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  • CR-Northern District: Joe Agi SAN Hereby Appeals To Your Conscience

    CR-Northern District: Joe Agi SAN Hereby Appeals To Your Conscience

    By Admin

    The recent announcement by INEC on the date for the conduct of the senatorial election has inspired progressives across the senatorial district to run for office. It’s incredibly exciting, but also requires a well thought out plan. Launching a campaign is a huge decision and the Joe Agi SAN campaign organization is prepared to ensure our campaign has a strong start indeed a strong foundation.

    Recall that upon the death of our “ beloveth late most distinguished Senator Rose Oko” (may her soul Rest In Peace) we had indicated interest to inspire an endearing and enduring perspective to legislation while pursuing the agenda of attracting development to our district. We had embarked upon consultations and consciously created an awareness about the promises of assured development that Joe Agi SAN can attract to our district. We examined the prospect and indicated the possibility of utilizing such realistic capability to make CR-Northern District great again.

    We concluded that Joe Agi SAN, by all standards, is a valuable asset to the people of the Northern Senatorial District and should so be appreciated. He is a man with enviable track records, ranging from his selflessness towards protecting the vulnerable assets of the state, at a time when others refused to do so; to his unbelievable leadership exploits in his professional career as a lawyer, who rose up to the enviable status of “Senior Advocate of Nigeria”, up to and inclusive of his strides into politics and the pursuit of liberation for our people.

    Joe Agi SAN has shown compassionate leadership and empathetic disposition towards humanity in all that he has done. His desire to grow young lawyers through mentoring is a reflection of an unquestionable generosity of intent to improve this generation. What about the avalanche of scholarships and sponsorship of lawyers, most of whom were unable to pay for their law school? I can go on and on, but the idea before us, that makes us to constantly classify him as the ideal candidate, is the fact that Joe Agi SAN is the next best thing for CRS-Northern District. He possesses an impressive resume particularly on legal jurisprudence and constitutional matters.

    An evaluation of his personality is a reflection of his strength. We know Joe Agi SAN as an influential personage and respected across both aisle within the Nigerian conclave. His capacity is reflected on his legal background. He is a strong lobbyist and a strong negotiator. Joe is an erudite legal luminary who knows the law and the law knows him. The senate is a familiar territory and I must say Joe will be the eye of both APC, Cross River Northern District and indeed Nigeria. I dare to say that, in the current political dispensation, Joe Agi SAN, when elected Senator shall be the only SAN in the red chambers. How else can I explain the difference between him and other senators . He shall be a reference point and indeed a converging platform for law making and interpretation for other people within the Senate. Let’s not allow sentimental judgements detrimental to our growth to mislead us.

    The dice has been cast, the announcement for the election has been made by INEC. This heralds the beginning of intensive campaign ahead. While we shall strategize to boost our capacity to convince you to get inspired to join this victory train, let me state that we know about your excitement, that at last we have a good hand to lead us to the promised land. We know you are going to get involved. The right time is now. Don’t hesitate, don’t salivate, get involved, get serious and move the train with us. We come to you because you have a greater stake in this project. We trust you, know that we desire the best and that’s Joe Agi SAN.

    There’s a brand identity for “Joe Agi SAN”. Reality check has proven that the brand is the ideal one whose time has come. Do you want to be left out? I don’t think so, because we are all in this same page. We need the future that’s assured for our kids. Only Joe Agi SAN is the man with the Midas touch. Join him to make CR-North great. Vote him as the APC Candidate in the ensuing election. Let your conscience lead you.
    Joe Agi Media Team.

  • Ayade Is In A Hurry To Change The Unsung Narrative Of Etung People….DG, BORDERCOMM

    Ayade Is In A Hurry To Change The Unsung Narrative Of Etung People….DG, BORDERCOMM

    By Admin

    The people of Etung LGA of Cross River state have been described as unsung heroes that the administration of Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade is in a hurry to change their narrative and position.

    Director General, Cross River State Border Communities Development Commission {BORDERCOM}, Noel Ugbong who stated this at Effraya, Etung on Wednesday while in Etung on a Baseline Survey/Needs Assessment exercise for border communities of the Local government said that the essence of the survey is to ensure that the LGA and the people are accorded their rightful place, position and recognition.

    Mr. Ugbong explained that the administration of Ayade draws this strength and conclusion from the empirical evident which indicates that the LGA has huge revenue generation capacity from cocoa and commerce across the international border, bearing in mind also that Etung has one of the most peaceful international border in Nigeria.

    The DG of BORDERCOMM revealed that the governor has high regards for the people of Etung and has equally extend his deep appreciation to the people for the support they gave him during his reelection and their continuous support for his administration and development projects and programmes.

    He disclosed that at the inception of taking charge of the leadership of BORDERCOMM, the governor indicated very clearly to them that he is particularly concerned about the people of the state living around the fringes of the state, our external borderlines and that he want to bring succor and economic prosperity to them.

    Mr. Ugbong asserted that it is a known fact that mans history is a history of a people in constant state of flux which often results in positive commerce and social coexistence, while on the negative side, it leads to crises which often also result in loss of lives and property and at some point, annexation of territories, explaining that it is for this reason that Ayade leadership is consciously stamping the states signature across our borderlines.

    The DG asked the Chairman to liaise with the Mfum Community for the acquisition of land for the construction of a modern Skills Acquisition Centre for Women and Youths.

    He explained that this measure is not only to stamp the states signature across the borderlines but to also give our border communities a sense of belonging and to also let them know that they are not at the fringes but at the heart and centre of the state, adding that it is based on this premise and other vital considerations that His Excellency sent them to come and interact with the people taking into cognizant the baseline to assist them calibrate with the sole aim to ensure that the states budget process is not only up-to-date but also captures the interest of the people.

    The DG of BORDERCOM maintained that the needs of the people changes over time as the needs of a particular community in the last 5-10 years are certainly not the same today, and that it is based on this reality that they are in Etung to carry out the first phase of Baseline Survey and Needs Assessment exercise.

    He said that they came with some research instruments ahead of Planning, Research and Statistics tailored towards extracting primary data and that after analyzing the data they will now carry out physical visitation these communities to ascertained and to make sure of their actual needs in order of priority.

    Mr. Ugbong assured that this is not going to be an exercise in futility or a purposeless one but that the governor is committed towards making life bearable for all border communities in Cross River state, while thanking the Chairman, Vice Chairman, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Chiefs and the people of Etung for their cooperation and large turnout.

    In his welcome speech, the Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Hon. John Nkom, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ayade for having sincere concern for his people, the border communities in particular and the people of the state in general, and assured that his people will give the BORDERCOMM team a full support to extract the information they need, while calling on the Chiefs of the border communities and their subjects to deliberate and list the projects they need to the BORDERCOMM team.

     

  • BORDERCOM Takes Baseline Survey/Need Assessment To Obanliku Local Government Area

    BORDERCOM Takes Baseline Survey/Need Assessment To Obanliku Local Government Area

    By Admin

    In furtherance to the directives of His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade for BORDERCOM to undertake a baseline assessment of all border communities in the state, the Director General of BODERCOM, Mr. Noel Ugbong led other members and staff of the commission as they visit Obanliku local government area.

    The exercise was held at the council secretariat on the 3rd of August, 2020.

    Speaking during the visit, the DG noted that, His Excellency has approved the baseline assessment/survey which will evolve a strategic five years development plan.

    Speaking further, he maintained that “Obanliku is one of the local governments in the state that has both national and International borders. The Eastern high hills stretching from the East climax around the Oshie ridge, plummeting in the Obudu plateau rolling hills, giving Obanliku very unique features.

    “Over the years, BORDERCOM has been carrying out projects in various local governments that have border communities. We often have issues where projects are misappropriated or duplicated, wherefore a community is dire need of a school but will have a hospital, or a community that is I’m a dire of water will have abundant of schools etc. The baseline survey and needs assessment is to help us prioritize what government should do for these border communities.

    “BOREDCOM dwell on border regions because there are issues of crisis either with other states or country and until government takes ownership of these communities by building schools, health centers and providing water to show that these communities belong to cross river state and Nigeria at large. This will definitely make other states very difficult to encroach into our state.

    “BORDERCOM was set up with the core mandate on; education, health, water and sanitation, security and economic empowerment. It is an intervening commission, all of these things have mandate in other ministries- education is supposed to build schools, health is to build hospitals and water and sanitation is to provide water.

    “Where there is need, BOORDERCOM steps in. It is our desire that all border communities in Obanliku local government area have ample government presence so that if any state or country wants to encroach, they will know that such a community belongs to cross river state government and that the state has her presence there.

    “The essence of this baseline survey/needs assessment is generate data for budgeting. Budgeting is very cumbersome if you want to do the ideal thing, but for people who don’t have the nak for due process, they do copy and paste which results in not giving the communities their desires. We will share this data with the federal government.

    “You have observed that Red Cross is carrying out a lots of projects in border communities, this is because of the data we share with them and we need to update this data from time to time.

    “It will take another five years before the next exercise is carried out, we urge you to be of good spirit, take ownership of the survey, we will provide you with instruments that will generate data from your communities to enable us fast track development in your communities”

    Ugbong noted the consultation and awareness meeting is the first phase of the exercise and mentioned data analysis, physical verification, engineering measurement as other phases of the survey.

    On his part, the Head of Procurement, Research and Statistics, Mr. Ibita Inimmong stated that since the inception of BORDERCOM in the state, a total of 14 projects have been completed in Obanliku in areas of education, health, water and sanitation and security.

    He added that “this assessment is to enable us know the communities that have not been captured as well as the needs of the communities. We have a total of 25 border communities in Obanliku”

    Responding on behalf of the local government chairman, Evangelist Mrs. Margate Inde, the Head of Local Government Administration HOLGA, Mrs. Agnes Ogah thanked the governor of cross river state, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade for the initiative and pledged council’s support to the commission in the discharge of its duties especially the baseline survey/needs assessment in Obanliku local government area.

  • Kashamu Avoided Justice, But Couldn’t Escape Death – Obasanjo

    Kashamu Avoided Justice, But Couldn’t Escape Death – Obasanjo

    By Amin

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday condoled with Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, over the demise of Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    Kashamu’s death was announced on Saturday after he succumbed to COVID-19 complications, according to former colleague Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, on his twitter handle.

    The former President in a statement signed by his spokesman Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said while Kashamu’s death was “sad”, his life and history left “lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil.”

    “Senator Buruji Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria,” Obasanjo said.

    “But no legal, political, cultural, social, or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.

    “May Allah forgive his sin and accept his soul into Aljanah, and may God grant his family and friends fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

    Before his death, Senator Kashamu was engaged in a long, legal battle against the federal government over extradition to the US to face alleged drug trafficking charges.

  • Hon. Ewhe Distributes COVID-19 Relief Materials To Public Primary Schools In Obudu Local Government.

    Hon. Ewhe Distributes COVID-19 Relief Materials To Public Primary Schools In Obudu Local Government.

    By Elijah Ugani

    The decision by the Federal Government to resume school for examination classes across the country, has created more tension in the minds of parents following the rise in the incidence of positive cases of Corona Virus across the country.

    Poised to create an enabling environment for pupils devoid of the risk associated the resumption of schools, the Executive Chairman of Obudu LGC, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe today began sensitization of public primary schools in the LGA and distributed Infrared Thermometers and Personal Protective Equipments to help cushion the spread of COVID-19.

    The exercise is solely the Chairman’s initiative to ensure the safety of pupils resuming for Common Entrance Examination preparatory classes in the LGA.

    Speaking to Head Teachers, the Chairman held that “Since schools resumed, I have observed that not even the Federal or State Governments have come down to my LGA to sensitize these pupils resuming for school nor provide COVID-19 relief materials required for their safety while learning, so I took it upon myself to ensure that my children are safe in a conducive environment devoid of fears of COVID-19 spread”

    The Chairman used the occasion to commend the efforts of the state governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade in the fight against COVID 19 in the state and call on all and sundry to support government in this fight through awareness creation.

    Hon. Ewhe however called on head teachers in the local government area, traditional rulers, parents, Civil Society Organizations, leaders of thoughts and religious leaders to rise to the challenge of sensitizing the public given the available opportunity to ensure strict compliance with COVID 19 preventive protocols.

    Reacting to the gesture, the head teachers and pupils lauded the Chairman’s gesture and thanked him for coming to their aid.

    On his part, the Head Teacher of St. Patrick primary school Obudu, Mr. Joseph Akomaye noted that “Since school resumed, no one has come to us to ascertain how we are faring nor provide any aid, so we thank the chairman sincerely for this initiative and pray that the Almighty God will keep and reward him”

    Similarly, the head teacher of St. Colman’s Primary School, Utugwang, Dr. Emmanuel Odu, thanked the council chairman for the interest shown in providing sanitizers, face masks and PPEs to his school and promise to complement the efforts of the chairman by ensuring strict compliance of COVID 19 preventive protocols by both pupils and staff of his school.

    On their parts, Master Frank Ikwen of St. Patrick’s primary school Obudu and Miss Rejoice Eba of St. Colman’s primary school Utugwang, seperately thanked the Chairman for his benevolence and promised to become ambassadors and advocates of COVID 19 preventive measures, both at home and within the school premises.

    Social distancing, regular hand washing, avoidance of frequent touching of the nose, eyes and mouth to prevent the spread of the pandemic were some of the preventive measures highlighted by the chairman.

    HRH, Uti Eniemeh Abayam thanked the council Chairman for his kind gesture towards his people, especially the pupils in the primary schools who are presumed to be ignorant of the ravaging pandemic except for the fact that they are missing the school time, having stayed at home for a longer time, and may have had an impression that something unusual has happened.

    The awareness/sensitization is to be extended to all primary schools in Obudu.

  • Obudu Council Boss, Bonny Ewhe Takes The Lead Flags Off Covid 19 Awareness Campaign/Sensitization, Distributes Infrared Thermometers, Face Masks, Sanitizers And Tap Tanks

    Obudu Council Boss, Bonny Ewhe Takes The Lead Flags Off Covid 19 Awareness Campaign/Sensitization, Distributes Infrared Thermometers, Face Masks, Sanitizers And Tap Tanks

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Chairman of Obudu local government council, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe has taken the lead ahead of his colleagues as he flagged off an awareness/sensitization campaign to cushion the spread and effect of the ravaging pandemic, COVID 19 in Obudu local government area.

    The event took placed today, 8th August, 2020 at the Obudu main motor park.

    Hon. Ewhe admonished the crowd that turned out on COVID 19 precautionary measures, and advised the people to ensure effective personal hygiene at all times as the pandemic is no respecter of anyone.

    The Chairman used the occasion to commend the deliberate efforts of the Governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade as well as all front liners in the fight against the dreaded virus, COVID 19 especially health workers and maintained that it is not over until it is over.

    He appealed to health workers to be more committed in the discharge of their duties as the call to action would not have come at a better time than now.

    Hon. Ewhe used the opportunity to call on health workers in the local government area, traditional rulers, parents, Civil Society Organizations, leaders of thoughts and religious leaders to rise to the challenge of sensitizing the public given the available opportunity to ensure strict compliance with COVID 19 preventive protocols.

    The Chairman donated and distributed nose masks, sanitizers, infrared thermometers and other Personal Protective Equipments PPEs.

    With this development, the Obudu local government Chairman becomes the first to kick start the awareness/sensitization at the local government level in line with the call by the state COVID 19 Taskforce Chairman and commissioner for health, Dr. Betta Edu to decentralize COVID 19 response to local government areas during the JACC meeting held recently at the conference room of the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Calabar.

    The Chairman while declaring the exercise open charged the Director of Primary Health Care and her team to take the message and relief materials to the nooks and crannies of the LGA.

    In his words “I deem it necessary to carry out this exercise following the decision of the Cross River State Ministry of Health to decentralize the COVID-19 Taskforce to LGA’s; I have provided infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, nose masks and other Personal Protective Equipments (PPE’s) to be distributed to health centers for our people at the local communities”

    The exercise is to be extended to all the 10 political wards of the LGA and all health centers.

    Commending the governor, the council Chairman noted that “Cross River State was the last state in the Country to record COVID-19 positive cases, thanks to the expertise of our Governor who became the first to enforce the ‘no mask no movement’ policy; I want to reciprocate that in our LGA so that we can continue to be COVID-19 free”

    The exercise had in attendance traditional rulers, Civil Society Organizations, health practitioners and a large crowd of on lookers.

     

  • If Track Records And Competence Is Anything To Go By, UNICAL Governing Council Need Not Search Further With Prof. Offiong E. Offiong

    If Track Records And Competence Is Anything To Go By, UNICAL Governing Council Need Not Search Further With Prof. Offiong E. Offiong

    By Admin

    Professor Offiong E. Offiong is a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry who is purpose driven to build on the legacies of past Vice Chancellors of the University of Calabar.

    Prof. Offiong is poised to strengthen areas that may not have been given priority and adequate attention in the past.

    University of Calabar, like some other varsities have other businesses which implies that the institution does not only teach Entrepreneurship education in theory, but the students have the opportunity to practice what they learn.

    The University of Calabar currently produce UNICAL table water as a means of income generation. However, there are several ventures that have remained untapped and unexplored within the university system despite the available market opportunities.

    Apart from the university’s core mandate of Academics, UNICAL houses several investments which can be liken to a jewel in her crown.

    The University of Calabar is however in dare need of that leader who sees the multi-sectoral opportunities and has the the goodwill to explore and harness these opportunities to boost the internally generated revenue IGR to change the narratives of over-dependence on subvention from the federal government.

    Prof Offiong is an Entrepreneur per excellent, and has prior to his ambition to serve the university in the position of Vice Chancellor, laid down plans to revamp UNICAL businesses.

    It is imperative to note that this erudite Professor is integrity and humility personified, he is a man of his words, a trail blazer, a pathfinder, a social engineer and mobilizer of very high repute.

    Prof. Offiong has all it takes to build, expand, sustain and reinvigorates university of Calabar ventures.

    If competence, experience, track records and merit is anything to go by in the circumstance of the Vice Chancellorship appointment, the Governing Council of the University does not need to search further, as the quintessential Prof. Offiong’s intimidating CV and achievements which are visible and speaks volume and  has eased the work for the Council.

    Prof. Offiong is vested with the capacity, zeal, content, managerial, influential and managerial skills to consolidate on the virtues and gains of the past Vice Chancellor to move the University of Calabar to the next level.

    We can only pray the Governing Council saddled with the onerous responsibility of appointing a Vice Chancellor, finds a trust worthy servant-leader, Prof. Offiong E. Offiong, the substantive 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

  • Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, 14 Others Make List Of Most Cited university Of Calabar Scholars

    Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, 14 Others Make List Of Most Cited university Of Calabar Scholars

    By Admin

    The enigmantic Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), a front line contender for the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, as well as fourteen other eminent Nigerian academics are among the most academically cited and referenced researchers and teachers in the University of Calabar TheLumineNews can report authoritatively.

    Google Scholar (scholar.google.com) identified fifteen most cited UNICAL researchers, teachers and academics. The list goes thus in no particular order:
    1. Offiong Efanga Offiong is a professor of Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry with 1576 citations
    2. Martin Meremikwu is a Professor of Paediatrics with 4517 citations
    3. Peter C. Okafor is a Professor of Physical and Materials Chemistry with 4200 citations
    4. Hannah B. Faal is a Professor of International Eye Health with 3518 citations
    5. Saturday J. Etuk is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology with 1630 citations
    6. Sunday W. Petters is a Professor of Geology with 2661 citations
    7. Udofot J. Ekpe is a Professor in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry with 2266 citations
    8. Benedict Ita is a Professor of Chemistry, with 1958 citations
    9. Angela E. Oyo-Ita is a Professor of Community Medicine with 1924 citations
    10. Patrick Ebong is a Professor of Biochemistry, with 2365 citations
    11. Aniekan Edet is a Professor of Hydrogeology with 1895 citations
    12. Eyong U. Eyong is a Professor of Biochemistry with 1850 citations
    13. Marian G. Solomon is a Professor of Soil Microbiology with 1722 citations
    14. Eme E. Osim is a Professor of Physiology with 1616 citations and
    15. Sylvester P. Antai is a Professor of Microbiology with 1582 citations.

    The University of Calabar which is a second generation Nigerian tertiary academic institution founded in 1975 and has a academic staff strength of between 3,000 and 3,499 persons is acknowledged according to a ranking as the 53rd university in the country as well as the 8, 170 worldwide.

    Being in the list of 15 most cited scholars enrols one into the category of elite scholars in the University of Calabar community.

    As the University of Calabar Senate officially declared the Office of Vice Chancellor vacant, Prof. Offiong had indicated interest to serve the University community in the eminent position of Vice Chancellor.

    Google Scholar Citations provide a simple way for authors to keep track of citations to their researched articles.

  • Infrastructure Update: Construction & Fabrication Academy of West Africa, Graduates Will Assess Soft Loan To Start Up Businesses

    Infrastructure Update: Construction & Fabrication Academy of West Africa, Graduates Will Assess Soft Loan To Start Up Businesses

    By Admin

    In pursuance of the industrialisation agenda coupled with the pressing need to create employment avenues for the youthful population in the state and sub-region, the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Prof (Sir) Ben Ayade, last January, established the Construction and Fabrication Academy of West Africa.

    The three-structured edifice, which has a combined collection of 140 rooms, located along Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, is designed to accommodate a variety of skilled courses for creative and vocational training in various areas of interests for wealth creation.

    The facility will play host to a total of 54 highly practical, industry related courses specifically drawn from the sciences, arts and mechanical fields and anchored in the creative industry. The variety of choices to make from will include POP works technology, visual arts & design, conduit wiring, civil engineering/Mason works, electrical fabrication, scaffolding, interior decoration, physical planning, event management and catering services, hat and beads making, fashion design, bakery and confectionery, metal works, furniture/upholstery, shoe making, truck mechanic training, tiling, driving, alumaco/aluminum making, phone/computer repairs amongst others when fully delivered.

    Other special training will include e-commerce, information marketing and other online learning programs and a number of others.

    Disclosing the project, Commissioner for Youth & Skills Acquisition, Hon. (Signor) Omang Idiege intimated the project is a brainchild of Governor Ben Ayade, initiated to address skilled acquisition concerns in the state and will admit trainees across Nigeria and the West African sub-region due to its vast collection of programs.

    Expatriates will be brought in to liaise with local resource persons to train students after which graduates will proceed to receive soft credit facilities to further their causes. Depending on the area of specialization, training sessions will last between six months and two years, after which graduands will be awarded certificates or diplomas as the case may be and recommended to higher areas of endeavor.

    To ensure sustainability, the center is backed by an executive bill which has already been transmitted to the state Assembly. This is to give the citadel legality in line with best practices.

    The facility will accommodate several departments coordinating the various organs, some of which are the Department of Vocational Training, Department of Metallurgy and the Department of Forensic Studies. The project is the first of its kind in Nigeria and west Africa.

    ©Eugene Upah is the Snr Special Assistant on Public Communications to Cross River Governor Ben Ayade.

    [email protected]

  • C’River North :Who is Afraid of Zana Akpagu, By Z – Media

    C’River North :Who is Afraid of Zana Akpagu, By Z – Media

    By Admin

    Professor Zana Akpagu a highly revered technocrat, seasoned administrator, refined academician, astute politician and a community mobilizer front lining worthy causes that are pro people in stints as a public servant .

    Possessing an intimidating profile, credentials and score card are the most sought after qualities by the electorate as such, Zana Akpagu can’t lose sleep over pockets of blackmail on social media to score cheap political points.

    We are indeed charged with the new spirit of heightened political atmosphere which is assuming a different dimension daily. The citizenry appears to be more politically enlightened with the resultant ownership of our electoral processes than smear campaign.

    In the light of emerging trends which seek performance and people oriented representation, there seem to be a classical departure from the mundane and usual way of imposition of candidates on the electorates.

    With this, the build up to the bye- election in Cross River North Senatorial District has further strengthened our political machinations which has remarkably engineered the power and strength of “Operation Show Your Score Card”

    As activities geared towards clinching the APC ticket for the forthcoming bye-election, Prof. Zana Akpagu having served at different strata of leadership meritoriously.

    Presents electorate with the ability to align with a core progressive with verifiable achievements that evinced every achievements of all the aspirants across political parties in the hunt for the vacant senate seat is indeed causing ripples amongst some persons obviously scared of the towering credentials of professor Akpagu.

    Having felt the echoes of unparalleled developmental strides that has become household chants in Cross River North, across the state and country.

    Some aspirants seeking to fly the APC kite in the forthcoming Senate poll in a quicksand tactics that is dead on arrival are already jittery and disillusioned having lost a sense of direction.

    This is a manifestation of a tactless blue print, in the face of little or near absence of tract records to convince the electorates hinged on selfish gains.

    In spite of this insipid approach, Prof. Zana Akpagu and his supporters will continue to run issue based campaign and engagements without recourse to joining issues with any aspirants, group of aspirants or their supporters to malign any person(s), aspirant(s).

    We call on our teaming supporters to remain calm in the face of this brazen campaign of calumny targeting at the huge political following so far experienced with the deceptive intent to dent the goodwill of the most celebrated aspirant of the All Progressives Congress.

    The fear and the intimidation associated with the breeze that is blowing across the 54 wards has traumatized some aspirants who now resort to tales in anticipation of the party’s ticket.

    The speculation that the party’s stakeholders have resolved to unanimously hand over the ticket to Joe Agi (SAN) as written by a certain purveyor of Fake news “Iwara Ofem Iwara” published on his Facebook wall remains a figment of the writer’s imagination and does not in any way represent the interest of our collective resolved to chat a new narrative for Northern Senatorial District.

    We insist and call on any person with a contrary view to challenge us with facts that Prof. Zana Akpagu is the sole aspirant in the APC that can win the bye election for the party.

    Z – Media

    Disclaimer: The views expressed above are strictly that of Z – Media and does not represent TheLumineNews.