The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • Inyang Asibong Doles Out 69 Happy Cheers To An Epitome Of Excellence, Elder Prof. Ivara Esu (OFR)

    Inyang Asibong Doles Out 69 Happy Cheers To An Epitome Of Excellence, Elder Prof. Ivara Esu (OFR)

    By Elijah Ugani

    Like the popular eye-catching, elegant double stemmed purple orchid, he came to the world with a clear vision. A vision with a great deal of symbolism like the orchid, that always shines at every opportunity given to radiate in a widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant, like the orchid in him.

    He was born great from a humble background in Agwagune, Biase, in the then South Eastern Nigeria.

    Excellence is his second name, from Elementary to College to University, it was Distinction all the way as he sorjourned in his Academic pursuit from Agwagune to Itigidi, Abakaliki, Ugep and Okpoma in Yala, the Quality radiated at every point. Then to Ile-Ife in the then Western Nigeria and Zaria in the Northern part of the country, the legacies of Excellence imprinted his every step like a collosus.

    Coming back to the first Capital of Nigeria’s Southern Protectorate, where he again Excelled to become the no 1. citizen of the revered Ivory Tower, the University of Calabar, no wonder, why HE Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, still calls him the Vice Chancellor of Cross River State.

    A Professor of Soil Science with records of research all over Nigeria and beyond, who has produced legends and academicians shining bright beyond the shores of Africa.

    An adherent and lover of Culture, Tourism and Development of African Arts and artifacts. Little wonder he was appointed to serve Nigeria at the highest decision making body in the country, The Federal Executive Council as a Minister of the Federal Republic.

    His trademark of Excellence has made him serve as a Federal board Chairman and member of different Federal boards and parastatals. He also became a Commissioner of his state at a very tender age of 31 and performed Excellently.

    Now, Excellent performances have made him The Excellency of a beautiful state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a State Governed by two erudite Professors.

    Together with his Digital Boss, these two Professors have pushed boundaries, created new frontiers, broken records and set them again, all in a bid to take CRS to greater heights

    A trustworthy, reliable, and hardworking servant- leader of the people. As you celebrate you birthday today, I can only say your best is yet to come because you have produced many children both in Academics and Leadership.

    Happy Gallant 69th Birthday to the Qunitessential Deputy Governor Of Cross River State.

    God Bless You Sir.

    Inyang Asibong
    Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC)
    May 3rd, 2020

  • EKpenyong Eulogizes Deputy Governor @ 69

    EKpenyong Eulogizes Deputy Governor @ 69

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General,Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has described the deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Evara Esu as a phenomenon character and a goal driven personality as he marks his birthday today May 3rd 2020.

    Dr Ekpenyong who described professor Esu as one of Nigeria’s most enlightened and exposed deputy governors with vast knowledge in Agriculture, Economy and Health with his achievements distinguished as a lecturer, a researcher,a commissioner, a minister in the federal republic and now the deputy governor of Nigeria’s most beautiful and industrious state, says the primary Healthcare sector will continue to cherish his experience for an improved service delivery to the greater populace.

    She further described him as selfless leader who’s love for the state has made him worked for the collective interest of the state, championing activities in the health sector especially the Primary Healthcare Agency, which is considered most grassroot friendly and accessible to all Cross Riverians and residents in the state in order to achieve Universal Health coverage.

    “As Chairman of our state immunization taskforce, I am pleased to work with you, you have consistently shown great passion for the Cross River State primary Healthcare development agency, the experience and commitment you show daily has not gone unnoticed, as all along in the last 5 years, our state have continuously improved upon its immunization index, as children under 5 across the urban and in hard to reach areas have always been captured as a result of some of the policies and strategies you made the agency adopt in order for the state to achieve Universal Health Coverage in few years to come.
    I feel so delighted and overwhelmed that in my first major outing as the Director General for the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, you honoured my invitation to flag off the 2020 National Immunization Plus Days exercise in Uchu, Yala Local government Area, that sacrifice from you was a moral booster to all of our foot soldiers across the 18 LGAs, as it spurred them to give in their unreserved strength and efforts to achieve 100% coverage for our children, an effort that was commended by both national and international monitoring bodies.

    “Today as you mark the anniversary of your birth, on behalf of my family ,management and staff of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, I want to wish you our ever dedicated Deputy Governor, Health friendly, passion driven, a human with a phenomenon and exceptional characteristics, a recipient of various national and international awards including being merited with the title of An Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), an erudite scholar and professor of Animal Science, a former Vice chancellor of the prestigious University of Calabar ,an achiever and a lifetime coach, a beautiful birthday celebration and more fruitful years ahead in sound health and wealth”.

  • DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Deputy Governor On His Birth Anniversary

    DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Deputy Governor On His Birth Anniversary

    By Admin

    The Director General, Border Communities Development Commission, Mr. Noel Ugbong felicitates the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu on his birthday anniversary.

    The DG described the Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Chairman, Border Community Development Commission, as a man of impeccable characteristics who has been a role model to him and as well as all young people who are desirous of good leadership.

    The DG noted that “my stint in the Governor’s Office and Event Management Department brought me closer to this fatherly role model and humane personality. The Deputy Governor is a dependable pillar and a pool of wisdom.

    “He is one of the best brain in the state, the state needs to adequately explore his content to sustain his wealth of knowledge and experience in the development of the state”

    “Sir, we are very proud of you, the best is yet to come, the future is even brighter, enjoy your day as you remain a blessing to us” The DG added.

    Mr. Ugbong used the opportunity to ask God Almighty to grant the Deputy Governor his heart desires, bless and prosper him as well as preserve him for generation unborn.

  • C’River PDP Crisis: Eko Atu Calls On Ayade To Unite The Party

    C’River PDP Crisis: Eko Atu Calls On Ayade To Unite The Party

    Excepts From Eko Atu’s Facebook Wall

    Let calm prevail.

    I have watched with interest the unfolding events in the politics of Cross River State in the last couple of months.

    First was the intense fighting within the APC as to who the real chairman of the party in the state was. This dragged on well into the last general elections leading to the two factions holding separate congresses and submitting different names of candidates for the elections.

    The matter dragged on and unfortunately one of the claimant to the position of chairman, Dr. Matthew Achigbe died in a ghastly motor accident. May his soul rest in peace.

    The courts I learnt recently delivered judgement in favour of John Ochalla who belonged to the Achigbe faction as the authentic state chairman with a fine imposed against the Etim John faction.

    This needless attrition caused the party a vital opportunity of making inroads into Cross River State, except in the Abi/Yakurr federal constituency where Alex Egbona won.

    One would have expected that the APC being the government at the centre and had all the federal appointments and might would have made a good showing. But it was never to be. One lesson is that all politics is local and the APC brand was alien to the people.

    The infighting within the party made the electorates confused as to who exactly they were going to vote for.

    The PDP on the other hand being the government in power at the state level had it’s own fair share of the problems.

    Through stick and carrot approach, the party was able to silence the rebellion within it and went into the elections. However, it suffered a devastating blow in the Abi/Yakurr federal constituency where everybody acknowledged as it’s stronghold given the person of HE Liyel Imoke.

    That lose was a signal that all wasn’t well within the party at the local and state level.

    It was a warning sign that the once cohesive party was showing signs of disintegration.

    Then came the last “congresses” for the selection of candidates for councillorship and chairmanship positions.

    Critical stakeholders and party members were completely left in the dark while names were being compiled for councillorship and chairmanship positions.

    It was who was closet to power that got nominated. In some wards and local governments rotation was jettison.

    Today some aggrieved members of the party are in court challenging the outcomes of that excercises. The courts are yet to decide and from the look of things, the local government elections might be imperilled.

    The dust from the selection process for the local government elections had hardly died down when the wards and local government congresses for the party’s position came up.

    Same strategy of impunity of lack of consultations again reared its head, but while the local government elections selection process was hurtful to some “lesser” men and women; the control of the party structures at ward, LGA and State level wasn’t going to be taken for granted; because the gladiators here were the la crème de la crème of the party.

    And their fears were justified. If they weren’t consulted during the “selection” processes for the local government elections and up to the congresses for ward, LGA elections; what will be their fate going forward in their political career.

    So while names were being compiled for the various offices across the state, other critical stakeholders took the excecise to the party at the grassroots allowing them their choice as to who becomes what.

    The NWC released the list of those congresses across the country including that of CRS after a critical evaluation of the reports of the various committees set up for the wards and local governments chapters.

    That list has rattled some key section of the party leading to forging a new list different from the original list addressed to the critical persons of the party hierarchy.

    The Excos of the wards and LG had already being inuagurated. The party had further disclaimed the “new” declaring it as forged as can be verified from the official PDP Twitter handle and website.

    It is sad that a party that was once cohesive and strong is showing signs of weakeness because of lack of inclusiveness and impunity.

    H E is the leader of the party in the state. That nobody is contesting. DD and Liyel Imoke were all leaders of the party as governors. That’s the tradition of the party.

    But as leader of the party, HE Ben Ayade should know better how things are done within the PDP family. He has been a Senator under the PDP and knows how decisions were taken including some that he was a beneficiary.

    Decisions within the PDP family are taken after much consultations and horse trading.

    Such decisions in some cases don’t go down well with a few persons or interest groups, but people are allowed to make their inputs. So even if the few do not agree, which is usual; such few are assured of their protection and reward.

    But a situation where past leaders and critical stakeholders of the party including sitting members of the state and national assemblies are shut out of the decision making process, bad blood is bound to develop.

    Attempts to retire and make non relevant members of the party who have toiled, held positions and built followership will create anger and rebellion.

    This is the time for our Leader HE Senator Ben Ayade to call his children together. Find out from them those things they disapprove of and how they would wish the party to be run or refocused.

    Certainly nobody will dictate to HE how to run his government, but government is not party. When it gets to party affairs, consultations of critical stakeholders and members is key to having a cohesive strong and healthy organisation.

    When a deliberate effort is made to shut out old hands within the party in an effort to create a new “structure” you run the risk of not having people who know the history of the evolution of the party and how things are done.

    Check the headship of the PDP right from the late revered Rev. Ikobi and tell me if the quality of leadership we have today can remember how PDP berthed in the state.

    So when people are “selected” without regard to their knowledge of the organisation they are meant to run, the tendency is rather than build on the successes of that organisation; they destroy it.

    The ball is in HE’s court to unite the party, how he will do that is what I don’t know; because when you descend into the arena you become muddied and can’t see clearly.

    Some including the outgoing Exco will agree with me that the party has been comatose since they took over.

    We need to re-energise this party. It is more in HE’s interest as the Leader because any misstep will have a collateral damage on all of us, but more on the LEADER.

     

     

    Note: The views expressed here are that of Eko Atu and does not represent THELUMINENEWS.

  • Femi Adesina: ‘We caught the evil mole who leaked President Buhari’s speech’

    Femi Adesina: ‘We caught the evil mole who leaked President Buhari’s speech’

    By : Damaris Onyendi

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has revealed that the mole in the presidency who leaked a draft copy of the president’s speech on Monday, April 27, 2020, has been apprehended.

    He detailed how the culprit was apprehended in an article which he wrote and titled ‘Enemy of the State’.

     

    “You have possibly watched the 1998 action-thriller film with the above title, starring Will Smith. It was the box office hit story about a group of people plotting to kill an American congressman, and the tape of the plot was discovered,” he began.

    “Well, an Enemy of the State struck in Nigeria on Monday, but this time, it was no fiction. It was real life act of sabotage from somebody who does not wish his own country well at all, and who derived a sinister kind of pleasure from undermining the system.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari was to broadcast to the country by 8 p.m, to give an update on the battle against COVID-19, and what becomes of the lockdown that had lasted four weeks, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States. Kano was also a point of heavy interest, with the strange deaths ravaging the state. Was it COVID-19 or not?

    “As the country waited for the president with great expectations, a purported copy of the broadcast began to circulate on social media from about 4 p.m. Whodunnit?

    “I took a look at the circulating document, and within one minute, I knew that it was a rogue copy. What immediately gave it away was the paragraphing. It was completely different from the one I had been part of producing, and which had been recorded for broadcast by the president.

    “Another tell-tale to the dubiousness of the document was the date it gave. It said the lockdown in the affected states and the FCT would be eased from May 2, while the authentic copy bore May 4.

    “There were some other discrepancies. Paragraphs that had been excised from the final copy were still intact, and the document was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, which you would rarely find in a presidential broadcast, which would have passed through a number of select and trusted hands.”

    The president’s aide said he had to work the phones as panic spread within the Aso Rock media office.

    “I made a few phone calls to those of us involved with the script, right from origination, which was from outside the presidency, to final editing, which I did, and the conclusion was easy to reach. Somebody had spirited out the original draft, which had gone through many stages of fine-tuning in terms of content and language, and thinking that it was a world exclusive in terms of artifice and underhand action, he fed it into the social media.

    “Who would do such a thing, except an Enemy of the State, someone who wants to ridicule the government, cause utmost confusion in the polity, and smirk his lips in malevolent pleasure, as the government, and possibly the media handlers of the president were flagellated, and taken to the cleaners.

    “Yoruba people talk of ‘ba ase je.’ Somebody who spoils the feast. Everybody is rejoicing and making merry, and he comes to pollute their joy. He could bring extremely bad news that sends everyone scurrying home, or looking for cover.

    “He could even urinate in the big pot of soup in the full glare of the merrymakers. Or he could pour sand in the big pot of rice on the fire. Ba ase je (spoiler of the feast) can strike in many ways. That was the same thing the Enemy of the State did.

    “Igbo people speak of the proverbial lizard that ruined his own mother’s funeral. That was what the hidden hostile hand did. But he forgot that in these days of technology, almost everything leaves a trail. Before the end of that evening, computer evidence had narrowed down the suspect, and he was already answering for his evil action.

    “If that person had got the final, authentic copy, that is the same way he would have leaked it. To what end, to what purpose? Sinister. Sneaky. Hateful.

    “Some people hate their own country, and ironically would be the first to complain that things were not going well. Every act of the government (any government) they would undermine. If they can stick a knife into the soft underbelly of government in any way, they do it with relish, and would be the first to grumble that things were not going right. Enemies of the State.

    “If the person that leaked the unedited draft of the broadcast had access to more sensitive national documents, he would do the same thing. If he cottons on information that could sell Nigeria to the enemy, he would gladly do it. Thou art in the midst of foes, watch and pray.

    “I am surprised that a large number of people, including newspaper houses, fell for the gambit. They took their information from the wrong source, and ended up publishing falsehood. That was what the Enemy of the State wanted. Cause maximum confusion. And he succeeded to some extent.

    “The social media is being used for every purpose: good and bad. It is the bastion of fake news, hate news, concoctions and all sorts of conjurations. Will the users and consumers be more discerning? It is said that the person that stole a keg of palm oil from the rafter is not the only thief. The person that collected the keg from him is also a rogue. Those who began to share an obvious leak, rebroadcasting it, are also not guiltless. Be quick to hear, and slow to speak.”

  • COVID-19: Infected health workers rise from 40 to 113 in one week

    COVID-19: Infected health workers rise from 40 to 113 in one week

    Source- The Punch News

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Thursday, revealed that 113 health workers had been infected with COVID-19.

    Ehanire, who disclosed this at the press briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, said they included workers in the public and private health facilities.

    He, therefore, reiterated his advice to health workers that it was dangerous to treat coronavirus patients without using personal protective equipment.

    The minister had, at the task force media briefing in Abuja on April 23, said about 40 health workers in the country had tested positive for coronavirus.

    Ehanire, who lauded health workers for their commitment to the war against COVID-19, warned them against treating patients without the PPE.

    He said, “Please, do not treat any patient without using the PPE. Frontline health workers must undertake refresher training at intervals. This warning has become necessary due to the number of health workers, who have tested positive for COVID-19. They are over 40 now and they have been quarantined.”

    But the Nigerian Medical Association, through its National President, Dr Francis Faduyile, in its reaction, said most of those who contracted COVID-19 were not health workers treating COVID-19 patients, but personnel in other hospitals.

    On Thursday, the health minister said the risk of being infected with COVID-19 was the reason why the task force warned health workers against treating patients without using the PPE.

    He said, “The latest figure we have is that 113 health workers have been infected. They are not all public health workers. There are some from private hospitals.

    “If you hear us speak frequently against treating coronavirus in private clinics, we are actually referring to people who do so without precaution and training. They risk infecting themselves and their families. Health care workers with no training have no business handling coronavirus.

    “As for those who do not have equipment, we have said that we will provide protective equipment. Let me remind you that there is a global shortage. They (the pieces of equipment) are really scarce but we are doing what we can to make sure our frontline workers have the requirement. We also have a stockpile that we can send quickly. For example, we sent a stockpile to Kano.”

  • Agba Jalingo Calls On C’River National Assembly Members To Bring ATM Machines That Dispenses Rice

    Agba Jalingo Calls On C’River National Assembly Members To Bring ATM Machines That Dispenses Rice

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A global symbol of press freedom, winner of several human rights and press freedom awards as well as Amnesty International Prisoner of conscience, Agba Jalingo has called on National Assembly members from cross river to consider bringing into the state ATM machine that dispenses rice to indigent rural dwellers as we continue to endure the rule of Covid 19 lockdown.

    Jalingo took to his Facebook wall to express his concerns stated that “I want to call on my member re presenting our federal constituency, (Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra) in the House of Representatives, Legor Idagbo and the member representing Ogoja/Yala, Jarigbe Agom as well as all state lawmakers from Cross River to consider bringing in ATM that dispenses rice to indigent rural dwellers, as we continue to endure rule Covid 19 lockdown”

    Continuing, the human right activist maintained that “Instead of giving palliatives to PDP ward Chairman, youth and women leaders to share, these ATM machines will substantially reduce the Chances of manipulating donations by local party leaders”

  • Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    By Z-Effect Media

    In the past few years, the Cross River State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC have been brewing in serious crisis that culminated into the operation of two secretariats; one at the Barracks road, Calabar led by Sir John Ochala and the other at Ndidem Usang road led by Hon. Etime John.

    While the Etim John faction enjoyed the support of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru Usani, the Ochala’s faction has the support of the National Vice Chairman South/South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta and the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    In the last general election, APC presented two candidates in almost all the elections including the Governorship which has Sen. John Owan-Enoh, a candidate recognised by the Ochala’s faction and the National Secretariat and Dr. Usani Uguru, the then Minister of Niger Delta who was preferred by the Etim’s faction. Both candidates even went to the tribunal to challenge the PDP victory but lost.

    It’s an open secret that the infighting and division in the APC gave PDP a smooth ride in all the elections. With the calibre of people now in APC in the State, even the worst critic of the party agrees that its performance in the last election wasn’t a true reflection of its strength. Much more was expected of a party that boost of the a former Governor, former Senate Leader, a Minister, a serving Senator and numerous federal appointees.

    While the gladiators in APC spend more time strategising against themselves, fighting over who control the party, the opposition PDP was busy planning on how to win it’s common enemy which is anybody presented by APC. From State Assembly election to the governorship, PDP won APC except for just one election that all factions decided to come together.

    There’s no doubt that Hon. Alex Egbonna is loved and adored by his people, this advantage wouldn’t have worked smoothly for him in the Abi/Yakur federal constituency if the APC didn’t sheath their swords to work together. His election was almost the only election in the state that all the stakeholders came together and the result was a resounding defeat of the then Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul presented by the PDP.

    The Alex Egbonna story is a classical example of what unity can do and what it would have done for APC in other elections should the stakeholders worked together.

    As many have asserted to, the decision by all waring parties to drop their guns to work for just a candidate in the overall interest of the party was also largely informed by the choice of Chief Egbonna who was undoubtedly not just the right man but the only person in the federal constituency in the ranks of APC that enjoys massive goodwill across factions and party lines.

    With the last week Appeal Court judgement that authenticates Sir Ochala led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in the state and the willingness of the winning faction to extend a hand of fellowship to the Etim factions, it appears for the first time in over two years, there’s hope insight for APC to return to a great indivisible and united family that it once was.

    It’ll be foolhardy for anybody to believe that the matter has completely been resolved just by the Appeal Court judgement. While it is said that both factions are making sincere efforts for reconciliation, the wounds are also still fresh and alot more need to be done to bring all together. People will grumble, others because of pride or what they benefit from the fight will never want APC to be one. But with the commitment shown by the major players, there’s hope insight.

    APC cannot afford to go into the next election which is the Northern Senatorial District beyelection with a divided house and expect magic. The surest thing that can guarantee APC ‘s victory is when all key players collapse their structures in complementary to other efforts to field and sincerely work for a candidate who enjoys similar goodwill like Alex Egbonna.

    It’s an open secret that among all those who have indicated interest for the northern senatorial district bye-election, Prof. Zana Akpagu, a former Commissioner, two times Special Adviser and the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar fits the cap.

    Prof. Akpagu like Egbonna enjoys massive goodwill across the factions and party lines. He is celebrated across the five local government in the north because of how much impact he has created. Beyond the zone and the state, his name is everywhere. His acceptability knows no bounds.

    From religious, Students organisation, transport unions and even the traditional institution in the entire northern Senatorial District hold him in high esteem. He holds highly revered titles in almost all the local government. The entire state Traditional Rulers Council has also recognised his good works and have honoured him with “Eto Nkori” Chieftaincy title which is the highest traditional title that can be conferred on anybody in the state.

    The implication of this is that even the gods of land recognise and appreciate what Akpagu has done for the entire state.

    What makes Akpagu a compelling choice for the APC is that although, unarguably an old APC member who sits at number 19 in his Ipong ward membership register, he was never really involved in the factional politics in the state therefore would be more acceptable by all and sundry. He has the Alex Egbonna kind of followership because of what he has done for people.

    APC cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that made the party perform poorly in previous elections when they have opportunity to make their 2023 takeover plan easier by using a charismatic leader, a proven performer and a sterling achiever like Akpagu to win the senatorial district with the highest voting strength in the state for the party.

    Like Egbonna, if APC fields a cerebral leader like Akpagu, the chances of winning the bye-election and by extension the 2023 elections against the divided PDP which is today a house at war against itself is very huge!

    If Egbonna did it for APC, Akpagu can and will do it.

    Z-Effect Media

  • I Thought About Mercy Nku When I Heard Two Ayade Appointees Fought In Public

    I Thought About Mercy Nku When I Heard Two Ayade Appointees Fought In Public

    By Agba Jalingo – Lagos

    Since I heard about the koboko flogging, slapping and tearing of shirt incident between the Cross River state Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Ofu Aya and the Chairman of the state Sports Commission, Emmanuel Elom, over office space, I have not been laughing over the matter.

    I was first reminded of the same frosty relationship between the immediate past holders of those same offices, Commissioner Asu Okang, who is now Information Commissioner and Hon. Orok Duke who is now the Special Adviser, Callywood. It is sheer dereliction for Governor Ayade to allow the infighting that bedeviled the Ministry and the Commission in his first term and stymied the growth of sports in the State to continue in his second term.

    I don’t want to go into how much our State lost because that is a whole new discussion. But I have been researching wide to ascertain what these two adults fighting in public over office space, have done in sports 1or are capable of offering Cross River sports development. Arguably, the results returning show clearly that they both are not only recycled in government, they also do not have any track record beffiting of the robes they are now adorned in. But in Ayade’s government, appointees don’t need to fit into anything other than the whims and caprices of those who generate the names of the “food-on-the-table” appointees. That’s all you need. Just lack food on your table and you will land an appointment on your lab.

    In my deep thought, I also wished we had a more serious governor who is interested in poaching people who genuinely have the capacity to contribute to developing our state.

    Cross River has consistently produced some of Nigeria’s best athletes both at the national and international stage until governor Ayade showed up. The State prided itself in competitive LG sports developmental programs that produced national stars but all that is just in the letters now as you are reading.

    For instance, Boki LGA born former Olympian and two time All African Games Gold Medalist, Mercy Nku was a product of those LGA competitions. Like several other Cross River athletes who emerged from those sporting events, Mercy Nku hit the tracks early, running in several junior competitions for the schools she attended in Cross River, and in many other competitions staged by the then Cross River Sports Council for young athletes in the local council areas of the state.

    Nku while recalling those days, had told journalists in an interview during her running days that “teachers in those days had a great influence on pupils. I started running early but not because I preferred to do so. During the inter-house sports competitions, 90 per cent of the events were on the tracks and because our teachers wanted us all to participate, most of us ended up picking a career in athletics. I was doing well and grew up to be discovered by national coaches during one of the competitions ORGANIZED BY THE STATE. In Cross River State, we had local government competitions that prepared us for the limelight.”

    In 1999, she made her big burst onto the scene, winning two gold medals for Nigeria in the All Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 and also set the games records of 11.03 seconds in the 100meters race. It was an achievement that Nigeria celebrated as athletics fans got a relief that a replacement for the then ageing stars was fast evolving.

    But as fate will have it, Mercy added that:

    “My regret is that I was forced to retire too early from the track. I didn’t run to the level I had wanted because there was so much distraction. There was no support and I don’t mean financial aid. At a point I was just there floating without anyone to call for support or encouragement. There were so many enemies around me and whatever I did, they turned it against me. I was left alone, hated and unwanted. They saw me as a controversial person because I was always saying the truth about Nigerian athletics. Nobody wanted to listen to me. So I was forced to leave. But now, I feel happy and satisfied that I did my best as far as I could.”

    That support eventually came from Governor Imoke who later gave her a scholarship to study in Canada. I thought about her when I heard that those two adults where fighting in public along with their thugs and gangsters. I thought about Mercy and several other heroes who have won so many things for Cross River, particularly in the tracks and fields and rings. When I heard that these supposedly honorable men turned to urchins and decimated their dignity in public, I wished people like Mercy will have been given the chance to replicate that system that brought her up and give other children in Buanchor, Ukorshie, Effraya, Okoyong, the opportunity to burst into the national scene again. I even thought that those who behave like motor park touts will be shown the way to the garage where they belong, then I remembered it is Ayade’s government where no appointee ever gets punished for misbehaving. Yes, I thought about all that and even more!

    Thank you.

    *Yours sincerely,*
    *Citizen Agba Jalingo*

    #1125DaysToGo
    #HoldLeadersAccountable
    #CrossRiverHasTalent

  • It is not a must for every state in Nigeria to have Covid-19 – Edu

    It is not a must for every state in Nigeria to have Covid-19 – Edu

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar (more…)