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  • I Am Contesting Election With A Non Performing Governor, Our Scorecards Are There For The People To Decide – Senator Jarigbe

    I Am Contesting Election With A Non Performing Governor, Our Scorecards Are There For The People To Decide – Senator Jarigbe

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has taken a swipe at the Governor Ben Ayade Administration in the state saying he has failed his people.

    Agom posited that he is running election with a non performing governor, and assured that he is very confident of winning the election as their scorecards are very glaring and visible for the electorates to chose who will represent them.

    Senator Jarigbe disclosed this in Ogoja, the headquarters of Cross River Northern Senatorial District, during a one million solidarity walk in support of his reelection organized by a bipartisan support organization.

    The incumbent PDP senator representing Cross River North who will square up against the state governor Professor Ben Ayade in next year’s senatorial elections, advised his supporters to vote all PDP candidates because it will be better for them.

    “The Ben Ayade Administration in the state is a failed government. He has failed his people and he is too greedy.

    “I am going to face a non performing governor and I will defeat him”, he said.

    He added that he has demonstrated empathy for his people by putting myself in their shoes and their support for him is un-paralled, as it is evident in the crowd that came out to restate their unflinching support to his reelection.

    He advised his supporters to stand firm with the PDP and all its candidates.

    Sen Jarigbe averred that he he owe his people a lot due to their unprecedented support “I treat my people with empathy, I put myself in their shoes and their support for me is actually unparalled, I owe them a lot.
    I’ve provided most of what the people need and have filled the gaps.

    “Return all the PDP candidates and it will be better for all of us”.

    Also speaking, Godwin Offiono, the PDP candidate for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency said the one million man solidarity walk is a success and demonstrates Senator Jarigbe’s acceptance.

    He described Senator Jarigbe as the “Governor -General of Cross River North who has done exceedingly well.

    “This is a clear demonstration of Senator Jarigbe’s acceptance. The Governor general of the north has performed exceedingly well.

    “This is an expression of solidarity, love and acceptance the people of Cross River North have for senator Jarigbe” he said.

    On his part, the candidate for the People’s Democratic Party PDP, for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku, Chief Peter Akpanke discribed Sen Jarigbe Agom is a man sent to liberate the plight of Northern Cross River. “Sen Jarigbe Agom has come to liberate Northern Cross River State, it is only natural that we come out to support his reelection. As candidate of my party, the PDP, I will replicate his footprint in my constitituency when elected.

    The State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Vena Ikem Esq, maintained that “last year we lost our senator and we were looking for who to replace her. We saw a man who had done so well for the people of Ogoja/Yala federal constitituency, and we decided to support to represent us as senator, in just one year, he has done exceedingly great things that our previous senators could not do in eight or four years. The reward for good work is more work. That is why we have come here to join the non political groups who have organized this walk in solidarity with our senator.

    The Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, the major political group fronting the ambition of Sen Sandy Onor to rescue Cross River State, Chief Joe Obi Bisong, commended the resilience of the people of norther Cross River State and assured that the era of failed promises and projects will soon be over as Sandy Onor takes over the leadership of the state comes next year.

    Other stakeholders who lent their support for the reelection of Senator Jarigbe includes, Major Mike Otiwa, Ujie Udah, Idi Yakubu, Martin Achadu, Omang Omang, Rita Agbor Anyim and many others.

  • Nyesom Wike, CRS PDP And The Trepidation Of The APC BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    Nyesom Wike, CRS PDP And The Trepidation Of The APC BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    Two of the greatest assets in politics today in Nigeria are incumbency and money, and not even the traditional hypocrites can downright deny this. Maybe that is why the APC in Cross River state are still convinced that they can still win elections in spite of their thoroughly blemished record and tainted standard bearers. After all, they must have conspired amongst themselves, where will the PDP find their mojo, being out of power and switched off from the public cash pipe.

    Do you wonder then why the members of the APC yesterday turned the social media into a burial compound where weeping and knashing of teeth knew no bounds just because a bossom friend of the PDP in Cross River pledged to assist the party in the coming days? Even jaded people who have recently lost their reputation, respect and recognition in the eyes of the public found their voices to weep and lament about the so-called impending colonisation of the state.

    Throughout the history of Cross River state no elected Governor has completely funded their elections on their own steam and all the details are well known by the wailing wailers. I am therefore not going to repeat them all here. The making of a Governor has always been a stakeholders affair. Stakeholders fundamentally are either compatriots, friends, party members or business associates. The elections of 2023 will not be different either, be it in Cross River or other states around the country.

    Unfortunately, of all the shameless posturings in the social media, Okoi Obono Obla’s blasphemy was the one that took the cake, icing and all. If the Bankers Committee did not seize CRS from Clement Isong, Lagos funders from Clement Ebri, Dangote from Donald Duke, Obasanjo from Liyel Imoke, and Liyel Imoke and a well known Niger Delta Warlord from Ben Ayade, is it Nyesom Wike that will colonise CRS? In fact at some point during the governorship of Senator Liyel Imoke, Akwa Ibom state was giving CRS N300,000,000 monthly on the sly to help cushion the effects of the loss of 76 oil wells, and Godswill Akpabio still did not colonise the state.

    The real fear this time for APC apologists is that the PDP might very well find money to finance its elections despite their expectations to the contrary. Their own Governorship candidate is chained to the floor by lack of cash, in spite of their grandstanding, and has only been able to go round the state once since he became the candidate. Let his sponsors open the storehouse and give him money, so that he can increase his endeavour and put himself abou,t like the candidate of the PDP. Governorship elections no be beans! Good soup na money make am.

    The same shameless APC vuvuzela – boys that trumpet their presidential candidate for being a regional political czar by planting state governors all around the Western region are the same people criticizing Governor Nyesom Wike, the Lion of the South – South, for giving a helping hand to members of his party in our completely destroyed state. No be juju be dat? Wike has vowed not to forsake his friend, Senator Sandy Onor, the Irunando of CRS, in his time of need and that promise shall surely be fulfilled. To commit suicide in advance is perhaps the only option left for thoroughly scared naysayers.

    Cross River State as a political and economic entity is already under the complete colonisation of you – know – who, and Okoi Obono Obla cannot talk about that because he is observing table manners. He prefers going to Afghanistan to hide away from the incinerating reality of failure and miasma into which his party has dragged our once beautiful and alluring state. Trying to run away from his long shadow which continues to follow him around all day long. Soon, Senator Sandy will win the Governorship and the crow will swoop down from it’s perch in search of meat, just like it happened not so long ago.

  • Linda Ayade Flags Off Activities To Mark 2022 World Sight Day, Calls For Proper Attention To The Eyes

    Linda Ayade Flags Off Activities To Mark 2022 World Sight Day, Calls For Proper Attention To The Eyes

     

    The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade has called on Cross Riverians to pay attention to their eyes, as the state joins the global community to mark the 2022 World Sight Day celebration, which is marked on every second Thursday of the month in October with this year’s event falling on the 13th of October 2022.

    With an encouraging theme to “Love your eyes”, Dr Linda Ayade counselled that Cross Riverians need to eliminate every risks that can cause both temporary or permanent damages to their eyes which is the frame way to the body and the world.

    Flagging off the occasion of the World Sight Day in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade who was represented by rhe Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong called for priority be given to the eyes just like mental, gynaecological, cardiac and other major organs are treated with priority.

    According to Dr Linda Ayade, the timeliness of this year’s theme cannot be over emphasized as more people are loosing their sights daily due to negligence and preventable causes.

    She said, the common eye challenges seen amongst Cross Riverians include Cataract, glachoma, refractive errors and retinopathy due to diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension and and some personal choice lifestyles which have been attributed to the rising causes of blindness across the globe, either partial or total as recorded by the World health Organization, and it is on the basis of rescuing the challenging eye health indices and alarming figure, that the Cross River State Government established the state eye care programme in Calabar with some other extension services at the grassroot to check common eyes defects and offer referral services when need arises.

    She said the state government will continue to promote eye care services especially in the rural areas through community outreaches and proper referral as she acknowledged partners such as the Mediatrix Development foundation who have supported the state in reaching out to the aged in many rural Communities.

    In her welcome address, the Director of the Cross River State Eye care programme Dr Luna Said, judging by global indices of having close to 300 million people suffering from various eyes defects, over 90% are avoidable and treatable hence the need to foster awareness on the common preventive approaches to blindness.

    She said the Cross River State Eye Care programme has offered thousands of corrective surgeries since it’s establishment with little or no cost to the patient, an act she said is phenomenal for the eradication of blindness and commendable to the Government.

    In his response, Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara called for a routine eye check for every individual to check for abnormalities before it amounts into complications.

    He said the ministry will partner with the Primary Healthcare Agency to ensure that, mush referrals are sent to Calabar for surgical procedures and advises.

    The event gave oppurtunity for hundreds of people to check their eyes for any form of eyes defects and advice on the possible ways of keeping the eyes healthier.
    Tge event also featured goodwill messages from the Director of Administration SMOH, Barr John Odu and other staff of the state eye program.

  • PDP Must Resolve Its Crisis To Win 2023 General Election – Wike

    PDP Must Resolve Its Crisis To Win 2023 General Election – Wike

     

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has again urged the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to do the right thing, if the party must win the presidential election in 2023.

    The right thing, Governor Wike insisted, is the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman, in order for a southerner to occupy the seat within the principle of equity, fairness and justice.

    Governor Wike restated his position during a live interactive media chat in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He emphasised that any leader of a group who causes crisis within the group that he leads, truly lacks the requisite skills to navigate affairs of such group.

    “This is the time to show leadership skill on the part of those who are leaders of the party. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate. He is the one who feels the pain.”

    Governor Wike made reference to the party’s constitution that spells it out in Section 7 (3) (c) that that all political and elective positions must be zoned.

    He wondered why it is now so difficult for Senator Ayu to respect the constitution or even keep to his promise and quit the office if a northern is elected as PDP standard bearer.

    “We have not held the presidential primary before the national chairman of the party said if the presidential candidate emerges from his area, he will quit.”

    Governor Wike also accused Senator Ayu of collecting one hundred million Naira, first from a certain governor to renovate the party’s democratic institution, and later went to PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to collect exact amount for the same purpose. Governor Wike dares Senator Ayu to deny it.

    “In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100million naira from a governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100million naira for doing the same work.”

    He further added, “What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).”

    The Rivers State governor pointed to the importance of the mission of rescuing Nigeria expected of the PDP by Nigerians. But the mission, he said required a leader with proven integrity to lead the party.

    “For God’s sake, knowing that you are in a party that wants to take over the reign of governance in the country, we know Nigerians know the problems confronting the country.

    “If a leader does not have integrity, forget it. We need a man who will tell his people this; a man who will be firm, a man who will be courageous to do those things that even people find it difficult to do.

    “You are presenting a man who is the head of the party, the chairman of the party, who has no integrity to lead the campaign to take over the reigns of governance.”

    Governor Wike explained that the chairmanship position of the party should go to the south before the elections. According, if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar wins in February presidential election, the hawks around him won’t wait until May to take major decisions.

    “Who is there to decide for the South? Why will you tell me until when you finish election that’s when a southerner will emerge as chairman.”

    Governor Wike described as untrue the report in the media that some former PDP governors, including Dr Peter Odili, were sent to him to resolve the crisis in the party.

    Speaking further, Governor Wike decried the perennial flooding experienced in parts of the country as a result of lack of initiative on the part of the federal government to dredge the River Benue and River Niger respectively.

    Governor Wike asserted that one way of solving the ravaging yearly flooding situation, is to pay attention to the sources of water flow and end the suffering of Nigerians who become impacted every year.

    “I asked what is this problem that we can’t dredge River Benue and River Niger? Each time I fly over Benue, the sight makes me cry. We won’t have had so much problem to this extent if we dredge them

    “But the politics, I do not know. Who is interested for River Benue, River Niger not to be dredged, and that has caused so much hardship for our people.

    “How can government from time refused to dredge the rivers and I heard, sometime, that they awarded the Calabar River. What happened, where is the money?”

    Governor Wike imagined why the federal government will award an all important contract like the dredging of Calabar River and will not demand its execution, even when communities continue to suffer from such negligence.

    Governor Wike also informed that the taskforce on flood set up in the State is directly supervised by him to ensure that the impacted victims directly benefits from the relief materials that they would eventually require.

    The governor dismissed insinuation that Sir Celestine Omehia was derecognised as ex-State Governor of Rivers State by the State lawmakers because he is supporting Atiku. According to him, the lawmakers took their decision based on Supreme Court judgment that sacked him.

    Governor Wike dismissed claim by the management of Africa Independent Television (AIT) that the company acquired the land from the State government.

    According to him, when the State Assembly started deliberation of the land, AIT until date failed to provide any letter of allocation to claim ownership of the land that was supposed to house its regional office in Port Harcourt.

    Governor Wike also mentioned that he desired to construct a ring road that is estimated to cost N70B. The road, he said is planned to start from Okrika Town axis through Eleme to the Port Harcourt International Airport and terminate at Choba town.

    He stated that since the tenure of his administration will end in May 2023, he will recommend to the incoming administration to execute the project because of its importance.

    The Rivers State governor said the appointment of fifty thousand Special Assistants by him has provided jobs opportunity for the affected persons.

    October 14, 2022

  • 23-Year-Old Cross Riverian In Police Net For Faking His Abduction To Extort Parents

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  • 23-Year-Old Cross Riverian In Police Net For Faking His Abduction To Extort Parents

    23-Year-Old Cross Riverian In Police Net For Faking His Abduction To Extort Parents

    By Ishola Oludare, Daily Post

    Edward Okache, a Cross Riverian is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Police Force after he was arrested alongside four others for faking his kidnap in order to extort N10 million from his parents.

    Okache, 23, a native of Yala Local Government Area was arrested alongside a Ghananian, Asamoah Ernest, two other Yala indigenes – Ephraim Anyijor and Charity Lukpata as well as one Isiah Uti.

    The Daily Post reports that the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi said one Comfort Okache had earlier reported at the Mowe divisional headquarters via a phone call that his younger brother, traveling from Calabar to Lagos, had been kidnapped around the Mowe area of Ogun State.

    According to the Police spokesman in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the kidnappers were demanding N10 million if the relatives wanted to see the boy alive which forced the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mowe division, SP Folake Afeniforo, to mobilize the division’s tactical teams to the area.

    “Upon painstaking and enduring combing of the surrounding bush at Orimerunmu area, the victim was sighted in an uncompleted building with the duo of Asamoah Ernest, a Ghanaian, and Isiah Uti, where he was tied in both hands and legs,” Oyeyemi said.

    Police rescued the acclaimed victim and arrested the two suspects found with him.

    “But on getting to the station, the two arrested suspects made a shocking revelation that the so-called victim was the person who planned with them to kidnap him in order for him to extort money from his parents to invest in an online business,” it was explained.

    They had confessed further that the said Okache was introduced to them by Anyijor and Lukpata, and that they all were part of the planned kidnap of Edward Okache.

    Their confession, Oyeyemi stated, led to the arrest of Anyijor and Lukpata, adding that “they have all confessed to the commission of the crime.”

    The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, has directed that the case be referred to the anti-kidnapping unit of the State CIID for further investigation and possible prosecution.

  • Wike Commissions Multi-Chain Supermarket, Says Rivers More Attractive To Investors

    Wike Commissions Multi-Chain Supermarket, Says Rivers More Attractive To Investors

    Rivers State governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says he is delighted that measures taken by his administration to make the State an investment destination have continued to yield results.

    One of such recent evidence is the formal opening of the HyperCity Supermarket that is located at the Eastern Bye-pass Junction, Ogbu-nu-abali community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

    Governor Wike was on hand to formally inaugurates the supermarket on Wednesday and opened it for daily business.

    The governor said the land on which the supermarket is sited used to be a mangrove forest from where criminals terrorise the adjoining Ogbu-nu-abali community and motorists.

    With his administration sand-filling the area, governor Wike noted how attractive it became to the owner of HyperCity Supermarket who has today established his venture there.

    Concerning growing the business stakes of the state, Governor Wike said his administration is more interested in anything that will attract investment and create jobs for Rivers people.

    “But government took it upon itself to make sure that criminals don’t continue to thrive here. We owe the economy of the State to grow. We owe to provide security for businessmen and women, and security of communities.

    “You have seen how beautiful it looks, it cost us money to sand-filled this area. Just like people are approaching us now at the other site that they want to establish this and that. We feel happy and encouraged

    “The duty of government is to provide enabling environment. I want investors to come to the State. When investors come to the state, our people will be employed. When our people are employed, government will collect taxes and use those taxes and do other things for the State.”

    Governor Wike commended the management of HyperCity Supermarket for keeping to the agreed business timeline concerning the use of the land they secured from government.

    The governor said since his administration was ending soon, any investors that has secured land for use for business must begin to actualise that purpose or lose the land.

    “Just like we said that anybody that wants land from Rivers State government, you’ll tell us the duration.

    “Because in previous administration, people come and tell government they want to do this, they want to do that. And then, government will give them the land, and then you’ll find out that in five or six years, nothing has happened.

    “Before you know it, they take government land and sell and make more money or use the government land as collateral for loan.

    Governor Wike recalled how the land on which Silverbird Cinema is located along the Abonnema Whaff Road was also secured by an investor from the State government but instead of concentrating on the business purposes, used it to borrow money.

    Today, the governor expressed the regret that State government is struggling to regain the land from Amcon that seized it from Silverbird for defaulting in repaying the loan it took from the bank.

    “Today, you know where you have Silverbird Cinema, that is government landed property. You know that was where Obi Wali cultural centre used to be. But somebody came and told government they’re going to build something underground and this and that, and government gave the land.

    “You know what the person did? He took our land and went and took loan from the bank without building what is supposed to be there. AMCON now came to seize the property that the person did not pay the loan. And today, we are struggling to take it back.”

    Governor Wike enjoined the management to provide employment to members of the host community and Rivers youths.

    He also insisted that such indigenous staff must be offered requisite training that will enable them grow to become management staff of the company.

    In his speech, managing director of HyperCity Supermarket, Mr. Sunny Chuwla said HyperCITY is a modern retail store based on Hypermarket store format l.

    He stated that they offer unparallel choice of local and international products cutting across the entire spectrum of consumable needs of a family under One Roof.

    “HyperCITY story started a year ago. When we were given the opportunity to invest here, it came with a condition that we need to open the store before Dec. 2022, or the land will be revoked without excuses

    “Today, we are glad that we have opened the 1st Store much before the deadline. Our second store is also lined up for opening very soon.

    “We all know that retail is one of the largest employment sectors in the world and as at today, HyperCITY has generated over 200 direct and indirect jobs to the Rivers people in this single store.”

  • Ayu Must Go, Nobody Will Make Me Change My Stance – Wike

    Ayu Must Go, Nobody Will Make Me Change My Stance – Wike

    Culled From Vanguard

    GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike says he is committed to leading the charge to compel Sen Iyorcha Ayu to give up his national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to a Southern Nigeria that no one can make him change his stance.

    Wike who asserted this while hosting Cross River State PDP governorship and all state and national assembly candidates along with local government chairmen of his private residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Wednesday night, also said genuine efforts to amicably resolve the impasse in the PDP were being frustrated by rent-seekers in the party.

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    Addressing his guests with South-South National Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, present, Wike fingered perceived “hyenas and rent seekers,” as remaining obstinate and averse to justice, fairness and equity in the party.

    He said, “We’ve finished presidential primaries. We have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying to remove the presidential candidate? Is Wike saying to remove the vice presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for?

    “All I am saying will continue to say is you have taken president, give us national chairman. Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, remove the vice presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this.”

    “He (Ayu) said, if the presidential candidate comes from the north, he will resign, which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, now resign, he says no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.

    “I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, accepted the vice presidential candidate, what’s the problem again. You, fulfil your part. Let the South have something, that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have presidential candidate, national chairman, director general of the campaign.”

    The governor described as hypocritical, PDP members criticising APC Muslim/Muslim ticket while supporting a particular region of the country to retain the presidency for another eight years.

  • Wike Hosts Cross River PDP Candidates, Donates 25 Buses For Campaign

    Wike Hosts Cross River PDP Candidates, Donates 25 Buses For Campaign

    Channels Television

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday night, hosted Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates for the State and National Assembly elections in Cross Rivers State.

    The delegation which includes chairmen of the party in the various local government areas was led by the Cross River Governorship Candidate of the party, Senator Sandy Onor.

    In his speech, Onor said, “Today is historic. Wike is a trailblazer for justice and equity. He speaks the truth fearlessly.”

    He said the candidates were in Rivers to “thank Wike for being a good friend when Governor Ben Ayade defected to the All Progressives Congress”.

    “Wike has defended us and protected us from intimidation. He has made PDP a party to beat in Cross River.

    “There is nothing that Wike is asking for that is personal. All he seeks is justice,” he noted.

    Onor also announced that Wike donated 25 brand new buses for the campaigns in Cross River State.

  • School Of Nursing Itigidi, Releases 360 Successful Candidates For Admission Into ND, HND And B.Sc. Nursing Programmes

    School Of Nursing Itigidi, Releases 360 Successful Candidates For Admission Into ND, HND And B.Sc. Nursing Programmes