Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • NANS Convention: Gombe was a litmus test

    They say ‘as the going gets tough, only the tough gets going’. The National Association of Nigerian students (NANS) under the leadership of Comrade Prince Miaphen has slated 1st – 4th of September, 2016 as the date of completion of the aborted Gombe National Convention. SUG Presidents from all the tertiary institutions across the country are expected to gather at the Old Parade Ground Abuja to elect who’ll take the mantle of the leadership of Nigerian students – a process they started at Pantami Stadium Gombe.

    The ‘who is who’ of those eyeing the top seat is what this piece will look into.

    The aborted Gombe Convention was but a flash, a preamble to the expectation.

    When at Gombe, there were four main contenders;

    1. Sheriff E. E. Zadok of Unizik
    2. Aruna Kadiri of UniBen
    3. Igwe Ude-Umanta of EBSU
    4. Chinonso Obasi AKA IBB of EBSU

    Of all these four, each of them has what it takes to be president of NANS and believe that he’ll clinch the top position.

    1. Sheriff believed to be very young, handsome, intelligent, genuine student and above all somebody who campaigned thoroughly and penetrated especially the North East. He hails from the core East Anambra, Nnamdi Azikwe University.

    2. Igwe Ude – Umanta is a prince. Also young and intelligent somebody. He was once the SUG President at UniAbuja. He then, relied solely on the power of the incumbent in which he was alleged to have been the anointed candidate of the immediate past President of the NANS, Mr. Tijjani Usman.

    3. Aruna Kadiri is from Edo state. He’s the only Muslim candidate among the top contenders. I learnt that Aruna competed for the post almost 10 years back, when somebody like me was only a student of may be junior secondary school. Religion influence may add flavour to his soup.

    4. IBB who hails from the same university with Igwe, i.e. Ebonyi State University was said to have believed that he’s the youngest contender. He believes in the power of thugs and was said to be sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party.

    On whatever note, these four were the main contenders of Gombe Convention.

    NANS has a process which must be followed. First of all, the Convention chairman will be elected by the senators (SUG Presidents), and then the elected Convention chairman will come up and dissolve the cabinet, dissolve the Convention Planning Committee (CPC) and announce his own members of the committee and then conduct the election. It is a tradition of the NANS that candidates sponsor their allies to contest for the position of Convention chairman. The act will serve as a litmus test and it’ll also ease their aspiration, should their candidate win.

    At Gombe, the office of the Convention chairman was contested by four as a reflection of these four top contenders;
    1. Prince Miaphen who was before his election the Director General of Campaign of Aruna Kadiri Campaign Organization.
    2. Yemi Likedat also the DG of Sheriff Campaign Team
    3. Ahmed Jibrin who was sponsored by TeamIBB
    4. Ibrahim Yusuf who was sent by Igwe Ude-Umanta.

    The expectation was that all those going to vote for a particular candidate will start by voting for his anointed convention chairman. Therefore, whoever wins is strongly expected to win the race due to the fact that he has the majority and the that his boy becomes the convention chairman who’s responsible for conducting the election.

    The Gombe Convention chairman was won by Prince Miaphen who was/is a boy to Aruna Kadiri. He won with 71 votes. Followed by Yemi Likedat; boy of Sheriff, with 63 votes. Followed by IBB and Igwe boys, Ahmed Jibrin with 56 and Ibrahim Yusuf with 51 votes respectively.

    That election of the Convention Chairman if anything, showed clearly that should election be conducted properly, Aruna Kadiri will definitely win. This incited the other candidates having clearly saw a defeat, to disrupted the process under the leadership of Chinonso Obasi AKA IBB. I was inside the venue waiting to vote for my choice when the entrance was broken by the Chinonso IBB and got inside. He threatened that everybody should take his leave. A situation that forced the senators to run for their lives which resulted to accidents – fractures and injuries. Soon after the thug and his thugs chased the senators away, everybody left the stadium because it became clear that something was amiss. We from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara left early morning the following day, only to browse on facebook, and other media outlets to saw Chinonso AKA IBB declaring himself the President of NANS. We wondered how, why and when? But as a friend say, IBB may be the President of National Association of Nigerian Thugs (NANT) instead. IBB created a faction which was uncalled of him.

    Since that very day, many things happened in NANS. IBB declared faction, with Egalitarian as his Senate President. Tijjani Usman tried to maintain a faction as well, claiming that he wasn’t dissolved. Ochai Roys, the Senate President also tried claiming to be the only somebody in NANS because nobody is empowered to dissolve him by the virtue of the constitution. One George Tom AKA Aluta Twin also declared himself the President. Prince Miaphen, the elected Convention Chairman also declared himself Acting President. Though some accused him of trying to hijack the Association by declaring himself, but some still believe that he has NO option but to declare himself acting, since NO association can stand without president. But the fact remains that with the title of Acting President attaching to Convention Chairman or without, the senators only know Prince Miaphen because they solely elected him as a whole.

    And Abuja Convention?

    I’ll start by commending the good effort of Prince Miaphen who kept to his words of conducting election six weeks from the aborted Gombe Convention. I’ll also commend the three main contenders, Igwe Ude-Umanta, Sheriff E. E. Zadok, and Aruna Kadiri who stood by the Convention Chairman up till this moment. The senators that shunned away the NANT President, IBB must also be commended for shunning away falsehood, most especially the senators from Ebonyi and Ondo Axis where the self acclaimed President and Senate President hail.

    Now, the direction has changed in favour of another candidate instead of another. It was believed that Igwe Ude-Umanta was popular, but what affected him during the aborted Convention was his romance with the incumbent which some people see to be the most unpopular NANS President ever.
    Aruna Kadiri is still powerful because of his close relationship with the Convention Chairman, Prince Miaphen. But again, Prince tendered his resignation letter from the office of the DG campaign of Aruna the moment he emerged the Convention chairman and promised to be just and never partial.

    Chinonso Obasi declared faction and therefore is out of the race. But where are the 56 senators that voted for his anointed Convention chairman, Jibrin Ahmad? Have they sided with him or with the NANS? The reality is obvious that 90% of the senators that voted for him opted from his camp and sided with NANS since when he declared himself the president.

    Now; the questions that are glaring are as follows:

    1. Who will get the support of the over 50 senators that voted for IBB the last time? Kadiri, Igwe, or Sheriff.
    2. Igwe is likely to have some, since he and IBB represent same constituency, i.e. Ebonyi State University, therefore have equal support in their zone.
    3. Sheriff is also very likely to have the majority of IBB senators because he is said to be courageous based on the outcome of the Convention where his candidate popular Yemi Likedat emerged 2nd. He therefore penetrated through the senators supporting IBB before, and got his vast share.
    4. The influence of ethnic and religion is forever in Nigerians. Aruna Kadiri, being the only Muslim contender from the Southeast, may gain the sympathy of some religious influenced senators, though NOT all those who support Aruna are influenced by religion. I still wonder if religion play a (vital) role in NANS. It is confirmed that religion has little or NO influence in the NANS politics.

    However, the question of ‘who is who’ of the Abuja Convention can only be answered on the 4th of September, 2016.

    What I advise the senators is to vote for the best. Whoever your consciousness tells you that he’s the best, go for him. Don’t be influenced by money or material gains, they fade and go away. Remember, you’re representing the thousands of the students in your school that posed their confidence in you.

    I pray and hope that the 2016 NANS Abuja Convention will be the reason of restructuring of NANS. We really need sanity in NANS and that sanity can only be achieved by voting the best among the contenders.

    Anass Muhammad Sani is the senator representing Sokoto State University, Sokoto – Nigeria.
    +234 (0) 806 067 63

  • Cancer is Curable! Early Detection is Key – Dr. Betta Edu

    AS LEO CLUB DISTRICT 404A-2 PARTNERS WITH SMOH, MWAN AND CRSPHCDA TO CARRY OUT CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN CALABAR.

    Leo Club District 404A-2 yesterday held cancer awareness campaign in partnership with state health ministry, medical women association and Primary Health Care Development Agency. The walk began at Mobil Filling station, Murtala Mohammed High way and ended at Watt Market Roundabout in company of the DG Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu and President Nigerian Medical Women Association CRS Chapter, Dr Ani Nchiewi who represented the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Dr Inyang Asibong.

    Speaking at the event, Dr Betta Edu said the essence of the walk is to create awareness for cancer and educate women on need for cancer screening. She assured the people that the state government under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade is collaborating with relevant stake holders to see that we can protect cross riverians from cancer. She noted that Nigeria has the highest cancer prevalence in Africa as such we must increase awareness to save people from dying. As Such early detection through screening is key. Asiukpo diagnostic and Medical centre is also supporting by reducing the cost of mammogram to enable more women above 40 to benefit.

    Dr Edu told the crowd that smoking (actively or passively), excessive drinking of alcohol, having multiple sex partner, early sexual exposure etc can further predispose an individual to Cancer. She noted that Human papilloma virus is also implicated in Cancer of the Cervix in women. She advised that early detection by getting screened can avert Cancer.

    Continuing, she informed the people that Cancer is curable if detected early. She said 5,000 women will be screen across the state for cervical cancer while calling all the women to take advantage of it. She lauded the effort of Leo Club while charging them to continue rendering humanitarian and volunteerism services to the society. Finally she said the 10 km walk was to ensure that everyone including those at grassroots become aware of cancer.

    Earlier Speaking, Dr Inyang Asibong who spoke through the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria CRS Chapter, Dr Ani Nchiewi said  human Papiloma Virus is the cause of Cervical Cancer in women. However, the Honourable Commissioner of health informed the people at the roundabout that the cause of Prostate Cancer in men is unknown.

    “Prostate Cancer has no symptoms unless the growth presses on the Urethra’. She went further informed that getting regularly screened for cancer is one important step in prevention of the disease. She charges the women to respond to the screening that will begin very soon said Dr Asibong.

    According to Leo Asuquo Boco, the President-elect of Leo District 404 A-2 Nigeria, the Cancer Awareness campaign was part of activities to mark his installation as president later that morning. While pouring encomium on the state government  representated by commissioner of Health and DG primary healthcare development agency, promised to work with the health team to raise more awareness on cancer.

    The work ended at Watt Market roundabout with sharing of flyers and personal counseling to members of the public by the state health team and representative of Medical women association.

  • Governor Ayade Commissions 14 Electricity Projects in Calabar (Photos)

    As promised, Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has commissioned fourteen (14) electrification projects in communities in Calabar metropolis.

    The projects which are located in different communities in Calabar includes the one at Basin Satellite Town, Ikot Ene-Obong, Ikot Omin, etc.

    The Governor that was represented by the Special Adviser on Power and Electricity promised 24/7 power supply soon.

    See photos from the commissioning of the project below…

  • Governor Ayade and the New Payment Style of Appointees in Cross River State by Ifere Paul

    By Ifere Paul

    The Cross River State government has brought out a new style of payment to its numerous appointees.

    According to reliable information, the government is now giving its appointees a particular form to fill. Appointees are mandated to sign that they have been paid a certain amount which is what the revenue mobilization has authorized.

    Going by the over bloated appointments in the promise to expand his administration and job creation, Ben Ayade of Cross River State has so far appointed over 1000 people into his exco. Appointees were made to accept to sign an undertaking for a 50% cut in salaries.

    Some of the appointees who had collected their letters of appointment has since began collecting the other 50% of their salaries.

    However, following an EFCC discovery of financial misappropriation and a deficit of over 700 Million Naira in government account books, the Governor has issued another type of form to all appointees to sign. The form mandates the appointees to sign a certain amount of money they have never been paid since they resumed their new appointment.

    A little breakdown of the new swindling scheme is as follows:

    1. PAs that are paid 150 Thousand Naira are made to sign that they have been collecting 300 Thousand Naira.

    2. SAs that are paid 200 Thousand Naira are made to sign that they have been collecting 400 Thousand Naira.

    3. Commissioners that are paid 250 are made to sign that they have been collecting 500 Thousand Naira.

    4. Board Chairmen & Chairwomen that have been collecting 400-500 Thousand Naira are now made to sign that they have been collecting 800 Thousand Naira-I Million Naira.

    According to a confidante in the government house, this scheme has been going on secretly ever since the time EFCC started inviting members of the State Executives.

    It is however unclear what the government intends to achieve now since EFCC has already established that monies have been misappropriated and all records are right now undergoing a forensic study. Most family members of the Ayade family who are appointees have all signed the new form and are encouraging their close friends to comply with the governor unless they want to be sacked.

    This story has already been confirmed by appointees who have signed the forms and a lot others that refused signing. One appointee who took the form home, was encouraged by his father who is a lawyer and a lecturer in the University of Calabar not to sign such form. Describing it the highest scam of all times.

  • Governor Ayade’s Aide arrest unemployed graduate carrying placard tagged ‘I Need A Job’

    By Ifere Paul

    A recent incident I feel Cross Riverians should be aware is the unlawful incarceration of one Charles Efiong Ewa, an indigene of  Ebane Asim Royal Family of Big Qua Town in Calabar Municipality.

    Information gathered revealed that the said Charles Efiong Ewa wrote on a cardboard “I need a Job His Excellency”  in other to draw the attention of His Excellency Prof Sen Ben Ayade while in his usual blaring of siren in the street of Calabar.

    In the process he was arrested and kept in prison custody  in Cross River State CID for 2days now by some undemocratic and over zealous orderlies of the Governor. This is a breach of Charles fundamental human right and total abuse to the tenet of democratic principle.

    Charles is unemployed and felt he has to attract the attention of the governor by holding a placard while the governor’s convoy was driving past. Mr Charles was not involved on the obstruction of peace neither was he obstructing traffic.

    Please I am calling on relevant authorities to relax this young man or Cross Riverians will take to the streets in demonstration of unemployment even as the governor is the only staff of Green Police and his garment factory has become a photo workshop for his media aides now.

    This information was posted and shared on Facebook by Ifere Paul, Obono-Obla, Inyali Peter and others. 

    Please share.

  • Minister of Labour, Ngige Visits Calabar Garment Factory, Says He Is Dumbfounded

    The Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige was yesterday stunned by the sheer size and sophistication of the Calabar Garment Factory.

    Ngige who visited the factory along with the state governor, Senator Ayade, while in Calabar to commission the South South zonal Skills Acquisition Centre, said he was dumbfounded by what he saw.

    His words: “I am in this Calabar Garment Factory and the word to use is dumbfounded. I am indeed dumbfounded by what I see here. For a state that receives the least allocation, only second to Osun State from the federation account, to achieve this is amazing.

    “It is pure financial engineering by Governor Ben Ayade to have successfully built and completed this giant garment factory.”

    According to the former governor of Anambra State, “This factory is an employment centre, so to say, because at each shift, at least one thousand persons are engaged out of three shifts in a given day. For three thousand persons to be taken out of the army of unemployed is a startling number accounting for garment and textile sector. This is besides the humongous number that will be engaged in cotton farm located in the Ogoja and Obudu axis from what I saw in the work plan.”

    The Minister who said Governor Ayade is steadily implementing what the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has been preaching noted: “This is actually what the APC-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is preaching, which is backward integration. We do not need to be importing everything into the country anymore, because of the scarce foreign exchange.”

    While lauding what he described as Ayade’s economic wizardry, Senator Ngige said: “We cannot take it away from Governor Ayade. He has done pretty well. I must commend him and at the same time recommend his style and zeal to other governors. He does not come to Abuja cap in hand like most of his colleagues are doing.”

    Continuing, the Minister enjoined: “We can put an end to the cap in hand or what I call ‘feeding bottle’ syndrome which other governors have reduced themselves to if they can imbibe the Ayade example. We want that to stop. He has also proved himself to be workers’ friendly too because apart from paying workers’ salary every month, he pays promptly too. From what I have heard from the workers’ here, he has not exposed me to be going to negotiate for three working days in a week work with workers.”

    On partnership with the state government on the garment factory, Ngige said: “From what I have seen here, all our skills trainees of our Skills Development Programme will be brought here for training. This garment factory will now be used as an apprenticeship centre for our skills trainees. And because the South South Zonal centre of the National Directorate of Employment is in Calabar, both Cross Riverians and trainees from other states of the zone will be trained here. There will also be funds to support the factory.”

  • Governor Ayade seeks ‘Street Hawkers’ Legislation

    By Ulayi Emmanuel

    Worried by the harsh economic realities which have rendered many homes unable to afford a square meal, Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has proposed a bill seeking to protect the rights of street hawkers in the state.

    The governor who is also conscious of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which the state has since domesticated, said the proposed bill to be known as Hawkers Protection Bill, will allow only adults of 18 years and above in reflective vest to hawk at designated time and locations to guarantee survival devoid of violation.

    The aim of the law according to the governor, is to protect the rights of the down trodden and change the economic fortunes of poor households as well as bring dignity to Africa’s most populous form of trading.

    Governor Ayade who disclosed this in Calabar, while signing the Homeland Security Service bill and eight others into law stated that: “Hawkers’ protection bill is one after my heart that I must ensure its enactment and implementation within the shortest possible time.”

    Ayade further stated that “The supremacy of government does not allow it to know the agony of the down trodden which is why hawking is been prohibited and hawkers subjected to merciless whips at all times by law enforcement agents.”

    He noted that it was wrong to prohibit hawking outright, given the circumstances most Nigerians have found themselves, saying: “We want a law that will make hawking legal and provide clear terms and conditions under which you can hawk. I will provide specific hawking corridors to protect the rights of the down trodden.”

    According to Governor Ayade, “The hawkers’ rights bill is key to Cross River State government. All I need to do is just to regulate it. It is African and we cannot shy away from the fact that at some point in our lives, we have been at our lowest levels. Personally, I have hawked before.”

    Offering further insight, Ayade explained: “It is unheard off, that a tourism state will encourage hawking but I assure you that we will by this new bill modernize hawking and make it more attractive in a manner that many will take to it even for leisure.

    Enunciating some of the benefits he derived while as a hawker, he said: “My childhood poverty that made me to hawk has today contributed immensely to my intellect, strength, capacity and sanity that made me understand, in spite of my today’s position, that I still have humility which is why God has charged me to be a vehicle for the protection of the poor.

    “We must show concern for our brothers and sisters on the other side.”

    While charging the legislatures not to relent in making laws that will impact on the lives of the common man, Ayade lauded the 8th Assembly for passing 23 bills into law in less than two years. He promised to reward anyone who will promote laws that are not only in tandem with his vision but impact on the citizenry.

  • More Governor Ben Ayade’s Special Advisers gearing for Resignation

    It is no longer news that a renowned political chieftain in Cross River State Mr. Ray Ugba Morphy recently resigned his appointment as the Special Adviser, Strategy and National contact citing reasons such as helping to save cost for workers who are been owed salaries for almost 4 months and how he has received wages without receiving any mandate or assignment since his appointment or the government seeking his advice.

    #YouthDecide will like to sincerely commend Mr. Ray Ugba Morphy for been an honorable man as only someone with a high level of ethics would do such and for someone of his age and caliber it would be foolhardy to collect appointment for appointment sake according to him.

    It with this resolve that #YouthDecide has decided to take a closer look into the list of appointments in Cross River State as we have learnt from credible sources that some SAs are gearing up to resign soon. As we thank Governor Ben Ayade for been very generous with the appointments especially for the numerous young men and women who have been given the opportunity to serve, our investigations revealed that due to a lot of political pressure some appointments were given on sympathetic basis.

    There are some appointees who have been in government since 1999 (the Donald Duke era) and even Liyel Imoke era and most of them made up a 3rd list of political veterans who we feel are too old and should be retiring for their younger ones to take over.

    Yes, experience is always needed but better in advisory roles as the youth must always take charge inevitably even in a Nigeria where the old politicians have refused to retire.

    Some of these old politicians have collected appointments and are sitting in their lavish houses and traveling for holidays while collecting tax payers’ money in form of wages paid from Governor Ben Ayade government for doing nothing. This is quite unfair and unacceptable and just as the honorable Ray Ugba Morphy has done we suggest that they resign to save the state money in this hard times. They will be saving the Governor and the state a lot of money in these harsh times that government is struggling to pay salaries.

    These appointees have been in government for as long the before the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 and in order to prove it, we invite you to look at the following appointees who are now colleagues with some people young enough to be their children. They are former Senators, House of Reps members, Chairmen of councils, two to three time Commissioners and Special Advisers in both former Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke government. When will the youth ever have a chance to be represented in government and why will the Governor spend so much money when no work or value is been added. The list is not limited to the following persons listed below as they are more than this. Here we will just mention a few #NoOffence but based on our assessment of the people named below we beg them to take a bow and return to the elders forum for advisory roles.

    Sen. Florence Ita Giwa – Chairman Cross River Ports Authority

    John Eyikwaji – SA, Chieftaincy Affairs

    Hon. Eddy Ogon – SA, Mortgage finance and estate development.

    Hon. Tom Agi – SA, Tourism Development

    Chief Tony Undiandeye – SA, Public affairs

    Chief Peter Ojie – SA, Political Affairs

    Barr. Edet Okon Asim – SA, Forestry and Biodiversity

    Barr. Joe Edet – SA, Mineral Resources

    Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi – CRS Envoy to ADB

    Hon. Gab Eddy – SA, Legislative matters

    Eja-Don Esege – Director, Urban Renewal Agency

    Barr. Joe Aggrey – Director, Urban Renewal Agency

    Chief Igbaji Monkom – Director, Audit and investigation bureau

    Mr. Goddy Iyala – SA, Insurance

    Mr. Eko Atu – ES, Cross River Port Authority

    Mr Mark Obi – SA Admin

    The salaries paid to all of you can be used for those who need it the most. Thank you for your consideration.

    #LetTheYouthDecide
    Source: www.facebook.com/lettheyouthdecide

  • 4 People Arrested for Defacing Calabar with Advertisement Posters

    For months now, jingles have been playing on radio and TV stations across the state, warning about the penalties defaulters would pay if they are caught defacing the streets of Calabar and Cross River State in whole.

    According to reports reaching Calabar Reporters, the Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) has arrested four persons which are currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, State Housing State division for defacing Cross River State capital city of Calabar.

    The Agency Director General, DG, Stanley Nsemo-Livingstone disclosed this to newsmen in a phone call by describing the situation as “terrible”; the indiscriminate defacing of the state with posters, boards and graffiti.

    On moves to sensitize Cross Riverians, Nsemo disclosed that; “We are introducing a project, the ‘respect it, protect it’ campaign and its going to run across the State.

    Also, Nsemo warned that; “This is a warning from CRISSA to those out there if you are putting posters on our walls anywhere in Cross River State, be afraid of picking the calls because any number you put on the poster we will find a way and we will get you”.

    Two out of the four person apprehended who spoke to this reporter claimed ignorance of the law.

    One saying he’s not aware of the law and he’s neither from Cross River State nor a neighbouring State. Meanwhile, the other denied the accusations completely, that he was only reading from the banners being posted before now. “I didnt paste anything, I was just reading the ones on the poles since it has information about getting me a job”. He said.

  • It is only an insensitive leader that adds to the suffering of her citizens – Odok

    By Emmanuel Odok

    The government of the day needs put a stop to the unlawful extortions, harrassment and intimidation that has been going on in the state, most especially in Calabar the state capital. What the “law enforcement agents” are doing is illegal and unacceptable.

    Considering the dwindling economy and the hardship it has brought upon the citizens, I feel the governor should not have allowed people to be extorting money from those trying to eke a living.

    Tke Road Safety, VIO, DOPT, WRONG PARKING for cars and Keke, etc enforcements are on the road, only to boost government treasury and their personal accounts to the detriment the “poor” citizens.

    I therefore call on the state government to look into all these illegal ways of generating revenue and ensure that these agents desist forthwith.

    A tourist destination and an investor friendly state as Cross River cannot afford to be characterized as such.

    God bless the governor, God bless Cross River State!
    God is watching!