The Lumine News

Category: Opinion

  • The Knight From Kakum And His Merchants Of Poverty: This House Has Fallen BY UMEZULIKE DESMOND-CRUZ

    The Knight From Kakum And His Merchants Of Poverty: This House Has Fallen BY UMEZULIKE DESMOND-CRUZ

     

    Nothing illustrates the warped sense of history and the complete obliteration of our collective values as the apparent conspiracy of silence amongst the people who ordinarily should speak out against the many ill-fated administrative malfeasance of the infamous Knight from Kakum. To me, it does appear that a lot of persons are either becoming comfortable with the awkward and agonizing situations we are currently facing as a state or that we are ignorant of the fact that this house has fallen – the state that was handed over to the Knight from Kakum is now a shadow of itself. For whatever reason, this knight from kakum is gradually turning our once radiant state into a nightmarish cesspool of mind-blowing absurdities. Like Senator Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party correctly observed recently, “Our State is gradually sliding into the valley of the shadow of death.”

    Our dear State is currently on a life support. Our Civil Service Commission is in deep crisis. Our morals, values and culture as a state have been brazenly debased. Our Infrastructure and amenities are now moribund. Our streets and erstwhile beautiful roads are now occupied by repugnant putrefacient wastes and debris. Internally generated revenue from the State now goes into private pockets. Our forest reserves have been invaded and commercialized by rapacious state agents. The Knight from Kakum has turned himself into a merchant of poverty, trading the future of our youths for crumbs off his table.

    Like Joseph Stalin, the Knight from Kakum has weaponized poverty and hunger against the people he swore to protect. Historians tell us that during the last days of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin in a bid to make an unforgettable impression before some of his henchmen, called for a live chicken. Forcefully clutching the chicken in one hand, he used the other to systematically pluck out its feathers. As the chicken struggled in vain to escape, he continued with the painful denuding until the bird was completely stripped of its feathers. Dramatically, Stalin placed the chicken on the floor and walked away with some bread crumbs in his hand. Incredibly, the fear-crazed chicken rather than run away for its life, hobbled towards him and clung to the legs of his trousers. Stalin threw a handful of grain to the bird, and it began to follow him around the room. He then turned to his dumbfounded henchmen and said calmly, “This is the way to rule the people. That chicken followed me for food, even though I had caused it such torture. People are like that chicken. If you inflict inordinate pain on them, they will follow you for food the rest of their lives.”

    Using the Stalin Model, the Knight from Kakum has taken away everything that we once held dear as a people and has stripped us of our dignity, while throwing crumbs at us in the name of what he calls “food on the table” appointments. In silence, we watch our state being raped and our values debased by a cartel of narcissistic megalomaniacs and kleptomaniacs. No one is willing to speak out and should one dare, a poisoned chalice would be dangled at him/her in the name of state appointment, which has conscience killer in our clime. While this Knight from Kakum and his merchants of Poverty have broken our ancient walls and turned our once productive youths into intellectually debased slaves, I am more worried about the future than the now. What becomes of our young people after the inglorious tenure of the Knight from Kakum? When there’s no more free food on the table, how mentally prepared are the young people to fend for themselves? I honestly fear for the future. I envisage a future where the young people would rather eat crumbs off the tables of politicians than doing honest work. Unfortunately, we would all be here to witness the aftermath of the many atrocious acts committed against the state and its people by the flimsy Knight from kakum and his merchants of Poverty.

    Ladies and Gentlemen!
    This House Has Fallen.
    Our State Has Fallen And We Must Collectively Reclaim Our State.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Umezulike Desmond-Cruz and does not represent TheLumineNews or its staff.

  • On The Road With Senator Sandy Onor (1) BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    On The Road With Senator Sandy Onor (1) BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    There was a bountiful harvest for the Peoples Democratic Party at the
    weekend as the party’s Governorship candidate, Senator Sandy Onor was received at ten different venues across the Central and Northern senatorial zones as part of the sensitization of the people on the need to make wise and informed choices in 2023 and the celebration of the new yam festival in various communities.

    In Ugep Elder Omini Ikpi Ewa who who led scores of disappointed APC members to join the PDP at the Ikpakapit village square advised the mammoth crowd that “when you see people chasing away a witch do not accommodate her. PDP chased Ben Ayade away but APC mistakenly accommodated him, and now APC has been thrown asunder.”

    Obol Goddy Eta who was a senatorial aspirant in the Central zone told the crowd that “Sandy has stood up for us and shown us love. We will vote for him and anyone who doesn’t want to vote for him will not come out that day. We know how to do it “.
    There were frequent chants of “APC since then how far” by the women in the crowd as Senator Sandy Onor officially received the over 500 decampees.

    Senator Sandy Onor in his remarks told the crowd that ” when APC came to the Central the other day a few of our brothers were grandstanding, they went back to lick their vomit, forgetting that the Internet does not sleep. They are leaders without integrity because they lost a ticket, because they were baptised in Government House, they are now singing a different tune. Ayade left the senate after four years and became governor. That is how we will leave the senate after four years and become Governor”.

    “So those who told lies the other day actually have no shame. CRS is in a crisis. Instead of talking about the civil service that is now dead, revenue generation into private pockets, you are deceiving the people. I don’t like politicians who do not remember. Who have no character and integrity, I take the people’s mandate seriously. I love Ugep, seventy – four polling units! I am in love with Ugep, because Ugep is in love with me.”

    Continuing, Senator Onor said ” we will run a government of justice, not a government of nepotism. All those who have something to offer throughout the state will be part of our government. We will not lie. Our state has suffered too much. I love being in Ugep. Dr Otu Abam Ubi told the story of the origin of Ugep people from Ejagham. I speak here with the audacity of an indigene of Ugep. Something new and something beautiful is coming your way. While they are saying Back to South we are saying Back to Cross River State”.

    Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Chapter Chairman of the party, Obol Enang Omini, Hon David Bassey, Mr Overcomer, Barrister Obeten Mkpang, Elder Ikpi Mbang Eyuk, Mr James Uket, George Stephen Ewa, Elder Tony Ebri Eteng, Dr Otu Abam Ubi and Professor Okoi Oliver Effiem, (who also defected to the PDP).

    Members of the Ugep Rainbow Coalition also received the Governorship candidate at the residence of Sir Ikpi Eni Plato
    in Convent Area, also in Ugep, where polling coordinators were inaugurated.

  • Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and the Burden of Selective Amnesia – DG Caterpillar Movement

    Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and the Burden of Selective Amnesia – DG Caterpillar Movement

     

    Let me reiterate that the Caterpillar Movement is determined to run an issue-based campaign, but in doing so, we are not oblivious of the many antics and shenanigans of those who are obviously terrified by the towering acceptability and goodwill that our Principal, Distinguished Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor and the Peoples Democratic Party are enjoying among Cross Riverians. Therefore, while we are devoted to pursuing a campaign devoid of mudslinging and bickering, we would not fail to tackle heads-on, any attempt by anybody to cast unnecessary aspersions on our Principal and the Peoples Democratic Party, no matter how highly placed.

    In view of the above, we condemn in strong terms the vitriolic and scathing comments made by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who but for the purpose of scoring cheap political point, ought to concern himself more with the mission of redeeming his battered political timeline. For emphasis, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba had during one of their many poorly attended APC tours, attempted to cast aspersions on the personality of Distinguished Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor, by speaking disparagingly about the gubernatorial aspiration of our Principal. He is quoted to have made the following comment, to wit; “I served the Central Senatorial District for 12years as a Senator and I was focused, but some people have not even finished their first term in the Senate where we sent them, they want to be Governor. We in the Central Senatorial District believe in Justice and fairness. We are not greedy people”

    The above comment from Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba can best be described as a manifestation of selective amnesia. It is on record that Victor Ndoma-Egba, out of greed had a strangulating grip on the Senatorial seat of Central for 12years and greedily wanted a 4th term, but for the divine intervention of Stakeholders from Central Senatorial District that overwhelmingly rejected him and replaced him with a younger Senator John Owan-Enoh. Despite the humiliation and defeat, Victor Ndoma-Egba refused to see the hand writing on the wall. He refused to accept the fact that the glory has finally departed from him and the people were tired of his self-centeredness and greed. Yet again, he went on bended knees and begged for a federal appointment and was appointed Chairman of NDDC out of sheer pity. Not satisfied, he tried for the 5th time to go to the senate and got the rudest shock of his life. He ran against Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor and was roundly defeated. In fact, he lost in 60 wards out of the 66wards in the Senatorial District.

    In his characteristic manner, Victor Ndoma-Egba had in the just concluded APC National Convention lobbied for the position of a National Secretary, until Betta Edu through the intervention of Governor Ben Ayade took the carpet off his feet. For a man like Victor Ndoma-Egba who wanted to remain forever in the Senate, it smacks of arrogance and outright insult on the sensibility of Cross Riverians for him to speak about justice and fairness. Where was justice and fairness, when Victor Ndoma-Egba supported a central Candidate for Governor in 2019? Where was justice and fairness when Victor Ndoma-Egba greedily attempted going back to the Senate in 2019, instead of giving way for the younger generation? Where was fairness and justice when Victor Ndoma-Egba, for the 12years in the Senate, even as the Senate Leader and later Chairman of NDDC threw mentorship overboard by refusing to consider any young person fit for him to groom to run for the National Secretary that he lobbied for?

    It is apparently laughable for Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba who was mercilessly defeated by our Principal, to use the word “WE” in referring to our Central Senatorial Constituents that voted for Senator Sandy Onor . He is obviously not part of those that sent our Principal to the Senate, hence he lacks the moral standing to use the word “We sent him”.

    As an Elder Statesman, we would do him the honor of applying restraint but should he
    continue in the ignoble path of casting aspersions on our Principal, we would be forced to travel down memory lane and remind him of his many sins against the people of Cross River State. We urge him to remember that those who live in a glass house, ought not throw Stones.

     

    Chief Joe Obi Bisong

    DG, Caterpillar Movement

  • As We Hail Nigeria Police For Dismissing Officers Over Misconduct…BY CHIEMEKA ADINDU

    As We Hail Nigeria Police For Dismissing Officers Over Misconduct…BY CHIEMEKA ADINDU

     

    Following his appointment as the 21st Indigenous Inspector-General of Police on April 6, 2021, by President Muhammadu Buhari, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has displayed some level of integrity and commitment towards upholding the policies and standards of the Police in the country.

    Baba who replaced Mohammed Adamu who retired in February 2021 was a Deputy inspector-General of Police, force criminal investigation department, force headquarters. In one of his first outings during the decoration of nine (9) newly promoted Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and twenty-three (23) newly promoted Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the Police boss called on officers to exhibit a higher level of loyalty, courage, incorruptible disposition, and professional competence in the discharge of policing services.

    Having mentioned this to his men, IGP Baba remained steadfast in ensuring that no stone will be left unturned. Apart from the improvement in maintaining peace and order in the nation, he also purposed to conduct an in-house sanitization process so as to retain the perceived lost image of the Police. This sanitization of the Police has witnessed a huge success as reports of firing men of the Police Force found wanting has been on the media.

    In April 2021, three officers were dismissed for allegedly extorting students of Lagos State University, LASU, in April 2022, nine were fired for mobilizing colleagues in strike action. Ten others were sent away in Lagos for murder, corruption and other related offences. Again, in July 2022 another officer was discharged for justifying extortion in a viral video.

    Recently, the Force dismissed Force No. 524503 PC Liyomo Okoi attached to Ekori Divisional Headquarters, Cross River Police Command for gross misconduct captured in a viral video on July 31, 2022 where he was flogging a man with a machete. While Force No. 509745 Corporal Opeyemi Kadiri attached to Dolphin Divisional Headquarters, Lagos Police Command was sacked for gross misconduct, disobedience to lawful order, and assault on a member of the public captured in a viral video on August 3, 2022. Report has it that he equally assaulted the commuter who attempted to bring the order to his notice.

    The list remains endless. And you will also recall that the federal government heeded to demands of protesters asking for resignation and prosecution of guilty police officers. The Presidential Panel on Reform of SARS recommended 37 police officers for dismissal and 24 for prosecution following 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country. Abayomi Shogunle, a former Head of the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), and a former Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Dolapo Badmos were also demoted.

    While the Police leadership is appreciated for these onerous efforts to restore order and dignity to the police profession. And it shows that Nigerians can now put their trust in the services of the Police. This is indeed highly commendable and the IGP should continue with this as it will bring total sanity and reformation in the system.

    However, while the move is worthy of praise the next is to watch the dismissed officers very closely to stop the possibility of transforming to an armed robber, bandit and or, kidnapper. This is a fact that no one can rule out as the tendency to share intelligence with miscreants out of frustration is likely to be high.

    The IGP is therefore urged to put some parameters on ground to watch out for this so that his works will not be exasperated and translated into a situation that will now hunt and become a security threat to the nation. Another way of handling this is to look out for other ways to sanction these bag eggs if the former may seem so difficult.

    So while we chant for joy because the right thing is being done, there is an urgent need to consider the other side of the coin, weigh the pros and cons for anything that is worth doing is worth doing well.

  • There’s Hardly Any Ward Across The District That Hasn’t Benefited From Sen Jarigbe Agom’s Benevolence BY PETER AGI

    There’s Hardly Any Ward Across The District That Hasn’t Benefited From Sen Jarigbe Agom’s Benevolence BY PETER AGI

    Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?
    Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has been relentlessly innovating, treating and fighting for a better way to deal with hunger while stimulating particularly participatory leadership.

    The political trajectory of the emerging leadership quest should be strengthened by humanitarianism.

    The political realignment focus of the Northern District in CRS has become deeply remarkable, inspiring and rooted. For sure the leading light 💡 shining endlessly is Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. He is the compassionate, empathetic and impressively humanitarian leader, who has selflessly endeared himself to the heart of the people.

    There’s hardly any ward across the district that hasn’t benefited from his benevolence. That’s why his popularity has soared above others in our climes. He is a uniquely talented, gifted and incredibly inspiring young political gladiator. His people are happy with him. That’s why he has been told to return. Let’s magnify his generosity indeed philanthropy.

  • Obudu, Has Your Suffering Ended? BY AGBA JALINGO

    Obudu, Has Your Suffering Ended? BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    June 22, 2015, Ben Ayade, the Obudu born Professor, Senator representing Cross River North at the time and governorship flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2015 general election in Cross River State, declared an end to the sufferings of Obudu people to the delight of an ecstatic crowd that gathered at the Chief J.A. Agba memorial stadium in Obudu.

    Filled with satisfaction over the manner, disposition and the massive turn out of his people to welcome him, he could not control his excitement as he announced the end of perils in Obudu. In his words ” Kugbudu, Kingie Kimen Kimbe ” which means, “Obudu, your suffering has ended”. It’s exactly 7 years and 52 days after that day and the question on my lips this morning is: “Has the suffering of Obudu people ended?

    Since he took over as Governor, Ayade has nursed some very ambitious projects for Obudu, his home town. Principally, these projects include: The British/Canadian School, the Obudu International Airport, the Obudu German Specialist Hospital, the Obudu Independent Power Project and the Mini Super Highway which is supposed to criss cross the five LGAs of Northern Cross River. No doubt these are the most touted projects of the governor in Obudu. But let us examine them one after the other.

    1. The British/Canadian School: Most of the buildings have been completed. But nothing is going on there. The governor says he wants to turn it to a university campus contrary to the original concept of a basic and high school. It is practical to say he will leave office without any activity in that place. But it will be a thing of great joy for me, even if it’s the primary school that can start functioning first, like the one inside the Teachers Training Institute in Biase, so we can at least remember that he built us a school. For now, there is no school in that place yet. Just some structures.

    2. The Obudu International Airport: Governor Ayade said publicly that if he doesn’t complete it, we should carry our sacred “bizu” leaves and banish him from Obudu. That’s what will happen because since the terminal building of the airport collapsed, not much is going on there. Our governor simply doesn’t have the money or the time to finish any kind of port now, not to even talk of an airport. He has only 289 days left. Airports aren’t built in days. He has only set a recipe for communal crisis as homeless land owners are already returning to reclaim portions of the now bushy site, which may snowball into crisis.

    3. The Obudu German Specialist Hospital: The buildings have also been erected and beautifully painted like a sepulchre. Even the fence is so beautiful from the road that when you see it, you will wonder what is happening inside. But verily verily, nothing is going on inside and I don’t know when empty buildings started bearing the name, hospital. We all know what a hospital is and what happens inside. There is nothing like a German hospital in Obudu yet. I am not lying. It is the truth. What we have there is some painted structures and a few equipment supplied and abandoned by Cocharis. The only public hospital in Obudu till today is the Sacred Heart Hospital along hospital road, built by the Catholic mission. If we eventually have a new hospital in Obudu, whether you call it German or Nigerian hospital, I will not hesitate to tell you.

    4. Obudu Independent Power Project: Our governor trumpeted this as one of his flagship projects in Obudu. He went and purchased two diesel powered generators and brought them to power an entire LGA, in the 21st century. A small diesel generator used to power a BTS consumes about 18,000 liters of fuel per year. CO2 emission from one liter of diesel fuel is 2.68kg. Meaning one generator emits 46.5 metric tons of CO2 annually. With those large LPFO powered generators, it is a massive environmental risk that should have been put into consideration by a Governor who is an environmentalist. Yet, the last time those generators came on was in 2019 when Ayade’s niece, Memshima was getting married. The power project has since been abandoned and the generators are parked somewhere along Ranch road.

    5. Mini Super Highway: I don’t need to talk much here. I just shared a video of the road with you yesterday. A road still under construction is been washed off by the rains. A road without drainages. A road so terribly done that it cannot even stand till the completion of the project. The road that failed before Ayade deceived us that he is fixing it, lasted for over 30 years. Even the job that Ayade’s construction company, Leophina Construction, got from the Federal Ministry of Works to do total rehabilitation and resurfacing of the highway from Obudu to Wula in Boki, the Governor and his brother Franko, collected the money, managed to grind the road up to Akorsie in Obanliku, abandoned the project and pocketed the money. Today, you can’t go to Obudu through Boki. We have to pass through Ogoja which is a longer route.

    I am from Obudu. I wish above all things that Obudu is developed and prospers. I won’t be deceived by anyone. Not at this my age. I will not join those who want to perpetually lie to our people to say what isn’t verifiable. If all these projects take off, I will tell you so. If governor Ayade leaves office today, there is nothing, absolutely nothing in Obudu, that we will point to that he did for his people other than these meaningless food on the table titles that will evaporate on his exit. It is rodents and reptiles that will leave in those empty buildings.

    Don’t lie to me. Complete these projects. Get them working and let us indeed know that even if you were unable to end our suffering in Obudu like you promised in June 2015, at least you were able to reduce the suffering.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Dear Prince Otu, Don’t Start From Where We Are Leaving BY AGBA JALINGO

    Dear Prince Otu, Don’t Start From Where We Are Leaving BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    We are leaving somewhere. Like, departing from a place of discomfort to another destination. That should happen in exactly 291 days. It is important for all of us to make sure we remind whoever will take over the reins of power from Governor Ayade, whether it is the ruling or the opposition party, that we are reading their lips and preparing their marking scheme.

    Prince Otu, the APC guber candidate was on a thank-you tour of Cross River North recently. I think they had a good time going round without any major incident of violence or chaos. That is very commendable. Two things however have been sticking out like the sore toes of an elephantiasis infected feet. Among the events that took place in the North, Otu’s supporters have been particular about two. The spraying of money from an open roof car in Bekwarra for people to pick from the ground and Otu’s promise to revamp Okuku Market in Yala LGA, if he becomes our next governor.

    While Otu supporters called what happened in Abuochiche junction the triumphal arrival of Prince Otu, to a tumultuous welcome, what I saw was people throwing Naira notes from the open roof of a speeding vehicle and luring poor villagers to scramble for a pick among bikes that could have hit anyone. Let me be very clear that in Nigerian politics and during campaign seasons, it is not only Prince Otu or his supporters that will be caught in this. Having said that, that cannot be a standard we will accept or tolerate in our State.

    First, Prince Otu was a member of the National Assembly that passed the CBN Act which criminalizes the denigration of Naira notes in the manner we saw in Bekwarra. In a place where laws work, all those caught on video spraying or trampling on those notes should be facing a magistrate by now. Secondly, it smacks of taking our people for granted because of their poverty, anytime someone who says they want to go and lead us and alleviate our poverty, come around and begin to throw Naira notes to the ground for peoples’ fathers, mothers, aunties and youths to trample on themselves and pick and fight over after the convoys are far gone.

    The toe, knee and elbow injuries they sustain in the running and falling, the risk of being knocked down by a rushing vehicle, are all part of the wickedness infested by such despicable show of shame. These are not sights that should be celebrated. Our people are not dogs and food should not be thrown to them on the ground. Dogs too don’t eat from the ground any longer. Even Ayade is putting the food on the table. He is not throwing it on the ground.

    Prince Otu was also quoted as saying: “I spent most of my school days in the North, and during that time, people come from all over the country to buy at the Okuku market. I will revive that market and make sure that happens again in my time.” Now, this is where I want to caution that we cannot continue from where we are leaving. Stop the bogus promises and stop them now please. We are tired of these bogus gargantuan and olympotic promises. Do what the laws says.

    We need to tell Prince Otu early enough that, if by any chance he becomes our governor, rather than bother about fixing Okuku market, he should promise Cross Riverians that, he will not touch or pilfer LGA funds like all his predecessors have been doing and will allow the LGAs to work and function as enshrined in our Constitution. If he does that, Okuku market will function as he desires without his intervention. Historically, markets have always been out of the purview of governors even from colonial administration. Communities and local chiefs have always had a way to manage their market places peacefully until big government began to unfairly interfere.

    Let us also remind Prince Otu again that, sub(e) of the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, clearly vests the establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, *markets* , motor parks and public conveniences on LGAs and not on Governors. It is the refusal of the governors to do what the law says that is killing markets like the one in Okuku and several others across the State. I am very sure that even that time Otu spent in the North like he said, the Okuku market he says was doing well and bringing people from across the country was developed and run by the LGA not the State government.

    We shall continue to standby and gather together what those who want to lead us are promising us on their way to power and keep the promises as their marking scheme. This will serve as a good reminder and a wealthy library for the social contract.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Are You Running For National Assembly Election From Cross River? Let Me Have Your Attention Please BY AGBA JALINGO

    Are You Running For National Assembly Election From Cross River? Let Me Have Your Attention Please BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Six years ago, just after taking office, Governor Ayade made a very strong case for the abundant mineral resources in our State in a visit by the Minister of Solid Minerals to Peregrino House in Calabar and shortly after, the Cross River State Ministry of Solid Minerals obtained exploration licences for mineral resources from the federal government. The licences include quarry lease for granite, exploration licence for limestone, clay and shale as well as reconnaissance permit.

    That deft move by Governor Ayade was and still remains a huge milestone because the Mineral Resources Act 2007 vests the total control and appropriation of mineral resources on the federal government, yet the Land Use Act says the Governor holds the land in trust for his people. Getting the mining licenses was therefore a massive opening for our State to directly participate in the exploration of our natural endowment. Governor Ayade immediately admitted afterwards that financing was the next challenge and called for patience. He said the next step was the sourcing and provision of financing for exploration in his bid to diversify the State economy.

    The Governor pushed again and in February 2021, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development announced that an artisanal and small scale mineral processing cluster will be established in Cross River State and will be completed within six months. The Minister of State, Uche Ogar, disclosed this in Calabar while he was receiving title documents for a five-hectare land donated by the Cross River State government in Yala LGA for the project.

    The choice of Cross River State for the siting of the cluster project for barite value chain development was predicated on the fact that the state is endowed with large commercial deposits of the mineral. Barite deposit occurrences in Cross River State are mainly around Obubra through to Yala Local Government Area which informed the siting of the cluster project in Yala. Under the project, the Federal Government intended to embark on infrastructural development within the cluster area such as a barite processing plant, mining equipment leasing bay, training center, warehouse, office complex amongst other amenities.

    The National Bureau of Statistics aggregate production of mineral products in Nigeria peaked at 89.48 million tonnes in 2021 with Ogun, Kogi, and Cross River States recording the highest output. Breakdown of State profile analysis showed Ogun recorded the highest production in 2021 with 32.04 million tons, followed by Kogi with 18.40 million tonnes and Cross River with 11.64 million tonnes.

    Till date, that project is in the limbo. It has been overtaken by politicking and nothing is been heard about it.

    The second project was announced in February 2017. The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and Cross River State launched a waste-to-wealth program in Calabar. The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, laid the foundation for a plant to process waste-to-wealth at the Idundu Industrial Layout in Calabar and said the Calabar site was the pilot project. Governor Ayade noted on the occasion that the project would help in the production of biogas, organic waste and feeds for aquatic culture in the State.

    These are two well thought-out but pending or stagnated or siphoned federal projects designated for our State already. Whoever is going or returning to the National Assembly from the State should get a small team to take pens and papers and ask these questions:

    1. How can the Mineral Resources Act 2007 be amended to give States increased stake and access to their mineral resources? This will lead to the drafting of an amended bill that member.

    2. What is my strategy for engaging with lawmakers from Ogun, Kogi and other mineral resources rich States to achieve this goal based on shared interest? This collaboration based on shared interest across several States will create the robust and necessary initial buy-in for the amended bill.

    3. What is the oversight intervention required to push through with the federal ministry of mines and minerals to make sure that the mineral processing cluster that was to be established in six months in Yala returns immediately? Who did what and who did not do what and what was left to be done on the part of our State or FG? Who is in the NASS committee that oversights the ministry of mineral resources or any other relevant committee that needs to be engaged and lobbied to ensure every bottle neck is cleared for the return of the project? This may lead to increased appropriation to the ministry to fast track the project. This will reveal the reasons why the project was stalled and also provide an opportunity for effective oversight function.

    4. Question 3 is applicable to the waste-to-wealth program of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Same questions need to be asked with adequate follow up.

    I cannot over emphasize the impact that these two projects and their value chain will unleash in the State economy and job creation if executed. But like most things associated with our Governor, he starts on a very promising note and then blows the expectations away in no time. Indeed, Governor Ayade may be like former Super Eagles player, Pius Ikedia who skillfully dribbles everyone with mastery until he enters the 18 yard box and wastes the ball without scoring; it is now time for others on the pitch with him to assist him knock these loose balls into the net. This will not stop anyone from buying the usual okada and wrappers for distribution back home. It will only improve the quality of representation that the State will be getting from the next set of National Assembly members. I am only making suggestions since I am not running any election.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Embracing The Reality Of Dwindled Popularity BY AGBA JALINGO

    Embracing The Reality Of Dwindled Popularity BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    At the thanksgiving mass in honor of Justice Emmanuel Agim, on his elevation to the Supreme Court, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Calabar yesterday, Governor Ayade, after launching the 2022 harvest theme and donating N25m, reportedly told the Bishop, John Ayah, who came from Uyo to Calabar that, “Before you depart for your station from Calabar, I will whisper to you.” A euphemism for “I will send money to you.”

    And Bishop Ayah replied: “Kindly add the whisper to the salary of your workers and pay them, I don’t need it.” And the congregation spontaneously sprang up and gave the Bishop a standing ovation. As governor Ayade navigates his remaining 294 days in office, there is abundant chances that many more of those kinds of situations will repeat themselves. Whether in the church or village playground or even campaign grounds, he will be booed in many places publicly and with more audacity.

    Whether those who work with him tell him the truth about the reality outside the security wall around him or not, honestly speaking, a greater majority of Cross Riverians are unhappy with governor Ayade. Even on his own verified Facebook page, they aren’t sparing him there with invectives whenever he does a new post. Even his own appointees are some of his most acerbic critics then they come out to praise sing him.

    While this turn of events and trend should not be encouraged or pampered, it can also be argued that it is becoming inevitable because it is difficult to point to anything that Governor Ayade has done that is functioning effectively. The governor should rather realize now that people are tired of his big grammar and his public drama. It used to sound like music in their ears when they still thought things will change under him.

    His songs and shoki dance steps used to ‘ginger’ the crowds. The town used to be grounded and emptied into the airport when he returns from his frequent trips. Now he doesn’t get up to a dozen welcomers. He should also stop thinking that people will continue to genuflect when he mentions money in those public events. They are building their hopes on the next person already. The Governor has to search for urgent results to showcase to a frustrated population. Everytime he has a public outing henceforth, he has to find and point to what he has done that is working and stop the propaganda about he has built this and that, which have all never worked.

    Until he can show functional results no matter how minimal, he should expect more public hostility even from unexpected quarters as his days in office get thinner.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Elijah Ugani Circulates Pictures Of A Delapidated Primary School Building In His Village, Calls For Help

    Elijah Ugani Circulates Pictures Of A Delapidated Primary School Building In His Village, Calls For Help

    The Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of the TheLumineNews.com, Elijah Ugani has displayed pictures of a dilapidated building in his village.

    According to Elijah, series of letters were written to the SUBEB Chairman, through the Executive Secretary, Education Authority, Obudu Local Government.

    He took to Obudu Stakeholder’s Forum WhatsApp platform and his verified Facebook page to call for help.

    Find full story on his Facebook page:

    “Our education is under serious threat.

    “This is the state of St John’s Primary School Ukwortung, Utugwang North ward in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    “This building was blown off by wind around 2016.
    “Succeding Head Teachers have written to Executive Secretary(ies), Obudu Education Authority to draw the State Government’s attention to the school through SUBEB.

    “Jonathan Abang Ugbal of #crossriverwatch has done some reports including interviewing my Clan Head and one of the Head Teachers within this period.

    “Getting any attention to this school has been an uphill task.
    We can’t continue like this.

    “Interestingly, this is our polling unit for elections.
    “When will my community rise to having sons and daughters that take on our challenges headlong.

    God, I can’t wait.

    W”is that person that God will use to renovate this school?
    My community need help
    The future of our children is shaking!”

    #WeCantContinueLikeThis
    #RecueStJohnPrimarySchoolUkwortung