Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • Media-EIS Fellowship: FAD FM Health Reporter, 29 Others Unveiled As 2023 Fellows

    Media-EIS Fellowship: FAD FM Health Reporter, 29 Others Unveiled As 2023 Fellows

    The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria (BA-N), and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) has officially unveiled FAD FM Calabar Health Reporter, Emmanuel Onwuka, and 29 other journalists to participate in the first Media-EIS (Epidemiology, Infodemiology, and Social Behaviour Change) Fellowship Program.

    Onwuka has consistently received commendations from NGOs, organizations and from colleagues for his exceptional reportage on health issues. His insightful coverage has been praised for promoting accurate health information and increasing public awareness.

    His acceptance into the fellowship program underscores the vital role he has played as a health journalists and in disseminating crucial health messages on radio.

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    The Fellowship named a group of promising fellows who are set to become leaders in the field of disease control, basic epidemiology, effective social & behavior change communication as well as infodemic management.

    Other recipients who made it to the fellowship are:

    1 Bilikis Lawal, FRCN, Lagos State

    2 Enebeli Blessing, VON, Lagos State

    3 Chukwuemeka Pascal, Hot FM, Imo State

    4 David Arome, Freelance journalist, Nassarawa State

    5 Chidera Aneke, Darling FM, Imo State

    6 Kazeem Biriowo, Tribune, FCT

    7 Haruna Yaya, Daily Trust, Gombe State

    8 Hauwa Umar, Voice of America, Kano State

    9 Ezedimbu Karen, AIT, FCT

    10 Hadiza Bawas, Karmed TV, Kano State

    11 Kingsley Onwuka, Rapid Radio/TV, Abia State

    12 Lois Sambo, Aso Radio, FCT

    13 Mariam Ileyemi, Premium Times, Lagos State

    14 Misbahu Hamza, Nigeria Health Watch, Kano State

    15 Mukhtar Usman, Premier FM, Kano State

    16 Nike Adebowale, Premium Times, FCT

    17 Nasir Babi, Garkuwa FM, Sokoto State

    18 Nurudeen Akewushola, ICIR, FCT

    19 Ojoma Akor, Daily Trust, FCT

    20 Precious Ogaga, NTA, Delta State

    21 Smith Nwokocha, PH Wakawaka, Rivers State

    22 Rebecca Caleb, Gombe Media Corporation, Gombe State

    23 Sodiq Ojurugbe, Punch, Lagos State

    24 Toluwani Omotesho, Print Cabal Media, Lagos State

    25 Vanessa Richard, Sparkling FM, Cross River State

    26 Zack Onwe, Talk Health Nigeria, FCT

    27 Rachel Iyema, NAN, FCT

    28 Raphael Obasiohia, Bridge FM, Delta State

    29 Yecenu Sasetu, Kiss FM, FCT

    The fellows will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of public health projects, receive mentorship from experts, and engage in epidemiological fieldwork.

    As the 2023 Media-EIS Fellowship cohort embarks on their journey, Nigeria eagerly anticipates the contributions they will make to public health. Their work will undoubtedly be instrumental in addressing global health challenges, including emerging infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, and health disparities.

    The NCDC, BA-N, AFENET and the broader public health community are excited to welcome this new wave of dedicated professionals into the fold.

  • Hon Neji Abang distributes sanitary pads to empower girls on International Day of the Girl Child

    Hon Neji Abang distributes sanitary pads to empower girls on International Day of the Girl Child

    The member representing Ikom 1 State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, Hon. Neji Abang, and the Woman Leader of the National Association of Ikom Student Associations, Sen. Ofuka Emmanuella, teamed up to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child in a truly impactful manner.

    The collaborative effort was the distribution of sanitary pads to girls across the Ikom local government area, an initiative that speaks volumes about their dedication to girls’ health and empowerment.

    Hon. Neji Abang, who also holds the position of Minority Leader in the 10th assembly, underlined the significance of providing sanitary pads to girls. He stressed that many girls in Ikom cannot afford these essential products, forcing them to use alternatives that may jeopardize their health. He emphasized that giving girls access to sanitary pads is a form of empowerment, ensuring they can manage their menstrual hygiene without compromising their well-being.

    Further, Hon. Abang urged every girl child to visit their nearest health center to obtain free sanitary pads, promoting not only their physical health but also their dignity and self-confidence. In his message, he congratulated girls worldwide on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child and emphasized the need to prioritize and provide equal rights and opportunities to this pivotal demographic, describing them as “home builders.”

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    Sen. Ofuka Emmanuella, representing the women of the National Association of Ikom Students, expressed gratitude to Hon. Neji Abang for his support and partnership in this endeavor. She assured him that the sanitary pads would be distributed evenly across all health centers in the Ikom area, ensuring that girls have access to these essential products in a convenient and equitable manner.

    Sen. Ofuka Emmanuella also offered her heartfelt prayers for Hon. Neji Abang, hoping that his benevolence would be rewarded with even more blessings.

  • Gov Otu commences palliative distribution, says exercise apolitical

    Gov Otu commences palliative distribution, says exercise apolitical

    By Christian Njoku

    Governor Bassey Otu has commenced the symbolic distribution of palliatives in Cross River adding that the exercise which commenced in Calabar had no political colouration.

    Otu made the assertion on Tuesday evening in Calabar in the presence of different groups who had earlier been identified and listed by a Palliative Sharing Committee setup by the governor.

    Represented by his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, the governor said he was confident of the palliative sharing committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh to do the needful.

    “This distribution is not about the All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Labour Party (LP) or any other political party but for the people of Cross River.

    Read Also: Hon Stanley Nsemo Champions Real Estate Development In C’River: Insights from REDA’s 2-Day Capacity Building Workshop

    “Apart from adding N500 million to what we were given by the Federal Government, the government of the state has also added N10,000 to the salaries of all the civil servants which they have already started receiving from September.

    “So, I appeal to everyone present in this distribution not to fight or struggle as every group has been captured and will get what is due them,” he said.

    He also appealed to the groups to ensure that the palliatives collected gets to their members in the rural areas adding that, they were in need of the palliatives more.

    Similarly, Owan-Enoh said the palliative distribution would be based on equity and fairness, nothing that it was why the distribution was done in the open.

    He however added that only the Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River chapter would receive their share of the palliative, which was 100 bags of rice in the symbolic flag off of palliative distribution in the state.

    He said for other groups, they need to go back to their offices and draw a structured plan of how their palliatives would be be distributed from top to least persons in other Local Government Areas.

    “For today, we will only give to the youth council of Nigeria, they have brought their colleagues from the 18 LGAs because we insisted they must do so.

    “For other groups, the distribution won’t be done today, we will go back to our office and whatever group that gives us a structure of how they will share their palliative from top to bottom will be given a pass.

    “That pass qualifies the group to approach the warehouse and we wil monitor the distribution to the group in the presence of its members,” he said.

    Appreciating the governor for the exercise, Mr Gregory Olayi, State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) appealed for equitable distribution of the palliatives in the 18 LGAs of the state.

    (NAN)

  • Hon Stanley Nsemo Champions Real Estate Development In C’River: Insights from REDA’s 2-Day Capacity Building Workshop

    Hon Stanley Nsemo Champions Real Estate Development In C’River: Insights from REDA’s 2-Day Capacity Building Workshop

    The Real Estate Developers Association (REDA) successfully organized a two-day capacity workshop, bringing together industry experts, investors, and key stakeholders to explore the vast investment opportunities in Nigeria’s real estate sector. The workshop, held at Abuja from 9th to 10th October 2023, featured insightful keynote addresses from prominent figures, including Honorable Stanley Nsemo, Chairman of the House Committee on Lands and Housing, and Honorable Nsemo, advocating for increased investments in Cross River State.

    In his keynote address, Hon. Nsemo highlighted the pivotal role of the real estate sector in diversifying Nigeria’s economy, especially as the nation transitions away from a mono-economy. He emphasized the need for strategic investments to bolster the sector’s growth and sustainability.

    He encouraged investors and industry experts to consider Cross River State as a prime investment destination. He underscored the state’s expansive landscape and its exceptional hospitable environment, creating an ideal setting for real estate developers and investors. His call to action resonated with attendees, sparking discussions on the potential of Cross River State as a hub for real estate development.

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    The workshop facilitated engaging discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking opportunities, providing attendees with valuable insights into the real estate market trends, regulatory frameworks, and investment strategies. Participants expressed their enthusiasm for exploring opportunities in Cross River State, acknowledging the state’s untapped potential and favorable business environment.

    REDA remains committed to fostering collaboration and driving investments in the real estate sector. The association continues to provide a platform for dialogue, encouraging partnerships between investors, developers, and government agencies to propel the industry forward.

  • Write-A-Thon: 2 hours to go, UNICAL undergraduate sets to break another Guinness World Record

    Write-A-Thon: 2 hours to go, UNICAL undergraduate sets to break another Guinness World Record

    By Christian Njoku

    Mr Daniel Aiguokhian, a 300 level student of Philosophy in the University of Calabar, (UNICAL) is set to break the Guinness-World-Record, (GWR) for the longest hours of writing fiction and non-fiction by an individual.

    Aiguokhian who christened his expedition, “Write-A-Thon”, following the the popular “Cook-A-Thon” by Chef Hilda Baci and “Read-A-Thon” by Mr John Obot (GWR) is attempting to write nonstop for 188 hours and started on Sunday  Oct. 1, 2023.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), on Monday in Calabar, during his short break, he said his motivation to embark in the record breaking expedition was to get the world to view and appreciate the work of writing.

    According to him, “though the task was not an easy one, I wanted to inspire people and let them know that they could go the extra mile to achieve their dream irrespective of their circumstances or challenges.

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    “To undertake this sort of task, you need to be very prepared because a major challenge will be the lack of sleep which will tell on any normal human,” he said.

    He added that he was grateful to the Management of UNICAL, the Department of Philosophy and his fellow students for the support they showed him in the course of the task.

    On his part Dr. Timothy Okpe, a lecturer  in the department of Philosophy in UNICAL and a key support-team member said the journey had not been easy adding that they got to the present level out of sheer determination.

    Okpe said when the expedition started, the publicity was quite low but as they went on people got to know about what was going on and more support started coming in.

    “Daniel will be the new face of UNICAL, henceforth more good tidings will come from this institution.

    “While I wish him all the best, he is an orphan and I appeal to corporate organisations, spirited individuals and governments to endorse him, he has really passed through a lot but is determined to succeed.

    Similarly, Mr Francis Ogonyi, another lecturer in the department of Philosophy said they saw Aiguokhian’s determination and came together as a department to support him.

    He said while the Department of Philosophy would be the first to achieve such feat in the institution, the effort has shown them that their was no level a man could not get to if he was determined.

    Some students of the institution who also spoke to NAN said they were happy that something positive was happening in the institution, following the negative reports that have emanated from the School in the last few weeks.

    NAN reports that by about 7pm on Monday, Aiguokhian would have written for 188 hours breaking the record of Ashrita Furman, an American.

    (NAN)

  • FEDSCO Ogoja ’05 Set Offers Scholarships to Students, Honours Teachers, Donates to Orphanage

    By Frank Ulom

    September 30, 2023, was a day to remember for students and teachers of Federal Science College (FEDSCO) Ogoja, Cross River State, following the visitation of the Alumni Class of 2005.

    The old students donated a Table Tennis set, Chessboard, Scrabble, and renovated the indoor games hall as well as offered to pay full registration fees (including WAEC, NECO and JAMB) to the three best Senior Secondary, SS 2 students of FEDSCO, Ogoja.

    This, according to Comrade Micah Ogbeche, National Coordinator, FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005, was to give back to the institution that has impacted so much on their lives.

    Comrade Micah Ogbeche, National Coordinator, FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005

    “Coming back here after 18 years to celebrate with you gives me joy unspeakable. I want to let you know that this 2005 set, as a body has decided that the best 3 students in SS2 right now, we are going to take care of their WAEC, NECO and JAMB registration fees,” Ogbeche said.

    He added that the 2005 set will continue to celebrate with the students of Federal Science College, Ogoja in whatever way they can.

    Table Tennis Board donated by FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005

    Engr. Ugbuchi, Senior Prefect of the class of 2005, said the sporting equipment, special lectures are a way of showing appreciation to their alma mata. “We came here and we saw that the sports facilities are so many, so we decided to do a little renovation.

    “We also provided table tennis board, chessboard and scrabble for some of the indoor games that the students can come around and play, interact and relax. It is a way of giving back to the college which has impacted so much on our lives”, he added.

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    On his part, Mr Sylvanus Onah, Vice Principal (Academics), who represented Dr Ukpuho Bassey, Director/Principal of FEDSCO Ogoja, said he is happy that the 2005 set remembered where they started.

    Mr Sylvanus Onah, Vice Principal (Academics), FEDSCO, Ogoja

    “I am so excited at the coming of the 2005 old students of the college, the words of advice, gifts presented to the college, and everything – all I can say is, thank you.

    “It is always good to remember your roots because one good term deserves another. For other ex-students out there, I call on them to see what the 2005 set has done and take responsibility. They should come around, the students need them to be of encouragement, both in cash and otherwise,” he said.

    Staff of FEDSCO Alumni Class of 2005

    Thanking the students, Mrs Ann Agba, Vice Principal (Student’s Affairs) said, “I want to say a big thank you to the old students, 2005 set,” adding, “You may not know the impact you have created here but time will tell.”

    Students of Federal Science College (FEDSCO), Ogoja

    On behalf of the students, Chukwuemeka Daniel and Ogechi, Senior Prefects (Boys and Girls) said the gesture by the 2005 set serves as encouragement to them and will guide them throughout their studies and beyond.

    The FEDSCO 2005 set also visited the orphanage, Divine Province Home in Ogoja and donated clothes and money to support the children.

    FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005 with children of Divine Province Home in Ogoja

    The event earlier witnessed welcoming and get-togethers on Friday, September 29 and dinner and award night on September 30, where teachers and other notable people were awarded.

    Teachers and Old Students who were honoured by FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005

    Those awarded include J. I. Sabe, A. J. Agabi, Ikani Inyambe, Olugu K. Kalu, Arc. N. T. Njor, and a host of others. Some notable alumni class of 2005 were also recognised.

    Old students who were honoured by FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005

    Receiving the award, J. I. Sabe, Principal during the 2005 set said, “I am very happy to be with you, I thank God for everything. It was our dream for you to grow and I am happy for a moment like this.”

    FEDCSO Alumni Class of 2005 Thanksgiving service

    The celebration also featured visitation to the family of one of the 2005 set who lost his life and a Thanksgiving service at the FEDSCO Fellowship Centre on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

  • NYG Asaba 2023: Ex-Athlete, Ijirigho Weeps for Cross River

    …Calls on Governor Otu to resuscitate the CSD plan

    For the umpteenth time, serial winners, Team Delta were crowned champions of the 2023 National Youth Games last Saturday at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba. Team Delta dominated the week-long event after amassing an unprecedented 116 medal haul to underline its number one position in the country.

    A breakdown of the medals show that Team Delta bagged 51 gold; 34 silver and 31 bronze medals to emerge tops. Lagos State came second with a total of 61 medals comprising 21 gold; 19 silver and 21 bronze while Edo State with 21 gold; 15 silver, 17 bronze medals finished third.

    The dominant showing of Team Delta at Asaba 2023 did not come as a surprise to many who are conversant with grassroots sports development in the country. Delta state is reaping from a well laid out plan, a template that has been religiously followed since the days of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. His successor, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa never departed from that template. Delta state has continued to dominate both the National Sports Festival, which is open and the National Youth Games.

    Lagos, Edo, Bayelsa have not been doing badly as they have been performing creditably too.

    The surprise, however, is Cross River State, a state that once dominated the NYG. Cross River state under Governor Liyel Imoke was the doyen of grassroots sports development in the country. During that golden era of CRS sports, Governor Imoke contracted former national athlete and one-time captain of Team Nigeria to the Olympics, Bruce Ijirigho to establish a comprehensive Sports Development programme.

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    Ijirigho told this reporter in 2022 that Imoke “demonstrated a lot of political will by backing the programme with legislation, personally interfaced with us on any matter concerning the programme, provided all the funds we needed and above all, gave us a free hand to run the programme.”

    The programme was an instant success. According to Ijirigho – records don’t lie – between December 2009 and October 2015, over 300,000 young boys and girls participated in the programme.

    The programme propelled CRS to the top of youth sports development and performance in Nigeria for an unprecedented 4-year spell. Cross River State won the National School Sports Festival between 2011 and 2015, when the state also became a catchment area for athletes who represented and won laurels for Nigeria in international competitions. Sadly, in 2015, the programme was discontinued.

    From his US base, Ijirigho lamented the fate of Cross River State when he found out that Team Cross River to the NYG finished 26th with 5 silver and 8 bronze medals. No gold.

    He said: “From 2011 to 2015 when Kimasports was implementing the Comprehensive Sports Development Programme in CRS, we would have been first on this medals table with a wide margin. “Today CRS is near the bottom (at 26th place) from where we picked up when we started the program in 2009. CRS dominated and we were national champions at the National Youth Sports Festival for four consecutive years before the programme was killed in July 2015.

    “Such a successful human capacity development and poverty alleviation program was allowed to die in present-day Nigeria due to the ignorance of the leaders about its positive impact on the psyche and prestige of the governor and citizens of the state. I believe Senator Otu can pick up the pieces and rebuild the dynasty. May God grant him wisdom to catch the vision and run with it.”

    Source: Vanguard

  • Commissioner for Youth Development motivates staff with incentive

    Commissioner for Youth Development motivates staff with incentive

    …Doles out cash prize at 7th Edition of  “Pick Your Sweet Yes”

    Mrs Orok, Bassey Effiom, an Assistant Director in the Youth Development Department, on Friday 6th October 2023, smiled home with the sum of ten thousand naira (N10,000), being the cash prize for the 7th edition of the “Pick Your Sweet Yes”, an incentive introduced by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr Ijom Ukam, to motivate the workforce in the ministry.

    “Pick Your Sweet Yes” is a weekend event that holds every Friday at the Ministry of Youth Development, where sweets of different tastes are shared among the staff members of the ministry and visitors.

    The initiative symbolizes the mantra of sweetness that the Prince Bassey Otu-led administration looks to herald into Cross River. “Pick Your Sweet Yes” requires staff members to pick from a poll of raffle tickets, and whoever picks the “YES” ticket goes home with the sum of ten thousand naira (N10,000) to sweeten his or her weekend.

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    The gesture, according to the Honourable Commissioner, Barr Ijom Ukam, is aimed at motivating the staff into aligning with His Excellency’s quest and vision for a “People’s First” government.

    Friday’s edition was symbolic as Mrs Orok Bassey Effiom who will be retiring soon from a very meritorious service to the state emerged the winner.

    Mrs. Effiom, who was filled with excitement, thanked God Almighty for making it possible for her to grab the coveted prize, noting that the prize is a symbol of all-round fulfillment in the course of her service to the state. She prayed for grace upon the Commissioner to sustain the kind and noble gesture in the ministry.

    The Chairman of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, OMPAN, Mr Efio-Ita Nyok and some members of the association witnessed the event that took place at the Old Secretariat Complex, Calabar.

  • DSS whisks away suspended UNICAL dean to Abuja for interrogation

    DSS whisks away suspended UNICAL dean to Abuja for interrogation

    Security agents suspected to be men from the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested and whisked away to Abuja the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Cyril Ndifon said to be involved in a sex scandal.

    Professor Ndifon and his wife were sighted at about 4.20 pm at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar on an onward journey to Abuja for further interrogation.

    Ndifon was picked up at about midnight on Wednesday by heavily armed men suspected to be from the DSS as he was taken straight to the DSS headquarters at Atimbo in Calabar.

    An eyewitness said the team arrived at about midnight, scaled the fence of the house in Akpabuyo, started shooting sporadically and broke the door open and whisked him away.

    The wife who was confused and worried followed the men until they drove inside the DSS premises but she was not allowed in that night.

    Later this morning, she went back there with her lawyer and were allowed in and after series of interrogation, Ndifon was flown to Abuja from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar for further interrogation.

    When our reporter visited the state command office of the DSS in Calabar at about 10.32 am on Thursday, the operatives manning the entrance gate denied him entry into the office to confirm the arrest of Prof. Ndifon.

    However, one of the operatives who pleaded not to be named, said he was not aware of the arrest, saying “if we have him here be rest assured that his relatives will be contacted. And you can also confirm from his family which of the security agency arrested him.”

    However, a press release dated October 5 at 3.52 pm from the DSS official Twitter handle by the Director, Public Relations & Strategic Communications Department of State Services National Headquarters Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya captioned, “ICPC Seeks DSS Collaboration On The UNICAL Sex Scandal Matter,” confirmed his arrest.

    The release reads, “The ICPC has sought the collaboration of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Sex Scandal matter involving Professor Cyril NDIFON, the erstwhile Dean of Faculty of Law of the Institution. The Commission had disclosed the refusal of NDIFON to honour its several invitations, thus his eventual arrest in Calabar, Cross River State, by its operatives on 4th October, 2023, based on a Court Order.

    “However, following the Commission’s request and in the spirit of interagency cooperation, the Service supported it for a successful operation.

    “This is to guide public understanding of the latest developments on the matter.”

    Recall that Prof. Ndifon had last week raised alarm over threat to his life, accusing the management of the University of Calabar of sending some men who disguised as security officials to kidnap him during church service in Calabar.

    About two months ago, students of the Faculty of Law from the institution had staged a peaceful protest accusing Prof. Ndifon of sexual harassment and high-handedness.

  • Calabar Airport to resume international flight soon – Gov Otu

    Calabar Airport to resume international flight soon – Gov Otu

    The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with the management of the Margaret Ekpo International airport, Calabar, to resume international flights.

    The governor disclosed this when he received the manager of the airport, Mr. Ayinla Gbolahan, in his office in Calabar, Thursday.

    “There was a time the Calabar Airport used to fly international routes, at least to nearby countries like Malabor and the rest, but the reverse is now the case. That situation must change.

    “We are ready and willing to work with you in anyway possible to ensure that we change the face of that airport by partnering with the relevant federal government agencies. I know very well that the Margaret Ekpo Airport in no distant time will not be able to accommodate the influx of people who will come into the state either for business or leisure.

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    “For any meaningful progress to take place in a state, it is important to get an effective and efficient air travel system in place and by the grace of God, we will achieve that. I have heard your requests, I promise to look into some of them that are within our capacity and purview,” the governor said.

    Earlier, the manager of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Mr. Ayinla Gbolahan, congratulated the governor on his victory at the just concluded polls and pleaded for his support to reposition the airport.

    The visit, he said, is to seek the state government’s support to reposition the airport, noting security, power supply as priorities amongst others.

    The delegation included other top management staff of the airport.