The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Ayade, The Cry Cry Baby In Peregrino House

    By Agba Jalingo – Lagos

    Yesterday, my governor, Senator Ben Ayade cried AGAIN while launching the anti-taxation agency in Calabar. The agency is meant to ensure low income earners do not pay taxes in Cross River state. His tears actually touched a soft chord in the minds of many people across the country and several of them have circulated the video back to me. One person who is not even in Cross River state said, their earlier scheduled meeting started with the video where governor Ayade was crying and most people in the meeting also started crying along with the governor whom they concluded is a lover of the poor and this is very impressive.

    But if tears were a true measure of our pain, even Hitler’s drops would be preserved in the alabaster bottle. That is the irony and the double edged nature of that readily available liquid. Once emotions are evoked, in no direction essentially, tears can start flowing and oftentimes, the person whose tears flow down the cheeks, doesn’t even know why they flow until composure is regained.

    So tears are not necessarily an expression of concern, rather, tears can fittingly be described as the defecation of pent up emotions which could also be spontaneous. Tears could also be a pontilitous attempt at hood winking the unsuspecting public into collective amnesia, particularly for politicians.

    The later is where I will categorize the incessant tears of our governor, Senator Ben Ayade and I will tell you why.

    Apart from the poorly substantiated tales of his crying for the poor before his coming into politics, yesterday was the fourth time governor Ayade will be crying in public. But guess what, each time he cried, nothing followed!

    Before you get hoodwinked by yesterday’s tears, let me take you down memory lane.

    17 January 2017, Governor Ayade announced the abolition of all forms of taxation for low-income earners in Cross River state. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant Media, Mr. Christian Ita, in a press statement said those affected by the tax exemption are people earning below N50, 000 monthly, taxi, tricycle, wheel barrows, and motor cycle operators as well as petty traders and hoteliers.

    He said Governor Ben Ayade, who gave the order after signing the 2017 appropriation bill of N707 billion, had reiterated the need to provide some economic reliefs to low income earners in the state with regards to taxes.

    Ayade, after signing the budget had warned that: “I am sounding the last warning that henceforth I don’t want to hear anyone who earns less than N50, 000 a month being taxed in any form in the state….In the same vein, I don’t want to see a hotel that is struggling to survive with challenges of diesels being chased by government officials over taxes. I have warned anybody, who is still collecting money from these people to stop forthwith…I have seen poverty in my personal life and I know what that small N2, 000 means to them.

    “It is clear to emphasise here that at this point, no nation, no state and no administrative authority can tax her people to prosperity…God has given us an elevated platform of authority to use our intellects and support them and not to suppress them. Why would government put a burden on people earning less than a N1, 000 a day with wife and children, shopping in the same market with the rich, who earn over N300, 000 monthly? I would rather tax my intellect to prosperity than taxing my people because we have sufficient education, exposure and experience, which we need to bring to bear for the prosperity of our people, which is why they elected us.”

    That was in 2017. YES 2017!!!. Very characteristic of Ayade. He cried after that. Three years after, more than 70 percent of businesses operating in Calabar have left because of multiple taxation.

    Yesterday, he repeated almost the same words he spewed in 2017 verbatim and cried again and the gullible are already crying along with him.

    That is not all!

    In August 2016, Governor Ayade visited Bakassi and cried after seeing the conditions that some returnees lived in. He made an instant donation of N3million. He was accompanied by a representative of the Mayor of Dortmund, Fuss Friedrich whom he said will build free houses for the returnees. He had introduced the man who followed him as the Mayor but it turned out he was “lying.”

    Again in March 2017, during the courtesy visit of the National Commissioner of the National Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajia Sadiya Farouk in the government house, Governor Ayade cried over the status of the Bakassi returnees. He wept and vowed to do everything he can to resettle the people of Bakassi and called on government not to neglect them. I don’t know whether the people of Bakassi have been resettled after that crying.

    April 10, 2018, Governor Ayade also broke down in tears at the conference room of the government house when he asked his aide on Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta to pray while signing the NGN1.3 trillion budget of Kinetic Crystallization into law. He cried also because he said the budget was going to de-couple the State from federal allocation and lift the poor out of poverty.

    But shortly after that, CrossRiverWatch news editor, Jonathan Ugbal and three others were arrested for allegedly photographing two commissioners including the immediate past Attorney General of the State, that were sleeping during that exercise. Till date, even the hard copy of the budget is not available to the public not to talk of the promises inside.

    My ten kobo advise to my governor is that the poor can never be freed from poverty by exempting them from taking responsibility. Taxation is not a burden. It is a civic duty for the collective good of the society. Taxes should be reduced, rebates given and made convenient for even the poorest of the citizens to pay with intermittent holidays. Taxes should not be a burden but they should also not be taken away. They are our right and civic duty. Taxes are Biblical. Taxes are a way of ensuring that every citizen of age and ability takes responsibility for the collective upkeep of the society and also ensure government is accountable. Every government that wants to abolish taxes is tilting towards a lack of accountability.

    In a state where the total monthly IGR is less than N1billion and federal allocation is one of the lowest amidst crashing oil prices, abolition of taxes is not magnanimity. It is naivety. Don’t come here and tell me about those thrash called I-Money and G-Money and OPM.

    Finally, I agree wholely that crying is not a sign of weakness. We all cry. I cry too. Even our Lord Jesus cried. But what the governor needed to do yesterday was not another round of crying or a regurgitation of same things he has been saying since 2017 as if he was saying something new, he rather needs to ensure that his aides take him more seriously and respect his orders and commands and directives. If they had done that, poor people would have long had some respite from the tax masters over 3 years ago and our cry cry baby in Peregrino House would have rested his face towel, at least…

    Yours sincerely
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #1103DaysToGo
    #CryCryGovernor
    #StopCryingDoTheWork
    #HoldLeadersAccountable

     

    NB. The Opinions Expressed Are Of Agba Jalingo In His Personal Capacity And Does Not Representing THE LUMINE NEWS.

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  • C’River State Government Launches ICT To Curb Fake News

    By Solomon Asha – Calabar

    In an attempt to curb the prevalence of fake news and misleading press releases in the state, the Cross River State Government, through the office of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT/New Media Mr. Nate Otaba has launched an application/solution for verification of official State Press Releases.

    Introducing the CRSGVERIFY application,  Otaba noted that “fact-checking and warnings of misinformation are increasingly prevalent in modern news media and political communications. While many warnings about fake news are valid and enable people to reject misleading information over the years, attempts to creating a solution to curb the deception has yielded little ”

    Speaking further, Otaba disclosed that, “in his bid to provide a one stop solution to eradicate fake news in the State, His Excellency, Sen. Ben Ayade instituted a framework which led to the development of the CRSGVERIFY app.

    “As the name implies, the CRSGVERIFY app enables the public to verify news update or press releases. It is also aimed at curbing the spread of fake news in the State.

    “The CRSGVERIFY app is embedded in all social media platforms namely facebook, telegram etc. Users are advised to search for CRSGVERIFY on facebook, telegram etc to access the online platform.”

    He lauded other members of the CRSGVERIFY team particularly Engr. Iwada Eja – SSA ICT and Mr. Ekema Onyam – sofware engineer for their contributions.

  • Egbara Hails Ayade For Inaugurating ACPM In Cross River State

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Mrs. Blessing Egbara, has commended the state Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for the inauguration of  the Cross River State  Advisory Council on Prerogative Of Mercy ACPM, at the Ministry of Justice, Calabar the Cross River State Capital.

    Egbara, who is also a member of the Council stated that “the inauguration of the body by the State Governor is a clear indication that Ayade is a great humanitarian who is committed to changing and touching the lives of his people at all levels”

    The Commisioner also disclosed that “the role of the Council is basically to look into the cases of those qualified to be granted mercy in our Correctional Centers and ensure that they get the mercy of His Excellency, who as a  father believes in giving people a second Chance, it is also a way of decongesting our correctional centers in the state”

    She used the occasion to assured His Excellency, the Governor that her ministry will do all it can to ensure the realization of his Vision towards a better deal for Cross Riverians and to positively touch many lives.

    The Council consist of Barrister Emmanuel Enamhe, as Chairman, Mr Elias Ayeshung Secretary; Very Rev. Fr. Malachy Ephraim  Dr Yosef Effiom, Compol Lawrence Eko Alobi. Rtd., Hon. Blessing Egbara, Mr Emmanuel Bekeh Udama and Adjah Enun Adjah, are to serve as Members.

    End.

  • Remembering Okang Peter And Governor Ayade’s Endless Tears

    By Anthony Bisong Attah

    On the 23rd of March, 2020, I got a call from Okan Peter to speak on CRBC TV. I declined the invitation because it was on a national issue I didn’t consider too interesting. We both laughed when I assured him that I was going to be available to discuss on critical issues affecting the State. Hitherto, I have been his guest on Sparkling FM and we’ve met at different occasions at FAD FM, Calabar.

    The news of his demise on the 31st of March, 2020 rented the State media space for a long time. This was due largely because of his visibility as a rising media guru. I knew Okan first on the 16th of September, 2017 when he covered the launching of my party, the Young Progressives Party YPP in the State at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar. He demonstrated unaccustomed passion and dedication to his job as he straddled the Pearl Ball hall with his camera to ensure every detail of the MISS YPP COMPETITION was properly captured.

    I’m not good at writing or even commenting on the dead because of the emotions it evokes especially to the family and their loved ones. However, each time I recall events before the demise of my friend, two things readily strikes my mind; one, he spent many years as a volunteer staff of CRBC and just when he was absorbed into the system as a full staff he became a victim of the 2500 Civil Servants who’s names were delisted from the State payroll since September last year. He was set to attend the screening interview that was postponed on the 24th of March before he died one week later. Secondly, he was still being owed by the State Government for the role he played during last year Carnival Festival themed ‘Humanity’.

    I was shock as I watched our Governor, His Excellency, Sir Benedict Ayade weeping profusely in the now viral video during the inauguration of the State Anti Tax Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms of reference given to the committee chaired by Bishop Emmah Isong are not new to Cross Riverians at all. We are already used to the empty rhetorics and the theatrical distraction of weeping by the Governor. Maybe he would have been a better ‘undertaker’ than an Executive Governor, knowing that weeping alone without action has never solved any problem. A Governor that cannot weep for owing Civil Servants a whopping nine months salary arrears and 5 months unpaid stipends and Honorarium to those who toiled day and night including personal Financial commitment to see to the success of the State sponsored Carnival should not weep at all. A Governor that withholds over five years gratuity of retired Civil Servants in the State should not think that shedding ‘Iguana tears’ is a safety valve to negotiate public sympathy and gain citizen’s confidence.

    We are tired of seeing our Governor admit his failures openly with tears as smokescreen to cover for his negligence and incompetence. We prefer to see our Governor braze up to the challenge of governance by minimising cost and deploying lean state resources to areas that directly affect the citizens.

    Like my late friend, Okan Peter, several other Cross Riverians have died without being paid for several months and others have gone without enjoying their Honorarium after several months of labouring to make the 2019 Carnival a success story. A lot of retirees have died and others consigned to inhuman conditions after giving 35 years of meritorious Service to the State. These are the things that should make a good Governor to weep.

    My friend Okan is gone already but he left a family behind. I pray the Governor pays his Honorarium to his family and get a member of his family to replace him in his place of employment or elsewhere. That’s the best way to immortalize a young man who died on an empty stomach while serving the State.

    Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah
    State Chairman (Chief Servant)
    Young Progressives Party, YPP, CRS

     

     

    NB. Opinions Expressed Here Are Strictly That Of Anthony And Does Not Represent The Lumine News.

  • Mediatrix Doles Out 20 Marriage Anniversary Cheers To Her Board Secretary, Fred Abua

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The President/Founder, Board Members, Management and staff of Mediatrix Development Foundation MFD, felicitates with the workaholic Board Secretary, Mr. Fred Abua as he marks 20 years of his marriage anniversary.

    A release made available to THE LUMINE NEWS and signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Jeffrey Adamade indicates that MDF identifies with the family of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Abau on this auspicious occasion of their 20th marriage anniversary.

    The release reads in part “your commitment as Board Secretary to Mediatrix Development Foundation is a reflection of the peace enjoyed in your home and the support of your spouse, which translates to your building MDF together with other board members.

    “On behalf of the President/Founder, Board Members, Management and staff of MDF, I write to commemorates with you on this auspicious day of yours. The love, joy, trust, togetherness, and loyalty you have enjoyed 20 years ago which nourishes you and makes you look younger should continue to bind your home as well as strengthen you for effective service delivery to MDF in Particular and the society at large. Once again, Congratulations”

  • Mediatrix Donates Relief Materials To UNHCR

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A pet project of the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade, Mediatrix Development Foundation MDF, has taken a bold step to donate hand sanitizers to help contain the spread of corona virus and sanitary pads meant to aid the Cameroonian adolescent refugees maintain personal hygiene.

    Speaking during the presentation of the items at the Ogoja sub office, the Chief Operating Officer of MDF, Mr. Jeffrey Adamade, noted Mediatrix is committed to the welfare of the the people especially the vulnerable, and the reason the organization has decided to reach the refugees through the UN refugees agency, UNHCR.

    The COO stated that “This gesture is a deliberate effort of the President/Founder of MDF, Dr. Linda Ayade to mitigate the spread of corona virus among the Cameroonian refugees.

    “Let me also extend Her Excellency’s goodwill to UNHCR for the coordination of the refugees in Cross River State”

    Adamade who was represented by the Human Resource Officer, Doris Etta, use the opportunity to call on the refugees to maintain personal hygiene and social distancing, regular washing of hands, use of hand sanitizer and face mask as well as the stay at home policy.

    Responding on behalf of UNHCR, the Senior Health Associate, Dr. Ernest Ochang commended the gesture of Mediatrix to donate the items to support the fight against the virus.

    Ochang noted that “On behalf of UNHCR, Ogoja Field Office, I receive these items and will communicate same. May God continue to enrich you so that you will continue to do more especially for those that are in dare need of this benevolence”

    Items presented include 328 pieces of hand sanitizer and 627 pieces of sanitary pads.

    Mediatrix Development Foundation is the UNHCR implementing partner for Peaceful Coexistence of Refugees with host Communities/ Distribution of Core Relief Materials for 2020.

    In 2018 – 2019, Mediatrix was the Livelihood implementing partner and trained over 1500 Cameroonian Refugees and a few host community members on different skills aimed at making them self reliant, including adolescents who were trained on peer mentorship.

  • UN Agency Alerts Nigeria On Impending Terrorist’s Attack

     

    By Kelvin Obanbom

    The United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) has alerted Nigeria on the looming complex and coordinated attacks on the nation’s critical infrastructure, calling for urgent review and implementation of anti-terrorism measures.

    According to the UNDSS Nigeria, information received indicated an increased likelihood of terrorists activity, including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and complex attacks against critical national infrastructure and High-Value Targets (HVTs) in Nigeria.

    The UN agency, in its latest Security Threat Information (STI) and Advisory report on Nigeria said based on the information at its disposal, Boko Haram was likely planning to exploit the momentum of the host government’s strain due to COVID-19 spread to conduct a series of coordinated simultaneous attacks and so weaken the government’s efforts, to disturb and distract military activities in the North-east and to gain greater local and regional attention and acceptance.

    A copy of the report released on Wednesday by the Chief Security Adviser (CSA) and UNDSS Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Robert Marinovic, said: “It is assessed that we are at the beginning of the security crisis characterised by a wide spectrum of interconnected crisis (civil unrests, crime and the increasing threat of terrorism), that were fuming for quite some time and now released by COVID-19 impact on the government and population.

    “In this context, the critical infrastructure are considered any of economic or security entities and their premises (petrol industry installations, banks, governmental facilities, shopping malls, hotels, etc), at any location in the country, especially state capitals, including Lagos and Abuja.

    “Though the UN in Nigeria is not the primary target for the terrorist activity, it is assessed that the UN can be impacted as collaterally (while visiting governmental installations, banks, shopping malls, e.t.c.), but also as the target of opportunity, if seen to be less protected (‘soft target’).”

    The UNDSS added that it had already assessed the likelihood of such terrorist activity and included it in all respective areas of UN Security Management Systems’ (UNSMS) Security Risk Management (SRMs) in Nigeria, stressing therefore that, the strict implementation of and compliance with standing security measures are of paramount importance.

    However, the UNDSS recommended among others that Nigeria should ensure that all SRM measures, especially those against terrorism threats, are urgently reviewed and fully implemented.

    It directed its Security Focal Points (SFPs) to alert security guards and host government security in and around UN compounds, on the above-described threat so to be vigilant against possible hostile surveillance (that usually precedes terrorist attack).

    It said UN personnel should patronise only neighborhood markets and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), rather than big shopping malls or banks, to avoid unnecessary risk.

    It also advised that emergency phone numbers (emergency contact card distributed by UNDSS SWA) should be kept handy at all times; while respective Security Operations Centres (SOC) should be informed of all suspicious movements/observations.

    It also urged SFPs to circulate and disseminate the message to their respective personnel.

    Source: ThisDay

  • Gov Ben Ayade Lifts Ban On Religious Worship

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has lifted the ban on religious worship in the state with effect from Sunday 24th May, 2020.

    In a release sighted by theluminenews and signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita indicates that all religious leaders must adhere to all the rules binding citizens during this period as the enforcement team will go round to check compliance.

    Recall that the Governor had through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita directed all religious worship be suspended in line with the measures to contain the ravaging pandemic, codenamed Covid 19.

    The release reads in parts “His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade KSJI, the Governor of Cross River State, is very grateful to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Christians of various denominations, and the entire Muslim community for their support and cooperation during the period of suspension of public worship in our state in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    “His Excellency acknowledges that the understanding and cooperation of religious leaders contributed immensely in keeping our State Coronavirus Free thus far.

    “However, conscious of the Spiritual Economy, and in response to appeals by religious leaders in our state, His Excellency has issued the following executive orders:

    “1. The order suspending public worship in the state, is hereby lifted with effect from Sunday May 24th. 2020.

    “2. Consequently, starting from Sunday, May 24, 2020, church services are permitted but should be limited to the sitting capacity of the Church. Same applies to the Mosques.

    “3. Use of nose mask is compulsory for all worshipers.

    “4. Churches and Mosques should provide buckets for hand washing, or sanitizers.

    “5. Churches and Mosques are advised to strickly keep to the above instructions. The enforcement team will still go around to check compliance”

  • By: Damaris Onyendi – Calabar

    The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has described Cross River State as deserving of its coronavirus free status.

    NCDC stated this on Monday during a verification visit to the state.

    The leader of the NCDC team, Dr Omobolanle Olowu, lauded the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade for his strong leadership in the battle against the pandemic, successfully keeping it away from the state.

    “The Federal Government strongly Commends the Action Governor of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and his energetic team who started response in January when others still lived in denial. They (Cross River) deserve to still be without a case of COVID-19.

    “The governor was proactive in shutting down borders, screening visitors and suspected cases and initiating the no mask no movement campaign in Nigeria,” she said.

    She also expressed delight at the level of compliance with the no mask no movement policy of the government.

    Expressing disbelief, she said: “I cannot believe I did not see one person without a face mask from the airport to this office. I guess this explains the results in Cross River State. I commend the state for the great work done. We never knew all these in Abuja. We will tell Mr President all what we have seen.

    “From all I have seen, this is a great response in Nigeria. Cross River has honestly done well. There is a lot to learn from Cross River as best practice for Nigeria. Nigeria should give Cross River State accolades for producing face masks, Face Shield, PPEs in its Garment Factory.”

    She said the NCDC was also satisfied with the contact tracing, Surveillance and testing done so far by the state even as she encouraged the state to do more in that regard.

    “We are happy that the state has a great working relationship with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. This is Commendable.

    “Governor Ben Ayade woke up even before the rest of the country. He shut his borders and has been working from the front line. Your Governor is a man with foresight who believes in his people and wants to save his people.”

    Highlight of the teams visit included the official opening of the 100-bed isolation center in Adiabo.

  • Egbara Takes Covid 19 Palliatives/Relief Materials To Governor Ayade’s Home Town

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    In furtherance to Governor Ben Ayade’s deliberate efforts to cushion the effects of social hardship faced by the vulnerable occasioned by the global pandemic, COVID-19, the Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Mrs. Blessing Egbara has extended the distribution of palliative and humanitarian services to the people of Obudu, Governor Ben Ayade’s home town.

    Egbara, while distributing the items to patients at the Sacred Heart Hospital Obududu held that “Prof. Ben Ayade’s administration is committed to making life bearable to the patients and other citizens during this hard period.

    “These relief materials are meant to assist you meet some of your daily basic needs. As your leader, the governor is sensitive to the plights of his people and will always do all within his power to ameliorate your sufferings”

    Egbara interact led with some of the patients as she encouraged them to trust God for their healing. She used the opportunity to enlighten the patients about the COVID-19 and the efforts,  His Excellency Prof Benedict Ayade is putting to ensure Cross River state remains Covid-19 free.

    The relief materials distributed to the patients includes; food items, Nose masks and hand Sanitizers.

    At  Angiaba/Begiaka communities of Obudu, Egbara also handed over Nose Masks, Hand Sanitizers and relief materials to the people.

    The Commissioner disclosed that the desire and vision of His Excellency the governor is to reach out to as many Communities in all the local Government Areas of the state as possible and that her Job is to ensure the items gets to these communities. Bedia is one of the communities in the state that the Commissioner visited and distributed the items.

    Responding on behalf of the Angiaba/Begiaka communities, His Royal Highness (HRH) Utsu Felix Ukwudare, commended the governor for his hard work and development of the state in general and the effort he has put to make Cross River State COVID-19 free.

    The royal father thanked the governor for the donation of the relief materials, nose masks and hand sanitizers to their communities and for educating the people about the global pandemic and how to live during this period.

    Utstu Ukwudare Praised His Excellency for the gesture and held that God truly sent Professor Ben Ayade to protect Cross Riverians and pledged his support and loyalty to the Governor and bless him as he pilot the affairs of the state.