Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • NAPTAN appeals for Ayade’s approval to set-up 267 Computer Labs for Schools in Cross River

    By Frank Ulom

    The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN has called on Governor Ben Ayade to grant the association the go-ahead to establish Computer Labs in all the 267 public secondary schools in Cross River State.

    This was disclosed by Prof. Boniface Odey, State Chairman of NAPTAN on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, during a courtesy visit by Mr Castro Ezama, Special Adviser to Governor on Education in his office in Calabar.

    Prof Odey said that if Governor Ayade gives the approval, which documents have already been sent to the Governor’s office, NAPTAN will build at least a 50-set Computer Lab in each of the 267 secondary schools across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “We have all agreed that in each school in the 18 local government areas, parents will build one computer lab with at least 50 computers with generator, solar panel (to provide electricity), security and teachers. We are not using government teachers, we are going to use our own teachers that are computer literates – and in my record, we have 267 public secondary schools in Cross River State.

    “We are not proposing for government to buy, we proposed that the government should approve it for us to establish one computer laboratory in each school. We have seen the challenges government is facing, from JSS 2 – SS 3, no computer in any school. With the Government carrying so much burden on its shoulders, it is not easy to provide it, so we now made a proposal to His Excellency to allow us to do it because it’s not our schools.

    “Everybody is government, that is why we took up the project of fencing-round all schools in Cross River State – if you go to some schools now, the perimeter fencing is done by the PTA. Some schools you have been visiting, you have seen the many things we have done in the schools – and we are building additional classroom blocks in some schools too.

    “The only problem we are having now is these computer training centres in our schools. We don’t have computers in any school and at the end of the day, SS 3 students will be coming out to write JAMB with computers – any moment from now, WAEC and NECO will start; and other examination bodies will start too but how do they write these exams? You can see what happened in this year’s JAMB. The low marks are because these children don’t have knowledge of how to operate a computer. How can they pass when they have not seen something they are being presented with in the examination hall before. This is why we came up with one proposal which we believe any moment from now the governor will approve. I believe His Excellency who knows the value of what we are saying will approve it so that we can go ahead with the project”, Odey said.

    Earlier speaking, SA Ezama said the Cross River State Government is committed to delivering quality education to its citizens. He assured the NAPTAN Chairman that he will take the message to the Governor and promised that the approval for the Association to build Computer Labs across schools in the state will be granted in a short time.

    “I want to thank you for the intervention in complementing the role of government, especially in the area of infrastructure in our respective schools – you have shown great leadership. In Cross River State, it is quality education and nothing less than that. His Excellency the digital Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade is committed to quality education and will leave no stone unturned until that is achieved. Incidentally, this is the only state in the country where we have a Professor as a governor, a Professor as a deputy governor”, Ezama stated.

    He said that “recently, the world was agog with the beautiful edifice, the Teachers’ Continuous Training College located in Biase Local Government Area. That College when commissioned will take care of training and retraining our teachers to meet with the 21st century teaching where a lot of things will be x-rayed and our teachers will be better equipped to deliver”.

    Ezama said his office will work with NAPTAN to organise a capacity workshop across the three senatorial districts of the state to address several issues including moral decadence among school children.

    “We will work with you to ensure that we organise a capacity workshop with the theme, ‘The Role of Parents in Education of their Children.’ We will do this across the three senatorial districts, where parents will all be invited and we will drum it and come up with a bigger resolution to see how we can help our children”.

    In his other response, the NAPTAN State Chairman, Prof. Odey commended Governor Ayade for addressing security issues, carrying out various projects and turning the state into an industrial hub. He said: “On our scoreboard, we have been interacting with other states. Cross River is not lagging behind. On our scoreboard, we can give Cross River State 75-80 per cent in the education sector. That’s a good mark for His Excellency and we pray that he will continue with that and improve on that till when he lives office and we all know what he has to leave behind as a Professor”, he said.

    Odey further appealed that: “We need a CCTV camera – at least two in each school so that as you are coming in, you are seen immediately. We pray that the government would help us in this regard”.

  • Aiteo Cup: Calabar Rovers abandon match due to lack of funds

    By Frank Ulom

    Bendel Insurance FC, today qualified for the next round of Nigeria’s National Challenge Cup now Aiteo Cup without kicking the ball as their opponents, Rovers of Calabar failed to honour the game at Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

    The Benin Arsenal and match officials went into the Aba field as scheduled and warmed up for the game but the Rovers of Calabar were unavailable for the game till the match officials declared Insurance winners.

    According to the fixtures, the Benin Arsenal will now face NPFL side, Nasarawa United in the next round in Enugu.

    Reasons for Rover’s inability to show up in Aba, Abia State for the game remained unclear at the time of fielding this report but THE PARADISE gathered that it is related to logistics issues.

    Recall that the two sides also met in the 2019 edition at the quarter-final stage and the Rovers carried the day via a penalty shootout after a barren draw in Enugu.

    Meanwhile, the Calabar Rovers may be kicked out of the Nigeria National League (NNL) and into the 3rd division league, Nigeria Division 1 (3. League) at the end of the 2020/2021 season.

    Currently, the team stands at number 11 out of 12 teams in Group B1 of the NNL with 19 points. Failure to win the last 3 games and if the teams above them win their remaining 3 games, then the Calabar Rovers will be relegated into the Nigeria Division 1.

     

  • Buhari appoints George Abang Ekpungu as EFCC Secretary

    By Frank Ulom

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Barr. (Dr) George Abang Ekpungu as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Ekpungu’s appointment was contained in a statement signed by Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Monday, June 21, 2021.

    The appointment is for a fresh tenure of five years.

    George Abang Ekpungu was the former Commissioner of New Cities Development in Cross River State and an Aspirant for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency in the 2019 elections.

    Ekpungu is from Boki Local Government Area in Central Senatorial District of Cross River State.

    Also appointed as Board Members of the EFCC are;

    1). Luqman Muhammad (South-South),
    2). Anumba Adaeze (South East),
    3). Alhaji Kole Raheem Adesina (North Central) and
    4). Alhaji Yahya Muhammad (North East).

    “This appointment was in line with Section 2 (1) and Section 4 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004”, the statement said.

    The statement added that the EFCC has been operating without Board Members since 2015.

    “President Buhari has already directed the forwarding of the names for confirmation of the Senate”, the statement read.

  • Lafarge Africa, MDF offer FREE Medical aid to 6 Cross River Communities

    By Frankie Ifop

    Six (6) communities in Akamkpa and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River State have benefited from the free medical outreach being carried out by Lafarge Africa in partnership with Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), with support from the Cross River State Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Development Agency.

    The 6 communities are Mfamosing, Mbobui, Akwa Ikot Effanga, Akansoko, Ekong Anaku and Abiati and the outreach is to run for 12 days – from May 11-23, 2021 respectfully.

    Speaking during the flagging off of the exercise at the Mfamosing Health Care Centre upgraded by Lafarge Africa in Akamkpa local government area, Mrs Folasade Ambrose, Director Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, Lafarge Africa Plc said the free medical outreach is in line with the company’s objectives to provide health care and safety to its host communities.

    Ambrose who was ably represented by Mr Inyang Bassey, Communications and Public Affairs Manager in-charge of Lafarge Operations within the South-East region said Lafarge has been embarking on such outreach since 2002 when it was United Cement (UNICEM).

    “This is just in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility where we look at health and safety as one of our pillars. We believe that health is wealth. So, what we are doing here today is actually taking healthcare services to the community. That’s why we call it medical outreach.

    “This is done in partnership with Mediatrix Foundation, which is an NGO also responsible for managing healthcare activities within the health sector. In addition, we can see that we have equally partnered with Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, which is also under the supervision of the State Ministry of Health”, he said.

    Continuing, Bassey said “Lafarge as a company came into limelight in Cross River State in 2015, and that being the issue before now, I’m sure we all know that we used to have a company that’s call UNICEM. So right from 2002 when UNICEM started operation in Cross River State, we have been embarking on copious, various healthcare activities across our communities. So if you are asking me for the number of years, I can tell you it’s far more than 15 years since the existence of UNICEM and now Lafarge that we have been embarking on life interventions like this.

    “This exercise is like giving back to the community. Whether we like it or not every business, everything entity, every brand operating, even banks do what we call Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Then talkless of us in the mining industry. Let me also blow your mind that by the Act that establishes mining operation, there’s what they call community development agreement, which is an agreement established by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development that actually ensure that the community and the company work hand in hand. So this is not an attempt or factor to pacify the community, but a way of ensuring that the community understands the fact that we are here to support each other. It’s a mutually benefit relationship. So we are doing this as a way of giving back to the community, and to ensure that when you are engaging with stakeholders they must be healthy and sound to have constructive discussion and relationship. So if the health of the people is not paramount to you as a business then it means that the interest of the people to live healthy is not part of what you are advocating. So, we are advocating for a healthy workforce and also the healthy well-being of our stakeholders which this community is also part of it”, he added.

    Speaking after declaring the outreach opened, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency said impactful interventions from organisations like Lafarge is what the state needs to fight toe-to-toe with the pandemic that already affecting the world.

    “As part of our strategy to see how we can take services very close to people in the community, especially this period we are fighting against the pandemic, it calls for very high impact intervention that would at least try to bridge some of the gaps that may have existed in terms of availability of healthcare services as well as utilisation of those services; and that’s why every now and then we try to bring in outreaches and her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade who is very concerned about the health of our citizens in collaboration with Lafarge and the Primary Healthcare Agency, decided to carry out this intervention in Mfamosing and other communities to ensure that people of these communities can access quality healthcare services. We know how it’s been, especially in this pandemic like I stated earlier…access and utilisation of available services have been a huge problem and whenever we have such outreach, we use that opportunity to reiterate the importance of coming to a health facility to access healthcare and of course carry out health education and as well as see how we can provide other healthcare services that the people really need.

    “So, I’m very pleased with the turnout. People are really taking advantage of this opportunity and I am hoping that at the end of the day we will be able to reach out and help to improve a lot of lives as well”, Ekpenyong said.

    She further stated that aside from Lafarge and other organisations who are trying to affect the lives of Cross Riverians, those who are yet to should try as it will go a long way in helping the government and the people.

    “It’s very important that any organisation that’s actually in Cross River State should try as much as possible to see how they can affect the lives of people directly. And you will agree with me that when you carry out such outreach or intervention you are actually reaching out to people directly. So I will encourage them to emulate Lafarge as well as what several other organisations are doing. But we want to encourage them that they should try as much as possible to implement things like this that would directly have positive effects on the lives of the community where they are resident. If you are able to improve on the lives of people who may be in the community where you exist you are bound to get more community support to enhance your productivity or whatever you are doing in that community. That would really go a long way to help. So we encourage them to try as much as possible to emulate what Lafarge is doing and see how we can all put our hands together to continue to improve on the health of Cross Riverians.

    “His Excellency Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade is very committed to seeing that Cross River State achieves Universal Health Coverage – that means people having access to quality healthcare services wherever they are. And of course, with such partnership with Lafarge, they have supported the state in the past to even build a health post and even health centres. We are hoping that as many communities as possible will be able to have their own health post because it is expected that every community should have at least a health post. And we are also trying to link up some communities that don’t have for now… Link them up with the nearest health facility. We will always carry out similar outreaches in those communities where healthcare workers actually take the services to them. They are some health intervention such as immunisation, antenatal services and even some ANC services. Healthcare workers will actually take the services close to them. But even at that, His Excellency is really committed to seeing that every community in Cross River State should have a functional health post. And I am certain that with support such as Lafarge, we will definitely achieve that in no time”.

    On his part, Mr Jeffrey Adamade, Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrix Development Foundation said they have partnered with Lafarge Africa for over 6 years to carry out free health outreaches in the state like this one.

    “What we are doing here today is a partnership that we have had with Lafarge for over 6 years now. Mediatrix is a health partner to Lafarge, implementing health activities in the 6 host communities in Akamkpa and across Akpabuyo local government areas. This is a very important aspect of their CSR and today we are in Mfamosing healthcare centre. It is a facility-based intervention. So members of the community are mobilised to come to the facility to receive various kinds of services. We have eye care services, we have malaria services, we have pre-HIV testing, Hepatitis testing, we are dispensing drugs and we are also doing consultations. As you can see the crowd is building up even though today is the introductory part of the whole 12 days of activities we are going to have with these communities. We have 2 days in each of the 6 communities. We are going to be here tomorrow again, then we now move to another community. But all of the health activities we are going to be having are going to be facility-based. So there’s the aspect where the state government comes into it because we know that most of these persons are supposed to be directly or indirectly affected by the services that are provided by the state government.

    “Lafarge being a community-friendly organisation, and also Mediatrix being a community-based NGO – that’s why you have most of the persons in the community coming out in their mass. We have drugs that will go round. We just want to say thank you to Lafarge, thank you to Cross River State Government for providing this platform where we can actually show our expertise as have done over the years”, He said.

    Adamade boasted that with the support from Lafarge Africa and the State Government, they can accommodate any amount of persons as long as they come out for the outreach. “Of course, Lafarge is not a small organisation and Lafarge is supporting this project. So we will attend to as many persons that can be mobilised to the facility where we will be carrying out the services. I cannot give you an estimated number, but I can tell you that in previous occasions where we have had this particular activity we reached out to virtually thousands of persons. I know that last year we did not go to the 6 communities, but this year that we will go to the 6 host communities, we are very optimistic that a whole lot of persons would be affected by this.

    “Mediatrix Development Foundation is over 8 years old now. We have been partnering with Lafarge for the last 6 years. And Lafarge, even beyond the health outreaches, Lafarge has been partnering with Mediatrix in other interventions like World Aids Day, and many other interventions we have been working with Lafarge. But I think this is a more targeted and streamlined intervention for the host community.

    “Everybody should come out and take advantage of this free medical outreach. Out of pocket expenditure, as long as health is concerned, is a big challenge in Nigeria. So when you have it free like this, everybody is encouraged to come out and get the available services”, he added.

    Evang (Ntufam) Alphonsus Bassey, a member of the Community Relation Committee (CRC) representing one of the host communities said the free medical outreach came timely as the people are trying to recount their losses in the post-pandemic era.

    He said: “The outreach came as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. It’s part of our planning for the communities to benefit – and we are so grateful to Lafarge because we have a lot of issues we are suffering here and it’s not easy for you to have government attention. This is not the first time they are doing this. In most cases, they do it almost yearly, if not because of the COVID-19 that came. This is another pilot one that has come and we are so happy that they have come to take care of the poor people that cannot access services in the health system easily. We are ever grateful to Lafarge and we pray God should continue to bless Lafarge so that we will continue to benefit more”

    The beneficiaries thanked Lafarge Africa and MDF for always putting the people first with its CSR. Anom Emerencia Ndep, a Cameroonian refugee staying in Mfamosing who benefited from the free medical outreach said at first she and her neighbours thought it was a scam as they have been deceived by many who come to aid them but later demand money from them.

    “Yesterday morning, I saw a town crier on a motorcycle announcing the free medical outreach, so I decided to come. I had some eye problem, they checked me and gave me glasses in which I can see and read clearly. I was also tested for malaria – I and my baby and they gave us malaria drugs because my baby was having fever on and off and it turns out in the test to be malaria. I did not pay any money for it – everything was given to me free of charge.

    “I thank Lafarge, Mediatrix, Cross River State Government and all that helped organised this free medical outreach for recognising us in Mfamosing, especially for people like us. First, I thought it was a scam because people used to come like this and after registration, they will ask us to pay N30,000 – but I decided to come and try my luck and luckily for me this time, everything was free. I will go and tell others to come and benefit too”, she said.

    Various health services like Malaria testing and treatment, pre-HIV testing, Hepatitis testing, drug dispensation, consultations and others were being carried out during the free medical outreach.

  • Christmas in the City of Calabar: Then and now

    By Ekubi Bassey

    Those who know Calabar and its serene ambience wouldn’t find this article strange especially before the advent of the Carnival Calabar more than a decade ago. Christmas was then a Christian festival that characterised visits, and roll call of many masquerades from those of children to the most celebrated ones like Ekpe and Ekpo. Amidst the Christmas decorations especially along highbrow areas like the Calabar Road, Nelson Mandela Road, Marian extension, Etta Agbo-Airport Road, IBB way and other similar axes.

    It was in 1995 during my second year at the university when one of my Geology papers was shifted to 27/12/95. It was not a welcomed development as we frowned and were practically indignant to the new scheme of arrangements but there was little we could do, for it was a rescheduled paper and in order not to disrupt the school calendar it was fixed at our own detriment.

    That means we wouldn’t travel to our various towns for Christmas especially my very self who has a special date with my mom. She must slaughter a cock and get me new sets of plates for the special menu specially made for Christmas. I always look forward to such moments but here I was, an exam spoiling my fun. What about the euphoria of uniting with my friends and pals? All these and more were to be dashed. But something tells me,I was going to have one of my memorable Christmases. Alas, it actually turned out that way.

    Suffice it to say, I had to relocate to my uncle Ikona’s apartment along the IBB way, very close to the UJ Esuene’s stadium. This sport happens to be the city centre of the Calabar metropolis for it is just a stone’s throw to the popular Eleven-Eleven (11-11) bus stop. So I was glued to all the scenic viewing of a whole lot of displays of Christmas outings of masquerades; just name them Tinkoriko, Nnabor, Ojornu, Ekom Nkurikut, Abang, Ekpe, Ekpo and many others. It was a carnival of sorts and having expended much time on the cultural display that attended me I had to dress up to hit the town.

    To my admiration, the city was painted red as the sight was like heaven. Littered all around was celebration and the city stood still for the festive ovation. I made a few visits to my kinsmen at Edgerly and had an entirely different Christmas from the ones I used to know. This was how it was until Donald Duke’s administration introduced the Carnival Calabar.

    It became a different ball game, some liked it and some despised it. Well, in whatever way, the carnival of Christmas brought the city of Calabar to the global map of culture and tourism. Right there in our sight, we had myriads of our world celebrities come to dance and share in the joy of the carnival with such liberty and fun fare. Calabar then became the centre to meet all our screen idols and international superstars whom one couldn’t have met in a life’s time. Everyone creates happiness and all the contesting bands vie out for recognition. The display of different cultural paraphernalia, costumes parade of beautiful bevies and many other side attractions became the new normal as far as Christmas was concerned.

    But this year 2020 is an exception all these would be missed – no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Really the year would have so much to be remembered for. The Coronavirus year would actually go down as the year the Almighty Carnival Calabar ceased to be. Most of all we are blessed to have survived the era of global doom, let’s just clap for the Great God who wished it so.

    Merry Christmas to your fans, family and friends. See you on the other side of 2021.

     

  • The Story of Anansa, Calabar most Powerful Water Goddess

    By Frank Ulom

    Anansa is a very fearful but beautiful goddess of the sea. And it’s believed that it’s only fortified cameras that can capture her monuments where she’s lay in the Bayside of Calabar South. Anansa is considered the spouse of many.

    Anansa is by far the most popular of all the deities of the Efik people. Anansa situated at the Enwang spring head, known as Idim Enwang, Anantigha is located at the other side of the town, in a thicket initially called Iyonde but now called Anantigha Beach.

    Pictorial representation of Anansa

    The Anansa deity is said to be the goddess of the sea and the goddess of beauty. Anansa can be said to possess young girls, and when she possesses a girl, she dreams a whole lot about the water and the famous Ekombi dance, which is a dance attributed to Anansa.

    The Ekombi dance movements are derived from the motions of the oceans. It’s believed that by mere dancing of Ekombi, you are invoking the spirit of Anansa. Dance of peace and happiness. The possessed girl will automatically know how to dance Ekombi ideally.

    The statue of Anansa, Marina Resort, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

    Because of Anansa’s beauty, the possessed would be stunning and would attract men, even when she is not dressed seductively. Anansa is a very fearful deity, that when rejected, she can be dreadfully insane but very humble when she is accepted.

    It was also said that the NNS victory, the Nigerian Naval base currently situated at the back of the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar was formerly known as NNS Anansa. She was a very territorial mermaid, causing so many uproars for the Nigerian Navy and sinking ships.

    The statue of Anansa, Marina Resort, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

    The Navy had to appease her so that she could allow them to take control of the water’s borders, so they named their base NNS Anansa and performed sacrifices and rites to appease her.

    It was believed that years after Christianity settled in, she was chased to the high seas never to return, and that gave the Navy the courage to change the name to NNS victory, believing that they have conquered her. Even though she was being chased to the high seas.

    It is believed that she will come back because she had conscripted many young women who have continued her teachings and paving waves for her homecoming. She crosses the road at a particular day and at a particular time. When she crosses, rain falls but doesn’t touch the ground.

    The statue of Anansa, Marina Resort, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

    Anansa is said to have possessed a stone, an egg-stone, to whom requests are made during Anansa rituals. Anansa procession birthed the famous Carnival Calabar. The procession began in the morning, heralded by the royal talking drum and the Efik drum, called Ekperikpe.

    After several traditional processions followed up – the Carnival was started by the Efik people, even though Anansa worshipping was abandoned when Christianity came. This was the procession before the invention of Carnival Calabar by Donald Duke in 2004.

  • Heavy Duty Truck crushes Army officer to death in Calabar

    By Frankie Ifop

    A heavy duty truck has killed a Nigerian Army officer of the Amphibious Training School (ATS) in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

    PARADISE NEWS gathered that the incident occurred on Monday (November 9, 2020) morning at about 7:25am at Ikot Ansa Bus Stop along Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar Municipality local government area.

    Eyewitnesses said the Army officer was trying to overtake the truck which belongs to Flour Mills (Niger Mills) when the truck rammed into him, thereby killing him on the spot.

    “The truck was coming from 8 miles and was on the speed lane. Immediately I saw the army man on a motorcycle speeding, I knew something bad will happen – and before I could say Jack Robinson, I heard a loud vehicular break sound and everyone was shouting ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

    “Before we could look ahead, we saw the army officer lying death in his uniform. At first, we were praying for him to be alive but those who tried to help him confirmed he was already death due to the hit from the truck.

    “The truck driver ran away immediately he hit the army man. The accident happened about 25 minutes past 7 o’clock this morning at Ikot Ansa Bus Stop where we use to board taxis to Watt Market and other places”, an eyewitness who did not disclose her name told PARADISE NEWS.

    Our Reporter further gathered that the Amphibious Training School (ATS) of the Nigerian Army, Ekorinim, Calabar has carried the Corpse of the officer off the road and now after the truck driver that killed him.

    “Some soldiers came here after the incident and carried the dead body of the army man. They arrested one of the Flour Mills truck driver that was also coming into the town and took him away. They later came back with him and took him alongside his truck.

    “Now, all trucks belonging to Flour Mills, when they heard about the incident, they started packing by the roadside. You can see about three trucks lining up the road already. No one wants to drive because of the fear of being arrested by the Army”, a source who spoke under anonymity told PARADISE NEWS.

    When contacted, Everest Ochienta, Public Relations Officer, Amphibious Training School (ATS) of the Nigerian Army, said he is yet to be briefed, adding that, “I will get back to you when I am briefed about the information”.

    At the time of filing this report, most Flour Mills truck drivers are parking their vehicles and hanging around, waiting for an order from above. Meanwhile, calm has returned to the place and residents are going about their businesses, peacefully.

  • LIVE UPDATE on Calabar unrest

    By Frankie Ifop

    Welcome to the Live feed update on Calabar unrest. Always refresh your browser for update.

    Since Friday, October 23, 2020, Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, South South Nigeria has been laid siege by a group of hoodlums which has turned into a mob action, sweeping the city apart.

    From looting COVID-19 warehouses to destroying and burning businesses and government MDAs (Ministries, Developments and Agencies), residents of Calabar are sleeping with one eye opened while holding their hearts on their hands, waiting for the cup to pass by.

    The level of vandalisation, arson and looting in the nation’s paradise is second to none, in Nigeria. They are looting people’s homes and businesses too.

    Below are the damages incurred so far by the hoodlums in Calabar;

    1. Cross River State Property Investment Limited, CROSPIL office, Bishop Moynagh Avenue, State Housing Estate – Looted on Friday, October 23.

    2. State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA office, Barracks Road – Looted and burnt down on Friday, October 23.

    3. The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC office – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    4. Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC office, Marian Road, burnt down on Friday, October 23.

    5. Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, CTRA office (100 Marian), Marian Road – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    6. Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    7. Atakpa Police Station, Watt Market – burnt down on Saturday, October 24.

    8. Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC office, Murtala Mohammed Highway – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    9. Calabar Discount Mall (harbouring Valuemat Supermarket and other stores), Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Marian – looted and vandalised on Friday, October 23.

    10. Ministry of Works warehouse, Ekorinim II – looted and burnt down on Friday, October 23.

    11. Cross River State Roll back Malaria centre, Barracks Road -looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    12. Bulavaard joint owned by APC chieftain, Ntufam Hillard Ettah, Etta Agbor – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    13. First Bank, 8 Miles – vandalised on Friday, October 23.

    14. West African Examination Council, WAEC office, Murtala Mohammed Highway – burnt down on Saturday, October 24.

    15. Federal Psychiatric hospital, Calabar Road – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    16. Access Bank, Mayne Avenue -vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    17. Senator Victor Ndoma Egba’s House, Asari Eso – looted and burnt down on Saturday, October 24.

    18. Senator Gershom Bassey’s House, Asari Eso – looted vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    19. Cross River Garment Factory, Goodluck Jonathan bypass – looted on Saturday, October 24.

    20. Ayade Fuelling Station, Murtala Mohammed Highway – looted and set ablaze on Saturday, October 24.

    21. Senator Gershom Bassey’s House, Mayne Avenue – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    22. National Identity Management Commission, NIMC office, Murtala Mohammed Highway – set on fire on Saturday, October 24.

    23. National Television Authority, NTA, Murtala Mohammed Highway – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    24. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Etta Agbor – looted on Saturday, October 24.

    25. Cross River Agric Development Project, IBB way opposite Margaret Ekpo International Airport – looted on Friday, October 23.

    26. IDH Hospital, Chamley area – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    27. Empowerment warehouse, Henshaw Town – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    28. University of Calabar, UNICAL Publishing Center, Etta Agbor – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    29. UNICAL Microfinance Bank, Etta Agbor – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    30. UNICAL Main Library – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    31. Most Banks and Shops/Transport Companies, Ettah Agbor – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    32. Lafarge (former UNICEM) Trucks loaded with cement – hijacked on Saturday, October 24.

    32. Ibedmore Phone Shops, Calabar Road – set on fire on Saturday, October 24.

    33. Calabar Mall (harbouring SPAR Supermarket and other stores), Cultural Centre – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    34. Cold Stone Store and Domino’s Pizza, Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Marian – looted and vandalised on Friday, October 23.

    35. Shops in Watt Market, Watt – looted, vandalised and some set on fire on Saturday, October 24.

    36. Carnival Calabar Treasury House (speakers, lighting, stage, carpets, mics, amplifiers, etc) – looted on Saturday, October 24.

    37. Mbukpa Police Station, Mbukpa – burnt down on Saturday, October 24.

    38. Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Area Councils – looted and vandalised on Friday, October 23.

    39. First Bank, Highway by Ekorinim – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    40. H20 Calabar, Mary Slessor by UNICAL Main Gate – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    41. Accountant General Office – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    42. All Progressives Congress, APC office, Marian Road – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    43. Nigerian Chronicles Newspapers office, Barracks Road – burnt down on Friday, October 23.

    44. World Health Organisation, WHO and Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme (AyadeCare) offices, Barracks Road – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    45. Government Secondary School, Henshaw Town – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    46. Peace Mass Transport, PMT Park, Etta Agbor – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    46. Spark Shop Calabar – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    47. Eco Bank, Mary Slessor Avenue – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    48. UDEC Phone Shop, opposite UNICAL, Etta Agbor – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    49. Pensioners Office, Asita Ita Street – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    50. Cross River State Water Board Limited (CRSWBL) Residences, Ndidem Usang Isong Road, Marian – looted and vandalised – on Saturday, October 24.

    51. Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSILT, Calabar – looted and vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

    52. Auditor-General’s Office, Calabar – vandalised on Saturday, October 24.

  • BREAKING: WAEC, NTA, NIMC offices, Duke’s Hotel on fire in Calabar

    BREAKING: WAEC, NTA, NIMC offices, Duke’s Hotel on fire in Calabar

    By Frank Ulom

    Hoodlums have set ablaze West African Examination Council, WAEC’s office on fire in Calabar, Cross River State.

    The incident, THE PARADISE NEWS reports happened today, Saturday, October 24, 2020, in the late morning hours of the day as other places were also touched.

    The other places include National Identity Management Commission, NIMC office, and Former Governor Donald Duke Daughter’s Hotel (Nella Gardens), which share fences with WAEC, along Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar Municipality local government area of Cross River State.

    Our Reporter also learnt that the National Television Authority, NTA Calabar was also affected, as hoodlums ransacked the TV station.

    “Currently, as I am talking to you, WAEC office on the highway is on fire. The office is being burnt by hoodlums. NIMC office and Nella’s Garden were also affected. The fire is escalating through the buildings along that line. NTA is also affected and hoodlums are destroying the office”, an eyewitness who passed the area at about 11:35am told PARADISE NEWS.

    On Friday night, Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC office at Marian Road, closed to Fire Service office was set ablaze and the building completely razed down.

    The trouble started on Friday, October 23, 2020 when residents discovered a warehouse loaded with COVID-19 Palliatives at CROSPIL Warehouse, Bishop Moynagh Avenue, State Housing Estate, Calabar.

    Ever since then, SEMA Warehouse at Barracks Road, Ministry of Works Warehouse at Ekorinim II, Garment Factory warehouse at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan bypass, and several others have been attacked and looted.

    Businesses such as Cold Stone creamery, Calabar Discount Mall harbouring Value Market Store, Calabar Mall harbouring SPAR Supermarket, Boulevard Joint at Etta Agbor, First Bank at 8 Miles, Watt Market, World Health Organisation (WHO) office, Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Area Council Secretariats, and other places have been affected.

    Meanwhile, the governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade on a statewide broadcast today (Saturday), said the #EndSARS protest has been hijacked.

    According to the governor, “on the issue of palliatives being kept in warehouses, every state will have palliatives in their warehouse. Let me thank and acknowledge CACOVID for the massive supply of all these palliatives. Note that as you empty your stock, they restock. This keeps coming for Cross River State. Our last receipt was on October 12th, just last week. We were also told clearly that they (CACOVID) wanted to do a press briefing when they are handing over the palliatives. So there was a directive that this last stock Cross River got should not be shared until they come. The weigh bill is available and it has been released for all to see. It shows that the stock arrived on the 12th of October, 2020. Unfortunately by then this tension had started building up and we were already waiting on them to come. I also want to recall that we do the distribution of palliatives in Cross River State in a sequence.

    “We started with traditional rulers and churches, then we moved to local government by local government via senatorial districts. We had done distributions in the northern senatorial district and in the central senatorial district. The next batch of distribution was to be for the southern senatorial district. So the stock in question is for distribution in the southern senatorial district. As can be seen in a lot of videos on social media and Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, each time we distribute, we target widows , we target the aged, we target people who do not have money, people who cannot work. We target those who can fish no more, those who can no longer fish because they are aged and do not have loved ones .

    “If you watch the videos of our distribution, it is systematic. It is through churches and churches target the vulnerable and so as a young man who is 18, 20, 25, remember that the food you are picking belongs to our aged parents, a widow somewhere. There is hunger in the land and I know this very well. That is why our emphasis had been on mass employment, recruitment, salary payment, pension payment and creating jobs and focusing more on appointments. Today, we have over 6000 political appointees. I do not need that much number of appointees. So it is for food on the table. It may not have reached you but somebody somewhere may have been reached. We have just approved employment for another 20000 people and have made it very clear this should not be for politicians. I believe that in the course of time you will see the sincerity of my intentions”.

  • LIVE VIDEO: Residents uncover 3 hidden COVID-19 Palliatives warehouses in Calabar

    By Frankie Ifop

    Residents of Calabar, Cross River State capital, have discovered three (3) hidden warehouses loaded with COVID-19 Palliatives on Friday, October 23, 2020.

    PARADISE NEWS gathered that the residents who are in full jubilation get to know about the warehouse following the incident that occurred in Lagos, during the #EndSARS protest.

    According to LIVE recordings, it is like Christmas in Calabar, even when it is not yet December in the nation’s paradise.

    Sources said the palliatives which include food stuffs, electronics and other items that were supposed to be distributed to citizens of the state were locked in three warehouses located at CROSPIL office, Bishop Monagh Avenue, State Housing Estate; SEMA Warehouse, Barracks Road; and Ayade Power Plant, Parliamentary Extension, Calabar, Cross River State capital.

    “The palliatives have been there in warehouses since April and even when another tranche was added, nothing was shared. Instead, they were sharing amongst themselves and keeping some for the 2020 Byelections in Northern Cross River State”, a source who spoke under anonymity said.

    Our Reporter also learnt that Police and Soldiers were helping the residents out, especially the vulnerable and disabled people.

    However, Martha Agba, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade on Humanitarian Affairs, said the state has already commenced the sharing of the palliatives but ward by ward.

    “The COVID-19 Palliatives were not being locked out as people are saying, there are being shared to Cross Riverians. We have already sharing them. It is ward by ward”, Agba said.

    Meanwhile, the state governor has imposed a 24 hours curfew in the state, starting from 6pm today, Friday, October 23, 2020.

    “Following the hijacking of the peaceful protest against police brutality in the state by hoodlums, the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade has imposed a 24hr curfew in the state starting from 6pm on Friday, October 23, 2020.

    “Residents of the state are advised to observe the curfew as security agents have been mandated to arrest anybody who flouts it”, a statement by Mr. Christian Ita, Special Adviser to Ayade on Media and Publicity quoted the Governor saying.

    See Live Video feeds below;

    Residents carting away COVID-19 Palliatives in a hidden warehouse at CROSPIL office, Calabar, Cross River State on Friday, October 23, 2020.