The Lumine News

Tag: #Sandy Onor

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    *PDP Governorship Campaign: As The Journey To Reclaim Cross River State Begins*

    (Telling The Story)

    *By Umezulike Desmond-cruz*

    Beaming in his signature immaculate white apparel and his ever-alluring smile, is the Irrunando of Africa, conspicuously occupying the front pew of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Ikot Ansa. Flanked on the side are his pulchritudinous wife, Barr. Gertrude Onor, and his ever-alluring Deputy Governor-designate, Lady Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe–the presence of both women offered a dazzling illumination to the auditorium. The arrival of the Irrunando into the church premises held the parishioners spellbound and bestowed a selcouth ambience, as parishioners in a spontaneous and electrifying mood, whispered uncontrollably his name, “The Original Caterpillar”. It took the ecclesiastical anointing of the service moderator to control the exhilarated parishioners. Then came the solemn songs ringing in the ears of parishioners and thousands of political supporters that filled the auditorium, as the liturgical men and the Parish Priest opened the mass of Eucharistic celebration with the ceremonial burning of incense. Outside the auditorium was a sea of heads converging in their numbers with their countenances bearing different inscriptions of hope and faith in the candidacy of Senator Sandy Ojang Onor.

    “We are reclaiming our state” said Mrs Offiong Ikpeme, a retiree from the State civil service who according to her, was yet to receive neither her gratuity nor pension 5years after her unceremonious retirement from the State Civil Service. “This is our chance to bring back the lost glory of our state. It’s now or never. I believe in Senator Sandy Ojang Onor” she would later continue in her eulogy.

    Cross River State, everyone agrees, is sick, with its list of ailments enough to make one mad. Unemployment rate has risen from 23.1% in 2019 to 33.5% in the early quarters of 2020, then skyrocketed to 53.65% in 2021. Data from Debt Management Office indicates that the state has a strangulating debt profile of #176.086billion as at 2022. The State IGR has been personalized and its tourism potentials bastardized.

    As the priest began his message, taking his reading from the holy Gospel according to John 1:29-34, he spoke about the lamb of God who took away the sins of the World and further admonished parishioners to remain as light to the Nation despite the despairing situation they find themselves today.

    Speaking during the dedication of the campaign, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor reiterated his unflinching belief in the Trinity and Catholicism.
    “We are here because we believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and we have no other God. What he gives us we take, what he chooses not to give to us, we thank him for. We urge you to continue to pray for us. For those of us who have been living in this state for the last 15years, you will agree with me that we are currently living in a dark place and our state needs total rejigging. We are confident that by God’s grace, we shall lead the charge for that revitalization”

    In a way of appreciation, the Parish Priest presented a Holy Bible to Senator Sandy Ojang Onor as a symbol of God’s presence and protection.
    “You are called the Caterpillar and the Caterpillar smashes. Go in God’s might” charged the Parish Priest as the Parishioners echoed a thunderous Amen!.

    …..As the Journey begins, Girdle your loins! We are making a worthy Governor!

  • You Must Be Interested In Who Is In Charge Of The Affairs In Your State – Sandy Onor To Business Community

    You Must Be Interested In Who Is In Charge Of The Affairs In Your State – Sandy Onor To Business Community

     

    The Governorship Candidate of the PDP and Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has charged business community in Cross River State to be interested in who is in charge in the affairs in the state.

    He gave the charge on January 13th, 2023 at the Calabar Business & Community Initiative Town Hall Meeting with the Governorship & Deputy-Governorship Candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor & Lady Emana-Duke Ambrose Amawhe and owners of business in Cross River State held at Nkonib Town Hall in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Senator Onor while reacting to the issues raised by various associations, thanked the organizers for their thoughtfulness and averred that, “One of our greatest problem as a state is lack of courage. There’s too much complacency. People in other climes say it as it is; they are courageous. A lot of us just sit, murmur, and complain in the dark. If you do that how can you change society?.

    “You ‘re businessmen. You know where it pinches you. You know that things are not right. You know that the business climate is gone. You know that the processes have been bastardized. You know that you’re holding the rough end of the stick. You know that when government is not functioning properly your businesses would not run well. So you must be interested in who is in charge of the affairs in your state.”

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Coordinator, Calabar Business Community, Ntufam Dr Francis O. Effiom described the event as an interactive forum between members of the business community and the leading candidates where input can be made, “We thought it necessary at this point that beyond the rallies by political parties, we the businessmen should be able to have an interface and interact with the candidates so that our input will matter in the policy direction of the incoming administration. That is what informed the Town Hall Meeting” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ken Asim decried the unfavorable business environment in the state, inspite of the fact that the MSMEs employs over 86 percent of the labour force. He said: “Our business environment has continued to nosedive between 2014 and 2021. There have been backward slide in the business environment.”
    He further lamented access to finance, markets & knowledge, multiple taxation, infrastructural decay and government policies as impediments to businesses in the state.

    Also speaking on behalf of the Association of Non-Bank Micro-Finance Association, Pst Theodore Ebuta, lauded the event as first of it kind to have a governorship candidate interface with the business sector. He further lamented the lack of access to finances as he said: “Government over time have rolled out intervention funds for those in this sector and several times you have politicians used this funds for their cronies, their loyalists, their political sons and daughters and at the end of it, those in this sector which the fund was meant for end up benefitting nothing.”

    On his part and speaking on behalf of the Timber Dealers Association, Chief Effiong Ewa Ebani, accused the Cross River State Forestry Commission of negligence when he said: “Today, for those of us who come from villages, we heard that timber is banned, yet our Forests are been destroyed. The Forestry Commission has failed to live up to its responsibilities.” He further pleaded with the incoming Governor to come to the aid of landlord communities and rescue the forest from extinction.

    Responding, the Deputy-Governorship Candidate, Lady Emana-Duke Ambrose Amawhe decried the lack of political will by the incumbent government to implement her own policies as reasons for the dwindling small scale businesses in the state. She assured the community of favourable business environment. “The Senator Sandy Onor’s administration which I would be deputizing by God’s grace is willing and has the political will to implement policies that would be favourable to the business community in the state.” She said.

    The event was well attended by Estate developers, timber dealers, Keke owners & riders, taxi owners & drivers, bus & mini bus owners & drivers, shipping & clearing agents, auto mechanics, furniture & wood workers, fashion designers, makeup artists, carpenters, spare parts & metal scraps dealers, car wash shop owners & workers, geologist & miners, graphic designers & printers, MSME Businesses and Association of Non-Bank Micro-Finance Institutions (ANMFIN), etc.

    CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT MEDIA

  • Citizens With Unique Abilities In Politics Vows To Mobilize Support For Sen Sandy Onor

    Citizens With Unique Abilities In Politics Vows To Mobilize Support For Sen Sandy Onor

     

    The leadership of Citizens with Unique abilities in politics in Cross River State has vowed to mobilize support for Sen. Sandy Onor in the forth coming gubernatorial election.

    The group made the disclosure when she paid a courtesy call at the Campaign office of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The group decried abandonment by the present administration as they reminisced on the good days of PDP administration in the State when the group was part of decision making processes to the extent they got elective offices.

    The leadership of the group pledged to mobilize their members across the state to ensure Sen Sandy Ojang Onor becomes Governor of Cross River State in order to bring back the glory days.

    The group was received by the Director General of the Cross River State PDP Campaign Council, and former Deputy Governor, Barr Effiok Cobham who assured the group that whatever confidence they have in the PDP and Senator Onor is not misplaced.

    Cobham averred that “the challenges facing Cross River State today are not those of geography, but are rather cross cutting problems that are not confined to a particular geography such as hunger, unemployment, lack of productivity, poor access to basic infrastructure, poor access to quality education and the absence of leadership as well as lack of focus by the government of the day that has translated to severe poverty on the populace.

    “In the end, what will matter is not where the governor comes from. But rather, it will be wether the challenges currently bedeviling the State have been tackled head on and solutions provided, because the man from Cross River South is not buying a bag of rice at a different price from what the man from Cross River Central or North buys”

    He thanked them for believing in project “Reclaim Cross River State” and on behalf of Senator Onor promised not to disappoint them when elected Governor.

     

  • Sandy Onor Meets Business Owners In Calabar, Assures That He Will Change The Story Of The State

    Sandy Onor Meets Business Owners In Calabar, Assures That He Will Change The Story Of The State

     

    By Dominic Kidzu

    The Nkonip Hall in Ikot Ansa was already filled to the outer fringes even before Senator Onor and his Deputy Governor designate swept into the arena, and a conspiratorial whispering campaign was afoot in the Hall with enthusiastic participants validating the certainty of a Sandy Onor governorship. Cecil Ita, Willy Okokon, Bassey Ekefre, Ubong Harry, Ntufam Okon Ekpo and a host of others were on hand to set things aright.

    Then the Irunando blew in like a tempest, in all his substantial physical quantity and intellectual clout, upsetting all previously held stock opinions and trenchant battlements. The way he held himself, the measured cadences of his speech, the poignancy of his delivery and the natural simplicity, without affectation, without pomp or circumstance, crowned him Governor-in-waiting. There was no bombast, no grammatical turgidity, no make-belief. Just a countryman’s conversation with his people for whom his passion soars. By his side was Emmana Duke Armawhe, the running mate, beautiful like an artwork, polite and refined as only an Efik lady can be and intelligent to boot.

    As Ntufam Dr. Francis O. Effiom told the audience, the occasion was intended for the business community to exchange ideas with the man who wanted to lead, since political power was only second to the power of God. The manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, the artisans, tailors, mechanics, market women, keke owners and riders, taxi drivers, tipper association, and other traders were all represented in the meeting. “The present government has used too much of grammar to confuse us, please let this not be another round of grammar. ”

    Ken Asim Ita who represented the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, said that MSMEs employed about 86 percent of all workers in Cross River State. According to him, the business environment has not been favourable in terms of access to finance, access to markets, strangulating multiple taxation and poor government policies. While the representative of non bank micro finance association, Pastor Theodore Ebuta pointed out that this was the first time a governorship candidate was interacting with the business community in this way. The president of Timber Dealers Association, and clanhead of Uyangha, Chief Effiong Ewa Ebani, accused the forestry Commission of failing in it’s duty to control the wood business by allowing all kinds of people to invade the forest.

    Responding, Mrs Emmana Amarwe pointed out that lack of the will to follow through with its own policies by the state government was the reason why private businesses were suffering. “Our access to the ocean, our mineral endowments and tourism potential are our sure bet for prosperity if well harnessed. We are prepared to do things differently. We will listen to you and we will do your wish”.

    When Senator Sandy began to speak the audience erupted in excitement and chants of PDP filled the air. ” I like politics of truth. Hit the nail on the head. Our greatest problem as a state is lack of courage. We moan, we complain, we murmur, but we don’t say it as it is. When I was in government with Imoke, the bureau for investment was strong, the office for due process was about the best in the country, but today our tax system has been bastardized, our internally generated revenue has been personalized. I’m a professor, but there are professors and there are professors. I know what proper governance means to rural people and small scale businesses “.

    ” What is going on in this APC government is that there is a gap between the government and the people. You cannot sit in Calabar and continue to pontificate on what the people need. It is the people who tell government what they need. The people may not need the super highway, they may not need an airport, what they need are small projects.You can harvest the forest in a sustainable manner, not to destroy everything just to make profit. There is a forest in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. Tourists come from all over the world to see it. We won’t stop your trade but we will transform it into a more sustainable way. In this governance of falsehood they don’t mean what they say and they don’t say what they mean. Their candidate will not be different. If they knew he will be different they wouldn’t have given him the ticket anyway. ”

    ” You must refuse to be intimidated. The police are paid to protect you, not to intimidate you. Cultists are not spirits, stand up to them. We will win the elections and we will change the story of Cross River State because God is always on the side of truth. God is on our side.”

  • PDP Guber Candidate, Sandy Onor Donates Ultra Modern Edifice To Catholic Church

    PDP Guber Candidate, Sandy Onor Donates Ultra Modern Edifice To Catholic Church

     

    The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross River State Sen Sandy Onor, donated an ultra modern edifice to the Catholic Church, in his community, Nsofang, Southern Etung Local Government Area.

    The Church was dedicated on the 16th of December, 2022 by the Most Rev Dr Donatus Edet Akpan, the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese.

    Most Rev Akpan in his sermon commended Senator Sandy for helping to build a house for God and likened his magnanimity and benevolence to what King Solomon did centuries ago.

    The Bishop maintained that Sen Sandy saw the state of his people and having been blessed by God took the initiative to build a house for God.

    On his part, the Arch Bishop of Calabar Arch Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Joseph Effiom Ekuwem, thanked Professor Sandy for listening to the voice of God and responding to build a house for him.

    The Bishop announced the name of the parish to be “St Daniel’s parish Nsofang”
    The late Daniel was Sen Sandy grand uncle who pioneered the growth of catholicism in southern Etung.

    Represented by the Vicar General Pastoral, Rev Charles Etim, Arch Bishop Ekwuwem maintained that, “like Solomon, you listened to God and built a house for him.

    “My prayer is that the light of God will shine night and day, also listen to the petition of his people here and answer them”.

    On his part, the Parish Priest Rev Fr Mathew Abang thanked God for sustaining the people, the Catholic community of Nsofang and indeed the entire community to witness the historic dedication of this church and innuaguration of the parish.

    He thanked Professor Sandy for the project saying the God who rewards good deeds will reward him beyond human expectations.

    “Professor Sandy and his family, we can’t thatnk you enough but we believe the Lord who rewards good deeds will reward you beyond human expectations. Thanks a million”, he said.

    In a brief history of the parish as compiled by the Parish Pastoral Council Secretary, Mr Terence Ndifon Okey, said Catholicism entered Southern Etung (the area covered by St Daniel’s parish) in the 1930’s.

    He thanked the PDP Flagbearer for helping see the project through and averred that he has a Catholic blood in him and keeping his words as regards the project.

    “Senator Sandy has a Catholic blood and is of the lineage of late Pa Daniel Okey Ori, one the pioneer persons who led the establishment of the church in southern Etung.

    “Sandy is a man who has seen his position as his ‘ministry’ to serve God and humanity in his own way. What he says he will do in the house of God, he does to completion and this is evident in this church building”.

    On his part, Prof Sandy Onor thanked God for giving him the ability to support the church building project.

    He said the project is a product of a covenant he made with God years ago when he ran for senate in 20215 and thanked God for the love and protection he has showered on his family.

    According to Prof Sandy, “we are happy as a family and then the Nsofang people are also very happy and I am sure our friends are also happy with us. I won’t let this opportunity slip without using it to thank God for his many blessings upon us.

    “When I ran for senate in 2015, I made a covenant with God that if I win the election, I will build this church. Incidentally, I lost the election and for me, God did not keep his own part of the bargain. When I had no political office, God kept reminding me of the covenant. As God was tormenting, so he was tormenting my dear wife Gertrude.

    “One night we decided that we must start something. When I see this church as it is today, the commitment of the Parish Priest, I know that God is using his priests, to building the church.

    “My family and I are particularly grateful to God Almighty, the Bishop and particularly, Arch Bishop Ekwuwem for the goodwill message, I cherish it.

    “To all priests and religious, my friends especially Hon Alex Egbonna, the PDP family, the Nsofang people and all those who have come to identify with us, may God grant you journey mercies”.

  • Sandy Onor Donates 3M For The Construction Of A Passage Way At Ndebeji Collapsed Bridge

    Sandy Onor Donates 3M For The Construction Of A Passage Way At Ndebeji Collapsed Bridge

     

    The Governorship Candidate of the PDP and Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor has donated the sum of Three Million Naira (#3,000,000.00) for the construction of a passage way to ease movement on the broken bridge of Eku near New Ndebeji Community in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State.

    Senator Onor made the donation on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 in Calabar when the committee saddled with the responsibility to create a safe passage way paid a courtesy call on the governorship candidate.

    Making the donation on behalf of Sen Onor, Ntufam Dr Omang Ntui admonished the committee to make judicious use of the resources in order to achieve timely result considering the stalled human and vehicular movement in and out of the community.

    Responding on behalf of the group, the elated Chairman of the committee to over see the creation of a safe passage route, and village head of Akoh, Ntufam ASU Clement said: “We have never had someone like him. Today, we ‘re grateful that our own son, Senator Sandy Onor heard our cry and came in timely to intervene and assist us. We thank him so much.”

    Recall that Sen Sandy Onor was the first public office holder to visit the stranded communities and motorist, when the bridge collapsed, he had promised to engage and facilitate more allocation for the construction of the road; an improvement of the previous budgetary provision he had facilitated.

    Caterpillar Movement Media

  • C’River: Back To South Crumbles As Southern Youths Signs Pact With Sandy

    C’River: Back To South Crumbles As Southern Youths Signs Pact With Sandy

    Isabella Okon, Calabar

    A death knell has sounded for the vociferous clamour by select politicians in Cross River popularly christened “Back To South” which demanded outright zoning of the governorship ticket from all political parties to the southern senatorial district ahead 2023 Elections.

    The fatal blow to the clamour followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between youths from the seven local government areas in the south under the aegis of Progressive Southern Alliance and the PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Sandy Onor in Calabar

    Speaking at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders before accenting to the MOU, the People’s Democratic Party standard bearer Senator Sandy Onor lauded the bold steps demonstrated by opinion leaders behind the initiative, stressing that sectional interest must never be allowed to scuttle concerted efforts to reclaim the state from imminent collapse .

    According to him “Back to South” was a selfish concept driven by ulterior motive, intended to promote mediocrity and prolong the current decay in our dear state for mere personal interest of some few elites. Anyone with genuine interest in the well-being of Cross River State would never support the current administration to perpetuate itself in power under any guise.”

    “We can not sacrifice competent ,experience, dexterity,academic prowess and charisma on the altar on ethnicity. We have outgrown such myopic persuasions. Besides, I am an Ejaham man from Akamkpa maternally, therefore, I am eminently qualified in all ramifications. I am indeed the best candidate in terns of education,experience, exposure and charisma”

    Senator Onor stressed that” I have been a reliable and trusted friend of the Efiks, in 1998 when some prominent politicians in All People’s Party APP then ganged up that an Efik man can never be a governor, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong who emerged as the APP Governorship candidate was replaced with Mark Ukpo overnight ,though I was in APP, I mobilized men and resources in Central and Northern parts of this state to support Mr Donald Duke of PDP because I saw potentials in him. That was how Donald became our governor in 1999.You can verify from them. Let’s dwell on issues that unite and accelerate the development of our state. I would be a governor for all”

    In her remarks, the Deputy Governorship Candidate , Emana Ambrose Amanhwe said it was time for the south to mainstream its interest in the incoming administration in order to guarantee attainment of peculiar issue affecting the the senatorial district.

    In his address, the coordinator of the Progressive Southern Alliance Asuquo Bassey Solomon revealed that the initiative was meant to provide a platform to address misconceptions and paved the way for an all inclusive government while foisting a united front to guarantee victory at the poll in 2023.

    Parts of the MOU stipulate revamping of the tourism sector of the state, Tinapa, Obudu Resort , jobs creation, good governance and key roles for supporters from all PDP Governorship aspirants in the campaign organization.

    Professor Offiong Ani, Bobby Effiom Ekpenyong, Esu Coco Bassey, Asuquo Solomon among others facilitated the summit.

  • Wike, Saraki, Lawan, Cross River Elites Storms Sen Sandy Onor’s Book Presentation

    Wike, Saraki, Lawan, Cross River Elites Storms Sen Sandy Onor’s Book Presentation

    By Ndifon Joseph

    Captains of industries, the political class, business men & women as well as members of the academic community within and outside the state on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 converged at the Nigerian Airfoce (NAF) Conference Centre, Abuja to witness the historic and landmark Public Presentation of “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity,” a critique of previous scholarship and insights that validates the existence of a long lasting and dynamic relationship amongst the various ethnicities before the advent of Europeans, meticulously written by Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor, an academic colossus cum erudite professor of African History.

    A document for historical reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation, “it is well researched and properly written; using the skills and method of the historian. Sen Onor painstakingly captured the high degree of sacrifices, compromises, team work, harmonisations, reconciliation, assimilation, enculturation and blending that set in motion the slow but steady process that culminated in the emergence of the Nigerian state” (Ahmed Lawan PhD).

    The book offers compelling answers to critical national queations, national issues of disquieting crises of relations, development and nation building confronting contemporary Nigeria. And as contained therein, critical National Question would remain intractable and insurmountable only if we continue to fail in managing and converting our diversities into assets like most nations characterized by ethnic plurality have done around the world.

    Declaring the event opened, the Chairman of the Occasion, His Excellency Dr Bukola Saraki, ably represented by former Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mallam AbdulFatai Ahmed, described “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity” as apt, timely and a recipe for the 2023 General Elections.

    The Book Reviewer and Director of Research, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Prof Chris B N Ogbogbo described the scholarly work as “Refreshing, in a class of its own and a breath of fresh air from the centrifugal calls across the country.” He recommended the “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity” to be read and distributed not just by patriots, but all those who intend to ginger the patriotic spirit.

    On his part, the Chief Presenter and Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, represented by the Attorney General of the state, Barr Zaccheus Adongor, congratulated the author for the feat and auspiciousness of the occasion which he described as “Rich intellectual assembly” and stressed the need for equity and fairness in our polity while allowing constituents units to grow and develop at their pace and speed; the fundamental principles of federalism. He made a donation of 20Milliom Naira.

    The occasion witnessed rendition of goodwill messages from different stakeholders. The Cross River State Chairman of the PDP, Barr Venatius Ikem described the author as an outstanding and erudite scholar whom Crossrivarians would gladly donate to the centre in views of his competence for global service. The Deputy-Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Lady Emana-Duke Ambrose Amawhe appluaded the author for dedicating a chapter exclusively for women.

    A former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri described”Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity” as Nigeria’s history under the umbrella. An elder statesman and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) called for the establishment of a National Integration Commission, a commission to integrate the nation. President of the Senate, His Excellency Dr Ahmed Lawan described the occasion as an event for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the investiture and formal induction of the author, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor as Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Nigeria’s famous and oldest professional body.

    The author, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor graduated top of his class from the prestigious University of Calabar in 1987 where he studied History and International Relations and proceeded to bag a PhD in African History from the same department where he also started his academic career. A highly referenced, recognized and decorated scholar, Senator Prof Sandy Onor currently serves as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District and holds the Governorship ticket of the PDP to reclaim and restore Cross River State.

  • Again They Failed, As There Is No Pandemonium Between Gov Wike And Our Principal – Joe Bisong

    Again They Failed, As There Is No Pandemonium Between Gov Wike And Our Principal – Joe Bisong

     

    The attention of the Caterpillar Movement has been drawn to an unfortunate, disjointed and malicious article circulating on the media space alledging a “pandemonium” in the relationship between our Principal Sen Sandy Onor and his bosom friend, the Rivers state Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike over supposed mismanagement of funds. The said article was clearly written by a hireling and circulated by a handful of our detractors, ignorant rabble-rousers and mischief makers. Ordinarily, we would ignore these spurious claims and forge ahead in our quest to liberate our dear state but as Jonathan Swift will say ” Falsehood flies and the the truth comes limping after it.” It is with this hindsight we have elected to respond, knowing that when not quickly exposed, a false story begins to take on a shimmer of truth.

    Against this backdrop, we wish to inform our teeming supporters and the general public that our Principal, Distinguished Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor enjoys an unbreakable bond of friendship with His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. This relationship is founded on genuine fraternal love, integrity and probity.

    We are aware that the intention of the sponsors of the article was to derail the successful presentation of the latest book of our Principal, “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity”. This attempt was a miserable failure as the book launch witnessed an unprecedented success .It was well attended by esteemed and illustrious Nigerians including the Senate President Dr Ahmed Lawal, Gov Nyesom Wike ably represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bukola Saraki, who is currently in the United States of America was fittingly and at his behest represented by his successor, Abdulfatai Ahmed. Past and Serving Governors of various states, Senators and Gubernatorial candidates of various states, members of the House of representatives, party chieftains and captains of industries among others, were also in attendance. These diginatories spoke in acceptance of the philosophy and content of the book especially it’s pan Nigerian content.

    We wish at this juncture to reiterate and underscore the fact that the relationship between our Principal Senator Sandy Onor and his friend Gov Nyesom Wike, which has spanned over decades remains unflinching. Indeed, we must categorically state as a matter of fact, that the relationship is getting stronger owing to their common interest on issues of justice,equity and integrity.

    Aware of their failures for the past seven years and counting, our opponents have resorted to mudslinging to discredit our Principal, whose credentials they do not have and can not match. We understand the desperation of the sponsors of the write up judging by how formidable and widely accepted our Principal has become against those still running from pillar to post in search of soft landing.

    We are further aware that their Leader having failed to secure a soft landing upon sneaking into Rivers State, the sponsors of this write up are now more resolute in their evil attempt to cause a rift between our Principal and his bosom friend, Chief Barr Wike. Understandably, our detractors are deep in quicksand and swinging wildly , grasping on any wild propaganda to confuse well meaning cross riverians who resent their bad governance style and wanton acts of squandermania in the last seven years.

    Sen Prof Sandy Onor has the track record of integrity and accountability and can never mismanage any fund entrusted in his custody. We are even aware that plans are afoot to concoct just anything to tarnish the image and character of Professor Onor by going even as far as his days as chairman of Etung LGA. So the cross river public should be prepared for more fable and falsehood by desperate and rejected politicians in the APC. Rather than continue to spew falsehood, we urge our detractors to concentrate on finding an anchor to slow its
    rudderless drift into oblivion.

    On the claim that our state will be annexed following the overwhelming support our Principal enjoys from his friend, Nyesom Wike, we make bold to reiterate for the umpteenth time that no Governor has ever emerged in any state without the support of someone from another state;yet no state has ever been annexed by another. In any case, the Leader of the APC in the state has since silenced these detractors by sojourning to the same Governor Wike for succour. Let it be made abundantly clear that whereas all politics is said to be local, all politics is also universal.

    We call on all well meaning Cross Riverians to ignore the diabolic campaign of calumny against our Principal, Senator Sandy Onor as we are committed to the project of reclaiming, restoring and rebuilding Cross River State for the good of all the people. We urge you all to remain focused,diligent, and unperturbed as we set about our reclamation agenda. We shall not allow ourselves to be drawn into the abyss of cheap propaganda and palpable hate being demoostrated by the said nauseating publication. Once again , we wish to remind you that the price of eternal liberty and freedom remains vigilance. We shall continue to be vigilant until we rescue our dear state from the maladministration of this present APC government.

    May God bless you all

    Joe Obi Bisong, DG

  • Sandy Onor Presents Book, Becomes Fellow, Historical Society Of Nigeria

    Sandy Onor Presents Book, Becomes Fellow, Historical Society Of Nigeria

    The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District and PDP Governorship Candidate for Cross River State for 2023 general elections, Sen Sandy Onor presented his book titled “FOUNDATION OF NIGERIA’S UNITY” at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2022.

    The Book Reviewer, Prof. C.N Ogbogbo described the book as a must – read for all Nigerians considering the importance of the book.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Sen Dr Bukola Saraki submitted that at this critical point in Nigeria’s trajectory, the decision of the author to examine such a delicate and intrinsically pertinent issue in society is an indication that the author is ready for leadership and service delivery.

    On his part, the Special Guest of Honour, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, posited that the author, Sen Sandy Onor was in fact, a leading light in the Senate and praised him for being able to comfortably combine the tedious and herculean task of lawmaking with equally the mentally draining demands of scholarship.

    The book, Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity is a ten-chapter treatise that examines Nigeria’s history from the precolonial, through the colonial and post colonial epochs.

    To cap off the event was the Investiture and Induction of the Author, Sen Prof Sandy Onor as a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Nigeria’s Oldest professional body.

    Other dignitaries at the event were: the Former Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulFatai Ahmed who represented the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Bukola Saraki, and the Governor of River’s State, Chief Nyesom Wike who was ably represented by the Attorney General of the State , Prof Zaccheus Adangor.

    Already a prolific author and Consummate researcher, this work adds to a long and stimulating catalogue of books written by the author.

    Caterpillar Movement Media