Paradise News

Category: Education

  • Governor Ayade’s Dreams, Cross River State only Hope

    By Inok Solomon 


    When the Oil Price started falling, the naira was admitted in one of our hospital with no proper medical equipments. Inflation began to creep into the economic system. People knew something was wrong, but without much to turn to, we did not know what was wrong. The amount of money said to be stolen by past administration, made inflation a visitor to every household. Then the Oil Price took cover for fear of been stolen too. 
    President Buhari called His economic native doctors, and they started mixing the monetary policies. Interest Rates, Foreign exchange rates, Stock market, Stolen money returns, Banks rates, EFCC rates. The more the mix, the more Inflation is gathering momentum.

    Today, a new word is flying the vocabulary air: “STAGFLATION.” Meaning, the economy is not only inflating as prices of goods and services are going Higher by day, but the economy is stagnant. People and businesses are not making more money, yet inflation is growing, things are getting more expensive.

    Prices are increasing, yet wages are not keeping up with inflation. At the same time, people are losing their jobs in the thousands by day.

    Today, those who knew something was wrong with our money, and wanting to get rich quick, invested heavily on capital gains. Even so much of the money stolen from the federation accounts into private hands, entered into Capital Gains ventures, like stock, bonds and many quick hits. Today, inflation had crashed the stock market, and render so many poor including our stolen monies.

    The government in an attempt to remedy the situation, is now printing money in the form of Bailouts. Bailouts for salaries, Bailouts for Pensions, Bailouts for Gratuities and Bailouts for Banks, Bailouts for the Stock market. Big question is, where are the monies deductions over the years for pensions Trust Funds? Inflation have rendered all useless because investors directed all into quick money making ventures of capital gains. In like manner our so much oral stolen monies.

    For those who understood Governor Ben Ayade from His inaugural day, 29th May, 2015. Intuitively understanding that the Naira was becoming worthless, His Signature Projects were pointers for people to stop saving money and begin investing in things that appreciate with inflation.

    To take the first step for the state and create such an environment, He directed His efforts to the Garment Factory, Pharmaceutical Factory, Rice City, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Superhighway and lots more.

    Basically, His intentions is to open the state to a Cash Flow society, where individuals can see opportunities right in front of their door post, and live away from the old system of: Go to school, get a job, work hard, save money, your house is an asset and your biggest investment, live below your means, get out of debt, invest for the long term in a well diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and mutual funds, that have one pit fall, retire, and the government will support you, live happily ever after.

    Total nonsense and the greatest deciet of mankind. Inflation and recession sweeps all under the carpet in one night. It is only a rule to keep the 80-20 standard. The principle that state that, for many events, about 80 percent of the effects come from 20 percent of causes. The entire riches of Nigeria is owned and controlled by just 20 percent while the 80 percent work to keep the 20 percent up.

    Governor Ayade is saying, there is good news for those who are ready to move on into the brave new world. This is the best of times for those willing to study, learn quickly, work hard and not join the chorus of negative people.

    Recession is a reset blessing, we need to learn from the past to succeed in the future. This is our time to become what we want to become if we want to.

  • Proceeds of President Buhari’s biography donated to persons displaced by Boko Haram

    The American author of the biography of President Muhammadu Buhari, John Paden, has donated the proceeds of the Book “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria” to charity efforts in the North East of the country. 

    The book was launched Monday in Abuja at the International Conference Centre.

    Mr. Paden, a Professor of International Studies said “let me say that the proceeds of the launch of this book will all go to some select charities including humanitarian aid to the Internally Displaced People (from Boko Haram activities) in the North East.”

    Although the event was well attended by very wealthy individuals, the organisers also announced that no one would be allowed to make huge donations or purchase copies in millions of Naira.

    Rather, one of the organisers, Samaila Funtua, announced that the cover price of the book was pegged at N1500 for the soft cover, N2500 for the hard cover and N10,000 for the leather cover.

    Therefore, the two presenters of the Book, Abdulsamad Rabiu and Tunde Folawiyo, simply announced they were purchasing two copies for each of the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    Before the presentation, chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, said Mr. Buhari “deserves all the praises” being showered on him.

    He said Mr. Buhari has always done well both as a soldier and a politician “in all assignments given to him within Nigeria and outside. Hence he catapulted to the top within a short time.”

    Mr. Gowon said Mr. Buhari had been told several times that he would not see the inside of the Presidential Villa as a president. He said after four attempts, Mr. Buhari finally succeeded.

    “2015 was an affirmation that persistence pays,” Mr. Gowon said.

    The former Head of State said Mr. Buhari is doing his best as a president “to restore the economy and alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

    Shortly after the presentation by the chairman of the occasion, four persons were called upon to review the book.

    The first to mount the podium was a former Governor of Lagos state and leader of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

    Mr. Tinubu praised Mr. Buhari for what he termed his “heroic role” in the formation of the APC which he said led to the “rescue of Nigeria”.

    He also recalled the failure of the major opposition parties to form alliance on the eve of the 2011 election. He, however, said efforts made were consolidated after the election which saw the formation of the APC in 2013.

    On his part, a former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, said even though he has spent an appreciable length of time in Nigeria, he was speaking from an American perspective.

    He said the US has always been paying attention to Nigeria, especially in the area of oil and gas as well as peacemaking efforts across Africa. He said Mr. Buhari has always been involved in both projects.

    Mr. Campbell said the book should be widely read not just by Nigerians, but “in Washington, New York and London”.

    He also commended Mr. Buhari for his “deep concern for female education” and his consistent patriotism both as a military officer and later Head of State.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, who also reviewed the book said Mr. Buhari is one of only two Nigerians to serve both as a Head of State and a President.

    Mr. Onu said Mr. Buhari is the first person to defeat an incumbent president and that he is the first one to win an election and have his opponent call to congratulate him and without going to court.

    He also said Mr. Buhari is the “first to Command three of the then Four divisions of the Nigerian Army “.

    A former Nigerian permanent representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari who also served as Nigeria’s foreign Minister under Mr. Buhari, took time to brief the audience about the humorous nature of the president.

    Mr. Gambari also said contrary to perception, Mr. Buhari always succumbed to superior arguments during cabinet meetings.

    He said Mr. Buhari as Head of State withdrew memos due to superior arguments from cabinet member who were “bloody civilians” .

    He also said it was erroneous for some to consider the president as a religious bigot. He said if he was one, he would not have chosen Tunde Bakare and Yemi Osinbajo accomplished pastors of some of the largest Christian congregations in Nigeria as running mates.

    The Special Guest of Honour at the event, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his brief remarks also eulogised Mr. Buhari.

    He said he has had a lot of “encounters” with the president due to some political differences. He, however, said those differences never affected their personal relationship.

    Mr. Obasanjo said he took time to read the book and that it is “is surely intriguing, inspiring and a mix of history and current affairs together”.

    On the insistence of the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Buhari was invited to the podium for a remark. The president simply thanked the audience for sparing time to attend the launch.

    He said he was surprised by the large turnout given that Monday was a public holiday and many would have taken advantage to be with their loved ones.

    He also thanked Mr. Paden “who tolerated me for the stories I tried to tell him”.

    He said the ability of Mr. Paden to put everything he was told in the way that he did showed his high level of intellectual capacity.

    The presentation was attended by the Presidents of Niger, Chad and Benin Republic.

  • Calabar International Tourism Expo 2016 to kickoff 15th October

    The 2nd edition of Africa’s leading annual travel and tourism event – The Calabar International Tourism Expo 2016 is set to begin in less than two weeks with lots to expect from this year’s edition. 

    The event which is targeted to host over a hundred exhibitors and thousands inbound tourists from within and outside the country provides unique and efficient platform for promotion of Domestic tourism. It is the largest and most comprehensive tourism exhibition that host over 30 hosted buyers from within and outside Nigeria. 
    In a media release made by the Project Executive Director, Mr. Peter Ofuka, the four-day tourism show will hold as follows; 
    Date: 15th – 18th October, 2016 

    Venue: Calabar International Convention Centre 

    Theme: “Tourism: Promoting a Sustainable Economic Growth Through Diversification”
    According to Mr. Ofuka, Over 2000 delegates have confirmed participation for this year’s show, with delegates drawn from Tourism and Culture Ministries, Local Government Councils, Boards and Parastatals, Multilateral and Regional Institutions, Global Tourism Orgainsations, Tour Operators and a host of other bodies. 
    Exhibition at last year’s edition of the show in Calabar He said the expo was organised in partnership with Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, International Trade Fair Limited, TV Enterprise and Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria.
    For more information, visit; www.citenigeria.org

  • Campaign of calumny against Gov Ayade, a failed venture by Beulah Asuquo

    Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State 

    By Beulah Asuquo

    It is natural for people to constantly criticize those in power and authority whether they be elected officials, political appointees, heads of departments and so on. Undoubtedly, it is not out of place for citizens to criticize their leaders as policies and programmes deployed by those in authority directly or indirectly affects the socio-economic wellbeing of their immediate society.

    The essence of constructive criticism is important to every society to check leadership and policy makers, however mischievous political gladiators can employ destructive criticism aimed at destroying their opponents for selfish and personal reasons.

    When an administration has had the kind of awards in good governance and adjudged the best in the country by countless renowned/global outfits as the administration of Senator Ben Ayade home and abroad, one will imagine this administration shouldn’t have any kind of negative/destructive propaganda.

    Unfortunately, in the midst of men of goodwill, in the midst of men who are driven by the desire to move their society forward are desperate and greedy men, blackmailers corrupted by their selfish desire to achieve their goals even if it means destroying the state.

    For the avoidance of doubt, In Cross River State, a desperate cartel has emerged and are on a campaign to destroy the administration of Senator Ben Ayade. The mandate of the evil machinery they formed is spread falsehood, propaganda, outright lies against the current administration and confuse the gullible public.

    Unfortunately, most of their recruits on the social media have exhausted all the lies they can possibly muster, as the public have identified them as cheap crooks; the more they spread their cheap lies and propaganda, the more the administration is achieving landmark successes and receiving awards.

    When other states are owing salaries running into months, exposing their state workers to untold hardship saddled with this era of hyperinflation amidst the recession; how this administration has been able to pay salaries with the occasional zero allocation from the federation is a wonder. It is public knowledge that Cross River has the lowest allocation but workers receive their salaries between 18th and 25th of every month.

    When other states are trying to cut down their workforce for lack of funds to pay salaries, the Cross River State administration have lifted the embargo on employment, MDA’s are currently employing.

    The ongoing recession doesn’t appear to be affecting anyone in the state, the prompt payment of salaries has ensured there is enough money in hands of the common man. The state has become the envy of other states.

    Currently trending all over the country is the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme christened “AyadeCare” which the governor signed into law a couple of weeks ago. This is one health reform likely to cause a socio-medical revolution in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole.

    It has been confirmed that many states and the federal governments are already making numerous inquiries about the programme in a bid to adopt it as a national model.

    “AyadeCare” which is aimed at providing a platform for the poor who cannot afford quality medical healthcare, accessing unlimited medical healthcare with just one thousand naira per month is an absolute service to humanity.

    This administration also has secured a partnership with DANA (an Indian manufacturing conglomerate) to collaborate with the state government to develop a pharmaceutical outfit in Calabar to be known as CALAPHARM pharmaceutical to manufacture drugs locally.

    When CALAPHARM becomes operational, it is going serve as the only drug manufacturing plant in the south-south and south east with massive capacity for employment.

    What more, the Calabar Garment Factory has already received so much accolade from the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN); the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige was stunned by the sheer size and sophistication of the Calabar Garment Factory when he visited; a factory reckoned to be the biggest in Africa with the capacity to employ about 3,000 workers. For three thousand persons to be taken out of the army of unemployed is a startling number accounting for garment and textile sector.

    The Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris has expressed the intention of the Nigeria Police Force to partner the Cross River State Government on the Calabar Garment Factory by sewing uniforms for its officers and men.

    I can go on and on with projects and good policies that will revolutionize Cross River State which this administration has piloted. The governor has travelled the world over wooing investors and indeed his trips were very successful. In the next three to four months, Cross Riverians will start witnessing the implementations of all the MOU’s which the governor signed. There will be lots of job opportunities for our teeming youths, Cross River State will be transformed before our very eyes.

    When a man has done well, he should be encouraged to do more, our governor has shown character, wisdom and a clear path to revolutionizing our dear State. He should be given all the support needed.

    For those who out of selfish personal goals have sworn never to see any good in others, those whose occupation is to malign, destroy and assassinate the character of others including pulling down their own society or state just to get some sense of satisfaction, I say, change from your evil ways; It is not so difficult to give peace a chance. Stop this evil campaign of calumny.

    Beulah Asuquo is the Vice President, Pan African Good Governance Council, Nigeria District.

  • Nigeria at 56 : How Independent is our Independence?

    Happy Independence Day Celebrations 

    By Inyali Peter

    Many of my constant readers, well wishers and haters have called and texted to express their dissatisfaction over my decision not to write on this year’s Nigeria anniversary. My initial decision not to write was hinged on the fact that there is nothing really new to write about.

    Since I took solace in shaping my world through writing, I have done so many articles on why Nigeria’s independence should be marked not celebrated. But the joy of gaining ironic independence has continued to pull us down from fighting for a true sovereign nation.

    Contrary to what most Nigerians do every first of October, I see the day as an opportunity for us to take a sober reflection on the gains and pains of a geographical construct called Nigeria. A country which was given birth to 56 years ago should not be in this deplorable and pitiable condition.

    Like Cross River state governor senator Ben Ayade would said in his last year’s independence day speech, “Any political independence without economic independence is independence in paralysis”. This is just the reality and a mindset that we should all have on the first of every October.

    When President Buhari assumed office, he took some tough decisions all aimed at building an independent economy for Nigeria. For instance, the ban in importation of rice and other consumable goods is not to bring untold hardship on people like we are all experiencing now but to gradually move us as a people away from over depending on foreign commodities.

    But unfortunately, instead of Nigerians to celebrate the courage and brevity demonstrated by this economic decision, the President has come under serious attacks from some quarter for this. In fact, anybody who is against this policy is not worth celebrating Nigeria’s independence. We must support the strong political will of this government to emancipate us from the indirect control of the colonial masters.

    For me, on a day like this, critical analysis to determine whether we are really free in the freedom we claim to have and celebrate is more important than what has been happening. We need to objectively x-ray if our independence has so far been a classical departure from the concept of the people that fought for it.

    We need to sincerely ask ourselves whether we have an independent nation or a surrogate of the conservative colonial masters. Can we proudly say that we have developed in the pace we are supposed to at 56? Has the independence reflected positively on our economy?

    Are we not ashamed that China, a third world country like ours is leading the world economy today while we are still molding, struggling to win confidence of foreign investors to invest in our economy? These and many other questions should give us reason(s) to engage ourselves in debates towards proffering solutions to our problems rather than ridiculing ourselves in stadia nationwide in the name of celebrating independence.

    If we continue to pride ourselves as an independent nation, our conscience would never be clear to the reality that we still have a long way to go in our quest to becoming truly independent.

    However, it is an established fact that no country can survive in isolation. This is because every nation at one point or the other needs a shoulder to lean on. But this is not to say that a country should be completely dependent on another. Doing so would amount to economic slavery; a description that perfectly fit Nigeria.

    As one of the oil giants in the world, it is expected that Nigeria which pride itself as the giant of Africa would have functional refineries to process its oil product. A country which is the ninth most populated nation in the world is blessed with abundant natural resources which spread across the length and breadth of the six geo-political zones of the country. Surprisingly, her people are living in abject poverty, youths are roaming the streets with great skills and degrees in search of unavailable jobs.

    We should be ashamed as a nation that at 56 we are still celebrating the importation of cloths, drugs, matches, weapons, tooth picks, singlet, socks and in fact almost every basic human need. As a matter of fact, we must stop deceiving ourselves that we are independent and start fashioning out ways that can rightly give us that tag.

    As far as our elites still seek medical attention abroad, send their children and wards to high brow schools abroad using the tax payers’ money, we are still wallowing in acute dependence. In fact, we are slaves to our inertia and mentality.

    Most of our graduates are today drivers to foreigners whose academic qualification is in doubt. This is the country we are celebrating 56 years anniversary; this is a country we believe have been freed from the shackles of colonialism.

    Painfully, I see our independence more as an irony than a reality. We are blessed with natural resources but bereft of quality leadership. If Nigerians can re-direct their efforts invested in fighting each other on the bases of religion, party affiliation, ethnic background and region into judiciously exploring our bountiful natural resources, only then we can have a country that is truly independent.

    It is however pertinent to note that the only remarkable achievement recorded 56 years after independence is being able to stay as one indivisible entity. Another notable achievement worthy of mentioning is the 2015 smooth transition from a reckless democratic government to a more purposeful administration.

    Although Jonathan’s government as professed by the Finance Minister under his administration led us to this economic disaster that we find ourselves, the peaceful transition process orchestrated by him even in the face of defeat is a great achievement in the history of our dear country and will forever go down in the annals of history.

    Now that President Muhammadu Buhari is on the saddle, Nigerians must know that the change he represents can only come to limelight through the collective efforts of everyone. Our mentality must change from thinking of what our country can do for us to what we can do for her. We must accept him as a President that “belongs to nobody but belong to everybody”. Change must begin with us!

    We must begin to look inward for solutions to our problems. Unity of purpose should be our watchword. Personal, regional and religious interest should give way for national interest.

    The President must be seen as a Nigerian president even as we must see ourselves first as Nigerians. All our actions should be guided by our conscience like the President said in his 2015 independence day speech; “Like I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions”.

    Reviewed Edition of my Last Year’s Independence Day article for this year.

  • As Crippled Nigeria Crawls To Her 56th Birthday: The Truth And The Lie Within Plus The Way Forward

    There is just one Gregorian day left for physically and spiritually challenged Nigeria to make contact with her 56th year of independent existence as a Federal Republic. Pitifully, there would be no need for merriment across the nation, courtesy of the harsh economy situation brought about by these unfortunate leaders she now has.

    Life in Nigeria has become a dirty lottery where both the common and uncommon society man speak one language “things are hard” meanwhile a pragmatic approach is yet to be designed to harness the murrian.

    As it is familiar with every confused and confound people, there are widespread lies being peddled especially by the ruling class as to how Nigeria arrived this wilderness as well as the agents responsible. But according to the words of Niccolo Machiavelli, “Bitter passion for lies motivates the searchlight of truth”, the truth is also around as to how we got where we are and the vehicles responsible.

    The once El Dorado Nigeria is now on its knees begging her very own enemies for survival. Same enemies who told her she must go through a recession to pay for her past shortcomings as though the present is perfected.

    Economy Recession: How Did It Come About?

    It all started when Mr. Buhari introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy that withdraw all public funds from private banks thereby reducing to the barest minimum the profits made by these finance institutions, hence, massive loss of bank jobs in the said institutions started trending.

    Again, Buhari went further to ban 40 foreign exchange items including rice, cement, private airplanes/jets, steel produce, metals, textiles, etc, commanding an urgent drop in earnings of the average Nigerian population who traded with these items even hick in prices as the commodities gained ‘rare-status’ in the open market.

    Soon before, Mr. Buhari’s lopsided appointments angered the birth of militancy in the Niger Delta region together with his poor security formation the destructions of the nation’s oil installations  was empowered and in accomplice with the dwindling global oil price, the income from oil had no choice than to set on an exodus to the negative side of the graph.

    The truth is – these are the elements responsible for this recession and the lie is – Buhari and co. to blame it on what he describes as past administration’s ‘looting lifestyle’; indeed, nothing but an ubiquitous deceit.

    On the way forward: Many Nigerians, including my humble self are of the sole opinion that the only way forward is massive job creation in all sectors of the economy. But this can not be realised under the watch of a man who’s only interest is to chase his perceived enemies of their hard earned wealth as a grand way to settle scores apast.

    In this 56th year anniversary, where the nation has realised that the only best option is jobs creation, memorous-Nigerians would remember her immediate past leader and world’s peace icon, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Who, according to a report by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published on Premium Times Newspapers of July 2nd, 2015 created in exact figures 469,070 jobs between January to March, 2015 and exactly 369,485 jobs in the 4th quarter of 2014.

    Frankly, as obvious as it is, Buhari has no single plan for jobs creation on his change driven agenda, thus, his immediate removal from office is what Nigerians should be agitating for in this 56th birthday of her’s.

    Comr. Onun Endurance Arikpo,
    baring my mind above and beyond.
    30th September, 2016.

  • ITM Ugep is a Space Ship in the Desert – Professor Angba

    Professor Angba, Rector of ITM

    This is a friendly Chat with the New Rector of Institute of Technology and Management Ugep (ITM), Prof. Austine Angba.

    My first reaction to the above quote was, haba Prof.!! Are you saying Ugep, or Cross River State is a Desert? He then smiled, allowing the Prof. humble senses to keep him from anger. He then asked, “Do we have Electricity, Water, and Oxygen, Gravitational force, Houses, Food and all man’s needs on the Moon?”

    I said No! Then He went on, “If all these things are not on the Moon, yet man with just a Space Ship can survive there, then take it too that the Institute of Technology and Management Ugep (ITM), is designed not for normal environments but for environments that the facilities within can create a functional and sustainable change.”

    “So assuming its now in the Desert, all needed are Men with Courage, Integrity, Will, Desire, Ability, Character, Creative, with wild imaginations, knowledge, Believe and Faith, to be on board and effectively use the facilities within the Space Ship to create an enabling environment and build a new world, an Industrial Idea center where Men and Women create jobs by day instead of seeking; an institution where admission becomes employment, Fees paid with creative ideas instead of money.”

    Finally, he said, “Nothing can best describe what I have seen as facilities in ITM than a Space Ship in the Desert.”

    The big question then is, why do Nigerians do well overseas and when home become lazy? No society is free from the imperfections of man, corruption is in America more than Nigeria. If you don’t know then find out why an economy needs Bailout Funds? America since the Depression of 1930s have been surviving on Bailout Funds. In recent times, the Bushes, Clinton and Obama’s administrations are all surviving on Bailout Funds.

    Today, Nigeria is on that line too. What then is the different? Can it be attitude? Because every American believes in American Dreams, in favorable season and unfavorable season. In fact, it is like an Oath taken on delivery. The rich believe and invest in America, whenever the economy get harder, the government create magic money in the name of bailouts and push into the hands of these rich people to keep the business world going while the taxpayer keep paying in bits.

    In Nigeria we run away with the money, steal infrastructural installations and make public properties our personal properties, to be untouchable, we create a hustle society. The game becomes, “see and take or another will take and call you fool.”

    Prof. Angba, Governor Ayade and the great people of Ugep worldwide and Cross Riverians at large, will keep your dreams alive. You have the Governor as a Professor and the Deputy, a Professor. The world of Professors makes the crew on board the Space Ship. Failure is therefore, a theory propounded by the man with no Ideas, because to real men failure is a stepping stone showing you are closer to success.

  • Court reprimands UNICAL Professor for allegedly raping a 20-year-old student

    Professor Ndifon and law suits.

    This should serve as a warning to all those Lecturers who indulge themselves into illicit acts that cripples the social and cultural behaviours of students trying to encapsulate a better education to sustain a name or a living. More of this should we awaits.

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Calabar and presided over by Honorable Justice Eunice N. Agbakoba has on the 21st September 2016, delivered judgement dismissing the suit filed by the erstwhile Dean of Law Faculty, University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon challenging his suspension by the University of Calabar.

    Professor Ndifon was suspended by the University after he allegedly raped a 20 year old, 400 level student in his office last year. His suspension was to last pending when he is completely exonerated from the criminal rape allegation and the alleged acts of official misconduct.

    According to CrossRiverWatch, the embattled Professor of law had dragged the University authorities to Court in Suit No. NICN/CA/01/2016 claiming, amongst other things, that the University of Calabar had no power to have suspended him beyond the statutory three(3) months under the University of Calabar Act, LFN, 2004.

    However, in a considered judgement delivered on the 21st September, 2016 and colored with great erudition, the Court held that the suspension of Professor Ndifon beyond three months, is not in any way invalidated under Section 16(2) of the University of Calabar Act.

    The Court further dismissed in its entirety all the reliefs sought by Professor Ndifon, saying that the learned Professor cannot restrain the University from investigating his conduct while in employment.

    Those who were named as parties in the suit included the Vice Chancellor University of Calabar; the Governing Council, University of Calabar, and the University of Calabar (as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants/Respondents respectively).

    Professor Ndifon who has a notorious reputation as a skirt chaser, has over time been brandishing on newspaper pages a police medical report which purportedly exonerated him from the criminal allegation of rape.

    In a telephone conversation with media men, Barrister Fakuta Nachamada who is Counsel to the University of Calabar, described the judgment of the Court as not only sound in law but also the triumph of truth over evil.

    When asked whether Professor Ndifon can appeal the said judgment, the learned Counsel referred this reporter to the case law authority of Lagos Sheraton Hotel And Towers V. Hotel And Personal Services Senior Staff Association (2014) LPELR -23340 (CA) where it was held that appeal against the decisions of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria is totally circumscribed.

    A litigant not satisfied with a judgement of the National Industrial Court can only appeal in cases relating to fundamental rights under chapter IV of the Constitution or in criminal causes as they relate to matters upon which the National Industrial Court has jurisdiction.

    Read more here: http://crossriverwatch.com/2016/09/unical-rape-randy-professor-losses-in-court/

  • UCTH in debt of over N35million Electricity bills – Chief Medical Director

    Professor Thomas Agan, Chief Medical Director, UCTH

    The Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Professor Thomas Agan has lamented the high electricity bill by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution, PHED, which has crippled activities in the varsity hospital following the disconnection of the public power supply.

    Prof Agan who spoke to newsmen said; PHED estimated bills submitted to the hospital amounts to the sum of Thirty five million, three hundred and sixty seven thousand, nine hundred and thirty eight Naira and seventy Kobo (N35,367,938.70) which is too high for the institution to pay. The inability of the institution to pay the huge bill has led to PHED disconnecting electricity to the hospital in the past two weeks causing a stoppage in the discharge of its primary functions of saving lives.

    In an interview with with the MD, Agan complains was about the hospital staying in darkness which has hindered their motto of life saving and stands as a sabotage by electricity agency. He said, “As I speak with you, because of this incessant power cut, most of our equipment had broken down; the light was disconnected at the most critical period when the hospital had over 10 patients on the operating table.

    “Let’s assume those people died in that process and they were their relatives how could they have felt? It is very wrong. And no matter how you want to make money, you do it with some degree of human face.” Agan said.

    Also, the Professor complained lavishly that the management of PHED is partly responsible for the set back which the hospital is facing. Hhe said, “Patients are being relocated to private hospitals for immediate attention just as hospital cannot render other services expected due to the power blackout.

    “One thing I want to let the public to know is that a hospital is not a profit making venture. All, we do is service delivery and if you disconnect us, you just cripple the whole system.” He lamented.

    However, the Communications Officer of PHED, Mr. John Onyi said, the bill is an accumulated bill which the hospital has been paying in bits, causing the money to accumulate up to that amount. “We stated categorically to the hospital before the power was disconnected on the second week of September, 2016”. Onyi said.

  • Cross River Gender and Development Plans 3-Day Workshop for MDA’s, LGA’s Desk Officers

    Helen Isamoh, Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor on Gender and Development 

    By Val Asikong


    As part of the deliberate plan by the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade to strengthen the capacity of Gender Desk Officers in Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDA’s) and at the Local Government levels, the state Gender and Development office has put in place a three day training workshop for that purpose.

    A release signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender and Development, Helen Isamoh indicates that the three days’ workshop will commence on Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday September 29, 2016 at the prestigious Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.

    The release further stated that the three days training is specifically designed to assist participants to add value to their current job schedules and future assignments, especially in the area of gender mainstreaming in public and private programmes, bearing in mind that most highly trained personnel in this area have retired or left for greener pasture.

    According to the release, the workshop will also a International to be part of the three days event will attract a minimum of 50 senior high level participants from within and outside the state, explaining that the gender and development office has received interest from a collegiate of gender advancement Institution makeup of the African Union (AU), Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, The Australian High Commission, United Nations (UN), as well as Chevron.

    At the end of the three days training workshop, participants would be in a better position to gain insight to some of the Governor Ben Ayade led administration’s policy direction as it concerns ge3nder equity, the Calabar garment and textile factory, the Bakassi Deep Seaport/the super highway and the proposed Specialized Hospitals in the three Senatorial districts of the state.