Detailing Cross River

Stakeholders in Cross River State Health Sector have converged in the Canaan City of Calabar for the maiden State Council on Health meeting (SCH) theme: Cross River State Strategic Health Development Plan II, A Road map to Universal Healthcare from 11th-13th September, 2018.

Cross River State Governor, Senator (Prof) Prof Ben Ayade ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu said the purpose of SCH meeting was to discuss issues on health policy in view of attaining Universal Healthcare Coverage.

He noted that Cross River State Government has maintained his position in the country as a frontier in policy formulation, infrastructural development and capital growth for the benefit of the State citizens and its environs. This according to him is evident in infrastructural strides in the health sector which runs from the creeks of Bakassi to the hills of obanliku.

Ayade went further to state that Ayadecare launched, establishment of calabar pharmaceutical company, ongoing construction of three referral hospitals, rehabilitation of general hospitals across the state with emphasis on maternity wards, building of several new comprehensive PHCs and refurbishment of comprehensive primary health care centers across the state.

Amongst the achievement listed by the Governor were 20 containers load of state of art equipments for PHC and General hospital, massive development and employment of human resources in the healthcare across the state which underlines the desire of the State to maintain status quo as number one in healthcare delivery in the country.

Also Speaking, Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong said the aimed of the meeting is to achieve universal healthcare coverage in cross river state by ensuring healthy lives and promoting the health of all.

"If we have functional healthcare centres at the grass root level, reporting system would be very effective and any outbreak of disease would be nip in the bud, there would be no room for epidemics says Dr Asibong. She said the achievement of the Governor in the health sector is enormous with the re accreditation of the 6 schools of nursing which were morribound and closed before this administration came on board

Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu during her welcome remarks said Cross River State cannot achieve universal health coverage without the support of the stakeholders in the health sector.

Dr Edu said the Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade has been supersonic and committed to healthcare development and as such the meeting is a pathway to Universal Health coverage and further improvement of health sector in Cross River .

She added that bringing healthcare to the grass root, operationalizing it at the Primary Healthcare Centres with adequate equipment and man power would give opportunity to Nigerians to enjoy access to quality healthcare services.

Representative of the Minister for Health and a Director Federal Ministry of Health, Aliu Umar Gubio said he is delighted to see Cross River State taking the lead in holding the state council of health meeting which decision taken will be forwarded to national council of health meeting for consideration.

According to him the federal ministry of health will continue to partner with the state to ensure that universal healthcare coverage is achieved. He commended the state for giant stride achieved in mother and child health delivery.

Highlight of the event was presentation of Awards to some partners, staff of the Ministry.

Present at the opening ceremony were State Attorney General, Barr Joe Abang, Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, John Ulafor, Commissioner for Information, Women Affairs, Mrs Rosemary Archibong and Mrs Stella Orey Odey while key

goodwill messages were delivered by Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, representatives of NPHCDA, WHO, Pathfinders, Marie Stopes amongst others.

GOVERNOR BEN AYADE RECOUNTS ACHIEVEMENT IN HEALTH SECTOR AS CROSS RIVER STATE AIMS AT ATTAINING UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.

Highlight of the event was presentation of Awards to some partners, staff of the Ministry.

goodwill messages were delivered by Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, representatives of NPHCDA, WHO, Pathfinders, Marie Stopes amongst others.

GOVERNOR BEN AYADE RECOUNTS ACHIEVEMENT IN HEALTH SECTOR AS CROSS RIVER STATE AIMS AT ATTAINING UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.

Highlight of the event was presentation of Awards to some partners, staff of the Ministry.

goodwill messages were delivered by Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, representatives of NPHCDA, WHO, Pathfinders, Marie Stopes amongst others.

GOVERNOR BEN AYADE RECOUNTS ACHIEVEMENT IN HEALTH SECTOR AS CROSS RIVER STATE AIMS AT ATTAINING UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.

Highlight of the event was presentation of Awards to some partners, staff of the Ministry.

goodwill messages were delivered by Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, representatives of NPHCDA, WHO, Pathfinders, Marie Stopes amongst others.

INFO BOSS USES AGRO-CULTURAL FESTIVAL TO PREACH UNITY, ENCOURAGE AGRICULTURE

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong has called on Cross Riverians to maintain the unity and progress of the State amid its divergent peculiarities.

The Commissioner, who gave the charge when she was received as Special Guest by the Yala Progressive Union (YPU), Calabar Chapter, on the occasion of their New Yam Festival, penultimate Tuesday, also encouraged the people to take advantage of Governor Ben Ayade's agricultural revolution by leapfrogging from peasantry into commercial agriculture.

"I want to congratulate you that even though you were not able to travel to Yala, you have made this place your home. Because that is what Cross River State needs; we are home to ourselves and strangers. Whether you are in Calabar, Akpabuyo or Ikom, a Cross Riverian is Cross Riverian and we must remain united," Mrs. Archibong remarked.

Mrs. Archibong emphasized that the beauty of Cross River State is its unity in diversity, adding that the multiplicity of dialects, culture and traditions put the State in the pantheon of culturally-relevant States in the country.

The Information and Orientation Commissioner refuted the erroneous notion that such festivals were ungodly, pointing out its essence of gratitude to God for bountiful harvest, which according to her, is in line with biblical injunctions.

Mrs. Archibong also restated the commitment of the State Government in maintaining a pride of place for the agrarian areas of the Northern Senatorial District, by instituting a central festival tagged "NorthFest," aimed at celebrating and showcasing primarily the agro-based exploits of the people; with "Utomo Obong" in the South and "Leboku" in the Central parts of the State, completing a tripod of cultural festivals.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Calabar Branch of Yala Progressive Union (YPU), Comrade Bartholomew Adoga stated that the importance of the day to the Yala nation cannot be overemphasized, noting that it is specially set aside to thank God for the yields, with the chief crop – yam – highlighting the harvests.

Comrade Adoga used the occasion to call on Yala sons and daughters to show love to one another and live in peace and harmony with neighbours, adding that it by doing so, that society can thrive.

Also speaking, Mrs. Martina Essien, who described the Yala nation as "a unique part of the State," said the festival is one important aspect of the people, marked in thanksgiving to God for sufficiency of harvests.

She thanked God for another year of harvest and sustenance of the people, as well as prayed for more years of plenty.

Another illustrious son of Yala, Adah Benedict Okache, likened the Yam Festival to the Easter and Christmas in the Christian faith. Stressing the cultural significance of the festival, Adah Okache said the day marks the beginning of the harvest season, stating that though not in home soil, the Wogada Ebo Community deemed it necessary to celebrate in Calabar.

Adah Okache felicitated with sons and of the Yala nation at home and in the diaspora, urging them to celebrate in the spirit the festival, by eating local cuisines akin to the Yala people.

The festival which is marked every 30th of August was celebrated this year in Calabar by the YPU – Calabar Branch and their well-wishers with pomp and flurry, with an array of sumptuous local cuisines and delicacies enjoyed by all who attended.

INFO BOSS USES AGRO-CULTURAL FESTIVAL TO PREACH UNITY, ENCOURAGE AGRICULTURE

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong has called on Cross Riverians to maintain the unity and progress of the State amid its divergent peculiarities.

Comrade Adoga used the occasion to call on Yala sons and daughters to show love to one another and live in peace and harmony with neighbours, adding that it by doing so, that society can thrive.

She thanked God for another year of harvest and sustenance of the people, as well as prayed for more years of plenty.

Adah Okache felicitated with sons and of the Yala nation at home and in the diaspora, urging them to celebrate in the spirit the festival, by eating local cuisines akin to the Yala people.

SARAKI: A MAN OF TREMENDOUS CAPACITY – GERSHOM BASSEY

By Kingsley Agim

Senator Gershom Bassey of Cross River Southern Senatorial District has described the Senate President and Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Buklola Saraki as a man of tremendous capacity.

Senator Bassey made this assertion during a reception of stakeholders and supporters from the Southern Senatorial District held yesterday in his residence in Calabar.

The legislator, who was in the delegation that received the Senate President in Calabar on a solidarity visit to the Government of the State, spoke highly of the Senate President's sterling leadership qualities, describing the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Dr. Saraki as the "best performing and most prolific of all time in terms of motions and bills passed as well as interventions in crisis."

"Dr. Saraki's leadership, despite the enormous challenges, has been able to deliver an effective and productive Senate. I find that his capacity to be President is not in doubt and definitely he will be an excellent President. I have no hesitation recommending him to anybody for the post of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Definitely he will do better than the current President," Senator Bassey enthused.

Senator Bassey who is also seeking re-election in 2019, said his second term ambition is based on what he has been able to deliver in his first stint in the Senate and to deliver even more on the dividends of democracy for my people, stating: "I have produced my scorecard, put it up on billboards and pamphlets; so I think that I have a record I can be proud of and also have a lot of unfinished business in the Senate, therefore, I am asking the good people of the Southern Senatorial District to support me as I go for a second term in the Senate."

On the People's Democratic Party's 'automatic ticket' issue, the Senator maintained that what the PDP has is a consensus arrangement on seats in the National Assembly.

Senator Bassey also appealed to any aggrieved party member to stay in the PDP and fight for the overall cause of the Party, adding that even as a founder member of the PDP, he had to work for the Party for 15 years before running an election. He advised, particularly the younger politicians that in the business of politics, they have to wait for their turn, quipping that if the Party has taken a position, they should support it in all elections and eventually it will come to them, one way or the other.

The lawmaker called on his constituents and all Cross Riverians to continue to keep faith in the PDP, assuring that come 2019, the Party will still win in the State landslide and also in the Presidency.

Notable attendees at the reception were former Deputy Governor of Cross River State and Zonal Coordinator, Saraki Campaign Organization, Chief Effiok Cobham, Member representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo, Member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, Hon. Eta Mbora, Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong and her Health counterpart, Mrs. Inyang Asibong, women, among others.

SARAKI: A MAN OF TREMENDOUS CAPACITY – GERSHOM BASSEY

By Kingsley Agim

Senator Gershom Bassey of Cross River Southern Senatorial District has described the Senate President and Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Buklola Saraki as a man of tremendous capacity.

Senator Bassey made this assertion during a reception of stakeholders and supporters from the Southern Senatorial District held yesterday in his residence in Calabar.

On the People's Democratic Party's 'automatic ticket' issue, the Senator maintained that what the PDP has is a consensus arrangement on seats in the National Assembly.

I’ll deliver Cross River Central to APC, Aspirant assures.

By:Thompson Anika.

The Cross River Central Senatorial aspirant Obol Akin Ricketts has promised to deliver the District to the All Progressives Congress (APC) if picked as its candidate for the 2019 election.

Obol Ricketts, stated this when he picked his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms from the national secretariat of the party over the weekend in Abuja.

The immediate past Commissioner for Information described himself as the master stroke that will win the election for the APC,pointing out that the massive goodwill he enjoys among the constituents who conferred on him the revered traditional title of Obol Nkama 1 of Ugep over three decades ago puts him in good stead to win their votes for the party.

He affirmed that the people adore and look up to him as their traditional 'defender', 'protector' and 'provider' based on his populist philosophical slogan of 'cow wey no get tail'

stressing that his political genealogy as grandson of Late Chief (Sir) Noel Ofem, the first paramount ruler of Old Yakurr and member of the House of Chiefs representing Old Abakaliki Province in the Eastern Region also means the people won't have an issue trusting him to represent them.

"My late grandfather was a staunch political associate of First Republic President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and also worked closely with political heavyweights like Chief Michael Okpara, Eze (Dr.) Sir Francis Ibiam, Chief Mbonu Ejike, among others. Obol Ricketts,who is a Public Relations and Communication expert said his commitment to community development, entrepreneurship and philanthropy make him tower above others in flying the party's ticket,adding that he will strive to add value to legislative representation in the red chambers of the National Assembly as have never been done before.

"This is expectedly borne out of the fact that I am a trusted 'fellar', who is well revered by all and has genuine capacity to add value to whatever I do anywhere I find himself," he averred.

The Ugep-born High Chief said he boasts of wide experience spanning several years in entrepreneurship development, business management with high acumen in business interests cutting across oil and gas, maritime and shipping, construction, clearing and forwarding among others.

The Central Senatorial hopeful maintained that added to his reputable accounts is his public servant endeavour as Commissioner for Information under Governor Liyel Imoke which places him high with unbeatable track records that further enhances his qualification for the ticket.

Obol Ricketts appealed to his Party leaders and members to allow him demonstrate his progressive credentials and penchant for organizational skills that will deliver good governance for the senatorial district, if picked.

"Giving the senatorial ticket to a tested, unassuming politician of high pedigree and with full support of other political heavy weights in the constituency would certainly make the job of electioneering campaigns very easy and guarantee victory for the All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of other political parties," he emphasized

I’ll deliver Cross River Central to APC, Aspirant assures.

By:Thompson Anika.

The Cross River Central Senatorial aspirant Obol Akin Ricketts has promised to deliver the District to the All Progressives Congress (APC) if picked as its candidate for the 2019 election.

Obol Ricketts, stated this when he picked his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms from the national secretariat of the party over the weekend in Abuja.

He affirmed that the people adore and look up to him as their traditional 'defender', 'protector' and 'provider' based on his populist philosophical slogan of 'cow wey no get tail'

"This is expectedly borne out of the fact that I am a trusted 'fellar', who is well revered by all and has genuine capacity to add value to whatever I do anywhere I find himself," he averred.

I will do more for the people of Abi - Governor Ben Ayade!

Cross River State Governor Sen Prof Ben Ayade has upheld his promise made to Adadama ward (Ibalebo community) in Abi Local Government Area to fix her Primary Healthcare Centre immediately.

During the last town hall meetings held a week ago, all the wards in Abi made presentations on issues affecting them. the people of Adadama spoke on Dilapidated health centers and security amongs other issues. The Governor in his response promised to prefer solutions to the issues mentioned as soon as possible.

" we thought it was a political statement, infact that Primary health post was very bad the day he came and we put the picture in our presentation. we are so shocked to see that this health center has been renovated and equipped in less than a week following the Governors visit to Abi, Governor Ben Ayade means well, since he is a son of ABI we will support him 100% in his second term bid"!!!- Chief Eval

DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu has praised her Boss who she refers to as the promise keeper and the system stabilizer for his effort in the revitalization of Primary Health Care services in the state. She said building a sustainable and efficient health care system requires us to substantially rethink the status quo, develop new models, infrastructures, rehabilitate existing PHCs, change approaches to care and push for greater integration.

According to her, the promise was made by His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade last week when he visited the area for a town hall meeting, we followed up and today we have the result.

"Recalls that Governor Ben Ayade administration had on assumption of office promised to revitalise PHCs in the State to ensure qualitative and affordable healthcare delivery.

"We have been very relentless and target-driven in pursuing the noble objective. The Governor has commissioned over forty Primary healthcare centres already since the beginning of revitalization programme of PHCs on 2015 and Ibalebo facility will be added to the numbers in the coming days says Dr Edu.

The centre when commissioned will provide quality and affordable healthcare to the people and support antenatal care, post natal care, administration of vaccines amongst others.

I will do more for the people of Abi - Governor Ben Ayade!