MD WATER BOARD TO CALABAR RESIDENTS: Expect safe and sustainable water on or before Monday, 8 July, 2019

By Itam Offor

The Managing Director of the Cross River State Water Board, Barr Asuquo Ekpo Ada has promised that the board will resume the supply of clean, safe and sustainable water in Calabar metropolis on before Monday, 8 2019.

Ada made the promise while briefing Members of the State House who had earlier summoned him and his management team to the Assembly to offer public explanation on the current water scarcity across the State.

Ada explained that, when he assumed duty as Managing Director of the Board on November 27, 2018 and he met the treatment plant and other facilities in a deplorable state adding that he however resumed the distribution of potable water in Calabar metropolis from December 2018 to April 2019 until residents began to complained about the poor quality of the water.

The MD also informed that, he met a judgment debt totaling over 100 million Naira, other debts, and dilapidated facilities, amongst other challenges. He informed the House that the Company had embarked on routine maintenance which according to him is about 90% completed and appealed to Cross Riverians to keep fate with the company assuring that residents of Calabar metropolis will soon enjoy sustainable water supply while other parts of the State will have water at a later date.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House Rt. Hon, Eteng Jonah Williams expressed Member's dissatisfaction over the current water situation across the State. He urged the MD to make good his promise to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

Members, while questioning the MD, were unanimous in condemning the lack of portable water across the state and tasked Water to urgently remedy the situation. 

You recall that the Assembly had taken a resolution on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 to summon the management of Water Board to offer public explanation on the water crisis across the State.

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MD WATER BOARD TO CALABAR RESIDENTS: Expect safe and sustainable water on or before Monday, 8 July, 2019

By Itam Offor

The Managing Director of the Cross River State Water Board, Barr Asuquo Ekpo Ada has promised that the board will resume the supply of clean, safe and sustainable water in Calabar metropolis on before Monday, 8 2019.

Ada made the promise while briefing Members of the State House who had earlier summoned him and his management team to the Assembly to offer public explanation on the current water scarcity across the State.

Ada explained that, when he assumed duty as Managing Director of the Board on November 27, 2018 and he met the treatment plant and other facilities in a deplorable state adding that he however resumed the distribution of potable water in Calabar metropolis from December 2018 to April 2019 until residents began to complained about the poor quality of the water.

The MD also informed that, he met a judgment debt totaling over 100 million Naira, other debts, and dilapidated facilities, amongst other challenges. He informed the House that the Company had embarked on routine maintenance which according to him is about 90% completed and appealed to Cross Riverians to keep fate with the company assuring that residents of Calabar metropolis will soon enjoy sustainable water supply while other parts of the State will have water at a later date.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House Rt. Hon, Eteng Jonah Williams expressed Member's dissatisfaction over the current water situation across the State. He urged the MD to make good his promise to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

Members, while questioning the MD, were unanimous in condemning the lack of portable water across the state and tasked Water to urgently remedy the situation. 

You recall that the Assembly had taken a resolution on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 to summon the management of Water Board to offer public explanation on the water crisis across the State.

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CROSS RIVER ASSEMBLY ASSURES UN-REDD PLUS ON FOREST PROTECTION

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams, has assured that the 9th Assembly will support the State Ministry of Climate Change and the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (UN-REDD+) programme in the state on forest protection.

The Speaker made the pledge on Thursday, when he received a delegation from the State Ministry of Climate Change and the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (UN-REDD+), who were at his office to  congratulate him on the inauguration of the 9th Assembly and to intimate the House that the forest is under threat by illegal activities of deforestation.

Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams further said the legislature under his watch, will make laws that will ban encroachment into the forest reserves in the state and a development plan put in place to take care of host communities. 

According to Speaker, the house has keyed into the REDD+ programme that is why the bill on Quarry Regulatory Agency passed in May this year has made provisions for the fees and levies paid by persons and companies granted mining license to be paid directly into the Forest Trust Fund created under the Forestry Commission Law. This is to ensure aforestation after the deforestation caused by activities of the miners.  

He therefore encouraged the two bodies to be steadfast in their duties.

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CROSS RIVER ASSEMBLY ASSURES UN-REDD PLUS ON FOREST PROTECTION

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams, has assured that the 9th Assembly will support the State Ministry of Climate Change and the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (UN-REDD+) programme in the state on forest protection.

The Speaker made the pledge on Thursday, when he received a delegation from the State Ministry of Climate Change and the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (UN-REDD+), who were at his office to  congratulate him on the inauguration of the 9th Assembly and to intimate the House that the forest is under threat by illegal activities of deforestation.

Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams further said the legislature under his watch, will make laws that will ban encroachment into the forest reserves in the state and a development plan put in place to take care of host communities. 

According to Speaker, the house has keyed into the REDD+ programme that is why the bill on Quarry Regulatory Agency passed in May this year has made provisions for the fees and levies paid by persons and companies granted mining license to be paid directly into the Forest Trust Fund created under the Forestry Commission Law. This is to ensure aforestation after the deforestation caused by activities of the miners.  

He therefore encouraged the two bodies to be steadfast in their duties.

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NIPR PRESIDENT TASKS YOUTHS ON A NEW NIGERIA VISION.

By Kingsley Agim

The President and Chairman of Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo has enjoined Nigerians Youths to shape up towards enthroning a new vision for Nigeria that would be devoid of ethnicity, religious and tribal sentiments.

Mallam Sirajo, who stated this when he spoke as special guest of honour at the 10th anniversary celebration of  the Cross River State Chapter's annual flagship Public Relations orientation programme -"Children's Day with NIPR" held at the palatial Senate Chambers of the University of Calabar, Cross River State, pointed out that Nigeria as a nation is currently heading dangerously towards a collapse, adding that something urgent must be done to reshape our mindset and psyche towards enthroning a new vision for the country and her people.

"I want to see us as a people return to the old times when nobody ask you where you are from before offerring you a job; a Nigeria where ethnicity,tribe and religion is not a basis for anything we need, a Nigeria  where you can be appointed or voted into office to serve the people in any part of the country",your capacity to deliver should be the main basis, the NIPR President enthused.

"I can remember in those days when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe - an Igbo man - contested for Premier  of the Western Region", adding that he would like to have a Nigeria where one can freely aspire to any position in any part of the country, without ethicity, tribe and/or religiion being a criteria at any level of our development as a nation," the NIPR President further remarked.

The NIPR  President posited that the Leadership of the country since independence has failed the people by the continued promotion of ethnicism and religious bigotry and sued for a change for the over all interest of future Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary,Cross River State Ministry of Information & Orientation, Dr. Aye Henshaw II lauded the initiative of orientating the children in the Public Relations discipline, emphasizing that children are the future hope of Nigeria.

Represented by Mr. Michael Nyajor, Director of Publlic Relations in the Ministry, Dr. Henshaw II congratulated the State Chapter of NIPR for sustaining the Children's programme and assured the Institute of the State Government's commitment towards the promotion of best practices in governance as well as Public Relations ideals.

In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chris Ogbondah, commended Cross River Chapter of NIPR for extending professional guidance beyond the tertiary institutions to the secondary school students, a development, he maintained, will help shape the younger ones as prospective Public Relations Professionals.

The renowned Professor of Journalism at the University of Northern Iowa, USA, who described Public Relations as "a two-way communication between an organization and members of its publics," noted that the profession has evolved over time and Practitioners must brace up with contemporary practice of the profession.

Prof. Ogbondah stated that just as technology has made PR practice more exciting through radio, television, podcast, and the multiplicity channels on the World Wide Web; it also poses challenges of tuning out the noises – fake news, fake websites – and how to choose from the most effective medium for effective communication.

The keynote Speaker on the theme of the 10th anniversary "Public Relations Profession and Career Opportunities", Mr. Benedict Okache, tutored participants on the nitty-gritties of the Public Relations Profession ranging from the Meaning of Public Relations and Career Opportunities, who a Public Relations Practitioner is,criteria for membership of the Institute and categories of membership, Qualities of a professional Public Relations Practitioner, Public Relations Tools, etc.

Mr. Okache enjoined students to put in their best effort in the study of the discipline, noting that the profession is a 'goldmine', where limitless opportunities abound.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Cross River State Chairman of NIPR, Ntunkae Offiong Ani Offiong stated that 'Children's Day with NIPR,' which started in 2008, during the tenure of Chief Frank Hogan, is one of the chapter's flagship programmes aimed at creating awareness amongst Senior Secondary School Students on the need to study Mass Communication in tertiary institutions and subsequently make a career in Public Relations.

Ntunkae Offiong noted that since the implementation of the 2009 edition of Children's Day with NIPR, the programme has recorded the following modest achievements: increased awareness among Secondary School Students about Mass Communication as a course of study in tertiary institutions in Cross River State; establishment of Mass Communication Department in the University of Calabar through awareness creation and continuous contact with students and management of the University.

Other achievements are introduction of workshop-format training for Secondary School Student in the State; established and sustained a symbiotic relationship between the Chapter, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in the State; and increased enrolment of Mass Communication Students in tertiary institutions in the State.

The State Chairman further quipped that the need for establishing students' wing in both the University of Calabar and Cross River University of Technology became imperative due to the yearnings and aspirations of the undergraduate students who attended Children's Day with NIPR since its inception as observers.

She lauded the express approval granted the Institute by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Zana Akpagu and his out-gone counterpart at the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, for the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Students' Association (NIPRESA) in both institutions, while congratulating the pioneer Executives of NIPRESA of both UNICAL and CRUTECH.

The State NIPR Chairman, on behalf of the Chapter, also acknowledged Prof. Chris Ogbondah for chairing the occasion, the NIPR President, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo for always being supportive of the Chapter; immediate past President of NIPR, Dr. Rotimi Oladele for donating story books to the students and Mr. Peter Oyenye for gifting Public Relations books to the Chapter.

The UNICAL NIPRESA Wing Executive will be led by Comrade Godswill John Udoh as President, ably assisted by Emmanuel Ekanem as Vice President, while Comrade Divine Inyang and Hope Oyeamaechi will lead the CRUTECH Wing Executives as President and Vice respectively.

Prof. Offiong Ani Offiong - Dean, Faculty of Communication Technology, University of Calabar, Dr. Rotimi Oladele -- immediate past NIPR President, Chief Frank Hogan -- immediate past Chairman, Cross River State Chapter of NIPR, Benedict Okache, Keynote Speaker and Vice Chairman, Cross River State Chapter of NIPR, Henshaw Town Secondary School, Calabar and Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, were all deserving recipients of the Institute's awards for their meritorious service and contribution to humanity.

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NIPR PRESIDENT TASKS YOUTHS ON A NEW NIGERIA VISION.

By Kingsley Agim

The President and Chairman of Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo has enjoined Nigerians Youths to shape up towards enthroning a new vision for Nigeria that would be devoid of ethnicity, religious and tribal sentiments.

Mallam Sirajo, who stated this when he spoke as special guest of honour at the 10th anniversary celebration of  the Cross River State Chapter's annual flagship Public Relations orientation programme -"Children's Day with NIPR" held at the palatial Senate Chambers of the University of Calabar, Cross River State, pointed out that Nigeria as a nation is currently heading dangerously towards a collapse, adding that something urgent must be done to reshape our mindset and psyche towards enthroning a new vision for the country and her people.

"I want to see us as a people return to the old times when nobody ask you where you are from before offerring you a job; a Nigeria where ethnicity,tribe and religion is not a basis for anything we need, a Nigeria  where you can be appointed or voted into office to serve the people in any part of the country",your capacity to deliver should be the main basis, the NIPR President enthused.

"I can remember in those days when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe - an Igbo man - contested for Premier  of the Western Region", adding that he would like to have a Nigeria where one can freely aspire to any position in any part of the country, without ethicity, tribe and/or religiion being a criteria at any level of our development as a nation," the NIPR President further remarked.

The NIPR  President posited that the Leadership of the country since independence has failed the people by the continued promotion of ethnicism and religious bigotry and sued for a change for the over all interest of future Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary,Cross River State Ministry of Information & Orientation, Dr. Aye Henshaw II lauded the initiative of orientating the children in the Public Relations discipline, emphasizing that children are the future hope of Nigeria.

Represented by Mr. Michael Nyajor, Director of Publlic Relations in the Ministry, Dr. Henshaw II congratulated the State Chapter of NIPR for sustaining the Children's programme and assured the Institute of the State Government's commitment towards the promotion of best practices in governance as well as Public Relations ideals.

In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chris Ogbondah, commended Cross River Chapter of NIPR for extending professional guidance beyond the tertiary institutions to the secondary school students, a development, he maintained, will help shape the younger ones as prospective Public Relations Professionals.

The renowned Professor of Journalism at the University of Northern Iowa, USA, who described Public Relations as "a two-way communication between an organization and members of its publics," noted that the profession has evolved over time and Practitioners must brace up with contemporary practice of the profession.

Prof. Ogbondah stated that just as technology has made PR practice more exciting through radio, television, podcast, and the multiplicity channels on the World Wide Web; it also poses challenges of tuning out the noises – fake news, fake websites – and how to choose from the most effective medium for effective communication.

The keynote Speaker on the theme of the 10th anniversary "Public Relations Profession and Career Opportunities", Mr. Benedict Okache, tutored participants on the nitty-gritties of the Public Relations Profession ranging from the Meaning of Public Relations and Career Opportunities, who a Public Relations Practitioner is,criteria for membership of the Institute and categories of membership, Qualities of a professional Public Relations Practitioner, Public Relations Tools, etc.

Mr. Okache enjoined students to put in their best effort in the study of the discipline, noting that the profession is a 'goldmine', where limitless opportunities abound.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Cross River State Chairman of NIPR, Ntunkae Offiong Ani Offiong stated that 'Children's Day with NIPR,' which started in 2008, during the tenure of Chief Frank Hogan, is one of the chapter's flagship programmes aimed at creating awareness amongst Senior Secondary School Students on the need to study Mass Communication in tertiary institutions and subsequently make a career in Public Relations.

Ntunkae Offiong noted that since the implementation of the 2009 edition of Children's Day with NIPR, the programme has recorded the following modest achievements: increased awareness among Secondary School Students about Mass Communication as a course of study in tertiary institutions in Cross River State; establishment of Mass Communication Department in the University of Calabar through awareness creation and continuous contact with students and management of the University.

Other achievements are introduction of workshop-format training for Secondary School Student in the State; established and sustained a symbiotic relationship between the Chapter, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in the State; and increased enrolment of Mass Communication Students in tertiary institutions in the State.

The State Chairman further quipped that the need for establishing students' wing in both the University of Calabar and Cross River University of Technology became imperative due to the yearnings and aspirations of the undergraduate students who attended Children's Day with NIPR since its inception as observers.

She lauded the express approval granted the Institute by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Zana Akpagu and his out-gone counterpart at the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, for the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Students' Association (NIPRESA) in both institutions, while congratulating the pioneer Executives of NIPRESA of both UNICAL and CRUTECH.

The State NIPR Chairman, on behalf of the Chapter, also acknowledged Prof. Chris Ogbondah for chairing the occasion, the NIPR President, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo for always being supportive of the Chapter; immediate past President of NIPR, Dr. Rotimi Oladele for donating story books to the students and Mr. Peter Oyenye for gifting Public Relations books to the Chapter.

The UNICAL NIPRESA Wing Executive will be led by Comrade Godswill John Udoh as President, ably assisted by Emmanuel Ekanem as Vice President, while Comrade Divine Inyang and Hope Oyeamaechi will lead the CRUTECH Wing Executives as President and Vice respectively.

Prof. Offiong Ani Offiong - Dean, Faculty of Communication Technology, University of Calabar, Dr. Rotimi Oladele -- immediate past NIPR President, Chief Frank Hogan -- immediate past Chairman, Cross River State Chapter of NIPR, Benedict Okache, Keynote Speaker and Vice Chairman, Cross River State Chapter of NIPR, Henshaw Town Secondary School, Calabar and Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, were all deserving recipients of the Institute's awards for their meritorious service and contribution to humanity.

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CRHA Speaker commends pace of work at WAATCTC

By Ofem, Jesam

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones has commended on-going pace of work at the West African Advanced Teachers' Continuous Training College in Biase.

He made the affirmation while speaking to journalists during an inspection visit to the West African Advanced Teachers Continuous Training College in Biase currently under construction.

Speaking on the aim of the project, Eteng Jones said, "we need to train the teachers. It is the wisdom of the government to come up with this, to train the teachers in order to impact our students."

The Speaker further affirmed that the 9th legislative assembly under his leadership is ready to work for the people of Cross River State, saying "We will not end here, we are ready to work for Cross Riverians. Our method is different, we will be doing more of oversight."

Also lending his voice, the Member representing Biase State Constituency, Hon. Ogor Ogor expressed his satisfaction with the project stating that "Biase is a strategic place. Retraining the already trained teachers is what we need. It will attract human and economic traffic."

The West African Teachers Continuous Training College project was approved in the 2018 budget and is expected to be delivered by September 2019.

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CRHA Speaker commends pace of work at WAATCTC

By Ofem, Jesam

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones has commended on-going pace of work at the West African Advanced Teachers' Continuous Training College in Biase.

He made the affirmation while speaking to journalists during an inspection visit to the West African Advanced Teachers Continuous Training College in Biase currently under construction.

Speaking on the aim of the project, Eteng Jones said, "we need to train the teachers. It is the wisdom of the government to come up with this, to train the teachers in order to impact our students."

The Speaker further affirmed that the 9th legislative assembly under his leadership is ready to work for the people of Cross River State, saying "We will not end here, we are ready to work for Cross Riverians. Our method is different, we will be doing more of oversight."

Also lending his voice, the Member representing Biase State Constituency, Hon. Ogor Ogor expressed his satisfaction with the project stating that "Biase is a strategic place. Retraining the already trained teachers is what we need. It will attract human and economic traffic."

The West African Teachers Continuous Training College project was approved in the 2018 budget and is expected to be delivered by September 2019.

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A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE

I had an interesting experience for the first time in my  over 26 years of applying or renewing my passports. This interesting scenerio was devoid of the constant  phenomena at some passport/immigration offices across the country.  

The Nigeria Immigration Service Passport control office in calabar  is obviously a beacon of hope for Nigeria.  

Yesterday, i was just thinking of how i will travel to Lagos  and go through the process of renewing my passport which is due for renewal in December and i have a visa appointment which requires 6 months validity.  

Then i remembered i had my passport in calabar and so asked my acting head of station if he knew anyone at the calabar NIS. 10 minutes he came back and said he had spoken to a contact and i should go there today by 9am and i asked how long will it take and he said same day .... may be 4 hours ..... i just looked at him and said JOKER and walked away. 

Behold true to his words i got to the passport office without mentioning who i was and met other applicants going through  a seamless and respectable process and guess what, in less than 45minutes i had my passport renewed and walked away without destroying cars like my UK brother. YES  45 MINUTES...... NO TOUTS , NO INTERMEDIARIES,  OPEN OFFICE,  COURTEOUS OFFICERS, OPEN DOOR POLICY, NO EXTRA BUT OFFICIAL RATE AND   ALL APPLICANTS TREATED EQUALLY.  

I also spoke to a few applicants and that was their testimony  and note the PCO didnt know who i was until i was almost through with the process when his officers all expressed surprised while capturing and saw my name ..... then they told the controller.  Looool 

He even confirmed that he has made it his watchword to apply EQUITY in how his men attend to applicants.  

I want to use this medium to THANK the PCO  Mr. Ita Nta, the 2iC Mr Ogundeji , the officer who attended to my renewal Mr Ekpenyong Akah. 

Kudos to NIS calabar.  I

This shows there is HOPE for NIGERIA.

Fidelis DUKER 

Calabar. June, 2019

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A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE

I had an interesting experience for the first time in my  over 26 years of applying or renewing my passports. This interesting scenerio was devoid of the constant  phenomena at some passport/immigration offices across the country.  

The Nigeria Immigration Service Passport control office in calabar  is obviously a beacon of hope for Nigeria.  

Yesterday, i was just thinking of how i will travel to Lagos  and go through the process of renewing my passport which is due for renewal in December and i have a visa appointment which requires 6 months validity.  

Then i remembered i had my passport in calabar and so asked my acting head of station if he knew anyone at the calabar NIS. 10 minutes he came back and said he had spoken to a contact and i should go there today by 9am and i asked how long will it take and he said same day .... may be 4 hours ..... i just looked at him and said JOKER and walked away. 

Behold true to his words i got to the passport office without mentioning who i was and met other applicants going through  a seamless and respectable process and guess what, in less than 45minutes i had my passport renewed and walked away without destroying cars like my UK brother. YES  45 MINUTES...... NO TOUTS , NO INTERMEDIARIES,  OPEN OFFICE,  COURTEOUS OFFICERS, OPEN DOOR POLICY, NO EXTRA BUT OFFICIAL RATE AND   ALL APPLICANTS TREATED EQUALLY.  

I also spoke to a few applicants and that was their testimony  and note the PCO didnt know who i was until i was almost through with the process when his officers all expressed surprised while capturing and saw my name ..... then they told the controller.  Looool 

He even confirmed that he has made it his watchword to apply EQUITY in how his men attend to applicants.  

I want to use this medium to THANK the PCO  Mr. Ita Nta, the 2iC Mr Ogundeji , the officer who attended to my renewal Mr Ekpenyong Akah. 

Kudos to NIS calabar.  I

This shows there is HOPE for NIGERIA.

Fidelis DUKER 

Calabar. June, 2019

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ASSEMBLY INVITES W/BOARD TO EXPLAIN WATER CRISIS ACROSS THE STATE

By Itam Offor

The Management team of the State water Board is to appear before the Assembly on Wednesday 3rd of July to offer public explanation on the water crisis currently experienced in Calabar metropolis in particular and the entire State in general.

The House took this resolution during plenary after Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong,  representing Boki ll, presented a matter of urgent public interest on the acute shortage of water supply in Calabar metropolis and other parts of the State.

Bisong noted that in recent times the State Water Board has not functioned maximally while private water companies have taken over water generation and distribution. He observed that the importance of water to human existence cannot be over emphasized.

The Legislature recalled the huge infrastructural investment of the State Government in the water sector and called on the Assembly to wade into the matter urgently.

In the subsequent debate, Members unanimously agreed that the shortage of water in the State is regrettable considering the overwhelming importance of water to human existence. 

Members recalled that Cross River State had previously ranked as one of the model States in terms of public water supply hence the present situation were private boreholes have become the main source of water supply across the State is unacceptable.  

In an analysis, the Members representing Bakassi, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo and Abi, Dr. Davies Etta both noted that the importance of water is multi faceted as many deaths are traceable to water borne disease. They further observed that, adequate sanitation cannot be achieved where there is scarcity of water while childhood mortality is associated with water and sanitation related disease.   

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams, commended Members for their contributions while pledging the Assembly's commitment to legislation which will help to improve the lives of Cross Riverians.

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ASSEMBLY INVITES W/BOARD TO EXPLAIN WATER CRISIS ACROSS THE STATE

By Itam Offor

The Management team of the State water Board is to appear before the Assembly on Wednesday 3rd of July to offer public explanation on the water crisis currently experienced in Calabar metropolis in particular and the entire State in general.

The House took this resolution during plenary after Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong,  representing Boki ll, presented a matter of urgent public interest on the acute shortage of water supply in Calabar metropolis and other parts of the State.

Bisong noted that in recent times the State Water Board has not functioned maximally while private water companies have taken over water generation and distribution. He observed that the importance of water to human existence cannot be over emphasized.

The Legislature recalled the huge infrastructural investment of the State Government in the water sector and called on the Assembly to wade into the matter urgently.

In the subsequent debate, Members unanimously agreed that the shortage of water in the State is regrettable considering the overwhelming importance of water to human existence. 

Members recalled that Cross River State had previously ranked as one of the model States in terms of public water supply hence the present situation were private boreholes have become the main source of water supply across the State is unacceptable.  

In an analysis, the Members representing Bakassi, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo and Abi, Dr. Davies Etta both noted that the importance of water is multi faceted as many deaths are traceable to water borne disease. They further observed that, adequate sanitation cannot be achieved where there is scarcity of water while childhood mortality is associated with water and sanitation related disease.   

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams, commended Members for their contributions while pledging the Assembly's commitment to legislation which will help to improve the lives of Cross Riverians.

Read More

FORESTRY COMMISSION REVIEW DRAFT POLICY DOCUMENT

By Blessing Enagu

Informed by the urgent need for a Forest Policy - a guide for sustainable forest management in the State, Professional Staff of the Forestry Commission have reviewed draft of a proposed Forest Policy that will ensure sustainable increase in the economic, social and environmental benefits from forest for the present and future generations.

The review was carried out in the conference room of the Commission with staff making inputs targeted at addressing factors that affects the decline of forest resources, streamlining contribution of forests to economic development and growth as well as positioning the State to benefit from International Forest Policy initiatives.

Addressing Staff during the opening of a two-day review meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Comrade Akpeh Ogon charged them to take the exercise very seriously for the benefit of the State, today and tomorrow.

He stated emphatically that over the years, most of the challenges faced by the Commission and the Forestry sector have been as a result of non-functional policy driving the forest sector and stressed that the exercise was imperative in order to abate illegalities in the Sector.

Comrade Ogon opined that with a forest policy in place, the much needed revision of the existing Cross River State Forest Law 2010 to reflect the new policy, can be undertaken.

Also, the Secretary of the technical working group for the policy review, who is equally the State Focal Person, Sustainable Fuel Wood Management (SFM) Project, Dr. Edu Effiom , recounted that the development of the policy began with a zero draft  produced in 2014 by the State Forestry Commission board.

With support from UNDP, a ten-man Technical Working Group led by the Permanent Secretary, Forestry Commission was constituted in 2018 to review the zero draft which resulted in the first draft of the document.

 Dr. Effiom remarked that UNDP has supported the state in delivering a strategy to reduce emission from deforestation and forest degradation, partnered Global Environment Facility in the ongoing SFM project and is also supporting the finalization of the State Forest Policy, adding that inputs into the policy is been received from forest communities and retired foresters in the State.

After the internal review by the Commission Staff, a wider stakeholders' review and validation would take place before the document would be sent to the State House of Assembly for legal process.

Read More

FORESTRY COMMISSION REVIEW DRAFT POLICY DOCUMENT

By Blessing Enagu

Informed by the urgent need for a Forest Policy - a guide for sustainable forest management in the State, Professional Staff of the Forestry Commission have reviewed draft of a proposed Forest Policy that will ensure sustainable increase in the economic, social and environmental benefits from forest for the present and future generations.

The review was carried out in the conference room of the Commission with staff making inputs targeted at addressing factors that affects the decline of forest resources, streamlining contribution of forests to economic development and growth as well as positioning the State to benefit from International Forest Policy initiatives.

Addressing Staff during the opening of a two-day review meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Comrade Akpeh Ogon charged them to take the exercise very seriously for the benefit of the State, today and tomorrow.

He stated emphatically that over the years, most of the challenges faced by the Commission and the Forestry sector have been as a result of non-functional policy driving the forest sector and stressed that the exercise was imperative in order to abate illegalities in the Sector.

Comrade Ogon opined that with a forest policy in place, the much needed revision of the existing Cross River State Forest Law 2010 to reflect the new policy, can be undertaken.

Also, the Secretary of the technical working group for the policy review, who is equally the State Focal Person, Sustainable Fuel Wood Management (SFM) Project, Dr. Edu Effiom , recounted that the development of the policy began with a zero draft  produced in 2014 by the State Forestry Commission board.

With support from UNDP, a ten-man Technical Working Group led by the Permanent Secretary, Forestry Commission was constituted in 2018 to review the zero draft which resulted in the first draft of the document.

 Dr. Effiom remarked that UNDP has supported the state in delivering a strategy to reduce emission from deforestation and forest degradation, partnered Global Environment Facility in the ongoing SFM project and is also supporting the finalization of the State Forest Policy, adding that inputs into the policy is been received from forest communities and retired foresters in the State.

After the internal review by the Commission Staff, a wider stakeholders' review and validation would take place before the document would be sent to the State House of Assembly for legal process.

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NDDC sseks partnership with Cross River on rice value chain

By Nakanda Iyadim 

Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa has disclosed his agency's plans to partner Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade's rice revolution programme. 

Brambaifa disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the governor shortly after a tour of the Ayade Industrial Park which houses the rice seeds and seedlings factory in Calabar, yesterday.

Disclosing the object of his visit, the acting NDDC Chair stated: "Your Excellency, part of my mission to Cross River State is to work with your government to revive and strengthen existing partnership, as well as find new areas for collaboration. Of particular interest is agriculture and today, from what I have seen, we have chosen rice value chain which you have demonstrated tremendous capacity with modern equipment and a system of farming."

According to Brambaifa, "As your government has successfully demonstrated, agriculture remains a goldmine waiting to be fully tapped, away from oil and gas. indeed, no sector offers a greater opportunity for job and wealth creation, as well as overall improved living conditions than agriculture."

Brambaifa further stated that "Farming and fishing are the traditional livelihoods of our people and they offer us a more certain path to sustainable livelihood and in Cross River today, we have seen digital farming which is what informs our partnership with the state in this direction.

 "This is indeed a good thing I'm seeing in cross River today because if we have more of this, we will eradicate hunger amongst the ever increasing population of the country." 

 On his agency's intervention, the NDDC chairman said: "Let me assure that as an intervention agency, we want to seriously intervene in the area of hunger, ensure food security and generate employment for our people and we are starting with rice value chain. 

"Let me state here that while I am still chairman of the commission, our main focus will be poverty reduction and wealth creation and with what we have witnessed in Cross River, we are going back to our drawing board to see how we can partner with this hard working, digital governor," he said.

He reminded the governor that in 2005 the NDDC  and the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on poultry and hatchery joint venture which was designed to ensure availability of day-old chicks and healthy poultry products, as well as help generate employment and create wealth among youths and women in the state. 

Brambaifa further called on the governor to collaborate with them to revive the programme which he noted was in line with his economic development agenda, considering the prevailing economic circumstances.

The Acting MD particularly lauded Ayade for What he described as his critical role in the development of the region and promised to revisit as well as reactivate the Niger Delta Development Master plan with a view to rebuilding partnership for sustainable development forum, as a veritable vehicle for sustainable development of the region. 

Responding, Governor Ayade who described the appointment of Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as well deserved, appealed to Mr. President to consider the confirmation of his appointment, given his wealth of experience as a ranking and renowned professor of pharmacology in the country.

According to the governor, "Cross River State is starting with agro-industry in our industrialization effort because there is so much benefits in agricultural value."

While commending the regional body for the planned re-visitation of the Development Master Plan, Ayade urged them to ensure that the review reflects the current socio-economic realities that will ultimately ensure equitable distribution of the common wealth amongst the sisters states for even development and job creation."

He thanked NDDC  for the expression of interest  to partner the state in the area of rice value chain, poultry and other agro allied sectors, saying, "Your duty is to build a mental maturation of all the various complex we have in the Niger Delta and use the platform of the NDDC to bring us peace,  to create an economic prosperity and equilibrium that allows egalitarian distribution of income to guarantee us the desired peace."

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NDDC sseks partnership with Cross River on rice value chain

By Nakanda Iyadim 

Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa has disclosed his agency's plans to partner Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade's rice revolution programme. 

Brambaifa disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the governor shortly after a tour of the Ayade Industrial Park which houses the rice seeds and seedlings factory in Calabar, yesterday.

Disclosing the object of his visit, the acting NDDC Chair stated: "Your Excellency, part of my mission to Cross River State is to work with your government to revive and strengthen existing partnership, as well as find new areas for collaboration. Of particular interest is agriculture and today, from what I have seen, we have chosen rice value chain which you have demonstrated tremendous capacity with modern equipment and a system of farming."

According to Brambaifa, "As your government has successfully demonstrated, agriculture remains a goldmine waiting to be fully tapped, away from oil and gas. indeed, no sector offers a greater opportunity for job and wealth creation, as well as overall improved living conditions than agriculture."

Brambaifa further stated that "Farming and fishing are the traditional livelihoods of our people and they offer us a more certain path to sustainable livelihood and in Cross River today, we have seen digital farming which is what informs our partnership with the state in this direction.

 "This is indeed a good thing I'm seeing in cross River today because if we have more of this, we will eradicate hunger amongst the ever increasing population of the country." 

 On his agency's intervention, the NDDC chairman said: "Let me assure that as an intervention agency, we want to seriously intervene in the area of hunger, ensure food security and generate employment for our people and we are starting with rice value chain. 

"Let me state here that while I am still chairman of the commission, our main focus will be poverty reduction and wealth creation and with what we have witnessed in Cross River, we are going back to our drawing board to see how we can partner with this hard working, digital governor," he said.

He reminded the governor that in 2005 the NDDC  and the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on poultry and hatchery joint venture which was designed to ensure availability of day-old chicks and healthy poultry products, as well as help generate employment and create wealth among youths and women in the state. 

Brambaifa further called on the governor to collaborate with them to revive the programme which he noted was in line with his economic development agenda, considering the prevailing economic circumstances.

The Acting MD particularly lauded Ayade for What he described as his critical role in the development of the region and promised to revisit as well as reactivate the Niger Delta Development Master plan with a view to rebuilding partnership for sustainable development forum, as a veritable vehicle for sustainable development of the region. 

Responding, Governor Ayade who described the appointment of Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as well deserved, appealed to Mr. President to consider the confirmation of his appointment, given his wealth of experience as a ranking and renowned professor of pharmacology in the country.

According to the governor, "Cross River State is starting with agro-industry in our industrialization effort because there is so much benefits in agricultural value."

While commending the regional body for the planned re-visitation of the Development Master Plan, Ayade urged them to ensure that the review reflects the current socio-economic realities that will ultimately ensure equitable distribution of the common wealth amongst the sisters states for even development and job creation."

He thanked NDDC  for the expression of interest  to partner the state in the area of rice value chain, poultry and other agro allied sectors, saying, "Your duty is to build a mental maturation of all the various complex we have in the Niger Delta and use the platform of the NDDC to bring us peace,  to create an economic prosperity and equilibrium that allows egalitarian distribution of income to guarantee us the desired peace."

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CRSHA SETS UP COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE DEATH OF HAWKER; By Itam Offor

       The State House of Assembly has set up a committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the death of one Mr Michael Eyo, a hawker who was allegedly murdered by officials of the Department of Public Transportation (DOPT) recently in Calabar.

       The House has also resolved to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased as well as appeal to traders in the State, especially in Watt market, to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.

       These were part of the resolutions taken after the presentation of a matter of Urgent Public Interest on the floor of the House by the Member representing Boki 2 state constituency, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong who informed that the late Michael Eyo, a hawker with a pregnant wife and three children was allegedly killed by men of DOPT at Watt market in Calabar.

       Bisong, in an emotional voice emphasized that the role of Government is to protect the lives and property of citizens and uphold the sanctity of human lives, adding that, for a government agency to operate in such an uncultured and uncivilized manner, allegedly leading to the death of a citizen, was highly condemnable.

       Bisong recalled that the 8th Assembly had earlier passed the Hawkers Protection Bill, which approved designated areas for hawking, in recognition of the high rate of unemployment prevalent in the country, adding that, since the Government cannot provide jobs for all citizens, people have to make ends meet by engaging in legitimate trades instead of going into crime. He, however, informed that the Police had arrested two of the three culprits and called on the House to ensure that justice is served.

       Member representing Calabar South 1, the constituency of the deceased, Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim, thanked Bisong for moving the motion. He condemned the activities of the DOPT officials whom he emphasized have abandoned their primary duties of traffic control and called for a review of their activities.

       Other Members in separate contributions also emphasized that Cross River as a tourist destination is widely acclaimed as a peaceful State, adding that, such incidences are inimical to the tourism drive of the Government.

       Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams while condemning the incident emphasized the need for both sides to be given a fair chance of hearing. He thereafter set up the Committee with Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, representing Bakassi as chairman, Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem, Yakurr, Rt. Hon Itam Abang, Boki 1, Hon. Davies Etta, Abi, Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar, Etung, Hon. Sunday Achunekang, Obanliku, and Hon. Edward Ajang, Bekwara, as members. The committee was given one week to report back to the House.

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CRSHA SETS UP COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE DEATH OF HAWKER; By Itam Offor

       The State House of Assembly has set up a committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the death of one Mr Michael Eyo, a hawker who was allegedly murdered by officials of the Department of Public Transportation (DOPT) recently in Calabar.

       The House has also resolved to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased as well as appeal to traders in the State, especially in Watt market, to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.

       These were part of the resolutions taken after the presentation of a matter of Urgent Public Interest on the floor of the House by the Member representing Boki 2 state constituency, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong who informed that the late Michael Eyo, a hawker with a pregnant wife and three children was allegedly killed by men of DOPT at Watt market in Calabar.

       Bisong, in an emotional voice emphasized that the role of Government is to protect the lives and property of citizens and uphold the sanctity of human lives, adding that, for a government agency to operate in such an uncultured and uncivilized manner, allegedly leading to the death of a citizen, was highly condemnable.

       Bisong recalled that the 8th Assembly had earlier passed the Hawkers Protection Bill, which approved designated areas for hawking, in recognition of the high rate of unemployment prevalent in the country, adding that, since the Government cannot provide jobs for all citizens, people have to make ends meet by engaging in legitimate trades instead of going into crime. He, however, informed that the Police had arrested two of the three culprits and called on the House to ensure that justice is served.

       Member representing Calabar South 1, the constituency of the deceased, Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim, thanked Bisong for moving the motion. He condemned the activities of the DOPT officials whom he emphasized have abandoned their primary duties of traffic control and called for a review of their activities.

       Other Members in separate contributions also emphasized that Cross River as a tourist destination is widely acclaimed as a peaceful State, adding that, such incidences are inimical to the tourism drive of the Government.

       Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams while condemning the incident emphasized the need for both sides to be given a fair chance of hearing. He thereafter set up the Committee with Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, representing Bakassi as chairman, Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem, Yakurr, Rt. Hon Itam Abang, Boki 1, Hon. Davies Etta, Abi, Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar, Etung, Hon. Sunday Achunekang, Obanliku, and Hon. Edward Ajang, Bekwara, as members. The committee was given one week to report back to the House.

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CALABAR-AKIN LIONS CLUB MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY, DONATES CASSAVA PROCESSING FACILITY TO COMMUNITY

The Calabar-Akin Lions family has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a massive donation of a complete set of cassava processing equipment to Etim Osam Community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Presenting the machines to representatives of Etim Osam Community, on 23rd, June, 2019, at Lions Park, Marian, Calabar, the President of the Calabar-Akin Lions Club, Lion (Engr.) Joseph Abiodun, said the humanitarian gesture is in fulfillment of his administration's promise, upon inauguration a year ago, to donate such a plant to one of the Akin Communities.

Lion Abiodun further stated that apart from creating employment and generating revenue to the Community, the availability of the cassava processing facility will put an end to ordeals of residents of Etim Osam travelling to neighbouring communities in order to process their cassava into finished products, adding that the new development will greatly improve the quality of garri production in the Community and also impact on the living standards of the people.

The President charge the benefitting Community to make judicious use of the facility to the overall good of the Etim Osam people, in order to attract more of such gestures in the future.

He thanked the Ntoe of Akim Qua and his cabinet for providing a befitting place in the Community to house the equipment.

The over N500, 000.00 set of equipment, according to the President, consist of a stainless steel cassava grater with a petrol-powered engine; cassava de-watering press; stainless steel manual sifter; and communal tray fryer.

The President further enumerated the achievements in the year under review to include the 10th years milestone of the Calabar-Akin Lions Club; Membership growth of plus three; Youth empowerment, through skill acquisition and training; participation in Zonal, Regional, District and Multiple Districts activities; zero debts; dynamic youth wing (Calabar Akin Leo Club); and zero deaths.

He acknowledged God for the 10-years feat and the enabling grace to have been able to touch lives and achieved a lot in a space of one year. He also thanked the District Governor, Region and Zone Chairpersons, Board of Directors and the entire members of the Calabar-Akin Lions Family for their support, saying it was a rare privilege to have served them in such capacity.

Receiving the equipment, the representative of Etim Osam Community, Elder Eta Edim Ekong, thanked the Calabar-Akin Lions Club for such a life-enhancing gesture and promised to make good use of the facility for the betterment of the people.

In his message, the Governor of District 404 A2, Engr. Otoabasi Ansa, who was represented by Lion Obongawan Obo Mesembe, congratulated the Calabar-Akin Lions Club on its 10th anniversary, adding that in a decade, Calabar-Akin Club has stayed aground, broken through and created vistas of humanitarian service to the society.

He expressed delight in the Club's donation to the Etim Osam Community and urged the Club never to rest in its oars of impacting humanity positively, adding that it is through this mandate of service that the Lions Club has become the number one humanitarian body in the world.

Earlier that Sunday, a thanksgiving service was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Otu Ansa, Calabar, for a successful service year, led by Engr. Joseph Abiodun and to usher in new Executives for the Club.

The new Executives of the Calabar-Akin Club will be led by Lion Emana Otu, as President and Vera BAssey and Otu Richard as Vice President 1 and 2 respectively, while the Leos (youth wing) will be led by Leo Cyril Inyang as President and Leos Chris Ekpenyong and Bassey Inyang as Vice President 1 and 2 respectively.

 

Highpoints of the event featured cutting of the commemorative cake to mark the club's 10th anniversary, presentation of equipment to representatives of Etim Osam Community and admission of new members to the Calabar-Akin Club.

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CALABAR-AKIN LIONS CLUB MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY, DONATES CASSAVA PROCESSING FACILITY TO COMMUNITY

The Calabar-Akin Lions family has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a massive donation of a complete set of cassava processing equipment to Etim Osam Community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Presenting the machines to representatives of Etim Osam Community, on 23rd, June, 2019, at Lions Park, Marian, Calabar, the President of the Calabar-Akin Lions Club, Lion (Engr.) Joseph Abiodun, said the humanitarian gesture is in fulfillment of his administration's promise, upon inauguration a year ago, to donate such a plant to one of the Akin Communities.

Lion Abiodun further stated that apart from creating employment and generating revenue to the Community, the availability of the cassava processing facility will put an end to ordeals of residents of Etim Osam travelling to neighbouring communities in order to process their cassava into finished products, adding that the new development will greatly improve the quality of garri production in the Community and also impact on the living standards of the people.

The President charge the benefitting Community to make judicious use of the facility to the overall good of the Etim Osam people, in order to attract more of such gestures in the future.

He thanked the Ntoe of Akim Qua and his cabinet for providing a befitting place in the Community to house the equipment.

The over N500, 000.00 set of equipment, according to the President, consist of a stainless steel cassava grater with a petrol-powered engine; cassava de-watering press; stainless steel manual sifter; and communal tray fryer.

The President further enumerated the achievements in the year under review to include the 10th years milestone of the Calabar-Akin Lions Club; Membership growth of plus three; Youth empowerment, through skill acquisition and training; participation in Zonal, Regional, District and Multiple Districts activities; zero debts; dynamic youth wing (Calabar Akin Leo Club); and zero deaths.

He acknowledged God for the 10-years feat and the enabling grace to have been able to touch lives and achieved a lot in a space of one year. He also thanked the District Governor, Region and Zone Chairpersons, Board of Directors and the entire members of the Calabar-Akin Lions Family for their support, saying it was a rare privilege to have served them in such capacity.

Receiving the equipment, the representative of Etim Osam Community, Elder Eta Edim Ekong, thanked the Calabar-Akin Lions Club for such a life-enhancing gesture and promised to make good use of the facility for the betterment of the people.

In his message, the Governor of District 404 A2, Engr. Otoabasi Ansa, who was represented by Lion Obongawan Obo Mesembe, congratulated the Calabar-Akin Lions Club on its 10th anniversary, adding that in a decade, Calabar-Akin Club has stayed aground, broken through and created vistas of humanitarian service to the society.

He expressed delight in the Club's donation to the Etim Osam Community and urged the Club never to rest in its oars of impacting humanity positively, adding that it is through this mandate of service that the Lions Club has become the number one humanitarian body in the world.

Earlier that Sunday, a thanksgiving service was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Otu Ansa, Calabar, for a successful service year, led by Engr. Joseph Abiodun and to usher in new Executives for the Club.

The new Executives of the Calabar-Akin Club will be led by Lion Emana Otu, as President and Vera BAssey and Otu Richard as Vice President 1 and 2 respectively, while the Leos (youth wing) will be led by Leo Cyril Inyang as President and Leos Chris Ekpenyong and Bassey Inyang as Vice President 1 and 2 respectively.

 

Highpoints of the event featured cutting of the commemorative cake to mark the club's 10th anniversary, presentation of equipment to representatives of Etim Osam Community and admission of new members to the Calabar-Akin Club.

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CROSS RIVER STATE DG'S REACTION ON THE POST-ELECTION POSITION OF SUPPORT GROUPS/DG'S IN THE STATE

It is no longer a thing of surprise that the importance of the Cross River State support groups and their D.G's is completely disparaged after every election wave, therefore making it save to conclude that both the D.G's and their support groups are instruments to a means.

In as much as I know, Even as a support group D.G that it is pertinent  to garner and mobilize support for a promising and prospective candidate as our Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben. Ayade, its irrefutably and  uncontroversially incongruous, vexatious, fretting and overly bothersome that this disheartening act of complete sidelining of D.G's and support groups is imminent in our state's politics.

The subscribed paradigm of favouring the statesmen and their political godchildren at the expense of the support groups and their D.G's  in appointments, allocation of funds for specific purposes, and appreciation after election is a tetanic attitude that's doggedly eating up the will of the people  to participate in subsequent electoral processes, especially one that concerns candidates with such histories. 

Need I mention that the emergence of a candidate as winner of an election will be farcical without the inclusion of support groups in the process because even the local government is constituted of people from various support groups.

Elder statesmen I've realized are one of the greatest challenges of support groups' relevance in this state.

The very statesmen who are easily won over by opposing parties for want of personal interest, the very statesmen who embezzle the funds released for campaign,  thereby suffering and making futile the efforts of the footsoldiers (support groups) in their trickle and ridiculous supposed embossment, are the very set our Excellencies allot priority, neglecting the footsoldiers after the war.

Please, let's not loose sight of the fact that the casualties of every election are the members of some support group, who probably had their campaign materials, mobilization and demobilization sponsored by their sweats as our statesmen will always embezzle this funds and release trickles which can only do little or nothing, but will subject both the 

D.G's and their support groups to the most servitude of treatments.

REMEMBER:

- It's the support groups who suffer the bullets on the field

- It's the support groups who risk crossing the seas for to ensure a winning in their rural and riverine wards

- It's the support groups who resist the opponent thugs on the field, which most often leads to the loss of lives, yet they're the most ill treated after the elections, while the statesmen enjoy the victory.

This is the mournful voice of many D.G's and support groups who lost a member or had brutal injury cases in the course of election, this is the voice of many who dished from their little to support a just course, yet are inconsequentially etiolated, sent to limbo and completely left out.

His Excellency Sir, we all confidently recognize the versatile role the DG of all DGs Mr Lebo Lebo immensely played towards organizing the support groups, and on this note sir we are collectively making a plea through the office of the DG of all the support groups Mr Lebo Lebo for inclusiveness in some vital areas in your Government.

His Excellency sir, we know you're a just man of irrefragable repute, we followed your course because we believe in you and still stand on your industrialization envisage as most apt for a moribund state that's bereft of her littoral benefits, but sir, the place of statesmen strive to make null and void the consideration of support groups and their D.G's in appointments and direct/indirect inclusion in government is birthed of fear that their image of relevance might be compromised as they know that the support groups are almost always responsible for the victories they're lauded. 

His Excellency sir, on behalf of the support groups and the DG of DGs Mr Lebo Lebo, we all plead that your promise to D.G's and support groups be extended to these set; we believe in you sir, and we will all stand our grounds to sink or swim with your vision for our tomorrow.

Thank you your Excellency sir, for giving ears to the voice of reason.

From:

Comr. Eric Azogor

DG Cross River Visionary Youths

Supported by:

All the DGs/ support Groups in Cross River State

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CROSS RIVER STATE DG'S REACTION ON THE POST-ELECTION POSITION OF SUPPORT GROUPS/DG'S IN THE STATE

It is no longer a thing of surprise that the importance of the Cross River State support groups and their D.G's is completely disparaged after every election wave, therefore making it save to conclude that both the D.G's and their support groups are instruments to a means.

In as much as I know, Even as a support group D.G that it is pertinent  to garner and mobilize support for a promising and prospective candidate as our Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben. Ayade, its irrefutably and  uncontroversially incongruous, vexatious, fretting and overly bothersome that this disheartening act of complete sidelining of D.G's and support groups is imminent in our state's politics.

The subscribed paradigm of favouring the statesmen and their political godchildren at the expense of the support groups and their D.G's  in appointments, allocation of funds for specific purposes, and appreciation after election is a tetanic attitude that's doggedly eating up the will of the people  to participate in subsequent electoral processes, especially one that concerns candidates with such histories. 

Need I mention that the emergence of a candidate as winner of an election will be farcical without the inclusion of support groups in the process because even the local government is constituted of people from various support groups.

Elder statesmen I've realized are one of the greatest challenges of support groups' relevance in this state.

The very statesmen who are easily won over by opposing parties for want of personal interest, the very statesmen who embezzle the funds released for campaign,  thereby suffering and making futile the efforts of the footsoldiers (support groups) in their trickle and ridiculous supposed embossment, are the very set our Excellencies allot priority, neglecting the footsoldiers after the war.

Please, let's not loose sight of the fact that the casualties of every election are the members of some support group, who probably had their campaign materials, mobilization and demobilization sponsored by their sweats as our statesmen will always embezzle this funds and release trickles which can only do little or nothing, but will subject both the 

D.G's and their support groups to the most servitude of treatments.

REMEMBER:

- It's the support groups who suffer the bullets on the field

- It's the support groups who risk crossing the seas for to ensure a winning in their rural and riverine wards

- It's the support groups who resist the opponent thugs on the field, which most often leads to the loss of lives, yet they're the most ill treated after the elections, while the statesmen enjoy the victory.

This is the mournful voice of many D.G's and support groups who lost a member or had brutal injury cases in the course of election, this is the voice of many who dished from their little to support a just course, yet are inconsequentially etiolated, sent to limbo and completely left out.

His Excellency Sir, we all confidently recognize the versatile role the DG of all DGs Mr Lebo Lebo immensely played towards organizing the support groups, and on this note sir we are collectively making a plea through the office of the DG of all the support groups Mr Lebo Lebo for inclusiveness in some vital areas in your Government.

His Excellency sir, we know you're a just man of irrefragable repute, we followed your course because we believe in you and still stand on your industrialization envisage as most apt for a moribund state that's bereft of her littoral benefits, but sir, the place of statesmen strive to make null and void the consideration of support groups and their D.G's in appointments and direct/indirect inclusion in government is birthed of fear that their image of relevance might be compromised as they know that the support groups are almost always responsible for the victories they're lauded. 

His Excellency sir, on behalf of the support groups and the DG of DGs Mr Lebo Lebo, we all plead that your promise to D.G's and support groups be extended to these set; we believe in you sir, and we will all stand our grounds to sink or swim with your vision for our tomorrow.

Thank you your Excellency sir, for giving ears to the voice of reason.

From:

Comr. Eric Azogor

DG Cross River Visionary Youths

Supported by:

All the DGs/ support Groups in Cross River State

Read More