The Lumine News

Category: Opinion

  • The Raging Arson In UNICAL, A Call For Concern BY PATRICK OBIA

    The Raging Arson In UNICAL, A Call For Concern BY PATRICK OBIA

     

    It was an English philosopher and scholar, Thomas Hobbes who postulated in his book, Leviathan, Book I, Chapter 13 that; “Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every man is enemy to every man, the same consequent to the time wherein men live without other security than what their own strength and their own invention shall furnish them withal. In such condition there is no place for industry… no knowledge on the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

    Hobbes, in this chapter of the natural condition of mankind concerning their felicity and misery, states clearly that all men are made equal by nature while acknowledging that some men may be smarter, or stronger than others even though in the end, this does not impede man’s ability to achieve his means as man’s aspirations and quest for a better life, leads to the locking of horns which lead to hostility.

    In light of the above, life is full of protagonists and antagonists, who all bring about the reality of life stories.

    The recent arson in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) can be likened to what Hobbes described as the “state of nature,” wherein, in the past few weeks, the Ivory tower, founded 47 years ago, has lost back-to-back, academic infrastructure to fires.

    Though, the varsity has, in recent years, witnessed violent activities that have led to the destruction of infrastructure, the most recent which occurred on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 which saw the Department of Continuous Education and Development Studies razed is fresh in mind.

    This is coming three weeks after the Department of Mathematics, was razed on Sunday, 30 January 2022 by what many have described as “strange fire” at the wee hours of that day. A week later, on Sunday, 6 February 2022, the Department of International Relations was gutted by the same magical fire with no history so far with almost nothing saved.

    While the cause of the fire remains a mystery to management, students and the public, there are allegations that, some aggrieved students in the varsity have hands in the destruction as a result of the management’s increment in school fees as well as courses registration which have generated public uproar.

    Also, there are insinuations that students are vexed over the fact that the school is yet to finish its first semester talk less of starting second semester especially as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) indefinite strike has commenced.

    Whichever is correct or wrong, there is no reason to justify destruction in any guise. Meanwhile, this is not time for blame game on whose fault it is.

    It is time to look at the continuous arson with eagle eyes whether done by students or enemies of the institution or whoever; it calls for all hands to be on deck, lest it renders academic activities in the varsity impotent.

    UNICAL management should, as a matter of urgency, beef up security in the campus to protect its assets especially during odd hours but must be careful in order not to affect the innocent ones. Though it is said management has imposed curfew and halted night classes to checkmate insecurity.

    Furthermore, in as much as the institution has increased its fees/service charges, there is needed for an extension in the closure of the portal.

    Like the holy book says: “while men slept, the enemy came and sowed a wrong seed,” It is not time to input damage charges in the service charges to innocent students rather, it is a wake up call for management and relevant security agencies to dive into action and carry out tight investigation and bring perpetrators to book.

    Finally, when a child is beaten, the child runs back to who beats him or her for consolation. Therefore, the management of the University of Calabar as a parent should listen to the wailing of their children (students). A stitch in time saves nine.

    Patrick Obia is a journalist and writes from Calabar, Cross River State.

    NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Patrick Obia and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.

  • The Ongoing Curfew In Ogoja And The Upcoming Ogoja/Yala Bye-election BY FIRST BABA ISA

    The Ongoing Curfew In Ogoja And The Upcoming Ogoja/Yala Bye-election BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    When I heard that the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government had declared a curfew, ordering all residents to turn in by 10:00pm or face the wrath of the law, I was truly concerned where he got the powers to declare a curfew. But I didn’t say anything because Ogoja is my hometown and security is a delicate issue.

    I didn’t want to start sounding legalistic if truly there is a security issue to be addressed. But now that the initial dust has settled, I can see clearly through the facts, the law, the present dangers and the coming dangers, especially in the light of the upcoming by-elections.

    I was told by some residents that the curfew was ordered because a spate of ritual killings hit the town during the festive period. The police did not confirm this. I asked them. I was told by the police that the curfew was rather put in place to combat robbery. Two different stories, one curfew. But I didn’t mind. I just wanted security to be restored for our people.

    But now, I do mind. I have some questions to ask.

    Is the highest number of robbery and ritual killings in Nigeria taking place in Ogoja? Definitely not. Even in cities where these atrocities are hitting the roof daily, is it being tackled by declaring curfew? How effective has the curfew been? We have heard several complaints how the security men are arresting poor okada men, our brothers, and forcing them to pay N26, 000 to bail themselves and their bikes. The curfew has become a means of extorting from the poor masses.

    I think it is time to call off this curfew. Apart from the fact that it is illegal, if it had any good purpose, it has definitely outlive this purpose. Citizens should be allowed to exercise their fundamental right to freedom of movement. They don’t need anyone’s permission to walk freely 24 hours a day. They should be allowed to go about their lawful businesses.

    This curfew must be lifted immediately. If it is not, it will definitely become a veritable tool for political instability in the forthcoming by-elections. The police will be used, in the guise of enforcing an illegal curfew, to prevent the opposition politicians and supporters from moving freely while the ruling party politicians and supporters under the protection of the Governor and Chairman will move around freely. When the opposition finds out they are being prevented from moving freely while others are moving freely and holding the usual nocturnal political meetings, there is bound to be resistance and the real security crisis will happen.

    We want this election to be peaceful. No one should be harassed or intimidated. I call on the Chairman to call off this curfew now before it is exploited to cause mayhem. I call on the security personnel to stop enforcing an illegal curfew.

    If this call is not heeded, the blame for the likely security crisis that might fall out of this, especially during the elections, should be put on the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government and his enablers in Peregrino Hill.

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

  • If Not That Shamelessness Is A Key Ingredient In Nigeria Politics, APC Cross River State Cannot Be Talking About Zoning Now BY FIRST BABA ISA

    If Not That Shamelessness Is A Key Ingredient In Nigeria Politics, APC Cross River State Cannot Be Talking About Zoning Now BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    #FBIRandomThoughts – Zoning

    1. As elections approach you will hear a lot about zoning and “it is our turn”. Even if you never kn what the hoopla about zoning entails, you will have a fair grasp this period.

    2. I love the concept of zoning. It is the very essence of democracy and the foundation on which participatory democracy is built on. Anyone who doesn’t know this yet, is still a far cry from understanding the concept of democracy as it were or the person is just pretending, to serve ulterior motives. I will come to the deployment of zoning using ulterior motives, presently.

    3. Our present constitution contemplated and enshrined the concept of zoning in several sections; like the sections dealing with Federal Character or the ones mandating the president and governor to make sure their ministers and commissioners come from each state or local government as the case may be.

    4. Clearly, the constitution did not outline a framework for zoning elective positions but the point I’m making is that zoning as it were is not a foreign concept to both democracy in general and our constitution in particular.

    5. Now, the constitutional provision that mandates the President to pick at least one minister from the 36 States of the Federation makes comedy of the thinking that zoning begets mediocrity. Again, this argument is only wielded by folks with a self serving motive. Zoning is not the opposite of competence. This is 2022, there is no state, local government, ward or even village without someone competent to fill an elective position.

    6. If the electorate is ignorant or gullible, they will always elect someone incompetent; if the president or governor is incompetent and ignorant, he will always appoint incompetent people even if he picks them from every village or just one village. Zoning is not to blame.

    7. So, whenever you hear someone say, “we don’t want zoning, we want competence”, that’s the voice of deceit or ignorance talking. Zoning and competence can exist together and there is absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t. Zoning is simply an agitation for equal and fair participation. No more, no less.

    7. If you all agree that it is the turn of my family to produce the next village chief and the kingmakers or voters decided to pick the most incompetent in my family to crown chief, how is that the fault of zoning?

    8. However, we have two major problems with zoning in Nigeria; no clear cut guidelines for its implementation and the insincerity of those who mouth it. I have not seen anyone who truly believes in zoning. It is always a tool of political shenanigans to them.

    9. Let me give you just one example; the Governor of Cross River State. He recently declared that the Governor must come from Southern Cross River State based on the principle of zoning. He has been applauded as an advocate of zoning. But is he? No. Definitely not. Why? The man has a presidential ambition. He confirmed that himself.

    10. If the two major political parties are zoning their presidential ticket to the south, then it should go to the South East. An Igbo man or woman should be president. The South West has taken before, the South South has taken, so it should go to the South East. But here is a South South Governor, who is being touted as an apostle of zoning, being asked about his presidential ambition, and instead of him to say “No, I’m an advocate of zoning, so it is the turn of the South East…” But, my guy said, “I’m ready if my party wants me.” Can you imagine the insincerity.

    11. His aides and supporters in Cross River State are busy sharing his posters for president and shouting #BackToSouth for the governorship position. If double standard had a face. Even in their back to South campaign, it is the Efik, who had produced a Governor that are angling for it. Is that the spirit of zoning? No. It should go round the local governments, wards and tribes.

    12. It is even laughable that the APC, the Governor’s party today, is talking about zoning. In the last election, the Governor who is from the North was running for reelection and the APC fielded two candidates from two factions and both were from the Central! If not that shamelessness is a key ingredient in Nigeria politics, APC Cross River State cannot be talking about zoning now.

    13. So, you see, the concept of zoning, without watertight guidelines for its implementation, will remain good as an ideology but wobbly in practice. So, as much as I love the concept, it is difficult to practice. You don’t even know when someone is using it to hoodwink you.

    14. I have, therefore, resolve to promote this as much as I can but not to split unnecessary hairs about it. I will always consider it but I will not put it first in my consideration for choosing someone for an elective position. That’s why you might see me rooting for someone from the North or Central of Cross River State for Governor if they meet other terms and conditions far above the person from the South.

    15. Look out… Make person no use your head. Zoning has conveniently become a tool of political yahoo yahoo.

    – Written By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, First Baba Isa Esq and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • Mr Peter Akpanke And His Mission To Annihilate The Sufferings Of The Masses

    Mr Peter Akpanke And His Mission To Annihilate The Sufferings Of The Masses

    By Linus Ushie

    Poverty is unarguably one of the many setbacks of man. It affects not only a man’s social network, but his ability to access and utilize opportunities.

    Mr Peter Akpanke (DE SOLID ROCK) who is the Chairman of the Non profitable organization; The Akpanke Foundation, has never relented in his quest to alleviate the sufferings of people in his constituency, state and country at large. His enormous strides towards human and infrastructural development, women support initiatives , youth empowerment and Education has impacted positively on the society and engineered a refined political narrative.

    In these trying times of our country’s degenerating economy, DE ROCK through his Foundation has constantly sustained it show of Love to the vulnerable. These acts of kindness has restored hope to the hopeless, provided succor to the less privileged and salvaged many families from the whips of starvation.

    As the people continue to yearn for effective representation and leadership, the choice of Mr Peter Akpanke (DE SOLID ROCK) for Federal House of Representatives, for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal constituency in the 2023 general elections will be most beneficial.

    His drilled, trusted and proven ability to deliver on democratic dividends has positioned him worthy of our support.

    De Rock Is Solid!!!

  • The Dwindling Fortunes Of The Political Class And The Travails Of Jimmy Atibile BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    The Dwindling Fortunes Of The Political Class And The Travails Of Jimmy Atibile BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    Jimmy Atibile took ill more than one year ago and lies prostrate in the hospital up till today, still ill, still waiting for a miracle, while his wife and children remain hopeful still, even in their helplessness.

    He woke up one morning to find a cancerous growth sitting between his nose and eyes which the doctors called nasopharyngeal cancer. A nice fellow set up a WatsaAp group for the kind assistance of his friends, family and colleagues, but money only trickled into the purse in nickels, pennies, bits and droplets.

    Jimmy, like his late elder brother, Prince Atibile, has been a politician for most of his adult life, therefore most of his friends are also politicians. He is the Chairman, Hawkers Rights Commission. His family and friends are good people, kind and caring too. Grown men, hunch – backed with their own burdens of life who look at Jimmy as he lies helpless in the Teaching Hospital and shed tears for their stricken friend.

    Jimmy’s friends cannot help him because they have no money to spare. The only thing they have enough to spare these days is their tears and that has been flowing freely down their wrinkled jaws like the dews of heaven. They remind me of the saying that men only cry when they have no money to solve the problem.

    And they are all politicians who nolonger have money to help anybody. All they have left today are the honorific titles: “Distinguished”, “Honourable”, “Right Honourable”, “the Chair the Chair”, etc. Their cars are tattered, their houses decrepit and their courage and self belief have long been eroded by the years of steady reduction.

    They nolonger go home to their villages, only the brave can afford the luxury. The politicians have kissed the dust and fallen from their emblematic grace, pomp and pageantry. Only a few of them have been spared the epidemic of lack and suffering. These are the nouveau riche who have ascended their new heights without having to be particularly excellent in any field of human endeavour. The rest are left to clap and chorus and hope against hope.

    And so Jimmy Atibile remains imprisoned in his hospital bed, held captive by an ailment the doctors say can be treated if Jimmy’s family and friends could raise three million Naira (N3,000,000). But alas, Jimmy’s family and friends can only hope that tears were a commodity they could sell to save the life of their daddy and bossom friend.

    Is there someone out there listening to this cry? Is there someone out there willing to help pay for his cure and bring him home to his family and friends?

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Dominic Kidzu and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • Bye-Bye To Governance, Welcome To Politics… BY AGBA JALINGO

    Bye-Bye To Governance, Welcome To Politics… BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    2022 has arrived with the expected political declarations to take power next year, and aspirants are all hitting the roads and combing the rusty clefts they abandoned in the last four years and oiling them for power grab. The people too are making a kill, feasting from the spoils of the quadrennial rendezvous of their cap-in-hand expectations which they must remit, every year preceding election.

    The casualty of this melodious reunion is governance. It will come to a stand still. All over the country, the table has turned. It will all be politics until the end of the 503 days remaining. Even when this moment hadn’t come, it wasn’t as if anyone was governing us. What will now change is that, even the skeletal public services that can still be accessible now, will all be diverted into how to grab power come 2023.

    In Cross River State, which is my specific interest, Governor Ayade’s tenure as far as governance is concerned, has effectively ended. It is election and handover date that are remaining. Let me be clear that even the governor does not realize what I am saying now and will not agree with me either. He will read this and laugh at me but I will explain. It will not be his will to abandon governance, if he was ever governing, but the sequence of events henceforth will so distract him that he won’t even be able to remember his regular work schedules.

    You see the same way the tussle by Governor Imoke in 2014 to plant either Legor Idagbo as governor or allow Jedy Agba have his way or find an Ayade to later replace Legor, distracted Imoke to the point where even garbage could not be evacuated from Calabar, that is how the horse trading, intrigues, and politicking in the months ahead will distract Governor Ayade. Both from the opposition PDP and from within his own party, the APC, the contending interests will ensure every of his remaining days and nights are filled with scheming over who will get what in 2023 and nothing else. While the PDP will keep him busy in the State, some of his own party members who will be opposed to his choice and will want to lobby for the governorship ticket from their national headquarters, will force him to relocate to Abuja to fight for his political future.

    Don’t also forget that the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency by-election, a very crucial win-or-mar election for the Governor, is still underway, later this year. And the worst of it all is Governor Ayade’s Presidential ambition. That is not just a major major project and final distraction from governance, it will be a primary conduit to fritter the little resources of our State by an excited governor. His exco, his legion of appointees, the entire government will collapse into that ambition. He is just waiting for the APC National Convention to hold before he joins the fray.

    All the talk about completing the airport, super highway, deep sea port, cala this and cala that, rice mill and chocolate factory and all that long list, have all gone into voice mail. He will continue to mouth them and continually refer to them in his public speeches and that’s where it will end. They will window dress them periodically to score political points like they did with calachika during the Yuletide season and when the primaries come in August or thereabout, officials will start telling you government is a continuum, so the next governor will do the needful.

    This will not only happen to Governor Ayade. Even our national and state assembly members will suffer same fate as well as the LG chairmen. They will put governance in the limbo. They will stand akimbo. Interestingly, the people won’t bother. Because the politicians are busting bundles this season. The people will think the bundles are good governance and as far as the bundles continue to rain in the various marathon political meetings that will be holding, it will suffice for the people as good governance.

    I thought it was important to let you know this. That in the remaining 503 days to May 29, 2023, it is bye bye to governance and welcome to politics. Cut your expectations if you still had any, and save yourself a heart.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Ecstatic Ululation In Obanliku Ahead Of Senator Prof Sandy Onor’s Visit BY DAVE IMBUA

    Ecstatic Ululation In Obanliku Ahead Of Senator Prof Sandy Onor’s Visit BY DAVE IMBUA

    ECSTATIC ULULATIONS IN OBANLIKU AHEAD OF SENATOR PROFESSOR SANDY ONOR’S VISIT.

    It is simply difficult, nay impossible to use words to capture the ecstatic mood in Obanliku as the people prepare to receive the Distinguished Senator Professor Sandy Ojang Onor, the Original Caterpillar and Orator of Nigeria’s Ninth Senate. Known for many good things, including his arresting oratory verve, uncompromising honesty and penchant for performance, Senator Professor Sandy Onor is expected to bring an electrifying current of hope, liberation and restoration to the currently despised, alienated and neglected people of Obanliku who have come to understand better than a thousand theoretical examples how the progress and development of a people can be retarded under an unjust and insensitive leadership.

    The Obanliku experience in the last couple of years underscores King Solomon’s unequivocal statement that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). It is no longer news that what constitutes the dividends of democracy in Obanliku are more or less projects that were executed by the administrations of Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke. A few examples may suffice. As the governor of Cross River State (May 1999 – May 2007), Donald Duke constructed the Sankwala Ring Road in his first 100 days in office. In the course of his eventful tenure, he completed and commissioned several other projects including the Obanliku General Hospital, the Bebi Airstrip and Utanga Safari Lodge. He also upgraded the Ranch Resort to international standard, making it the flagship of Nigeria’s tourism. He electrified Bendi, Bisu, and Bebi among other communities. It is to his credit that he initiated and sustained the defunct annual Obudu Mountain Race which brought to Obanliku a great company of men and women from across ethnic, national, religious, linguistic and gender divides for the purpose of winning laurels and leisure. The Obudu International Mountain Race was endorsed by both the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) in 2005 shortly before Duke left office.

    Senator Liyel Imoke who succeeded Duke as governor of Cross River State (May 2007 – May 2015) consolidated and expanded the dividends of democracy in Obanliku. Painstaking efforts were deployed to ensure that the dream that informed the huge investment in the Ranch Resort was not allowed to wither and ease in to oblivion. The Imoke-led administration opened new vistas in a bid to sustain the influx of both local and international tourists to the Resort. Under Imoke’s administration, the road to the resort was fortified and driving through the 22 breath-taking U-bends became pleasurable. In the same committed manner, Senator Liyel Imoke opened up several rural communities with asphalted roads like the Basang East Road, Busi Road, and Utuhu-Kakwe-Lishiche-Shikpeche Road. This was in addition to the rehabilitation and upgrading of numerous health centres and schools in the LGA. The exploits of Duke and Imoke left the good people of Obanliku in no doubt that democracy was the best form of government for any people in search of development.

    And, then, the era of Senator Prof. Ben Ayade came in 2015! Like many other communities in the Northern Cross River Senatorial District, Obanliku people were profoundly confident that the swearing-in of a brother and kinsman as the governor of Cross River State was going to take the local government area to a new level of development. The optimism of such people arose from several justifiable considerations including the painful sacrifices that some people in Obanliku had to make to ensure that Ayade became the governor.

    Unfortunately, no sooner had Ayade took off that it became clear that he was more interested in the underdevelopment of Obanliku than in its progress. Tragically, the people suddenly realised that there are leaders who can castrate democracy and make it impotent in grassroots development.
    After six years of Ayade’s administration, he is yet to commission a single project in the entire Obanliku LGA. Worse still, deliberate efforts have been made to undermine the legacies of Duke and Imoke in Obanliku through the abandonment of well-conceived projects and other infrastructure. In this process of calculated under development, the Ranch has become a mere footnote in the world tourism map, with ongoing plans to turn it into a prayer mountain for politicians and their supporters. The Bebi Airstrip has also been abandoned to pave way for an international cargo airport in Obudu LGA. The Mountain Race with its huge impact on local economy has become history. Public schools in Obanliku have become shadows of what they were when Ayade took over in 2015. The level of neglect and marginalisation visited on Obanliku by the Ayade administration is unprecedented since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999. In fact, Apart from land grapping, there seems to be nothing else to immortalise the uneventful Ayade’s administration in Obanliku.

    With a high sense of regret and frustration, many people in Obanliku have long stopped expecting anything to come from the Ayade debacle. The people are only waiting for time to pass to what would go into records as a dark age in the history of Obanliku. Indeed, many have been looking up to a deliverer who can redress the tragic drift in Obanliku from 2023. Because of his past and present records of performance, majority of the people see Senator Professor Sandy Onor as one person that can restore Obanliku in particular and Cross River State in general on the path of prosperity and development. Because of this, across party and gender lines, several people have been itching to join the Caterpillar Movement. Such people see Senator Onor’s positive responses to the prayers and wishes to run for the office of the governor of Cross River State as a sign of restoration and redemption. As one who had once directly overseen the affairs of a local government and had the opportunity of understanding the system nationally, many people are convinced that he will reposition local governments as sentinels of development and instruments of security at the grassroots. For the Obanliku man, this means that his monthly allocation that has either been appropriated for personal use or committed to develop other parts of the state will be available for the development of the LGA. As a co-visionary with both Duke and Imoke, expectations are high that Senator Onor will restore the good old days in Nigeria’s Switzerland. The vast majority of Obanliku people are excited! They are ecstatic! Focus you satellite dish on Obanliku tomorrow and you will understand the meaning of the lingo that action speaks louder than words.

    Dave Imbua writes from the Hills of Bendi in Obanliku.

    Disclaimer: The Opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Dave Imbua and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization that author works for.

  • UNICAL : Reminiscing Prof Akpagu’s Legacies One Year After Leaving Office As VC BY INYALI PETER

    UNICAL : Reminiscing Prof Akpagu’s Legacies One Year After Leaving Office As VC BY INYALI PETER

     

     

    Today, December 1, 2021, marks exactly one year since Prof. Zana Akpagu bowed out in style as Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Calabar (Unical), after serving out his illustrious and projects laden five-year single term.

     

    Prof. Akpagu made history in December 1, 2015 when he assumed office as the first alumnus Vice Chancellor of the University. Being the first “true” Unical blood to attain the exalted position of VC, much was expected of him.

     

    By the time he handed over in 2020, the University community knew that, truly, one of them had tested power. His five-year tenure was characterized with projects within and outside the University, employment opportunities for teeming youths, research breakthrough for staff, etc.

     

    He handed over a University in a very stable condition in terms of physical infrastructure, research and development, security, etc.

     

    Although a lot was said about his administration’s investment in infrastructure, one area that much wasn’t heard about was improvement of the University’s budget and internally generated revenue.

     

    Understanding the importance of finances to the development of the University, Prof. Akpagu ensured he improved the internally generated revenue of the University to over a billion naira in a year by investing in entrepreneurship and diversifying the University’s source of revenue.

     

    Like many Universities in Nigeria, Unical was majorly funded through school fee and other charges students pay. To remove the pressure from students and overcome the temptation of increasing students levies and charges to improve revenue generation, Akpagu opened other sources of revenue for the institution.

     

    For instance, he invested and expanded the Unical Water services to be producing water in commercial quantities to serve the entire Unical community and state. He also upgraded the unit to a full directorate thereby giving it the platform to function effectively.

     

    He also invested in Unical Paint and expanded the production capacity to a commercial level. Before he left office, Unical was producing paint in commercial quantity.

     

    During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akpagu’s administration also took advantage of the situation and ventured into Hand Santizer production. Unical Hand Sanitizer was a hot cake and orders were coming for the product within and outside the state.

     

    Similarly, Akpagu shot the University’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) budget to the third highest in the country in 2020 through his effective utilization of the funds that were previously voted to the University. Perhaps, his rating as the beat VC in utilization of TETFUND funds by visiting TETFUND officials played a huge part in achieving improved budget allocation for the University.

     

    In terms of security, his cordial relationship with students, staff and host community helped him address the issues of Kidnapping in staff quarters, cultism, theft, amongst others. He also built a standard Police Station at the University Staff quarters to help curb insecurity.

     

    To make Unical’s offering more appealing to the contemporary Labour demands, Akpagu embarked on massive programme expansion by creating new faculties and departments. Although, he was enable to get full accreditation for some of the programme, it’s still on record that he’s the first VC in Nigeria to get full accreditation for faculty of Dentistry in its very first presentation.

     

    In terms of infrastructure, as earlier stated, his name was synonymous to projects. At some points, he as nick named Mr. Projects owing to his massive investments in infrastructural development.

     

    Under his watch, Unical always had one hundred percent in Environment during accreditation. He replaced ornaments that were as old or even older than the University with more alluring ones. This explains why the institution was rated as one of the cleanest Universities in Nigeria in his time.

     

    Apart from bringing facelift to the university’s environment, during festive seasons, Akpagu made the University an alluring tourists sites by wearing it a serene ambience from the gate through the boulevard to the main campus with state-of-the-art Chrisman decorations. Fun seekers and tourists always troop in in their numbers to take pictures, make skit, etc.

     

    As human, Akpagu’s regime was not without flaws but his successes outweighed his flaws. This explains why one year after leaving office as Vice Chancellor, his name has continued to reverberate at every nook and cranny of the University.

     

    He may not be in power again but even his greatest critics can’t deny the legacies he left behind or the fact that he put Unical in the pedestal of sustainable development that’ll forever be remembered.

  • Sandy Onor: A Development Czar By ORI OWAN

    Sandy Onor: A Development Czar By ORI OWAN

     

    It was Chinua Achebe, legendary Nigerian novelist and essayist who said that, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
    Driving home the wisdom in this statement is a popular saying which admonishes us to “give honour to whom it is due and celebrate something good even in the thick of gloom and doom that has saturated our media space.”

    Indeed, it is the case of “action speaks louder than words” when it concerns Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor’s redemptive projects and activities in the Central Cross River Senatorial District. Senator Onor has distinguished himself as a man of great capacity and enterprise. His giant strides in the last two years remain both unmatched and challenging. His dedicated service to the people of Cross River Central has brought another giant amongst the best senators in Nigeria to the limelight. In fact, several appellations have been given consciously to this uncommon performer, especially by the people at the grassroots. Some have justifiably christened him a “repository of projects”, while others in their characteristic manner have argued strenuously, extensively and passionately that Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor is another emerging “Mr projects” south of the Niger. If one were to filter facts from fictions, one could loosely describe him as a harbinger of infrastructure. If one were to be pedantic and petty as his adversaries and traducers, then Senator Sandy Onor could be seen and measured in light of his numerous empowerments and poverty alleviation programs in the past two years. No doubt, if it were a contest, he would have walked away with the trophy long ago. If it were a class of degree, he would have meritoriously walked away with a first class honours. Of course, he would have been the valedictorian. If it were the “MO” Ibrahim award of excellence, exclusively reserved for outstanding leaders in Africa, Senator Sandy Onor would have sailed through. Unfortunately, Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor found himself in a political climate and setting where excellence in leadership is not celebrated. A setting that does not appreciate leaders who provide roads, electricity and water; a setting that does not appreciate leaders who transform dreams into reality. Rather, it is a polity that admires leaders who temporarily doll out cash rewards to the masses in exchange for praises, even when the roads are dilapidated; even when there is no portable water to drink; even when there are no good rural roads and other infrastructure.

    Before his celebrated emergence in 2019, people taught that politics was a class-driven exercise. The notion at that material time was that representatives were exclusively restricted to Abuja and state capitals. Legislators were seen as demigods, as constituents were subjected to rigorous procedures before they can interface with their legislators. But today, with Senator Sandy Onor, times have really changed. Thus, constituency allowances no longer end in private pockets and fat bank accounts. The facts are obvious and glaring that he gives back to the constituents more than he gets at the National Assembly. He ensures that whatever he dolls out, touches the man at the grassroots, which is why he visits his district on weekly basis for evaluations and town hall meetings.

    The Covid 19 pandemic that swept across the shores of nations is also an exemplar of effective and excellent representation. This is because the pandemic appeared like a destabilizing wind. Yet, this people-oriented Senator, captain and tireless champion of the common people did not disappoint his constituents. He gave them soft landing without allowing them to drown in the torrential ocean of Covid of 19. As such,he embarkd on a vigorous tour across the L.G.As of the Central District to feel the pulse of his people. Though, anonymous and quiet in his natural style, Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor gave Cash donations and unquantifiable food items, especially to the vulnerable segments of the society. Beyond this, over one hundred persons, selected from across the LGAs in the Senatorial District were handsomely empowered during his massive empowerment program that took place in the first quarter of 2021. In addition to this gesture, small and medium scale businesses were given a boost as a result of this empowerment program. Recently, many training centres were agog across the entire district, with influx of participants being taught several skills and eventually empowered to start up businesses. More so, the principal, parents/guidance of students of several secondary schools in Abi L.G.A and many other communities in the Central Cross River State, remain appreciative to Senator Sandy Onor’s footprints in their schools in terms of renovations and supply of modern equipment and furniture.

    It is pertinent to remark, as the foregoing demonstrate, that Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor has dedicated his time and energy to make his constituents more secure and safe. He has deployed all government services to create fair and equal opportunity for constituents to make a living through his sustained leadership and love of humanity. A man who has made it possible even in the face of impossibles. A member of the ninth Assembly, which is characterized by serious austerity and absence of resources, yet this performer even in this situation hasn’t disappointed his constituents and followers. Even his worst critics would acknowledge this glaring facts. In fact, those who criticize him, in the respectful opinion of this writer, should embark on a tour of the rural roads in the entire district and sample the opinions of the rural dwellers.The leaders who talk against him, do so because Senator Sandy Onor has taken the unfamiliar path in putting smiles on the faces of his people. No Senator has done what Senator Sandy Onor has done in the past two years of his tenure. It is only a fantasized dreamer that will expect overnight miracles from this Senator whose expeditions have been recorded in the minds of the people. Thus, an average Cross Riverian regard him as an experienced elder statesman due to his moral principles. Hence, if he bows out as a Senator in 2023 to take up higher responsibilities, he will be remembered by all and sundry through his footprints, which is indeed the measure of a man. No wonder he is currently seen as a development Czar. History will certainly be fair to Distinguished Senator Sandy Irunandu Ojang Onor.

    Ori Owan is a political scientist and a lawyer in equity.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, ORI OWAN and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for

  • What You Need To Know About The Newly Elected PDP National Women Leader, Prof Stella Ajah Effah-Attoe BY DAVE IMBUA

    What You Need To Know About The Newly Elected PDP National Women Leader, Prof Stella Ajah Effah-Attoe BY DAVE IMBUA

     

    When I arrived in the Bendi Technical College as a timid village boy to begin my secondary school education over three decades ago, the first event of lasting memory that occurred was the visit to that village school of the then Cross River State Commissioner for Education, whom we welcomed with a number of social activities that had been rehearsed with anxiety for several weeks. I still recall vividly our excitement when a very young lady, in fact the youngest person among the august visitors, was introduced and presented to us as the Honourable Commissioner for Education. I had no inkling on that day that I was being introduced to a woman who would years after be one of my favourite lecturers in the Department of History and International Studies at the University of Calabar, a woman who would later be my colleague, a woman who thirty-three years after, on the 30th day of October, 2021 will be elected unopposed as the National Women Leader of Nigeria’s darling political party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party. If for nothing else, my intimate knowledge of Prof. Stella Ajah Effah-Attoe’s intellectual sagacity and moral capital places me in a vantage position to say a few things about her that may be useful to people that have not followed her growth and maturation as a scholar and public intellectual over the years.

    Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, distinguished Nigerian public intellectual, courageous and visionary politician, lover of her country and by the grace of God Almighty, the first Cross Riverian and first Professor to be elected as National Women Leader of a formidable Nigerian political party, was born in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State several decades ago. She had her primary education in three different primary schools, beginning at Saint Louise Nursery School, Bompai, Kano; Our Lady Girls’ School, Tiko, Cameroon and our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Lagos where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate with Distinction in 1971. She did her secondary school studies at Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School, Calabar, from 1972 to 1976, where she graduated with Division 1 in the West African School Certificate Examination. In 1976, she proceeded to the University of Calabar where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts, Second Class Honours, Upper Division, in History in 1980. She did her graduate studies in the University of Calabar from 1981 to 1985, obtaining a doctorate degree in African History at the age of 26.

    Professor Stella Effah-Attoe began her work experience as a lecturer at the then Cross River State School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa (now Cross River College of Education, Akamkpa in 1981). She left the job in February 1986 to take up appointment as Lecturer II in the History Department of the University of Calabar, where she has taught for the last 35 years. Prof Stella Effah-Attoe grew through the ranks and was promoted Professor in 2010.

    As a University lecturer, Professor Stella Effah-Attoe has taught virtually all courses offered in the Department of History and International Studies at the University of Calabar to several generations of students, some of whom are now established scholars and professionals in their own right. In her eventful career as an academic, she has supervised over a hundred Undergraduate Long Essays, 25 M.A. theses and 15 Ph.D. dissertations. Apart from this, she had at various times served as Graduate School Representative in the defense of Ph.D. and Masters Theses in other departments in the University of Calabar. She had also served as External Examiner to the University of Uyo and Benue State University for their M.A./Ph.D. programmes. She has also assessed candidates for promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor for several Nigerian universities.

    Apart from teaching, research and supervision, Professor Stella Effah-Attoe has served the University of Calabar at several other capacities including Chairperson, Department of History Graduate Committee (1995 – 1997); Member, Faculty of Arts Examination Malpractice Committee (1996 – 1997); Member, Graduate School and Staff Development Sub-committee of the Strategic Planning Committee (1995 – 1997); Member of Senate, University of Calabar (2002 – 2003; 2010 to 2021); Member, Curriculum Committee, Faculty of Arts (1998 – 2000); Head, Department of History and International Studies (2002 – 2003); Member, University of Calabar Contact Committee (2005 – 2010); Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Department of History and International Studies’ Conferences (2016 – 2020), member, Faculty of Arts Investment Committee and the Intellectual Property Policy Committee (IPPC) of the University, Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Calabar, a position she left to champion the mobilization of Nigerian women for political participation and national development.

    In addition to her academic career at the University of Calabar, she has served her state, Cross River, and country, Nigeria meritoriously in many positions. She had served as a member of the Cross River State Executive Council in the capacity of Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Information and Culture from October 1987 to June 1990. In 1997, Professor Effah-Attoe contested and won elections into the Cross River State House of Assembly representing Biase constituency. Unfortunately, the election was annulled following the death of General Sani Abacha. She was a highly resourceful member of the Committee on Restructuring and Reforms of the Local Government system in Cross River State, which was inaugurated by His Excellency, Governor Donald Duke on July 4, 2003. At the national level, she was member, Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Scheme (2000 – 2003); Member, Board of Directors, Federal Housing Authority Board (2005 – 2006); Chairman, Board of Directors of the Voice of Nigeria (2009 – 2010); Member, Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (2013 – 2015), Member, National Population Census Monitoring Team (1991). She had previously served in 1989 as member of the Committee for the Implementation of the nine years Compulsory Education Programme for Nigeria. The recommendations of this Committee are now being implemented in the New National Policy on Education in Nigeria, whereby a child has to go through nine years of Compulsory Schooling, starting from Primary one to six (six years), and from Junior Secondary School – one to three (three years). Her outstanding resourcefulness explains why she has been called to serve the nation in these and many other critical areas.

    Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe is an acclaimed, respected and often quoted humanistic scholar especially in African History and Gender Studies. Author of several books and book chapters, journal articles in local and international journals and conference papers, she has been at the cutting edge of scholarship. Some of the books she has authored are: A Federation of the Biase People: Origin and Development of Biase Ethnicity, 1750 – 1950 (1990); Margaret Ekpo: Lioness in Nigerian Politics, (co-authored with S. O. Jaja) (1993); Women Empowerment and Nation Building in Nigeria (2004); Nigerian and African History (co-authored with O. T. Abia) (2001). She co-edited Okon Uya at 70: Issues in Historiography, Nation Building and the African Diaspora (2016) with David Imbua, C. B. N. Ogbogbo and Yakubu Ochefu. She was the 79th inaugural lecturer of the University of Calabar. Her very insightful lecture on “Gender Mainstreamism in Nigeria’s Political Development: From Hindsight to Foresight” which was well researched, ably written and masterly delivered has remained a reference material on gender studies in Nigeria.

    A widely traveled scholar, prof. Stella Effah-Attoe has attended conferences and other engagements in almost all the states of Nigeria and in many other cities outside the country, including several countries in Africa (Cameroon, South Africa, Uganda, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, etc.), Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, etc.), Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, etc.), the Middle East (Israel, United Arab Emirate, Qatar, etc.) and North America (United States of America, Canada, etc). Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe has all along committed her outstanding intellect, courage, industry and altruistic disposition to the welfare and wellbeing of humanity, especially women, children and youths. Among her other numerous activities in this regard are the following: the mobilization of women to exercise their voting rights during elections, empowerment of women and youths through grants for business start-ups, enhancement of the girl-child education through scholarships and educational grants in Biase, provision of mentorship and counselling sessions for women and youths, provision of mentorship, guidance and counselling to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Calabar, etc. Specific mention should be made of the role of her NGO – Center for Gender Empowerment, in the sensitization and mobilization of women in Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general for nation building and development.

    Professor Stella Effah-Attoe is a woman highly recognized and decorated for her scholarship and achievements in various spheres of life. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria (FIAMN), Qualified and Incorporated Administrative Manager (QIAM), 21st Century Trust Fellow, London, Senator of the United Nations International Parliament for Peace and Safety, Woman of Excellence Award, Woman Achiever Award, a recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Cross River State Chapter, Public Service Award in recognition of impactful contribution to public service, academics and inspiration to NAWOJ, NYSC’s Award of Honour in recognition of outstanding and inestimable contributions to humanity, to mention but a few.

    What can anyone say in a synopsis that will capture the phenomenal life of Professor Stella Effah-Attoe? By every consideration, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe is a heroine, a legend and a core humanist, who has blessed the fortunes of a great company of men and women in several communities, institutions and organizations. Because of my intimate knowledge of her life and times, there is no doubt in my mind that the PDP has brought onboard a woman of great capacity and foresight that will reposition Nigerian women as critical agents of nation building and development. I am optimistic that she will convert her rich knowledge of the enormous contributions that women actors have made to the processes, actions and movements that have enhanced the building of the Nigerian state since the pre-colonial era into doses of inspiration and challenge for Nigerian women in confronting the challenges of the 21st century.

    Dr Dave Imbua
    Associate Professor of Atlantic History.