Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • Gov Ayade; Tourism Is What We Have Left, Please Safe It From The Hands Of Kidnappers By Richard Romanus

    One ugly trend that has taken residents of Calabar and indeed Cross Riverians by storm is the rising spate of Kidnapping and other criminality. In its recent edition, a fast rising regional Newspaper in the South South, has as it’s banner headline, Calabar ; And things fall part. Sadly, things have indeed fallen apart for a state that was once reputed to be the safest and peaceful State in the federation.

    Even though stories of Kidnapping are not peculiar to Cross River State alone like some people would quickly argue, the State had remained the only State in the Oil rich South South Geopolitical region with the least number of criminality of any form until the present administration came on board. Like a senior friend jokingly  opined some days back, The State was rather a converging ground for perpetrators of various Crimes from different states who prefer sharing and spending their ill gotten wealth here without hurting the people or tampering with their peaceful environment.

    In less than one month, three high profile kidnaps involving a former Senator, Patrick Ani, Former Special Adviser to Ex Governor Liyel Imoke on Labour, Mr Ededem Ita as well as five expatriates and two Nigeria staff of Macmahon, a contracting firm with Lafarge holding have been recorded at different locations across the State. Surprisingly, no known arrest have been made by the Security agencies apparently leaving the people to the mercies of God.

    Since the loss of the 76 oil wells by the State to Akwa Ibom in a Supreme Court judgement, one area that the government has since turned it focus on towards making it a revenue earner for the State, is the tourism industry. Though tourism was Cross River and Cross River was tourism before the loss, the sector only gained a renewed attention when it dawned on the the then administration on the need to look elsewhere since they was no more oil to depend on.

    The sector has however undergone massive transformation over the years with the introduction of several components in the tourism Calender of the state and has no doubt end the State a reputation of one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa. It is on record that Cross River play host to thousands of visitors who visit the state annually from far and near just to be part of the famous Calabar Carnival  and to get a feel of how the Calabar Christmas festival seems like.

    As I hear, the State is already preparing real big for this year’s edition of the festival with some State officials already paying several visit to different countries of the world in order to lure them to be part of the forthcoming event.

     There is therefore  an urgent need to stern the tide of Kidnapping and other Crimes that is at the verge of taking from us the only thing we now pride ourselves with as indigenes of the state.

    The Operation Show Force declared by the Governor of the State, Senator Prof Ben Ayade in collaboration with Security Agencies has no doubt recorded some successes but the hard truth is that, the situation in the State only degenerated to its present state because little or no interest was devoted on it by the authorities concern.

    In my last article, titled Cross River; The once peaceful State, I had made certain recommendations on how the government can make Calabar and the State safe again which included, provision of more Security vans and gadgets for Security Agencies, Convening of a Security Council Meeting and the deployment of Armed men to Flash points among others. I am glad that some of the said recommendations where taken into cognisance and are now yielding results.

     But I like to add that, Government must urgently  mount a closer watch on Calabar South as it has been observed that, interior parts of the area like Jebs, Marina and Afokang serve as the exit route for Criminals.

    Agreed that the Governor as a politician is required to compensate certain people who worked for his emergence but the Governor must realise that desperate times, require desperate measures. Now is the time for the Governor to appoint a State Security Adviser that will command the respect of the various Security Agencies. While I am not calling for the outright sack of the present SSA, he can possibly be reassigned to different position while a seasoned retired Security expert is brought on board.

    To win the present war on Kidnapping and insecurity, indigenes and leaders of crime prone areas must be carried along. They are the people who interact, eat and walk with them on a daily basis and can be useful in information gathering.

    Finally and most importantly,the enforcement of Anti Kidnapping law. Government must ensure that, anybody who contravenes any part of the law is sanctioned as prescribed, as that will serve as a deterrent to intending persons.

    Governor Ben Ayade who also doubles as the Commissioner of tourism must realise that his Memorandum of understanding with several multinational companies can only be realise if the state is safe and peaceful for business as no investor will make a mistake of investing in a state where his live and and that of his business is not guaranteed.

    Richard Romanus is from Oderegha, Obubra LGA

  • AG Maintains Calabar, Cross River Is Safe And Best Place To Do Business In Nigeria Today

    Somehow, Calabar, the capital of Cross River State has been on the news worldwide amidst security issues in the state and that might have been a threat to business own and investors to trade the Nation’s paradise. But with the full cover and a prolific work from the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, we are rest assured that Cross River State is back to the most lovely and peaceful place she use to be.

    A news reaching us says the Attorney General, AG, has declared the State safe for all, especially investors.

    His Statement reads: “Some Abuja Resident Critics l hear have petitioned AG Cross River to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, over their false stories concerning our dear state which I refuted in a press conference last night.

    “Its laughable as these men have not bothered reading the Nigerian Constitution on the duties of my office? Anyway I am waiting for the mischief makers in court and I maintain that Cross River State is the best place to do business in Nigeria today, go and ask the owners SPAR ltd.” JOE ABANG ATTORNEY GENERAL CROSS RIVER STATE.

  • Business News: Russian Firm To Build Refinery In Calabar

    A Russian firm, Safinet Group has expressed its desire to establish a 7,000 barrels per day capacity refinery in Calabar with a provision to increase production to between 60,000 to 65, 000 barrels a day.

    Chairman of Safinet, Mr. Arsen Mudonov disclosed this during a meeting with the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade in Calabar recently.

    Mudonov disclosed that his group decided to come to Cross River to establish the refinery because of the  peace and tranquility that the state is known for in addition to the hospitable nature of the people.

    He said his company is into construction, oil and gas with advanced technology in the construction of oil and gas equipment and machineries.
    He said the company has been expanding its operations to different parts of the world including Africa in the last five years.

    The Safinet Group Chairman said his company wants to take advantage of the conducive and peaceful environment of Cross River and Calabar in particular to establish the refinery of 7,000 barrels production capacity a day which will be increased to 65,000 barrels a day in the near future.

    Responding, Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade said his administration has turned the state into an investors’ haven by creating a conducive atmosphere for investment.

    Governor Ayade reiterated that the peaceful and hospitable nature of the state and its citizens were recently attested to by the outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr John Erntwhistle, who picked the state as his most favourite place in Nigeria.

    Ayade informed the delegation that Cross River state is always the first port of call and choice for investors and that the state is on the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean in the south, which makes it a good candidate for oil and gas business.

    “If you are putting a refinery and your sources of shipping in the crude is by barges then the refinery being located by the waterside becomes easy. Even if you want a solid land location, we also have sold earth where you can have access to bring in your crude by barges and then have pipelines to take the crude to your refinery.

    “Cross River is close to so many oil wells, so building your refinery here is like eating your cake and having it. We have good roads, we are building a super highway and a deep seaport at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. Again, Cross River is closer to Russian than any other place in Nigeria in terms of seaport”, Ayade maintained.

    In his earlier remarks, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive officer (CEO), Hkzain Corporation Limited, Mallam Muhammad Attahiru, said that they were in the state to present technological innovation in the area of oil and gas that will provide job opportunities to the people in line with the vision and policy thrust of Governor Ben Ayade’s administration.

    He assured that Safinet has the experience, capability and the expertise in the areas of construction, oil and gas and that they have established in North Africa and South Sudan and that they want the government of Cross River to give them the opportunity to establish their presence in the state, and assured that they will not disappoint the state.

    From The Desk of Ita, The Chief Press Secretary:

  • Gov Ayade’s Developmental Option For Cross River: A National Model

     A story is told of how seven blind men went to assess an Elephant. The one who touched the trunk, ear, eye, lap, hand, tail or tusk all gave different version or impression of what an Elephant is. Like an Elephant, the debut of the Calabar – Ikom – Kastna Ala Superhighway in Cross River State and indeed in Sub-Sahara Africa has become a subject of many analyses by those who think they know the development option Cross River should adopt different from what Governor Ben Ayade, an intellectual power house has brought to us.

    Like an Elephant the construction of the 260km Superhighway by Governor Ayade is strange to many people in this part of the world who have never heard about such a mega-project before now or may have not seen one in their life time. But are we all blind in Cross River? No! Cross River is well known as a trail blazer in the comity of states in Nigeria. Many litany of first have been accomplished by the state indigenes in many areas. Such that Cross River was to produce the first Professor in Nigeria – Prof. Eyo Ita; the first National World Boxing Champion, Hogan Bassey was a Cross Riverian; the first football match in Nigeria was played in Calabar at Hope Waddle Training Institute and the first Inspector General of Police Louis Edet was from the state.

    In recent times, Cross River has proved itself as first among equals in the area of development such that the first and the longest Cabal car in Africa is install in Obudu Mountain Resort; Cross River is the first to operate a sub-national and national model in the world on Environmental Conservation and Preservation Project known as Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation REDD+ (biodiversity conservation, enhancement of forest carbon stock and sustainable forest management) a United Nations’ (UN) programme expected to accrue some millions of dollars to the state in the nearest future.

    It is therefore not out of place that the present administration of His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade has taken the developmental notch of the state higher in the construction of first Monorail and a garment factory to be operated electrically and by computerized programming in Africa. No wonder that his two signature projects: the 260km Superhighway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport can be referred to as the “mother of all developmental projects” ever executed by any leader in Cross River. These two projects which have become a subject of many controversial reviews couple with a flood of petitions to National and International Organizations even though these projects expectedly will chart a new economic roadmap for our state which will ultimately attract investment inflow and generate multiple employments as well as increased revenue to government and the populace.

    It is note worthy to say that Governor Ayade had the option of executing quick-fixed-projects that are of lesser magnitude or cost has to gain instant popularity from the people on his policies yet he choose to walk a more tedious longer road to bring economic prosperity to Cross Riverians and generations yet unborn.

    My advice is that those who had the opportunity to lead the state out of economic doldrums but squandered it on the altar of ego and self glorification should allow Cross River to move forward and adhere to the biblical injunction which says that “there is time for everything under the sun”. This is the time God has chosen a leader of Prof. Ayade’s caliber for the state. A man with an extraordinary vision and a mission to deliver. Governor Ayade is no doubt a Joshua to take over the Canaan Land as appointed by God to give Cross River its real paradise status.

    Again, it is only right to compare Governor Ayade’s ascendancy to power to that of the biblical legendry King David who ruled Israel during the turbulence years of war. But created for himself a status which the Jewish Nation now ascribe their descendant to the lineage of the tribe of King David.

    It is apt to say that Prof. Ayade is doing what he is noted for with the leadership of the state – a barrier breaker! He broke poverty to become superrich. Broke academic barrier to professorship at a young age. He broke business obstacle to become an Oil and Gas czar and he broke social stratification to become a philanthropist extraordinary, a social crusader to eradicate poverty. He is the only state chief executive in Nigeria who puts the welfare of his people above other state matters. For instance, he pays prompt and regular salary to workers and unprecedented number of political appointees in his state.

    Like the Jewish Nation which has made legendry biblical King David their national reference point, I believe that sometimes in the future schools in Nigeria will begin to study “Ayadeism” as a national model.

    Constructing a Superhighway and a Bakassi Deep Seaport in this era of digital age by a Digital Governor make sense, even though we are still far behind the Western world which is in an era of space exploration.

    I believe Governor Ayade’s developmental option for Cross River is futuristic and difficult to understand by those who do not know his ability of having a magical wand to perform. But he is a Bulldozer who will pull down all opposition to succeed. I have watch his activities over the years and come to a conclusion that he is “born to win” in every venture he engages in. The Calabar-Ikom-Katsina Ala Superhighway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport are no exception to his winning strakes.

    The completion of the Superhighway and the Seaport are project we should eagerly awaits. Indeed, one is tempted here, to right a caption for Ayade’s end of tenure in office in eight years time to an expected documentary to read: “Ayade’s model: the making of a paradise state” out of Cross River.        
    Writen by: Augustine Ogar, S.A. Publicity (Print)
    Mr. Augustine Ogar is the Special Assistant to the Governor on publicity (Print Media)

  • Hit FM OAPs, NYSC Corper, ThisDay Reporter, Others on CRS Govt most wanted list

    Has it come to this? Don’t you think it’s the wrong decision for Cross River State (CRS) Government? For the six (6) man list below have been confronted and declared wanted the the state government. Read them below:

    1. Last week Wednesday, Maurice Inok and Ukay Ogar of Hit FM breakfast show were both summoned to the governors office and were sternly  warned to stop talking about the Security issues in Cross River State.

    2. A corps member currently serving in Ebonyi and a news freelancer for Premium Times was arrested by the DSS. He does not belong to any political party.

    After reporting the story of the suspected militants who storm Cross River State Governors’ Office and held the deputy governor and others hostage. According to information available, the young freelancer was in Calabar and actually interviewed the spokesman of the militants. He even took pictures of the militant group.

    Two weeks after the publication on premium times after the incident at government house with the militants, the freelancer was arrested by DSS in his place of Primary Assignment far away in Ebonyi State and was detained for several hours.

    The arrest warrant, according to the records, was from the Cross River State Government.

    3. The reporter of ThisDay News in Calabar has been very daring with his investigation on the militants activities in Calabar, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi. He was responsible for the declaration of two  LGA, namely Akpabuyo and Bakassi as taken over by militants. Few days after the publication, the State Government tried to intimidate him for his daring reportage but failed.

    4. Joseph Odok was invited by the Nigerian Police Zonal Headquarters, Zone 6 Calabar. His offense was because he consistently and daringly criticised the governor of CRS and one of its senators.

    5. Ogon Bonaventure, this unintimidated and fearless critic has been blackmailed time and time again by one Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Director General of due process.

    6. Ifere Paul is their next target. And this is like fighting the devil. Ifere has been declared wanted already by the Cross River State Government. Thereby making him a political dissident. Ifere has nothing to loss or fear.

    It is time to talk the bitter and painful truths. No one can intimidate me.

    ~Ifere Paul

  • Press Freedom, Government and Ifere Paul’s Ordeal by Inyali Peter

    After succeeding in making media practitioners in Cross River state operate like we’re in a communist society where the media is only there to advance the policies of the state and the ruling party, the state government has advanced to attempting to cow social media critiques too.

    In Cross River, anybody who is not singing government praises is an enemy of the state. The freedom of the press is not only abused by the government but even by press agents who by law and professional ethics were supposed advocate for more.

    Professor Robert Pickard in his Democratic Socialist Press Theory argued that although there are legislations guaranteeing press freedom, these laws are not just enough. Therefore, government has a proactive role to play to promote and enhance press freedom.

    But regrettably, Cross River government under Ayade has refused to acknowledge that the little freedom of the press which has been enhanced by the advent of social media is not enough.

    Any attempt to abuse or stand in the freedom which advocates have argued that is not enough will be resisted strongly with every instrument under the armbit of law.

    Criticism is part of a democratic process. Declaring Ifere Paul, a man who has in no small measure helped in reshaping so many government policies via his critical articles is not just a fight against his fundamental right to freedom of expression but an abuse of democratic process.

    No doubt, there’s no absolute press freedom anywhere in the world but the law has made it clear how to address issues if in the process of exercising one’s right to freedom of expression another man’s right is infringed upon.

    To the best of my knowledge not just as a part-time journalist but a communication and press freedom scholar, Ifere Paul has not in anyway published any seditious or libellous thing about the government that should warrant his arrest.

    Besides, if the government think he has, they should honourably seek redress in court not this primitive way of trying to cow opposition and critics by using security apparatus to harass perceived opposition.

    Ifere is one out of many of us who have faced harassment and persecution by even professional colleagues for daring to be socially responsible in our reportage. This is not acceptable in democracy.

    We’re not under authoritarian rule where we apply authoritarian press philosophy that gives individual rights to talk as long as it doesn’t criticise the absolute powers of the state.

    A government that has completely forgotten the act of governance to chase opposition and critics has no business in a democratic setting like ours.

    During former governor Liyel Imoke’s valedictory press briefing with journalists, among all the journalists that attended that day, Imoke singled out veteran, Unimke Nawa for praises. He said, Sir Nawa’s  criticism reshaped most of his policies.

    Criticism is the beauty of democracy. Rather than hunt us down, Ayade should commend us for offering him free consultancy services on governance because he has demonstrated that he was not ready for the task in the first place.

    I join host of others in the #FreeIferePaul# campaign. We must talk, share ideas, disagree to grow our democracy.

    ~Inyali Peter

  • Gov Ayade Promises To Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate And Achieve Universal Health Coverage In CRS

    AS MAIDEN MULTI-YEAR OPERATIONAL PLAN BEGAN YESTERDAY  IN OBUDU MOUNTAIN RESORT WITH THE THEME; CHARTING A NEW COURSE FOR QUALITY PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN CRS.

    Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency today at Obudu Ranch Resort Conference Hall begin a 7 days multi-year operational plan with the theme, “Charting a new course for quality primary healthcare delivery in Cross River State.

    The Governor of Cross River State Sen. Ben Ayade represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, said the operational plan meeting for the PHC is very vital to the developmental strides of healthcare in the state. Noting that the state has achieved a lot in Health sector. The Governor noted that the state was amongst the first to begin the implementation of one functional PHC per ward with the renovation and equiping of over 5 Primary health care centers in the state. His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade equally said medical doctors have been employed to boost the quality of health care delivery in PHC’s. He further stated that the MYOP could not have come at a better time than now especially with the provision of the Save one million lives funding by the federal Government, where revitalisation of primary health care is one of the key requirements from states to continue to access funds. He said working with the energetic health team, “I am confident that we will be able to reduce maternal mortality to insignificant levels as well as achieve Universal Health coverage in CRS within one year”

    Speaking, the chief host and DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu said there was need for the Agency to draw its blueprint to achieving universal health coverage and sustainable integration by providing a document with 8 thematic areas which includes leadership and governance for health, health service delivery, human resources for health, financing for health, national health management information system, partnership for health, community participation for health and research for health all in support of the ” primary health care under one roof policy.

    She said the rigorous exercise that will bring about the multi year operational plan document will amount to almost nothing if the agency tasked with the mandate of coordinating all primary health care activities in the state does not have a target, benchmark and standards of operation as well as an administrative system that ensures the maximum utilization of available resources for maximal performance and productivity. She said the Multi Year operational Plan will be a useful resource mobilisation tool for PHC in the state.

    According to her, the Annual Operational Plan for 2016 is part of the decision of his Excellency, Senator ( Prof) Ben Ayade and His Wife, Dr Linda Ayade who through her Mediatrix Development Foundation has supported the revitalization of PHC’s in the State and has ensured the provision of quality healthcare to the people.

    She poured encomium on the Governor of Cross River State Sen. Ben Ayade for enabling the agency to reach out to comminities that had no access to health care before now. She also appreciated deeply, development partners who in one way or the other have contributed to the successful take-off of the Multi Year Operational Plan.

    Also speaking was the Chairman of Obanlikwu Hon. Ashua who welcomed everyone to obanliku LGA assuring them of their security and calling on all to savour the wonder ambience of the Obudu Cattle ranch resort.

    Also speaking, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Marjorie Asuquo the chair man of calabar south, stated that her LGA’s will continue supporting the delivery of primary health care to her people  because it is the closest sector to the people in the rural areas. She said the Local Government will support the effort of His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade to provide quality healthcare.

    Finally the House Committee Chairman on Health, Hon Ekpo Ekpo Bassey representing the good people of Bakassi reiterated the support of the legislature to the creation of agency and passing of the amended law for its full repositioning.

    Many developmental partners from UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, CUSO, WHO, Pathfinders International, FHI360, UNAIDS, INTRAHEALTH, CHAI all shared their presentation and commitment to the development of the MYOP document that will guide PHC operations in the State.

    The program is expected to end on the 22nd of July, 2016.


    Prince Charles is the PA to CRSPHCDA on Media and Publicity 

  • FG scraps Common Entrance Examination (Must Read)

    Has the Federal Government, FG, taken the right decision over cancellation of Common Entrance Examination after cancelling First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) examinations in 2008?

    Following calls for the overhauling of the Nigerian educational system, the ministry of education has announced the cancellation of the National Common Entrance Examination (NCCE) into unity schools.

    The announcement was made on Monday, July 18 by minister of education, Adamu Adamu.

    This came as former minister of education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday, stressed the urgent need to overhaul the education system in the country to avoid total collapse of the sector.

    A statement issued by the federal ministry of education yesterday in Abuja, said the cancellation of the test for NCCE would take effect from the 2017/2018 academic year.

    The statement signed by the deputy director, press, Bem Goong, said the minister could not establish the rationale for a second test for NCCE organised by the National Examination Council (NECO).

    Mr Adamu was quoted as saying: “The second test is an unnecessary additional financial burden on parents/guardians”.

    “The era of multiple examinations attracting prohibitive fees cannot be accommodated by the Buhari administration, especially against the backdrop of government’s determination to increase access to education as a platform for breaking the cycle of poverty,” the statement read.

    It said Adamu had directed NECO to strengthen its examination processes with a view to achieving quality and credible examination for admission into unity schools at the first test.

    The statement said the minister argued that multiple examinations did not necessarily translate to the admission of quality pupils in secondary schools.

    Adamu maintained that the 2016/2017 academic year remained the effective date for the ban on Post-UTME, advising vice-chancellors to adhere strictly to the policy in the overriding public interest.

    Meanwhile, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday, stressed that a change was needed urgently in the educational sector.

    Ezekwesili made the statement at the 2016 Nigerian Education Innovation Summit organised by Education Partnership Centre (EPC) in Abuja.

    She said education left in the hands of policy makers was problematic.“Systems are very important; when you have system, then you have a higher probability of good outcomes.

    “If your systems are not functional, then you would need to overhaul them, because dysfunctional systems, can’t give you any good outcome.

    “When we talk about education, you have to look at it as a system that has input, output, outcome and your measurement of the impact that the outcome really stand for.

    “When you do that, you will realise that we have been in serious trouble since the time that I was even Minister of Education. The Managing Director of EPC, Dr Modupe Adefeso-Olateju, urged the federal government to scale up educational intervention in Nigeria and ensure every child in Nigeria benefited from it.

    “Every stakeholders in the sector must ensure that every child in Nigeria benefits from successfully tested education interventions by focusing on efforts to scale up impact,’”he said.

  • Ifere Paul declared wanted over kidnappings and arm robbery by Cross River State Government

    Tears are rolling down the eyes of Cross Riverians and Calabar Reporters’ crew when we say this notice.

    Too bad, Ifere Paul has been a big contributor to Calabar Reporters, so seeing and hearing such information, left us with nothing but dissatisfaction. It’s so naive to drag a man’s name like Ifere Paul to the mud, but we bet you, he’ll sure come out clean.

    THIS IS A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY IFERE PAUL:

    The Cross River State Government has just declared Ifere Paul wanted for kidnapping and arm robbery. The plea by the government is about to be released in a moment from now.

    The government has by this shown its incompetence at gathering information concerning criminals in the State and has decided to come after innocent people who has been telling the stories of the happenings in Cross River State.

    The government other than putting their heads in shame for lack of information has resorted to intimidation.

    It is a known fact that I have been in the fore front of criticizing Governor Ben Ayade and his co governor, Frank Ayade. This is an attempt to cow me into silence. It is also a known fact that I have petitioned the government to EFCC and ICPC in the management of the bailout fund. A petition I defended in Port Harcourt only yesterday.

    I have also petitioned the construction of Olum-Wula-Buanchor 14km road by Leophina Company Ltd, which is owned by Governor Ayade. I have been in the front burner of environmental activists fighting against the deforestation of the National Park in the name of the popular superhighway.

    It is a known fact that I am the mouthpiece of the people of Cross River State and I make the government uncomfortable with my criticism. I have also, apart from criticizing, presented alternative arguments and recommendations which has in so many instances been adopted into government policies by the governor.

    I am bold to say that I can not be fooled by such cheap blackmail, bragadocio, and outright incompetence of the government of Cross River State and its machineries.

    To this end, I have sent a petition to the Attorney General, The Director General of the DSS, The Inspector General of Police, The Chinese Government, and the Presidency. This is to inform that of the plans by the incompetent Governor Ben Ayade plans to deal with the voices of the opposition in the State.

    I refuse to be cowed and cannot be intimidated.

    P’S:
    In any eventuality on my life, and or that of my loved ones, the government of Cross River State should be held responsible.

    ~Ifere Paul

  • To over come insecurity, we must build a willpower against Political bitterness and fear – Inok Solomon

    For the first time Cross Riverians stand between hopes and hopelessness. For the very  first time we stand before a Bridged sea and a bridgeless sea. Today, God is giving us the choice to choose to follow the Bridge or wait in vain for the sea to path.

    With the power of imagination, today, we fly over the sea, sail on the sea and under the sea. God can not afford to path the sea any longer given the power and Knowledge He has exposed to us through the intellectual will and creative prowess. Those who wait for God to path the sea deny the creative and imaginative Godship in us.

    These are our long time slaves overseers, those who did the sharing and stealing of the Cucumbers,  Garbage and Garlic in Egypt,  sing the glories of their positions and distracts us from forming strong wills to stand firm against the evil forces plaguing us like sun flies.

    Why teach us in the wilderness how to be mindless parrots,  instead imaginative thinkers. Why make us fear and wale with bad information by day and yet find so significant to attribute to their personality any calf imagine of the fake gods.

    Why Cross the Jordan and return instead with good and encouraging news, they come with news to kill our will and make us fearful? We are the blessed hands, whatever is found there is but a shadow. Their are like their master the devil.

    If they say all is not well, all is failure. But we are determined to create the time and inclination to study failure in search of knowledge that may lead to success. Time to learn the art of converting defeat into stepping stones to opportunity is now.

    We need to accept within us, when I mean within us, is that we hold peace and harmony only when we will. We create a secure environment only when we will. To be willing, we need to conquer the Devil, ‘Fear.’ Why fear with one eye closed, when you have confidence with two eyes open. All we ever wish for starts from our mindset.

    One of the main weakness of mankind, said Napoleon Hill, “is the average person’s familiarity with the word ‘impossible.” He knows all the things that cannot and will not work and can’t be done.

    But I tell you Cross Riverians, today, that success comes to those who become success conscious.  The best power and will the enemy showcases, is to off root that will of consciousness towards success and plant the seed of fear and doubt. Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious.

    Like Henry Ford, Bill Gates,  and Dangote, Governor Ayade is saying today, “Go right ahead, I want it and I will have it.” This is the mindset, Willpower and the burning cry of our children and children children.

    If we have this truth, we would know why it is that we are the Masters of our fate, the Captain of our souls. With the knowledge of  this  great emphases, clearly shows that this power makes no attempt to discriminate between destructive and constructive thoughts of poverty just as quickly as it will influence us to act upon thoughts of success.

    Our brains become magnetised with the dominating thoughts we hold in our minds. By means with which no one is familiar,  these ‘magnets’ attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonise  with the nature of our dominating thoughts.

    We can accumulate riches, security, jobs, health in great abundance. To gain them, we must magnetise our minds with intense desire for them. We must become Riches, Security, Jobs, Health conscious until the desire for them drives us to create definite plans for acquiring them.

    Above all things, we must maintain a spirit of open mindedness. Distractors only build fear to magnetise your mind with doubt and hate and attract to yourself destruction. Governor Ayade is saying “enough is enough.”

    ~Inok Solomon