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  • Sandy Onor Condoles With Stella Effah-Attoe On Father’s Death, Describes The Late Patriarch As An Exemplar Of Hard Work.

    Sandy Onor Condoles With Stella Effah-Attoe On Father’s Death, Describes The Late Patriarch As An Exemplar Of Hard Work.

    By Caterpillar Media

    The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor has condoled with Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe on the death of her father, HRH Onun Wilson E. K. Effah. Onor described the late patriarch as an exemplar of hard hard work and discipline.

    The lawmaker despite his crowded schedules defiled all odds, made appearance at Ikun Evai Clan, Ikun community in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State on Saturday November 20th, 2020 at the family compound where the patriarch was laid to rest.

    Onor entreats Prof. Effah-Attoe to take solace in the Lord, pledged his continuous support throughout the trying period “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family in this critical period of mourning the passage of your father, who while alive was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement to you.

    “Your father demonstrated exemplary love and dedication not only to the family and society, but also to the Church. He was well-known for his love and care for others as a practical demonstration of his astute leadership qualities and deep rooted Christianity. HRH Onun Wilson Effah distinguished himself as a Public Servant, a Politician and a Traditional Ruler. His commitment to public service at the community, local, state and national levels left no one in doubt that he was an exemplar of hard work and discipline. His noble contributions to community development and nation building remain outstanding.

    “I encourage you and your siblings to draw strength from the rare legacies he bequeathed to the family even as you continue the race of life in the meek and peaceful manner he taught you.

    “On behalf of the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District and my family, we commiserate with you and pray that God gives you and the entire family the fortitude to bear the lost”

  • Case Against Kufre Carter Thrown Out By A Magistrate In Akwa Ibom For Want Of Diligent Prosecution

    Case Against Kufre Carter Thrown Out By A Magistrate In Akwa Ibom For Want Of Diligent Prosecution

    By In Inibehe Effiong

    The case of “criminal defamation” instituted against Kufre Carter by the Akwa Ibom State Government has been struck-out today Friday the 20th day of November, 2020 by the Chief Magistrate Court of Akwa Ibom State presided over by Chief Magistrate Winifred Umohandy for want of diligent prosecution.

    Kufre was arrested and arraigned in court in April by the State Security Service (SSS) on the instigation of a former Commissioner for Health in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Dominic Ukpong, over a viral audio message circulated on social media in which the said Dr Ukpong and the State Government were castigated for their poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Our firm, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, represented him pro bono as part of our human rights programme.

    The same Government that acted as if the world was going to end if Kufre was released, could not produce a single witness in court.

    Dr Ukpong who was in a hurry to use the SSS to arrest Kufre in connivance with other officials of the Akwa Ibom State Government ran away from the court and did not show up at all.

    Those who occupy political positions in Nigeria must realize that the era of using security agencies to hunt and persecute citizens unchallenged for expressing their views on issues of bad governance is over.

    We will never tolerate such reckless abuse of power and cowardly acts of intimidation by politicians. We will continue to challenge their impunity within the ambits of the law.

    History will vindicate the just.

  • Obong of Calabar Lauds Ayade On Proactive Measures In The Health Sector, Endorses Immunization Services.

    Obong of Calabar Lauds Ayade On Proactive Measures In The Health Sector, Endorses Immunization Services.

    By Simon Ushie

    The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu v has lauded the Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade for his proactive nature and health intervention programs in the state as he gave his full Endorsement to the forth coming Meningitis vaccination exercise .

    The Obong made this known when the state social mobilization team led by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr Janet Ekpenyong paid him a courtesy visit in his palace to seek for his Endorsement on the forthcoming state wide Immunization service for meningitis slated for December 4th – 10th(plus 2 days).

    The Obong noted that raising a healthy society is of concern to everyone hence the need to regularly raise awareness on killer diseases which over the years have contributed to the rising indices of mortality.

    He therefore called on all parents especially mothers to present their children and wards for Immunization in designated health facilities in their Communities While also charging members of his advisory council to lend their voices before, during and even after the forth coming state wide vaccination to help obtain optimal result.

    “As far as health is concerned, it is of primay interest to our people and l’m happy that the state Government have taken the health sector seriously to keep our people healthy and to make sure that you have gone round the whole state to take care of our people.

    I’m happy that in this state, there is no full blown health concern that is because of your proactive nature. Today I want to lend my voice to make all parents especially mothers to take their children all out especially those between the ages of 1-5 years old so we can put an end to the scourge of meningitis in our state and country.

    The state Government has done everything possible to curb it and in two years from now, we must work to record 0% of vaccine preventable diseases in our state”.

    Speaking earlier, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the Obong and the Royal fathers for their supports in the actualization of various health interventions in the state.

    Dr Ekpenyong noted that, through the pragmatic efforts of the Obong, the state was able to record improve indices and compliance in immunization services which helped in the elimination of Poliomyelitis in the state and the country at large.

    She therefore used the opportunity to reaffirm the His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade’s desire in improving the lives of Cross Riverians as she stated that no Community and child will be left unattended to in the forth coming exercise.

    The 2020 supplementary vaccination for meningitis is slated for December 4th-10th 2020(plus 2 days) across the 18 LGAs in the state with a targeted population of 800,000 children within the age bracket of 1-5 years .
    She encouraged caregivers to bring out their children as stated that Immunization is safe, free and Effective.

    Also in the team were the Secretary of the Primary Healthcare board, the State Social Mobilization Officer, Nsa Ekpenyong amongst others.

  • Winning CRN Bye Election Will Assist Us To Capture The State In 2023 – APC National Care Taker Committee Chairman, Buni

    Winning CRN Bye Election Will Assist Us To Capture The State In 2023 – APC National Care Taker Committee Chairman, Buni

     

    By Omeiza Ajayi – Abuja

    The Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni has explained why the party attaches great importance to the December 5 senatorial bye-election in Cross River North, saying winning the legislative seat would assist the party in its quest to capture the state in 2023.

    Buni disclosed this on Wednesday while inaugurating the APC Cross River North Senatorial Campaign Council.

    Represented by the Secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe said: “it is not often that this Party sets up a National Campaign Council for a Senatorial election. This shows the importance the Party attaches to this election”.

    Speaking further, he said; “We already have the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in our bag; where our brother, Hon. Alex Egbona, PhD, is serving his people very well. So this election is ours for the taking.

    “The importance of having an overwhelming majority in the Senate for our party cannot be overemphasized. This will deepen our in-road as a party into Cross River State.

    “Let me use this opportunity to advise our leaders to leave the 2023 Governorship permutations aside, and throw everything into this election. The victory can only help the 2023 Project for whoever God chooses, as power, after-all, power belongs to God.

    “You all are tested hands in this business, so I will not tell you how to do it. All we need is victory but within the ambit of law”.

    “We are going to ensure victory for our party in the upcoming election. Although power belongs to God, the committee would ensure that the party emerge victorious in the election”, he said.

    Other members of the campaign council are the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, Amb. Anthony Ogah Dimo, Alh. Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa, Joshua Akpan and Mrs Stella Oketete who will serve as Secretary.

  • Breaking: Another PDP Governor Sets To Defect To APC

    Breaking: Another PDP Governor Sets To Defect To APC

    By Admin

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has alleged that another Governor, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on his way to the ruling All Progressive Party (APC).

    Wike disclosed this when he spoke as a guest Channels television programme ‘Politics Today’, while reacting to the defection of the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi who defected from PDP to the APC.

    Wike, however, maintained that the PDP remains undaunted and is prepared for the 2023 elections. He however failed to disclose the identity of the governor he referred to.

  • NOLLYWOOD Films Wins Big At 17th Abuja International Film

    NOLLYWOOD Films Wins Big At 17th Abuja International Film

    By Admin

    The 17th Abuja International Film Festival is pleased to inform the general Public that the film festival that went virtual for the first time in 17 years has come and gone with laurels awarded in 15 categories to deserving filmmakers.

    According to Temitope Duker, who doubles as a film maker and the festival director of the festival this year she started the night via the virtual closing ceremony that attracted over 100 filmmakers, journalist and film enthusiast explained to the virtual audience that she took over the mantle of leadership as festival director two years ago.

    In her opening speech, she said this years festival is remarkable and will go down in history as the year many festivals shifted from physical film festivals to virtual as it has been an interesting experience for them as organizers with its attendant challenges. She also enumerated the opportunities it offers in bringing people together irrespective of the distance. She was however quick to mention the threat it posses to our physical meetings.

    While analyzing the entries receive this year Duker informed the gathering that over 600 entries were received with 92 selected for screening and 42 nominated for possible awards.

    The 92 different Films in different genres were screened virtually over 5 days from 9th to 13th November, 2020
    She went further to highlight some of the films submitted with theme or subtheme on the COVID19 global pandemic that is still ravaging the world till date. Some of the films include; THE INVITATION from TURKEY,CHINA WAR EPIDEMIC from CHINA which centered on how china was able to contain the pandemic, Nigeria was not left out as they were SOCIAL COMMENTS, LOCKDOWN and ATUNMARILAKA from NIGERIA with ENTER THROUGH THE BALCONY from UKRAINE completing the COVID19 entries.

    The year also had an ambitious young female filmmaker Devine Jim George who is in her teens at just 16 submitting her film which was selected and nominated but. Films shot on phone were not left out as there were a couple but of special mention by the festival was LYT submitted.

    The Night saw Dimbo Atiya’s Film DRAWING STREGHTTH picking 5 Awards of the Night for OUSTANDING NIGERIAN FILM, ACTOR, ACTRESS, DIRECTING and GOLDEN JURY, other winners of the Night include Utomi Paul’s Dark for Short Film, Segun Olusola’s Outstanding Documentary films that was jointly worn by Mother Nature Manifestation from Kenya and Women Hold Up the Sky Africa from South Africa.
    The Founder of the Festival Fidelis Duker commended all the filmmakers from 74 countries for submitting their films while also congratulating all nominees and winners.

    This year, All nominees will receive a certificates of nomination which will dispatched to them.
    Below is the List of Winners

    17th ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    WINNERS

    1. OUTSTANDING EXPERIMENTAL FILM
    • SOCIAL COMMENT – NIGERIA
    • CALL ME NEGHUIHO – CAPE VERDE

    2. OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM (NIGERIA)
    • DARK – MOSES IPADEOLA

    3. OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM (FOREIGN)
    • DEFINE DELPHINE – BRAZIL

    4. OUTSTANDING FEATURE FILM (NIGERIA)
    1. DRAWING STRENGHT – DIMBO ATIYA
    2. MUDDLED – BEST OKODUWA

    5. OUTSTANDING FEATURE FILM (FOREIGN)
    1. MAD HOUSE – GHANA

    7. OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY FILM
    • WOMEN HOLD UP THE SKY AFRICAN – SOUTH AFRICA
    • MOTHER NATURE MANIFESTATION – KENYA

    8. OUTSTANDING STUDENT FILM
    • THE HONORABLE – NIGERIA

    9. OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR
    • CHRIS OKAGBUE – DRAWING STRENGTH – NIGERIA
    • GODDIZ FONGWA – SAVING MBANGO – CAMEROON
    10. OUTANDING FEMALE ACTRESS
    • SOPHIE ALAKIJA – DRAWING STRENGTH – NIGERIA

    11. OUTSTANDING FILM IN DIRECTING
    • DIMBO ATIYA – DRAWING STRENGHT –NIGERIA

    12. OUTSTANDING FILM IN MUSIC SCORE
    • THE DEVOTED – HUNGARY

    13. VIRTUAL AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
    • LAST REQUEST – NIGERIA

    14. FESTIVAL MENTION PRIZE FOR NARRATIVE
    • THE KING WITH NO CULTURE – GHANA

    15. AIFF GOLDEN JURY PRIZE
    • DRAWING STRENGHT – NIGERIA

  • Court Stops Kubong Bette From Restraining Its Clan Head Access To His Properties

    Court Stops Kubong Bette From Restraining Its Clan Head Access To His Properties

    By Admin

    A vacation High Court sitting in Ikom, Cross River States has described as barbaric, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect a CLAN RESOLUTION that purports or purported to restrain HRH Utsu Jeremiah Ikongshul Udie, the clan Head of Kubong-Bette Clan from access to his personal properties and not to be interred in his village in the event of death. The decision was made in a ruling in Suit No. HM/MISC.5/2020 at a vacation court before his Lordship, Hon. Justice Obo Awusa Obo.

    The applicant, HRH Chief Jeremiah Ikongshul Udie & Anor had approached the court suing Julius Akwagiobe Udie & 10 Ors. by writ of summons in suit No. HMV/3/2020 seeking for ORDERS inter alia declaring as null and void, the ‘drastic measures and resolutions passed by the 2nd to the 11th defendants on the 21st day of May. 2020; an Order restraining the 2nd to 11th defendants, their agents and privies from executing, enforcing and or giving effects to any of the decisions contained in their so called ‘drastic measures and resolutions’ dated 21st day of May, 2020; an Order restraining the 2nd to 11th defendants, their agents or privies from further interference in the internal affairs of the Ikongshul family of Kubong-Bette; an Order awarding the sum of five hundred million naira as general and special damages.

    While the matter was pending, the applicants through their counsel, D. O. Kulo, Esq. had applied by motion seeking for an Order of interlocutory Injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their agents or privies from executing or giving effects to the decisions or resolutions contained in the memo titled “Clan resolution” and dated 21/5/2020 pending the determination of the suit.

    In his rationale, the court reasoned that “there is no amount of compensation which a court of law may order to be paid that can assuage for the loss of a man’s right to family house and the right to be interred in a man’s own village in the event of death”, while relying on Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    The said barbaric unconstitutional, null and void resolution, which now has no effect, purportedly declared as drastic measures to:
    1. Denounce the applicant as their Clan head

    2. Revoke and withdraw totally a proposed land for Alpha University which was donated by the Clan to Dr. Ashima, the Applicant’s son (for that purpose of establishing a university in the Clan, work of which had commenced).

    3. At the event of death, not to allow to be interred in the Clan either the applicant (Clan head) or his children, and that none of the Clan members will honour such burial rites.

    4. Ban any Community member or Clan citizen from entering the applicant’s domain; and anyone found ‘guilty’ of this will be heavily fined and penalized accordingly by the Clan.

    5. The Applicant’s portion of land and residential house in the community is unanimously allotted to the 1st Defendant/ Respondent, Julius Akwagiobe Udie.
    The learned judge also held that the matter in Exhibit B is a family matter which does not call for Exhibit C – the null and void Clan resolution. Appearing for the Respondents was D. A. Okim, Esq.

  • BREAKING: INEC Announces December 5th For All Bye Elections

    BREAKING: INEC Announces December 5th For All Bye Elections

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has fixed December 5, 2020 for all pending bye election in the country.

    The decision was taken today after a critical meeting with all stakeholders by the Commission.

    In a release sighted by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Voters Education, Mr. Festus Okoye Esq., indicates that all bye elections will hold on December, 5th 2020.

    The release reads in parts “Based on these consultations, the Commission believes that security in the affected states has improved while the environmental challenges has reasonably abated. Consequently, the Commission has decided to hold all pending bye elections on Saturday, December 5th, 2020”

    Recall that the Commission had met with all Resident Electoral Commissioner on  October 22, 2020 and postponed the bye election that was fixed for October 31 due to the security and environmental challenges.

  • Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Felicitates With Aides, Stephen Okpako, Odey Aganyi and Okwori Mary Amicable On Their Birthday

    Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Felicitates With Aides, Stephen Okpako, Odey Aganyi and Okwori Mary Amicable On Their Birthday

    The member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency heartily felicitates with members of his team, Stephen Okpako, Odey Aganyi and Okwori Mary Amicable on the occasion of their birthday.

    The MP in a statement, on his verified Facebook page, @Jarigbe Agom, extended his regards to the celebrants, and wished them a fruitful year.

    His words, “I wish you all a fruitful new year as you open new chapters of your lives, may joy and progress never cease to locate you all”

    Congratulations and happy birthday to you all.

    Sign: Rt.Hon Jarigbe Agom
    Member Representing Ogoja/Yala federal Constituency.

  • Gov Umahi Set To Leave PDP For The Ruling Party APC

    Gov Umahi Set To Leave PDP For The Ruling Party APC

    The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, told the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday that he was leaving the party.

    He said he would join the ruling All Progressives Congress which he claimed would protect the interest of the South -East in the 2023 elections.
    Our correspondent gathered that Umahi told the members of the National Working Committee of the PDP that his decision to join the APC was irrevocable.

    The members of the PDP NWC , who were led to the meeting by its National Chairman , Prince Uche Secondus , were said to have tried in vain to convince the governor not to abandon the party.

    Apart from Secondus, among those that were at the meeting at the Ebonyi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja were Deputy National Secretary, Agbo Emmanuel ; National Organising Secretary, Austin Akobondu; Financial Secretary, Abdullahi Maibasira; National Women Leader, Mariya Waziri and Senator Sulieman Nazif.
    The governor was said to be friendly when he received the PDP delegation, but stuck to his decision to leave the PDP when the issue came up.

    It was gathered that the PDP delegation impressed it upon the governor that there was no need leaving the PDP for the APC , which they argued had become unpopular.
    Sources at the meeting, however, said the governor was not convinced, insisting that the APC was planning to zone the 2023 Presidency to the South-East.
    He was said to have promised to stay in the PDP if the party could make a pronouncement that it would zone the Presidency to the same zone.

    One of the sources said, “I think his (governor’s ) mind was made up. We told him there was no need for him to abandon the party that had made him a deputy governor , state chairman of the party , two -time governor and all that. But he refused.

    “He wanted us to unilaterally zone the office of the Presidency to his area . We cannot do that. Parties are not run that way. He told us he was leaving . That is what we got from him.”

    When contacted, Secondus confirmed that the party ’s leadership met with Umahi .
    He, however, refused to declared the details of the meeting , insisting that the meeting was on ‘‘ national issues. ’’

    Punch