermine some of its constituents! No man does that and Joe Agi couldn’t have attempted such pettiness!

I’m glad the vast majority of Bekwarra people have not let those young little devils and prisoners of ignorance altered their rationale with their devilry.
Ijegu Ojor where Joe Agi hails from, has an element of consanguinity with Bekwarra. Even my uncle (father’s younger brother) is a chief of Akpakpah community in Bekwarra.

I therefore sympathize with those that have constituted themselves into the league of Brutus, Casca and conspiratorial cliques over their inability to understand Agi’s rhetoric which of course is nobody’s doing.

To Bekwarra people that have felt undermined, Joe Agi SAN holds the entire Bekwarra nation at high esteem and would not even in the realm of Morpheus belittle them.

I encourage those youths to desist from heating up the polity and rather use their energy in gainful ventures and to our beloved brothers and sisters, the people of Bekwarra to wave this evil with a sleight of hand. We’re one people — though with different languages. Our bond is stronger and can’t be broken by the handiworks of desperate few.

God bless Bekwarra nation!
God bless Yala nation!

Comr. (Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
Ijegu Ojor Public Relations Officer.

NB: The opinions expressed above are strictly those of Ogar Emmanuel Oko and does not represent TheLumineNews.

July 16, 2020
The C’River Ministry OF Int’l Devt. corporation And The Role Of Development Partners.

By Eugene Upah

Inspired by the over 4 million strong population base of the state and the gene pool of some of the most entrepreneurial and industrious minds in the country that is concentrated in Cross River, the state Governor, His Excellency, Senator Prof. (Sir) Ben Ayade in 2015, created the Ministry of International Development Corporation (MIDC) to further industrialise and decouple the state from its civil service status.

The Ministry of MIDC acting as a powerhouse and gateway between the state, local and foreign development partners is responsible for coordinating all donor funded projects in the state. The creation of the MIDC, without doubt, has added immeasurable value to the people’s paradise developmental drive.

The MIDC is headed by a youthful technocrat, Hon. Dr. Inyang Asibong and has also been saddled with the responsibility of attracting first-world intervention programs to the state with the intention of selecting areas of critical urgent attention.

Through the efforts of the Ministry, the European Union, WHO, World Bank, the United Nations and her sub-agencies like the UNHCR, UNFPA, UN-WOMEN, UNICEF and UNIDO, have so far identified areas of urgent attention and gone ahead to implement programs to service those concerns. This incredible progress was recorded by the new ministry in just 5 years of its existence.

The bilateral and multilateral sections of its terms of reference, enables the MIDC to scout donor support for funding of projects in the state. As a pre-condition before lending support to state proposals, majority of World Bank assisted projects must be state-owned to guarantee sustainability. The state government MUST also provide counterpart funding and political cover for all donor projects to accelerate implementation. A typical example is the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Program (NEWMAP) intervention projects. Cross River state recently released its counterpart funding for the NEWMAP erosion projects for critical water torn sites across the state.

Under the MIDC’s watch, World Bank assisted programs like the State and Local Government Reforms Project (SLOGOR) is anchored in the Community and Social Development Program (CSDP). On this, the government approaches the local communities to identify and implement micro-projects with the aim to make a direct and immediate impact. Examples of projects that fall within the scope of the CSDP are provision of street lights, renovation of classroom blocks, basic water supply etc.

Also, using the state’s social register, the MIDC designed a template that made it possible for the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Program (YESSO) to be successfully implemented across the state with little hassle. YESSO’s was the platform for the payment of COVID-19 monthly sustainable palliatives packages to the vulnerable and aged. The agile and youthful weren’t left out; they underwent trainings and have been integrated into the scheme.

The Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), is another extension of the MIDC, inspired by His Excellency’s concept of G-MONEY and is used to promote agricultural enhancement with the engagement of some 5,000 people in the agric value chain.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES), is an upcoming program initiated by the MIDC to ensure sustainable palliatives support to communities, farmers, businesses and individuals in the state to cushion the aftermath of the global pandemic.

Counterpart funding has since been provided by the state to enable UNICEF provide specific attention to the plight of women and children.

The UNDP is working in partnership with the MIDC to ensure the state is clean and green. This will be achieved through planting of trees and facilitating of programs aimed at discouraging deforestation.

Through the MIDC, the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Program (WSSSRP) for the supply of potable water is currently ongoing in selected communities across the state.

Recently, a number of classroom blocks were commissioned in Biase and an agro scheme aimed at enhancing the production of Cassava and other staple farm produce, was initiated by the Honorable Commissioner in Abi LGA under the aegis of one of such developmental partners.

Lastly, the state government in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is currently working towards expanding the Senator Prof. Ben Ayade industrialization drive across the state in line with the “Spirit of Enterprise” mantra of his administration.

©Eugene Upah is the Senior Special Assistant to Cross River Governor Ben Ayade on Public Communications.

[email protected]

July 16, 2020
Prof. Zana Akpagu : The King Of The North

By Z- Effect Media

On Sunday July 12, 2020 history was made at the popular Ishibori playground in Ogoja local government area of Cross River State as Prof. Zana Akpagu became the first person from the Cross River Northern Senatorial District to be conferred with traditional titles by council of chiefs of each of the five local government that makes up the zone.

The title, Ntol Lem-Annenob which literally translate to a ‘Man who does good to the people’ is one of the many titles he has been conferred with by the people in appreciation of his extraordinary performances in all the positions he has held including Commissioner for Education and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

Previously, the Yala traditional Ruler council had conferred on him the Otobeche1 of Yala, Obudu gave him the Unwa Ushie1 of Obudu while the Bekwerra nation conferred on him the Okungbo 1 of Bekwerra. This is even as Obanliku had honoured him with the Uchua Ukpele 1 of Obanliku title.

The honour by Ishibori, the traditional headquarter of the Nkem and the political capital of Ogoja completed a unique and historic recognition that explains the impact he has created in the people of the senatorial district.

Not everybody can be made a king to rule over a kingdom. To become a king, you need to be a trustworthy person that is armed with wisdom that can handle matters objectively when the need arises. People who take things for granted and care about nothing except their personal interest even if they buy their ways to become kings have never been good kings.

Good kings care about their people and their kingdom. They don’t pursue their personal interest but the interest of the people. They don’t fly in high horses but always dine and wine with the people to understand their problems. They use their privilege positions to attract good things to their people.

These and many more are things the good people of the North have probably seen in Akpagu that every single local government have come out to celebrate and honour him with the highest titles in their lands.

As it is today, there’s no Northerner that has done more for the people than him. During his conferment in Obaliku, Yala, Bekwerra and Obudu, the stories were the same. The people united although in different occasions in singing his praises for his massive employment opportunities, establishment of Micro Finance bank which is providing loans for farmers and small small scale entrepreneurs in three of the five local government in the North.

Also, in Ogoja over the weekend, the story was the same. The people remembered how as Commissioner for Education, he transformed St. Andrews
primary school to secondary school. They also recalled how he transformed Convent Primary School, Agiga to Secondary School. They also didn’t forget how he established the Saint Bens secondary school.

They also sang his praises for bringing one campus of the Cross River University of Technology to Ogoja when he established the University as Commissioner for Education. Not to mention the numerous employment and scholarship opportunities he has given to the people.

Education is the greatest tool for civilization and development. He gave the people education and has not stopped there. He left as Commissioner and in few years became the Vice Chancellor of the University Calabar, a position he has used to give many products of the secondary schools and University he established employment.

Akpagu whom by his numerous honours have been described as the “King of the North” has always used his privileged positions to influence great things to the people. The well being of his people has always topped his priority.

This explains why different groups, opinion leaders, political leaders among others have identified him as the best man for the vacant senate seat in the zone. He had opportunities and utilized them by making sure he brought benefits to our people and today the people are happy that they have a king who dream, thinks and work for them.

Leadership is all about the people and Prof. Akpagu has demonstrated that he is the man of the people. The people have sent a clear message that in Akpagu they have a leader they trust and love and would do anything to reward his good works with more opportunities to represent them.

July 16, 2020
The Ritual Of constituency Projects And Legislative representation: Why We Need A Rethink In Cross River North.

By Agustine Aboh

For weeks now the cyberspace, especially the social media space have been crowded with news of constituencies empowerments by of Representatives at the national assembly; Legor and Jari (being a norm).

It must be noted that since the inception of our contemporary democracy over two decades ago, nothing or very little has changed in content and context of constituency projects and empowerments.

Ranging from Car and Bike gifts to uncritical loyal foot soldiers and ass-kissers, to wrappers, blocks of six class rooms, toilets, solar streets lights that do not last beyond the day of commissioning, borehole, the regular Magi and salt and conditional cash gifts.

These have been unchanged, and in the present age of liberal democracy and Fourth industrial revolution, Representatives in CRN still gifts us these benign items.

Now, back home! Last week I saw Legor gifting Cars to his loyalists in Bekwarra and a Funny looking Obudu-ogoja taxi like Passat to Obudu. Obanliku was not included as usual. Instead, bikes were given to PDP Ward chairmen in Obanliku glorified by a self vilified HOA member in Obanliku.

To cut the long story short, I think it’s time we begin to rethink what constituency projects and empowerments should be and hold our Representatives answerable.

That’s right, but some greedy never do well loyalists will say we are wailing and seeking for cheap publicity – at least Google my name and see how far am know and reference across the globe.

For Obanliku, I think we should begin the process of requesting what constituency projects and empowerments should get to us and our people that will make meaning to our desired quest for prosperity as a people well-neglected and self-injured.

It won’t be a bad idea we ask Legor and who ever becomes the next senator to include in their 2021 constituency budgets such items like;

1. A befitting Palace for our Paramount Ruler in Sankwala, Obanliku.

2. Construction equipments like bulldozer, a payloader, tractor, and other such equipments that will help the local government to open access roads, control erosions and give succour to our people who can not afford to bring their produce to local markets. Since we all know the present state of slavering malnourishment of our Local government resources taken hostage by a family dynasty and Czar.

3. Enhance Human capital development by giving responsible and reasonable scholarships.

4. Work as committee members or chairman to help our unemployed graduates littering our villages as it’s done elsewhere.

5. Provide our farmers with improved seeds and seedlings. And any other projects the communities through reliable needs assessment have presented.
Let it be known that am not against settling of party loyalists but these shouldn’t be done at the expense of community development. It’s time we all know that politics and governance is all our collective business.

In our constituency, Legor is not doing us any favors, let it be known that these are our monies.

Thank God ICPC have started tracking constituency projects starting in CRS with those of Sen John Owan Eno. They’re coming and we’ll be here to furnish them any information they might need. And Legor should not be doing this car gifts alongside his unsaleable Senatorial Candidate, it speaks volumes of the context of his supposed constituency empowerments.

I come in Peace! Shalom!!

Long Live Cross River State
Long Live Cross River North
Long Live Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra Fed Constituency.
Long Live Obanliku LGA.

Augustine Aboh
Geopolitics and Security Expert
Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna.

NB: The views expressed above are strictly that of the author and does not represent TheLumineNews.

July 16, 2020
Breaking News: Police Parades Four Suspected Kidnappers In Calabar, Rescues Female Victim

By George Odok Jr

The Cross River State Police Command has paraded four suspected kidnappers and rescued one Cecilia Onyago, 38 years.

Parading the suspects at the State Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill in Calabar, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, said the breakthrough was recorded by the Command.

She said that the victim, one Cecilia Onyago ‘F’ 38 years was rescued without a ransom paid.

“We are working to make sure that kidnapping is no more in the State. We urge Cross Riverians to provide us with information which would enable us work harder and pick these hoodlums wherever they may be.

She said that on July 10th 2020, in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, a husband and wife were going about their normal businesses when armed kidnappers came in and kidnapped the woman.

“The Police got a distress call from the people and we swung into action. In a bid to know the location where the woman was taken to, we got one suspect which led us to the arrest of other gang members.

“Right now, the suspects are in our custody, a lot of items have been recovered including two vehicles, Toyota Camry with registration number NEM 828 AY and Jetta car no LSD 879 AV and several local guns.”

DSP Ugbo said that the suspects are with the Police and they have given the Police useful information, adding that as soon as investigations were completed the suspects will be charged to court.

“We are very happy about the success recorded because Cross River State is noted for being a place people come and relax and Police is working tirelessly to make sure the hoodlums are brought to book.

“Every evening, we have a team of Police officers at different locations doing stop and search; it is a regular exercise which the outgoing Police Commissioner put in place.

“We urged all Cross Riverians to corporate with us, give us useful information to make sure that these bad boys are apprehended, we want timely information that will help us reach these bad boys.”

July 15, 2020
Covid-19: Peter Akpanke Foundation Distributes Palliatives, Sanitizers, Face Masks And Empowers Youth With Motorcycles

By Elijah Ugani

As part of the efforts to cushion the effect of the ravaging pandemic, coronavirus, Mr. Peter Akpanke of the Akpanke’s foundation has stop at nothing to continue to remember his people endlessly.

Today in Bendi village, The Akpanke foundation distributed palliatives to the entire Obanliku which includes Bags of rice, face masks, hand sanitizers , clutches, cash and lots more valuable gift.

This is in line with the Mission of his foundation “ Building sustainable communities where everyone has equal opportunity devoid of oppression and poverty “

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

This comes barely one day as the same foundation had presented a car gift to Mr. Ben Ukukong of Keting, Bendi ward 1 in Obanliku local government area of cross river state.

July 10, 2020
Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong: An Enigmatic/Innovative Progenitor Of Union Sustenance And Educational Renaissance

By Admin

Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was born in Calabar
on November 6, 1963. In 1974, and completed his Primary Education with a Distinction.

He then attended Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, where he sat and passed with Division–One WASC (1979). Prof. Offiong holds a B.Sc (Hon) degree in Chemistry
(1984) from University of Calabar where he graduated with
Second Class ( Upper Division).

In 1990 he obtained his
Ph.D in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry
from the same
department, University of Calabar, supported by DAAD in Germany with a scholarship to conduct laboratory bench work in Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.

Prof Offiong also holds a Certificate in Equipment Maintenance (1991) from Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, UK.

After his successful mandatory National Service (NYSC) in
the University of Ibadan, Prof Offiong started his lecturing career in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, University of Calabar and rose to the rank of Professor in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry in 2002.

Offiong has successfully supervised 7 Masters and 13 Ph.D theses in the University. One of the PhD theses won the National Universities Commission’s Award of “Best Thesis in
Physical Sciences in Nigerian Universities in 2012”.

As a true scholar, he has been a mentor to many budding Academics especially in the field of Inorganic Chemistry. Many of his former Graduate Students are now Professors and others high ranking Academics in Nigerian Universities and abroad.
One of them is the current Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Calabar.

Prof Offiong is an astute Academic/ Researcher with over 70 Research articles/publications in Peer-review journals
cited in high impact databases. He had been
Postgraduate/Undergraduate External Examiner in many Universities across the country including; UNIUYO, MOUA, BSU, UNIABUJA, UNN and presently in RSU.

He has also served the University system in several capacities
including; Sub-Dean , Faculty of Science, Dean Faculty of Science, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Member, Governing
Council of the University of Calabar (2000 – 2004), Member, UCISS Governing Borad, Member, Central Admission Committee, Member, Centre for Educational Services, Member, University of Calabar Reformation and Implementation Committee, Member, Committee in the development of School of Pharmacy, Unical.
Chairman and Zonal Coordinator ASUU, National Vice President ASUU among others.

A celebrated Academic whose spirit of assistance spans
through different human endeavours, Prof. Offiong also shared his passion and acumen in public service.

Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Commissioner for Education, Cross River State. During this period, the Schools across the
18 LGAs witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, the first of its kind. The performance of CRS Students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and
2013 respectively.

His contributions to the establishment of
the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously closed down
State-owned College of Education in Akamkpa speak volume to elucidate his sterling qualities and passion for education and scholarship.

He was the Chairman of All States Commissioner of Education in Nigeria from 2009 to 2015.

Prof. Offiong served in the Presidential Task Force on Education with the mandate of implementing a
transformation agenda in Nigeria education system (2011 – 2014).

His love for academic and human resource development knows no bounds; as a Commissioner, Prof. Offiong still rendered services free as an Academic by teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and successfully supervised ten (10) Graduate theses during this period despite the fact that he was on Leave of Absence.

Prof. Offiong has won several international Fellowships/
Awards through which he visited many laboratories/
Institutions and Universities in Italy, France, Germany,
Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates, Finland among others.

As part of his community and humanitarian services, he is the immediate Past President of the Boys Brigade Nigeria (BBN), CRS Council (2013 to 2019). He is currently the Chairman of Education committee in the Obong of Calabar.

Executive Forum. Prof. Offiong is married to his heart–throb Dr. (Mrs.) Ame l. Offiong; the marriage is blessed with three beautiful children; Efanga, Asa and Eme.

Prof. Offiong has clearly demonstrated profound and purposeful leadership as an administrator, academic and above all a role model for young people in his thirty-five years as a Lecturer.

He has also served the state in the following capacities;
Consultant/Resource person, CREPA/FEPA on World Bank sponsored Environmental Action Plan for CRS.
Consultant/Resource person to the Min. of Agric & Water Resources, CRS.
Member & (Chairman, Sub-Committee on staffing) local accreditation to CRUTECH.
Member, Education sub-committee, CRS transition committee.
Chairman, Education & Social services cluster, CRS, comprising 11 MADs.
Leader, CRS delegation on a study Tour to Educational Institutions in India.
Leader, CRS delegation o a 5-day learning journey to University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
Member, CRS delegation on sister state relationship visit to the state of Maryland, USA.
Leader, CRS delegation on a Study Tour of Highbury College, Portsmouth, UK.

At the national level, Offiong also served as;
Associate Consultant in Environmental Chemistry to Shell Producing Nig Limited (West)
Consultant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Gas emission project.
Member, NUC committee on Development of Basic Minimum Academic Standards for post graduate programme in Nigerian Universities.
Member, Presidential Task Team on Education.
Member, Implementation on the Presidential Task Team report on Education.
Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to Highbury College, Portsmouth.
Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to the all Ministerial 2013 World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring meeting with E-9 countries at Washington DC, USA.

With these experiences, he would make a good Vice Chancellor if entrusted with the responsibility.

He is an accomplished academician, astute administrator, intrepid goal-getter and undaunted activist who shares the vision of the founding fathers of the University of Calabar.

Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong vision statement for the university in the coming five years is to transform it into a leading university in Nigeria and in the sub-Saharan region, in teaching, learning, research and community service. This he intends to accomplish through hard work, setting timelines, with continuous/rigorous evaluations for every task assigned to Staff and Students, to be backup with incentives as well as training and retraining of Staff.

Professor Offiong understands that to produce globally competitive and skilled graduates and make University of Calabar a “Center of Excellence”, a lot of things will have to be done differently.

He will attract grants and established functional linkages with other institutions in Nigeria and abroad.

Professor Offiong intends to put in place a sustainable plan to boost the internally generated revenue(IGR)

He will revolutionize the delivery and quality of Education/Services by expanding and integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
into all the services/ operations of the University.

As a former Union Leader, he will work to sustain industrial harmony and strive to enhance Staff/Students welfare, motivation and productivity.

Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is astute unionist of no mean repute. He has been consistently involved in the processes that led to the midwifing of both students unions during his undergraduate programme. As a student activist, he championed most of the students yearnings that relived the plight of students.

As a member of the Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASSU-UCB, he was elected Vice Chairman at age 30 and was reelect for second term of four years following an excellent performance.

During which time, all the unions in the University collaborated and midwived the University of Calabar International Secondary School.

Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was elected Chairman, Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASUU-UCB, in the year 2000 and was reelected in 2002 to serve another term of two years. During this period, ASUU-UCB made very positive impacts in the management of the university and in resolving all Labour related crisis.

The distinguished Prof. Offiong E. Offiong also served as JAC Chairman, comprising of (ASUU, SSANU & NASU), University of Calabar branch. During his tenure as Chairman, he established a welfare scheme for the branch to carter for members welfare needs such as weddings, child dedication and bereavement etc.

During this period, he introduced “computer loan scheme” which afforded members own their personal computers and became computer literate.

Prof. Offiong negotiated and signed the second Centre for Educational Services CES Agreement of the university and got all the entitlements owed members including handsome allowances for Lecturers involved in Consultancy Services/Part-Time lecturing.

As Chairman of ASSU-UCB, he was also the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Calabar Zone, comprising of UNICAL, UNIUYO, IMSU, FUTO, UNIPORT and RSUSzt and as well NDU and CRUTECH where he midwived their charters into ASUU.

Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is the first Cross Riverian to be elected National Vice-President of ASUU. At which time he organized the first leadership training workshop for Chairman and Secretary of branches in ASUU.

Juxtaposing Prof. Offiong E. Offiong experience in the formation and service in the various unions he served previously, he very equipped with the technical, influential, managerial and developmental skills and prowess to reposition staff welfare and create job satisfaction as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.

In line with the new direction in Universities world wide to be ‘Visible and globally Competitive’. Professor Offiong will strengthen the capacity of Academic Staff to have more publications in high impact journals cited in Scopus/Scimago, Thompson Reuters etc. abstract and citation database. As an exemplary academic leader, he is on the Scopus abstract and citation database, where the world university rankings are hinged on, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has contributed 35 publications, 1017 citations and an H-index of 17. Surely, as Vice-Chancellor he would know how to create the enabling environment for many young/upcoming scholars to strive and surpassed this.

He will be focused also in improving the ranking of the University of Calabar through facilitating local and international conference attendance.

He will consolidate on the achievements/efforts of the past administration of the University towards the expansion of new faculties/Centres and infrastructural development. New centres of excellence where the University has a competitive advantage will be established.

Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has traversed the ranks of public administration and is therefore no administrative neophyte. He has been Dean of Students’ Affairs, where he is been exposed to all the intrigues of students. He is a one-time dean of one of the largest faculties in the university; now splits into the present faculties of Physical and Biological Sciences. He was a member of the Governing Council of Unical and Commissioner for Education for 8 years.

As Commissioner for Education, the schools in the 18 local government area of the state witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, first of its kind. The performance of students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

He also midwived the establishment of the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously shutdown State-owned College of Education (COE), Akamkpa.

He intends to institutionalize Effective management and governance in the University of Calabar.

If given the chance to become the 11th Vice Chancellor of the university of Calabar, he promises to work hard to reposition academics, administration and consultancy in the university of Calabar.

The above vision and mission statements are achievable because Prof. Offiong E. Offiong has the credentials, his experience, strength of character, good health, fear of God and a clear idea of what it will take to transform the University of Calabar, his Alma Mater. He is endowed with influential, managerial and developmental prowess to change the narratives of leadership in the University of Calabar.

July 10, 2020