The Lumine News

Tag: #Bassey Otu

  • Wife of Ayade’s Ex-Aide Seeks IGP’s Intervention Over Alleged Detention of Hubby By Gov Otu’s Security Adviser

    Culled From Paradise News

    Wife of ex- Special Adviser to the Cross River State governor on Cocoa Development and Control, Mrs. Joy Ofuka, has charged the Inspector- General of Police, IGP, Kayoede Egbetokun, to wade into what she described as unlawful arrest and detention of her husband, Dr. Oscar Ofuka, by Gov. Otu’s State Security Adviser (SSA) Rtd. Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono.

    Ofuka’s wife gave the charge while reacting to detention of her husband, by the State Security Adviser to governor Otu in Calabar on Wednesday.

    Speaking in a telephone conversation with our Correspondent, Ofuka ‘s wife disappointment over what she described as use of political power to intimidate and oppress former aide to Gov. Ayade, stressing that no political office is occupied forever but as all would fade a way with passage of time.

    In her words, Ofuka’s wife said, “I still do not understand the gang up against my husband despite the effort which he sank to ensure that money owed cocoa landlords communities for sixteen years were paid.

    “I see this detention as a strategy to distract the ongoing court process to intimidate my husband so that allottees whose monies were used by the state government to defray the debt burden that was hanging on the government’s neck would come after my husband.

    “Let me state categorically clear that there was no dime paid into my husband’s private pocket instead all the money used by the state government to settle the cocoa landlords communities passed through the state government account through the smart gov. platform as authorized by the court’s consent judgment.

    “This is why I am calling on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, PhD whom I am quite sure hates oppression, not to allow this evil perpetrated against my husband to continue.

    “Even though am not a lawyer, I know too well that once a matter is in court, no one is allowed to arrest someone, unfortunately, the reverse.

    “The harassment and intimidation by the State Security Adviser who is out to see my husband dead is unacceptable.

    “He cannot use his position to oppress my husband like that. What crime or treason did my commit, that you took him to Afi Army Barracks at Ikom local government area, whisked him to Akim Barracks and finally to Federal Housing police station and to Zone 6 Police Commands Calabar in less than 48 hours?

    “Is he a terrorist to be treated the way he was being mal-treated? These are questions that State Security Adviser needs to answer.

    “His kids and I are really traumatized. The entire family have been in serious pain since all these started.

    “We have not been able to sleep in the last three days. We are indeed so emotionally drained.

    “My husband has not siphon any money belonging to the state government, all the cash that accrued from lease of government cocoa farms were paid into Cross River State government’s account and not to his private pocket. So why the oppression and harassment?

    “Government they say is a continuum, what is the rational behind this arrest and detention?

    “Is it because they tried to evict the allottees that got farms through my husband and legitimately paid money into the coffers of the state government and at the same time and the plot by certain individuals to evict the allottees out from the farms failed following court injunction order?

    “I called on Cross Riverians, well-meaning Nigerians that my husband did no wrong, except for the fact that he was only an agent to the immediate past administration led by Prof. Ben Ayade.

    “To the best of my knowledge, money realized from lease of farms were money used by the immediate past administration to defray 16-years old debt that previous administrations owed the cocoa landlord communities as royalties for the land that the communities donated to state government to cultivate its cocoa estate.

    “First they interrupted the court processes, secondly they alleged that a worker who died in the estate was masterminded by Ofuka, the question how?

    “Why not allow the police to carry out a thorough and independent investigation? From what we gathered the deceased died in plot 59/64 which is a bid far away from the cocoa plot that concerned my husband.

    “Besides that, the master of the deceased can attest to the fact that my family do not have any problem with him, the cocoa plot which the master of the deceased work is not even in contention with my husband.

    “I urged the State Security Adviser whom I know has integrity not to hinder the ongoing investigation, but to allow the police to do their job by carrying out a thorough investigation without prejudice, rather than resorting to intimidate our family members.

    “What they are doing is a ploy to distract and scare off beneficiaries allottees that genuinely paid for farms so that they will be afraid to access the farms.

    “When a matter is in court, as law abiding citizen, we allow justice to take its course. It’s barbaric for anyone to begin to harass and intimidate one whom they are in court with.”

    However, the State Security Adviser, Rtd. Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono, who reacted to the allegations during a telephone call with our Correspondent, denied issuing any order for the arrest and detention of Ayade’s ex-aide Ofuka, stressing that the allegations were not true but lies.

    “I am not responsible for his arrest and detention,” he said.

  • Civil Societies, NGOs Fumes As Governor Otu Snubs Again In Recent Appointment Galore

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch 

    Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Cross River State, are fumed over Governor Bassey Otu’s continuous snub in his recent appointment galore.

    The CSOs voiced their dissatisfaction in a press statement signed and issued by Civil Society/NGO leader in the State, Leader Ben Usang, questioning why the governor failed to appoint at least a Special Adviser despite the State having the Department of Civil Society/NGOs, created during the administration of former Governor Imoke.

    Governor Otu on Monday, July 8, 2024, rolled out at least 212 appointees into his government, raising an eyebrow if he has towed the path of his predecessor Ben Ayade.

    Leader Ben who doubles as Development Facilitator, Human Dignity Advocate, Social Justice activist, and Public Affairs Commentator opines that it “obviously indicates no interest or priority by government” to engage effectively with Civil Society/ NGOs contrary to the requirements of many Development Partners that support the State in its budgetary provisions.

    He said his administration can better harness the needs, expectations, and opinions of ordinary citizens, CSOs, and NGOs for the success of his administration and an upward trajectory in the development of the State.

    The statement reads: “Just recently, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator(Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, made another set of appointments into key positions of the State Government. Obviously, the appointments were made to fill existing vacancies and perhaps to strengthen the machinery of Governance in the state.

    “While it remains my personal view that it has become very imperative for all strata of government in our nation to deliberately cut the cost of governance, at this point of economic challenges, through minimizing the number of political appointees and instead according priority to filling up vacancies in the civil/public service of the state, I will, however, differ to the Wisdom and love for the state the Governor is reputed to have by his decision to further expand the size of his government by this latest tranche of the appointment he just made. I now look forward to the appointments translating to a HIGHER QUALITY OF GOVERNANCE centered on the primary interest of the people of the State.

    “Having stated the above, I must highlight here that the Governor in this latest appointment once again failed to appoint a Special Adviser, Civil Society/NGOs, a development I presume could be simply an unintentional oversight on the part of the Governor or as a result of the Governor’s attention not being drawn to the existence of a Department for Civil Society/NGOs in the state.

    “The Department of Civil Society/NGOs was created during the Administration of Former Governor Imoke. It has since had several Special Advisers, beginning with Mrs. Margaret Ebokpo, a seasoned NGO practitioner with a background in Women’s Rights and Political participation.

    “From the onset, the Department of Civil Society/NGOs became a critical agency of Government in coordinating the activities of Civil Society/NGOs in the State especially as it has to do with engagements with government and in Multistakeholder forums organized by the Government and other partners of Government including international development partners seeking to consult Non-State Actors or to fund their activities in the State. The department was also vital in registering Civil Society Organisations and Self Help Groups, facilitating capacity building for them amongst other vital services to the third sector. In that period, discussions and the way forward started on having a One Stop registration for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state, taxation as pertains to CSOs, Civil Society Commission, increasing women’s political participation, electoral reforms, and many other policy issues that were of interest to many of the CSOs working or operating in the state.

    “Under Former Governor Ayade, the Department’s activities and relevance were sustained. The then-governor appointed A Special Adviser for the Department as his predecessor did and even went ahead to appoint Special Assistants to work with the Advisers. Among the many achievements of the department at this time included the Joint organizing and holding of the International NGO Day with some Civil Society Organisations and the participation of representatives of CSOs in major State functions, donor engagements, and public policy development through the department’s facilitation.

    “Despite the foregoing, more than one year after, the current administration led by Prince Bassey Edet Otu, there is no appointment of a Political Head for the Department which obviously indicates no interest or priority by government to engage effectively with Civil Society/ NGOs contrary to the requirements of many Development Partners that support the State in its budgetary provisions. The scenario has led to a huge void creating room for a lack of policy and program coordination of the Voluntary Sector at government level using a sustainable framework that leads to positive outcomes.

    “At this point, it is instructive to state that though some actors in the Civil Society of the State, including yours truly, have now adopted a recommendation for the Establishment of a Legislation backed Commission for Civil Society/NGOs, which will transform the department to a Commission and thereby headed by a Commission Chairman assisted by Commission members, we however still believe that there is need, for now, for a Special Adviser to be appointed for the Department as it currently exists subject to when a Commission will come to replace the Department upon assent by the Governor of the enabling legislation. To actualize our goal for a commission, the Special Adviser will be critical in functioning as a liaison between CSOs and Government so we arrive at provisions in the legislation that is acceptable to all stakeholders within a meaningful and realistic timeframe.

    “It is imperative to note that during the just concluded South South Regional Conference on Improving Regulatory Environment for CSO operations in Nigeria held on the 27th of June, 2024 in Calabar, calls were made by Civil Society actors to have an Executive legislative mechanism for the State that will improve the regulatory and developmental environment for CSO operations at the state level in line with constitutional provisions and precedence that exist in other states in the country especially Benue State that has a law for the Voluntary Sector activities which was upheld as valid in a Court of Appeal Judgement.

    “On this note, I am calling on the State Governor who is pro-people in his mantra to immediately appoint a Special Adviser for Civil Society/NGOs so his administration can better harness the needs, expectations and opinions of ordinary citizens and Civil Society Organisations including Non Governmental Organisations( NGOs) for the success of the administration and an upward trajectory in the development of the State and which gives the State a positive image among international development community.”

  • Special Adviser, Local Content To Gov Otu, Organizes Essay Competition For Secondary Schools

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The Special Adviser on Local Content to Gov Bassey Otu, Mr Awatt Caleb, has released a schedule for a state wide essay competition for senior secondary schools across the state.

    In a release signed by the Special Adviser, Mr Awatt Caleb, and made available to TheLumineNews, Southern Senatorial District is scheduled to hold on the 29th of June, 2024, while central and northern senatorial districts will hold a later date to be announced.

    The release further indicates that “Star Price, second runner up and third runner up will be presented to deserving students”.

    Participants were assured by the release that “winners will be officially awarded at the grand finale and published in our journal of footprint”.

    Mr Awatt in the release further stated that the essay competition will also lead to the award of scholarship to deserving students to promote advocacy for local content and reward hard work and excellence amongst students. “Award of scholarship to senior secondary school students to depen local content advocacy, promote academic excellence and reward hard work among students”.

    Mr Awatt on a telephone call with TheLumineNews, revealed that this is the fifth edition of the essay competition in honor of Sen Prince Bassey Otu.

    He disclosed that the competition has been on while  Sen Otu was in the Senate.

  • Akpanke Congratulates Tinubu, OTu On One Year Anniversary In Office

    CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT TINUBU AND GOVERNOR OTU ON THEIR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

    I wish to extend my warm congratulations to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State on their one year anniversary in office.

    Their dedication to the growth and development of Nigeria and Cross River State is evident in the numerous projects and initiatives they have undertaken. I commend them for their remarkable achievements and urge them to continue their good work.

    Governor Otu’s developmental strides have yielded significant improvements in infrastructure, security, tourism, sports, education, agriculture, and oil and gas, ushering in a new era of transformation in Cross River State. I am confident that his administration will continue to deliver more dividends of democracy to our people.

    President Tinubu’s efforts to revamp the nation’s economy, improve security, and promote unity among Nigerians are commendable. I urge him to continue his good work and do even more for our nation in the coming years.

    As a representative of the people, I am confident that their leadership will continue to yield positive results and bring prosperity to our people.

    Congratulations once again to President Tinubu and Governor Otu on their one year anniversary!

    Signed:

    Awade Friday
    SSA Media and Publicity to Hon. Peter Akpanke
    Member representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwerra federal constituency

  • One Year In Office: Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Lauds Governor Otu

     

    Your Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s one year in office is a confirmation of King Solomon’s biblical assertion that the people rejoice when the righteous are in authority. Indeed, the good people of Cross River State have immense reasons to rejoice and celebrate today, 29th May, 2024, as you mark your one year in office as the People’s Governor.

    I, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and entire staff of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation wholeheartedly join your teaming supporters and admirers to heartily congratulate you on your monumental accomplishments in your determined efforts to repositioning our dear State.

    In your resolute endeavours to promote human welfare, you created the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in August 2023, where the humanitarian hub resides with, in order to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of the local, state, national and international humanitarian interventions in the state, ensure strategic disaster mitigation, and to have social protection systems that are proactive, humane, and sustainable for improvement and the general welfare of the people of Cross River State.

    Your extraordinary performance in rebuilding our State is quite commendable, and indeed, we are in the Season of Sweetness.

    Congratulations, Your Excellency, and Happy ONE Year Celebration!

    Helen Isamoh Egodo, Ph.D.
    Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
    Cross River State.

  • Obono-Obla Congratulates Sen Otu On His One Year Anniversary As Governor

    I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, on his first anniversary in office as Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria.

    On 29th May 2023, Senator Otu took the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance as the 7th democratically elected Governor of Cross River State.

    I greatly rejoice with you on this solemn occasion of your first anniversary at governorship, which is an affirmation of the unity and oneness of our people in overwhelmingly voting for you as Governor in an election that saw your winning clearly in 15 Local Government Areas out of 18, and also scoring the mandatory 25 percent of the total votes cast in the three other Local Government Areas.

    Even with the massive devaluation of the national currency and withdrawal of fuel subsidies that brought unprecedented hardship, you have methodically and calmly restored some semblance of order to our dear State.

    You are also laying a great foundation for the State, and I fervently believe that the next three years under your leadership, the State shall witness great economic growth and development.

    Happy first year anniversary, once again to His Excellency! And to the People of Cross River State!!!
    Obol Okoi Obono-Obla

  • Cross River TOPREC Laud Governor Otu for Creating More Satellite Towns

     

    The Cross River State Representative of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria, TOPREC, TPL. Dr. Simon Ajom has lauded the recent declaration by the state Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for the creation of more Satellite Towns in the state.

    Dr. Ajom made this known during an interactive session with Journalists on Thursday 9th May, 2024 in Calabar, the state capital.

    According to him, the idea aligns with the Governor’s ‘People’s First’ mantra of his Administration and if fully implemented, it’ll serve as growth poles centers that will help in expanding the state Government’s effort in the provision of basic infrastructural facilities as they relates to roads, power supply, housing, schools, telecommunication, etc which are already overstretched as a result of increase in human population.

    Emphasizing the needs and importance of satellite towns, Ajom said the action and activities will promote effective utilization of different land-uses as well as guarantee environmental quality, comfort, security and safety of lives and properties in the state.

    He also expressed the readiness of professional Town Planners in the state to partner with the State Government to achieve the desired goal in the areas of site selection and layout design, infrastructural and facility planning, Urban designs and renewal, regional and rural development planning, sector planning, master planning and development control amongst others.

    Dr. Ajom is also a fellow and one time Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP and a former Director of Physical Planning Unit, University of Calabar. He is currently the Head of Department, Urban and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in the University of Calabar.

    ©️Onigah Joseph Egidi

  • Gov Otu Directs Payment Of All State And Local Government Workers, Pensioners

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Governor Otu Directs Payment Of All State And Local Government Workers, Pensioners

    1. Governor Bassey Otu directs that all unpaid salaries and pensions should be paid immediately, while those with issues should be verified and cleared for the implementation of February salaries.

    2. The Governor sincerely sympathises with all employees and pensioners for the delay due to ongoing staff and pension audit and verification exercise.

    3. However, to ensure the seamless payment of February salaries and pensions, the Governor directs all those with duplicate names and accounts, which have been made public, to report at the Office of the Head of Service for authentication.

    4. Names of the affected staff have also been sent to the respective MDAs for that purpose.

    5. The Governor is desirous to save sufficient funds from the audit and verification exercise in order to commence the IMMEDIATE employment of the teeming unemployed Cross Riverians into the State and Local Government Service.

    Emmanuel Ogbeche
    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
    21/2/24

  • Gov Otu Attends Nigerian Navy Handing Over Ceremony

     

    Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu on Monday, attended the farewell and handing over ceremony in honour of Rear Admiral O. K. Oluwagbire of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, congratulated the newly posted Flag Commanding Officer (FOC) Rear Admiral S.A Akinwande and expressed gratitude to the outgone Flag Commanding Officer, ENC, for his tremendous role in combating crime within the state and his unwavering service to the Nigerian Navy.

    The Deputy Governor was accompanied to the ceremony by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, Esq, and Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George O’ben-Etchi.

  • Watch Video Where Cross River Civil Servants Protests Non Payment Of Salary

    Some of civil servants are seen in a viral video, at the office of the Secretary to the State Government protesting non payment of January 2024 salary.