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  • Post Covid 19 Economy: C’River Activate World Bank Multi-Sectoraial Strategy In Project Implementation

    Post Covid 19 Economy: C’River Activate World Bank Multi-Sectoraial Strategy In Project Implementation

    By Theluminenews Admin

    As part of the post Covid-19 reform plans, Ministries Departments and Agencies in Cross River State will henceforth embrace world Bank Multi-Sectoral model in progrqmme and Project Implementation.

    Governor Ben Ayade stated this at the quarterly Steering Committee meeting of the World Bank,State and Local Government Reform Project (SLOGOR) in Calabar.

    Ayade who was represented by the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation (MIDC),Dr Inyang Asibong, explained that the new strategy will guarantee system monitoring and evaluation of projects inline with the world bank standard.

    Asibong posited that the battle against novel coronavirus pandemic has affected the state economy like everywhere in the world, assuring that the state will ensure the new model reduce excesses in all MDAs using various World Bank instruments.

    The CRS World Bank instruments according to Asibong ,will strengthen Cross River State Integrated Financial Management Information System (SIFMIS), Medium Term Fiscal Strategy Model (MTEF ) and Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS).

    She assured the MDAs that Governor Ayade’s Efforts working with the world bank have started producing result to adjust to life in what is now referred to as the “New Normal”.

    “Let me at this point sue for cooperation and support of all the line MDAs on this new strategy of the post covid-19 economy response implementation of the State Government in line with the Federal Government and World Bank’s support.

    “The collective achievement of this effort will position Cross River for life after the Covid-19 pandemic” she said

    The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mrs Stella Odey in her remarks advised the Committee to take proper advantage of the State Government’s stimulus packages in the face of the covid-19 pandemic while they develop a sectoral and economic management strategy across all the MDAs in this regard.

    “The State Government has made available stimulus packages in monetary policies, job opportunities in the Health, Agriculture, Environment and Security sectors as well as Community micro projects that will provide a safety net for residents of the State during the covid-19 crisis and beyond” she explained.

    Some of the line MDAs present at the meeting includes the State Auditor General,
    the State Accountant General; the Executive
    Chairman State Internal Revenue Service; the SLOGOR Project Coordinator; the Special Adviser Budget; the MIDC Permanent Secretary and his counterpart in Ministry of Finance among others.

  • Right Candidate, Not Anyone Can Win C’River Northern Senatorial Bye-Election For APC

    Right Candidate, Not Anyone Can Win C’River Northern Senatorial Bye-Election For APC

    By Z-Effect Media

    The opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State have had plenty opportunities to win many election in the State but has failed because of the ever recurring mistake of fielding the wrong candidates believing that anybody will win them the election.

    The first golden opportunity APC had was in 2016 during the Yakur 11 rerun election. Yakur11 is the state constituency of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru and former Governor, Chief Clement Ebri.

    Chief Ebri and Usani are two heavyweights that winning a state constituency election shouldn’t have been a problem. Ebri is a household name in Cross River politics that’s highly respected across party lines while Usani on the other hand, a then serving Minister is a fierce Politician who many believe have mastered the tricks of winning election.

    With all these credentials, the juggernauts failed to deliver the constituency to APC due largely to the choice of candidate in that election. The candidate divided opinion among loyalists of the former Minister and his former Boss, Chief Ebri. This division affected the commitment of party faithfuls who didn’t actually worked for the party or anybody at all.

    There have been series of other examples where the ground was very soft as it is today for the APC to win the northern senatorial district election but because of the strange politics of “anybody APC presents will win the election”, a party that boast of many of the who is who in Cross River State have been limited to just one win.

    The success of the party in the only win; ,Yakur/Abi federal constituency won by Chief Alex Egbonna should ordinarily serve as a guide going forward but some members are still trying to play the old style of thinking that even if an inanimate object is presented against anybody by the PDP, APC will win.

    The crisis brewing in PDP today is also giving the APC ‘anybody’ politicians the hope that whether the right candidate is fielded or not, the party will coast home to victory.

    This is not true. Only the right candidate will win APC the northern senatorial district election not anybody.

    Even if the PDP continue as a divided party into the election, if APC fails to field the right candidate, they’ll not get the right results.

    It will even be dangerous for any party at all not just APC to rely on the crisis brewing in PDP to decide who fly the party’s flag. PDP has mastered the act of reconciliation. In 204/2015, it was like PDP will explode in the state but few days to election, they closed rank and delivered the party 100%.

    Even before the 2019 general election, many had predicted that, from the national to states, the party was going into extinction but this wasn’t the case as it returned even stronger to challenge APC for the top seat in the country.

    APC especially in the state is still learning the mastery of reconciliation. This is why the party has remained divided for more than three years. No doubt, there’re encouraging signs that the party is walking stoutly towards returning as one, but it has taken just too long for the leaders of the party to realise that the time for ego fight is over, now the party needs to be winning election.

    Who then is a right candidate?

    The right candidate for the next northern senatorial district bye-election should be someone in the mold of Chief Alex Egbonna. A proven performer, a grassroot mobilizer, someone whose impact is still fresh and still being felt by the people, someone with network, popularity and acceptability across party lines and above all, a candidate with the resources for the election.

    Going by these credentials, only one aspirant in APC fits perfectly and that’s, Prof. Zana Akpagu.

    Prof. Akpagu, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar is the only person going into the election that his name ring bell across every local government in the north, the state and beyond. He has touched more lives than any other in person in the last four and half years from the zone. His popularity and acceptability is across all divides. He is a thorough breed grassroot mobilizer and above the par performer.

    What he has done in the past few years place him way ahead of everybody who has indicated interest in all the political parties not just the APC. In terms of job creation and community development, nobody has done it better than him. Many families who hitherto were struggling to put food on their tables are today feeding other families courtesy of him.

    Despite the fact that the PDP is engrossed in a bitter fisticuff, the northern senatorial district is where the Governor comes from and nobody can undermine the power of the Governor. Therefore, if APC has serious interest in winning the election then it must put forth it best and see winning election to be more important than frivolities expressed by some who may not be truly interested in seeing the party win.

    APC can’t afford to repeat the politics of anybody can win election and expect anything other than a resounding defeat. Nobody except Alex Egbonna would have been able to win the Abi/Yakur federal constituency for APC and as it stance today, nobody other than Prof. Akpagu may be able to win APC the Senate election.

    With Egbonna success, the choice of Akpagu should be an easy and unanimous one but only time shall tell whether the party is truly interested in winning election.

    ®Z-Effect Media

     

    Disclaimer

    This is solely the views and opinion of Z-Effect Media and does not represent THELUMINENEWS.

  • David Abua: Vice Chancellor With The Midas Touch

    David Abua: Vice Chancellor With The Midas Touch

    By Com. Ogar Emmanuel Oko

    In ancient Greek mythology and classical literature, a legend is told of a king who lived and ruled Phrygia in Asia Minor about 8th (some scholars have argued in support of 2rd century) century before the birth of Christ by the name — Midas.

    Satyr aka Silenus was a companion of Dionysus, an Olympian god of winemaking, ritual madness, grape-harvest, theatre, fertility and wild frenzy was drunk and found himself on the warmth arms of Phrygian peasants who brought him to Midas. Midas took care of him for ten days and on the eleventh day, he returned him to Dionysus. For the act of hospitality and generosity shown to Silenus, Dionysus granted Midas’ modest request which was whatever he might touch should be changed into gold and his chalices, furniture and daughter, Marigold (Zoe) became gold.

    Nowadays, to have the Midas touch means to have the ability to be successful in doing whatsoever one does. In recent years in the annals of the prestigious Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), one of the many overseers who had superintended over the affairs of that famous institution with somewhat like a Midas touch is certainly the incumbent Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Abua Ogar.

    Well, it isn’t the crux of this piece at this juncture to weary my readers with copious citation of Professor David. However, for the sake of the knowledge of the unsuspected population of my readers whom have not had the privilege of knowing Prof. David, that I feel obliged to reveal in brevity his personality in few lines.

    Prof. Ogar, David Abua is a professor of Forest Economics and Management. He hails from Adiehe, Bekwarra Local Government Area in Cross River State. He got his PhD in Forest Economics and Management in 2001 from the University of Ibadan. The Acting Vice Chancellor began his scholarly career as a college lecturer in the Cross River State College of Agriculture, Obubra in 1995 and 1996, he was employed as an Assistant Lecturer in the University of Calabar where he rose through diligent and courageous efforts to the coveted professorial rank in 2015.

    He has been a Visiting and Adjunct Lecturer to the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from 2008 – 2012. Prior to his appointment as Acting Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology in November 2019, Prof. David was Sub-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management in the University of Calabar from 2004 – 2006 and Acting Head of Department, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar from 2006 – 2008. He was Head of Department of Forestry and Wildlife for about 3 months from September 2019 to November 2019 before His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross River State appointed him as Acting VC of CRUTECH.

    He belongs to some reputed professional bodies such as Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN); Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NESAT), Nigerian Rural Participatory Appraisal Network ( NIPRNET), Rainforest Alliance (worldwide), Forest, Trees and People (worldwide), The Fulbright Association of Nigeria (worldwide) and The European Centre for Research, Training and Development, United Kingdom.

    That being said, for the past 5 months that Prof. David took over the reins of leadership in CRUTECH, he has rendered efficient, conscientious and obtrusive but invaluable services to this great institution in tandem with the advantageous policy of His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade in revamping the educational sector in the state.

    It’s a trite — perhaps, a commonplace to avow that there’s absolutely no perfect system. Every system has its peculiar bottlenecks that militate against development, innovations and stunt growth. Albeit, men have always risen to take up the gauntlet and CRUTECH isn’t an exception. The institution has its challenges and they’re people conjoining forces with Prof. David to take up the gauntlet and cut the Gordian Knot. The team of seasoned administrators in that citadel of learning are solving difficult problems by adopting bold and drastic measures.

    Before now, the security and surveillance networks were quite porous and appalling. Cultism was canonized. Goons, gangsters and racketeers had colony on campus where they carried out antisocial activities. Obviously, the campus was gradually sliding on the precipice of Hobbesian anarchy where life is short, hellish, brutish and nasty for members of the University community until the collaborated efforts of the school’s management and that of the state’s coercive instrumentalities restored peace, normalcy and order to the system.

    Being a former Examination Officer in the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management in Unical; External Examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate oral examination to the Department of Social and Environmental Forestry, University of Agriculture, Markudi, Benue State and member of Examination Malpractice Committee, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, Prof. David has been able to bring to the table the experience garnered to solving the related problems of examination malpractice in CRUTECH to a reasonable extent.

    Today, the laboratories and workshops in all the campuses are being equipped. The school’s lands are being surveyed, landscaped and walled. Staff and students’ welfare is given high premium. Grants for research are released on time. Human capital development of staff is encouraged. Measures are put in place to increase the internally generated revenues to relieve the institution of total reliance on government for funding. The institution is focusing on improving the poultry and fishery ventures in this regard.

    Hand sanitizers produced from the school are now being used by the public in preventing covid-19 pandemic. Portable (drinkable) water in plastic bottles and sachets packaged from the school are being consumed by members of the public. Renovation of dilapidated structures is ongoing. Lecture venues for students are now made conducive to enhance teaching and learning.

    The facts aren’t in contention that the standards set by Prof. David’s predecessors aren’t only been maintained but obtrusively taken to a new, lofty and golden height for the admiration of all and sundry. Taking a cursory look at the transformations and improvements in the institution, one would gladly agree that Prof. Ogar, David Abua like Hercules has cleansed the CRUTECH (Augean) stables perfectly well. How? Check the itemized achievements below.

    The Acting Vice Chancellor upon assumption of office accomplished some uncommon task within and outside of the University community:
    1. Meeting with Various Stakeholders in the University: The Ag. VC in order to have an understanding of the University community, engaged all the stakeholders in the University individually and as groups to enable him plan for the development of the institution.

    2. Bill to CRHA: For the change of University name, a bill was taken by the Ag. VC to the CRHA to change the University name in line with NUC requirement. The bill has been passed by the House and awaits accent by His Excellency.

    3. Campus Tour: The Ag. VC, upon assumption of office embarked on a tour of the Main Campus and the other 3 Campuses to assess facilities on ground and identify challenges.

    4. Functional Medical Centers: The Medical Center at the Calabar Campus has been made fully functional, which was almost moribund as at the time of assumption of office. In keeping to his 5-point agenda, welfare of students and staff, he repaired the X-ray and Dental machines, installed a generator and repaired a borehole to supply water to the Center. Medical examination for the students and staff are now carried out in the Medical Center, hence generating money to the school, same project is on-going at the Ogoja campus. As part of staff welfare, upon assumption of office, the Ag. VC facilitated the regular and timely payment of salaries. This has been maintained since assumption of office.

    5. Repair of the Main Water supply equipment at Main Campus: As a matter of urgency, the VC has embarked on the repair of water system at the Calabar Campus to supply water to the University community, including staff quarters, hostels and offices. Water being a basic need is taken as a priority to the VC.

    6. CRUTECH Fountain Water: The University has successfully started the Production of table-water; producing sachet water, bottle water of 50cl and 70cl. With the successful installation of water equipment, the University awaits NAFDAC registration to start marketing of the products. This will serve as one of the IGR sources in the institution.

    7. Security: To address the security challenges on campus, trained security personnel have been recruited and equipped across the 4-campuses to face the security challenges on campus.

    8. Staff School (Nursery and Primary): The staff school, which have been operating without approval from the Ministry of Quality Education, have been fully certified to operate the nursery and primary schools and application for the secondary school have been made to the Ministry of Quality Education. By the Grace of God, the Secondary arm will commence study next academic session.

    9. Renovation of the Staff Club: “All work, without play makes Jack a Dull Boy Money have been approved for the renovation of the staff club. Theres need for a staff club for relaxation of staff on Campus.

    10. Graduate Assistantship (GAs) Placement: Before now, Graduate Assistants were not considered as staff and were placed on stipend; Council has approved the appropriate placement of GAs in line with the practice in other University.

    11. Staff Verification: Approval for staff verification/auditing has been given by the Government Council of the University and the exercise is on-going. The report will help management in planning.

    12. Examination Malpractice: The management has put measures in place to curb examination malpractice, extortion, corruption and sorting. So far, reaching measures have been taken, including not limited to customization of examination answer booklets.

    13. Verification of Receipts: In order to address the cutting of corners by students in fee payment, the Vice Chancellor has created a Desk Officer directly under his office to verify and screen receipts of students requesting for their certificates and transcripts, to ensure that they pay fees to the university accounts. This has yielded much result.

    14. Directorate of Research and Development: The Directorate of Research and Development has been created and fund attracted from TETFund. The directorate has also benefited from a conference sponsorship to Dubai from TETFund. The fund will be used to furnish and purchase utility Vehicle for the Center.

    15. TETFund: The Vice Chancellor upon assumption of office, has facilitated the release of fund to the University after initial delayed. This effort has yielded result as the University has within March 2020, secured TETFund Zonal Intervention for Infrastructure Development and Research and Development. Also, the school have nominated 3 academic staff to attend conference in USA and UK to be sponsored by TETFund.

    i. Secured the approval for the merger of the pending 2017, 2018 and 2019 TETFund outstanding balance for some projects. This was a major breakthrough to uplift the university infrastructure.

    16. Joint University Preliminary Education Board – JUPEB: The VC upon assumption of office, signed an MOU with JUPEB and has since commenced the operation of JUPEB in the University. This programme has generated some revenue to the University.

    17. Visit to the Paramount Rulers and Clan Heads of our Host Communities: Two weeks after assumption of office by the Ag. VC, he embarked on visitation to all the Paramount Rulers, Clan and Village Heads of our host communities across the 4 campuses of the University. The visits is yielding results, for instance, Ogoja campus has almost been completely fenced.

    18. Sport: The CRUTECH Sport Unit through the Kyrat Club were sponsored for a competition and came as runner up in the 2019 National Competition held in the University of Benin, Edo State. They won many gold, silver and bronze.

    19. Accreditation: Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Department of Accountancy participated in professional accreditation in exercise and we are expecting positive result. The University is also planning towards the accreditation of about 25 programmes in 2020 across the 4 Campuses in the University.

    20. Issuance of PG Certificates: The school have issued PG certificates which have been pending since the inception of the University. In addition, the university has provided certificate folders for safe keeping of the certificates and in turn generate revenue for the University.

    21. Orientation of Fresh Students: The Ag. VC revitalized Students Orientation and timely preparation of lecture time-table and teaching commencing as scheduled in the academic calendar for 2019/2020.

    THE VC’s INNOVATIONS TOWARDS INTERNAL REVENUE GENERATION

    WATER PRODUCTION: – The VC as a matter of priority initiated, through CRUTECH Consult, the production of 50cl, 70cl bottle and sachet water with the installation of latest equipment. This is expected to be a money spinning venture for the University, hence improving the IGR to reduce being over dependent on government to meet critical needs.

    THE MEDICAL CENTER:- The University Medical Center now provides basic medical services, since the installation of dedicated generator and borehole equipment. At the moment, all medical services are provided there. Medical examination for students and staff are being conducted there improving significantly the university IGR.

    PG STUDENTS CERTIFICATE FOLDER:- From the innovation, the University is making some money from the folders, thereby improving the IGR.

    FEE PAYMENT: – With the reintroduction of orientation of freshers and senate policy on fee payment, fee payment is very encouraging.

    JUPEB: – From the operation of JUPEB, the institution is generating some money internally.

    PROPOSED INTERNAL REVENUE GENERATION
    Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry:
    Direct production of food and forest products such as: Rice, Cassava, Maize, Yam, Livestock (Poultry, Fish, Pigs, Goat, Sheep, and Cattle), Oil Palm, Citrus, Teak, Gmelina, etc will be encouraged.

    CBN LOAN/GRANT: The University is Soliciting for Loan/Grant from CBN to go into agricultural production of Poultry, Rice and Fish.

    FUTURE PLANS
    Establishment of Renewable Energy Center/Directorate in the University in line with the State Government policy on renewable energy.
    Introduction of Short term-courses in Safety, Oil and Gas, Environment, Agric.
    Establishment of Wood Skill Acquisition Center for production of furniture for the University and possible commercialization.

    The governor richly deserves accolades for finding Prof. David worthy to oversee the state owned University as Acting Vice Chancellor. Therefore, it’s only wise to encourage Prof. David to continue with his Midas touch in changing CRUTECH to Gold. Bravo Prof.!

    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    07056270286 or [email protected]

     

    Disclaimer

    This article is solely the opinion of the writer, Comr. Ogar Emmanuel Oko and does not in any represent the Theluminenews.

  • Breaking News: Nigeria Records 245 New Cases Of Corona Virus

    Breaking News: Nigeria Records 245 New Cases Of Corona Virus

     

    By Elijah Ugain – Calabar

    The National Center for Disease Control NCDC, has stated that Nigeria has recorded 245 new cases of corona virus.

    NCDC made this known on it’s website on month 4th May, 2020.

    The statement reads in part “On the 4th of May 2020, 245 new confirmed cases and six deaths were recorded in Nigeria. No new state has reported a cases in the last 24 hours.

    “Till date, 2, 802 cases have been confirmed, 417 cases have been discharged and 93 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The 245 new cases are reported from 16 states- Lagos (76), Katsina (37), Jigawa (32), Kano (23), FCT (19), Borno (18), Edo (10), Bauchi (9), Adamawa (6), Oyo (5), Ogun (5), Ekiti (1), Osun (1), Benue (1), Niger (1), Zamfara (1)”

  • Court Awards One Million Against FG over #RevolutionNow Protest Disruption

    Court Awards One Million Against FG over #RevolutionNow Protest Disruption

    Curled From Punch

    ‌

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has awarded N1m against the Federal Government over the police disruption of the August 5, 2019 #RevolutionNow protest.

    The court awarded the N1m in favour of a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, who said he participated in the #RevolutionNow protest and was among those tear-gassed by security agents.

    The nationwide protest was convened by the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested by the Department of State Services on August 3.

    The court, in a judgment by Justice Maureen Onyetenu, declared the disruption of the peaceful protest by the Federal Government, through the police, as “ illegal, oppressive, undemocratic and unconstitutional.”

    The judge agreed with the applicant in the suit, Ogungbeje, who sued on behalf of himself and other participants in the protest, that the Federal Government deprived them of their right to peaceful assembly and association, in violation of sections 38, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The judge also condemned “the mass arrest, harassment, tear-gassing, and clamping into detention” of the protesters.

    Ogungbeje had urged the court to award N500m as general and exemplary damages against the Federal Government, DSS, and the Attorney General of the Federation, but the court only awarded N1m.

    The judge also upheld the defence of the DSS that it was not involved in the disruption of the protest.

    In the affidavit, which he filed in support of the suit, Ogungbeje said when he was co-opted into the #RevolutionNow protest, as a lawyer, he checked the constitution and found that it was lawful.

    He, however, said on getting to the take-off point of the protest in Lagos “I met agents and operatives of the respondents who had barricaded the venue of the peaceful protest for good governance in Nigeria.

    “I was tear-gassed by agents of the respondents and the peaceful protest was forcefully disrupted by the respondents.

    “I have been denied my fundamental constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and association by the respondents, without cause.”

    Apart from the N1m award, the court also ordered the Federal Government to tender a public apology to the applicant in three national daily newspapers.

  • Bishop Kukah Donates 30 Room Hotel For Isolation Center In Sokoto

    Bishop Kukah Donates 30 Room Hotel For Isolation Center In Sokoto

     

    Curled From Punch

    ‌

    The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has handed over a 30-room hotel to the Sokoto State Government as an isolation centre for suspected coronavirus patients in the state.

    Announcing via Twitter on Monday afternoon, the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, said Kukah acted on behalf of the Catholic Diocese in the state.

    The ministry also confirmed that he handed over a 15-room hospital for the treatment of infected persons in the state.

    “The Catholic Diocese in Sokoto headed by Bishop Mathew Kukah has handed over a 30-room hotel for isolating suspected cases at Aliyu Jodi Road and a 15 rooms hospital for COVID-19 management at their Gidan Dare Clinic,” the state Health Ministry tweeted.

    It said a total of 66 cases have been confirmed in the state while 57 are active, eight fatalities, and one recovery have been reported.

    Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for Federal Government’s assistance in overcoming the pandemic.

    He stated this in an address to the state on Sunday.

    He stressed the ban on interstate movement, compulsory use of facemasks and the imposition of daily 8 pm to 6 am curfew, effective Monday, May 4.

    “Due to the rising statistics in Sokoto State, I wish to appeal to Mr President and the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to intervene in our state, through the provision of logistics and technical support, with a view to stemming the disturbing trend,” the governor said in a statement published on the state government’s Facebook page.

  • Breaking: Ayade Directs Civil Servants To Resume Work Tomorrow

    Breaking: Ayade Directs Civil Servants To Resume Work Tomorrow

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

     

    The Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade Sunday began to relax some of the restrictions he put in place in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak by directing all categories of civil servants to return to work.

    The governor in the last two weeks recalled civil servants from grade level 10 and above back to work, has now directed all civil servants to return to work tomorrow, Monday, May 4th, 2020.

    A release issued by Mr. Christian Ita, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity/Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and sighted by THELUMINENEWS reminded all returning civil servants that the “no mask no movement order was still in full force and must be observed by them.

    “Consequently, all the returning civil servants are therefore, to wear nose mask as they resume in their various offices,” the statement emphasized”

    The release further maintained that “other restrictions such as border closure and ban on large gatherings, be it social or religious, remain in place”

  • Inyang Asibong Doles Out 69 Happy Cheers To An Epitome Of Excellence, Elder Prof. Ivara Esu (OFR)

    Inyang Asibong Doles Out 69 Happy Cheers To An Epitome Of Excellence, Elder Prof. Ivara Esu (OFR)

    By Elijah Ugani

    Like the popular eye-catching, elegant double stemmed purple orchid, he came to the world with a clear vision. A vision with a great deal of symbolism like the orchid, that always shines at every opportunity given to radiate in a widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant, like the orchid in him.

    He was born great from a humble background in Agwagune, Biase, in the then South Eastern Nigeria.

    Excellence is his second name, from Elementary to College to University, it was Distinction all the way as he sorjourned in his Academic pursuit from Agwagune to Itigidi, Abakaliki, Ugep and Okpoma in Yala, the Quality radiated at every point. Then to Ile-Ife in the then Western Nigeria and Zaria in the Northern part of the country, the legacies of Excellence imprinted his every step like a collosus.

    Coming back to the first Capital of Nigeria’s Southern Protectorate, where he again Excelled to become the no 1. citizen of the revered Ivory Tower, the University of Calabar, no wonder, why HE Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, still calls him the Vice Chancellor of Cross River State.

    A Professor of Soil Science with records of research all over Nigeria and beyond, who has produced legends and academicians shining bright beyond the shores of Africa.

    An adherent and lover of Culture, Tourism and Development of African Arts and artifacts. Little wonder he was appointed to serve Nigeria at the highest decision making body in the country, The Federal Executive Council as a Minister of the Federal Republic.

    His trademark of Excellence has made him serve as a Federal board Chairman and member of different Federal boards and parastatals. He also became a Commissioner of his state at a very tender age of 31 and performed Excellently.

    Now, Excellent performances have made him The Excellency of a beautiful state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a State Governed by two erudite Professors.

    Together with his Digital Boss, these two Professors have pushed boundaries, created new frontiers, broken records and set them again, all in a bid to take CRS to greater heights

    A trustworthy, reliable, and hardworking servant- leader of the people. As you celebrate you birthday today, I can only say your best is yet to come because you have produced many children both in Academics and Leadership.

    Happy Gallant 69th Birthday to the Qunitessential Deputy Governor Of Cross River State.

    God Bless You Sir.

    Inyang Asibong
    Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC)
    May 3rd, 2020

  • EKpenyong Eulogizes Deputy Governor @ 69

    EKpenyong Eulogizes Deputy Governor @ 69

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General,Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has described the deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Evara Esu as a phenomenon character and a goal driven personality as he marks his birthday today May 3rd 2020.

    Dr Ekpenyong who described professor Esu as one of Nigeria’s most enlightened and exposed deputy governors with vast knowledge in Agriculture, Economy and Health with his achievements distinguished as a lecturer, a researcher,a commissioner, a minister in the federal republic and now the deputy governor of Nigeria’s most beautiful and industrious state, says the primary Healthcare sector will continue to cherish his experience for an improved service delivery to the greater populace.

    She further described him as selfless leader who’s love for the state has made him worked for the collective interest of the state, championing activities in the health sector especially the Primary Healthcare Agency, which is considered most grassroot friendly and accessible to all Cross Riverians and residents in the state in order to achieve Universal Health coverage.

    “As Chairman of our state immunization taskforce, I am pleased to work with you, you have consistently shown great passion for the Cross River State primary Healthcare development agency, the experience and commitment you show daily has not gone unnoticed, as all along in the last 5 years, our state have continuously improved upon its immunization index, as children under 5 across the urban and in hard to reach areas have always been captured as a result of some of the policies and strategies you made the agency adopt in order for the state to achieve Universal Health Coverage in few years to come.
    I feel so delighted and overwhelmed that in my first major outing as the Director General for the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, you honoured my invitation to flag off the 2020 National Immunization Plus Days exercise in Uchu, Yala Local government Area, that sacrifice from you was a moral booster to all of our foot soldiers across the 18 LGAs, as it spurred them to give in their unreserved strength and efforts to achieve 100% coverage for our children, an effort that was commended by both national and international monitoring bodies.

    “Today as you mark the anniversary of your birth, on behalf of my family ,management and staff of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, I want to wish you our ever dedicated Deputy Governor, Health friendly, passion driven, a human with a phenomenon and exceptional characteristics, a recipient of various national and international awards including being merited with the title of An Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), an erudite scholar and professor of Animal Science, a former Vice chancellor of the prestigious University of Calabar ,an achiever and a lifetime coach, a beautiful birthday celebration and more fruitful years ahead in sound health and wealth”.

  • DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Deputy Governor On His Birth Anniversary

    DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Deputy Governor On His Birth Anniversary

    By Admin

    The Director General, Border Communities Development Commission, Mr. Noel Ugbong felicitates the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu on his birthday anniversary.

    The DG described the Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Chairman, Border Community Development Commission, as a man of impeccable characteristics who has been a role model to him and as well as all young people who are desirous of good leadership.

    The DG noted that “my stint in the Governor’s Office and Event Management Department brought me closer to this fatherly role model and humane personality. The Deputy Governor is a dependable pillar and a pool of wisdom.

    “He is one of the best brain in the state, the state needs to adequately explore his content to sustain his wealth of knowledge and experience in the development of the state”

    “Sir, we are very proud of you, the best is yet to come, the future is even brighter, enjoy your day as you remain a blessing to us” The DG added.

    Mr. Ugbong used the opportunity to ask God Almighty to grant the Deputy Governor his heart desires, bless and prosper him as well as preserve him for generation unborn.