Category: Leadership

  • Distinctive Attributes That Places Prof Joseph Asor Above His Contenders For Unical VCship Race

    Distinctive Attributes That Places Prof Joseph Asor Above His Contenders For Unical VCship Race

    By Ogar Emmanuel – Calabar

    Prof. Joseph Asor is an erudite Professor of Zoology and Environmental Biology in the University of Calabar, Calabar. He is a man with unparallel experience.

    Bellow are some of his attributes that stands him out among other contenders.

    1. He’s an experienced overseer of human and material resources;

    2. He’s an eminent scholar that’s well wired in the finest academic tradition;

    3. He has been on the rank of a professor for more than a decade;

    4. He has had a robust academic and administrative experience at the university and he’s capable of giving dynamic academic and administrative leadership;

    5. He has the aptitude to create the much needed harmony between students and staff; and on the other hand the tranquility between members of the host community and the entire community because he has been Dean of Students’ Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and an advocate of peace — being a strong believer;

    6. He’s capable of crafting national and international respect, specifically in the academia;

    7. He’s resolute and equipped to steadfastly pursue the continue development of the University even under resource constraint;

    8. He has the Midas touch of increasing the University’s low IGR to a golden height;

    9. He’s not greedy of filthy lucre;

    10. He gives high premium to merit and competency in his previous port of call;

    11. He has unassailable integrity —incontrovertible!;

    12. He has the intellectual shrewdness and mental acuity of pursuing the University’s vision, mission and core values;

    13. He’s psychologically, morally and physically sound;

    14. He has rendered efficient and invaluable services to the University;

    15. He’s committed to the entrenchment of the cardinal philosophy and core values that stands Unical out in the comity of academic institutions;

    16. He’s a man that students and staff, nay the academia will gaze upon with pride and satisfaction upon his enthronement as Vice Chancellor.

    We all need a VC that’s financially prudent, administratively scrupulous, fair and impartial.
    Beloved, this is a noble aspiration that merits our generous support and goodwill. Let’s join our hands to enthrone Prof. Joe Asor as Unical VC.
    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    JOE ASOR COALITION OF COMRADES (JACC) [email protected] 09078405798

  • Austin Akan Congratulates Peter Ishoja And Other 9 Councilors As They Assume Office

    Austin Akan Congratulates Peter Ishoja And Other 9 Councilors As They Assume Office

    By Elijah Ugani – Obudu

    A front line supporter of Governor Ben Ayade and a business Mogul, Chief Austin Akan has congratulated the Hon. Peter Ishoja representing Obudu Urban 1 who emerged as the Leader of the 6th legislative council of Obudu local government area and nine other councillors for their successful inauguration today.

    Akan who was elated having sensed the disposition of the councilors to duty, admonished the lawakers to use the opportunity they have been given to enact laws that will have direct impact on the lives of the citizens considering the fact the people have been in dare yearning for grassroot representation.

    Akan averred that “as councilors who reside with the people, and finding yourselves at the grassroot level, your constituents expect you to spend more time with them, by doing this, you will appreciate their more pressing challenges and of priority too.

    “Your call is majorly that of service, I employ you to concentrate more on service to humanity as posterity will always remind us of your contribution to the development of this council.

    “The executive needs your collaborative efforts and synergy to deliver the devidends of democracy to our people. Let me congratulate once again and wish you a very successful tenure of office as councilors representing your various wards”

  • Vena Ikem’s Congratulatory Letter To Newly Elected Chairmen And Councillors In Cross River State

    Vena Ikem’s Congratulatory Letter To Newly Elected Chairmen And Councillors In Cross River State

    By Admin

    Welcome to A New Dawn: A letter of congratulations to The newly elected Chairmen and councillors in Cross River State.

    As Gov Ayade takes a few steps in the direction of the change we desire let me use this forum to encourage him and also congratulate the newly elected Chairmen of the 18 local govt councils and their vice Chairmen together with the 196 councillors and very soon about 518 appointees to various positions in the councils.

    It is not true that we do not appreciate when positive steps are taken in the polity. It is that we desire to see more positive steps than occur in recent times and so we are usually skeptical of the steps when taken until they are concluded.

    As the election process has been concluded we feel happy that a breathe of fresh air has been injected into the life of Cross Riverians, and into our body politics, no matter how Imperfect the process may seem. Already the euphoria that has greeted the new and incoming administrations is palpable and an indication that it is what the people desire. The people have been waiting for this for so long and they are happy that it has finally arrived !

    I want to congratulate Gov. Ayade for finally arriving at a convergence with me in my anxiety to see Democracy take root once again at the grassroots level of our state. As a product of this tier of Govt I cannot help myself but encourage it’s elevation as a critical catalyst for grassroots development.

    Let me use this opportunity to also advise the new administrations in the various councils, that despite the challenges you may face, you owe your people the onerous responsibility to deliver on some critical challenges that must be confronting them in order to endear yourselves to them.

    Our people are yearning most of all to be listened to. To be heard. Building gigantic projects might appeal to them because we all yearn for development, but what is most critical is giving them a listening ear, empathizing with them and making the right effort to appreciate their yearnings and aspirations. This is most exemplified in making yourselves available to them when they need you in a timely manner.

    Do not surround yourselves with too many ‘boys’ that will make it difficult for the ordinary citizen of the local govt to reach you and discuss with you, no matter how briefly once in a while. Do not create a “security” cordon around yourselves that insulates you from the people you have been given the responsibility to administer.

    For most of you, your political career begins now. How you lay the foundation will determine how far you can go. Some of us did this 29 years ago and we are still blessed to be around. The secret is really as simple as I am spelling out to you: Live simple. Keep in touch with your people. Don’t be in a hurry to get rich. A good and impactful politician never really gets rich! He or she is often too busy making sacrifices to remember to accumulate enough to get rich. In this class of 18/18/196, of 2020, new stars will be made. Future ministers, Governors, commissioners etc are already being groomed. Are you going to be one of the few or will you return to relative obscurity and blame Governor Ayade for not “allowing you to make money”?

    The Governor has given you this rare opportunity to distinguish yourselves which many have sought all their political career and never got. He cannot be your excuse for failure to live up to the aspirations of your people.

    Your people are watching as you change friends, change appetite, change women/ men change clothes and accommodation but your excuse will constantly be that “the governor is not giving us money”! But he is giving you enough to change all these things except offer a little helping hand to those who today are all over you, supporting you. Those who put their lives on the line and quarrelled with others in the bid to support you to get here.

    Watch your every step. Have empathy for your friends, brothers, sisters and electorates. If you think people are not seeing you, surely God is and will reward you abundantly over the course of time, if you do well, if not with material gratification, with long service to humanity and a good name.

    Eschew crisis as much as possible. Avoid trouble in your councils and always prefer the path of amicable resolution of differences and there will be peace in your councils, which is the ultimate desire of our people.

    Keep yourselves close, don’t harbour grudges against those who didn’t support you because you are now representing all.

    Most of all make yourselves a vessel for good, no matter how little, day by day and you will be amazed how much good you are capable of doing in a very short time.

    I want to live to be able to point at you in a couple of years at my retirement and say, (s)he was a chairman when Gov. Ayade organized the first local govt election and I was the State Chairman of our great Party !

    Wishing you God’s abiding graces and guidance throughout your tenure.

    Long live Cross River State!!!

    Long live The People’s Democratic Party! ( PDP).

    Vena. Ikem.

     

    Disclaimer: This opinion is strictly that of Vena. Ikem and does not represent THELUMINENEWS or its staff.

  • YNaija Governor’s Ranking: Matawalle, Ayade, Uzodinma, Obaseki Emerge Top Performers For May

    YNaija Governor’s Ranking: Matawalle, Ayade, Uzodinma, Obaseki Emerge Top Performers For May

     

     

    By Dayo Taiwo-Sidiq, YNaija

    It has been an eventful year for Governors of the 36 states in the federation and for a good number of them, May marked either their first year anniversary as Chief Executive or the first year anniversary of their second term in office.

    However, with the coronavirus pandemic still a thing in the country, our effectiveness rankings will focus on the usual monthly performance of 10 among these governors across the 6 geo-political zones.

    Worst Performers:

    10. Nyesom Wike (Rivers, South South)

    As in April, the Rivers Government sparked off a debate in the country as Governor Wike in enforcing his Executive Order 6 on COVID-19 in the state, supervised the auctioning of vehicles that allegedly flouted the lockdown order as well as the demolition of Prodest Hotel and Etemeteh Hotel without the order of a court.

    While many have tried to justify this action, it amounts to killing a fly with a sledgehammer. Such high-handedness discourages investment in the state. Analysts have also argued that such orders should have prescribed lesser punitive measures such as converting it to an isolation centre or making the violators pay huge fines to the government.

    The Governor appears to also be increasing tension in the state with consistent allegations about threat to peace as he said that there were plans by some persons to cause breakdown of law and order so as to force the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

    9. Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe, North East)

    Reports from Gombe more than anything else put a dent on the national fight against COVID-19, as the state witnessed two rounds of protests in May by patients at its isolation centres. The first which saw about 20 patients force their way out of the facility to take over the federal highway linking the state with neighbouring Borno, chanting that the state government lied against their status went viral and lamenting alleged poor treatment by the state government.

    Days later, in similar fashion, some COVID-19 patients at the Federal Teaching Hospital staged a protest on the streets claiming they had not been given drugs and were left to fend for himself alongside other patients at the hospital. Sadly, the explanation by the government didn’t do much and health workers are also complaining about their unpaid allowances.

    The Governor has also come under criticism over a bill that was recently passed into law for the establishment of the Joint Development Project Agency. Described as obnoxious, the joint agency is alleged to be a conduit for siphoning local government funds and making them mere appendages of the state government.

    8. Yahaya Bello (Kogi, North Central)

    After months of being only one of the two states without a case of COVID-19 in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced two positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, but the Kogi government quickly issued a statement rejecting the results while maintaining that the Confluence State was free of the coronavirus.

    The development is worrisome as the Kogi Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had persistently cried out over the lack of adequate testing for coronavirus in the state describing it as a great risk for doctors and other health workers. Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre accused the Yahaya Bello-led government of frustrating the efforts to ascertain the presence of the virus in the northcentral state, while investigative reports suggest that many patients report to the Kogi Specialist Hospital with symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, but none of them gets tested for fear of being punished by the state authorities.

    At the centre of these fears are statements by Governor Yahaya alleging that the NCDC wants him to declare false cases in the state, leading residents of the state and beyond to describe COVID-19 as a hoax with little or no attention to measures as use of face masks as well as social distancing while movement flows freely through the streets, entry and exit to and fro boundary city -Abuja (which has recorded not less than 500 cases) were without hitches despite the ban on inter-state travel.

    Fair Performers:

    7. Dapo Abiodun (Ogun, South West)

    All appears not to be well in the Ogun health sector as doctors under the state employment are having a running battle with the government over the unexplained delay in the payment of its members’ salaries and agitations on the need for improved welfare package for its members.

    The doctors under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu alleged that compared to other workers in the state whose salaries for April and May were paid promptly, their April salaries were paid mid-May despite working during the period of the lockdown, while May salaries were yet to be paid as of May 21.

    While it is commendable that the Ogun Government announced a review of hazard allowance for State health workers from 200 to 300 per cent as well as a life insurance policy for frontline workers, it is worrisome that the Governor is putting the life policy on hold from taking off immediately, opting to wait for the Federal Government to put in place a similar programme. The state government has a lot of work to do in ensuring that all issues leading to industrial action at a critical time of the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved.

    6. Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna, North West)
    The Kaduna Governor in the month under review waived the Right of Way (RoW) charges for broadband and related communication infrastructure in the state. As described by the Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, one of the key benefits of the decision is the rapid growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) of any country that increases its broadband penetration.

    In the fight against the Coronavirus, apart from threats of prosecution to any Islamic cleric who enrolls children into an Almajiri school in the state, the government has ensured optical screening and rehabilitation of 200 children in the Almajiri system of education repatriated from Nasarawa in the wake of the pandemic, bringing the total number of repatriated Almajiri pupils to 900 from Kano, Bauchi, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

    The unpleasant news from the North-Western state this month however, is the attack on inhabitants of the Southern Kaduna communities by gunmen leading to the death of women and children. Such inhuman act despite the lockdown is very worrisome and there is a great need for proactive measures to avoid a reoccurrence.

    Good Performers:

    5. Godwin Obaseki (Edo, South South)

    The state’s COVID-19 response team headed by the Deputy Governor have taken commendable steps in managing the pandemic in the state especially with regular updates and boost of its isolation facilities in the state to over 600-beds spread across different health facilities in Benin, Auchi and Irrua; making it the state first outside Lagos, to have three testing centres in the country.

    This is evident in acclaimed credits from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health on its recent inauguration of a 300-bed isolation centre and molecular laboratory at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin, along with a third Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) molecular laboratory established at the Edo State Specialist Hospital.

    The recent completion of a substation at the Edo State Secretariat complex and installation of 33KVA lines ahead of the test run of the CCTEC-Ossiomo Power Plant, with a capacity of 55 megawatts is also a major move towards opening up the state’s power sector to competition for the benefit of residential and industrial consumers.

    While the governor cannot be solely blamed for the heightened tension arising from the actions of political actors warming up for party primaries ahead of the September 19 Gubernatorial elections in the state, he has a critical role to play in dousing tension in the state being generated by the political class, as well as ensure the security agents stay on top of their game in the fight against incessant kidnappings and rape cases in the state.

    4. Hope Uzodinma (Imo, South East)

    The Hope Uzodinma administration took a bold move to ensure judicious use of the state’s commonwealth by assenting to a bill repealing the law that created pension allowances and gratuities for former Governors, Deputy Governors, Assembly Speakers and Deputy Speakers.

    As rightly pointed out by the governor, not only does the repealed law run contrary to the provision of the 1999 constitution as amended, which stipulates that a pensioner must have worked for at least 10 years and must be up to 45 years of age, some beneficiaries of such payments also earn salaries and allowances in other positions they occupied such as serving as Senators or Members of the House of Representatives.

    Another commendable move by the Governor was the signing of an executive order that slashes the Right-of-Way (RoW) charges for InfraCos in the state from N4,500 to N145 per metre. The review will ease the cost of deploying the necessary infrastructure that would aid the National Broadband Penetration plan by Telcos, trigger ancillary on-line services, especially in the field of education and in turn usher in innovations across the sectors.

    3. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom, South South)

    The Akwa Ibom Government in the month under review slashed the salaries of all political office holders in the state by 20% in what it described as a response to the prevailing economic realities of dwindling revenues, caused by the crash in the price of crude oil in the global market. As expected of thinking leadership, the step is considered a good move as it will go a long way in showing it is paying beyond lip service to call for sacrifice.

    A major feat for the Udom administration in May was the addition of a Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft to the Ibom Air fleet in line with his plans to open the State up for industrialization through land, sea and air, with plans underway for another aircraft to increase the fleet to five aircraft.

    The administration also provided computers, cameras, printers, scanners and other essential work tools that will aid in the profiling of convicts and overall efficiency to the State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The support will go a long way in ensuring the implementation of all non-custodial sentencing such as community services, probation, parole, restorative justice and others as enshrined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.

    2. Ben Ayade (Cross River, South South)

    Governor Ayade received massive commendation from Nigerians across the federation this month for the new policy of his administration’s which exempts micro and small businesses from the payment of taxes as well as the inauguration of an anti-tax agency to put an end to illicit taxes on the people while ensuring the small business owners do not come under the harsh hands of the desperate search for money by tax consultants.

    The initiative which he tagged as part of post-COVID-19 palliative to the people in response to the level of poverty in the state, exempts all Okada (commercial motorcycle) riders, taxi drivers, small saloon owners, small catering and restaurant points, street food vendors, hotels with less than 50 rooms across the whole state and all others who sell basic things or struggling to earn a living,

    For a country where multiple taxations are a big deal, such policy will encourage basic entrepreneurship and wealth creation in the state. Judging from the state’s revenue, concerns have been raised however as to how the government hopes to meet up with his obligations and carry out its “ambitious projects” with such policy. The administration also employed additional 1,000 workers as demand for Cross River Garment Factory facemasks skyrocketed in this month.

    1. Bello Matawalle (Zamfara, North West)

    The award of N3.1 billion contract for the construction of 423 classrooms in the state and decision to accommodate as many street children known as Almajiri expelled from any state with open arms as well as integrate the Almajirai model into western education for the purpose of acquiring qualitative education in both western and Islamic knowledge is very positive.

    This will go along way in promoting a sense of belonging and reduce the “stigmatisation” meted on the Almajiri Islamic teaching and learning in the country when most of the Governors in the Northern part of the country have toed the line of repatriation.

    Quite importantly, with low testing capacity posing a major challenge to the fight against the pandemic in the country, one great feat of the Matawalle administration in the last one month is the launch of the largest zero-contact testing centre for COVID-19 in Nigeria.

    With a capacity of collecting 70 samples in an hour, this will significantly protect health workers who are on the front line and ensure timely delivery of collected samples since the booth can be deployed in border towns and remote areas. The sample collection booths are also said to be convertible into telemedicine booths post-COVID – 19; which will also boost the people’s access to healthcare and their overall wellbeing, especially in the hinterlands of the state.

    Editor’s Note: The YNaija Effectiveness Ranking is a perception index by our special editorial programme as determined by correspondent assessment, news reports, and opinion surveys. It is graded on the following parameters: campaign promise, social impact, and infrastructural development.

  • UTUKALU Youth Patriotic Front Congratulates Bonny Ewhe, Chairman Of Obudu LGC

    UTUKALU Youth Patriotic Front Congratulates Bonny Ewhe, Chairman Of Obudu LGC

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The UTUKALU Youth Patriotic Front has congratuled the Chairman of Obudu local government council, Mr. Boniface Eraye Ewhe for his emergence at the poll and subsequent inauguration as the Executive Chairman of council.

    In a release signed by the  group Chairman and Secretary, Mr. Gregory Adie and Dr. Ferdinand Ite Odey,  and made available to THELUMINENEWS, described the chairman as a gentleman of high moral repute, a quintessential trailblazer, a social engineer and a man full of capacity and determination to achieve any set goal, is sure on the trajectory to harness his potentials for the development of Obudu local government council.

    The release reads in parts “We want to congratulate you specially on this auspicious moment of yours where the opportunity have been created for you to bring to bear your vast knowledge of experience that transcends the oil and gas sector, politics and private business.

    “For you, we are proud that this is a dream come true, and so we are not in doubt of your resolve and determination to make your stewardship count.

    “We want to join your numerous admirers and people of goodwill to ask God Almighty to grant you the wisdom of King Solomon as you serve as Chairman of Obudu local government council.

    “You are a gentleman of high moral repute, a quintessential trailblazer, a social engineer and a man full of capacity and determination to achieve your set goal, we are convince that you are on the trajectory to harness your potentials for the development of Obudu local government council under your superintendent as the chief servant.

    “Be reminded that this new responsibility comes with its enormous challenges, we urge you therefore, to avoid mixing emotions with leadership as you try to identify sycophantic hype and chose the part of honor in the discharge of your duties.

    “Lastly, you will soon be accused of abandoning your party faithfuls, that is a normal thing. Be reminded and inform such persons that you are chairman of Obudu and not chairman of PDP. The name Bonny Ewhe rings bell in almost all the households in Obudu, we want that echoes louder positively, we are always very proud of you and we are convinced that you are going to justify this trust we have in you. Congratulations once again”

  • They Don’t Care About Us

    They Don’t Care About Us

    By Boniface Ekungitunre Ushie-Ogar

    13 days away, Jackson hit track with the above title, it will be 25 years since he performed the single. The song represents the plight of the blacks; their past, their present and their future in the hands of institutionalized racism which created ghettos, built partial justice system which got 56 % of blacks who make just 20% of the entire US population in the penitentiary with a low level of ever getting a paying job after release and the Cops shoot at any black provocation but use kid gloves 🧤 on people with other colors.

    Let’s pause and ask yourselves some questions;
    1. Is police brutality only in US

    2. Is it the USA that has a partial Justice system… In NIG, I have seen how in five days, Walter (former CJN) was arraigned but we have cases that can’t be attained to.

    3. Have the government stop slashing the budget for Health and education while increasing that for renovation for the Hallow Chamber.

    4. Are the salaries of our teachers at all levels, juicy or are just the salaries of the politicians with just passing six that got the juice… This is a systematic bastardization of our education system, it weakens the teachers who in turn, teach rubbish and nonsense and the elite are ok with it because they maintain control on us with the poor enlightenment and most of those who were not well trained become parliamentarian who either do not move any motion or at best, they copy obsolete bills or law from Singapore, Dubai, etc.

    5. How is our taxing system, does it allow the poor and less privilege to save and penny, we get tax for making calls, for depositing our money, for receiving credit, for sending an SMS, for buying via a mobile app, both the buyer and seller get tax for a single, the same commodity?

    Who is responsible for the implementation of the policies and when they look at such unfriendly policies, why go ahead to sign it, do they really care about us?

    All I want to say is that they don’t really care about us and in the coming days, I will be showing through tidbit, how they do not care, and what we must do to let them know that it is mandatory on them to care.

    Yours in Tidbit!

    Boniface Ekungitungre Ushie-Ogar
    Writes from Earth

    NB.
    The Cop represents all the elite and those in the position of authorities in any part of the world who use their powers to oppress us, the weak, the poor, the less privileged, the needy. Floyd, represent all those who are at the receiving end in any part of the world.

     

    Disclaimer: This is solely the opinion of Boniface Ushie Ogar and does not represent that of the THELUMINENEWS or its staff.

  • Full Text Of Address By Bonny Ewhe, Chairman Obudu LGC On The Occasion Of His Swearing-In

    Full Text Of Address By Bonny Ewhe, Chairman Obudu LGC On The Occasion Of His Swearing-In

    By Elijah Ugani

     

    PRESS STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF OBUDU LGA, BONIFACE ERAYE EWHE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN OF COUNCIL CHAIRMEN

    THANK YOU MY PEOPLE, I SHALL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU

    Today is a new dawn in the politics of Obudu as I assume office as the Executive Chairman of the local government. It’s an exciting yet very challenging moment. It’s exciting because of the privilege and opportunity to serve my people and challenging because of the enormous task ahead. But let me reassure you all that you have made the right choice. I’ll guide this opportunity jealousy by doing my best to ensure Obudu becomez better than she was yesterday.

    I consider myself very privileged to have been elected from among a pool of other qualified Obudu sons and daughters. I didn’t present myself for the election because I felt I was better than anybody but because I had the convictions that I was prepared to lead our great local government to chart a new course forward.

    The dream of many years has become reality. I want to from the depth of my heart thank the first citizen of Obudu and Cross River State, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade whose unalloyed support ensued my overwhelming victory at our great party’s primaries and subsequently, the general elections.

    To my teeming supporters-youths, men and women of great consciences, I say thank you for the overwhelming support. The confidence you have reposed on me won’t be abused. I assure you again, I won’t disappoint you.

    We have won the war, now it’s time to face the battle. The challenge of leadership is cumbersome and the success of every administration is dependent on the support of his subjects. Thus, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all of you to keep the fire burning. I need your support now more than ever! The task to deliver the good aspirations we all have for our dear local government is a collective one; let’s see it as OUR responsibility not THEIR business!

    Posterity will hold me to account if I fail to recognise the priceless efforts of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission. I salute the courage of the Chairman, Dr. Mike Odey and his team for putting their lives at risk even at this global health crisis occassioned by the Coronavirus outbreak to conduct one of the freest and fairest elections in the history of the state. History will remember you all.

    To my opponents, I say thank you all for putting up a good fight. I see all those who contested against me as rivals not enemies because for me, it was all because of their burning desire to see a drastic turnaround in our dear local government that they offered themselves just like me to serve.

    Politics is like a game of football, you win some and loose some. Election has come and gone and it’s now time for governance. I want to extend a hand of fellowship to everybody to come let’s reason together to develop our dear local government. I’ll run an open door administration where every quality idea geared towards the development of Obudu would be welcomed.

    Like I said during the campaigns, the just concluded election was not just an opportunity to elect me and others as local government executives but also to re-engage all of us on the values we share as a people. Now that we’ve an elected local government executives, let’s take advantage of the opportunity to reinvigorate the political process in our local government for the next generation and in the process leave a legacy that will stand the test of time.

    Let me paraphrase what I pledged during the campaigns, “Our focus will not be to reimagine a political process where we will pay attention to a few selected group of people but will develop a dynamic process where we can individually and collectively pursue the course of building Obudu that we will all be proud of. Your motivation at the end should be that you played a key role in building a progressive, developed and peaceful Obudu that the generation yet to come will be proud of”.

    With God on our side, we’ll not fail you. I want to remind us that this great local government belongs to all of us and we should at this critical time in our history come together regardless previous political experiences to move it and our people to greater heights.

    Thank you and God bless.

    Signed :

    Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe
    Executive Chairman
    Obudu local government

  • Ayade Cautions Newly swore In 18 Local Chairmen To Avoid Unnecessary Trips Outside Their Local Governments

    Ayade Cautions Newly swore In 18 Local Chairmen To Avoid Unnecessary Trips Outside Their Local Governments

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has cautioned 18 local government chairmen to avoid unnecessary trips outside their councils to enable them stay back home to deliver on their mandate.

    Ayade gave the caution while swearing-in the 18 local government chairmen and their vice in the state today 2nd June at the Exco chambers of the governor’s office in Calabar, the cross river state capital.

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had cleared the entire 18 council areas and also produced all the councillors.

    “I want to urge you to avoid unnecessary trips outside your local government areas, you need to stay with your people to enable you appreciate their challenges as well deliver on your mandate”

    The governor disclosed that he has left behind N11.386 billion as take off fund for all the 18 local government chairmen and stressed that they had no reason not to perform.

    “Remember I am giving you councils that are not owing salaries, not owing pension. So I don’t want to hear tomorrow that your are owing.

    “We are happy to announce to you that you are coming into office while the governor leaves behind N11.386 billion in your coffers.

    “Today marks a great opportunity for the people at the grassroots who have never had direct access to government, to feel the impact of government,” the governor told the new chairmen.

    He further implored them not to engage in grandiose projects but concentrate on simple projects that directly impact on the lives of the people.

    His words: “You are serving the grassroots, I do not want you therefore, to embark on big projects. I need you to deal with those projects that directly impact on the lives of the people. I need you to deal with boreholes, I need you to deal with culverts, minor bridges that link communities”

    The governor advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councillors so as to effectively serve the people.

    “I urge you to work in harmony with your councillors. There must not be a divided house. Therefore, work harmoniously with the councillors so that together you will serve the people effectively”

    In a chat with the chairman of Obudu local government council, Mr. Bonny Eraye Ewhe,  the hometown of Governor Ben Ayade, the chairman noted that he will concentrate more on agriculture as he will unveil his plans as streamlined in the agenda of his administration.

    He used the opportunity to thank the governor and pledged his commitment to serving his people.

  • 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”