Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • Coalition for Gender Justice concludes 3-day workshop on GBV in C’River

    Coalition for Gender Justice concludes 3-day workshop on GBV in C’River

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    An umbrella body for civil society groups, the Coalition for the Promotion of Gender Justice (CPGJ), has concluded a 3-day workshop on strategic engagement to develop a Gender Based Violence (GBV) response model and partnership building among its members, support groups and stakeholders.

    The workshop held between Monday 30th September and Wednesday 2nd October, 2024 at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Big Qua Town, Calabar, was part of the ‘Resourcing Change Project’ being implemented by CPGJ with support from Safer World and Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom Nigeria.

    Speaking during the workshop, Coordinator of CPGJ, Williams Arikpo, said the training was to build the capacity of members of the Coalition for Gender Justice which is a network of individual organizations and support groups that were set up in the course of implementing the Resourcing Change Project.

    He added that other stakeholders such as the media, the police, social welfare and persons who respond to survivors of gender based violence were also part of the training workshop.

    READ ALSO: Project Grow will concentrate wealth in the hands of farmers rather than middlemen, C’River Gov

    Narrating the current state of GBV in Cross River and the effort the Coalition has so far made to reduce the menace, Arikpo said: “We’ve come a long way when it comes to gender based violence, even though there’s still much work to be done. We have started. We are going somewhere. The awareness is there, and people are reporting GBV cases. We have structures such as the VAP Law, which is a plus for us. We also have gender strategic plan; we have standard operating procedure for responding to survivors of gender based violence.

    “We have laws, we have policies and institutions which is good. For the police we have the gender unit. Most of the ministries, departments and agencies have gender units. We are hoping that the equal opportunity bill, which is currently before the House of Assembly, will scale through so that we will be able to achieve more. It has already passed second reading.

    “The GBV National Dashboard which is managed by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, indicates that Cross River, as at the last count, was second while Ebonyi State was first on the reporting of GBV cases. This shows the level of awareness, indicating that most people in the state are getting to know about GBV.”

    The project officer, CPGJ, Abenmire Adi, said the Resourcing Change Project implementation began as far back as 2021 and would wind down in 2025. She listed Akamkpa, Odukpani, Calabar South and Calabar Municipality as the four local government areas selected for implementation of the project.

    “Last week we organized workshop like this for primary health care centres across Calabar South and Calabar Municipality. Often time we come up with event like this to create awareness basically to aid GBV prevention. There are different parts to the issue of GBV. There’s prevention. There’s also response for survivors. Even while we prioritize preventive measures, there are also programmes for survivor-based approaches, and this is one of such programmes.

    “The persons we are training here today are persons already working to curb GBV in various organizations who are members of the Coalition. We have organizations here working on SRHR, awareness creation, response to issues of GBV. This 3-day workshop aims to strengthen their capacity and also co-create models for responding to GBV as institutions.

    “It is important that we train and retrain persons working in this field to bring them up to speed with best practices, because recently I paid a visit to a number of non-governmental organizations across states in the US. And in my presentation I try to share some of the successful strategies that work for organizations in other part of the world, and to also bring them up to speed with partnerships, strategies, recent landscape of GBV and how to help these individuals upgrade. It’s like updating their knowledge, and also to create a resource inventory,” she said.

    Ms Adi lamented that there are not enough safe spaces in Cross River that could respond and handle cases of GBV survivors on a 24-hour basis. She also said that a lot of organizations in the GBV space do not have ‘victim advocates’.

    “One other thing a number of us talk about is the issue of having safe spaces for persons who are survivors of gender based violence. For example, there’s just a one-stop centre that I know of in the state that respond to GBV cases, and it’s not as effective as it is expected to be in the sense that they do not have the capacity to operate 24/7. This is a problem because if a survivor reports a case at odd hours she may not have someone who would come to her rescue at that time.

    “A victim advocate serves more like a go-between person. Someone who is like a liaison between the survivors and the law enforcement organizations. This helps the survivors not to be traumatized by frequently showing up in court or the police station to give statements. While all these processes maybe important, we just have to find a creative way to reduce the trauma survivors may face if they have to continually go through all of these processes. Incorporating a victim advocate in our work will curb the trauma the victims face whenever a case of GBV is reported,” she explained.

    The project officer also emphasized the need to adopt perpetrator-based approaches in confronting GBV, stating that incorporating men into the programme is a model that has proven successful in other parts of the world.

    “For example, in Buffalo, New York, there’s a Catholic charity for men. What they do with that programme is to ensure that men are also brought into the picture, and they have perpetrator-based model where they are made to go through a programme for a period of time. And by the time they graduate, they may even become advocates at the end of the day.

    “Statistics show that men are often the perpetrators, even though they can also be survivors of GBV. We are also encouraging men to speak up because they are often ashamed because of the believe that men are strong and are not supposed to be weak. More men need to be carried along. GBV is not women based issue,” she said.

    On the role of the Nigeria Police in complementing the efforts of non-governmental organizations in the GBV space, CSP Philomena Modor, head of gender unit, Cross River State Police Command, said that each time a case of GBV is reported, the police carryout proper investigation and ensure that the culprit is arrested and charged to court for prosecution.

    She revealed that in 2024 alone, the police have secured 9 convictions for gender based violence offenders, with sentencing “ranging from 7 years, 25 years to life imprisonment.”

    CSP Modor, however, appealed to appropriate authorities to provide adequate logistic support and funding for the gender unit of the force to enable it live up to the expectations of the public.

    About 50 persons drawn from civil society organizations, law enforcement agency, health care institution and the media participated in the 3-day activity centered workshop.

  • Project Grow will concentrate wealth in the hands of farmers rather than middlemen, C’River Gov

    Project Grow will concentrate wealth in the hands of farmers rather than middlemen, C’River Gov

    By Kelvin Obambon

    Determined to ensure that farmers in Cross River reap maximum returns on their efforts and labour in the production of agricultural goods, the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu has came up with plans to help farmers increase their revenue over middlemen who buy-off their produce and sell at a higher price without going through the toils involved in farming.

    The plans unfolded Wednesday at the flagging-off of the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of commercial maize farming in Odukpani Local Government Area, under the Project Grow Initiative of the state government.

    Speaking during the ceremony, governor Otu said the initiative was designed to curb food insecurity and create a sustainable economy in the state by having farmers cultivate and companies like Flour Mills off-take it.

    He said the Project was a testament to what resilience could achieve, noting that the occasion was symbolic to celebrate the commencement of mechanical planting of maize over a commercial area of 2,000 hectares.

    READ ALSO: Project Grow will put Cross River farmers on the map of prosperity – Commissioner for Agriculture

    The governor who was represented by Mrs Glory Effiong, the state accountant general, said “It is expected that after 6 years, this project would allow the market players in each of the value chain to understand themselves and engage independently while bringing our people into the money system to tackle multidimensional poverty.

    “It is my dream that every resident of Cross River will live above poverty line because the Nigerian economy has shown a wide gap between the rich and the poor but this initiative aims to bridge it.”

    Also speaking, the Director of Project Grow, Mr Dennis Ikpali said in the past, farmers in the state planted maize at subsistence level but Project Grow was helping them commercialize the whole process by cultivating 2,000 hectares of land.

    Ikpali said the maize acquired by Project Grow was early maturing, high yielding, disease and drought resistant and had the capacity of producing four tons of maize per hectare.

    “This means that within four months of planting, the 2,000 hectares of land has the capacity to generate 8,000 tons of maize and by market computation where a ton of maize is N600,000, we are looking at 10 to 12 billion naira income flowing through the system,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Ayi who was given a hectare said she used to plant cassava but was ready to go into commercial cultivation of maize because of its shorter duration, adding that she would plough back whatever she got to enlarge her farm.

    Another indigene of Odukpani, Nsa Okon, said he was quite satisfied with the implementation process of Project Grow while calling on those yet to receive their portions to be patient as the implementation was in phases.

    Project Grow is a market driven initiative aimed at stimulating private sector investment in key agricultural value chains such as maize, rice, cassava, aquaculture and animal fodder. For effective cultivation of the land under the initiative, each farmer would receive N1 million loan from partner commercial banks and upon harvesting, the maize would be off-taken by Flour Mills Nigeria, another key partner of the project.

  • Rebuttal to Dr Valentine Ntui’s Media Claims: Tales by the Moonlight — Setting the Record Straight on Power Rotation in Akamkpa

    Rebuttal to Dr Valentine Ntui’s Media Claims: Tales by the Moonlight — Setting the Record Straight on Power Rotation in Akamkpa

    By Orok Ebak

    The claims by Dr. Valentine Ntui’s media team regarding the political representation of Awi Ward are nothing more than tales by the moonlight. First, the statement that Hon. Innocent Iterim is from Uyanga is entirely false. He is not, and never has been, from Uyanga. His supposed association with the ward is a fabrication designed to mislead the public.

    The notion that Barr. Patrick Abakum was elected to office as Akamkpa Chairman is another falsehood. Abakum was never elected but served as an administrator for a brief period. The media team can fact-check this, as no records will support their erroneous claim.

    Power in Akamkpa has always been shared between the Ejagham bloc and Dusanga Iyong Iyong, a fact that Dr. Valentine Ntui is well aware of. It is local politics, and it is natural for people to follow the established norms of political rotation.

    The challenge now falls on Dr. Ntui’s media team to clearly state when this so-called power rotation was ever done on a ward basis. If this were the case, Awi Ward would have benefited. Instead, they seem to vanish into oblivion whenever key political positions are shared within the Ejagham bloc.

    Dr. Ntui’s media team is simply crying wolf. The betrayal of their own people during the last election—allowing Akamkpa Urban to secure the position—is solely their responsibility. They cannot now rewrite history to claim marginalization after failing to act when it mattered.

    The narratives being pushed are not rooted in facts but in self-interest. Awi Ward has not been marginalized in the way Dr. Ntui’s team suggests; rather, their current position is the result of political miscalculations and betrayals from within. Which is not even true.

    The rotation of political offices has always followed a logical sequence in Akamkpa, ensuring that each bloc has its turn. What Dr. Ntui’s team must address is why their ward did not benefit during these rotations which is a big fat lie. Blaming others for their own failures is not the solution over their ignorance is very sad.

    Since Dr. Valentine Ntui and his media team are not good students of history, the possibility of their misfiring is now evidence. For the record, Awi Ward have been represented in 1999 in the Cross River State House of Assembly in the person of Hon. Victor Okon – House of Assembly 1999. (The form he filled captured Awi Ward).

    Power dynamics in Akamkpa are based on history and consensus, not on arbitrary decisions by individuals or media teams. The claim that Awi Ward has been systematically denied power is a distortion of the truth.

    It is time for Dr. Ntui and his team to accept responsibility for their past actions rather than trying to scapegoat other wards or the system itself. Political victories are earned, not handed out based on cries of unfairness.

    In conclusion, the claims from Dr. Ntui’s media team are nothing more than tales by the moonlight, devoid of substance or facts. The people of Akamkpa deserve leadership that respects historical norms, not one that distorts them for personal gain.

  • 64th Independence: IPAC felicitates Cross Riverians, calls for peace, unity, tolerance, patriotism

    64th Independence: IPAC felicitates Cross Riverians, calls for peace, unity, tolerance, patriotism

    The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) felicitates Cross Riverians and Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary. It is indeed, a milestone in the country’s democratic governance and calls for sober reflection and rededication as we strive to build a better society. The need for peace, unity, tolerance and patriotism cannot be overemphasized.

    Cross Riverians are a resilient, resourceful and industrious people and have remained resolute and committed to fostering sustainable democracy in the country.

    IPAC salutes the political sagacity and tenacity of purpose of the nation’s founding fathers and remains determined to ensuring political stability, successful elections, sustainable democracy and well-being of citizens of Nigeria in Cross River State especially in this time of our Local Government Elections in Cross River State that will hold on the 26th of October, 2024. to bring more growth and development to the grassroots of Cross River State.

    Nation building is a collective responsibility. IPAC is committed to the the People’s First Mantra project of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State and urges the populace to rededicate themselves to the task of building a prosperous Cross River State.

    It is obvious that the national mood is sour due to economic hardship and insecurity in the country. Council urges governments at all levels to improve the people’s standards of living and make Nigeria safe again.

    The 64th Independence anniversary provides yet another opportunity for the government to set the nation on the path of economic prosperity and political stability. All tiers of government should also be decisive in the fight against corruption to ensure that national resources are channeled to meet the needs of the people, thus create wealth and employment. This will curb crimes and insecurity in the country. Already IPAC is partnering with relevant security agencies to fight corruption in the polity and sanitise the electoral process essential for good governance.

    Nigeria is the only country we can call our own, let us join hands to make it great again and fulfill the vision of our heroes past of a united, progressive, prosperous and just democratic nation.

    IPAC wishes fellow compatriots a happy Independence celebration!

    Engr. Effiom Edet Okon
    IPAC Chairman
    Cross River State.

    Omari Fredrick Eje
    IPAC Secretary
    Cross River State

    1st October, 2024

  • Nigeria @64: We remain committed to building a prosperous future for C’River, Nigeria – NDDC Rep, Rt Hon Orok Duke

    Nigeria @64: We remain committed to building a prosperous future for C’River, Nigeria – NDDC Rep, Rt Hon Orok Duke

    Today, we celebrate the unity, resilience, and progress of our great nation. Through the dedication of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), we remain committed to building a prosperous future for Cross River State and Nigeria.

    Together, we will continue to pave the way for sustainable development, peace, and a brighter tomorrow for all.

    Happy Independence Day 2024

    Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke
    CRS Representative, NDDC

  • Awi Ward’s allegation of marginalization in Akamkpa 1 lacks merit

    Awi Ward’s allegation of marginalization in Akamkpa 1 lacks merit

    By Orok Ebak

    The recent open letter to His Excellency, Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, alleging that Awi Ward has been politically marginalized in Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, is misguided and lacks a sound understanding of the political dynamics in the area. The hurriedly packaged claims fail to acknowledge the historical and established principles governing political representation within the constituency, which have always been based on ethnicity, not on ward divisions.

    In Akamkpa 1, politics has historically followed the lines of ethnicity, with representation and key positions divided between the Ejagham and Dusanga Iyong Iyong ethnic groups. As such, whatever is zoned to the Ejagham ethnic group is shared among the wards within this group, and similarly, what goes to the Dusanga Iyong Iyong is distributed accordingly. Awi Ward, as part of the Ejagham ethnic bloc, cannot claim marginalization when the principle of ethnic rotation has consistently been followed.

    It is also worth reminding the proponents of this marginalization narrative that Uyanga Ward, a part of the Dusanga Iyong Iyong ethnic group, was strongly opposed from participating in the most recent State House of Assembly election. This was because it was widely recognized as Ejagham’s turn to produce a candidate and a House member to take over from Rt. Hon. Matthew Olory. If this principle was firmly adhered to during the elections, it begs the question: what has suddenly changed that some would now attempt to alter the narrative in favour of Awi Ward?

    Read Also: Open Letter to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu: Political Marginalization of Awi Ward in Akamkpa 1 State Constituency

    For anyone to wake up and allege that Uyanga Ward has been unjustly favoured without presenting the full history of political office distribution within Akamkpa 1 is to exhibit a gross misunderstanding of the facts. If Awi Ward has not produced political office holders within the Ejagham bloc, it should channel its complaint to other Ejagam political wards (Akamkpa-Urban, and Mbarakom) under it’s own bloc, not Uyanga ward, which falls under a different ethnic category. It is essential to remember that Uyanga Ward has often faced political challenges of its own, notably when Iko Ward held both the chairmanship and a state house seat sequentially, leaving Uyanga with no significant political offices, we  did not complain knowing too well that Iko ward is of Dusanga Iyong Iyong ethnic bloc, and such should be the understanding of Awi ward, having other Ejagham persons  as the present  State house of Assembly members in constituency 1 and 2.

    Furthermore, the assertion that Hon. Iterim is from Uyanga Ward is not only incorrect but reveals a lack of attention to detail in the argument. The name does not even remotely reflect any connection to the Dusanga Iyong Iyong ethnic group. Such a fabrication serves only to expose the desperate attempt to sway public opinion with unfounded claims and to gain political favour for Awi Ward at the expense of the truth.

    Mr. Ekib Edet Okpa, the author of the letter, should understand that political positions are often shared based on fairness and timing. His attempt to invoke undue sentiment and present an argument against the well-established zoning principles is disingenuous and misleading. Reminding the Governor that he himself is a product of zoning is not only an insult but also an ill-informed insinuation that disregards the governor’s competence and the overwhelming support he received during the election.

    If we were to categorize political offices within Akamkpa 1, it becomes evident that the wards under Ejagham, such as Akamkpa Urban, Mbarakom, and Awi, have received fair representation. Similarly, the Dusanga Iyong Iyong ethnic group, represented by Uyanga and Iko Wards, has also seen its share of political appointments. This balance between the two ethnic blocs has been respected over the years, and any claims to the contrary are baseless.

    As it currently stands, it is Uyanga’s turn to produce the next Local Government Chairman, as per the rotational system between the two ethnic blocs. To disrupt this arrangement would be to ignore the principles of equity and fairness that have governed Akamkpa 1 politics for decades. Therefore, any claims by Awi Ward of marginalization should be seen as an attempt to disrupt this balance for personal gain.

    In conclusion, while we respect the concerns of Awi Ward, it is important to correct the narrative and reaffirm that the political structure of Akamkpa 1 is based on ethnic rotation, not on ward divisions. The suggestion that Awi Ward has been marginalized is not supported by the facts, and any attempt to skew this narrative only serves to undermine the unity and cohesion of the constituency.

    Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu has always demonstrated a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. We trust that he will continue to uphold these principles and ensure that the established political framework in Akamkpa 1 remains intact, providing fair representation to all ethnic groups.

  • Cross River South Consultative Forum Congratulates President Tinubu and Governor Otu on their Remarkable Achievements on Occasion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Celebration

    Cross River South Consultative Forum Congratulates President Tinubu and Governor Otu on their Remarkable Achievements on Occasion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Celebration

    On this historic occasion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, the Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) extends heartfelt congratulations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Bassey Edet Otu. Their visionary leadership and transformative policies have undoubtedly propelled Nigeria and Cross River towards a path of prosperity and development.

    President Tinubu’s administration has, within a short time, implemented far-reaching reforms that have significantly impacted Nigeria’s fiscal and economic landscape. His administration has doubled aggregate government revenues to over 9.1 trillion Naira and reduced the debt service burden from 97% to 68%, freeing up resources for critical national projects. The resurgence of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with oil production now at 1.61 million barrels per day, is a testament to the President’s efforts to revitalize the economy. Furthermore, the launch of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative and distribution of one million conversion kits to commercial vehicles have drastically reduced transportation costs by approximately 60%.

    In the education sector, the establishment of the student loan scheme and allocation of N50 billion to support students’ financial needs exemplifies President Tinubu’s commitment to empowering the youth. The administration’s economic policies, including the launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP), have created unprecedented opportunities for the nation’s youth, positioning Nigeria for future growth and competitiveness.

    In Cross River State, Governor Otu has demonstrated exemplary leadership in transforming the socio-economic fabric of the state. His administration’s decision to release N10 billion to offset outstanding gratuities and pensions has brought much-needed relief to retirees, showcasing his commitment to the welfare of state workers and pensioners. Additionally, the ongoing recruitment into the state civil service is a bold step towards tackling unemployment, creating opportunities for the youth, and strengthening governance in Cross River State.

    Governor Otu has also revolutionized agriculture with the inauguration of a 50,000-hectare large-scale rice farming initiative, aiming to enhance food security and boost the state’s economy. The dualization of critical roads such as the Zone 6 NNPC and Tank Farm Road in Calabar, along with the ongoing asphalt resurfacing of metropolitan roads, reflects his administration’s focus on infrastructure renewal.

    Governor Otu’s drive for economic revival is further evidenced by the $3.5 billion funding secured for key infrastructure projects such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport and Superhighway, which will transform Cross River into a hub of economic activity and development. His commitment to food security and job creation through the procurement of 108 units of three-wheel agricultural tractors is expected to generate 1,080 direct jobs.

    On this momentous Independence Day, the Cross River South Consultative Forum salutes President Tinubu and Governor Otu for their visionary leadership and transformative achievements. We are confident that under their stewardship, both Nigeria and Cross River State will continue to witness unprecedented growth, development, and prosperity.

    As we celebrate 64 years of independence, we remain hopeful that the future holds even greater promises for our beloved nation and state.

    Signed:

    Hon. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, Esq
    Sir Maurice Effiwatt
    Prof Emmanuel Eyo, Esq.
    Apostle (Hon) James Anam
    Ntufam (Hon) Victor Okon
    Hon. (Mrs) Ada Charles Egwu
    Hon. (Chief) Ani Esin
    Hon Joseph Etene, Esq
    Hon (Mrs) Abigail Duke
    Barr. Bassey Mensah
    Chief Felix Idem
    Prince Edwin Okon
    Ntufam (Hon) Okon Owuna
    Hon Charles Atu

    Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF)
    Date: 1st October 2024
    Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

  • Open Letter to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu: Political Marginalization of Awi Ward in Akamkpa 1 State Constituency

    Open Letter to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu: Political Marginalization of Awi Ward in Akamkpa 1 State Constituency

    Your Excellency,
    Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu,
    Executive Governor of Cross River State,

    We are pleased to address this letter to Your Excellency and the esteemed stakeholders of Cross River State and Akamkpa Local Government Area. First and foremost, we commend your resilience and exemplary leadership over the past year. Your commitment to steering the affairs of Cross River State has not gone unnoticed, and we extend our sincere congratulations once again.

    As the governor of our renowned state,  we kindly implore your attention to our concern here, Your Excellency, Sir.

    Akamkpa Local Government is divided into two constituencies: Akamkpa 1 State Constituency and Akamkpa 2 State Constituency. Akamkpa 1 consists of the following wards: Iko, Uyanga, Akamkpa Urban, Mbarakom, and Awi.

    Over the years, every ward in Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, except Awi, has benefited from both elective positions and key appointments. Sadly, Awi Ward has been overlooked, and the facts speak for themselves. We have been marginalized politically, even in appointments.

    While we understand that multiple factors influence the emergence of elected officials and political appointments, we firmly believe that it is time for Awi Ward to be given its due consideration. With utmost respect, we remind Your Excellency that Awi Ward showed unwavering support and loyalty during your campaign for governor. A vast majority of our people are ardent supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Yet, despite our dedication, we are disillusioned and demoralized by the agitation from other wards that have consistently held the position of Local Government Chairman. We feel shortchanged, and our contributions to your administration and the APC are underappreciated.

    Aside from this, Your Excellency, you are a product of Zoning. Zoning, though not constitutionally enshrined, is a respected principle through a gentleman’s agreement. In the case of Akamkpa 1, we firmly believe it is Awi Ward’s turn to produce the next Local Government Chairman.

    Let us examine political office holders from all the  wards in Akamkpa 1:

    ✓IKO WARD

    1. Rt. Hon. Matthew Olory – Local Government Chairman

    2. Rt. Hon. Matthew Olory – Member, Cross River State House of Assembly

    3. Chief. Eno Etan – Caretaker Committee Chairman

    4. Hon. Usor Etan Obun – Leader of Council

    ✓ UYANGA WARD

    1. Chief. Dr. Prince Orok Agbor – House of Representatives

    2. Hon. Mrs. Angela Effiong (two terms) – Vice Chairman of Council

    3. Hon. Mrs. Mary Ankpo Pius – Vice Chairman of Council

    4. Late Barr. Patrick Abakum – Caretaker Committee Chairman
    5. Hon. Patrick Iterim- member Cross River State House of Assembly

    ✓ AKAMKPA URBAN

    1. Ntufam. Francis Effiong (Efisco) – Chairman of Council (2 term)

    2. Rt. Hon. Ntufam Daniel Asuquo – Chairman of Council

    3. Late Hon. Alex Asikpo – Member, Cross River State House of Assembly

    4. Hon. John Bassey – Leader of Council

    5. Rt. Hon. Ntufam. Daniel Asuquo – Member, House of Representative (3 term)

    6. Hon. Ntufam Okon Nyong Owuna – Member Cross River State House of Assembly

    ✓ MBARAKOM WARD

    1. Barr. Clement Itotup – Chairman of Council

    2. Hon. Victor Okon – Cross River State House of Assembly

    3. Barr. Joseph Asuquo Itotup – Chairman of Council

    4. Rt. Hon. Itaya Asuquo Nyong – Member, Cross River State House of Assembly, and Deputy Speaker

    5. Hon. Paulinus  Onok Effa – Leader of Council

    ✓ AWI WARD
    Nil

    Your Excellency, the marginalization of Awi Ward is evident. We ask that you kindly investigate and confirm the facts presented here, as “the King has many ears.”

    In light of this, we humbly request that you address our concerns and restore balance in the distribution of elective positions. We urge you not to allow the influence of other wards in Akamkpa 1 to sideline the zoning arrangement, especially when it comes to the Chairmanship of Akamkpa Local Government. The people of Awi Ward have earned the right to their fair share of representation.

    We trust in your capacity to address this injustice, and we are confident that you have the welfare of all Cross Riverians at heart. Let the benefits of your leadership reach every corner of the state, including Awi Ward.

    Finally, we also appeal to Your Excellency to consider us in future state appointments. Other wards have already been well-represented in your administration, and we ask that Awi Ward not be left behind.

    We have no other recourse but this peaceful and respectful appeal, as Awi people are peace-loving citizens.

    Sincerely,
    Mr. Ekib Edet Okpa

    For The People of Awi Ward, Akamkpa 1 State Constituency

  • Solar Street Lights Installed at Basan-Mbube, Ogoja LGA: Chief Orok Duke Secures NDDC Intervention

    Solar Street Lights Installed at Basan-Mbube, Ogoja LGA: Chief Orok Duke Secures NDDC Intervention

    In a significant step toward improving infrastructure in Ogoja Local Government Area (LGA), solar-powered street lights have been installed in Basan-Mbube, thanks to the efforts of Chief Orok Otu Duke. The project, facilitated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), aims to enhance safety and security in the community, bringing much-needed illumination to a previously poorly lit area.

    Chief Duke, the Cross River State representative on the NDDC board, played a pivotal role in attracting the intervention. Through his consistent advocacy for developmental projects in the state, the installation of these solar street lights marks a crucial accomplishment in providing basic amenities to underserved communities. Chief Duke emphasized that this project is only a part of broader initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents across Cross River State.

    Residents of Basan-Mbube have expressed appreciation for the project. Anthony Okwe, a native of the community, shared his joy over the installation but also voiced concerns about the limited number of lights. “I am very happy about the development. It’s a great step forward for us. However, we need more lights to cover other areas in the community. Only a few streets have benefited, and there are still many dark corners,” Okwe said.

    In response to such concerns, Chief Duke acknowledged the feedback from the community and assured that more lights could be provided in subsequent phases of the project. He reiterated his commitment to securing more NDDC interventions to address the infrastructural needs of Basan-Mbube and other areas in Cross River. “This is just the beginning. We are in talks to bring further developmental initiatives to light up and modernize more rural communities,” Duke assured.

    Read Also: Ndume sounds alarm on corruption, says people are celebrated for stealing in Nigeria

    Beyond the streetlight project, Chief Duke also shared updates on the much-anticipated NDDC internship programme, assuring Cross Riverians of a balanced and transparent selection process. He highlighted that the upcoming list would reflect a fair representation of qualified candidates from the state, especially targeting youths in need of career opportunities and empowerment. “We are committed to ensuring that Cross Riverians are not left behind in the internship programme. It will be an inclusive process,” he noted.

    As residents await further developments, the streetlight project is seen as a beacon of hope for the community. The intervention has rekindled optimism that more infrastructural upgrades are on the horizon, driven by leaders like Chief Duke, who continues to push for meaningful progress through strategic partnerships with bodies like the NDDC.

  • Diabetes: Our members are turning to quacks, spiritualists – group laments

    Diabetes: Our members are turning to quacks, spiritualists – group laments

    By Christian Njoku

    Network of Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria has disclosed that their members were turning to quacks and spiritualists following the hike in the cost of medication for diabetes.

    Mr Bernard Enyia National Coordinator, Network of Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria made the call on Thursday in Calabar during a patient advocacy campaign to the Cross River House of Assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that diabetes is a condition that happens when someone’s blood sugar (glucose) is too high; it develops when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all.

    Enyia who appealed for urgent action on the insulin crisis in Cross River and beyond said the cost of essential diabetes medicine such as insulin had skyrocketed from N3,500 in 2022 to N26,000 in 2024.

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    He said glucometers now cost N30,000 and test-strips have increased to N15,000 adding that an average person living with diabetes spends over N150, 000 monthly on treatment which had subjected them to untold hardship.

    “The economic downtown and inflation in the country has forced many of our members to abandon their prescribed drugs to cheaper alternative from chemists, spiritualists and trado-medical drug vendors.

    “This has led to more and more complications of our people as many are breaking down, some are dying, increasing the number of widows widowers and orphans, while the state and Federal government are not doing much about curbing the menace of diabetes.

    “The essence of this activity is to cry-out to government to earmark a percentage of the budget to tackle diabetes care because up till now, there is zero per cent of Cross River budget that is meant for diabetes,” he said.

    Responding, Mrs Kate Ubi, Clerk Cross River House of Assembly who spoke to the campaigners in the absence of the Speaker of the house, said the members of the house were out of Calabar for an official engagement.

    Ubi appealed to the diabetic patients to send their representatives to come back to the house from Sept. 2, so as to have a better and robust engagement with the speaker and other legislators.

    NAN also reports that the campaign which started from the complex of the state Ministry of Health saw the patients distributing flyers on the plight of an average diabetic in the nation following the hike in price of medication.

    (NAN)