Efio-Ita Nyok|13 July 2016|7:59AM
Yesterday 12 July the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, announced the reconstitution of the State Security Trust Fund as well as the appointment of an SA on Security. This executive decision came on the hills of the recent ignoble trend of insecurity ranging from perceived politically motivated kidnappings, bloody cult gangs rivalry, brazen incidents of armed robbery and the list continues, that had profoundly threatened the peace and quiet that Calabar the state capital and Cross River were reputed globally for.
Critics of the present state government popular among which are Joseph Odok, Okoi Obono-Obla, Prince Thomas Abi Jr, Ifere Paul, Inyali Peter, Obasesam Okoi, Utum Eteng, Kalita Joe Aruku, Princewill Odidi, Simon Utsu, etc have at different occasions suggested how state security should be addressed but they were ignored; however, with the recent surge of violence and the approach of the governor, it is perceived their suggestions were all the governor actually needed to fix the tugging challenge contrary to the opinions of their naysayers especially the governor's media team led by Christian Ita.
Amongst other things, these fine eggheads had drawn the attention of the governor to the rising surge of crime in the state, suggested that the state security team be constituted of ex-service men, that the governor should convene a state security council meeting with service chiefs, fund the present security agencies, etc. The governor's media team may have fed the governor with a different set of information, disagreed with the governor's critics, but these critics have been vindicated. What follows is how some of these heavy skulls reacted to the news of the governor reconstituting the state security team and the appointment of SA Security:
Inyali Peter
I have observed lately with great bewilderment how people who before now have attacked me, Kalita Joe Aruku, Ifere Paul, Efio-Ita Effiom Nyok, Joseph Odok, highly respected Chief Okoi Obono-obla, Chief Utum Eteng and a host of others who have decided to be socially responsible by critiquing the lame policies of Governor Ben Ayade and giving the public firsthand information about his ineptitude, actions and inaction changed into social critiques like us overnight.
When I did an article recently and lamented the upsurge of crime under the present administration, some shameless people almost crucified me in the name of defending their boss. Some even attacked me with ethnic inclination. But the governor has confirmed it that some of the security challenges the state is facing under him are very strange and unfamiliar to the good people of Cross River state.
Reading some persons lately criticising the government negligence to sensitive issue like security weeks after my article have left me pondering we still have principled men and women in our society.
This is hypocrisy of the highest standard. Some will rush to defend themselves that they are not politicians or just understood the reality on ground. But that is not enough reason for not accepting the messages we were passing to the public and the government.
Our personalities and maybe political affiliations were given more attention to than the message we were and still doling out.
Even the governor commended us yesterday that we're inspiring him to do more (That's if he has done anything at all before talking of more oo).
I have also noticed that the number of the governor's social media attack dogs is reducing on daily basis. Could this be because they are not paid like other appointees of this administration or they simply have realized the directionlessness of this administration? Am still wondering!
Prince Thomas Abi Jr
I am glad the recommendations I made calling on Gov. Ayade to set up a committee of Ex-service men in order to help him check mate crime in the state has come to reality.
I just read on www.negroidhaven.org that “Gov. Ayade Appoints SA -Security, Constitute Board of State Security Trust Fund.”
With Senator Musa Adede as Chairman and Col Pam Ogar as members of the committee.
When I called on Gov. Ayade to set up a committee that would combat insecurity in the state I was vilified. But it goes to show that I love CRS dearly. I mean well for our people and as a young man I will continue to speak for the growth and development of our state.
God bless!
Ifere Paul
Shame To Ayade Media Rats:
Today, Governor Ben Ayade shamed his brainless appointees who pride themselves as media PAs to the government., and who has not pioneered any ideas on how to move the State forward.
In my article titled “Towards A Lasting Peace: A Comprehensive Plan To Make CRS Peaceful, Tourism, & Investors Destination”, I made over 20 recommendations one of which was that the governor should as a matter of urgency call for a security stakeholders meeting with all Service Chiefs in the State. This the governor has done.
Secondly, I recommended that the governor sack Jude Ngaji or replace him with either an ex military or police intelligence officer. Although the governor has not sacked Jude Ngaji, he has gone ahead to constitute a Security Committee dominated mostly by ex service men, and for which Musa Adede is the Chairman while there's also a Retired Colonel as a member. The governor went on to appoint a Special Assistant on Security who is also a Retired Police Officer.
In that article, I also recommended that Governor Ben Ayade funds and mobilize well kitted police men and or a combination of all JTF to strategic areas around the city of Calabar. Lately, police patrol vans are seen at the same spots I mentioned in my articles and many other places.
In order for the Governor to “save face” from my outbursts for stealing my ideas, earlier the governor has reversed from calling me stupid in the inbox to saying that criticism are “inspirational tonic” to him. According to one of his associate, “Governor Ayade said your article on lasting peace in Calabar is a masterpiece”.
Lately, Jude Ngaji has depended on my rich network of intel gathering to rescue serious security situations I cannot state here.
Well, for me, I have lived in countries that has complete peace. Countries that has 2 policemen and two dogs for every one citizen on the street. I do not joke with a clean environment and security. Therefore, I will always share my ideas on a perfectly secured and clean CRS.
But I cannot but say shame unto people like Paul Ojeka, Paul Adie Abang Abang, Inok Solomon, Prince Michael Nku Abuo, Emmanuel Ulayi, Solomon Asha, Stanley Morphy, Peter Ikwen, Obi Okomiso, and a host of other media attack PAs of the governor, including the idiot called Christian Ita. At one time or another, these bunch of brainless PAs and “Wannabes PAs” has attacked me and called me names. I wonder why they cannot develop ideas for the Almighty Professor Governor Ben Ayade.
Kpansh!!!
Professor My Ass.
Princewill Odidi
The best thing you can do to your leader is to tell him the truth. Let him know what the people are saying about him. Let him know when his popularity ratings are falling. let him know when the people are getting disappointed at him.
The greatest injustice you can do to your leader is to tell him those who call for change are haters of his government. To tell him those who call for change are haters of his success. The true haters of a government are those who know the leader is mistaken, but keep quite and allow him fall to a cliff. Those who sound alarm, in most cases cares.
If those who surrounded Jonathan told him the truth about the state of the nations economy, the security threat presented by insurgent groups, if Jonathan was told the truth, he would still be President today. The best way to bring down a leader is to sing his praise. Unfortunately, too many people who are close to those in power, choose the easier option of praise singing than being frank with the leaders.
Traitors are usually not those who point out inefficiency in the system and call for reform, rather it is those who know the truth, but prefer to tell the leaders the type of things they want to hear.
A genuine leader who wants to succeed values truth, pays attention to dissenting opinions and values those who point out his weaknesses not those who exaggerate his strengths. You can only learn from mistakes, you cannot learn from things you got right.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroidhaven.org (Negroid Haven)
While I appreciate this ingenious piece of article, I will love to call for caution on the use of abusive words when writing. Barrister Okoi, Peter Inyali, Ifere Paul etc. are doing great job to keep the Governor and the State on track. They have been blunt in their criticisms and straight to the point but I read when harsh words are used without recourse to knowing that the person of the Governor should be protected. Nigeria is bedeviled with praise singers and sycophants and Cross River State is not an exception. I feel peeved when you attempt to correct a wrong by those in Government and you are seen as an antagonist. By admitting that criticism is an inspirational tonic, the Governor is invariably saying he will listen and effect a change in his strategies. I don't get so bothered about praise singers because they are paid by the person that appointed them and so their loyalty must not be doubtful. In all, I urge you to keep the faith and continue to speak against anything that stands on the way of progress for the State. Thanks a Million.
While I appreciate this ingenious piece of article, I will love to call for caution on the use of abusive words when writing. Barrister Okoi, Peter Inyali, Ifere Paul etc. are doing great job to keep the Governor and the State on track. They have been blunt in their criticisms and straight to the point but I read when harsh words are used without recourse to knowing that the person of the Governor should be protected. Nigeria is bedeviled with praise singers and sycophants and Cross River State is not an exception. I feel peeved when you attempt to correct a wrong by those in Government and you are seen as an antagonist. By admitting that criticism is an inspirational tonic, the Governor is invariably saying he will listen and effect a change in his strategies. I don't get so bothered about praise singers because they are paid by the person that appointed them and so their loyalty must not be doubtful. In all, I urge you to keep the faith and continue to speak against anything that stands on the way of progress for the State. Thanks a Million.