The Cross River State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, has constituted the Appeal Committee for the local government election.
In a release made available to ThwLumineNews and signed by the Organizingi Secretary, Hon Francis Ekeng, that Mr Boniface Odey is to serve as Chairman, Hon Rita Ekpenyong is to serve as secretary, while Mr Ferdinand Ugbong and Evang (Mrs) Caroline Etim are to serve as members.
The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade is said to have lost his aunt, Ama Suzan undiegah Agaba, at age 122 years whose sad event occured September 3rd, 2022.
The late Mrs Susan undiegah Agaba was the governor’s father elder sister, and the grandmother of Dr Francis Agaba, PhD, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, University of Calabar, Calabar.
The mama Susan contributed in her own small measure to the upbringing of most of her brothers, sisters, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives.
In a release bymby the Chief mourner,a Mr Andrew Agaba and made available to TheLumineNews, indicates that, Wake Keep is slated for Friday, September 23rd at Mr Marcellinus Ushie Agaba’s compund, Betukwel. While funeral service is to hold on Saturday, September 24th, 2022 at 10.00am at St Joseph Catholic Church, Betukwel, and internment to follow immediately at her family compund in Betukwel, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
She is survived by seven (7) children, 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 14 nephews, 15 nieces and a host of other relatives to mourn her.
September 15th, 2021, is an auspicious day for Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, the Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District and the good people of Cross River North.
His first year in the Nigerian Senate was the greatest year of Infrastructural and human capital development in the history of Cross River North Senatorial District. Lives were changed, cries were heard, and prayers were answered. Indeed, his emergence as Senator last year was a fitting denouement to an episodic political journey which began two decades ago.
In fact, at a time when it was generally believed that one has to be lowbrow, an incorrigible liar and a bit a murderer to be a politician, Senator Jarigbe ventured into politics to improve lives yet, bucked at seeing people sacrificed or slaughtered for the sake of his ambition. It is a reason his life offers interminable lessons on the beauty and benefits of resolve, compassion, unpretentious generosity, humility as well as political and family values.
Below, but not limited are some of Senator Jarigbe’s legislative giant strides in his first year in the Nigerian Senate;
1. Solar street lights across all 5 LGAs in the North.
2. Sensitization on COVID-19 pandemic in Cross River North.
3. Construction of school building at St. Peters Primary School, Akwurinyi, Bekwarra LGA.
4. Empowerment of constituents to mark 1 month in office.
5. Training of Widows in Cross River North on Animal Husbandry by National Productivity Centre (NPC).
6. Construction of a 3 classroom block at Community Primary School, Kutiang 2, Obudu LGA.
7. Animal Husbandry Training for Farmers in Cross River North.
8. Ongoing Road Construction at Igodor, Nkum, Ogoja LGA.
8. Construction/Rehabilitation of 1.3km Prince Akwaji Offiono Road, Yala LGA.
9. Renovation of Government Primary School Ukpirinye, Utugwang, Obudu LGA.
10. Renovation of Community Primary School Ashikpe-Ukpe in Obudu LGA.
11. Renovation of Primary School Estong Busi, Obanliku LGA.
12. Installation of Solar Powered Street lights in Bekwarra and Ogoja LGAs.
13. Facilitated the construction of Monaya-Ikaptang Road in Ogoja LGA.
14. Facilitated drilling of Solar powered borehole at Image Central Mosque, Okuku, Yala LGA.
15. Facilitated drilling of Solar powered borehole in Ukpah Community, Bekwarra LGA.
16. Drilling of Solar powered boreholes in Gakem, Bewo, Abuagbor, Ukpada, and Agida Communities in Bekwarra LGA.
17. Drilling of Solar powered boreholes in Begiaba, Ukwel, Utugwang North, Utugwang South and Utugwang Central Communities in Obudu LGA.
18. Drilling of Solar powered boreholes in Ketting, Bayaga, Bagga, Sankwala, Akorshi-Owhe Belinge and Bukemaya Communities in Obanliku LGA.
19. Renovation of Community Primary School Ilagos Ikhor, Ochagbe, Afrike 2, Bekwarra LGA.
20. Installation of Solar powered street lights in Belinge, Belegete, Ketting, Busanfong, and Sankwala Communities of Obanliku LGA.
21. Installation of Solar powered street lights in Begiaba, Alege Ubang, Kakum, Ukwel Obudu and Utugwang North Communities in Obudu LGA.
22. Installation of Solar powered street lights in Ugboro, Anyikang, Alumonye, Akpakpa, Otukpuru and Ukpah communities of Bekwarra LGA.
23. Facilitated the Construction of Mini Stadium in Ogoja LGA.
24. Facilitated the construction of Recreational Center in Ogoja.
25. Facilitated the construction of 65 km road in Aliforkpa, Yala LGA.
26. Facilitated the construction of Ikaptang – Afrike Road, Ogoja LGA.
27. Distribution of relief materials to victims of Itega/Oba communal disputes, Yala LGA.
28. Distribution of foodstuffs to Hausa Communities in Cross River North.
29. Renovation of Government Primary School, Estong, Busi, Obanliku LGA.
30. Renovation of Community Primary School Ada, Itega-Okpame in Yala LGA.
31. Construction of Ukpagada-Aladim road in Ogoja LGA.
32.Construction of a 3 classrooms block at Community Primary School, Adigbo, Mfom, Ogoja LGA.
33. Drilling of solar powered borehole in Nwang/Nyake, Mfom 1, Ogoja LGA.
34. Cash empowerment/grant for farmers/Artisans in Cross River North.
35. Facilitated grants for rural vulnerables in Cross River North.
36. Construction of class room blocks at Ekajuk Comprehensive Secondary School in Bansara, Ekajuk, Ogoja LGA.
37. Facilitated Training/Cash empowerment of graduates/Youths under the platform of National Film and Sensors Board of Nigeria.
38. Facilitated Entrepreneurship Development Training under SMEDAN in Cross River North.
39. Installation of Solar powered borehole in Basan Community, Mbube West Ward 2, Ogoja LGA.
40. Facilitated job placement for youths in The Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp.
41. Sponsored Free 2022 JAMB Registration for constituents.
42. Provided Financial support for Northern Cross Riverians who are members of ASUU Unical Chapter.
His bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja has been passed by the Nigerian Senate, awaiting Mr President’s assent, while his bill seeking the establishment of Federal College of Agriculture awaits third reading.
Senator Jarigbe is poised to continue his legislative stride in the Senatorial District when re-elected come 2023.
While we bask in the euphoria of the sterling achievements of Sen. Jarigbe, we are also taken aback by the memories of the untimely death of Charles Onwe, who lost his life on the eve of the Senate Bye-Election Primary and all others who sustained injuries during the primary election when the oppressor ordered the shooting of unarmed constituents.
May the soul of Charles Onwe continue to Rest in Peace.
Congratulations once more to a refined and quintessential Nigerian lawmaker and the good people of Cross North Senatorial District.
TEAM JARI MEDIA
The Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has inaugurated projects worth over two hundred and seventy four million naira (N274,000 000) at the Federal College of Education, (FCE), Obudu.
The projects include a Science Complex compromising of six laboratories, one auditorium, twenty nine offices, a gym hall as well as a storey building compromising four classroom blocks and ten offices.
Inaugurating the projects located at the main campus of the college on Friday, the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba commended the management of the institution for the judicious use of resources as exemplified in the timely completion of the projects.
Jedy-Agba who said that aside giving face-lift to the institution, the projects will enhance teaching and learning amongst staff and students, urged the institution to maintain the projects appropriately to inspire government to do more.
The Minister said that the feat was a testament to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to improve infrastructural development in tertiary institutions in the country.
According to him, “the President is very happy with these projects that’s why he sent me to personally come down to commission and hand them over to the college. As I go go back, I’ll report to the President that the funds have been properly utilized, and I’ll also pass the message that the school needs more investment in its internal roads. For power, I’ve heard the request”.
While delivering his goodwill message, Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade commended TETFUND for the projects as well as all the interventions done in the states owned institutions.
Ayade who was represented by the State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Godwin Amanke said that “the framers of the TETFUND laws should be commended because they have brought so much development to public tertiary institutions in the country. We commend TETFUND for these projects and all the ones executed in our state owned institutions. We encourage them to continue to do more “.
Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arch. Sonny Echono on his part said that the projects were executed through the 2015/2018 merged normal intervention funds.
Echono who was represented in the occasion by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of intervention agency, Arch. Babajide Olajide added that TETFUND have many other projects lined up for commissioning in about twelve different locations across the country.
He said that “in the seven to eight years of the President Buhari’s administration, we’ve witnessed a lot of developments in the tertiary education subsector which have been made possible not just through statutory funding but intervention agencies like TETFUND. These iconic projects were completed this year and we’re delighted that the funds provided were properly utilized. We’re happy and hope that the institution will benefit more “.
Earlier, provost of the college, Dr. Richard Ugbaha while delivering his welcome address said that “I want to categorically state that the best thing to happen to tertiary education in Nigeria is the establishment of TETFUND. This bold step has helped to provide institutions with basic infrastructure and educational needs that are required for effective teaching and learning, and our college has benefitted immensely “.
Ugbaha who commended the President and other key stakeholders for the projects executed in the main and satellite campuses of the college, however, appealed to the federal government to also look into providing the institution with Solar Power farm, hostel accommodation, furnishing of the 2012/2013 Theatre Arts auditorium as well as fencing of the Bebi campus.
Over the weekend, after commissioning two complexes in the Federal College of Education, Obudu on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, embarked on a confirmation tour to some locations where he facilitated electricity projects in Cross River North.
The Minister had facilitated the installation of six (6) 500kva distribution transformers to his Senatorial district; three in Obanliku, two in Obudu and one in Ogoja local government. A single 500kva transformer can connect more than 103 homes.
Those in Obanliku are located in Bayaga,
Busi Road and Busan fong while the ones for Obudu have been installed in Ukwutia and Ngbenege. The one for Ogoja is in Muniaya, just by the Hospital in Ogoli.
Part of the project also involves replacement of electricity poles and cables. Already, the first phase of the the project which is installation of the transformers in the six locations and replacement of poles and cables in some parts of Ukwutia is at advanced stage of completion.
The second phase which is commencing soon will also see to the installation of distribution transformers and replacement of cables and poles in some parts of Bekwarra, some LGAs in central and South Senatorial districts including Obubra, Etung, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, etc.
In her determination to place the University of Calabar in the global map and also promote quality university education with students performance as her top priority, the Vice Chancellor. Prof. Florence Banku Obi, took time off to visit the DePaul University, Chicago, to finalise the collaboration discussion which was started with the visit of Prof Margaret workman and Umoh Isidore in July this year to Unical.
During the visit, the VC held a meeting with Prof. GianMario Besana, the Associate Provost for Global Engagement and Online Education, with Workman, Isidore in attendance.
The timetable for the collaboration was worked out to start in January 2023 due to ASUU strike.
Benefits of the Global Learning Experience Programme to UNICAL are as follows:
1. Results from the entire exercise will be converted into publications which the University of Calabar will benefit.
2. Students of the University of Calabar who will participate in the Programme will be issued certificates by DePaul University, Chicago, USA.
3. The Students will also have the opportunity of interacting with students of DePaul University, Chicago where there can share their experiences about learning in Nigeria and learning in Chicago; this will give them global exposure.
The Vc also visited the Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, to seek more collaborations.
At the Northeastern university, the VC met with Prof. Cris E. Toffolo, the Interim Director, International Programs and Prof. Job Ngwe, who is the Chair of Social Work Programs of the University.
Discussion was centered on partnership and building collaboration on the Social Work Programmes of both universities.
The proactive VC was in Chicago for a one week Executive Leadership Development Programme for Vice-Chancellors and Principal Officers of Nigeria Universities organised by the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria in conjunction with the University of Chicago.
With the dynamism of the Vice-Chancellor, the students and faculty of the University of Calabar will get more International exposure once universities reopen for academic work.
The convoy of 26 SUVs and light trucks entered the ancient sub – urban Ogoja mid – morning on Saturday, September 3rd and the entourage went into the Catholic cathedral for the Christian marriage rights of a relation of the eponymous John George, the strong hand behind RECLAIM CROSS RIVER. The reception ceremony held at the St.Thomas’s College auditorium was electrified by the entrance of Senators Sandy Onor and Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, as the guests rose to their feet and sang the Caterpillar campaign songs to the melodious accompaniment of the disc jockey’s Amapiano instrumentation. Home boy, Sonny Neji was also on hand to sing his chart busting tunes and take what he called “memorable photographs” with the two Senators.
Next was the recreational club in Igoli where decampees from Bekwarra, Yala and Ogoja local government areas were waiting to be received into the soothing protectiveness of the umbrella. The decampees from Yala were led by Honourable Dan Ugbama (PhD). Ugbama said “at 26, I abandoned college and decided to address the problems of my people. Ukelle remains the same almost 40 years after that. For eight years of this government nothing has been done for my people, only failed promises. I decided to take this decision to join the group that appears to me better prepared to help my people. I apologise to all the people we have failed, especially the people of Ukelle extraction.’
Ochelebe Michael Oko, who was the
Chapter Auditor of APC in Yala said he came back to help the PDP win elections because he has discovered that the APC was neither a serious party nor a faithful one. Other decampees from Bekwarra included Patrick Aleje Adoga, Ogar Achi, Ogodo Emmanuel Ogodo, Ogar Michael Ogbeche, Gladys Oko, Grace Ekawu, Patrick Lifu, Odey Margaret and several others. While Prof. Onumashi Ushe, Ekunke Godwin Oshe, Lifu Joseph, Ushie Juliet, Simon Odama, Mary Idiege,
Cletus Ogar, Anthony Ushie amongst others came from Bekwarra. Speaking for Bekwarra decampees, Mr Okochi said that “Bekwarra LGA is overwhelmed by the achievements of Senator Jarigbe. He has spread boreholes all over the 10 wards of Bekwarra. Just like last month he gave us light all over and we are now a small London”.
Receiving the decampees Senator Jarigbe Agom said that ” together we are going to boot Ayade and the APC out. Our problem has never been that we don’t have Egusi soup and garri to eat. What our people need is functional health facilities, decent educational institutions, good roads, electricity and potable water, which the APC have not been able to provide.”
Senator Sandy Onor on his part recalled that “From the age of 27 I started hearing about the plight of Ukelle, I am 56 and it is still the same. We have a Governor from the North yet the story of Ukelle remains the same. Ukelle is like my area. I once described my area as located on the negative side of geography. Jarigbe is a senator extraordinary who God has sent to come and wipe away the tears of the people of the North. Between October and December APC shall become an empty shell because we shall continue to harvest all men of good conscience and of truth from the captivity of that party.”
In Begiaba village of Obudu local government area it was a bazaar of sorts, a cultural jamboree put together by the irrepressible State Chairman of the PDP, Barrister Venatius Ikem to celebrate the new yam festival with his kit and kin, and with his friends from far and near. Amidst the cultural extravaganza of dance troupes, several dozens of brooms were set ablaze, perhaps in propitiation to the Almighty for the misadventure of having mistakenly joined the APC. Barrister Anglibi Ogar, a former zonal officer of the APC who spoke for the over 700 decampees said simply that they were leaving that party because “we are tired of lies”.
In Utugwang, Prince k. J Agba broke the ancient cellars to present some of the most vintage wines and Scottish blends. The palmwine was simply a work of art and the PDP spirit came aloft as most worthy sons of Cross River State plotted to take back our dear state from the incorrigible ravens and bring sanity back to the people. Scores of decampees had already been accepted into the PDP before the Senators arrived.
Ada Bekwarra the second, Signor Omang Idiege gave the senators a sumptuous buffet dinner in Gakem, while kind and manly words were spoken with bowed heads as they ate and drank to the spirit and health of the cross river.
When the motorcade slithed into Alok in the early hours of Sunday, over a hundred PDP faithfuls were still awake and waiting at the sprawling homestead of Rt. Honourable Chris Agibe. His dear wife, Meg, an entertainer by birth and inclination, was able to make the dinner warm again which was enthusiastically eaten as early breakfast. Great words were said on the night and in the end it was underlined that the loincloth was only wet, but not burnt. Nothing therefore was lost in the end. The battle cry it seemed as the goodbyes were said was ” Ahoy, compatriots, let us go hither together and win the state for the party and for the people.
Nothing illustrates the warped sense of history and the complete obliteration of our collective values as the apparent conspiracy of silence amongst the people who ordinarily should speak out against the many ill-fated administrative malfeasance of the infamous Knight from Kakum. To me, it does appear that a lot of persons are either becoming comfortable with the awkward and agonizing situations we are currently facing as a state or that we are ignorant of the fact that this house has fallen – the state that was handed over to the Knight from Kakum is now a shadow of itself. For whatever reason, this knight from kakum is gradually turning our once radiant state into a nightmarish cesspool of mind-blowing absurdities. Like Senator Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party correctly observed recently, “Our State is gradually sliding into the valley of the shadow of death.”
Our dear State is currently on a life support. Our Civil Service Commission is in deep crisis. Our morals, values and culture as a state have been brazenly debased. Our Infrastructure and amenities are now moribund. Our streets and erstwhile beautiful roads are now occupied by repugnant putrefacient wastes and debris. Internally generated revenue from the State now goes into private pockets. Our forest reserves have been invaded and commercialized by rapacious state agents. The Knight from Kakum has turned himself into a merchant of poverty, trading the future of our youths for crumbs off his table.
Like Joseph Stalin, the Knight from Kakum has weaponized poverty and hunger against the people he swore to protect. Historians tell us that during the last days of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin in a bid to make an unforgettable impression before some of his henchmen, called for a live chicken. Forcefully clutching the chicken in one hand, he used the other to systematically pluck out its feathers. As the chicken struggled in vain to escape, he continued with the painful denuding until the bird was completely stripped of its feathers. Dramatically, Stalin placed the chicken on the floor and walked away with some bread crumbs in his hand. Incredibly, the fear-crazed chicken rather than run away for its life, hobbled towards him and clung to the legs of his trousers. Stalin threw a handful of grain to the bird, and it began to follow him around the room. He then turned to his dumbfounded henchmen and said calmly, “This is the way to rule the people. That chicken followed me for food, even though I had caused it such torture. People are like that chicken. If you inflict inordinate pain on them, they will follow you for food the rest of their lives.”
Using the Stalin Model, the Knight from Kakum has taken away everything that we once held dear as a people and has stripped us of our dignity, while throwing crumbs at us in the name of what he calls “food on the table” appointments. In silence, we watch our state being raped and our values debased by a cartel of narcissistic megalomaniacs and kleptomaniacs. No one is willing to speak out and should one dare, a poisoned chalice would be dangled at him/her in the name of state appointment, which has conscience killer in our clime. While this Knight from Kakum and his merchants of Poverty have broken our ancient walls and turned our once productive youths into intellectually debased slaves, I am more worried about the future than the now. What becomes of our young people after the inglorious tenure of the Knight from Kakum? When there’s no more free food on the table, how mentally prepared are the young people to fend for themselves? I honestly fear for the future. I envisage a future where the young people would rather eat crumbs off the tables of politicians than doing honest work. Unfortunately, we would all be here to witness the aftermath of the many atrocious acts committed against the state and its people by the flimsy Knight from kakum and his merchants of Poverty.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
This House Has Fallen.
Our State Has Fallen And We Must Collectively Reclaim Our State.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Umezulike Desmond-Cruz and does not represent TheLumineNews or its staff.
There was a bountiful harvest for the Peoples Democratic Party at the
weekend as the party’s Governorship candidate, Senator Sandy Onor was received at ten different venues across the Central and Northern senatorial zones as part of the sensitization of the people on the need to make wise and informed choices in 2023 and the celebration of the new yam festival in various communities.
In Ugep Elder Omini Ikpi Ewa who who led scores of disappointed APC members to join the PDP at the Ikpakapit village square advised the mammoth crowd that “when you see people chasing away a witch do not accommodate her. PDP chased Ben Ayade away but APC mistakenly accommodated him, and now APC has been thrown asunder.”
Obol Goddy Eta who was a senatorial aspirant in the Central zone told the crowd that “Sandy has stood up for us and shown us love. We will vote for him and anyone who doesn’t want to vote for him will not come out that day. We know how to do it “.
There were frequent chants of “APC since then how far” by the women in the crowd as Senator Sandy Onor officially received the over 500 decampees.
Senator Sandy Onor in his remarks told the crowd that ” when APC came to the Central the other day a few of our brothers were grandstanding, they went back to lick their vomit, forgetting that the Internet does not sleep. They are leaders without integrity because they lost a ticket, because they were baptised in Government House, they are now singing a different tune. Ayade left the senate after four years and became governor. That is how we will leave the senate after four years and become Governor”.
“So those who told lies the other day actually have no shame. CRS is in a crisis. Instead of talking about the civil service that is now dead, revenue generation into private pockets, you are deceiving the people. I don’t like politicians who do not remember. Who have no character and integrity, I take the people’s mandate seriously. I love Ugep, seventy – four polling units! I am in love with Ugep, because Ugep is in love with me.”
Continuing, Senator Onor said ” we will run a government of justice, not a government of nepotism. All those who have something to offer throughout the state will be part of our government. We will not lie. Our state has suffered too much. I love being in Ugep. Dr Otu Abam Ubi told the story of the origin of Ugep people from Ejagham. I speak here with the audacity of an indigene of Ugep. Something new and something beautiful is coming your way. While they are saying Back to South we are saying Back to Cross River State”.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Chapter Chairman of the party, Obol Enang Omini, Hon David Bassey, Mr Overcomer, Barrister Obeten Mkpang, Elder Ikpi Mbang Eyuk, Mr James Uket, George Stephen Ewa, Elder Tony Ebri Eteng, Dr Otu Abam Ubi and Professor Okoi Oliver Effiem, (who also defected to the PDP).
Members of the Ugep Rainbow Coalition also received the Governorship candidate at the residence of Sir Ikpi Eni Plato
in Convent Area, also in Ugep, where polling coordinators were inaugurated.
The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial district and governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Prof Sandy Onor on Friday, 2nd of September 2022 gave financial support to 140 Students of the Senatorial district in tertiary institutions.
The support became necessary to ease the financial pressure on students as some of them are at home due to ASUU strike.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the NACRISS WW Secretary General, Miss Winifred Ntaji, thanked the senator for the gesture.
She maintained that “the gesture is rare and and would not have come at a better time than now”. She prayed for God’s blessings and upliftment of Sen Sandy even as he seek to serve the state in the position of Governor.
The Central Senatorial Students Association Chief, Rowland Takon also appreciated the Senator.
Mr Taking stated that “this financial assistance will improve the welfare of Central students meet their academic demands.
Recall that in 2020/2021, the Senator undertook the building of classrooms, providing ICT materials, school desks and writing materials all geared towards the enhancement of our educational system being an academician. He has continued to demonstrate interest in Education and his commitment to the Welfare of Students in his constituency.
Caterpillar Movement Media
