The Lumine News

Tag: Ben Ayade

  • CRSPHCDA Takes Quality Health Care Delivery To The Steps Of Cross Riverians

    BY Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has devised an alternative means of meeting the health needs of Cross Riverians.

    The recent development had staff of the agency (Primary Healthcare Centre Ikot Efanga) organized  a medical outreach at Efanga Etim Settlement in Calabar municipality through the directives of the Director General,Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who  urged  staff to take healthcare services close to the door steps of every residents.

    The head of the team and Officer in Charge of the Primary Healthcare Facility, Ikot Efanga, Mrs Christy Iwara said the team having recognized the huge contributions made by the governor, senator Professor Ben Ayade for all Cross Riverians to get access to quality and effective healthcare and the visionary leadership style of the DG, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, decided to engage in weekly outreaches to various settlements around them.

    Mrs Iwara insisted that with various challenges faced by people in accessing healthcare, the health facility with a mandate by the DG, has identified various settlements within Efanga Etim which  is the first to benefit from the gesture.

    “I must commend the governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for his huge contributions towards improving the health sector in our dear state and also our Pragmatic Director General, Dr Janet Ekpenyong whose visionary leadership has led us into this community outreach, she had mandated that everyone within our facility get un compromised access to healthcare by engaging in community outreaches and taking medical Care to the door steps of those who need our services the most”.

    The outreach had over 200 people who benefited from various services including Blood pressure check, sugar level, malaria /typhoid testing, counselling, sensitization and education on the covid19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

    The team also distributed drugs, facemasks and hand sanitizers to members of the community.

    One of the beneficiary, Mr Efanga Effiong Okon thanked the governor, Senator Ben Ayade, the DG, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Mrs Christy Iwara and other members of the team for the gesture as he said it has come to renew hope among members of the community and pleaded that the benevolence gesture be sustained.t

  • Ayade suspends state agency for violating tax exemption law

    Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has suspended the activities of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) for violating the State’s tax exemption law.

    A statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita yesterday said ” in spite of Governor Ayade’s directives as well as the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law, agents of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) were still engaged in the sale of tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators in the state”.

    He said in view of this, “His Excellency has ordered the immediate suspension of the activities of the agency in the state.

    “In addition, His Excellency has directed security agents to arrest anybody found selling tickets or collecting any form of tax from those exempted from paying tax in the state”.

    Ita said, henceforth, the governor ” will not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the tax exemption law which has been in place for over three years now .

    “On no account will any criminal and mischievous attempt to undermine and short circuit the noble effort of the governor, be allowed”.

    CTRA popularly known as” 100 Marian” because of its location is the most dreaded government agencies by taxi, okada (motorcycle) and tricycle operators because of its notorious violent mode of implementing sales of daily tickets to them.

    With this announcement, it was jubilation galore in Calabar by the operators saying “God will bless Ayade, now we know he is very serious with the law to protects” .

    Recall that two years ago the governor had exempted the poor and low income earners from paying tax and tax exemption law put in place but this directive was ignored and last week Ayade again re-emphasised on the ban to ensure full compliance.

  • Eid-El-Fitr Celebrations: Ayade Urges Muslims to Embrace Peace, Love and Unity

    Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has urged peace, love and unity among Nigerians as Muslims celebrate Eid-El- Fitr which marks the end of the thirty days Ramadan Fast.

    The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Mr Christian Ita said Nigerians must use the period for a sober reflection on the state of things in the country.

    While congratulating the Muslims Ummah for completing one of the Five Pillars of Islam, he urged them to remember that moderation is important in everything one does.

    He said the poor and less privileged people in society must be catered, a principle which informed his decision to exempt low income earners from taxation, including the petty traders in Bogobiri Muslim Community.

    He told the faithful that the month of Ramadan is intended to teach all Ummah how to live good and compassionate lives which must continue even after the Ramadan fast.

    “Ramadan is a month of sacrifice, abstinence and above all, love and care for humanity. I encourage you all to be your brother’s keeper. Look out for your neighbour in the firm belief that he too will look out for you and most importantly always use your face masks while going out to contain the Spread of Covid-19 disease.

    “As you celebrate Eid-el-fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast, I urge everyone, regardless of your religious beliefs, to continue to keep the peace and to live in unity with one another in Nigeria and particularly in Cross River State” he said.

  • Amanke Calls On The Management And Staff Of CRUTECH To Desist From Infighting To Ease The Appointment Of A Substantive VC

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr. Goodwin Amanke has called on the management and staff of the Cross River University of Technology CRUTECH, to desist from infighting among themselves to ease the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the institution.

    Amanke made the call when the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Austin Angba led other management staff on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner in his office in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    His words “let me use this opportunity to call on the management, staff and student’s unions within the institution to desist from infighting to enable the institution get a substantive Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor in Acting capacity is limited to certain things, as such CRUTECT cannot continue to have Acting Vice Chancellors.

    “I want to commend the foresight of the Governor who I referred to as a man who knows tomorrow for appointing Prof. Austin Angba, Acting Vice Chancellor.

    “With Prof. Angba, I expect so much from CRUTECH community, I know he has the capacity to do it, but he needs the cooperation of all of us, ranging from the Bursar, Registrar and Directors of all Units and departments”

    Earlier, the Acting Vice chancellor, Prof. Austin Angba thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the institution.

    Angba pledge his commitment to the development of the institution through collaborative measures to ensure quality educational system in line with global best practices, which will involve innovative models.

    He mentioned insecurity and salary deficit as some of the major challenges confronting the institution. On insecurity, he noted that insecurity was minimal since students were not on campus. He explained that salary deficit was occasioned by non payment of school charges by students which amount to about 80 million.

    Recall that since the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Anthony Owan-Enor as Vice Chancellor, in April 2019, Prof. Austin Angba is the third person to be appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of the state owned university, CRUTECH.

    A development which has received serous back lash from the public. With the consul from the commissioner and if taken seriously, then there will be some form of relief for the institution as a substantive Vice Chancellor will sure be appointed.

    Critics continue to argue that prolonged and continuous appointment of Acting Vice Chancellors, development in the institution will be at a snail space, considering that six months is too short for any body to plan a budget or execute any serious project.

    Findings have reveal that CRUTECH is one of the state owned university with a salary structure with line with federal salary structure.

    On the entourage for the courtesy call were; Mr. Ekpe Ibom Ekpe – Bursar, Prof. William Nkamo – Librarian, Mr. Alaga E. Alaga – Auditor, Barr. Uno I. Ogban.

  • Three Years Is Enough To Create Impact And Reengineer Governance To Meet The Yearnings And Aspirations Of The People – Imbua

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A seasoned academician, technocrat and administrator per excellent, Associate Prof. Dave Imbua of the department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar, has stated that three years is enough time to create impact and reengineer governance to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    Imbua who took to his Facebook wall @Dave Mbua to express his opinion being the only avenue available for him to contribute to the development of the state in response to the emotions that led to Gov Ben Ayade sharing tears while he inaugurated the Anti-Tax Agency on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 at the Exco Chambers of the Governor’s office, Calabar.

    “We now return from emotions to reason and truth. A man who channels the commonwealth of a people into a jamboree of ago massaging projects at the expense of amenities that address the pressing needs of the overwhelming masses will definitely cry at each point that conscience suppresses sycophancy.

    “Now that we are all on the same page as it concerns our gains and losses in the last five years, it is important to re-engineer governance to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    “Three years is enough time to create impact. But if the think tank and advisers insist that the path taken is not only the best but also irreversible, then three years is a very short time. I wish the current rehearsals for the post-2023 wailings can be nipped in the bud”

  • Ayade, The Cry Cry Baby In Peregrino House

    By Agba Jalingo – Lagos

    Yesterday, my governor, Senator Ben Ayade cried AGAIN while launching the anti-taxation agency in Calabar. The agency is meant to ensure low income earners do not pay taxes in Cross River state. His tears actually touched a soft chord in the minds of many people across the country and several of them have circulated the video back to me. One person who is not even in Cross River state said, their earlier scheduled meeting started with the video where governor Ayade was crying and most people in the meeting also started crying along with the governor whom they concluded is a lover of the poor and this is very impressive.

    But if tears were a true measure of our pain, even Hitler’s drops would be preserved in the alabaster bottle. That is the irony and the double edged nature of that readily available liquid. Once emotions are evoked, in no direction essentially, tears can start flowing and oftentimes, the person whose tears flow down the cheeks, doesn’t even know why they flow until composure is regained.

    So tears are not necessarily an expression of concern, rather, tears can fittingly be described as the defecation of pent up emotions which could also be spontaneous. Tears could also be a pontilitous attempt at hood winking the unsuspecting public into collective amnesia, particularly for politicians.

    The later is where I will categorize the incessant tears of our governor, Senator Ben Ayade and I will tell you why.

    Apart from the poorly substantiated tales of his crying for the poor before his coming into politics, yesterday was the fourth time governor Ayade will be crying in public. But guess what, each time he cried, nothing followed!

    Before you get hoodwinked by yesterday’s tears, let me take you down memory lane.

    17 January 2017, Governor Ayade announced the abolition of all forms of taxation for low-income earners in Cross River state. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant Media, Mr. Christian Ita, in a press statement said those affected by the tax exemption are people earning below N50, 000 monthly, taxi, tricycle, wheel barrows, and motor cycle operators as well as petty traders and hoteliers.

    He said Governor Ben Ayade, who gave the order after signing the 2017 appropriation bill of N707 billion, had reiterated the need to provide some economic reliefs to low income earners in the state with regards to taxes.

    Ayade, after signing the budget had warned that: “I am sounding the last warning that henceforth I don’t want to hear anyone who earns less than N50, 000 a month being taxed in any form in the state….In the same vein, I don’t want to see a hotel that is struggling to survive with challenges of diesels being chased by government officials over taxes. I have warned anybody, who is still collecting money from these people to stop forthwith…I have seen poverty in my personal life and I know what that small N2, 000 means to them.

    “It is clear to emphasise here that at this point, no nation, no state and no administrative authority can tax her people to prosperity…God has given us an elevated platform of authority to use our intellects and support them and not to suppress them. Why would government put a burden on people earning less than a N1, 000 a day with wife and children, shopping in the same market with the rich, who earn over N300, 000 monthly? I would rather tax my intellect to prosperity than taxing my people because we have sufficient education, exposure and experience, which we need to bring to bear for the prosperity of our people, which is why they elected us.”

    That was in 2017. YES 2017!!!. Very characteristic of Ayade. He cried after that. Three years after, more than 70 percent of businesses operating in Calabar have left because of multiple taxation.

    Yesterday, he repeated almost the same words he spewed in 2017 verbatim and cried again and the gullible are already crying along with him.

    That is not all!

    In August 2016, Governor Ayade visited Bakassi and cried after seeing the conditions that some returnees lived in. He made an instant donation of N3million. He was accompanied by a representative of the Mayor of Dortmund, Fuss Friedrich whom he said will build free houses for the returnees. He had introduced the man who followed him as the Mayor but it turned out he was “lying.”

    Again in March 2017, during the courtesy visit of the National Commissioner of the National Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajia Sadiya Farouk in the government house, Governor Ayade cried over the status of the Bakassi returnees. He wept and vowed to do everything he can to resettle the people of Bakassi and called on government not to neglect them. I don’t know whether the people of Bakassi have been resettled after that crying.

    April 10, 2018, Governor Ayade also broke down in tears at the conference room of the government house when he asked his aide on Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta to pray while signing the NGN1.3 trillion budget of Kinetic Crystallization into law. He cried also because he said the budget was going to de-couple the State from federal allocation and lift the poor out of poverty.

    But shortly after that, CrossRiverWatch news editor, Jonathan Ugbal and three others were arrested for allegedly photographing two commissioners including the immediate past Attorney General of the State, that were sleeping during that exercise. Till date, even the hard copy of the budget is not available to the public not to talk of the promises inside.

    My ten kobo advise to my governor is that the poor can never be freed from poverty by exempting them from taking responsibility. Taxation is not a burden. It is a civic duty for the collective good of the society. Taxes should be reduced, rebates given and made convenient for even the poorest of the citizens to pay with intermittent holidays. Taxes should not be a burden but they should also not be taken away. They are our right and civic duty. Taxes are Biblical. Taxes are a way of ensuring that every citizen of age and ability takes responsibility for the collective upkeep of the society and also ensure government is accountable. Every government that wants to abolish taxes is tilting towards a lack of accountability.

    In a state where the total monthly IGR is less than N1billion and federal allocation is one of the lowest amidst crashing oil prices, abolition of taxes is not magnanimity. It is naivety. Don’t come here and tell me about those thrash called I-Money and G-Money and OPM.

    Finally, I agree wholely that crying is not a sign of weakness. We all cry. I cry too. Even our Lord Jesus cried. But what the governor needed to do yesterday was not another round of crying or a regurgitation of same things he has been saying since 2017 as if he was saying something new, he rather needs to ensure that his aides take him more seriously and respect his orders and commands and directives. If they had done that, poor people would have long had some respite from the tax masters over 3 years ago and our cry cry baby in Peregrino House would have rested his face towel, at least…

    Yours sincerely
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #1103DaysToGo
    #CryCryGovernor
    #StopCryingDoTheWork
    #HoldLeadersAccountable

     

    NB. The Opinions Expressed Are Of Agba Jalingo In His Personal Capacity And Does Not Representing THE LUMINE NEWS.

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  • C’River State Government Launches ICT To Curb Fake News

    By Solomon Asha – Calabar

    In an attempt to curb the prevalence of fake news and misleading press releases in the state, the Cross River State Government, through the office of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT/New Media Mr. Nate Otaba has launched an application/solution for verification of official State Press Releases.

    Introducing the CRSGVERIFY application,  Otaba noted that “fact-checking and warnings of misinformation are increasingly prevalent in modern news media and political communications. While many warnings about fake news are valid and enable people to reject misleading information over the years, attempts to creating a solution to curb the deception has yielded little ”

    Speaking further, Otaba disclosed that, “in his bid to provide a one stop solution to eradicate fake news in the State, His Excellency, Sen. Ben Ayade instituted a framework which led to the development of the CRSGVERIFY app.

    “As the name implies, the CRSGVERIFY app enables the public to verify news update or press releases. It is also aimed at curbing the spread of fake news in the State.

    “The CRSGVERIFY app is embedded in all social media platforms namely facebook, telegram etc. Users are advised to search for CRSGVERIFY on facebook, telegram etc to access the online platform.”

    He lauded other members of the CRSGVERIFY team particularly Engr. Iwada Eja – SSA ICT and Mr. Ekema Onyam – sofware engineer for their contributions.

  • Egbara Hails Ayade For Inaugurating ACPM In Cross River State

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Mrs. Blessing Egbara, has commended the state Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for the inauguration of  the Cross River State  Advisory Council on Prerogative Of Mercy ACPM, at the Ministry of Justice, Calabar the Cross River State Capital.

    Egbara, who is also a member of the Council stated that “the inauguration of the body by the State Governor is a clear indication that Ayade is a great humanitarian who is committed to changing and touching the lives of his people at all levels”

    The Commisioner also disclosed that “the role of the Council is basically to look into the cases of those qualified to be granted mercy in our Correctional Centers and ensure that they get the mercy of His Excellency, who as a  father believes in giving people a second Chance, it is also a way of decongesting our correctional centers in the state”

    She used the occasion to assured His Excellency, the Governor that her ministry will do all it can to ensure the realization of his Vision towards a better deal for Cross Riverians and to positively touch many lives.

    The Council consist of Barrister Emmanuel Enamhe, as Chairman, Mr Elias Ayeshung Secretary; Very Rev. Fr. Malachy Ephraim  Dr Yosef Effiom, Compol Lawrence Eko Alobi. Rtd., Hon. Blessing Egbara, Mr Emmanuel Bekeh Udama and Adjah Enun Adjah, are to serve as Members.

    End.

  • Remembering Okang Peter And Governor Ayade’s Endless Tears

    By Anthony Bisong Attah

    On the 23rd of March, 2020, I got a call from Okan Peter to speak on CRBC TV. I declined the invitation because it was on a national issue I didn’t consider too interesting. We both laughed when I assured him that I was going to be available to discuss on critical issues affecting the State. Hitherto, I have been his guest on Sparkling FM and we’ve met at different occasions at FAD FM, Calabar.

    The news of his demise on the 31st of March, 2020 rented the State media space for a long time. This was due largely because of his visibility as a rising media guru. I knew Okan first on the 16th of September, 2017 when he covered the launching of my party, the Young Progressives Party YPP in the State at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar. He demonstrated unaccustomed passion and dedication to his job as he straddled the Pearl Ball hall with his camera to ensure every detail of the MISS YPP COMPETITION was properly captured.

    I’m not good at writing or even commenting on the dead because of the emotions it evokes especially to the family and their loved ones. However, each time I recall events before the demise of my friend, two things readily strikes my mind; one, he spent many years as a volunteer staff of CRBC and just when he was absorbed into the system as a full staff he became a victim of the 2500 Civil Servants who’s names were delisted from the State payroll since September last year. He was set to attend the screening interview that was postponed on the 24th of March before he died one week later. Secondly, he was still being owed by the State Government for the role he played during last year Carnival Festival themed ‘Humanity’.

    I was shock as I watched our Governor, His Excellency, Sir Benedict Ayade weeping profusely in the now viral video during the inauguration of the State Anti Tax Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms of reference given to the committee chaired by Bishop Emmah Isong are not new to Cross Riverians at all. We are already used to the empty rhetorics and the theatrical distraction of weeping by the Governor. Maybe he would have been a better ‘undertaker’ than an Executive Governor, knowing that weeping alone without action has never solved any problem. A Governor that cannot weep for owing Civil Servants a whopping nine months salary arrears and 5 months unpaid stipends and Honorarium to those who toiled day and night including personal Financial commitment to see to the success of the State sponsored Carnival should not weep at all. A Governor that withholds over five years gratuity of retired Civil Servants in the State should not think that shedding ‘Iguana tears’ is a safety valve to negotiate public sympathy and gain citizen’s confidence.

    We are tired of seeing our Governor admit his failures openly with tears as smokescreen to cover for his negligence and incompetence. We prefer to see our Governor braze up to the challenge of governance by minimising cost and deploying lean state resources to areas that directly affect the citizens.

    Like my late friend, Okan Peter, several other Cross Riverians have died without being paid for several months and others have gone without enjoying their Honorarium after several months of labouring to make the 2019 Carnival a success story. A lot of retirees have died and others consigned to inhuman conditions after giving 35 years of meritorious Service to the State. These are the things that should make a good Governor to weep.

    My friend Okan is gone already but he left a family behind. I pray the Governor pays his Honorarium to his family and get a member of his family to replace him in his place of employment or elsewhere. That’s the best way to immortalize a young man who died on an empty stomach while serving the State.

    Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah
    State Chairman (Chief Servant)
    Young Progressives Party, YPP, CRS

     

     

    NB. Opinions Expressed Here Are Strictly That Of Anthony And Does Not Represent The Lumine News.

  • Gov Ben Ayade Lifts Ban On Religious Worship

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has lifted the ban on religious worship in the state with effect from Sunday 24th May, 2020.

    In a release sighted by theluminenews and signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita indicates that all religious leaders must adhere to all the rules binding citizens during this period as the enforcement team will go round to check compliance.

    Recall that the Governor had through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita directed all religious worship be suspended in line with the measures to contain the ravaging pandemic, codenamed Covid 19.

    The release reads in parts “His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade KSJI, the Governor of Cross River State, is very grateful to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Christians of various denominations, and the entire Muslim community for their support and cooperation during the period of suspension of public worship in our state in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    “His Excellency acknowledges that the understanding and cooperation of religious leaders contributed immensely in keeping our State Coronavirus Free thus far.

    “However, conscious of the Spiritual Economy, and in response to appeals by religious leaders in our state, His Excellency has issued the following executive orders:

    “1. The order suspending public worship in the state, is hereby lifted with effect from Sunday May 24th. 2020.

    “2. Consequently, starting from Sunday, May 24, 2020, church services are permitted but should be limited to the sitting capacity of the Church. Same applies to the Mosques.

    “3. Use of nose mask is compulsory for all worshipers.

    “4. Churches and Mosques should provide buckets for hand washing, or sanitizers.

    “5. Churches and Mosques are advised to strickly keep to the above instructions. The enforcement team will still go around to check compliance”