The Lumine News

Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Magistrates Resumes Protest In Calabar Over 26 Months Unpaid Salaries

    Magistrates Resumes Protest In Calabar Over 26 Months Unpaid Salaries

    Culled From Punch

    Magistrates in Cross River State on Monday resumed their protest in Calabar over their 26 months unpaid salaries.

    The 29 magistrates gathered at the entrance of the Governor’s office carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Ayade stop oppressing Cross River Judiciary, pay us our salaries,’ ’29 esquires are in penury pay us our 26 months salaries,’ among others.

    The magistrates had taken to the streets and Governor’s office in January to protest when they were being owed 24 months.

    According to the leader of the group and a Chief Magistrate with the state judiciary, Solomon Abuo, they suspended the first protest in January to allow the government to pay them.

    Abuo said while they were waiting, the governor invited them to a meeting where a committee headed by the deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu, was constituted and given one week to look into the issues and submit a report so they could be payed.

    “That meeting took place on January 19, so we waited till the end of January and nothing happened. So, we went to the deputy governor and he told us that they couldn’t conclude their work within one week.

    “He told us that it won’t be possible for us to receive January salaries, that we will start receiving our salaries from February because by then they will be done with their report.

    “Even when Mr Olumide Akpata president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) came down to Calabar and had a meeting with the state government and proffered suggestions on how the issue could be resolved, nothing was done.

    “Recently we learnt that the committee had completed its work and sent its recommendations to the governor and the governor has still refused to act on it.

    “We have given the governor enough time and made some concessions which are four possible options on how to add us to the payroll system and pay us but nothing is being done.

    “If the government was sincere, it would have taken one of the options but the report was sent before February salaries were paid, now we are in March making it 26 months,” he said.

    He said they had had three meetings with the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Akon Ikpeme, and she said she was doing something about the issue and needed more time.

    No official of the state government had addressed the magistrates at the time of this report and they said they would continue the peaceful protest until they got paid.

  • Wike Did Not Abuse Ayade Or Cross River, He Raised Salient Issues That Demand Answers – Agba Jalingo

    Wike Did Not Abuse Ayade Or Cross River, He Raised Salient Issues That Demand Answers – Agba Jalingo

    Wike Stir Clear, Wike Stir Clear, Wike Stir Clear, From Where?

    Indeed, I will not allow my voice to be drowned by that sanctimonous claim that Wike in that his recent video reaction, is leading an assault on Cross River State and our governor. It is those who are urging other full grown adults not to express how they feel about Wike’s reaction to Governor Ayade’s earlier outburst that should actually be ashamed of themselves.

    When aides and Governor Ayade himself were throwing direct jabs and veiled diatribes at Wike on TV, were they actually expecting that the Rivers State governor will keep mute?

    You don’t call someone out for an open fight, the person accepts your challenge and calls you out also, then some self appointed defenders of Cross River state are on the prawl warning Wike to stir clear of Cross River as if our State is not part of Nigeria. Is there anything that legally preclude Wike from commenting on developments in Cross River? Did any law say that if you are a governor of another State, you cannot comment on the State of affairs in another?

    It is true that Wike is seeking to interfere in the politics of Cross River State but in the end, it is the people of Cross River that will determine their governor come 2023, not Wike. We have had governors in Cross River before Ayade and every succession was a tough battle for the incumbents with external interference, but in the end, it was always Cross Riverians that went to the polls to decide their leader. This time will also not be different. I think the Wike-phobia is exxaggerated.

    As for what Wike said, was he even wrong?

    He said, “I am not a 419 governor.” Implying that Ayade that he was referring to is a “419” governor. In Nigeria, 419 is obtaining something under false pretence.

    Has governor Ayade not been collecting lands up and down in the State under the false pretence of building this and that?

    Has he not made numerous promises and failed Cross Riverians?

    Has he not pretended to cry on TV and the things he cries about never change afterwards?

    Wike also said, he declosed Rivers state’s share of the money FG refunded to the State for the construction of federal roads in the State and wondered if Ayade did same. Is Wike lying? Has Ayade disclosed to Cross Riverians how much was refunded to Cross River State and what it has been used for or will be used for?

    Wike talked about Ayade selling our forest reserves as timber. Is that a lie? Our forest, the largest rain forest in West Africa, is ferociously depleted by criminal timber cartels who daily carry truck loads of illegal timber for sale with the active connivance of State government and security officials. The governor has appointed numerous SAs and PAs on Forestry, who have no other job specification than to depend on illegal logging for survival. Till today, we have no knowledge of what happened to the timber that was harvested from the portion of the Super Highway that was cleared before the project was abandoned.

    Wike also mentioned the scandalous budgets that our governor has signed in the past five years. No matter the professorial grammar you want to use, it was never going to be possible for a State that earns barely N50billion as allocation to meet an annual budget of over a trillion Naira. Those highfalutin figures were not only unrealistic, they were actually hallucinatory and the governor has abandoned that path himself. So what is the lie that Wike told?

    Those urging us to go up in arms against Wike for insulting our State, what exactly did he say that is a lie or are you just angry with the manner he said it?

    Since #TeamAyade had already dared Wike and vowed that they were ready for a fight, they should go right into the ring and respond to Wike, allegation for allegation and stop whining. Wike did not abuse or insult Ayade or Cross River, he raised salient issues that demand answers. That is what I want to hear. Not anyone telling me, an adult, how to react to what Wike said.

    In a State where most of the citizenry is cowed by fear and stomach infrastructure, where the political class have lost their voices to complicity in the rot, if Wike and Ayade’s unusual style of open peer review is the mechanism that will stir the nest in our State, so be it. Let the roforofo continue. Afterall, both are not radically different.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Operation Akpakwu: I Thumbs Up For Governor Ayade – Agba Jalingo

    Operation Akpakwu: I Thumbs Up For Governor Ayade – Agba Jalingo

     

    In December 2020, when Governor Ayade launched Operation Akpakwu, a special joint security team to combat rampant kidnapping in the State, it was a tall order. To enhance their operations, Ayade handed over 100 patrol vehicles fitted with communication gadgets, 10 power bikes and drones, to the operation.

    “You must deal decisively with any form of criminality, banditry, cultism and kidnapping of any form. Let this therefore be a message to every resident in Cross River; today is the end of criminality,” he said on the occasion.

    For months to the time the Governor was reading this riot act, CrossRiverWatch was reporting an average of 9 to 12 incidents of kidnapping every week in Calabar/Akpabuyo alone. But since January 2021, the frequency of such incidents have reduced to 1 in a month. Also worthy of note is the fact that these kidnappings are now restricted to riverine areas like Jebbs and Esuk Atu at the University of Calabar axis; unlike when these dare devil criminals came frequently into the heart of Calabar Municipality, in broad day light and pick their victims randomly, and escape with ease.

    The joint security operations have relatively cleared notorious criminal rendezvous in 8 miles, Uwanse, Asabanka in Akpabuyo, Essien Town and Bogobri. The remnants are also running out of town due to the heat from Operation Akpakwu.

    But there are still names that security sources say remain a real danger and must be caught before they can relax the security alert level in Calabar. The four names according to sources who spoke to Yours Sincerely include, Romance, Emmanuel AFANG, Bombo and Virus. The Police say they are currently on the trail of the four.

    Romance, according to a security source, is the leader of the gang that stormed a police post near Tinapa in February, killed four policemen on duty and escaped. Some suspects were later arrested while others are still fleeing.

    Information available also reveal that a Police Orderly to a serving Judge in the State was withdrawn and detained in the course of the investigation after he was fingered in the incident.

    I commend Governor Ayade hugely for this particular initiative. I think this was well thought out and the results are self evident. Kudos also to the field commanders and the public that has been cooperating with the security forces.

    There are however grey areas in the activities of Operation Akpakwu, which the Governor and various field commanders of the component forces on ground will have to address very quickly. Victims of the arbitrariness of some operatives of Operation Akpakwu are swelling by the day and that trend must be checked with alacrity.

    Almost every other day, there are verifiable accounts of brutality, highhandedness and illegalities perpetrated by men of Operation Akpakwu. Still fresh in our memory is the molestation of a 17 year old daughter of an aide to the Wife of the Governor of the State, at Bogobiri market, where the terrified teenager was harassed by a soldier attached to Operation Akpakwu and forced to sit on the ground, for not greeting them when she walked past. And only two days ago, soldiers attached to Operation Akpakwu, brutalized a Chief Magistrate and his doctor at about 11pm by UCTH Road Calabar. The duo were hospitalized.

    Public opinion also seem to agree with ending the curfew imposed in Calabar at the peak of the security challenges. Even if it is not ended, it should be extended from 10pm to midnight or further into the night. This will reduce the chances for security forces finding alibis to trample on citizens rights.

    There are also concerns that Operation Akpakwu operatives, are getting involved in civil disputes.

    These boundaries must be clearly defined and enforced strictly. But on the whole, Governor Ayade has done well with Operation Akpakwu. The security situation in Calabar has improved greatly. Kudos to him again.

    God bless Cross River state.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here ate strictly that of Agba Jalingo and does represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • AyadeCare: CRSHIA Activates More Enrollment Centres

    AyadeCare: CRSHIA Activates More Enrollment Centres

     

    By Kingsley Agim

    As enrollment into the State Health Insurance Scheme begins, the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency (CRSHIA) has activated more Enrollment Centres for ease of access to the exercise.

    A release by the Agency’s Director-General, Chief Godwin Iyala revealed that the State Ministry of Health Headquarters, General Hospital, Calabar, New Secretariat Complex – Calabar, Primary Health Centre – Mayne Avenue, Primary Health Centre – Ediba, Primary Health Centre – Akim, Primary Health Centre – Big Qua, Primary Health Centre – Diamond, Primary Health Centre – Edim Otop, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Ansa, Primary Health Centre – Kasuk, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Effanga, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Omin, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Ishie, and Bogobiri as the new Enrollment Centres.

    Chief Iyala further enjoined residents of the State to go out en masse to enrol in readiness to access health care services.

    The DG pledged the commitment of his Agency, in collaboration with the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency and other critical stakeholders will leave no stone unturned in actualizing Governor Ben Ayade’s avowed commitment to providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for all residents of the State, adding that with the emergence of AYADECARE, the much anticipated Universal Health Coverage has finally birthed in the State.

  • Ayade Chief Press Secretary Bars Media Aides From Speaking For The Governor

    Ayade Chief Press Secretary Bars Media Aides From Speaking For The Governor

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita has barred all Media Aides working in the Press to desist from speaking for the Governor.

    In a release sighted by The Lumine News, and signed by Mr. Christain Ita, he warned that on no account should an appointee in the Media unit posture, parade or pass himself/herself off as speaking for His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade.

    The release reads in full “I have observed with utter disappointment that some persons in the Media Unit have regrettably arrogated to themselves the role of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and have persistently been posturing as speaking for the governor.

    “The latest of such incident occurred yesterday when one of the appointees in the unit reportedly spoke on a delicate issue he had no authorization is a case in point.

    “While I am still battling to clear the mess occasioned by the brazen zealotry of the purported spokesperson, may I warn that on no account should an appointee in the Media unit posture, parade or pass himself/herself off as speaking for His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade.

    “As a reminder, the responsibility of speaking for His Excellency the Governor, remains the exclusive preserve of the Special Adviser on Media/Chief Press Secretary.

    “Moving forward, any further circumvention of this warning shall be greeted with the severity of penalty it deserves, including a redeployment from the unit.

    “For a coordinated flow of information and a strategic response to issues that border on the Governor’s image, ONLY the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity holds the gavel, unless as he so delegates.

    “Signed.

    “Christian Ita

    “Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor”

  • Ayade At 53: Hon. Bonny Ewhe Felicitates With Gov. Ayade, Hails His Leadership Impact.

    Ayade At 53: Hon. Bonny Ewhe Felicitates With Gov. Ayade, Hails His Leadership Impact.

    By Richard Abu

    The Executive Chairman of Obudu LGC, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe felicitates with His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State on the occasion of his 53rd birthday anniversary and hailed his leadership impact on the people especially the good people of Obudu LGA.

    The Chairman made this known to newsmen in his office today, March 2nd 2021.

    Mr. Ewhe said at 53, his excellency has achieved so much that generations unborn will remember him for good. He hailed his industrialization drive especially his blueprint to make Obudu LGA a tourism and Educational hub of the state.

    “Looking at what we have on ground here in Obudu you would agree with me that in the nearest future tourist will troop in here through the Cargo and passenger airport either for leisure in the Ranch Resort or for healthcare at the referral hospital”

    “The British-Canadian University is another big achievement of his excellency that will boost the economic fortunes of the State and our LGA as it promises to offer high ranking courses in the health, agricultural and engineering sectors including robotics starting from September 2021” Said the Chairman.

    He  seized the opportunity to call on Cross Riverians from all walks of life, home and abroad to support and key into his excellency’s agenda of making Cross River State the industrial and economic hub of the country.

  • Just In: Evang Margret Inde receives Governor Ben Ayade, As He Inspects Resort Project In Obanliku

    Just In: Evang Margret Inde receives Governor Ben Ayade, As He Inspects Resort Project In Obanliku

    By John Akpo

    The Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area, Evang. Mrs Margaret Inde today, February 26th, 2021 played host to  Sen. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, as he inspects ongoing Ultramodern International Resort projects in Amunga and Busanfong Communities in Obanliku.

    Addressing the host communities, the Governor assured both communities that the project will have direct benefit to the people in job creation and aesthetic development for the area.

    He debunked insinuations that the project was for personal gains.

    On her part, the Executive Chairman of Obanliku LGA, Evang Mrs. Inde, thanked and appreciated the Governor for bringing such projects to Obanliku, which she noted that the LGA has played host as a Tourism destination, housing the well known Ranch Resort.

    Speaking separately, community leaders and Chiefs of both communities appreciated Governor Ayade and encouraged him through prayers for speedy completion of the project.

    They said the indigenes were already in full gear to protect both men and equipments for the project and conclude that even the Resort will be a life-changing opportunity for them.

    Highpoints of the occasion featured traditional dances, goodwill messages and appreciation from the governor.

     

  • Wike, Ayade, Diri, Gbajabiamila, Others Condoles With Jarigbe As He Lays His Father To Rest

    Wike, Ayade, Diri, Gbajabiamila, Others Condoles With Jarigbe As He Lays His Father To Rest

    By Jari Media Team

    The governors of Rivers, Cross River and Bayelsa states condoled with the Member Representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Cross River North Senator Elect, Rt.Hon Jarigbe Agom as he laid his late father Pa. Leonard Agom Jarigbe (Ndah) to rest in his hometown.

    In his condolence message, Gov. Nyesom Wike stated that, Late Nda was a great administrator who worked tirelessly to stir the affairs of government at various levels maintaining an upright character.

    “As a civil servant, Pa Leonard was a tireless worker for the development of his State and progress of his people. Above all, we will also remember him as a genuine Christian and committed Catholic who dedicated his long life to the service of God and humanity”

    Pa Leonard’s passing away has left an irreplaceable void and loss not only in you and your family but also in the entire Ogoja community and Cross River State. We will miss him, but his priceless legacies will continue to keep him in our minds forever”

    Gov Ayade said ” Late Mr. Leonard Agom Jarigbe was a respectable gentleman, a fine administrator and a community leader. An acclaimed Civil Servant par excellence, he rendered dedicated and committed services to his fatherland and was a positive reference point to hard work, excellence and integrity… He was an acclaimed disciplinarian who brought up his children and others who passed through his tutelage with the proper academic and moral upbringing. He will indeed be missed by many.”

    Gov. Diri of Bayelsa, extolled the late patriarch saying “We recall the professional, spiritual and social achievements of your late
    father, as a devout Christian and accomplished administrator, Pa Jarigbe during his lifetime impacted positively on the lives of many and contributed to the development of his immediate community, Cross River State and
    indeed our Country Nigeria.”

    “His exemplary qualities are evident in the lives of his children and close associates, there is no doubt that his, immediate family, the ogoja community
    and indeed the nation has lost a great man. Although his demise is a painful
    one, we thank God for the life he lived and the ripe age he attained.”

    Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by Hon. Dennis Agbo in his condolence message, prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and the fortitude for the family to bear the loss.

    The burial rites of Late pa Leonard Agom Jarigbe, which was carried out on the 3rd and 4th of February 2021, had in attendance dignitaries from all works of life some of those in attendance include, HE Effiok Cobham, Sen Sandy Onor, Sen Michael Nnachi (Representative of Gov Wike), Rt.Hon Etta Mbora, Rt. Hon Daniel Asuquo (Representative of Gov Diri Duoye), Rt. Hon Essien Ayi, Hon Dennis Agbo, Prince Akwaji Offiono, Rt. Hon Regina Anyogo, Hon Matthew Ojugbo, Rt. Hon Peter Igbodor, Chief Igbaji Monkom, Alhaji Hassan, Alhaji Husseni, Hon Michael Usibe, Hon Rita Ayim, Barr Godwin Offiono, Prince Nwosu, John George, Mr Peter Akpanke, Barr Leonard Anyogo.

    Others were, Bishop Donatus Akpan (Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ogoja), Priests, religious and other clergymen, Justice Eneji, Barr Venatius Ikem, Associate Prof. Dave Imbua, DG, Catapillar Movement, Joe Obi Bisong, Chief Jude Ngaji, Hon Omaga Odo, Barr. Paul Ishabor, Eddy Achi amongst others.

    Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom in his tribute, extolled the virtues of his late father. He alluded that his father’s counsel helped nurtured himself and his siblings.

    One of such counsels was the one given to him as a younger man which goes, “My son, sacrifice pleasure, in order to have pleasure that will last”.

    Dance groups from various communities, entertainers and traditional groups from different parts of Nigeria were present to display and entertain the guest, including the famous Zule Zoo dancers from Benue State.

    Late Pa. Leonard Agom Jarigbe, before his death was a retired astute administrator and devoted Christian who brought all his children up in a Godly way. He died on January 17, 2021 at 90 years and he is survived by his wife Mrs. Dorathy Moku Jarigbe and 11 children. He was laid to rest on the 4th February, 2021 at Ibil, Ogoja LGA.

    In honor of Late Pa. Leonard Agom Jarigbe’s memory, about N50 Million was raised in support of the construction of a new Auditorium for St. Michael Catholic Church Ibil, Ogoja LGA, Cross River State.

    May the soul of Nda and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace, Amen.

     

  • Boki PDP Chapter Chairman Commends Gov. Ben Ayade For The Construction Of Boki East – West Road.

    Boki PDP Chapter Chairman Commends Gov. Ben Ayade For The Construction Of Boki East – West Road.

    By Admin

     

    The chapter Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Mr, Fabian Okwajie, has commended the governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade over his achievement on the construction of Boki East – West Road that links kayang, Katabang, Boje and Esonben Communities.

    His words “On behalf of the leadership of PDP Boki, it’s my honour and privilege to witness this great achievement. Roads are pivotal to development. These road project is a welcome development and will contribute in improving the living conditions of the affected beneficiaries”

    Mr. Fabian maintained that when the road is completed, will provide the needed accessibility to the people.

    Fabian used the opportunity to reiterates his commitment to ensure a united PDP family in Boki local Government Area.

    The  Boki East – West road if completed will pave way for massive economic development for the people of Boki LGA and the project would remained a legacy project for our Digital Governor Ben Ayade.

    Boki people will remain grateful for some major projects like the Boje bridge and the ongoing construction of Boki East- West road.

  • Controversy Trails The Appointment Of A substantive Chief Judge In Cross River As NJC Turns Down The Extension Of Justice Eyo Ita

    Controversy Trails The Appointment Of A substantive Chief Judge In Cross River As NJC Turns Down The Extension Of Justice Eyo Ita

    Chiemeka ADINDU, Calabar

    Culled From TNN Online

    There seems to be uncertainty in the Cross River State Judiciary after the National Judicial Council, NJC turned down the request of the state governor demanding for the extension of Justice Eyo Ita as the acting chief judge of the state.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mba Ukweni disclosed this during an interview with him in Calabar. He said the governor has kept the state’s judiciary in a shameful state following his continuous refusal to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme who is the most senior judge in the state as the chief judge.

    He therefore appealed to the governor to do the needful by approving the recommendation of the NJC and confirm Akon Ikpeme as the substantive chief judge of the state.

    He said: “reliably, the National Judicial Council has turned down the request of the governor for the extension of Eyo Ita; which means by 12 midnight today, the tenure of Justice Eyo Ita will come to and end. The only option as I’ve said, open to the governor, and the most honourable option is for him to go back to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, retransmit his request for the house to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme as the chief judge and swear her in before we turn into another crisis.

    “The junior lawyers may not be restrained from going to the streets any longer because it has become a cycle of shame, cycle of foolishness. You know this is a foolish act and you continue doing the same thing. If he can’t do that, the option open to him, is the cycle of foolishness I am talking about, is to appoint Honourable Justice S. M. Anjor as the fourth person in acting capacity who will stay for another 3 months.

    “That is the major problem. The other one is the punishment the National Judicial Council has been meting on us. This is the third time judges are been appointed across the states of the federation and we don’t have one because of the attitude of the governor. The implication is that our number will continue depleting in the judiciary and we are not having our share with regards to the judiciary.

    ”His major agenda is to appoint his in-law, Maurice Eneji who will do his biddings, as the chief judge. He wants to appoint a crony so as to take over that office as he has taken charge of other arms of the government. That is the domineering pattern he wants to take”, the senior lawyer frowned.

    Ukweni also noted that unusual things are beginning to happen in the state, bemoaning the recent withdrawal of magistrates in the state from sitting in court because of the governor’s inability to pay them for over one year.

    He also said the governor owe residents of the state an apology for his inability to fulfill his campaign promises which has made him to go back to repairing potholes which he earlier said he was not a governor of potholes.