Category: Opinion

  • The Birth of Corruption against Desires for Economic Growth by Inok Solomon

    Inok Solomon, Special Assistant to Cross River State Government

    By Inok Solomon 


    When your N1000 deposit in the bank, gives the bank the right to issue out receipt of N1500, who is causing Inflation, increase in Taxes and Retirements?

    When Inflation and Taxes increases and yet you get 5% as interest for your N1000 deposit while the banks charges 20% as interest on loans from your N1000 in their vault plus N500 money from tin air, who is causing economic recession and inflation or as some economist called it ‘Stagflation?

    Man’s desire to rule over man, took a modern dimension from the year 1914, and that year, modern corruption was given birth. Eve’s desires to be like God, knowing good and bad, was covetousness, Eve needed an allied, so She shared her new discovery with Adam and from that moment, corruption was created and the new world of Corrupt Sinful Nation was born separate from the purpose of God.

    From that point, the desire of man to gain more and more and meet with the rights given by God to Adam; to take dominance over all the things created on earth was polluted with negativity, anger, hatred and bitterness. In today’s political era, one will say, Adam was disgruntled for failing to win over the political affairs of the Garden of Eden.

    History repeated itself in 1914, when the population of the world was growing beyond the comprehension of man himself, the thought of man’s inability to conquer the world was redirected to fellow man.

    With the Discoveries of the centuries, the Economic Theories and Knowledge, man saw that the more efforts are put in creating enabling environment and better discoveries for better economy, the more the population is growing and the more obstacles to attain that original desire.

    Starvation became man’s next weapon, and to do this, is to dominate man through wars, investing heavily on wars rather than on basic needs of man. A World War was nursed, planned and executed in 1914.

    After the War, in the 1920s and 30s, the world experienced Economic Depression, that marked the complete turn away from Economic growth Plans to War Plans. The Starvation Theory did what it was meant to do.

    When the Starvation Apple became impossible, man to deceive his fellow man like Eve did, shared the corrupt Apple, and changed the name from Corrupt Sinful Nations created by Eve to the League of Nations. But the lessons of modern Wars created more fears and man coined a new strategy, ‘World Security.’

    Cost of maintaining Security and be above all other allied Nations, took all the Gold and treasury reserves of the world and converted them to weapons of mass destruction. Colonization, Slavery and outright take over by force of other Nations, became the only source to build the World Powers, members of the League of Nations, since wealth of Nations was tide to the amount of Gold in the vault.

    League of Nations failed and World War 11 erupted in 1945 to showcase the crazy weapons. After the display of their weaponry on the population, the share of the corrupt Apple to deceive the world changed the name again instead of the system from League of Nations to United Nations; another secret code to keep man confused.

    In 1971, President Nixon of America, changed the rule of money, when he served the US dollar’s relationship with gold.

    “President Nixon changed the rules because foreign countries being paid in U.S. dollars grew skeptical when the U.S. treasury was printing more and more money to cover her debts. They began exchanging their dollars directly for gold in earnest, depleting most of the U.S. gold reserves. The vault was being emptied because the government was importing more than it was exporting and because of the costly Vietnam War.”-Robert.

    Today, Governments print money to cover debts in the form of bailouts and push the pains on the taxpayers. Yet most of these money is taken and deposited into personal accounts in banks for counterfeit money to inflate the economy. “So to rob a bank legally is to own a bank.”

    Corruption seems not a baby to Politics but Monetary system. Names are changed instead of resetting the system.

  • 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.

  • Supreme Court Ruling: Cross River Youths rally support for Gov Ayade, says we are totally behind You

    A coalition of some groups comprising Nigeria Youth Congress, Cross River chapter and Cross River Assembly Youth Political Initiative today assured Governor Ben Ayade of total support as regards his legal issue with Joe Agi at the Supreme Court insisting that the state is in very safe hands under his custody as Governor.

    In the same vein, the groups assured Cross Riverians not to panic over the matter as it is under control with God fully in charge.

    In their positions on the matter, comrade Justin ILefa, state deputy chairman and Matthias Essien, coordinator, Cross River Assembly Youth Political Initiative faulted detractors who have started celebrating the matter when they have no case.

    According to duo there is nothing to celebrate over. What are they celebrating? How do you build something on nothing? They have no case.

    “It is a shame some mischievous and fraudulent characters are already celebrating a matter that have not been concluded and still on-going because of a mis up by a lawyer who was not mandated to function in that capacity .Their ill fated celebration is temporal as true justice will take its course and Governor Ayade as usual will be cleared.

    “We the youths of Cross River are totally with our digital, youth and very labour friendly governor just as greater majority of Cross Riverians are with him. We pray for him and support him and will continue to mobilise the teeming youths population of the state to support him and all the good works he has been doing in the state .”

  • Prof Ivara Esu charges C/River State Judiciary to ensure Speedy Dispensation of cases

    Cross River State Judiciary 

    The Cross River State Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu has charged the State Judiciary to ensure speedy dispensation of cases pending in their courts.

    Professor Esu gave the charge at official opening of the 2016/2017 Legal Year held at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Hope Waddell Parish, Calabar.

    He said the Judiciary is one of the Tripods of Government, the Executive Legislature and the Judiciary and assured that government support it to carry out its function effectively to achieve good governance.

    The Deputy Governor, described the Judiciary as the hope of the common man and called on them to work hard to correct the saying that Justice delayed, Justice denied.

    He however, expressed satisfaction in the new dispensation of Justices in the handling of cases without fear or favour, welcomed them back on vacation and wished them a happy legal new year.

    In a Sermon, the Officiating Minister Reverend Mrs., Susan Ugaya emphasized the need to give thanks to God for the good he has done in their lives in appreciation to him.

    Reverend Ugaya commended the State Chief Judge, Justice Okoi Itam and the Judiciary for the thanksgiving and advised them to ask for wisdom from God to carry out their assignment effectively.

    She prayed God to guide them through their responsibility of dispensation of Justice to the people.

    The Church Service was attended by the Speaker State House of Assembly, Mr. John Lebo, Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong.

    Report by: Paulyne Eba(Deputy Gov’s Press Unit, Calabar)

  • Governor Ayade calls for Special Attention from NDDC to Cross River

    The Nigerian Senate has been called upon to accord cross River State a special consideration in the distribution and allocation of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Projects in the region.

    Making the call when a delegation of the Senate Committee on NDDC led by the Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi paid him a courtesy visit in Government House in Calabar today, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River stated that the state is heavily marginalized in the scheme of things including the distribution of projects in the region.

    Governor Ayade who was represented by his Deputy Professor Ivara Ejemot Esu explained that Cross River is the most disadvantaged State among NDDC states in the areas of construction and maintenance of Federal Roads, as well as other infrastructural provisions, reasoning that this neglect has imparted negatively on the socio-economic life of the people of the state and other Nigerians living in Cross River.

    He reiterated the fact that the State does not receive anything from the Federal Government by way of oil derivation revenue and so deserved special attention by the Senate committee in their considerations.

    Governor Ayade commended the commitment and unity of purpose exhibited by the 8th Senate and express the hope that the Committee will do a good job in the performance of its oversight function.

    Senator Ayade also expressed profound appreciation to the sitting Managing Director of NDDC for reviving all the abandoned projects of the NDDC in the State.

    Ayade emphasized the need for the Senate to also consider “The Bakassi Strike Force” in the amnesty programme and that they have been neglected from the scheme of things, stating that putting them into consideration will help stem restiveness and security challenges in the State.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC Senator Peter Nwaoboshi said the purpose of the visit was to carry out their oversight function of ensuring that they go to all the NDDC States/ the region to ascertain the level of work done on the NDDC Projects.

    According to him the Committee is also to investigate the activities of the Amnesty Programme with a view to bringing to book those found to have misappropriated funds meant for the programme.

  • Agba Jalingo is asking for the Breakdown of the CRS Superhighway Project, who can help him out?

    Due to some controversies surrounding the Cross River State Superhighway Project, the publisher and editor in chief of CrossRiverWatch and the former chairman of the Association of Cross River Journalists (ACROJ) who now anchors a weekend show on Hit 95.9 FM Calabar, titled ‘Dialogue with Agba Jalingo’ says he needs someone to breakdown the Superhighway just like the one for 4th Mainland Bridge below.


    Useful Information About Proposed 4th Mainland Bridge:

    LENGTH: 38km (25km on the Mainland axis, 8km on the Lagos Lagoon and 5km in the Lekki axis)

    TYPE OF BRIDGE: Four-lane, dual-carriageway

    NO OF STRUCTURES TO BE AFFECTED: 800 (Eight hundred)

    ESTIMATED COST: N844billion

    COST OF LAND ACQUISITION AND COMPENSATION: N20billion

    COST OF RELOCATION OF THE STRUCTURES TO BE AFFECTED: N17billion

    BRIDGE-BUILDING CONSORTIUM: Julius Berger Nigeria & Hitech Construction

    FINANCING CONSORTIUM: Africa Finance Corporation (Lagos-based
    ), Access Bank & J.P. Morgan
    (USA-based banking giant)

    TYPE OF CONTRACT: Build, operate and transfer (BOT)

    CONCESSION PERIOD: 40years
    INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS: Heavy vehicular traffic and massive population to be served

    PAYBACK PERIOD: 15-20years (as projected by Ayodeji Ebo, Head of Investment Advisory, AFRINVEST, the Lead Adviser for the development of Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge)

    CO-ORDINATOR: Visible Assets (headed by pastor idowu iluyomade)

    FACILITATOR: Lagos State Government

    Please, start forwarding or dropping your comments in the comment section in lieu of Agba’s question. Thanks. 

  • You cannot do same thing over and over again and expect a different result

    By Princewill Odidi

    Attempting to use short term solutions to solve long term problems is largely responsible why good intentioned programs of government fail and does not gain the required sustainable momentum.

    From Operations feed the nation, Green Revolution, Directorate of foods roads and rural infrastructure, Family support Program, Family Economic advancement program, Poverty alleviation Program, Agricultural development program, National Directorate of Employment, among others.

    Today, the Buhari administration has launched Npower, school lunch and the new poverty program. While we applaud the new program designed to feed 5 million children and provide cash to cover one million very poor people ,it is our prayer that it succeeds, because we all want to see it succeed. It is the desire of the government to improve the peoples standard of living.

    However,  You do not improve the peoples standard of living by giving handouts to a few, rather it is better you improve  the structures that would aid increased productivity to benefit all. The little change you put in people’s account will finish within a week, but if you use that money to build rural clinics, fix schools, instead of benefiting a select few, it will benefit the masses.

    Another program that may fail is the small loan of five million naira to fresh graduates. example, instead of distribution of 5 million naira to fresh graduate to start a business, which we all know the money would be used to meet their immediate needs of wedding and renting apartment and buying a car, rather, bring 40 youths together, pull together all their individual loans amounting to 200 million, let them start a small company and build it as a cooperative.

    200 million can comfortably start a transportation line, a soft drink company, but giving each 5 million ends in futility. Cooperative funding funded recently in Rwanda worked perfectly, I just don’t understand why Nigeria insist on individual funding, even when we know previous attempts fail.

    The poverty level among Nigerians, coupled with institutional corruption and the lack of a systemic structure to execute poverty alleviation programs, make virtually every initiative a joke. The one million people that will benefit from the N5000 each, the process of selection of persons which was done manually without verifiable or measurable poverty indices makes the scheme mere speculation and guess work.

    Most of the social workers sent out to compile names in 5 selected states that will benefit in phase 1 merely made up that list with friends and colleagues, these funds I have warned, will end up in private pockets. If we must succeed we must learn to do things right.

    We are so used to use short term solutions to solve long term problems. No society develops this way.

    President Jonathan U-win program, with such huge disbursement, how many of those businesses survived after 2 years?

    You cannot do the same thing over and over again , doing it the same way, and expect a different result.

    Princewill Odidi is an Atlanta based development consultant. princewillodidi@yahoo.com

  • Cross River State Governor Woos Opposition by Ifere Paul

    By Ifere Paul

    There are indications that the Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has sent an envoy of top brass & class in his administration to court to the opposition personalities in Abuja.

    The team headed by one of the top economic adviser is working to achieve the Governor’s plan by planning to meet with one of the APC chieftain in the Presidency.

    According to information from Calabar, the Governor is not happy with the consistent criticism of his administration. He said that “I don’t like opposition with malice.” The source went on to say that the Governor is suffers sleepless nights thinking what the next day will bring to his government.

    The source further intimated that even the governor’s household, especially his wife is worried about her husband’s restlessness. And she has strictly warned her husband to make sure that he does not bring doom near her children.

    The spate of arrest and invitations by the EFCC to members of the governor’s cabinet has left the governor jittery. The presidency has made matters worse by placing a “no travel abroad order.”

    The Governor has directed that opposition critics must be made to be at peace with the governor. One source in Abuja disclosed that one of the APC Chieftain insisted that four APC Chieftain who are from Obudu like the governor must be invited to the said peace talks.

    However, the governor was said to have  rejected the four APC Chieftains coming for the peace the talk. Which also made the APC Chieftain from the presidency to have rejected the offer for the peace talk outrightly. Saying that “it is the governor that wants talks.”

    Attempts to woo Ifere is also on the table as the governor has employed the services of one of his SA.

  • Ifere Paul on the reminder of Governor Ayade signing his MoU in Germany

    By Ifere Paul

    Do you remember this picture? It was a picture showing our digital governor in Germany. He was purportedly signing a soil quality test of the superhighway in Germany.

    The white guy in the picture is the supposed German guy who initially was said to have secured a 500 Million Euros free interest loan that will be used in the construction of the superhighway and the Calabar Deep Seaport.

    This white guy’s name is Le Havre. He isn’t a German. And he is not from Israel either, where the supposed company: Broad Spectrum Industrial Nigeria Limited was coming from, and the bulk of the 500 Million Euros too.

    Sad as it was, Le Havre was an Irishman who was hired by Ben Ayade to pose as a Semi German-Israeli. Unfortunately, the con man was discovered and was fast to escape questioning by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    Nothing has been heard of Le Havre and his Broad Spectrum Industrial Nigeria Limited Company, or the 500 Million Euros.

    Somehow, the superhighway is now a project overtaken by events, and the Governor may be wishing that we all forget the issue.

    Not in a hurry though.

    Where is Mr Le Havre?
    Where is our 500 Million Euros?
    Where is Broad Spectrum Nigeria Limited?
    Where is our Superhighway?

  • Press Statement issued by the Grand Council of Niger Delta Youth Leaders after Meeting on Sept 24th

    Niger Delta Youth Leaders 

    The grand council of Niger Delta youth leaders, comprises of youth leaders that cuts across the 9 Niger Delta States who have solemnly resolved to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble body, dedicated to the promotion, protection and advancement, as well as solidarity of the people of Niger Delta. Our fundamental and directive principle is based on the principle of democracy, equality and social justice, and it is our cardinal policy to co-operate and exchange ideas, and accordingly declare that we shall protect, defend and propagate the interest and welfare of the people of the Niger Delta. We have the common goal and interest of using a non-violent, approach towards issues bordering on the well being of our people, and at the same time, drawing the government’s attention to prevalent ills in the society.

    We have noticed with concern, the current activities of our Niger Delta youths who have resorted to using violent methods in pressing for our emancipation as a people. As much as we agree that the issues being agitated for, are salient, and we identify with the genuine agitations of our brothers, we however condemn in totality the ongoing vandalization and bombing of oil pipelines, as we believe that this is akin to shooting ourselves in the foot as these activities are counter-productive. Already our economy is in dire need of revitalization and all available resources should be put to use in reviving it. We, Niger Deltans are a  tranguil and advanced people so we would love to implore our brothers to resort to dialogue in our demands for equity.

    We commend Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on his administrative strategy, principally anchored on fighting corruption and the massive looting of Nigeria’s wealth by political office holders. As we also appreciate his efforts in redirecting our economy towards agriculture. We applaud his systematic war against corruption and pledge our unalloyed loyalty and support to this anti-corruption war. That is why we as individuals, groups and  a people join Mr. President in this fight against corruption it is an inviolable truth that if he fails, we all  fails. It must be fought from all fronts.

    We wish to commend the lion of the Niger Delta, Hon Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike for giving the Niger Delta effective representation at the federal level. We note with pride his gargantuan strides towards repositioning the transport sector of the nation and we are using this medium to call on him to give more accommodation to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in the scheme of things. The contributions in these states to the economic growth of the nation cannot be underestimated. We therefore urge our Honourable minister to give us that sense of belonging in his activities.

    Worthy of emphasis is to commend Mr. President on the appointment of one of our illustrious sons, Obong Nsima Ekere as the MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission. Obong Nsima Ekere is an entrepreneurial doyen, seasoned administrator, assiduous technocrat and pertinacious innovator, whose wealth of experience will be brought to bear in carrying out his current call to duty. It is on record that Obong Nsima Ekere has contributed immensely towards the building of successful business, and that he has garnered valid national and international experiences in real estate, urban and regional planning, oil and gas as well as power and construction. His proven antecedents and track record in top management positions, working cross-functionally in a variety of challenging projects across various economic sectors shows that by his appointment, a square peg has been properly positioned in a square hole.

    We are convinced that the NDDC will experience a geometric progression during the administration of this colossus whose performance in different capacities can only be described in the superlatives. We pledge our commitment to work hand-in-hand with this great salesman to ensure that development, empowerment and succuour is brought to Niger Deltans.

    Also worthy of mention is the Appointment of Senator Ndoma Egba an illustrious Niger Deltan from Cross River State (CRS) as chairman of the Board of the NDDC, his experience in the National Assembly will largely impact on the growth of the region, and the smooth running of the commission.

    Also  the appointment of Engineer Samuel AjenaKevwe Adjogbe a Deltan, as the Executive Director projects and a rivers state indigene as the Executive Director Finance  and administration, while an amiable son of Akwa Ibom State Mr Frank Samuel George, representing Akwa Ibom State, and a renown Veteran Journalist Ogaga Ifowodo represent Delta State, and of course the representative of the other states on the board, Mene Derek from Rivers, Donation Enyinna from Bayelsea, Sylvester Effefion Nsa from CRS, Hon. Uwuilekhue Saturday from Edo, Sen. Osita izunaso from imo, Olatokunbo Ayasin from Ondo, Harry Iborona Dabibi from Rivers, are well chosen and very qualified for which we say to his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you very much.

    We also urge His Excellency president Muhammadu Buhari to give further attention to the East-West Road this coming dry season, so that it is completed.

    On the issue of environmental pollution and degradation, we hereby express our sincere gratitude to Mr. President for the setting up of the Board for the cleaning of Ogoni land in Rivers State. We also quickly add, that the entire Niger Delta region has been greatly polluted and the environment degraded by the activities of oil exploration.

    We kindly urge His Excellency to order the oil companies to embark on full remediation works and total cleaning of the Niger delta while they also should  please puts an end to gas flaring in the region.

    Also of importance is the need to revitalize the Delta steel company Ovwian Aladja that is currently wasting away. This steel  complex just like its sister company the Ajaokuta steel plant if properly re-engineered and put to work will among other  things engender and become a source of employment of our youths. We urge that athe issue of the marinetime academy, at okorekoko in delta state should be revisited, as well as the olokola liquified natural gas project in Ondo State and the Brass LNG lying abandoned, should be looked into.

    Further more as the economy improves which we very much believe that your administration is capable of turning the economy from recession to prosperity, we humbly request that your administration open up the Niger Delta by commencing work on the proposed costal road and development of a railway line (Costal corridor) that will run from Lagos to Calabar, this will open up the creeks. To open up the creeks have numerous advantage, ranging from easy movement of goods and people to exposing the world to the tourist potentials of our creeks for sight seeing etc which will also boost the economy and reduce crime generally.

    We also use this avenue to urge, that urgent attention should be given to the upgrading of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to the University status. While enjoining the Akwa Ibom State Government to ensure that the college of Education, Afaha Nsit becomes a degree awarding institution.

    We commend the federal government through the Niger Delta development commission for the inclusion of the Calabar, Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road in the approved Federal budget.  We have noted with satisfaction the ongoing work at the Calabar-Itu road. However, we are calling on the contractors handling the inaccessible portion of the Calabar road to expedite action on the work as the comatose State of the project is already causing untold economic hardship on the people. It is on record that 3 boat mishaps have occurred as a result of the inaccessibility of the road through car transportation, thereby leaving the comminuters with no option than being paddled by boat or canoe from one side to the other. We recommend that remedial measures should be put in place to ensure that at the cessation of the rains, work will be continued in ernest.

    Finally, collective good for all can only be achieved through the subjugation of our individual interests and the propagation of positive, general ideals and policies geared towards holistic and overall development. Antagonism and aggression only aids in further eroding our sensibilities and cohesion as an indivisible entity. We call on all patriotic Niger Deltans and Nigerians to put all hands to the pump in ensuring that this “project” does not amount to an exercise in futility. Together we can transit from our current State to a sphere where plausible, feasible, and visible development is brought to all of us. We envision a brighter tomorrow not only for ourselves but for our succeeding generations.

    Long live Niger Delta.
    Long live Nigeria.

    Comrade Awakessien Clement
    [Grand Leader]