The Lumine News

Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Issues In The Cross River State PDP Crisis – By Barr. Vena Ikem.

    By Admin

    Beyond the entertainment and the street value of the glib talk surrounding the much vaunted talk of the crisis that has engulfed the PDP chapter in Cross River State are real existential threats to the survival of the party in the state and indeed the shaping of the direction of the Politics of the state moving forward. As an active figure in the crisis, it has been difficult for me to comment much on it and so my writing on this platform as in many others has rested for a while out of understandable prudence. Everywhere I have engaged with friends and supporters I am constantly asked why I have stopped writing. The truth is that I have not stopped writing in my head. Translating what I write in my head to paper (?) Keyboard (?) Or clipboard hasn’t been that easy for me Mostly because the truth hurts and I hate to write anything but the truth.

    This morning I have decided to overcome my caution and try to put in clear perspective few of the issues that to my mind reflect my understanding of the issues of the crisis. They probably boil down to just one issue:

    Governor Ayade’s obsessive desire to CONTROL ALL THE LEVERS of POWER in the state!

    For most us who are active Politicians does this not sound strange to us?

    I believe that most of us have directly or indirectly heard the Gov’s boast that he became a Governor without structures. Or better put without structures of his own. We are also aware that the Gov throughout his first four years in office didn’t bother to establish what politicians loosely call “structures” in that same sense. The question that arises is thus: why is the Governor who rose to office without structures suddenly fighting a do or die battle for party structures? Why so when he is no longer going to be contesting a State wide Election that he is suddenly obsessed with establishing structures at the point of his departure? Why the change of strategy?

    Those who argue that the Gov is entitled to do as others, say so out of blissful ignorance and I would not join issues with them. I will allow them to enjoy their blissful euphoria. I remain concerned with the substance of the WHY!

    Clearly, the National Assembly members and the rest of the not-yet-conquered-by-the-food-on-table politicians feel threatened rightfully because the Ayade Government is not remarkable for keeping information from leaking. Indeed there is no secret in the Govt at all because “secrets” leak even before they have been completely formulated. The reason for this is obvious to me. The Governor’s boastfulness is the major reason. So in this case when he started boasting that he will retire every older politician in the state and prop up his own generation of leadership, he didn’t expect that others would be willing to be retired at his convenience. His determination to retire others met with a stiff resistance because nobody would take such a threat lying low.

    But more fundamental is their concern for the FUTURE of our state! If the state of affairs under Gov Ayade are allowed to continue under his chosen and handpicked successor there will no longer be Cross River State because the little that is left will be shared between the two families.

    Furthermore, the reality that statecraft has deteriorated to an all time low is evident. The absolute control by the Ayade family of the resources of the state to the total exclusion of all other stakeholders, leading to unprecedented hardship and poverty has made the struggle to become a popular street rebellion fueling it’s popularity to fever pitch.

    The truth remains that an estimated above 90% of the population of the state support the resistance to the Governor. Prayers are said daily. Priests and pastors pray for it’s success, including his appointed prayer advisers. Traditionalists pour libations day and night. Indeed it is unfair to suggest that some of his family members are not in support of the resistance because many are. I can say this authoritatively being in the center of it all.

    Consequently, Cross River State is occupying the unenviable number one spot of states in Political crisis, due simply to this unnecessary exercise in control. A deft politician would have nipped this in the bud long ago when the Congress became imminent with a simple on the table Negotiation. But no! Some not so young Turks from Yala, have decided that what they want is what is Ayade’s wish! Is it not curious that both actors for the two positions being contested that is tearing the Party apart and giving the Gov sleepless months are both from Yala?

    Prudence would demand that as APC is finally putting their act together, the Gov would take a second look to realize that the challenge at hand might lead to a situation that will render all that he has achieved so far in politics nugatory. If the Senate of CRS Northern Senatorial District is lost to the opposition under his watch as sitting Gov, after losing the Federal seat in Yakuur/ Abi federal constituency, he would be finished as a politician. It would clearly show that what has been said is true that it took only his predecessor to prop him in office and without him and the National Assembly members his Politics is zero.

    He should consider seriously the consequences of leaving office with his Senatorial district in the hands of the opposition, and possibly losing the state to the opposition, given the not so tidy state of affairs he knows he will be leaving behind in the state.

    In saying this I am not unmindful of the fact that he is in some ceremonial talks with the opposition. As things stand, if he loses the Senate seat in the north, the value of his so called negotiation will be reduced to mockery! Yes, the opposition will still be talking and encouraging him but they will treat him like you treat the enemy you just conquered in a war. Negotiating surrender after a war is not the same as negotiating peace before the war, a fate Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu of blessed memory, tactically left to his deputy, General Effiong when he saw clearly that he had lost the Nigerian Civil war.

    My penny advise: this is the time to show leadership. The more the crisis lasts the more sympathy the Gov is losing and the nearer the terminal point of his regime. Be wise!

    Falling into the temptation to allow himself to be dragged down has been largely successful because the Gov took the bait of wrong advise and went into a battle he did not understand, did not prepare for because he underestimated the opposition and underestimated even more the level of disaffection within the administration which will continue to lead to sabotage and distrust within the palace! It’s downright dangerous!

    Questions to ponder would include:

    *What possibly could the state executive do against a sitting Gov?
    * In all this fight what contribution has having the present state Exco added?
    *The resources deployed to this fight are they justified?
    * Those collecting all the money so far spent have they given value for the money or is it just a bazaar to collect.

    * Has the fight been worthwhile or has it become an ego massage?

    *Are you counting the reputation cost of the fight? Being demystified close to leaving office is it healthy?

    I leave pundits to ponder on my penny thoughts. Remember leadership is not easy. It gets tested through a furnace once in a while. For Ayade this is the ultimate test of his leadership and so far he has not come to the table yet and time is running out.

    Vena Ikem.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are strictly that of Vena Ikem and does not represent TheLumineNews.

  • Bankpor-Irruan, Boki Nation Praise Ayade As He Hands Over An Ultramodern Market

    By Admin

    The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Professor Benedict Ayade, has further reasserted his unyielding determination to make life meaningful for the people through the provision of basic amenities to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    Ayade who reiterated his stance while handing over an ultramodern market comprises of lockup stores, open stalls with boreholes and VIP toilets constructed by the Border communities Development commission {BORDERCOMM} in Bankpor-Irruan, Boki Local Government Area, disclosed that it is the policy direction of his administration that essential amenities and development should get to all communities, no matter how remote.

    Speaking while representing the governor at the occasion as he handed over the project to Chairman of Boki LGA, Hon. Pastor John Ewa who received the project on behalf of the Boki nation, the Director General of BORDERCOMM, Mr. Noel Ugbong, applauded the Governor for his incredible efforts targeted towards rural transformation and to make life meaningful for the citizenry.

    He charged the benefitting community and the neighboring communities that will make use of the market for their buying and selling transactions to maintain and keep the market clean and take proper care of the facilities such as the borehole and VIP toilets that have been provided for their comfort and convenient.

    The governor representative, and DG of BORDERCOMM, Noel Ugbong stated that the Senator Professor Benedict Ayade led administration in Cross River state is a peoples oriented government that has stamped a great mark of achievement and improvement on the overall wellbeing of the people through taking development to the communities including the state border communities which Bankpor-Irruan is one of the many beneficiaries.

    Speaking while receiving the projext on behalf of the Bankpor-Irruan community and thw entire Boki Nation, Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. (Pastor) John Ewa thank the Governor of Cross River State and the Border Communities Development Agency for siting the project in Boki.

    Hon. Pastor Ewa disclosed that the Bankpor-Irruan market is the first modern market in the whole of Boki land and promised that the Council shall put the facility to use in a way and manner to bring about economic prosperity not just to Bankpor-Irruan, Irruan people but the entire Boki Nation.

    The Chairman later led the DG and his team to another community where land has been donated for the Construction of a 6 classroom block with offices and VIP Toilets.

    The DG Of BORDERCOMM, Mr. Noel Ugbong hinted that the proposed project shall be constructed by his Agency, and assured that the contract shall be awarded soon, haven gotten a site.

    The Traditional Rulers and people of Irruan Nation showered praises on the Governor and the Border Communities Development Agency for the timely intervention and attention given to them and explained that the new 6 classroom block with all the modern convenient facilities will be a huge relief for the existing Primary School which has only one block with an overflowing population.

     

  • Ayade Hands Over A Skills Acquisition Centre To Chairman Of Obudu Local Government Council

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Sir Ben Ayade has handed over a Skills Acquisition Centre to the Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Boniface Ewhe Eraye.

    The handing over of the facility took place at Obudu main town, Obudu Urban 1 ward where the centre is located.

    The Governor was represented by the Director General, BORDERCOM, Mr. Noel Ugbong, while cutting the tape to commission the centre, charged the Chairman of Council to put the facility which is comprised of Training Halls and Offices to maximum use for the benefit and betterment of the good people of Obudu Local Government Area.

    The DG pledged BORDERCOM’s willingness to partner with Council in expanding the facility to house more vocations.

    The project was facilitated by BORDERCOM and constructed by Border Communities Development Agency.

    Receiving the facility, the Chairman of Council, Hon. Boniface Ewhe Eraye commended Governor Ben Ayade for handing over the project to Obudu Local Government Council and commended Border Communities Development Agency for the lofty initiative.

    The proactive Chairman of council used the opportunity to appeal to the Obudu Urban Traditional Rulers to consider the provision of additional land for expansion of the Skills Acquisition Centre as he is keen on setting up a Fabrication Academy, like we have in Calabar.

    Speaking on behalf of the Obudu Urban Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Utsu Augustine Ikashi praised the Governor for his remarkable stewardship in the State.

    Utsu Ikashi said the people of Obudu Urban 1 are very happy over the siting of the Skills Acquisition Centre in Obudu Urban 1, and hope that it shall take idle youths off vices.

    Utsu Ikashi equally thank the Governor for appointing a vibrant and proactive Obudu son as Director General of BODERCOM.

    He pledged the support of the Traditional Rulers Council and assured Government of the readiness of the Traditional Rulers in donating land for expansion of the Centre.

  • August 22 Is The _Chapter Two_ Of My Soon-To-Be-Released Book, The Pen In Jail – Agba Jalingo.

    By Admin

    Today is August 22, 2020, exactly one year since I was abducted from my home to begin a treason trial I am still standing. I mark the anniversary by bringing you the chapter that recreates the drama that happened on that fateful day.

    **********************
    Bright days are often a rarity during the raining season in Lagos particularly now that we are contending with the unpredictabilities of climate change. So anytime you have one, you want to make the best of it. 22nd August 2019 was one of those bright days that arrived with a lot of energy. Having just returned from one of my frequent journeys, it was very reasonable for me to spend that whole August Day with *Okemena*. But it was not to be. A day that started out with bowls of energy and decibels of excitement, was abruptly punctuated by four plain clothes detectives barging into our house to forcefully take me away.

    A siege had been laid on Okemena’s business outlet since the morning of August 22. Her staff were held hostage by the same plain clothes men. For over 4 hours, they were under guard and panicking. They were not allowed to make calls. The detectives were anticipating the arrival of Okemena or I. When they waited and none of us were forthcoming, they took Seyi, one of the staff, under gun point and threats to bring them home where we were. On arriving at the gate of our house, a familiar face was with them so they gained access easily into the compound, through the staircase up to the last door to our living room. I rushed to the door claded only in underpants.

    Who is at the door, I inquired…

    As I peeped through the pigeonhole, I spotted Seyi sweating and panicking profusely. Still talking to her through the pigeon hole, I asked her what the matter was that she was under so much pressure and panic. She broke down in tears and was shouting, “Oga I don’t know oooo, oga I don’t know oooo.

    ***********************
    Immediately I opened the door to let her in, two men sprinted from under the staircase and pushed their way through, forcing themselves into our living room shouting, “we are policemen, you are under arrest.” I asked them what I was under arrest for and their first answer was that, I will know when I get to their station. They initially said they were from Abuja. They created quite a drama that lasted up to 15 minutes. Two other plain clothes men were outside mounting surveillance for the others who had entered the building.

    ***********************
    I called out loudly to Okemena who was in the bedroom telling her we have policemen in the house. She rushed out and joined me and was in obvious shock and panic. She asked them who they were, where they came from and if they brought a warrant of arrest and they told her they had no business with her. That they came for me. I was only claded in an underpants without a singlet and I requested to go get a pair of clothes to wear from the room but the stern detectives will not let me do any of that. I requested that Okemena brings a pair for me and they obliged. She then brought a pair of my blue native dress which I wore in their presence and they advised that I should “carry money” because I may need it. I asked why they thought so and one then informed me that they were taking me to Calabar. I think that actually slipped out of his mouth but it gave me a hint of what I was in for. Meanwhile, Okemena had gone back into the room to also change her dress because she insisted on following us to wherever they were taking me.

    ***********************
    She took a little while and before she came out, the detectives had already marched me downstairs into a waiting gold color highlander. Several AK47 rifles were under the vehicle seats and a driver was already seated. They were very impatient. They all entered and drove away with me leaving Okemena behind. She came out of the gate shouting and racing after the vehicle on the street. Eventually, they stopped and created a tight space were she squeezed herself in.

    ***********************
    They drove off into the hectic traffic along Lagos Ibadan Expressway veering into Ojota to Maryland into Bank Anthony way and turned into Isaac John and Joel Ogunaike street in Ikeja GRA. They turned again into a close off Joel Ogunaike and drove for less than 50 meters and a policeman opened a big black gate for the vehicle to drive in.

    *************************
    From outside, while driving into the compound, the presence of a handful of armed mobile policemen at the gate and the police colors which adorn the fence of the compound gives you an idea already that it’s a police facility. Inside the compound, as we drove in and came out of the vehicle, I am guarded through a bunch of abandoned vehicles to somewhere in the back and ushered into a make shift office. Okemena kept following and watching every move closely. While we were guarded to the back, I heard one of the policemen yelling at Okemena from behind us that she had taken a picture with her phone and must delete it. Okemena insisted she didn’t take any picture. The angry policeman kept emphasizing that visitors to the facility are usually not allowed to enter with their phones but Okemena’s own only got in because she was allowed to drive in with us in their vehicle and didn’t go through the regular gate checks. He forced Okemena to open her phone after a protracted altercation, and two of them checked through the pictures in her phone to see if she actually snapped and found none. Her phone was seized until late evening when she was leaving the station before it was returned to her.

    **********************
    While sitting in the make shift container office, one of the detectives who told me his name is Shaka, asked his colleague to get me a statement form so I could write a statement. I wondered what I was going to write in the statement when I have not been told why I am under arrest. I was then informed that the office we were was the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team IGP IRT. That there was a complaint about me from the governor of Cross River state. They asked me if I had any issues with my governor, I told them we have been having a very frosty relationship lately and the policeman handed me a paper and pen to write what exactly has been going on between me and the governor as my statement. I did capture the much I could in the statement while the detective was watching me closely. I remember refusing some of the things he wanted me to write but he wasn’t forceful. After writing my statement, he informed me that I will need to wait to see their “oga” in another office who will sign my detention order, after which I will be detained pending my transfer to Calabar very early the following morning.

    *********************
    Okemena had gone outside the premises to contact our staff, lawyers and journalists. She also quickly moved to get some snacks from a fast food outlet around for me to munch and a pair of slippers, toothbrush and paste. All formalities were completed. She escorted me to the gate of the dingy cell along with an armed man. As I approached the cell gate, stripped and bare footed, the crowd in the police facility who had also come because of their relations locked in there, kept staring at us and wondering if I was the same Agba Jalingo they see on TV and what was going on. I hesitated briefly and had a short conversation with Okemena about what initial steps she should take as I was been taken away. I told her I may be away for long and we encouraged ourselves that the anxious moments, like others, will surely pass, I gave her my wedding ring so other inmates in the cell wouldn’t dispossess me of it and collected the slippers and toothbrush, we hugged and she stood there with tears laden eyes, watching as I was marched into the cell that night.

    ********************
    The night of 22 August, was indeed very long. A night when the gods forfeited their iron teeth of chastisement. A night when racing thoughts threatened the carapace of my mind. The policeman that took me into the cell was in all honesty not hostile. As the first gate opened, there is a hall way and two cells by the left, about 40 by 20 feet in size. The first one is designated for females and was very scanty. The second which is for males is congested. There were 82 inmates in the cell and I was the 83rd and the last for the night. The policeman took me to the gate of the second cell and called the cell marshall out.

    Marshall!

    Sir!

    I don bring you alejo o!

    Ok sir!

    But this one na your brother. So make you treat am well. Make nobody touch am o. E no be kidnapper. Na only one night e get for here. Early mor-mor, we dey move am go una town. Na your brother from Calabar o! Ask am if e dey chop dog meat! I think the policeman wanted to be humorous to put a smile on my face as he was pushing me into the dungeon.

    *******************
    He hands me the N500 I also collected from Okemena to settle the cell officials and opens the gate for me to be pushed inside. He locks the gate and turn back leaving me to my fate.

    Good evening ceeell!

    Good evening alejooo!

    I greet all the cell leaders and members!

    You are welcome!

    The Marshall abruptly wakes inmates laying around him ordering them to shift and create a space for me on the mat next to him. I was actually lucky because that is luxury in the cell, I was told. I handed Marshall the N500 begging him that, if I am able to see anyone before our departure for Calabar in the morning, I will be able to give him more money. He was satisfied.

    ********************
    It was a very sober night of intense memory. As usual, I had to tell the cell what brought me. The “cell cup” was scrubbed on the floor to grab everyone’s attention and Marshall informed them that the cell had a new entrant who is passing by and as culture demands, I had to tell them my story of what brought me to the cell. The “cell-cup” secured the rapt attention of cell members. I stood up and was pointed to a corner where I should stand. I introduced myself and briefly told them why I was arrested. I told them I had issues with my governor and I am needed in Calabar. I added that I was still confused until I get to Calabar then the whole picture will be clear to me. It wasn’t a long one and we all returned to our positions. But not long after that, the Marshall who told me he is from Ugep in Yakurr Local Government of Cross River state, tapped me.

    ********************
    Journalist, please I wan tell you wetin carry me come here.

    Ok Marshall.

    I no know how help fit take come but since you be journalist, if you go outside, you fit help. I don dey here over four months.

    Four month?

    So wetin happen Marshall?

    Na kidnapping carry me come here. We do the work for here, I come run comot for town, police trace me go Imo state go catch me come back.

    So why dey never carry you go court?

    Dey say make I pay N800,000 but I don see N400,000 pay. My people still dey find money and I still dey beg them.

    So if you pay that N400,000 balance now, dem go let you go house?

    Yes na!

    Ok Marshall, who be your IPO?

    E dey outside. I go call am for you for morning.

    Better. So that I go fit ask am somethings, then I go know wetin I fit do.

    *********************
    I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. Not even the snacks that Okemena bought for me. I could only drink water through out the night. Other inmates were readily available to eat the snacks. I kept rolling restlessly in the spot I was lucky to be alloted and in the darkness of the cell, I could still see the stacks of human beings cramped into a room that wouldn’t be habitable even for animals. In the midst of my anxiety, my greatest fear for the night befell me. I was pressed and needed to ease myself. That’s one fear I had nursed before being thrown in there. I had prior experience of how a toilet in a congested cell looks like and didn’t want to witness it. But I was so pressed till I couldn’t hold it any longer. I beckoned to Marshall to help me find my way and he was still in a good mood and was nice to me. Before then, I was not just worried about what I will meet in the tight far corner designated as toilet, I was even more worried about how I will cross the stack of human beings who were laying on the ground to get there without incurring some wrath.

    ********************
    Hey you!

    Marshall shouted at his assistant.

    The assistant jumps up.

    Help clear road make journalist go use lavatory.

    Tell am the law for there o.

    I accompanied the person assigned the task and he clears the road for me until I get to the toilet. There is no door. People are sleeping by the entrance almost rolling into the toilet. He instructs me to cross over the people that were sleeping by the entrance and enter. I obeyed the instruction. But on getting into the toilet, I couldn’t even wait for him to finish telling me the lavatory rules before I bolted back into the cell not minding anymore whether I will step on anyone. Whatever I went to do in the toilet also sympathized and cooperated with me and returned to my belly immediately and I had to go back to my position and endure the night. When Marshall asked me why I did not ease myself again, I told him I was no longer pressed. He smiled and told me he knows it’s because I find it difficult to use the toilet. He further informed me that tap water did not flow that day at all. So they were managing the water they had in the bucket for the night. So they allow 10 to 15 people to defecate per time before they flush. I think I was unlucky to arrive the toilet when the 14th person just left and I just couldn’t bear the stench and the sight.

    ***********************
    The morning came longer than expected. I was anxious for it. We had no time piece in the cell but someone had a device we used to check time. About 4:48am, the same policeman who brought me into the cell came for me.

    Agba Jalingoo!

    Yes sir!

    You don bath?

    No sir but I don ready…

    We dey go Calabar now o.

    I know sir.

    You no wan bath?

    I go bath after sir.

    For where you go bath?

    Anywhere…

    You don brush?

    Make I come brush for outside there na before we enter motor.

    Ok. Oya come make I open door for you. Carry your brush and toothpaste. Come take pure water for outside or use that tap for where Muslim dey pray there.

    I quickly picked the small polythene bag that contained my paste and brush and rushed to the cell door. He opened the door for me and we left together. I remembered to tell my cell mates, bye bye but we didn’t have time to conclude our unfinished discussions over the night.

    **********************
    Outside the cell, I took a plastic cup at the Muslim prayer point and collected water from the faucet on the wall and brushed my mouth. I wrapped the brush and paste back in the bag and told the policeman I was ready. He called his colleagues who were milling around and they all got into the vehicle. I was also handcuffed and thrown behind and we departed for Calabar shortly after 5am in the morning of 23rd August, 2019.

    *End!*
    *******************
    The story continues in Chapter 3 and other Chapters of my book, *THE PEN IN JAIL.*

    There is a lot of anticipation for the book, but we all have to wait a little more for the work to finish and come out fantastic and that will be very very soon!

    Watch out!!!

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed Here are strictly that of Agba Jalingo and does not represent TheLumineNews.

  • Re: Notice Of Disclaimer From The Commissioner For agriculture And Natural Resources And AADSCHEME Matters, Cross River State

     

    By Admin

    Our Ref:CRSG/MCS/Vol.2/005
    11th August, 2020.

    It was Emelia Brobbey who said and I quote: “To be great, you have to be willing to be mocked, hated, and misunderstood.”
    Since the day I choose a path in public service I perfectly understood the above aphorism and have since transcended above petty jibes, libel, malicious concoctions, satanic manipulations, falsehood, slander and sentiments of unreasonable proportions. It is expected and will and must come as the conflicts of
    interest plays.

    From my student union days as a unionists to my activism in the National Youth Council of Nigeria and political mobilization/awareness as founder and Director General of the largest online and
    offline sociopolitical organization in Cross River State, which is the Cross River State Political Network, CRISPON, for over a decade I have built a tough skin to cheap blackmail and concocted foolery. I am not
    deterred for I am with God and on the side of light and majority! Normally, I won’t respond to the above subject matter but since this touches on my integrity and personality and due to the enormous concern from friends, families that I have received thus far on the said subject via calls, texts, messages and after a conversation with my boss, the Governor I am constrained to make this release.
    Before I provide clarification as regards the above subject matter raised by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Okon, I wish to make this clear for all and sundry i.e the circumstance surrounding my
    involvement in the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, AADS in Cross River State and our progress and conclusion of the matter therein.

    Firstly, I am Prince Michael Nku Abuo, JP an aide of the Governor of Cross River State serving as the Director General of Migration Control Services of the government of Cross River State, Nigeria and I was mandated directly by my boss the Governor, His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade to participate in mobilizing support for the effective implementation and execution of the AADScheme in Cross River State.

    This I have been doing with updates sent to the Governor constantly. Let me also make it clear that the Governor has the right to mandate any responsibility of his government to whom so ever he wishes.

    On getting this mandate, the first person I made attempt to see and work with is and was the Commissioner For Agriculture, Mr Okon, I did this by sending SMS, WhatsApp messages and even visited his office and dropped a letter in this regard. I didn’t get any feedback and therefore commenced the execution of my mandate in line with the provided reviewed guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the said scheme.

    My activities has been transparent and in the open too. After consultation from my
    boss, I started by launching our Local Government Monitoring/Coordinating Team and the Project Management team of which the Commissioner of Agriculture was a member of. This information is in
    public domain.

    In furtherance to deepening the reach of the scheme and for grass root participation letters were sent to all the stakeholders across the 18 LGAs of the state to the political and civil class, house of assembly
    members, paramount rulers, clan heads, community youth leaders, chairmen and executives, legislative reps at the local government level for engagements at their council secretariat to create sensitization
    and get a buy into the scheme in the state.
    So far, aside our engagements with the Central Bank of Nigeria in Calabar and Abuja as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Presidential Task force we successfully held this town hall engagements with all the stakeholders outlined above in Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, Akamkpa, Abi and Obubra.
    The pictorial, visual/video and written evidence of attendance is in the public domain and anyone can confer with their local government stakeholders to affirm the above.

    In all of our engagement never a
    time did we call out or give CRISPON MPCS account number for people to make payments into, as a matter of fact we haven’t collected a dime from anyone on the Accelerated Agricultural Development
    Scheme as alleged in the write up by the Commissioner. The people in the above named local government areas where we have successfully carried out the sensitization are alive and can be
    contacted for firsthand information.

    I am a youth, coincidentally within the age bracket (18-35 years old) that this scheme is targeted at, I have royal blood and was properly raised to respect elders and even young people, I have never disrespected or malign the personality of the Commissioner and have expressed sincere and genuine desire for us to work together and in our last meeting which he finally accepted to, after he saw our progress.

    I made to work with him as team, for the good of our state and in positive light to the government of Sen Prof Ben Ayade.
    All this scuffle escalated when I discovered that an attendance list of a purported senatorial district town hall meeting from the Ministry of Agriculture, CRS was been sent to people’s home for people to write
    their names and those of their ally as a means of creating a facade that there was a meeting of that sort and it had massive attendance as against our grassroots strides recorded thus far with massive
    participation. This alert I am sure got to the Commissioner and he took it personal hence this maligning publication.

    It was with joy and sheer spirit that I received and read the publication from Mr Okon Nyong Owuna, the Commissioner for Agriculture disclaiming me as a member of the Project Monitoring Committee, a
    government appointee and defrauding people.

    Let me make this clear:
    1. By God’s grace I am an appointee of the Governor, His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade and a Director General of the Migration Control Services Agency. This is and can’t be contested by the said Commissioner. For further confirmation you can write to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, CRS.

    2. I had the mandate of the Governor, my boss to carry out my roles as it relates to AADScheme in the state and he is and was abreast of all of my activities and was adequately briefed.

    3. The allegation of asking people to pay into CRISPON account to be part of the AADScheme is false and totally geared at cheap and pungent blackmail. The LGAs visited and their stakeholders engaged are witness to this fact and can be contacted for authentication of my stance.

    4. I have never defrauded anyone before and will never do so whether with the CRISPON Cooperative or with AADS or in any guise. Nobody has paid or given one Naira to me or our team members as long as this scheme is concerned neither have we given CRISPON MPCS account as we tour on this scheme.

    5. Like seen from our yesterday, Monday, 10th August, 2020. I held AADS sensitization and awareness tour which held successfully at Obubra and Abi tour I am not wanted by the police, it is only the Nigerian Police or other security agents that hold the right to declare someone
    wanted and not an exalted Ministry of Agriculture, CRS and so far I have no such case.

    6. There’s a principle in law that’s states that he who alleges must prove. Let the commissioner provide the video, written documented evidence that I have collected monies from farmers or given CRISPON account for payment in as much as this scheme is concerned during my tours.

    7. It is true that I am part of the CRISPON MPCS LTD but merging my personal venture which provides several kinds of services and my official engagements is truly born out of mischief for
    even as Commissioner of Agriculture you have your personal ventures one of which was used for the Project Appeal engagements in Akamkpa.

    8. For emphasis I have never gotten a dime from any farmer or group of farmers for the AADScheme and this is true and clear.

    9. The AADScheme is completely different from the CBN AGSMEIS Entrepreneurial Development Training; which has a fee attached to its registration and training process directly from the CBN.
    I have never received any monies as regards the AADScheme whether by cash or through the said CRISPON MPCS LTD, Except for the CBN AGSMEIS EDI Facility which is purely justifiable.

    10. Why would he use an official letter head of government to engage in his private pursuit of ego massage, where is it heard and has it ever been done that a government appointee will malign
    another without verifiable fact and due process publicly? Is this not abuse of office?

    11. We have always mentioned that participation in the AADScheme is free in all of our engagements.

    Dear Cross Riverians and my fellow youths this is pure blackmail and witch-hunt. Before now, did we have this level of awareness of the AADScheme in Cross River State? Since 2018 it was launched it was lying fallow until I made this move for the good of all and how far have we faired in similar schemes thus far in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, why this interest all of a sudden when there are
    a thousand other opportunities to be explored in this sector? I have nothing personal to gain from this and I wouldn’t have arrogated powers to myself, my pursuit with speed and drive was born out of a sincere desire to empower our people in line with the Governor’s desire. Let us learn and look beyond the veil this is a fight of destinies and of good and evil, light and darkness. In the end light will prevail
    whether now or in the future.

    Due to our lack of push and interface Cross River State has lost out in many such opportunities because we do not have those to follow up for us and also do the right thing in schemes like this. It is because I wanted success knowing the gains of this scheme to our youths that I have had sleepless nights, made
    countless journeys within and outside the state, pursued and exchanged correspondence and mails with or without support. It is this laid back attitude and internal bickers/tussles that has made us losers in opportunities that will benefit our people.

    Let this be on record that it is this drive that made me facilitate the Targeted Credit Facility for our people across the 18 LGAs and saw me accessing over 250 Million Naira for indigenes and residents of our state. I have their records and details.
    I have communicated with my boss and principal His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River State the actions of the Commissioner and our progress recorded thus far and I await his actions and feedback. I have also sent the malicious, defamatory and derogatory publication to
    my lawyers for advice for possible legal actions against Mr Okon.

    Going forward, my team and I are therefore suspending activities for now as it has to do with the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, AADS in Cross River State until further directive from my
    boss the Governor and conflicting interest on the side of the Commissioner of Agriculture is sorted. I want to assure my friends, families and well-wishers that I am okay and will never do anything to drag
    my name, the elevated profile of the Abuo Achong dynasty into any form of disrepute.

    I also thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement.
    To members of our LGA Coordinators on this scheme thank you and keep the structures we have built right to the grassroots level across the 196 wards intact as I will continue to source for other
    opportunities beyond AADS to empower our people as of course this AADS and other opportunity will not pass us by anymore. Know that you were part of executing an intervention program in a manner that it has never been done before; we took it to the grassroots as against the compilation of a few. I want to thank His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River State for the confidence reposted on not just me but other youths he has given a voice to make a difference in our state. God bless Cross River State!

    PRINCE MICHAEL NKU ABUO, JP
    DIRECTOR GENERAL, MIGRATION CONTROL SERVICES AGENCY
    12/08/20

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

    By Admin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

    By Admin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    By Elijah Ugani

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    By Elijah Ugani

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

    By Admin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    info@eugene-ssapc.com.ng