Category: Business

  • Gov Ayade – Calabar Garment Factory Is Ready To Start Work (Photos)

    Governor Benedict Ayade is on stronghold of keeping his promise as the Calabar Garment factory is ready to start work.

    His promise of the Calabar Garment factory to be commissioned by April and commenced work on or before September/October is coming to pass as every necessary thing has been put in place according to the Governor.

    Read Also | Gov. Ben Ayade to commission garment factory in April, 2016

    Ayade said the factory is ready to start work and is waiting for the commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    View photos of the Garment factory below…

  • Governor Ayade’s Foreign Trip: Our Loss His Gain by Inyali Peter

    When  Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade pronounced himself honourable Commissioner for Tourism, most people didn’t really understood his intentions behind it. Some who did, for fear of their opinion being unpopular like Elisabeth Noelle argued in Her Spiral Silence Theory kept mute.

    Many months after the self-appointment, the consistent disappearance of the governor to sometimes known and unknown destinations every two months has left Cross Riverians pondering over which office Ayade was elected to preside over. Whether as Governor or Tourism Commissioner!

    It will be recalled that Ayade returned to the state from his unnecessary foreign trips on the 30th of March to spend just about two months in the state before going AWOL again.

    This time, the governor’s social media agents painted a picture that seems that the governor was in Canada for the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Canadian government on Technical Education.

    After signing the MOU, one would have expected that the governor will return to the state. But unfortunately, the hopes of those who had wished to see the “digital” governor after the signing of the agreement was dashed as many days after the MOU was signed the governor has practically gone missing.

    According to reports, his recent MOU is for the establishment of Technical Schools across the three senatorial districts of the state by the Canadian Government.

    Also, part of the agreement in the MOU is to have teachers from the state trained by Canadian expert as well as introduction of Uniform for our teachers.

    While the intention of the Governor may be to strengthen the education sector especially the technical and vocational in the state, the approach to doing this has been widely criticised as being ill conceived.

    This is so because, government generally is a continuity. Even when a particular party transit power to another, it is expected that some of the good exiting structures built by the previous administration should be maintained or at best improved.

    A good example is what the President Buhari’s administration is doing in the ministry of transport. The Buhari administration has simply sustained or improved upon the already established structure by the former administration led by President Goodluck  Jonathan to revive the railway and maritime sectors.

    But, it is regrettable that since Ayade assumed office, he has shown little or no interest in strengthening the existing structures left by former administrations rather he wants to in every sector of the economy introduce his own signature projects.

    For instance, the recent MOU which has kept the governor out of the state for almost a month, wouldn’t have been to establish new technical schools but to strengthen the existing ones which are realistically on the verge of total collapse.

    Across the three senatorial district, there is a technical school in Calabar (South), Ugep (Central) and Ogoja (North). These schools, about ten to five years ago were ranked among the best schools in the country. Products of the school were able to distinguish themselves in national competitions.

    They (Products of these schools) were able to create a lot of things. I remember Effiong from technical Calabar who later further his education in the Electrical Electronics Engineering department in the state owned Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH who developed a generator which could be powered with water.

    Such knowledge and creativity wouldn’t have completely be gotten from a university education. When I interacted with him about five years ago, he told me that he started working on the invention when he was in Senior Secondary five in technical.

    For those who were in Calabar sometimes last year would remember a young man from Ugep who built something like a tricycle with generator engine and woods. He drove it all the way from Ugep to Calabar here and spent over a two weeks looking for sponsorship which never came by.

    When I had interaction with him, he told me that he finished from the technical school in Ugep and has built a lot of things. He said that while in school, he won so many awards for the state in national competitions. He showed me certificate of recognition when he came first in our state exhibition but has since be abandoned after the competition.

    Also, I know of a product from the technical school in Ogoja who created an aircraft powered by tiger batteries. This talent also was abandoned. In fact, some of the best electricians in Obudu today and the state generally are products of the three technical schools.

    However, another thing to worry about is whether there are still good technical teachers in the state who could rejuvenate this culture of creative and technical thinking among students.

    From my observation, I don’t think we still have many of them. Now the question of the governor’s part of the agreement which has to do with training will come to play. To think of training teachers especially for technical school is one of the greatest aspect of the MOU. But the question of who trains come to play predominantly.

    No doubt, Canada system of education is ranked about seven or eight best in the world. But here, we’re talking about technical and vocational education. Bringing Canadians who are not too rated in the world in technical education to train our teachers may have little or no impact on the system.

    Ayade has penchant for junketing from country to country so sourcing the best for the state in the area of technical education would not be a big deal for him.

    Beside, the relevance of this critical aspect of education cannot be overstretched as it has the capacity of creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths as well as growing our economy so it is worth investing in.

    Therefore, the governor would have considered Countries like Finland, China, Japan, Germany, Taiwan etc who are all ahead of Canada in this aspect. What is worth doing is worth doing well. If this administration is ever interested in revamping the technical and vocational education system in the state, the best should be brought to improve the system.

    Cross River state don’t need new technical schools. What we need is to invest in the existing ones as well as create industrial base for products of the school to thrive.

    Our teachers do not need uniform. What they need is training and retraining as well as good welfare package to motivate and boost their morale. And the training should be done without any political undertone. That’s to say, we need the best to train our teachers not just anybody in the name of white man.

    So when you consider what we have lost as a state within the almost one month of the governor’s absence on this likely noneffective MOU especially considering the fact that our experienced Deputy Governor is always not empowered to act in the governor’s absence is worrisome.

    During the governor’s absence, about twenty Cross Riverians died as a result of arm robbery attack or cult clash. Many may argue that the cult issue shouldn’t even been mentioned as the victims only reaped what they sow.

    But this argument is insensible because during the clash, some innocent people were killed too. Economic activities were affected as people were no longer going about their activities freely like they should. And our reputation security wise deteriorated or is still deteriorating.

    President Mohammedu Buhari has set a standard in this country that every responsible head of the three tiers of government should emulate. If the governor emulated the long wait of the President in setting up his cabinet, I wonder why this particular and critical aspect has been ignored.

    This is the first time in the history of this country where a President will handover power to his vice to act each time he travels out for up to five days.

    Governors too, especially Ayade who is more of a diaspora governor should emulate this. If the deputy governor was empowered, within the period which witnessed series of security challenges ranging from protest by militants, CUDA workers etc, he would have called a high tech security meeting to address the situation.

    So far, Ayade’s recent trip if not all can best be described as robbing Peter to pay Paul because apart from not following due process of handing over to his deputy by notifying the house of assembly, the MOU he has signed may have little or no impact on our education.

    The state has been on a standstill since he left while he has allegedly signed many gainful business deals with partners from Canada for his personal business. Indeed, our loss in his recent trip has been his gain.

    When the impact of his many MOUs on Cross Riverians is put head to head with the one hundred million naira (N100, 000 000) public funds that is allegedly expended on him each time he travels, describing this administration as a total disaster in the last one year of it lifespan will be an understatement.

    Written by Inyali Peter. 

  • Spar Calabar Mall (@SPARNigeria) to officially open on Wednesday July 6th, more free gifts inside

    The City of Calabar are you ready….!!! The long awaiting biggest shopping mall in Nigeria and Africa is open next to your doorstep on Wednesday, 6th July, 2016 beside Cultural Centre Complex, Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar.

    Are you a shopaholic? Then, your disease is cured with Spar. For Spar Calabar Mall harbours everything you need to shop for, like your trending Fashion and it’s accessories, fresh foods, mobile and computer gadgets, electronics, kitchen utensils, filling stations, movie cinemas, groceries, cosmetics and lots more.

    Dignitaries from top business companies, government officials will all be there. So don’t miss out.

    Venue: Spar Calabar Mall, beside Cultural Centre Complex, Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar, Cross River State.

    Time: 11:00am prompt.

    Why go Dubai when you have Spar.

    Let’s go a shopping…..!!!

  • West Africa should use single currency – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday said the introduction of single currency by West African states would promote economic integration and progress within the region.

    Speaking when he hosted the President, Economic Community of West African States Commission, Marcel de Souza, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo said it was high time the organisation started using single currency.

    He said: “We have decided that our unit of currency will be ‘eco’. Let us now start using eco. Let eco become our unit of currency.

    “Single currency unit for ECOWAS states will bring about more development and growth among the states.”

    The former president also said a deeper economic integration among members of the ECOWAS would gradually stem the tide of youths’ unemployment in the region.

    Obasanjo stressed that economic integration of West African countries would guarantee development of the sub-region. He advocated a reform that would enable member countries to move beyond movement of goods and services. Obasanjo warned that the entire African continent would be sitting on a keg of gun powder as long as its leaders refused to pay adequate attention to youth unemployment.

    The former president, however, declared that he would always make himself available for the ECOWAS services.

    Obasanjo said: “I will continue to make myself available in the service of ECOWAS.
    “Wherever you think my services will be needed, call upon me and I am ready.
    “What is important is that these communities of 320 million people will be lifted up, these communities should be marching along and we should get rid of internal conflicts.”

    Earlier, de-Souza said he was in Abeokuta to introduce himself to Obasanjo as the newly appointed President of the Commission and to also get his advice and orientation on matters concerning ECOWAS sub-region.

    He emphasised that he was inclined to visit Obasanjo because the former Nigerian leader had always showed commitment to ECOWAS, adding that he came purposely to seek guidance.

    He said: “Obasanjo is a special ECOWAS envoy to Guinea-Bissau. “We have come to also find out if Obasanjo has come out with any solution to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau.”

    [NAN]

  • Pharmacist Council of Nigeria seals off more than 234 Medicine stores

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed off 234 retail drug outlets in Oyo State, Channelstv.com reports. 

    The head of the PCN inspection team, Mrs Anthonia Aruka, revealed this to reporters after five days of monitoring and enforcement of retail drug outlets in the state.

    She decried that the statistics available was worrisome as only 24 out of the 269 facilities visited across about 16 local government areas had commendable practice.

    Mrs Aruka added that an alarming number of these Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) do not conform to stipulated rules and procedures to ensure safety of their customers.

    She advised the public to only patronise PCN-approved outlets for over-the-counter medicines.

    The affected shops were sealed in Ibadan, Iseyin, Oyo, Saki, Eruwa and Igbo Ora towns of the state.

    Apart from sealing these premises, PCN also said that the enforcement exercise would be a continuous process, adding that it would not allow the sealed shops reopen until they meet the required safety standards.

    [Channels TV]

  • CBN Sacks Skye Bank Board Of Management Team, Takes Over Bank

    In a press briefing held on Monday in Lagos, the CBN dissolved Skye Bank’s board of directors, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer also resigned, while four non-executive directors were retained, Channels TV reports.

    The new Chairman of Skye Bank is Mr Muhammad Ahmad, a former Central Bank official, a former head of the Pension Commission and former Chairman of First Bank Nigeria.

    Coming in as the new CEO is Mr Tokunbo Abiru, a former executive director at First Bank Nigeria.

    Channels TV further reported that, the financial regulator says, however that Skye Bank is not distressed but has fallen below the regulated capital adequacy ratio.

    On Monday, Skye Bank shares fell 9.52% to 95 kobo as investors sold almost 11 million shares of the lender whose 2015 financial statements are yet to be released to the market.

  • Attend a training at Ogoja on how to be creative with Ankara and end yourself a Diploma certificate

    A #FREE Entrepreneurship training on how to make things with #Ankara  is here, things including bags, slippers, shoes, books and lots more alll for #FREE.

    This training is going to take place within 2 weeks and you will be given a diploma certificate that you can take anywhere.

    The training will be taking place at Okuku, Yala and also in Ogoja in Cross River State.

    For you to participate, just pick up a form for just a thousand naira (N1,000) and you will learn so much using Ankara.

    Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, the training is coming up this week and you have to participate, this is a great opportunity.. it’s priceless.

    For more information please call: 08162402766, 08184058323.

    Hurry now and get empowered !!!!!
    #Pleae Kindly share With Friends, Let Them Also Partake of This Great opportunity…

  • In My Own Hands I Hold The Paddle Of My Destiny – Must Read Story By Patrick Amajama

    In the last one year, I’ve wasted my time, energy and meagre resources (especially data) complaining on Twitter about the government that is not responsive to my needs. I complained about governments not creating jobs, not growing the economy, not building and maintaining infrastructure, injustice, vindictiveness etc. There’s no policy of government or lack of policy direction that I didn’t critique in the hope that government would respond to them to improve on my condition. But nothing changed. Even in this government of Change.

    Last week I questioned myself:
    1. Patrick Amajama, is it true that government has not created jobs? Were jobs not created for children of the highly placed in CBN, Immigration, EFCC, Foreign Affairs, and several other MDAs?
    2. Were children of politicians not being sent to the UK and US to attend the most costly schools abroad while you struggle to pay your two children’s school fees of less than N150,000?
    3. While you resort to groundnut and garden eggs for stew, are people not making and wasting tomato sauce?

    I realised I was outsourcing my responsibility to an irresponsible entity, asking for what I may never get.

    Beginning immediately, I have decided to take my destiny into my own hands.
    I will henceforth create for myself the weather I choose to walk in, the environment I choose to live in. I’ll no longer waste efforts complaining about anything or anyone else. With hard work and dedication, I can surpass my imagination, God helping me.

    I am resolved to extend a helping hand to myself first, then to anyone who chooses to be like me.

    I have enrolled and signed up for Helping Hands International which cost me only N6,600 – a onetime investment with amazing return on investment.

    My major aim is to, at the end of six months, be awarded this Hyundai SUV after completing stage three; I am in the process of completing stage one. I know that even before I attain my ultimate goal for the year, I would have earned over $5000 in cash, courtesy of Helping Hands International.

    If you have found yourself in the same condition like Patrick Amajama, and would like to eke out a living for yourself, please contact me via WhatsApp on 08032944413.

    Have a fruitful second half of the year.

  • Lagos State Government to jail buyers and hawkers who’d go against the law from July 1st


    THIS IS A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR LAGOS PARTNERS AND WORKERS, YOUR EARNINGS ARE MEANT TO BE USED FOR SOMETHING IMPORTANT



    Caveat Emptor – Buyers Beware

    The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has gone on air (TV-C) this morning  to announce that the laws on Street Trading in Lagos State will be strictly enforced from today, July 1, 2016.

    Both Seller and Buyer are equally guilty and the penalty is N90,000 or 6 months imprisonment or both. Please note and abstain from buying from Street Hawkers.

    You may please share this information on your Social Network using the sharing buttons below for wider publicity

  • See why Gov Ayade is building a Canadian International School in Calabar

    Speaking on how to rebrand the educational system in Nigeria, Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Goddy Ettah says the recent partnership entered into by the state with the Canadian government is aimed at raising the standard of education in the state.

    Speaking on what would be the benefit of the partnership, Etta, who accompanied Governor Ben Ayade to the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signing ceremony in Ottawa, Canada, said the governor intends to raise the standard of education in the state to a level that it would attrack students from across the country.

    “The essence of the trip is to partner the Canadian Bureau for International Education to establish a Canadian International School, comprising primary, secondary and tertiary institution in the state.”

    Specifically, Etta said: ‘’Our intention is to bring the highest standard of education that Canada is known for to Cross River State such that the state will become a hub for standardized educational training.The governor’s presence attracted all the stakeholders in education in Canada who rallied round him by demonstrating their willingness to partner the state in actualizing the dream of setting up a world class institution in Cross River”.

    According to him, the state decided to partner Canada because the country is rated the best in terms of education in the world and the governor is in a hurry to replicate such a high standard form of education in the state for the benefit of its citizenry and the country at large.

    “This MoU is to enable the takeoff of a Canadian International school to provide learning facilities for primary, secondary and a tertiary institution in Calabar. By July 16, 2016, the technical team including architects from Canada will be in the state to give muscle to the MoU that has been signed as they will commence the need assessment process for a suitable site for the school.”

    The commissioner who called on well-meaning Cross Riverians to rally round Governor Ayade because he has good intentions for the state added that “the trip was a step in the right direction and I am convinced that this will boost the economy of the state in addition to changing the educational status of the state and country at large. When established, it is expected that it will attract people from all across the country and even beyond because it is going to be first class.”

    From the office of the Governor, Senator Professor Benedict Ayade.