Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • When corruption becomes a necessity, Princewill Odidi, Int'l Dev't expert explains

    Mr Princewill Odidi
    Efio-Ita Nyok|6 June 2017 
    Princewill Odidi, international development economist, Monday, stated that when the basic earnings of an individual cannot take care of his elementary needs,at such a point corruption becomes inescapable NegroidHaven can report.  
    The Atlanta-based social entrepreneur who differentiated between ‘basic sustenance’ and ‘luxury’ observed that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, by reason of its organisational design encourages corruption. He thus stated that corruption isn’t intrinsic in the country but a category of human creation. 
    By sound economic policy and efficient administrative legal system according to Odidi said that corruption could be eliminated. 
    His words, ‘When a man’s basic wage is Not commensurate with his basic sustenance, NOT luxury, then you encourage corruption. At that point corruption becomes a necessity not a choice. 
    ‘The organization of the Nigerian state by design encourages corruption. It is not inborn neither is it in our DNA. Corruption is man made, it can also be eliminated based on sound economic policy and efficient administrative legal infrastructure’. 
    Odidi in essence highlighted two types of corruption, namely, that necessarily born out of the need for basic survival and corruption born out of greed. According to him, the former ‘should not be confused with corruption borne out of greed like the stealing and concealing of billions in holes and apartments’.
    What’s your take on Odidi’s submissions? I couldn’t agree less, what about you? 

    Efio-Ita Nyok
    Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org 

  • 1 June Osinbajo C'River visit: Utum Eteng task 31 APC kingpins over Ayade 'stealing' the show

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River is alledged to highjack the 1st June Visit of Acting president Yemi Osinbajo
    Utum Eteng|4 June 2017 

    This is my passionate appeal to the following APC leaders to sit up in the overall interest of the party. Acting state Chairman John Ochala, Ntufam Hiliard Eta, His Excellency Chief Clement Ebri, Hon Minister Usani Uguru Usani, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, Chief Okoi Obla, Senator Bassey Otu, Senator John Owan Enor, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Mrs Mary Ekperi Eta, Chief Wabilly Nyiam, Chief Edem Duke, Chief Eno-Obong Umana, Martins Bissong, Elder David Okon, Chief Eyo Nsa, Chief Utum Eteng, Chief Francis Bullem, Chief Wilfred Inah, Chief Ogban Ebock, Ntufam Dr Peter Out, Ntufam Fidelis SankwalaUgbo, Ntufam Dr Sandy Onor, Alex Egbona PhD, Ntufam Dr Peter Oti, NDDC commissioner, Hon Paul Ada, Hon Venatius Ikem, Dr Ntete Duke, Elder David Okon, Rechard Ogbeche and all APC members recently given Federal board appointments etc.

    The reason for us to resign both our positions and membership of the APC is becos by our commissions and omissions we watched helplessly Ayade govt turning a scheduled rountine interface visit of the Acting President hijacked and turned as if it was a state visit of the Acting President organised by the Ayade govt to re-commission some already commissioned Donald Duke and lmoke projects without  giving crossriverians  and party members the opportunity to interface with the Acting President. 
    Hon Minister Usani Usani and Senator Ndoma-Egba SAN ,Hilard Eta (who was billed to represent the APC national chairman ) jointly owe the state APC explanations for this scam on the party. I am  asking these set of our leaders whose potfolios are proximate to the Niger delta matters to tell us the truth including our Acting president whether his visit to Cross River state was at the instance of governor Ayade or a continuation of his meeting the people of the Niger delta town hall visits already done in other Niger delta states? 
    We need the explanation of our mentioned leader so that we as peopl and a party interested in what is going in our other Niger delta state will insist to be part of the Acting Presidents  political exploits.

    Utum Eteng 
    Is a Legal Practitioner 

  • 1 June Osinbajo C'River visit: Utum Eteng task 31 APC kingpins over Ayade 'stealing' the show

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River is alledged to highjack the 1st June Visit of Acting president Yemi Osinbajo
    Utum Eteng|4 June 2017 

    This is my passionate appeal to the following APC leaders to sit up in the overall interest of the party. Acting state Chairman John Ochala, Ntufam Hiliard Eta, His Excellency Chief Clement Ebri, Hon Minister Usani Uguru Usani, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, Chief Okoi Obla, Senator Bassey Otu, Senator John Owan Enor, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Mrs Mary Ekperi Eta, Chief Wabilly Nyiam, Chief Edem Duke, Chief Eno-Obong Umana, Martins Bissong, Elder David Okon, Chief Eyo Nsa, Chief Utum Eteng, Chief Francis Bullem, Chief Wilfred Inah, Chief Ogban Ebock, Ntufam Dr Peter Out, Ntufam Fidelis SankwalaUgbo, Ntufam Dr Sandy Onor, Alex Egbona PhD, Ntufam Dr Peter Oti, NDDC commissioner, Hon Paul Ada, Hon Venatius Ikem, Dr Ntete Duke, Elder David Okon, Rechard Ogbeche and all APC members recently given Federal board appointments etc.

    The reason for us to resign both our positions and membership of the APC is becos by our commissions and omissions we watched helplessly Ayade govt turning a scheduled rountine interface visit of the Acting President hijacked and turned as if it was a state visit of the Acting President organised by the Ayade govt to re-commission some already commissioned Donald Duke and lmoke projects without  giving crossriverians  and party members the opportunity to interface with the Acting President. 
    Hon Minister Usani Usani and Senator Ndoma-Egba SAN ,Hilard Eta (who was billed to represent the APC national chairman ) jointly owe the state APC explanations for this scam on the party. I am  asking these set of our leaders whose potfolios are proximate to the Niger delta matters to tell us the truth including our Acting president whether his visit to Cross River state was at the instance of governor Ayade or a continuation of his meeting the people of the Niger delta town hall visits already done in other Niger delta states? 
    We need the explanation of our mentioned leader so that we as peopl and a party interested in what is going in our other Niger delta state will insist to be part of the Acting Presidents  political exploits.

    Utum Eteng 
    Is a Legal Practitioner 

  • CRUTECH: State gov't recalling students themselves is a slap on varsity's authority —Int'l Dev Consultant

    Efio-Ita Nyok|24 May 2017 
    International development consultant, political scientist, social entrepreneur and public affairs analyst, Mr Princewill Odidi, has frowned at Cross River State Government’s unilateral decision, Tuesday, to recall students of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) without conferring with the management of the University NegroidHaven can report. 
    According to Mr Odidi that action of the state governor through his Commissioner for Education, Mr Godwin Etta, is administratively wrong. He contended that the state governor would have consulted with the varsity’s management. 
    Such an action would compel the school authority to lost her integrity in the face of the students. 
    Hear him: ‘Administratively this is wrong. The Governor should have consulted with the University management and allow the management recall the students back to class. With that the management retains her integrity with the students. 
    ‘The state government recalling the students themselves is a slap on constituted authority in the school. In developed climes, the action of the governor through his commissioner going on press to take an alternate stand against the school means a vote of no confidence on the administration of the school.
    Mr Odidi has observed that, given such scenario, the Vice-Chancellor and the entire governing board of CRUTECH should resign.  ‘Ordinarily the VC and entire governing board should resign to save face’. 
    Recall that on Monday 22 May the school was shut down by the management because of students protest against Management decision to implement the No-fees-no-exams policy. On Tuesday 23 May, the Commissioner for Education, Mr Ettah, ordered the resumption of the CRUTECH. 

    Efio-Ita Nyok
    Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org 

  • CRUTECH: State gov't recalling students themselves is a slap on varsity's authority —Int'l Dev Consultant

    Efio-Ita Nyok|24 May 2017 
    International development consultant, political scientist, social entrepreneur and public affairs analyst, Mr Princewill Odidi, has frowned at Cross River State Government’s unilateral decision, Tuesday, to recall students of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) without conferring with the management of the University NegroidHaven can report. 
    According to Mr Odidi that action of the state governor through his Commissioner for Education, Mr Godwin Etta, is administratively wrong. He contended that the state governor would have consulted with the varsity’s management. 
    Such an action would compel the school authority to lost her integrity in the face of the students. 
    Hear him: ‘Administratively this is wrong. The Governor should have consulted with the University management and allow the management recall the students back to class. With that the management retains her integrity with the students. 
    ‘The state government recalling the students themselves is a slap on constituted authority in the school. In developed climes, the action of the governor through his commissioner going on press to take an alternate stand against the school means a vote of no confidence on the administration of the school.
    Mr Odidi has observed that, given such scenario, the Vice-Chancellor and the entire governing board of CRUTECH should resign.  ‘Ordinarily the VC and entire governing board should resign to save face’. 
    Recall that on Monday 22 May the school was shut down by the management because of students protest against Management decision to implement the No-fees-no-exams policy. On Tuesday 23 May, the Commissioner for Education, Mr Ettah, ordered the resumption of the CRUTECH. 

    Efio-Ita Nyok
    Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org 

  • D.I.G commends Neo Black Movement for donating building to police in C’ River

    Efio-Ita Nyok|21 May 2017 
    MR Emmanuel Inyang, the Deputy Inspector General of Police coordinating police operations in the south-south states has commended the Neo Black Movement, a Pan African organization for constructing and handing over a building for the Cross River Police Command.
    Mr Inyang who made the commendation on Saturday evening in Calabar during the 13th annual lecture and 40th anniversary celebration of the movement stated that the Neo Black Movement through its philanthropic activities has shown that it was an organisation with good intentions for the development of society.
    Mr Inyang who spoke through the Cross River Police Commissioner, Mr Hafiz Inuwa stated that the  building was constructed with surprising speed adding that the police is underfunded and has inadequate personnel to man every nook and cranny of the country and therefore should be assisted by the people through provision of working tools and supply of information  to enhance their operations.
    “The police as we know it today is underfunded and the number of policemen cannot go round everybody as required by the United Nations so what the police needs is for the members of the public to partner with us by assisting us though the provision of working tools like vehicles, buildings, walkie  talkie and also giving us information about criminals around them”. Inyang stated
    He said members of the public have the right to arrest anyone seen committing a crime and subsequently hand over such a person to the police for integration before being charged to court.
    “Criminals live among us and some us of know them but sometimes people who know them keep quiet and such conspiracy of silence breeds crime which should not be the case because no one is immune to being attacked by hoodlums”
    Mr Cosmas Ndukwe, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly in a lecture on curbing youth restiveness stated that going by the United Nations definition of a youth which is those  between the ages of 15 and 24, most restive activities are carried out by those who are adults but the blame is heaped on the youths
    “People who are youths are those between the ages of 14 and 25 and this class of people  are  mostly primary and secondary school students and you  see a man who is forty or fifty engaging in restiveness instead of rightly terming it adult restiveness we still term it  but they are said to be youths restiveness”
    He said what will stem restiveness in Nigeria is good governance and justice because people would continue to agitate and demand for their rights where  they feel  ill treated  or subjected to acts of injustice at any given time.
    “The Neo Black Movement is at the vanguard for the fight against injustice by anyone and we  will continue to do that until the society is free of acts of oppresion and injustice”. Ndukwe concluded

    Efio-Ita Nyok
    Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org 

  • D.I.G commends Neo Black Movement for donating building to police in C’ River

    Efio-Ita Nyok|21 May 2017 
    MR Emmanuel Inyang, the Deputy Inspector General of Police coordinating police operations in the south-south states has commended the Neo Black Movement, a Pan African organization for constructing and handing over a building for the Cross River Police Command.
    Mr Inyang who made the commendation on Saturday evening in Calabar during the 13th annual lecture and 40th anniversary celebration of the movement stated that the Neo Black Movement through its philanthropic activities has shown that it was an organisation with good intentions for the development of society.
    Mr Inyang who spoke through the Cross River Police Commissioner, Mr Hafiz Inuwa stated that the  building was constructed with surprising speed adding that the police is underfunded and has inadequate personnel to man every nook and cranny of the country and therefore should be assisted by the people through provision of working tools and supply of information  to enhance their operations.
    “The police as we know it today is underfunded and the number of policemen cannot go round everybody as required by the United Nations so what the police needs is for the members of the public to partner with us by assisting us though the provision of working tools like vehicles, buildings, walkie  talkie and also giving us information about criminals around them”. Inyang stated
    He said members of the public have the right to arrest anyone seen committing a crime and subsequently hand over such a person to the police for integration before being charged to court.
    “Criminals live among us and some us of know them but sometimes people who know them keep quiet and such conspiracy of silence breeds crime which should not be the case because no one is immune to being attacked by hoodlums”
    Mr Cosmas Ndukwe, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly in a lecture on curbing youth restiveness stated that going by the United Nations definition of a youth which is those  between the ages of 15 and 24, most restive activities are carried out by those who are adults but the blame is heaped on the youths
    “People who are youths are those between the ages of 14 and 25 and this class of people  are  mostly primary and secondary school students and you  see a man who is forty or fifty engaging in restiveness instead of rightly terming it adult restiveness we still term it  but they are said to be youths restiveness”
    He said what will stem restiveness in Nigeria is good governance and justice because people would continue to agitate and demand for their rights where  they feel  ill treated  or subjected to acts of injustice at any given time.
    “The Neo Black Movement is at the vanguard for the fight against injustice by anyone and we  will continue to do that until the society is free of acts of oppresion and injustice”. Ndukwe concluded

    Efio-Ita Nyok
    Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org 

  • Ogoja Food Poisoning: Inyang Asibong's Health ministry wade into the brouhaha

    L-R: alleged culprit in the food poisoning identified as Paul Nchui, Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong 
    Our Correspondent|26 March 2017
    The Cross River State Ministry of Health has just confirmed that the 24th March incident in Ogoja which swept across 3 communities, claimed 2 lives and left 41 others in the hospital was as a result of herbicide emptied into a pot soup prepared by one of the deceased. This is putting to rest the various claims that suggests it was a strange disease other than food poisoning. The confirmation came following the test results from the samples collected from the victims yesterday.
    ‘The melon soup was contaminated by a member of the neighbouring community as a personal vendetta against the index community. The culprit has been arrested today. Apart from the two that died before they got to the hospital, the 41 patients in General Hospital Ogoja are in stable condition and have been discharged with follow up.
    The health and well-being of the people in the state remains paramount as the State government lead by Sen. Prof Ben Ayade is doing all it can to achieve this- Dr Inyang Asibong. 
    The State Ministry of Health has urged the public within the affected communities to remain calm and go about their normal activities as the situation is under control. All the 41 victims are in good clinical shape and have been discharged by the General Hospital Ogoja today with follow up.
    The sudden onset of vomiting, foaming in the mouth, body weakness and spitting out of blood with no trace of fever was as a result of the potency of the poison. The Cross River State Ministry of Health has since activated necessary emergency measures and commenced treatment of all affected cases.
    NegroidHaven… Truth in view of Africa’s liberty!

  • How CRSG mismanagement of issues escalated Boki Communal War —Joseph Odok

    One of the casualties
    Joseph Odok|24 March 2017
    Boki in recent days have been a theatre of war with a seed of bomb planted by bad handling by Ayade’s appointees: this may explode and escalate the crisis especially because of wrong handling by the Cross River State Government.
    After investigation, it becomes worthwhile to lay bare the origin of the crisis to help government solve the crisis and offer a roadmap for lasting peace.
    The history of the Borum Palm Estate has been a history of corruption and shortchanging the Palm Estate Land owners and some of the plot owners. The corruption is masterminded by the estate managers and a group of opportunist who use government apparatus to project their greed and anti people agenda. These class of political opportunists often found amongst government appointees are in the habit of using the the Borum Palm Estate to further their greed thereby sacrificing the larger interest of majority of Boki sons and daughters. The strategy of these greedy political appointees of government is to fuel crisis to stall any form of dialogue and cease opportunity to impose themselves as negotiators after getting the fiat of government. With the fiat of government sought and obtained, these political appointees come in to foist themselves on the people with violence and intimidation as the strategy to elongate their evil agenda.
    The long story of imposition and exclusion of landlords and major stakeholders is seed that spew the recent Boki crisis. 
    For record purpose, the present manager of the Borum Palm Estate collected monies for some people for some plots but failed to allocate plots to some  qualified bidders even after due consideration had been made. This created some dissatisfaction and is part of the narrative that instigated the communal crisis.
    With this happening, the appointees of the present government saw opportunity to foist their greed. They got a mandate from the governor to displace plot owners whose tenancy agreement is still subsisting. They quickly began selling forms through one notorious guy known for violence in the person of Mactomy Agan (SA to the governor on Infrastructure). Mactomy has a record of violence. Sadly he called me yesterday and threatened my life for daring to state facts. It is no news that Mactomy have been spotted in all violent activities inclusive of election crisis in Boki as a key actor, besides he is also known as one with no respect for elders. Yet a guy with this questionable pedigree is given the onerous task of handling issues of negotiation and allotting of plots by the governor. Sadly in the whole episode, Mactomy acting under the instructions of the Secretary to the government of Cross River State neglected counsel of major stakeholders: He chose the option of violence as the first resort. Violence begets violence tells the story.
    Mactomy who was working under the instructions of the Secretary to the State Government, was specifically advised to put a halt on the sharing of the plots until the expiration of the tenancy agreement of plot owners. He was blinded by greed and arrogance of government to disregard the wise counsel of elders. His disregard for elders met with resistance of the host communities.
    On the fateful day the crisis erupted, The Secretary to the State Governor advised Mactomy to forcefully take possession of the estate. Rumours has it that Hon Mark Obi reacted by organising his community to oppose the forceful possession of the estate.
    The Oku women could not fathom the arrogance of the appointees of government and organized a protest. The took to a traditional way of resistance common to Boki women ‘ekpa’: they danced naked and nude to sanitise the land. At this point the appointees of government were said to have ordered the police to open fire on the protesting women believed to be acting on the instructions of Hon Mark Obi. In the open fire, three women where shot, one died immediately and another was said to have died later with one still surviving. Women are said to be non combatant and never to be killed in war, the actions of the appointees of government firing guns on protesting women violates international best practices and is condemnable.
    Way Forward:
    1. The governor must as a matter of urgency stop any process of allotment of land until all issues are settled by Boki stakeholders especially the Ochibe Bokyi.
    2. Security guard should be adequately provided to safe guard the estate and the people.
    3. The governor must call Mactomy to order who is threatening anyone who dares says the truth. Until recent Mactomy Agan had threatened me and must be called to order.
    4. The governor should seek to hand over the management of the Borum Estate to whoever is best fit and with peaceful disposition for dialogue not violence.
    5. The governor should place the management of the estate on a committee under the office of the Ministry of Agriculture not the office of the Secretary to the State government or SA infrastructure.
    5. The government must give lasting ear to the recommendations of Ochibe Bokyi as a roadmap to ending the crisis.
    Joseph Odok Esq., Ph.D
    Social Change Agent

  • How CRSG mismanagement of issues escalated Boki Communal War —Joseph Odok

    One of the casualties
    Joseph Odok|24 March 2017
    Boki in recent days have been a theatre of war with a seed of bomb planted by bad handling by Ayade’s appointees: this may explode and escalate the crisis especially because of wrong handling by the Cross River State Government.
    After investigation, it becomes worthwhile to lay bare the origin of the crisis to help government solve the crisis and offer a roadmap for lasting peace.
    The history of the Borum Palm Estate has been a history of corruption and shortchanging the Palm Estate Land owners and some of the plot owners. The corruption is masterminded by the estate managers and a group of opportunist who use government apparatus to project their greed and anti people agenda. These class of political opportunists often found amongst government appointees are in the habit of using the the Borum Palm Estate to further their greed thereby sacrificing the larger interest of majority of Boki sons and daughters. The strategy of these greedy political appointees of government is to fuel crisis to stall any form of dialogue and cease opportunity to impose themselves as negotiators after getting the fiat of government. With the fiat of government sought and obtained, these political appointees come in to foist themselves on the people with violence and intimidation as the strategy to elongate their evil agenda.
    The long story of imposition and exclusion of landlords and major stakeholders is seed that spew the recent Boki crisis. 
    For record purpose, the present manager of the Borum Palm Estate collected monies for some people for some plots but failed to allocate plots to some  qualified bidders even after due consideration had been made. This created some dissatisfaction and is part of the narrative that instigated the communal crisis.
    With this happening, the appointees of the present government saw opportunity to foist their greed. They got a mandate from the governor to displace plot owners whose tenancy agreement is still subsisting. They quickly began selling forms through one notorious guy known for violence in the person of Mactomy Agan (SA to the governor on Infrastructure). Mactomy has a record of violence. Sadly he called me yesterday and threatened my life for daring to state facts. It is no news that Mactomy have been spotted in all violent activities inclusive of election crisis in Boki as a key actor, besides he is also known as one with no respect for elders. Yet a guy with this questionable pedigree is given the onerous task of handling issues of negotiation and allotting of plots by the governor. Sadly in the whole episode, Mactomy acting under the instructions of the Secretary to the government of Cross River State neglected counsel of major stakeholders: He chose the option of violence as the first resort. Violence begets violence tells the story.
    Mactomy who was working under the instructions of the Secretary to the State Government, was specifically advised to put a halt on the sharing of the plots until the expiration of the tenancy agreement of plot owners. He was blinded by greed and arrogance of government to disregard the wise counsel of elders. His disregard for elders met with resistance of the host communities.
    On the fateful day the crisis erupted, The Secretary to the State Governor advised Mactomy to forcefully take possession of the estate. Rumours has it that Hon Mark Obi reacted by organising his community to oppose the forceful possession of the estate.
    The Oku women could not fathom the arrogance of the appointees of government and organized a protest. The took to a traditional way of resistance common to Boki women ‘ekpa’: they danced naked and nude to sanitise the land. At this point the appointees of government were said to have ordered the police to open fire on the protesting women believed to be acting on the instructions of Hon Mark Obi. In the open fire, three women where shot, one died immediately and another was said to have died later with one still surviving. Women are said to be non combatant and never to be killed in war, the actions of the appointees of government firing guns on protesting women violates international best practices and is condemnable.
    Way Forward:
    1. The governor must as a matter of urgency stop any process of allotment of land until all issues are settled by Boki stakeholders especially the Ochibe Bokyi.
    2. Security guard should be adequately provided to safe guard the estate and the people.
    3. The governor must call Mactomy to order who is threatening anyone who dares says the truth. Until recent Mactomy Agan had threatened me and must be called to order.
    4. The governor should seek to hand over the management of the Borum Estate to whoever is best fit and with peaceful disposition for dialogue not violence.
    5. The governor should place the management of the estate on a committee under the office of the Ministry of Agriculture not the office of the Secretary to the State government or SA infrastructure.
    5. The government must give lasting ear to the recommendations of Ochibe Bokyi as a roadmap to ending the crisis.
    Joseph Odok Esq., Ph.D
    Social Change Agent