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Tag: Efio-Ita Nyok

  • Dad bequeath to me spirituality and education – Dr Nyok

    Dad bequeath to me spirituality and education – Dr Nyok

    By Kelvin Obambon

    One of Cross River’s media activists and social change agents, Dr Efio-Ita Nyok, has said that his sojourn into the field of philosophy was not an accident, but rather a decision inspired by his upbringing and family values.

    Nyok stated this at the weekend during a reception organized to celebrate him on his convocation. He was among the very few scholars that were awarded PhDs by the University of Calabar (UNICAL). He was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Philosophy.

    Obtaining a PhD is no mean feat. Dr Nyok deserves to be celebrated. He has demonstrated uncommon courage, determination and resilience in the face of daunting challenges. His continued quest for knowledge reflects the value his family places on education.

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    Dr Nyok disclosed that although he had at some point opted to study medicine, he however did not regret his decision to settle for philosophy. He said that his parents brought him and his siblings up in a Christian way, and studying philosophy would help consolidate his spirituality and thus enable him contribute towards building a just and moral society.

    He thanked family members, friends and former course mates who encouraged and cheered him up while he was running the academic race. He now looks forward to investing his wealth of knowledge in fostering a progressively peaceful and harmonious society that is a sine qua non for social, political and economic development.

  • Efio-Ita Nyok Emerges Chair of P4P Cross River Electoral Committee

    Efio-Ita Nyok Emerges Chair of P4P Cross River Electoral Committee

    Efio-Ita Nyok has been elected as the Chairman of the newly constituted 5-Man Electoral Committee of the Cross River state Chapter of the Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P). The committee, tasked with overseeing the 2025 State Executive Council elections, held its inaugural meeting on March 4, where Nyok was unanimously chosen to lead the team.

    Nyok, a reputable member of P4P with a rich history of service, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Cross River Chapter in 2018 and eventually rose to sit on the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the P4P from 2019 to 2022 where he contributed his quota in overseeing the activities of the network across the 9 states of Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. During his tenure in the CWC, he distinguished himself as the National Research and Documentation Officer (NRDO), contributing significantly to the organization’s strategic initiatives.

    Nyok is a certified mediator and conciliator, having been a member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC) since 2022. His expertise in conflict resolution and mediation further strengthens his capacity to lead the Electoral Committee in ensuring a peaceful and transparent election process.

    The Electoral Committee was officially constituted on February 22, 2025, in accordance with Section 6, Subsection 8 of the P4P Charter. The committee members include:
    1. Efio-Ita Nyok – State Representative (Chairman)
    2. Joy Ikpeme – State Representative
    3. Rev. Emmanuel Etta – Subchapter Representative
    4. Careen Nkeruwem – Subchapter Representative (Secretary)
    5. Cletus Bassey – Ex-Officio

    The committee has been mandated to conduct the 2025 State Executive Council elections in strict adherence to the provisions of the P4P Charter, ensuring a transparent, fair, and credible process.

    In a statement announcing the committee’s formation, the State Coordinator of P4P Cross River, Ukorebi Esien, urged members to extend their full support to the committee as they carry out their duties.

    “I plead that we give them the needed support to conduct a successful election,” Esien said. “We remain grateful for all your contributions and commitment to the ideals of P4P.”

    As Chairman, Nyok is expected to leverage his extensive experience in research, documentation, public relations, and conflict resolution to steer the committee toward delivering a seamless electoral process.

    In his acceptance remarks, Nyok expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to uphold the principles of fairness and transparency.

    “I am honored to lead this committee at such a critical time,” Nyok said. “Together, we will work diligently to ensure that the 2025 elections reflect the true spirit of P4P and the aspirations of our members.”

  • The Importance of Upholding Democratic Values in Cross River’s Upcoming Local Government Elections

    The Importance of Upholding Democratic Values in Cross River’s Upcoming Local Government Elections

    By Efio-Ita Nyok, Ph.D

    The Cross River State Government has recently announced its intention to conduct the long-awaited local government elections, and expectations are high across the 18 local government areas (LGA) and 196 wards. As an APC-dominated state, with Governor Bassey Otu at the helm and the state legislature fully under APC control, there are growing rumors that the governor may seek to claim all 18 executive chair seats and 196 ward councillor positions for his party. This raises concerns over the fairness of the electoral process and the democratic principles Governor Otu campaigned on—his “Peoples First” mantra, which resonated deeply with voters.

    Governor Otu must remember that his “Peoples First” campaign was anchored on putting the interests of Cross Riverians above personal or partisan gains. Democracy is about giving people a choice and empowering them through free and fair elections. To sweep all LGA chairmanship and ward councillor seats for the ruling APC would not only contradict his stated principles but also risk undermining the trust that voters placed in him. It is a slippery slope from being a people’s champion to becoming the face of tyranny and injustice. Governor Otu himself experienced political exclusion when a former Cross River governor undemocratically deprived him of a second term bid to the Senate. He should not allow history to repeat itself, this time with him as the antagonist.

    In this light, it is commendable that the governor has decided to review the prohibitive costs of the forms for LGA elections. Initially set at 5 million Naira for chairmanship forms and 1 million Naira for councillor forms, the governor’s revision to 1 million Naira and 200,000 Naira respectively is a significant gesture toward democratizing the process. This decision not only makes the election more accessible to a broader pool of candidates but also reflects a commitment to ensuring that leadership at the grassroots is not limited to the wealthy elite. By reducing the financial barriers to participation, Governor Otu has taken a positive step toward inclusivity, enabling more qualified individuals to contest for office and serve their communities.

    The call by the 17 opposition political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for fairness is not a cry for undue advantage but a reminder that they, too, contributed to Governor Otu’s electoral victory. They worked for a democratic outcome, and as such, they have a legitimate expectation that their members will be allowed a fair chance to contest and win seats in the local government elections. True leadership means embracing pluralism, not stifling it. A one-party sweep would raise red flags and taint the integrity of the election.

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    Additionally, the role of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) in this process cannot be overstated. CROSIEC, in recent engagements with IPAC, made promises of conducting a free, fair, and credible election. This is the time for them to prove that their words were not just political rhetoric. They must rise to the occasion by maintaining transparency in the election process, allowing equal access to the electoral field for all political parties, and ensuring that the will of the people truly prevails.

    The integrity of Cross River State’s democratic institutions is at stake. Governor Otu, in collaboration with CROSIEC, has an opportunity to set a precedent of fairness and justice that will stand the test of time. He must resist the temptation to grab power and instead focus on fostering a healthy, competitive political environment where the best candidates emerge based on merit and the will of the people. Anything less would undermine the democratic fabric of the state.

    Dr Efio-Ita Nyok is a social commentator. He writes from Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.