Some memories remain indelible. Such memories keep flashing through one’s mind, regardless of the passage of time. This explains why I still nurse fresh memories of my first experience as a customer in a restaurant. That was several years ago, in my first year as an undergraduate. The restaurant was sited in “Malabor Republic”, University of Calabar.
I had been trained at home to ALWAYS wash my plates after eating. I expected that every undergraduate received similar home training before gaining admission into the university.
Therefore, I was innocently surprised when I noticed in that restaurant that customers were leaving their plates unwashed, after eating. I felt that they were being disrespectful to the cooks. I needed to do as I was taught at home.
Thus, I thoroughly washed my plates after eating. I kept doing the same thing each time I went to that restaurant, until the day I went there with my friends, Victor Necus-Agba and Eteng Williams Jones (now an honorable member of CRS House of Assembly). They made jests of me when I attempted to wash my plates. Victor and Jones were my closest friends in school. We were inseparable. But they said that they would keep a distance from me, if I keep washing any plate in a restaurant. They added that other students would start thinking that I was either a cook or a “plate washer”, if I continued that habit. At that moment, I recalled that people were always staring at me each time I did what I was doing. They must have been thinking that I was a real “mugu”.
I stopped going to that restaurant after that day. Why not?
Despite this, I won’t stop telling my children to always wash their plates after eating. When they grow up, they would learn faster than I learned, by the grace of God.
Category: Metro News
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Some Memories Remain Indelible, And Keep Flashing Through One’s Mind, Regardless Of The Passage Of Time BY CORNELIUS ELLAH
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Orim, Diana Mary And 11 Others Appointed By Sen John Owan Enoh
The Honorable Minister of sports development, Senator John Owan Enoh-JOE announces the appointment of the following :
Dr. Richard Orim – Special Adviser (Administration)
Brendan Ndifon – Special Adviser (Strategy)
Olumide Bamiduro- Special Adviser (Technical )
Diana Mary Nsan -Special Adviser (Media)
Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka- (Special Adviser (Grassroot Sports)
Kabir Yusuf – Technical Adviser (Policy)
Kevin Oji – Executive Media Aide
Sunday Adeleye – Executive Assistant
Kola Daniel – Media Aide
Justin Obongha – Media Assistant 1
Victor Ndifon – Media Assistant II
Michael Ogar Gabriel – Media Assistant III
Prince Bassey Okoro – Personal Assistant
You are by this appointment expected to bring your wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of your duties and to the best of your ability in line with the mandate, mission, vision and core values of the Ministry of Sports Development.
Congratulations and best wishes on your appointment.
Signed:
Dr Richard Orim
Special Adviser Administration
For The Honorable Minister of Sports Development.
1/9/2023 -
Appointment Of Olukayode As EFCC Chairman Violates Commission’s Act
Controversy has continueed to trail the appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu and many critics holds the view that it is unlawful and illegal.
They held that the runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman, must amongst other things have;
I. Been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency,
II. Must have 15 years cognate experience of law enforcement, and
III. Must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of policeMany have argued that Mr Olukoyede, a lawyer, is not qualified to be EFCC chairman under the law establishing the anti-corruption agency.
Mr Olukoyede, although a former secretary of the EFCC and ex-chief of staff to the chairman of the commission, did not meet the requirements of section 2(3) of the EFCC Act, to be qualified for the appointment.
The law stipulates that a chairman of the commission “must be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and possess not less than 15 years experience.”
Mr Olukoyede, a lawyer, had no experience in any security or law enforcement agency until his first appointment at the EFCC in 2016 when he was appointed to serve as the Chief of Staff to then acting chairperson of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. A position he held from 2016 to 2018.
Premium Times, reported that he was subsequently appointed as the secretary of the commission in 2018 and served in that capacity up till 2020 when he was suspended from office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. He was suspended alongside Mr Magu and some other officials of the commission.
While Mr Magu was replaced with Mr Bawa in February 2021, Mr Olukoyede was replaced with George Ekpungu as the secretary of the commission in June 2021.
Some believe that he does not meet, at least, one of the three major criteria in the provision of section 2(1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, which requires the chairman to have “15 years cognate experience”.
This assertion is based on the fact that Mr Olukoyede’s experience in any security or law enforcement agency only began with his appointment as the chief of staff to the EFCC chairman in 2016.
In 2018, Mr Olukoyede was appointed the secretary to the commission, a position that qualifies as membership of the EFCC and can safely said to be higher than the equivalent of the rank of assistant commissioner of police, as the EFCC secretary legally serves as the head of administration of the anti-graft agency.
But Mr Olukoyede held this position for only two years – between 2018 and 2020 when he was suspended by then-President Buhari without being recalled.
Those who believe he is not qualified to be EFCC chairman argue that the number of years of his “cognate” experience, even factoring the number of years he served as chief of staff at the EFCC, the only law enforcement or security agency he has ever worked in, was insufficient.
If he had continuously worked at the commission since 2016 unstopped, he would only have garnered about seven years of experience at a law enforcement or security agency, which opponents of his appointment believe falls short of the 15 years of “cognate” experience required to be qualified to become the chairman of the commission.
Olukayode is a private legal practitioner and has never worked or belong to any security or law enforcement agency as a member
He does not have 15 years cognate experience as a law enforcement officer and
His private legal practice years cannot be equated to the rank in law enforcement. Not enough attending seminal courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act.
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Otu Assures 13th Brigade Command Of Govt Support As He Flags-off Still Waters III Project In Bakassi
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has assured the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army of the State government’s commitment to support the Nigerian Army.
Senator Bassey Otu, who was ably represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made this remark at the flag-off of Exercise Still Water lll 2023 held today at the Step Up Headquarters lkang, Bakassi LGA, Cross River State.
Odey extended greetings from the peace-loving people of Cross River State to the Commander 13th Brigade and Soldiers while commending them for all their efforts in making sure that the state remains safe.
Welcoming the Governor who was Special Guest at the flag-off, the Commander 13th Brigade, Brigadier Gen. E. l. Okoro said the exercise is part of Nigerian Army’s dovetail into realtime operation which is aimed at enhancing troop’s level of professionalism and preparedness in curbing security challenges prevalent within areas of responsibility such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, ritual killings, pipeline vandalism amongst others.
Also present at the flag off were the Flag Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Commander NSS Victory, Service Commanders, the Speaker and other members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor Senior Officers, Officers, Traditional Rulers, Clan Heads, and Chiefs Highlights of the event included the flag off exercise by the Deputy Governor assisted by Brigadier Gen. E. I. Okoro, combating display by troops, a tour of the camp and presentation of souvenir to Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
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UAE, Other Global Initiatives Partners Support Strategy To Reduce Multi-Dimensional Poverty In Nigeria
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed readiness to partner with the federal government in tackling humanitarian and poverty challenges in Nigeria. It commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s efforts so far in that direction.
UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, made this known when he led a team from the embassy and Noor Dubai Foundation to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja.
The Envoy who described the relationship between his country and Nigeria as symbiotic, said; “Nigeria remains a strong ally of UAE and we would continue to partner with Nigeria in key areas like humanitarian aid, job creation, Nutrition, health care development, and poverty alleviation.”
Responding, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, applauded the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for their timely interventions in critical sectors in Nigeria. The Minister specifically thanked the Ambassador and his team for taking steps to support Nigeria in many ways. She noted that the President has a great plan to eradicate Poverty under his 8-point agenda and has begun full implementation as such it is important that they identify areas to collaborate for the good of Nigerians.
Also Speaking, the CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr. Manal Taryam, said the Foundation has been on humanitarian-related interventions including an eye treatment program which commenced with Katsina State while Lagos and Abuja will soon be launched. She said the Dubai Foundation has several areas, that directly link to the ministry’s mandate and will be happy to support.
Present at the meeting was the SSA to the President on Community Engagement SW Hon. Moremi Ojodu and the SSA on School Feeding Hon. Yetunde, among others.
Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR)
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, to Honourable Minister, MHAPA.
13/10/2023 -
Controversy Trails The Appointment Of Olukoyede As The New EFCC Chairman
Culled From Premium Times
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Olanipekun Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an appointment that has stirred controversy over the candidate’s qualifications for the job.
Many are of the view that Mr Olukoyede, a lawyer, is not qualified to be EFCC chairman under the law establishing the anti-corruption agency.
The president also approved the appointment of Muhammad Hammajoda as the Secretary of the EFCC for a renewable term of five years.
Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
The appointments, announced in a statement by a presidential spokesperson on Thursday, confirm PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report days earlier about Mr Tinubu’s plan to name Mr Olukoyede as the next EFCC chief.
Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson who signed the statement, said Mr Olukoyede’s appointment followed the resignation of the immediate-past substantive chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Mr Bawa has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) facing investigations over undisclosed corruption allegations since his earlier suspension from office in June.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Olukoyede, although a former secretary of the EFCC and ex-chief of staff to the chairman of the commission, did not meet the requirements of section 2(3) of the EFCC Act, to be qualified for the appointment.
The law stipulates that a chairman of the commission “must be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and possess not less than 15 years experience.”
Mr Olukoyede, a lawyer, had no experience in any security or law enforcement agency until his first appointment at the EFCC in 2016 when he was appointed to serve as the Chief of Staff to then acting chairperson of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. He held the position from 2016 to 2018.
He was subsequently appointed as the secretary of the commission in 2018 and served in that capacity up till 2020 when he was suspended from office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. He was suspended alongside Mr Magu and some other officials of the commission. He and Mr Magu were never recalled.
While Mr Magu was replaced with Mr Bawa in February 2021, Mr Olukoyede was replaced with George Ekpungu as the secretary of the commission in June 2021.
But the presidency’s statement announcing the new EFCC appointments on Thursday stated that Mr Olukoyede served as the secretary of the commission up till 2023.
Controversy over Olukoyede’s qualification
There is a raging controversy over Mr Olukoyede’s qualification to occupy the office of the EFCC chair.Some believe that he does not meet, at least, one of the three major criteria in the provision of section 2(1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, which requires the chairman to have “15 years cognate experience”.
This assertion is based on the fact that Mr Olukoyede’s experience in any security or law enforcement agency only began with his appointment as the chief of staff to the EFCC chairman in 2016.
In 2018, Mr Olukoyede was appointed the secretary to the commission, a position that qualifies as membership of the EFCC and can safely said to be higher than the equivalent of the rank of assistant commissioner of police, as the EFCC secretary legally serves as the head of administration of the anti-graft agency.
But Mr Olukoyede held this position for only two years – between 2018 and 2020 when he was suspended by then-President Buhari without being recalled.
Those who believe he is not qualified to be EFCC chairman argue that the number of years of his “cognate” experience, even factoring the number of years he served as chief of staff at the EFCC, the only law enforcement or security agency he has ever worked in, was insufficient.
If he had continuously worked at the commission since 2016 unstopped, he would only have garnered about seven years of experience at a law enforcement or security agency, which opponents of his appointment believe falls short of the 15 years of “cognate” experience required to be qualified to become the chairman of the commission.
On the other hand, some have argued that Mr Olukoyede ticks all the right boxes to be qualified as EFCC chair and that those who believe otherwise are only reading into the law what is not contained in it.
Section 2(2) of the EFCC Act clearly identifies the secretary as a member of the commission. In fact, the provision designates the chairman and the secretary of the commission as the only permanent members, and others on the EFCC board as “part-time” members.
Those in this school of thought say Mr Olukoyede meets the first condition of being a “serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement”, having served as the secretary of the EFCC.
They also say that his position as the secretary of the commission for two years was well above the equivalent of an assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent when compared with the rank of officials that head the administration of other law enforcement or security agencies. For example, a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) is the head of administration in the Nigeria Police Force.
Concerning the third condition stipulated in section 2(1)(a)(iii) of the law, which requires a candidate for EFCC chair to “possess not less than 15 years experience,” the defenders of Mr Olukoyede’s appointment argue that his years-long pre-EFCC experience involving combatting corruption and fraud also forms part of his cognate experience.
This experience, they say, does not have to be from working at a government institution, as it is not stated as such in the provision. They argue that it is improper to add to a legal provision what the maker has not included.
Read the presidency’s full statement announcing the appointment of Mr Olukoyode below.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW EFCC CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION
By the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President,” President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
Mr. Ola Olukoyede is a lawyer with over twenty-two (22) years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence. He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023). As such, he fulfils the statutory requirement for appointment as Chairman of the EFCC.
Mr Olukoyede’s appointment follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda to serve as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
Mr Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda is a public administrator with extensive experience in public finance management who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Business Administration from the same university. He began his career as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. From there, he went into banking, including successful stints at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank.
President Bola Tinubu tasks the new leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to justify the confidence given to them in this important national assignment as a newly invigorated war on corruption undertaken through a reformed institutional architecture in the anti-corruption sector remains a central pillar of the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.
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House Boy Poisons Family’s Stew
The boy’s master discovered that he had been stealing from him, and when the boy’s bank account was investigated, a huge account balance was discovered.
The house boy had bought an iPhone Pro Max for his girlfriend. when the boy realized that his master had found out about his escapades and stealing, he poisoned the stew cooked for the whole family with snipper.
At night, when the master’s wife decided to serve the food to everyone; she realized the stew had a different smell, like some chemical substance was poured inside.
She raised alarm and started questioning the boy, because he was the only one left at home when she finished cooking. They had to buy a chicken and feed it with the food which immediately killed the chicken.
The boy had to confess that he was responsible for the evil act.
Source: Igbere TV
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My Kid Sister Has Finally Taken My Husband, Mary Peter Bassey Cries Out
A woman has taken to her verified Facebook page @ Mary Peter Bassey to tell the world that her younger sister has finally taken her husband to
In her words: “My kid sister has finally succeeded in taking my husband as her own husband may God judge you, Amen”.
Her husband, Mr Peter Bassey also confirmed the story when he took to his verified Facebook page @ Peter Bassey to state that “I’m so happy that I have finally succeeded in takin my wife’s kid sister as my new wife”.
A development which continue to generate controversy on social media with many condemning the action of the man.
Mr Peter Bassey is alleged to have hail from Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State
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Foundation Trains Journalists On Climate Change Reporting
The Godshield Kanjal Journalism Foundation (GKJF) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council, has trained journalists on climate reporting in Calabar.
The training was held on September 21, 2023 at the Ernest Etim Bassey NUJ Press Centre the Cross River State Council secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ
The training is the first collaboration between GKJF and the NUJ. Organizers say the training is motivated by the underreported climate issues in Cross River State, the south-south region, and the country in general.
Founder of the GKJF, Godshield Kanjal, advised participants to “take advantage of this training plus the experience and expertise in this job to solve societal and climate issues.”
He decried the minimal rate of participation by journalists especially in Cross River and Southern Nigeria ancestry in specialized beat, especially on climate change, and encouraged participants to take advantage of the space.
The resource person, Solution Journalist and Deputy Editor at Prime Progress based in Abuja – Mr. Ogar Monday emphasized the need for journalists to add, express, and anchor their works based on data: “Always use data when doing your reports. Data connects your story to the global audience and gives it a human face.”
Monday said that using data in reporting is a way of showcasing facts in day-to-day journalism practice and best reporting.
He enjoined participants to be fully in the know of the current and developing facts backed up with data, tools, and research, to hold solid grounds when reporting their beats.
Shortly after the training, one of the participants, Tina Todo of the Pillar Newspaper, expressed confidence in the training and lauded the organizers for the activity.
Another participant and Cross River NUJ Secretary who doubles as Bureau Chief for the Guardian Newspaper, Solomon Azu, expressed satisfaction with the training and prayed for more eye-opening training.
The highly interactive exercise featured senior Journalists from national and local media; media outfits such as the Leadership Newspapers, Blueprint Newspaper, Daily Trust Newspaper, Daily Post Newspaper, Pillar Newspaper, and CrossRiverWatch amongst others. The GKJF also launched its maiden journalism fellowship after the training.
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C’River APC Northern Forum Commends Deputy Governor, Describes Him As A Team Player
Ukongikwen Adie
The Cross River APC Northern Elders’ Forum led by Chief Fidelis Ugbo has commended the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey for being a good team player and leader of the north.
This commendation was made when the Forum paid a solidarity visit to the Deputy Governor recently
Ugbo, a former Secretary to the State government and leader of the team, commended the deputy governor for his humility, adding that, the sky is not the limit but the starting point in view of his notable feat.
Ugbo applauded the host for the appointments made so far, as well as the state government’s plan underway to complete the Obudu cargo airport and the revival of the Ranch Resort.
On his part, Chief Peter Ojie, who spoke on behalf of the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, urged leaders in the various local government areas not to only acknowledge Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as the Deputy Governor, but to also see him more as the leader of Cross River North.
He assured the Deputy Governor of their support praying that his sojourn in administration will benefit the entire region.
APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Eba, recalled that Rt. Hon. Odey had a long history of achievements, but had remained humble despite this.
He encouraged Odey to continue to cultivate the cordial relationship existing between himself and the Governor while assuring the Deputy Governor of the advisory role and encouragement of the Northern Elders Forum.
Eba called on the group to support the present administration in the state till the end and not to abandon it halfway.
Other APC elders and stalwarts from CR North including Ada Bekwarra II, Omang ldiege ,Chief Tony Undiandeye, Gabe Edi, Dr Kate Agba Ajibike, E. J Ekunke and Prof Zana Akpagu, in their respective statements also reiterated their support and followership for Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as the leader of Cross River North, praying that the present administration would end well.
They maintained that all issues affecting party faithfuls and people from CR North would be resolved.
Responding, Rt. Hon. Odey appreciated the group for coming together to honor him while assuring them that all the concerns they had raised will be addressed.
He offered to facilitate a meeting of the Elders’ Forum with His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu, to enable them thank him for his fatherly roles and the cordial relationship shared by the Governor and Deputy.
Odey acknowledged the planned reception in his honor while assuring the Forum that when the caucus is formed, everyone would be carried along.