Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • GIVE AYADE A CHANCE: How important are good public transport systems to urban and social development?

    Good public transport systems are an essential part of safe, clean and affordable transport for development.

    From a social perspective, public transport is often the only means of transport for the poor. Without it, they would be able to look at work opportunities only within walking distance of their homes, so public transport improves their livelihood opportunities. It also gives them greater access to education, health care and recreation. For senior citizens, people with disabilities and children, public transport is also their main means of mobility.

    From an urban mobility perspective, public transport is far more efficient than personal motor vehicles in terms of the road space it uses up and the energy it consumes. For example, a bus carrying 40 passengers uses only 2.5 times more road space than a car carrying only 1 or 2 people. And the same bus consumes only about 3 times as much fuel as a car. Public transport is thus important for improving sustainable mobility in urban areas, and we consider it the right approach to encourage low-carbon growth in cities.

    What are the key elements of a sustainable public transport system?

    Can you provide examples of countries or cities that are leading the way in this area?

    A good public transport system must be easy and convenient to use, fast, safe, clean and affordable. Seoul, Singapore and Hong Kong are known for their excellent transport systems. Smaller cities like Lyon in France and Curitiba in Brazil also have very good systems.

    More recently, León in Mexico, Pereira in Colombia, Lagos in Nigeria and Ahmedabad in India have developed good systems. Many more are in the offing.

    A key feature is that they integrate multiple technologies, such as metro rail, light rail, Bus Rapid Transit and basic bus services. A common ticket or fare card serves all the systems, making it easy for passengers to transfer from one mode to the other. Passenger information systems enable users to know when the next service is due and to understand the routes easily, and high frequency of service reduces the hassle of a long wait for the next bus or train

    Written By: Egbara Emmanuel,

    Social Media Activist,

    Lagos Nigeria.

  • Ayade And The Final Conquest Of Security Twist

    Ayade’s efforts at providing security coverage across the state is paying off: a latest travel advisory released by the US State department excludes Cross River State from the list of 20 states in Nigeria that US citizens should avoid. Earlier on, the US embassy said that Cross River State is the favorite state of choice in Nigeria because of her calmness, hospitality and strategic location.

    This administration, being aware of the far reaching implications of security tension which is abhorrent to development and the exercise of liberty, has advanced a very unique and effective security framework to the admiration of advanced nations like United States (the remarks of the US Ambassador to Nigeria, gives credence to this).

    To this end, It should be known that all modern societies are established on the foundation of civil and religious liberty, but this freedom also comes with consequences and responsibilities: the responsibility of dealing with these consequences and the responsibility of sustaining the liberty so that one man’s expression of freedom does not infringe on another man’s freedom. Between the government and the people, this responsibility is mutual, and must be. Therefore, this administration implores all Crossriverians to continue to cooperate with the government in order to tackle security challenges.

    For now, Ayade has proven the Chief Security Officer that he is by highlighting security, given it most priority attention and providing a permanent back seat for any security twist.

    Eval Asikong is S.A. to the Governor on New Media

  • I Will Not Take Salary If Elected—CRS Chairmanship Aspirant Declares

    Well, it’s the most trending news in Cross River State (CRS) now as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the upcoming local government elections, Mr Egbara Emmanuel has vowed not to collect salaries and emoluments throughout his tenure if elected as chairman of Yala.

    Egbara Emmanuel vows to donate his salaries to charity if elected chairman of Yala council

    The media Activist made the vow on Thursday while meeting some political faithfuls at Okpoma- in Yala Local Government Area.

    Egbara Emmanuel, a member of the Save Nigeria Group, said he would rather open a special account for his salaries and emoluments to cater for the vulnerable persons in the society.

  • EFCC Quiz Ayade’s Accountant General, Commerce Commissioner Over Garment Factory

    The news in circulation right now is that, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Peter Egba and Accountant General, Joseph Adie of Cross River State spent the chunk of the week answering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on issues concerning the Cross River Garment Factory.

    It is still unclear exactly when the duo were picked up but reliable sources informed media men that Peter Egba returned on Wednesday while the Accountant General is still in the EFCC’s South-South zonal office in Port Harcourt.

    The source also said their arrest was in response to a petition by several Cross Riverians who queried the set-up of the Garment Factory, one of Governor Ben Ayade’s signature projects.

    It is alleged that there is no clear definition as to the ownership and financing of the project with allegations rife that the commissioner had cooked books and documents for it to pass as credible.

    Efforts to get comments from the Commerce and Industry commissioner proved futile as several calls to his line at 09:49 AM, 09:50 AM, 09:51 AM Friday morning rang and he did not take the calls.

    Two text messages to his line 09:55AM and 09:56AM have not being replied either.

    Crossriverwatch.com said they contacted Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesman at 09:58AM Friday, nothing concerning the invitation was discussed as the line became distorted after introductions and when his phone was dialled three more times at 10:00AM (twice) and 10:01 AM, it rang and he did not take his call.

    Read more at: http://crossriverwatch.com/?p=26051

  • CRSPHCDA In Collaboration With Pathfinders Int’l Begins Installation Of Solar Suitcase In PHC’s IN CRS

    CROSS RIVER STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRSPHCDA) IN COLLABORATION WITH PATHFINDERS IN’T BEGINS INSTALLATION OF SOLAR SUIT CASE IN SOME SELECTED PHC’s IN THE STATE.

    Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with Pathfinders International and  “WE CARE SOLAR” a United State Based Non-Profit organization have concluded training and began installation of portable cost effective solar suit case that will power maternity ward in the Primary health care centers under the  Saving Mother Giving Life (SMGL) program in the state. The training on the installation, use and maintenance of the WE CARE SOLAR SUIT CASE was conducted on the 25-29th July, 2016 at Dannic Hotels. Ekorinim, Calabar.

    Major participants were electricians drawn from Northern, Central and Southern Senatorial district working with the Agency.

    According to the facilitators, Pathfinders International who spoke through their SMGL desk officer, Dr Olabode Oyekoya said the essence of the training is to equip program officers, electricians and SMGL state desk officers with  knowledge on the solar energy system and how it can be maintained.

    Speaking on behalf of the DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu, the Desk Officer SMGL in the Agency, Mrs Sally Enyim said the state is very grateful to Pathfinders for successfully implementing the project while assuring them that the State Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade will continue supporting the organization to actualize their goal in the state by providing enabling environment, security and other logistics dimmed necessary by the partner.

    She assured the partners of sustainable and effective use of the machinery in ensuring maternal mortality is reduce in CRS by 2020. While calling on them to increase the number of solar to reach other PHC in the state. Especially the one PHC per ward.

    The first two days of the training was focused on theoritical work  while practicals was carried out at Pathfinders SMGL supported PHC’s in Ikot Offiong Ambai, PHC Idundu Akpabuyo LGA and PHC Odukpani LGA and PHC Akani Esuk.

    It was also gathered that training methodologies used included Video demonstration, Illustrative lectures, power point and Skilled demonstration using models.

    See more photos below….

  • Primary Healthcare Development Agency Key To Achievement Of Health Insurance In CRS

    HEALTH FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE VISIT DG CRSPHCDA, INDICATE INTEREST TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE TO REVITALIZE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE.

    Chief of Party Health Finance and Governance,(HFG) Dr Gafar Alawode and his team earlier today visited the director General of Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu in her office.

    Speaking, Dr Gafar Alawode thanked the DG for granting them audience, pledging to work with Cross River State to revitalize Primary Healthcare. According to him,  HGF is here to provide a sustainable smart platform for health care financing in the state through, health care diagnosis, governance, fiscal space analysis, resource mobilisation and tracking policy direction for SHIS amongs others

    ” Our aim is to domesticate health finance in CRS through reforms. We are willing to partner with you on the State Health Insurance Scheme which translates to Community Based Health Insurance Scheme for the primary healthcare level. We are more concern on the infrastructure functionaliity  and development in the PHC system of the state as this will be places where majority of persons will access services. The people should be able to feel the impact of their money through quality accessible healthcare said the Chief of Party.

    Responding, Dr Betta Edu,  thanked HFG for coming, informing them on the steps taken so far by the present administration to revamp primary health in the state. On resumption of office, His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade approved for thorough Need Assessment tour of healthcare facilities across the 18 LGA’s with town hall meeting to hear directly from the people their challenges in accessing primary health facilities. Part of the policy to revamp the sector was the introduction of State Health Insurance Scheme which the people will pay little money into a central purse so the can access treatment at Health facilities provided they have enroll in the scheme. She has been to most communities explaining the benfit of risk sharing and protection from catastrophic health expenditure that can impoverish. According to her the people are willing and ready to support the scheme which envisage the calling of healthcare financing by the people.

    Dr Edu went further to intimate the organization that the Agency was fully establish by the law to enhance smooth running of PHC under the one roof policy. She said the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade and Wife Dr. LINDA AYADE are open to initiatives that will drive primary healthcare in the state forward.  She assured them of the state readiness to partner with them for the health interest of the people.

    Finally Dr Garfar, COP commended the DG, D Betta Edu, the State Governor, His Excellency Prof Ben Ayade ey
    sensitizing and engaging communities on the process of revitalizing primary healthcare in the state.

    “I’m impress with what I saw in the state, the policies, engagement with the people, refurbishment of some health centers and the proposed state health insurance scheme. I give pass mark to the Governor as I hope to work with the health team for the betterment of the people via good health access and financing. Dr Garfar concluded.

  • Cross River State Very Safe As US Declares 20 Unsafe States In NIGERIAN

    United States government has listed 20 of Nigeria’s 36 states as unsafe and asked its citizens living in the country to stay away from them.

    Among the 20, it cited Borno, Adamawa and Yobe as a complete no-go area as “the ability of the US Mission to provide assistance to US citizens” in those states remains severely limited.

    Members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect recently renewed attackes in Borno State, while Fulani herdsmen have scaled up killing of villagers and farmers in Adamawa State.

    The travel warning, published on Wednesday, replaced an earlier one dated February 5, 2016.

    In addition to the three frontline states, the Department of State also “recommends against all but essential travel to the following states due to the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

    “The Department also warns against travel in the Gulf of Guinea, because of the threat of piracy” the advisory published online added.

    It added that based on safety and security risk assessments, the embassy maintains restrictions for travel by U.S. officials to the states listed above; officials must receive advance clearance by the U.S. Mission for any travel to those states.

    The statement particularly urged vigilance around government security facilities; churches, mosques, and other places of worship; locations where large crowds may gather, such as hotels, clubs, bars, restaurants, markets, shopping malls; and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

    “Security measures in Nigeria remain heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups, and U.S. citizens may encounter police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks throughout the country.

    “Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been displaced as a result of violence in the north.”

    The State Department noted that kidnappings remained a security concern throughout Nigeria, as criminal elements across the country orchestrated kidnappings for ransom; Islamic extremists, operating predominantly in the North, also have been known to conduct kidnappings. Criminals or militants have abducted foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, from off-shore and land-based oil facilities, residential compounds, airports, and public roadways.

    “Separatist groups have staged demonstrations in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, and Rivers states, some of which have turned violent.

    “Militant groups have destroyed oil production infrastructure in Bayelsa and Delta states.

    “U.S citizens are advised to avoid the areas of these states where these incidents have occurred.

    “Attacks by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea have increased substantially in recent years.

    “Armed gangs have boarded both commercial and private vessels to rob travelers.

    “The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to criminal acts at sea,” it concluded.


    ~Emmanuel Ulayi 

  • Obesesam slams Negroidhaven.org over amateur blogging after misjudging his comment on their post

    CAVEAT EMPTOR! That Negroid Haven Publication was a Lie

    I read with dismay and utter disappointment an effusion of misinformation conveyed by the publisher of Negroid Haven, an online newspaper in Cross River, in which he credited my statement on Ifere Paul’s post concerning Honourable John Gaul Lebo, as the position of the Liberal Party of Canada.

    The publication reads: “Liberal Party Slams Speaker John Gaul Lebo, Task 25 member House.”

    This is libellous, malicious, unprofessional behaviour, and a display of unethical journalism, the very reason people must be trained on journalistic ethics or mass communication before venturing into publishing business .

    My comment on Ifere’s post was simple. I stated simply that “Gaul was a great guy but he screwed up.” 

    Why on earth should such a simple statement with no political undertone be misinterpreted as the position of the Canadian Liberal Party that has no inkling who John Gaul Lebo is?

    I wish to state categorically clear that my statement does not in any way represent the position of the Canadian Liberal Party and it wasn’t intended to slam Lebo.

    I wish to apologize to my friend Honorable John Gaul Lebo, for the emotional stress this malicious publication may have caused him.

    I see this post as politically sponsored and a threat to my future. By this notice I am asking the publisher of Negroid Haven, Mr Efiok-Ita Effiom Nyok to remove this post and any connection to me and my photographs from their website including from Facebook and other online communities where such information may have spread to.

    I also apologize to my fans and readers who may have encountered this misinformation and thought it actually originated from me.

    Let me warn that my membership of the Canadian Liberal Party, a distinguished political party that is currently leading the nation on the path to prosperity and equality should not be linked with mediocre politics in Cross River. My activities as party mm bet or caucus member are limited to my constituency in Canada. Extending this to Cross River politics  is dangerously unethical.

    Anybody is free to share my posts. But I have advised journalists to always seek my consent before publishing my posts in their platforms. Of course, this malicious post has failed the integrity test .

    Sincerely


    Obesesam Okoi

  • Obono-Obla still Special Adviser (SA) to President Buhari on Prosecution

    Some malicious, vexatious, and demented people are peddling the falsehood that President Muhammadu Buhari has removed Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla from his position as Special Assistant on Prosecution to the Mr President. Nothing can be farther from the truth! It is a figment of the infantile imagination of detractors and bad belle people!

    Chief Obono-Obla remains the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice; Secretary, Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee;  Member National Prosecution Coordinating Committee and Member Constitutional and Electoral Reforms Committee of the Federal Government.

    Read Also | Obono Obla’s New Appointment, A Systematic Demotion And Embarassment To Cross River

    The President has also graciously and as a clear manifestation of the confidence he has on Chief Obono-Obla nominated him as Non-Executive Commissioner to represent the South South Region in the prestigious and strategic Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), the regulator of the telecommunication industry in the country!

    I therefore urge you his friends and well wishers to disregard and discount the antics of wailing detractors! And to you the enemy, it is shame as usual.

    Check out photos from his office this morning…

    To God be the Glory!

    CONGRATULATIONS THE OBOL KEPON OF LETANKPANKOM AND OBOL KOBIL OF IJIMAN, UGEP URBAN!


    ~Ikona Kutanso

  • A visit to the Garment Factory with DC Enamhe, SA. Communication and Branding; making the impossibilities, Possible

    Somebody said that it couldn’t be done, but he with a chuckle replied. “That maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one who wouldn’t say so till he had tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin on his face. If he worried he hid it. He started to sing as he tackle the tiling that couldn’t be done, and he did it.- Edgar A. Guest.

    A key factor one really have to  appreciate with Industrialisation, is the fact that, its create a sense of completeness and project creative thinking.  Create an immediate environment of its own and open up the horizon for deep imaginative projections.

    The Garment Factory is a site of hopes, creating a new thinking line for any Cross Riverian who make it worth a while to visit. It is truly a model of a shift from the traditional dependent economy to a self reliant deep vision economy of progress and growth.

    There is need if possible for our school children to make visits to site like this, as it will help reorient their minds,  build in them a new ray of hopes, desires and faith in a future of participation.

    Doubt is only a sin to the exposed minds, for the ignorant man is  cut in between the positive and negative mindset of the exposed minds. A people  oriented revolution is only won by determined, persistent powers of positivity, no matter how long it may take.

    Today, with the Garment Factory,  a true picture of the Rice City, Calabar Pharmaceutical Factory all beside and opposite the Garment Factory, gives a visualizer a true sense of direction and expose great ideas.

    Conclusively therefore, we can agree that the main difference between the mind of today and of our great – great – grandfathers is that in their day conditions were comparatively static, whereas today they are dynamic. Most people lived and died in the places where they were born. They followed their fathers ‘ vocations. Predominantly in our clime,  traditional Agriculture, Civil Service and today, Politics. Seldom, indeed, did most of us break out of the class into which we had been born. Almost as seldom did we even think of trying to.  No wonder, then, that economic based industrial growth made little or no progress at all.

    Today we are in the presence of continual change. We are imbued with that divine unrest which is never satisfied with conditions as they are, which is always striving for improvement. Our environments  force on us the lack of industrial thought system, and thought is the vital force behind all this change. Visualising growth based infrastructures like the Garment Factory keep our thought system challenge to better improvements.

    Governor Ayade, your Visions, Dreams and Ideas are divine and so divine Providence is giving you the wisdom to pilot us as a state towards a better future.


    ~Inok Solomon