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Showing posts from November, 2022

Tinubu Meets CAN: Tinubu will defend and support Christians; He will be a President for everyone, Religious Tolerance is key; let’s focus on improving Nigeria!- DR Betta Edu

“If I cannot Islamize my household, How can I islamize Nigeria, someday in this country will have a Christian- Christian ticket”- Asiwaju Tinubu It was a deeply engaging session between the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The Presidential Candidate of APC who was accompanied by his wife Pastor Remi Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, Governor Umahi, Governor Ganduje, Governor Hope Uzodinma, the National women Leader Dr Betta Edu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Members of PCC and key stakeholders of the party. He promised to work closely with CAN Leadership to bring solutions to challenges facing the country. Asiwaju who clearly discussed his action plans told CAN that he is coming to make life better for Nigerians and will not bring sentiments into dealing with issues that concern Nigeria. He said as a president when voted in; his duty is to defend Christians and Moslem alike,

UNICAL VC lauds Federal Government Broadband Initiatives for Universities

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has commended the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy for selecting the university to be among the 18 higher institutions to benefit from the Broadband Initiatives for Universities. The Vice Chancellor said this while receiving the award letter presented to her on behalf of UNICAL, by the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), FCIIS, FBCS, FNCS, in Abuja. The Federal Government initiative is for the provision of unlimited broadband on campus and 20 markets to be implemented by the National Communications Commission. The event which was held in Abuja, had 18 institutional VC’s across the federation in attendance to receive the award. Prof. Obi on behalf of her university, received the institution award as part of batch 1. The Initiative was initiated by Prof. Pantami to promote learning. However, the approval heede

Obubra Monarchs Endorse Eteng Williams as Sole Central Senatorial Candidate

In an unprecedented move on Tuesday, traditional rulers of Adun and Okum Kingdom in Obubra Local Government Area endorsed the Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams as the sole senate candidate for Cross River Central senatorial district. The traditional rulers of Adun spoke through His Royal Majesty, Patrick Erong, the Kudiden of Adun kingdom, while in Okum Kingdom, the Ohorodo of Okum, His Royal Majesty, Mbina Mbina III spoke on behalf of the royal fathers. The monarchs chorused that Eteng Williams as an Mkpani born is their son and now is time to reciprocate the blood ties between both communities. “For this honour and respect he has brought to us, We are announcing here today that we are unanimously endorsing him as the sole candidate for Senate in the Central come 2023. “We are directing our people and clans to shun any opposition and troop out en mass to vote for him. We are confident that come February 2023 victory will be his”, said

Akamkpa Urban makes firm commitment to APC

Akamkpa Urban Ward on Tuesday, November 22nd received Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) running for National Assembly and State House of Assembly Elections led by Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong. The engagements which began at the Palace of the Clan Head where all traditional chiefs assembled saw the Royal fathers expressing joy at having men of caliber such as Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong, Onun Dr Emil Inyang and Ntui Debu Okon Owuna for the Senate, Reps and State Assembly respectively. They affirmed that Candidates with their pedigree and intellect would be an asset to the National and State Assembly. At the subsequent town hall, Asuquo Ekpenyong promised to live up to their belief in his competence. He pledged not to disappoint them and their expectations. He called on the people of Akamkpa urban to support Back to South at both the National and State level by voting massively for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Bassey Edet Otu for President and Governor respectively. As a ma

Anti-Deforestation Taskforce Chairman refutes claim his men attacked Foresty Commission personnel

The baseless story that appeared in the Sunday publication by www.Calitown.com news blog of 27th November, 2022 entitled: “Wood: Ayade’s Aide Fingered In Attack On CR Forestry Commission Officials“ is a deliberate misinformation by the Cross River Forestry Commission in an attempt to mislead the public against the Chairman, Anti-Deforestation Task Force (North), Governors’ Office, Calabar. Facts of the matter are : The Chairman Cross River Anti-Deforestation Taskforce North was never at the scene of the incident nor in direct connivance with perpetrators of the attack. On this particular day, Chief Asegem was bidding final respect to his elder whose burial took place on November 23-24,2022 and those alleged to have beaten officials of the commission were with Chief Asegem at the burial. It is inhuman for people in a mourning mood to have the luxury of engaging in any altercation with a recognized government agency officials. The allegation of Mr Frank Edu, DG Cross Rive

We will work with Asiwaju to ensure that the rights and privileges of Nigerian women are fully protected--Dr. Betta Edu

All Progressive Congress (APC) women on Saturday flagged off the south-south women presidential campaigns for the party’s candidates; Bola Ahmed and Kashim Shettima, with a call on women to uphold the party with seriousness to attain victory. On arrival in Calabar, the first lady and her entourage paid a courtesy call on the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, to discuss their plans ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections. Speaking at the event held at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium, Calabar, the state capital, Aisha Buhari, the wife of Nigeria’s president, ably represented by Fatima Buhari, expressed optimism that women and youths will deliver in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. She noted that the party stands for peace and progress, urging the women to carry the campaign with seriousness and commitment. Similarly, the Cross River State first lady, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade admonished women and youths to vote for the party in the s

Dr Janet Ekpenyong Adds Another Feather, Inducted Into the Fellowship of "African Institute of Public health Professionals".

Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has been meritoriously inducted into the  prestigious body of health professionals in the African Continent as a "Fellow , African Institute of Public health Professional". The Celebral Doctor who was in the company of well established and renowned Public Health Professionals across the continent was filled with joy in a highly delighted occasion held at the Egyptian Capital, Cairo, North Africa.  The young , energetic and vibrant DG who has created a nitch for herself in the Public Health sector with her most recent achievements coming as the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is well celebrated and considered by many as a leading light brightening the future of young Appointees in the Country. With a dogged and resilient approach towards Community based medical  Services, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has created one of the longest and most e

C'River NAWOJ Congratulates Orok Otu Duke On His NDDC Appointment

  On behalf of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Cross River State Chapter, I write to congratulate you, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke, and to express our deep joy on your appointment as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). As you know, this appointment comes with great responsibilities and unconventional demands requiring candor, discipline, professionalism, loyalty, focus, diligence, and the highest level of service. Your pedigree, experience, and career trajectory both locally and globally speak to your capacity.  We are particularly grateful to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for finding an illustrious son of Cross River State worthy to occupy this very exalted position to reposition the region for more rapid development. Your appointment is a clear demonstration of the fact that a goldfish has no hiding place. Also owing to your unbreakable track record

Prince Otu Floors Sandy Onor As Court Strikes Out Application Seeking To Disqualify APC Guber Candidate

An application seeking to disqualify the APC gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Prince Otu and his running mate, Hon. Peter Odey brought before the Federal High Court, Calabar Division by the People’s Democratic Party and its gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Sandy Onor has been struck out. Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar ateuck out the application moments ago. Sen. Sandy Onor and the PDP in an originating summons with case number FHC/CA/CS/142/2022 had draged the All Progressives Congress, Sen. Prince Otu, Hon. Peter Odey and The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively before the court alleging that the 3rd defendant was not a member of the APC and that he was also a British citizen and as such, was not qualified to run for any elective position in Nigeria. Counsel to the PDP, Mba Ukweni, SAN had prayed the court to, among other five requests, disqualify the APC gubernatorial candidate and his dep

WHO South South Zonal Coordinator Advocates For Massive Turn Out Of Children For Rotavirus Vaccination

The Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health Obol Dr. Iwara Iwara alongside the Director General of the CRSPHCDA Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Mrs Joy Chabo, as a sign of respect, led the WHO South South Zonal Coordinator Dr. Kolude Olufunmilola and her team, to pay their respect and traditional loyalty to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. Speaking during the advocacy visit, Dr. Iwara Iwara thanked the Treaty King for granting the team audience even at a very short notice. "Obong, we're here with a team from the World Health Organization (WHO). They've been supporting our State in health services like polio eradication activities, immunization, COVID-19, Measles, flood and other health emergencies and PHC services, for a very long time now. Just a few weeks ago they supported the State by providing flood disaster response  and management services amongst other things..  We're

Permanent Secretary CRSMOH Commends Governor Ben Ayade And The Security Agencies Over The Release Of The Abducted Doctors

  Recall that health workers who attended the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) training program supported by WHO in the State were abducted on the 18th day of November, 2022. Out of this, the female health workers in their midst were released as the abductors took into custody two doctors and other victims. This heinous act caused panic and fear amongst the citizens of the State disrupting transport within the area of the incident as well as forcing the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) CRS to declare an industrial strike action. However, the Ministry is most delighted with the good news this morning that the abducted doctors and other victims have been released unconditionally. As such, the CRSMOH under the leadership of Dr. Iwara Iwara and the CRSPHCDA under the leadership of Dr. Janet Ekpenyong wishes to express their sincere gratitude to His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, his dear wife Dr. Linda Ayade, his ever working Deputy Prof. Ivara Esu, the State's Commissioner of Pol

Dr. Betta Edu APC NWL Nigeria, Dr. Naeema Al-Gasser emerge as Fellow of the African Institute of Public Health in Cairo Egypt

Dr Betta Edu who is a Harvard Certified, PhD holder, a Medical Doctor, a Public Health Specialist with an MSC in Public Health for Developing countries from the world renowned London School of Hygine and Tropical Medicine University of London UK, has just added another feather to the already crowded cap, as she alongside a few Public Health Professionals in Africa and beyond bagged the very prestigious Fellow of African Institute of Public Health Professionals in Cairo, Egypt. Dr Betta Edu who also is, a Fellow of the Royal School of Public Health United Kingdom, a member of the Presidential Health Reform Committee Nigeria, immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, Fomer Commissioner for Health Cross River  and Chairman of the COVID-19 Response task force Cross River state, First Director General and CEO of the Cross River State Primary Health care Development Agency, an agency she created from the scratch working under the Leadership of Governor Ben Ayade and

C'River, UNDP Partner to Control Use of Small Arms in Border Communities

  The Cross River State government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is working on introducing a program that will deal with matters of security in border communities, on controlling the use of small arms in the State. This disclosure was made when a delegation of the UNDP paid a working visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation (MIDC) on Monday in her office in Calabar. According to the Comptroller-General for the South-South Center, Maj. Gen Martin  Obot (rtd), the delegation was in the State to intimate the Commissioner of its entry to the state to liaise and undertake the program. Speaking also about the program, the Head, Center for Control of Small Arms and Programme Analyst for the UNDP, Mr. Jonathan Madaki noted that the core mission was to proliferate the use of small arms around border communities of the state as a means of securing the areas. Mr Madaki said the delegation was delighted to meet with the leadership of

C/River: Mbarakom Ward agog for APC as they received Asuquo Ekpenyong, Emil Inyang, Okon Owuna

  It was a celebration galore as the people of Mbarakom Ward came out in large numbers to Welcome the APC Candidates to their Federal Constituency.  The Ward rally which took place on Monday was electrifying with all party stalwarts, women and youth dancing to the victory drums of APC. Addressing the crowd of supporters, APC Cross River South Candidate, Asuquo Ekpenyong disclosed to the teeming supporters that APC is coming with a whole lot of packages for the people including attracting more Federal presence to the Community. He asked them to vote APC from top to bottom. Candidate for Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, Onun Dr Emil Inyang on his part assured the people of Mbarakom Ward of his eagerness to bring development to their community and empower those willing to invest in small scale businesses. Ntufam Okon Owuna who was elated by the show of love and acceptability of APC Candidates vowed to attract projects and bring smile to both the young and the old. He charged them to mo

Management Assures Unicross Students of Safety within the University Environment

  The Management of Unicross wishes to inform parents , students , stakeholders , Government and all residents of Cross River State that the University acknowledges the sad experiences of  some of its female students culminating in the theft of their phones and personal belongings by hoodlums   .   The Management  of the University wishes to reiterate its commitment to the complete eradication of these  criminal elements inimical to the peaceful coexistence of the university . The University Management has already contacted relevant security agencies to fish out these hoodlums who have decided to constitute themselves as a nuisance to the institution .  It assures all staff, students, parents and stakeholders that the hoodlums would be caught and made to face the wrath of the law within a very short time .   It also wishes to state that there were no cases of rape as mischievously peddled by some bloggers and news sites. Management frowns  at the despicable act of publishing informatio

CRSG Flag Off School Based Deworming Exercise, Targets 800,000 Children

The Cross River State Government in collaboration with Evidence Action and Federal Ministry of  Humanitarian Affairs,  Disaster Management and social development has flagged off the School based deworming campaign against Soil transmitted helminths, targeting over   800,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14years  in the state as part of the 2022 school based  deworming exercise. Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who flagged off the exercise on behalf of the State Government said attaining zero Neglected Tropical Disease is a work in progress as the state is keen to getting all eligible children dewormed during the time frame She said the deworming exercise is a top notch strategic approach towards improving  the health  of children across the state , which will help advance chances of  reducing malnutrition and promote total immunization against STH and prevent stunting. "To prevent worm infestation affecting ou

Women the Deal is 40 million votes for Asiwaju Tinubu and Sen. Shettima-Dr Betta Edu

For what one can describe as a massive or overwhelming number of Deltans gathered at the Warri stadium to Receive and endorse the APC Presidential Candidate Sen Tinubu and his running mate Sen Kasim Shettima as well as their son Sen Omo-Agege who has performed well for them at the senate as a Deputy Senate President who attracted many federal government interventions to Delta state. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is legendary for the transformation in Lagos has vowed to transform Delta by working with Governor Omo Agege when voted into power. He said he will revive the ports and give them the true dividends of being an oil-producing state. In the same vein his wife Sen. Dr. Oluremi Tinubu who is a daughter of the soil has told Deltans that as a wife of a president by the grace of God when voted in, she will be their voice to attract speedy development to Delta state. She called on them to support their Inlaw to make a difference in Nigeria and Delta. The APC National Women Leader who spoke at

Asibong Holds PSEA, GBV coordinating meeting with Stakeholders

  Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong on Friday, convened a coordinating meeting of the Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and the Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Calabar. The exercise was held to present the templates and annual status reports of the various coordinating units of the Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC), CUSO International, Development Partners and Volunteers in the state. Briefing stakeholders at the function, Dr Asibong explained that the mission is to chart a course for stakeholders and partners involved in the various layers of implementation of the sexual exploitation and abuse, gender based violence and all forms of aggression against women and the girl child in the state. According to the MIDC Boss, gender based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse is a grave violation of our collective responsibility to protect people affected by the crises and the present Ad

TCTI begins digital literacy training for Cross Riverians

  By Kingsley Agim  The Teachers Continuous Training Institute, Biase, has commenced first batch training for 50 Cross Riverians on digital literacy. The Director General of the Institute, Professor Taoheed Adedoja stated, that the training exercise is a fallout from the successful conduct of baseline assessment on digital literacy of 600 participants drawn from the primary, secondary, vocational and technical colleges, as well as public and private sectors in the State. Welcoming participants, Friday, to the nine-day high-octane digital literacy training holding at the TCTI’s Ultramodern Digital Literacy Centre, the Director General congratulated trainees on being the first Nigerians to acquire such practical digital tutelage for global certification. In his words: “The training programme, sponsored by the Cross River State Government, is the first of its kind by any public institution in Nigeria. It is designed by the Teachers Continuous Training Institute, Biase, to provide opportun

C'River Entrepreneurs Shine As Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship Hosts Global Entrepreneurship Day Conference

  By Ofem, Jesam (Trinity)  Global Entrepreneurship Day Conference 2022, entrepreneurs of Cross River State origin, it was an impressive outing at the World Conference hosted by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurship. Experienced entrepreneurs took turns to wow conference participants with their experiences and invention. Speaking at the conference, the Special Assistant to Governor Ayade on Entrepreneurship Development, Mr. Great Ogban urged Cross River entrepreneurs to clearly define their entrepreneurship journey to the participants, adding that the theme of this year World Entrepreneurship Day is "Economic Growth, Industrialization, Job Creation and SME's as Catalysts". Ogban noted that global entrepreneurship week is a day set aside all over the world to celebrate entrepreneurs and discuss issues that concern entrepreneurship challenges and opportunities. The Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship Development harped on existing opportunities in Cros

40 million Women and Youth votes for Tinubu/Shettima is the Deal -Dr Betta Edu APC National women Leader

  All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday have vowed that Nigeria women and youth will deliver 40 million votes for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, in the 2023 general elections. Speaking at the women’s presidential campaign council flag-off in Ilorin, the national women leader of the party, Dr Betta Edu, urged women to lay aside all distractions, adding that, “the deal is 40 million votes for the duo of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. “We have a super candidate in Senator Tinubu as well as his running mate. The two of them will bring Nigeria to its dreamland. This is the time to unite and deliver the Best candidate Asiwaju Tinubu”, she said. Edu also promised that women would be prioritized heavily and urged women not to be distracted from their set goals. Also speaking, the wife of the president Aisha Buhari as she flagged off the APC women rally in Nigeria canvassed for a door-to-door and

C'River MIDC, UNSDPF hold 2022 DaO Technical Assessment Reviews …Asibong hails Parastatals

    The Cross River State Ministry of International Cooperation (MIDC) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDPF) has organized its 4th quarter Delivery as One (DaO) Technical Reviews on the various interventions in the State. The technical review is to collate reports from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government relating to the UNSDPF workplan implementation and results achieved thus far. The review was also in furtherance to marking the end of the 2022 programme cycle in the State. The output is to help Implementing Partners (IP) and the MDAs in addressing challenges encountered in the course of implementation of the DaO activities in their various MDAs. In an opening remark, Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong, acknowledged efforts of participants and partners alike, specifically the United Nations (UN), for the several interventions across the length and breadth of Cross River State as the 2022 fiscal y

The Truth About Politics and Consistency

    Politics is a game of interest.  That is, we all can never be on the same page at all times.  The same people in APC today,  hoping to benefit or gain a mandate from the party in time past had ridiculed APC and called APC members names in Cross River State and beyond. The same APC some people had toiled to build from their resources. But when the table turns, the same persons who have benefited will speak ill about the party and leaders respectively.  Hence, we need to be very careful with how we handle political issues. Many have worked for parties in the past and gained nothing. Having your kinsman in government does not mean you will be remembered. The best any man can do is to have a life. If politics favors you today, it may fall against you tomorrow. The candidates our parties have presented to us to vote for, do not necessarily mean they are best for our LGA, and State or Nation at this time.  Many did not scale through the primaries. But some of them if given the chance may

C'River APC Court Case: Groups Call For Suspension Of Sen. John Owan with Reasons

   All Progressives Congress (APC) support groups and concerned Youths in Cross River State have called for immediate suspension of Sen. John Owan Enoh, as a member of the party for his alleged hiding under the guise of seeking Court redress to play anti-party politics in support of his Kinsman Sen. Sandy Onoh who's the flag of the People's Democratic Party.  The APC support group leader    Comrade Odung Michael  who spoke with journalists in Calabar on Thursday, after presenting their  request to the APC Chairman of Cross River state also called for Sen. John Owan's removal from the Presidential campaign council with immediate effect for it Is clear that he is working against the party. The spoke person also uses the opportunity to call on the party leadership as a matter of urgency to direct all party aspirants and members who are in court to withdraw their cases and submit to the internal party mechanisms as set up by the party Chairman Barr. Alphonsus Eba. Also Speaking

Breaking: Court orders INEC to upload Ifere's name as LP House of Rep candidate

Celebration in Abi/Yakurr as Federal High Court 1 Calabar under the lordship of justice Stella Ojukwa orders INEC to upload John Oka Ifere's name into INEC Server as the Labour Party Candidate for the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, after an initial omission of his name by INEC due to administrative irregularities as stated by INEC.  Indeed the hope of the dear people of Abi /Yakurr has been re-assured as their preferred candidate will be on the ballot box.

Bendeghe-Ekiem: A Paradise Restored

  (Written in celebration of the maiden Bendeghe-Ekiem Cocoa Festival — held on 12/11/2023) By Kingsley Agim-Ogbu One of the inexplicable phenomena of life is one’s powerlessness to choose their family or birthplace. By providence, I was lucky to have been born in Bendeghe-Ekiem, and spent most of my youthful years (about two decades) in the community. That was predestination by the Creator; a blessing I am eternally grateful for.  I still reminisce with great nostalgia how peerages adorned the streets in the twinkly luminance of moonlight, listened to folktales by parents and older people, and engaged in folklores, tugs-of-war (Etikpo), sweepstakes, traditional wrestling, as well as other social activities. Peace, good neighborliness and communal harmony were some of the hallmarks of Bendeghe-Ekiem. Of course, the expression “Ayuk Abha” spoke eloquently about the mirth and vivacity of Bendeghe-Ekiem community – a kind and hospitable people. I remember how our sons and daughters return