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A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

REBUILDING OUR WALLS:

A COMMUNIQUE issued at the International Women’s Day Celebration organised by Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) in partnership with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in OGOJA Deanery on this day March 8th 2022.

Arising from a one day seminar as part of activities to mark the 2022 International Womens Day held here in Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology, Ogoja (old TTC); after a critical review of recent occurrences in our land, we the members of Children of Rural Africa Organization-Nigeria, in collaboration with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in Ogoja Deanery wish to make the following resolutions:

1. We commend the United Nations for the adoption of March 8 as International Women’s Day to promote women’s rights and honor their achievements across the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
We commend all agencies and organizations, and individuals that are working tirelessly to promote advocacy of the emancipation of women and we acknowledge and take responsibility for most of our children’s moral decadence and pledge to leave up to our expectations by fostering parental care and discipline on our children.

2. However, we are highly bothered by the constant influx of the youth from rural villages into the suburban areas in the name of urbanization and we demand that the situation be critically reviewed by our governments, churches and civil societies groups as this trend is now endangering the lives of our youth especially girls.

3. We condemn in entirety the unprecedented ritual killings of our young girls in Ogoja, the female trafficking of the girl child to far away destinations where they are often used as child labourers and sex workers as this has become rampart especially within locations in Ogoja, culminating in Mbok junction.

4. Security agencies in Ogoja should rise to the challenge of providing security and fish out perpetrators of evils in Ogoja and ensure justice is served adequately. the Police, the army and other law enforcement agencies should reinforce their duties of ensuring security in strategic places to prevent kidnappers, armed robbers and ritualists. Traditional Leaders should enact bye-laws that will restrict children from getting trapped in these illicit acts.

5. More efforts should be made to improve the task of vigilante groups especially in rural communities to preserve the lives of all society members especially the weaker members such as women, girls and children. Activities of Motorcycle riders also known as “Okada” should be critically monitored by day and night as most of them have become accomplices in the vice of kidnapping young girls to unknown destinations for ritual killings.

6. We call on government to revive our educational sector, renovate dilapidated school buildings that have become eye sores, employ teachers and equip libraries and laboratories as well as review curricula to accommodate more of psychomotor advancement. Our institutions of learning have become highly inconducive for learning.

7. Since most of our children spend their day at school, all hands should be on deck to improve the school curriculum, giving priority to social learning for skills acquisition and economic empowerment opportunities for young people. The Government, Churches and civil society groups should seek to establish and improve vocational centres that provide skills for both youth and women. They should also provide soft loans and if possible grants for graduates.

8. Parents should inculcate in their children the moral value of contentment as most of those who indulge in promiscuity want to leave above their means through sometimes the greed of their mothers.

9. Women should rise and participate actively in politics, to break the biases. More Seminars such as this should be organized at local levels regularly to create the needed awareness among women.

10. We call on all men to join the advocacy to end all forms of violence against women and girls and be ready to support women to realize their full potentials.

Dated this 8th day of March 2022

Signed

Attem Udejor Udey
National Programmes Coordinator
CORAfrica-Nigeria

Grace Modey
President, CWO
Ogoja Deanery

March 10, 2022
UNICAL Security Operatives Arrests Kinghope Ubi For Using A Dummy Gun To Threaten Students And Snatching Their Phones

The University of Calabar security operatives has arrested Kinghope Ubi for using a dummy gun to threaten students and snatching their phones on campus.

Ubi was arrested at the ICT Centre of the institution after leading his two friends to point the dummy gun at Akomaye Ephraim and collecting his Tecno Camon 16 Premium phone valued at N108,000.

When interrogated, he confessed that he came into the university to visit his girl friend and thereafter, he decided to snatch some phones from students.

Kinghope Ubi, who is not a student of UNICAL, said that his friend gave him the dummy gun to point at students and collect their phones.

After arresting him, they found a passport of him wearing Nigeria Customs Service uniform. He told newsmen that he was dismissed from the Customs Service in 2021.

Speaking on the arrest, the Acting CSO of UNICAL, SP Usani Okon (Rtd), said that the current administration of Prof. Florence Banku Obi frowns at any act of stealing and robbery on campus.

He said that the VC has repositioned the security operatives in the institution with a view to protect all students and staff against any form of robbery and attack.

Thereafter, the suspect was handed over to the Anti-Kindapping and Cultism Squad of the Police for further actions.

March 3, 2022
Court Orders C’River Assembly To Pay Withheld Allowance To PDP Lawmakers

Culled from the Parchment

Justice Nnang Isoni of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar has ordered the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly and the Clerk of the house to immediately pay the allowances owed some members of the state assembly who refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a consent judgement, Justice Isoni submitted that the lawmakers being elected members of the state house of assembly, were entitled to their allowances and therefore directed that their allowances be paid to them.
The Court also restrained the leadership of the house from suspending or attempting to suspend the lawmakers until the expiration of their tenure in office.

The seven (7) PDP lawmakers who refused to defect to the APC had dragged the leadership of the house to court for refusing to pay their allowances.
The members, Rt Hon Efa Esua, Calabar municipal State constituency, Rt Hon Friday Okpechi, Obubra 1, Hon Francis Ovat, Obubra 2, Rt Hon Fredrick Osim, Ikom 1, Rt Hon Itam Abang, Boki, Rt Hon Nelson Ofem, Yakuur 1 and Elizabeth Ironbark, Akpabuyo state constituency had prayed the court to compel the house leadership to pay them their allowances.

Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar later died in October 2021.

Findings by The Parchment reveals that the judgement which was delivered on February 7, 2022, is however yet to be implemented. One of the APC lawmakers who pleaded not to be mentioned, told our reporter that, despite the rulling, the state governor, Ben Ayade has ordered the house leadership never to pay the lawmakers until they defect to the APC.

In May 2021, Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade abandoned the People’s Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress. Few weeks after, 18 lawmakers joined the governor and defected to the APC, while the other 7 out of the 25 member house remained in the PDP.

For refusing to defect to the APC, the Eteng Williams led house of assembly refused to pay the PDP lawmakers their statutory allowances, allegedly on the orders of the State governor, Ben Ayade.

In a special interview with the The Parchment last September 2021, leader of the house, Hon. Peter Odey had denied that the PDP members were refused their allowances.

“As far as I am concerned, I know that all what is due them, still gets to them as members of the state house of assembly” Odey told our reporter.

The recent rulling now exposes Hon. Odey and the house leadership as liars.

One of the affected PDP lawmakers who spoke with our reporter on the implication of the court ruling said.
“ The important thing is that we sued them individually, we only Joined the house of assembly because they are members of the house. So what that means is that, in implementing the judgement, we can begin to sieze their properties individually”

The house leadership led by speaker Eteng Williams had been accused of sharing among themselves over N15 million monthly allowances meant for the seven lawmakers who refused to defect to the APC since May lasted year.

February 18, 2022
Just In: ASUU Begins One Month Strike, Says It’s Demands Has Barely Changed Since Signing Of The 2009 Agreement With FG
By Mojeed Alabi, Premium Times
ASUU rounded off its “NEC for NEC” meeting at about 3 a.m. on Monday and will formally brief the press on Monday morning.

A reliable source at the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has confided in Premium Times that the union resolved to embark on a one-month “comprehensive and total” strike to compel the Nigerian government to accede its requests.

According to the source, who was part of the meeting, the union took the decision “reluctantly” despite interventions by many prominent Nigerians.

He said the decision was to save Nigeria’s university system considering what he described as the deteriorating state of Nigerian universities. He said the government’s alleged recalcitrance made the position unavoidable.

“The indefinite and total strike is for four weeks. We hope government the would do the needful within the next four weeks,” the source said in a terse statement shared with our reporter on Monday morning.

Premium Times had on Sunday night reported that ASUU had scheduled a meeting it tagged “NEC for NEC” for midnight on Sunday to take the final decision on behalf of the various congresses of its chapters.

The meeting was a follow-up to the then ongoing two-day marathon meeting which had kicked off on Saturday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

ASUU rounded off its “NEC for NEC” meeting at about 3 a.m on Monday when the branch chairman of the union in UNILAG, Dele Ashiru, confirmed that the National President, Emmanuel Osodeke would address the media by 9 a.m. on Monday.

Mr. Ashiru, whose note was tagged; “ASUU Press conference,” said he was inviting journalists on behalf of the union’s national leadership.

The note reads in part; “Dear colleague, good morning Ma\Sir. Pls ASUU’s NEC media briefing now to hold as follows; Date: MONDAY, Feb 14; Time: 9.00 am; Venue: Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, Behind Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.”

Mr. Ashiru, however, did not hint at the union’s final decision as he refused to pick follow-up calls from our reporter.

ASUU’s Demands

The demands of the lecturers’ union have barely changed since the signing of the ASUU/FG 2009 agreement.

These demands include the sustainability of the university autonomy, which the union said the introduction of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for the payment of its emoluments violates. The union seeks its replacement with its own University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

Other demands include the endorsement of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, which it said was concluded in May 2021; release of the reports of visitation panels to federal universities, and distortions in salary payment challenges.

ASUU also demands funds for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowance, improved funding of state universities, and promotion arrears.
February 14, 2022
Sen Jarigbe Agom Inspects Road Project in Yala LGA.

The Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, today, inspected the ongoing construction/Rehabilitation of 1.3 KM Prince Akwaji Offiono Road.

The project which is being handled by Executive team managers, was Facilitated by the Senator through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and it’s one of many roads facilitated so far by the lawmaker.

During the inspection, the lawmaker commended the contractor for the quality of work being done.

The 1.3KM road is the longest stretch of road ever facilitated by a legislator to Yala LGA.

TEAM JARI MEDIA

January 29, 2022
Projects Facilitated By Sen Sandy Onor In Central Senatorial District

(1). Construction and Rehabilitation of Okuni/Nsofang Road, Ikom/Etung LGA – Completed

(2). Rehabilitation of Mile 2 Road, Ikom, Ikom LGA – Completed

(3). Rehabilitation of Market Lane, Ikom Main Market, Ikom LGA. – Completed

(4). Rehabilitation of State Housing Lane Ikom, Ikom LGA – completed

(5). General Maintenance & Rehabilitation of Ogoja-Ikom Road with spur at Okundi – Completed

(6). General Maintenance & Rehabilitation of section of Ikom – Obudu Road with a spur at Bendeghe, Etung LGA – completed

(7). Maintenance of Ikom Apiapum Road, Cross River Central – completed

(8). Supply and Installation of ICT Laboratory Equipments – Completed

(9). Entrepreneurship Development Training for Youth in Cross River Central from 5th – 9th October 2019.

(10). Supply and installation of ICT Laboratory equipment to Holy Child Sec Sch Ikom, Ikom LGA- Completed

(11). Completion of Community Civic Centre, Abijang, Etung LGA – Completed

(12). Installation of solar street lights @ Abia, Etung LGA – Completed.

(13). Installation of Solar Street Lights @ Ajassor, Etung LGA – Completed

(14). IInstallation of solar Street lights @ Etomi, Etung LGA – Completed

(15). Renovation of Obol Lopon palace @ Ugep, Yakurr LGA- Complete

(16). Bulldozing /Grading of 6 km Farm Road @ Ekori, Yakurr LGA – Complete

(17). Renovation of Pavilion @ Primary School Mkpani, Yakurr LGA – Complete

(18) Construction of Schools Desks for Community Secondary School Idomi, Yakurr LGA.

(19). Construction of Schools Desks for Bahumono Secondary Grammar School Ebom, Abi LGA – Complete

(20). Construction of two (2) solar powered Boreholes @ Ikom Main Market, Ikom LGA – Complete

(21). Construction of Solar Powered Boreholes @ Bendeghe Afi, Ikom – Complete

(22). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Onyadama in Obubra LGA – Complete

(23). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Ofodua in Obubra LGA – Complete

(24). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Ovonum, Obubra LGA – Complete

(25). Provision of Solar Street lights @ Ochon in Obubra LGA – Complete

(26). Construction of Pavilion at Paramount Ruler Palace @ Olom, Boki LGA – Complete

(27). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Bumaji in Boki LGA – Complete

(28). Provision of Solar Power Borehole @ Bunyia Irruan in Boki LGA – Complete

(29) Completion of Community Town Hall @ Biakwam in Boki LGA – Complete

(30). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Wula, Boki LGA – Complete

(31). Renovation of Primary School Block @ Bafin-Etintim, Boki LGA – Complete

(32). Bulldozing and Grading of Kakwagom – Ndok Road in Boki LGA – Complete

(33). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Bansan Osokom in Boki LGA – Complete

(34). Completion of Corpers Lodge @ Imabana, Abi LGA – Complete

(35). Grading of Obubra – Ogada Main Town in Obubra – Complete

(36). Grading of Iyamaoyong to Ikom-Calabar Road- CRBDA – Complete

(37). Construction of Bridge @ Osopong in Obubra LGA – Complete

(38). Construction of Community Civic Centre @ Mkpot, Etung LGA – Complete

(39). Construction of Community Civic Centre @ Itaka, Etung LGA – Done

(40). Manual Borehole construction @ Itigidi, Abi LGA – Done

(41). Construction/Furnishing of (1) Block of Four (4) Classrooms @ Itigidi, Abi LGA. – Done

(42). Items donated to Holy Child Secondary School, Ikom ICT Centre; 40 desktop computers, 2 laptops, 1 scanner, 1 HP Laserjet Printer, 1 Electronic Board, 1 Projector, 2 Solar Inverters, 8 Solar Batteries, 1 Fire Estinguisher, 1 Storage Rack, 1 Cabinet.

(43). Distribution of Motorcycles to Youths across the Central Senatorial District for easy transportation.

(44). ICT Equipment supplied to the following Schools:

– Community Sec Sch Etomi, Etung LGA

– Community Sec Sch Nsofang, Etung LGA

– Community Sec School Ugep, Yakurr LGA

– Community Sec Sch Ekunekune Asiga Yakurr LGA

– Regina Pacis Secondary School Ofombongha, Obubra LGA

– Community Secondary School Bawop, Boki

EMPOWERMENT ITEMS DISTRIBUTED TO CONSTITUENTS IN 2020 FISCAL YEAR

– 40 Motorcycles
-220 Deep Freezers
– 250 Vulcanizing Machines
– 200 Sewing Machines
– 100 Water Pumping Machines
– 250 Grinding Machines
– 5 Tricycles
– 2 Toyota Camry Salon Cars.

2021 PROJECTS OF SEN SANDY ONOR

(1). Grading of Yala (Nkum) Road, Ikom LGA – Done

(2). Grading of Ochon – Isabang Road, Obubra LGA – Done

(3). Grading of Ugep – Usumutong Road, Abi LGA – Ongoing

(4). Grading of Effraya – Etomi – Bendeghe Road, Etung LGA – Ongoing

(5). Grading of Abo/Ugba Ntan to Abo Nkpamg in Boki LGA – Ongoing

(6). Construction of Guest House @ Etomi, Etung LGA – Ongoing

(7). Construction of Guest House, Nsofang, Etung LGA – Ongoing

(8). Construction of Town Hall @ Okuni, Ikom LGA – Ongoing

(9). Renovation of Bokomo Town Hall, Ikom LGA – Ongoing

(10) Construction of Borehole with Overhead tank, generator @ Bankpor Irruan, Boki LGA – Ongoing

(11). Construction of Borehole @ Etomi, Etung LGA – Ongoing

(12). Donation of 27Kva Generator to Steady Flow University(SFU), Ikom LGA – Done

(13). Solar lighting in Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Ugep – Done

(14). Solar Lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler of Abi – Done

(15). Solar lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler of Boki – Done

(16). Solar Lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler of Etung – Done

(17). Solar lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler, Ikom – Done

(18). Solar lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler, Obubra – Done

(19). Solar Lighting @ Ikom Main Market and Motor Park – Done

(20). Solar lighting of Kakwagom/Bawop Ward – Done

(21). Solar lighting in Ajassor – Done

(22). Solar lighting in State Housing Ikom -/Done

(23). Training of 100 Constituents on Agriculture Value Chain for Rural Farmers, Cross River Central – Done

(24). Training of Cocoa Farmers, Cross River Central – Done

(25). Skill acquisition training for youth, women and artisans in Cross River Central – Done

(26). Facillitated Covid-19 intervention fund to 600 households in Cross River Central – Done

January 22, 2022
Caterpillar Movement Felicitates DC Enamhe On His Appointment As UNICAL ALUMNI Relation Officer

CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT.
21st January 2022.

Dr. Enamhe Dorn Cklaimz.
Department of Social Works,
University of Calabar,
Calabar.

FELICITATION

On behalf of our Principal, Dist. Senator Sandy Onor, the entire Caterpillar Movement Family and PDP in cross river central senatorial district, I heartily extend our warmest felicitation to you on your milestone achievements which have resulted in your appointment as Acting Alumni Relation Officer, University of Calabar by the amiable Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi.

Over the years, moving steadily on the path of selfless service and patriotism, you have affirmed your place as a dependable, productive and purpose-driven individual, capable of ensuring the welfare of people under your watch.
You have demonstrated uncommon qualities of service to humanity and mankind.

This appointment, therefore, is a mark of expression of this confidence that people have in you.

I hereby urge you to remain assiduous, efficient and committed to the principles that have earned you this appointment, and to continue to blaze the trail . We are proud of you DC.

Once again, Congratulations!!

Joe-Obi Bisong (Hon Chief)
DG, Caterpillar Movement)

January 21, 2022
Sandy Onor Sponsors A Motion To Upgrade And Standardize Traveling Processes At The Margaret Ekpo lnternational Airport, Calabar

THE URGENT NEED TO UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE AND STANDARDISE TRAVELLING PROCESSES AT THE MARGARET EKPO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE.

Sponsor: Senator (Prof.) Sandy Ojang Onor (Cross River Central)

Co-Sponsors: … Senator Gershom Bassey
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

The Senate:

NOTES that the Calabar airport, Cross River State, was commissioned in July 1983, by former President Shehu Shagari and was equipped with modern facilities at the time and was soon raised to the status of an International airport.

FURTHER NOTES that in the 1980’s and 1990’s, the National Carrier; Nigeria Airways, used to fly regionally from Calabar to Cameroun and Equitorial Guinea. This impacted positively on the economy of Cross River State, Nigeria and the sub-region at large.

AWARE that the airport had standard facilities at that time, which were being maintained by the Federal Government. Most of these facilities while still being used, are now obsolete and need to be upgraded or replaced.

FURTHER AWARE that although the airport still has the “international” status, the airport does not operate any international or regional flights anymore. In fact, until recently, only one commercial airline plied the Calabar route.

WORRIED that if the international status of the airport is not restored, most of these facilities will further deteriorate and waste.

CONCERNED that the lack of international / regional flights has greatly affected the economy and tourism drive of the state in particular and Nigeria at large.

ACCORDINGLY RESOLVES TO:
Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all other relevant agencies to functionally restore the International flight status of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all other relevant agencies to fix and upgrade existing facilities to meet up with the required international standards.

Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all relevant agencies to ensure adequate security cover in and around the airport to protect equipment such as the Navigational Aids, lighting cables and the perimeter fence that are constantly vandalised by criminally minded people.

Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies to provide any facility needed to restore the International status of the airport, such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for night landings and the approach lights, which have been vandalised due to inadequate security cover.

Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies to install the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS). This will aid in restarting the International route programme of the Airport.
I so move.

January 19, 2022
NMDPRA Inspects Safety, Operational Facilities At Calabar Depot

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has undertaken an inspection visit to the depot in Calabar with a view to ensure that the safety and operational facilities are up to date.

Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage, Retail and Infrastructure of the Authority, was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Operations Controller, Calabar Field Office of NMDPRA, Mr George Ene-Ita, and other staff.

The team inspected the Dozzy oil and Gas depot, Ammasco petroleum chemicals company, Hyde tanks and terminals, North West Petroleum, Fynfield Petroleum, Sobaz oil, Alkanes Petroleum and Gas, jetties among others.

Speaking to newsmen after the tour, Ukoha said that one of the concerns of the marketers was the dredging of the Calabar channel.

The Executive Director said that the dredging would allow for bigger vessels to berth with petroleum product with a view to meet the storage capacity of the depot.

According to him, the oil marketers have identified dredging as one of their major concerns limitating the supply of petroleum product to their facilities at the jetty.

He disclosed that the peak consumption period for petroleum product in Nigeria was between November to January, hence the need to stabilise and ensure a seamless supply and distribution of the product.

“The draft of the Calabar channel was one of the concerns raised by oil marketers; due to this, they have to wait for the tide to come high before bringing in their vessels.

“With dredging, we can do more so that bigger vessels can come in because they have the capacity for storage.

“The oil marketers have also raised the issue of multiple regulation by different agencies; we will look into the issues and engage with other stakeholders because the Petroleum Industry Act is very clear, we are domiciled as the priority.

“It is very important that we do this and be mindful of the outcome of the pump price on the end users,” he said.

January 11, 2022
Peter Odey Splashes 5M, 500 Bags Of Rice And 500 Wrappers On Constituents For Christmas

By Elijah Ugani

The member representing Ogoja State Constituency and Leader of the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Peter Odey has today doled out 5M, 500 bags of rice and 500 wrappers to his constituents drawn from the ten political wards of Ogoja Local Government Area.

Distributing the items and cash at the Ogoja council hall, the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Mr Uko Inakwu, commended the gesture of the member of Parliament for recognizing the role of women and for the benevolent spirit to reach out the women, and noted that this is the first of it kind in the history of Ogoja.

On his part, Mr Odey thanked the Governor, Sen Ben Ayade for providing the fulcrum that has demystified leadership in Cross River State within the last six years.

He used the opportunity to assure his constituents of effective representation as he wished them a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance “It has been my desire to give you the representation that we all desire and this I have done within the past six years. Today, I have decided to single you out to say thank you for all your support.

“Let me use this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. May the love that God had shown us through the birth of Jesus Christ, find a place in our hearts as we share with those in need especially during this Christmas season”

Most of the beneficiaries who spoke to TheLumineNews expressed joy and satisfaction with the items they received and prayed for the lawmaker and wished him the best even as he completes his stay in office.

Mrs. Agbo Ogar of Ogoja Urban Ward ii described Mr Odey as God sent as majority of those who benefited from his benevolence had lost hope of what to eat during the Christmas considering the high cost of food stuff in the market.
She asked God to grant his heart desires.

Mr Odey had earlier in the month distributed 20 motorcycles to APC ward Chairmen and party stalwart across the ten wards of Ogoja to ease mobilization of party faithfuls.

December 24, 2021