Category: Opinion

  • Governor Nyesom Wike’s Love For Cross River State Is Unrivalled And Unpretentious BY DESMOND-CRUZ

    Governor Nyesom Wike’s Love For Cross River State Is Unrivalled And Unpretentious BY DESMOND-CRUZ

    Governor Nyesom Wike’s love for the people of Cross River State is unrivalled and unpretentious.

    Nyesom Wike is that proverbial good friend that is better than a bad brother. Unlike some transactional Politicians whom today have turned themselves into self-acclaimed advocates for the Southern Senatorial District, Nyesom Wike stood firm for the entire People of Cross River State, particularly the Southern Senatorial District.

    When Justice Walter Onnoghen was faced with unmitigated persecution, while some Cross Riverians within the corridors of power in Abuja were busy writing copiously in Support of Justice Walter Onnoghen’s removal, Governor Nyesom Wike stood strongly for him.

    Today, the same set of transactional Politicians that were busy bootlicking the Northern hegemony in Abuja and joined forces with the aristocratic Northern Cabals to remove the duo of Justice Walter Onnoghen and Mrs Winifred Oyo-ita –both from the Southern Senatorial District– are now everywhere writing patronizingly for the same Southern Senatorial District that they orchestrated the removal of their illustrious son and daughter from Office.Thankfully, karma served them their own breakfast when they least expected it.

    Though, it was never my intention to travel down this memory lane but it is absolutely necessary, lest the South forget who their actual enemy is.

    According to a publication made by Punch Newspaper today 7th October 2022, Governor Nyesom Wike was reported to have nominated Former Governor, Donald Duke as running mate for Atiku Abubakar, even when he had the option of nominating himself. Isn’t this another form of sacrificial love for the people of Cross River State, particularly the Southern Senatorial District? Today, a certain man that wasted his opportunity in Abuja fighting Cross Riverians especially those from the Southern Senatorial District, is now the one trying to profess love for the people of the South more than everyone else. What an act of pretentious treachery!

    *©Umezulike Desmond-cruz*

  • Understanding Nyesom Wike, Atiku Does Not Know BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    Understanding Nyesom Wike, Atiku Does Not Know BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    Brash, incontinent and laudatory, with a generous semblance of a stormy petrel, that is how Governor Nyesom Wike possibly comes across to those of us who have never met him in the unique manner that only he can conjure. Were he to feature in the dramatic art, he could quite possibly have been a tragicomedic character, presenting the grim reality of human tragedy in scenes of mirthful ribaldry and self deprecating guffaws.

    The twist however, is that Nyesom Wike is neither a comedian nor is he an actor. He is surprisingly, a very serious and meticulous man with a genial sense of humour. He is also a man of duty, of friendship, a man of principle, with the memory of a dolphin, which recalls every good deed and unfortunately also, every slight and debt. It would appear that Atiku Abubakar and Iyorcha Ayu did not know Wike well enough before they undertook to tango with him. And the duo are not fortunate to be friends of Rotimi Amaechi who may have lend them a wee bit of his own experiences with the enigma called Nyesom Wike.

    If Wike’s trenchant posturings on television in the last few months have exposed the rotten underbelly of the PDP, it has also exposed the hubris in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate. It has shown him up as proud and arrogant and as a man who still worships in the shrine of nepotism and corruption, ala Cousin Muhammadu Buhari.

    Atiku reminds one of the folk story where all the animals gathered together to choose a king for themselves and it was suggested that the duck fowl would best occupy the position because it could walk, fly and swim. But alas, before the crowning ceremony, the duck began to walk and prance about with the cockiness and arrogance of a king. It was the tortoise that first noticed this with alarm and drew the other animals attention to the kingly gait. In the end the animals out of fear that the worst might happen should the duck become king withdrew their support for its candidacy leaving the duck only with the majestic walk without a crown.

    And Atiku may yet end up without a crown because of hubris which now clearly appears to be his tragic flaw. William Shakespeare wrote that “the abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” The hawks are all over Atiku today buoying him up with false assurances and telling him what a great man he is. Atiku might well be a great man, but he must listen to himself first, he must stoop to conquer. The North will vote for him alright, they will vote for their brother. Even president Buhari may well vote for Atiku. But he needs other sections of the country as well to fulfil the constitutional requirement precedent to his being declared President.

    In the wake of the Peter Obi phenomenon it is rather surprising that Atiku is not doing realpolitik. He is still typically condescending to his colleagues from the South, as if to say “mai za su yi”? (what can they do?) Alhaji Atiku, they can do a whole lot. Already, the word on the street is that a man who cannot unify his party cannot possibly unify the country, and the evidence is all laid out for all to see.

    Nyesom Wike threw the clanger yesterday, that Atiku gave and Ayu took, all very typical of the tragic story of PDP. Nyesom Wike may well sink the ship of PDP, which is already approaching the iceberg, if Alhaji Atiku does not find the wisdom to climb down from his high horse, and pull the chestnut out of the fire before it is burnt. Underestimating Governor Nyesom Wike is a strategic mistake at this time. Na small shit de spoil nyash.

    Dominic Kidzu writes from Calabar.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Dominic Kidzu and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • Inflation: Who Takes The Beating; The Rich Or The Poor? BY JANEFRANCES CHIBUNDU

    Inflation: Who Takes The Beating; The Rich Or The Poor? BY JANEFRANCES CHIBUNDU

     

    With inflation now rising faster than wages, economists are debating which group suffers more from inflation, the poor or the rich. This kind of economy-wide question is quite easy to answer, especially when rates of inflation have been so high in recent times while comparing the losses to the poor to the losses to wealthier groups.

    Nonetheless, the arguments suggest that the poor are likely to take a beating. Inflation can worsen inequality or poverty because it hits income and savings harder for poorer or middle-income households than for wealthy household. One major factor being that the poor is the socio-economic group that finds it hardest to purchase a home, of which real estate seems to be one of the best inflation hedges.

    In Nigeria for instance, the average Inflation rate in the current Buhari-led administration is at 12.9% this excludes covid-19 effect, with a significant rise of 250bps compared to 10.4% during the Jonathan-led administration. This is according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS. Headline Inflation in Nigeria rose to 20.52% in August 2022, higher than 19.64% recorded in July 2022, this represent the highest inflation rate since 2005. Food Inflation also rose by 110bps to 23.12% from 22.02% in July 2022, while Core Inflation increased by 94bps to 17.20% in August 2022 compared to 16.62% in July.

    Nigeria’s inflation rate in the month of August 2022 rose to a 17-year high of 20.52% This compares to 19.64%. recorded in the previous month of July 2022, and it was driven by significant increases in both Food and Core Inflation. According to the NBS, the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products like; potatoes, yam, meat, fish, oil, fat and other tubers. Nigerians have continued to feel the impact of the inflation for instance, a commodity which sold at N1,000 in 2015 is currently sold at N2,000, which is a 100% increase.

    Salaries have not been increased to compliment the prices of goods In the market, instead people are left with the option of cutting down their budget while those who can afford relocation troop out in their numbers, thereby contributing to the high demand of foreign currency especially dollar, which in turn devalues the Nigerian Naira.

    Speaking with a Certified Financial Analyst Adetumi Atayero CFA, on the increasing rate of Inflation in the world, he attributed the high inflation globally to energy cost, supply chain and geopolitical tension.

    He explained that, “the current Russian and Ukrainian war and the sanction on Russia by the west since their invasion of Ukraine has been a major factor contributing to the high cost of Energy in the world as Russia has retaliated by reducing the amount of oil production to Europe and other countries, knowing that Russia is the third Largest oil producing nation in the world after United States of America and Saudi Arabia”. Germany for instance depends solely on Russia for 40% of there gas supply and about 5 to 20% of oil supply, hence the reduction in the flow of oil to E.U has caused the price of oil to soar.

    Nigeria on the other hand depends on Ukraine for their grains and some other staple foods, and since the onset the war there has been a reduction in the importation of wheat used for production of bread. This disruption means that wheat prices are now 25% higher than a year ago. Many other staples have become more expensive. A barrel of oil in Nigeria is selling at 105 dollars. Since oil is the major instrument for production of goods and services as energy affects all sectors of the economy leading to all round inflation.

    The UN’s Food Prices Index has fallen for the fifth month in a row, and this is a sign that one of the main pressures pushing up the cost of living around the world could ease.The index fell to 138 points in August and is now lower than it was before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The countries were both major exporters of crops including sunflower oil, corn and wheat.

    Undeniably, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed a sudden and dramatic shift on global supply chains as rolling lockdowns to mitigate the virus’s spread impacted the exchange of goods and materials on the world stage. Similarly, lockdowns on a national and local level led to a tremendous rise in unemployment, as businesses were forced to shutdown as a result of viral countermeasures.

    This significant job loss forced the government to prop up the floundering economy via economic stimulus plans. These stimulus plans resulted in a large influx of money to the national economy, which in turn increased the currency supply and decreased its overall value. Adetumi however argued that “since the COVID-19 lockdown the supply chain around the world was greatly affected as it takes longer to import goods which has limited raw materials which inturn affects the cost of goods and services”.

    Speaking on Geopolitical tension as one of the leading factors of high rise in inflation he said “China is responsible for a huge chunk of global production, the country currently is practicing zero COVID-19 tolerance which suggests that if one person contracts COVID-19 the economy would be shut down, which inturn affects production of goods” This means that if the ratio of demand is not proportionate to supply, it leads to high demand of goods which in turn leads to inflation.

    Nigeria being an import dependent Nation. Increases in the prices of imported fuels, materials, and components increase domestic costs of production, and lead to increases in the prices of domestically produced goods. Imported inflation may be set off by foreign price increases, or by depreciation of a country’s exchange rate. Imported inflation which is evident in the devaluation of the Nigerian currency. Over the last 10 years which has seen the Naira erode in value at the cliff of 12% yearly against 2% average long-run inflation in U.S.A which leaves the difference at 10% depreciating value of the Naira against dollar.

    The financial analyst also linked the devaluation of Naira to the poor economy management. “A country that spends about 86% of her revenue on debt servicing there is a tendency that people would see such economy as not being sustainable”, he said.

    Recall that the World Bank had projected that the current inflationary pressure will push additional one million Nigerians into extreme poverty by the end of this year. In its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report, titled, “The continuing urgency of business unusual,” it estimated that an additional one million would be added to the six million Nigerians that were already predicted to relapse into poverty this year because of increase in prices, particularly food prices.

    Adetumi, speaking On how inflation affects the rich, argued that “the rich also take the beating on the effect of inflation but not as much as the poor and that since most of rich have companies in Nigeria and as well generates revenue in Naira that the inflation effect affects the generation of revenue in their various companies”. As at the time of this report Dangote’s networth stood at 12.7 Billion dollar ranking #130 on the Forbes list of world richest men compared to four years ago when the rate of dollar to naira was 150 naira his net worth was at 14 Billion dollars equivalent to 5.8trillion naira a decline of 1.3 Billion dollars.

    Speaking on the way forward he pointed that the growth rate of the Nigerian economy is not proportionate to its Gross Domestic product (GDP)
    “the idea of exporting our raw materials like cocoa and crude oil for it to be imported back as finished product is wasteful”.

    The jobs which could have generated revenue for her citizen and as well save cost have been shifted to other countries, “our exports are now lower than our income”, added the Financial expert.

    Increased insecurities in different parts of the country have also led to low productions of goods and services as the prices of the available goods are inflated to makeup for their efforts. “Government should focus on Infrastructural development and creating an enabling environment free of insecurities to enable investors and as well boost the economy while we improve in our technological advancement” Adetumi concluded.

    Therefore, Nigerian government needs to employ the services of qualified economic managers to formulate and implement viable economic policies to drive the Nigerian economy on the path of growth and development.

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

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

     

    The convoy of 26 SUVs and light trucks entered the ancient sub – urban Ogoja mid – morning on Saturday, September 3rd and the entourage went into the Catholic cathedral for the Christian marriage rights of a relation of the eponymous John George, the strong hand behind RECLAIM CROSS RIVER. The reception ceremony held at the St.Thomas’s College auditorium was electrified by the entrance of Senators Sandy Onor and Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, as the guests rose to their feet and sang the Caterpillar campaign songs to the melodious accompaniment of the disc jockey’s Amapiano instrumentation. Home boy, Sonny Neji was also on hand to sing his chart busting tunes and take what he called “memorable photographs” with the two Senators.

    Next was the recreational club in Igoli where decampees from Bekwarra, Yala and Ogoja local government areas were waiting to be received into the soothing protectiveness of the umbrella. The decampees from Yala were led by Honourable Dan Ugbama (PhD). Ugbama said “at 26, I abandoned college and decided to address the problems of my people. Ukelle remains the same almost 40 years after that. For eight years of this government nothing has been done for my people, only failed promises. I decided to take this decision to join the group that appears to me better prepared to help my people. I apologise to all the people we have failed, especially the people of Ukelle extraction.’

    Ochelebe Michael Oko, who was the
    Chapter Auditor of APC in Yala said he came back to help the PDP win elections because he has discovered that the APC was neither a serious party nor a faithful one. Other decampees from Bekwarra included Patrick Aleje Adoga, Ogar Achi, Ogodo Emmanuel Ogodo, Ogar Michael Ogbeche, Gladys Oko, Grace Ekawu, Patrick Lifu, Odey Margaret and several others. While Prof. Onumashi Ushe, Ekunke Godwin Oshe, Lifu Joseph, Ushie Juliet, Simon Odama, Mary Idiege,
    Cletus Ogar, Anthony Ushie amongst others came from Bekwarra. Speaking for Bekwarra decampees, Mr Okochi said that “Bekwarra LGA is overwhelmed by the achievements of Senator Jarigbe. He has spread boreholes all over the 10 wards of Bekwarra. Just like last month he gave us light all over and we are now a small London”.
    Receiving the decampees Senator Jarigbe Agom said that ” together we are going to boot Ayade and the APC out. Our problem has never been that we don’t have Egusi soup and garri to eat. What our people need is functional health facilities, decent educational institutions, good roads, electricity and potable water, which the APC have not been able to provide.”

    Senator Sandy Onor on his part recalled that “From the age of 27 I started hearing about the plight of Ukelle, I am 56 and it is still the same. We have a Governor from the North yet the story of Ukelle remains the same. Ukelle is like my area. I once described my area as located on the negative side of geography. Jarigbe is a senator extraordinary who God has sent to come and wipe away the tears of the people of the North. Between October and December APC shall become an empty shell because we shall continue to harvest all men of good conscience and of truth from the captivity of that party.”

    In Begiaba village of Obudu local government area it was a bazaar of sorts, a cultural jamboree put together by the irrepressible State Chairman of the PDP, Barrister Venatius Ikem to celebrate the new yam festival with his kit and kin, and with his friends from far and near. Amidst the cultural extravaganza of dance troupes, several dozens of brooms were set ablaze, perhaps in propitiation to the Almighty for the misadventure of having mistakenly joined the APC. Barrister Anglibi Ogar, a former zonal officer of the APC who spoke for the over 700 decampees said simply that they were leaving that party because “we are tired of lies”.

    In Utugwang, Prince k. J Agba broke the ancient cellars to present some of the most vintage wines and Scottish blends. The palmwine was simply a work of art and the PDP spirit came aloft as most worthy sons of Cross River State plotted to take back our dear state from the incorrigible ravens and bring sanity back to the people. Scores of decampees had already been accepted into the PDP before the Senators arrived.

    Ada Bekwarra the second, Signor Omang Idiege gave the senators a sumptuous buffet dinner in Gakem, while kind and manly words were spoken with bowed heads as they ate and drank to the spirit and health of the cross river.

    When the motorcade slithed into Alok in the early hours of Sunday, over a hundred PDP faithfuls were still awake and waiting at the sprawling homestead of Rt. Honourable Chris Agibe. His dear wife, Meg, an entertainer by birth and inclination, was able to make the dinner warm again which was enthusiastically eaten as early breakfast. Great words were said on the night and in the end it was underlined that the loincloth was only wet, but not burnt. Nothing therefore was lost in the end. The battle cry it seemed as the goodbyes were said was ” Ahoy, compatriots, let us go hither together and win the state for the party and for the people.

  • 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.