Paradise News

Tag: Nigeria

  • Olumba Olumba Obu is the Heavenly Father – BCS

    By Frank Ulom

    “…When we see Him (Olumba Olumba Obu), we see God the Father
    …The Father is in Him and He is in the Father
    …The Father and Him are one,” says the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.

    The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) has said it Leader, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, is the Heavenly Father.

    This was disclosed to newsmen on Thursday at the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star World Headquarters (WHQ), Calabar, Cross River State by the Spokesman, Christ Ambassador Edet Archibong, prior to the activities to mark the 2019 Heavenly Father event.

    According to Archibong, the 7-day event is to “draw attention to the fact that He who was handed the Kingdom of God on earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, is the Heavenly Father. When we see Him we see God the Father! The Father is in Him and He is in the Father. The Father and Him are one.

    “The duty of the Heavenly Father is to actualise and perfect the Kingdom. He is accomplishing this by ruling in peace, love and righteousness by which He will take man back to God”, he said.

    The theme of the event, Archibong said is “Thy throne O God is forever” which is quoted from Hebrews 1:8, adding that, “As we speak, BCS members from various parts of the world have started arriving Calabar for the Heavenly Father Event. It is estimated that about 30 thousand members will be in Calabar for the weeklong celebration.”

    The Spokesman of BCS also said that Obu has established the Kingdom of God on earth through numerous investments like; the establishment of First Royal Microfinance Bank, International Royal Farms Ltd., soon to be commissioned Rubber Processing Plant in Biase LGA, Children’s Homes and Scholarship Schemes, schools (primary, secondary and tertiary), football club, sporting tournaments and several others which everyone including none members are benefitting from.

    He said the Heavenly Father has brought the governance of God into the affairs of men. “God governs in righteousness, love, forgiveness, tolerance, truth and justice. On the contrary, the governance of man is characterised by hatred, discrimination, falsehood, intimidation, killings, imprisonment and injustice.

    “His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu is the Christ in His Second Advent, as identified by the Ancient of Days. The Kingdom of God has been established on earth. This is the time of judgment, the time of selection. The Heavenly Father is here to lead by example, to judge and to select. The will of God has been brought to bear on the affairs of men”, Archibong maintained.

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    He said further that events like this organised by the BCS have brought in huge influx of people into Calabar and other parts of the state, thereby improving on the economic and livelihood of the people through religious tourism.

    Christ Ambassador Edet Archibong (2nd Right), speaking during the press briefing ahead of the 2019 Heavenly Father Event at the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star World Headquarters, Calabar, Cross River State – Nigeria.

    The activities of the Heavenly Father event which will run from 18 – 24 November, 2019 will begin with the Opening Ceremony in day one (Nov 18) from 7.00am at the BCS WHQ, 24 Ambo Street, Calabar. Day two (Nov 19) will be Induction of Nobles from 3.00pm at the BCS WHQ too.

    The third day (Nov 20) of the event will feature Night with the Guiding Star at the BCS WHQ from 6.00pm, while the fourth day (Nov 21) will be featuring the Day of the Atonement still at the BCS WHQ, from 6.00am to 6.00pm.

    November 22 will be the fifth day of the event which will feature the Feast of Tabernacle from 4pm at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), while the day 6 (Nov 23) event will be the Carnival and Feast of Trumpets at the BCS WHQ and the grand finale (day 7, Nov 24) will be The Great Day at the U. J. Usuene Stadium, Calabar.

  • Governor Ayade is now a Knight of St. John (KSJ)

    Governor Ayade is now a Knight of St. John (KSJ)

    By Frank Ulom

    The governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade has been invested as a Knight of Saint John, KSJ International by the Roman Catholic Church.

    Ayade was recognised and bestowed as a KSJ on Saturday at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Calabar, in the presence of the Archbishop of Calabar, Most Rev. Joseph E. Ekuwem.

    Responding to his investiture as KSJ, Ayade said, “I’m humbled to have been inducted into the esteemed Knight of Saint John by the Catholic Church. This induction represents the end of my active struggle in human materialism; now I have started a new job, a journey towards God.

    “I start a journey towards putting everything I have towards the attainment of the ultimate essence of mankind, bringing value to humanity and getting closer to God.

    “I have indeed lived a lucky life with God taking me from my childhood to this day I have never spent a night in the hospital.

    “So from today, I choose to serve God and rededicate the rest of my days to the service of God and mankind.”

    The Governor in a separate statement promised to return back the six (6) primary schools taken over by the government in the past to the Catholic Church.

    The Catholic church’s request necessitated the recently held 2019 mini-education summit, where Ayade said he could not go against the request of God.

    He made the presentation to the Archbishop, the overall Catholic Church head in Cross River State, seeking to do more for God.

  • FAD FM: We’ve never sought for Gov’t funding since inception – CEO

    By Obeten Godfrey

    The Chairman and CEO of FAD Group, Mr. Fidelis Duker, has said that his organisation, FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, has never sought government funding since its inception in 2017.

    Duker disclosed this at a media parley held last Thursday at the station’s headquarters in Calabar, to commemorate the organisation’s two-year anniversary.

    Duker who is also the Regional Secretary General, Federation of Pan African Filmmakers, said the station was not set up for government patronage, and that the organisation have been running independently since its inception and would continue to do so in the years to come.

    “This place was not set up for government patronage. We’ve gone past that stage. We’ve run this place independently, and we will continue to run the station independently.

    “FAD FM is owned by the people, the people have the right to talk. FAD FM does not belong to the owners, it’s owned by the public and we are open to supporting as many as possible to air their views.

    “This station was created for the people, it’s not for any individual, it’s not for any politician,” said Duker who is also the CEO of Abuja Film Festival.

    Continuing, the CEO said the emergence of the station has redefined broadcasting and has brought pride to the state.

    “FAD FM has brought pride to Cross River State, FAD FM has come and it’s doing its own bit, giving the people the mic to say their minds; and for me, I believe that is the platform that the people, Cross Riverians need to follow,” he reiterated.

    Throwing light on the economic patronage of the station in the last two years, Duker said: “We have never sought government funding since we started operation. I have never for once in the last two years influenced the editorial policy of FAD FM.”

    He went further to disclose that FAD 360 TV, a subsidiary of FAD Group will begin operations before the end of the year with its headquarters domiciled in Calabar.

    On the level of preparedness for the takeoff of the TV station, He said: “Television is so technical and cumbersome. For the TV we don’t want to rush into it. We are definitely starting this year. We want to make the quality and standard local but an international standard. Equipments are on the ground, we are building capacity. We need to train people to handle those equipment before we finally take off.”

    When asked whether the station has broken even throughout its two years of existence, Mr. Duker had this to say:

    “We have not broken even, not yet because no profit yet, we will! Our target is 5 years. we are not at a loss, and we are not regretting, For us, we have seen it; we have a bright future, and we will get to our destination in due course.”

    “That the station is a commercial station established for profit making, there are times the organisation looks for major issues that affect the society and the populace.

    He assured that the station will witness a new face as it lifts up towards the years to come.

    On what the future holds for the station, the Marketing Manager, Mrs. Temitokpe Duker said, “In the last 2 years, it has been pretty challenging, but we have persevered. We used to have problems paying salaries, but right now we have a plan – a master plan on how we take care of the bills.

    She attributed the success of the station to perseverance and value addition, a feat she said has sustained the station.

    “We have never put money in front of what we’re doing. If you provide value, the money will come. We are here to give value, we are here to serve the people, and we are unshaken in terms of survival.

    “This is the basement of the scene for FAD. In the next couple of months, our Lagos and Abuja stations will open, and in the next few years we will have physical offices in virtually every station,” Mrs Duker said.

    The station which began transmission in September 2017 will be marking it 2 years anniversary by September 1.

  • Cross River budgets N500m for Green Carnival

    By NAN

    Prof. Ben Ayade, Cross River State Gov. on Tuesday, disclosed that the state would budget N500 million for the “Cross River Green Carnival in 2020”.

    Ayade made the disclosure at the 2019 Green Carnival with the theme: “Calabar Green Canopy Scheme” on Tuesday in Calabar.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Cross River Green Carnival is an annual event that is usually held annually in December.

    This is the first time the event will be held in July and part of the event is the 2019 carnival and planting of one million trees in the 18 local government areas of the State.

    The governor said that the state had earlier budgeted N100 million for the 2019 event.

    He said that the state planned to increase the budgetary allocation for the carnival in 2020 because of its importance as a business venture.

    “I know you look at this as a carnival, but I look at it like a business because by next year, every young resident of Cross River is expected to have a small nursery because they know the carnival is coming and we will need the trees.

    “We had to go to all the nursery farms from Benue to Abia, to be able to get the number of seedlings we have here today.

    “So if you know you are interested in making money out of that N500 million, you better start owning your own nursery, so that we can come to you and buy.

    “As young people you have the opportunity to do business with the state,” he said.

    According to him, the active cultivation of young trees is very critical for carbon dioxide assimilation and makes Cross River, the head quarters of the absorption of the deadly gas in the atmosphere.

    Ayade said that with the planting of one million trees, the state could go before the international community and Federal Government to ask for Green Bond for a financial reward.

    “You must note that Cross River has over 58 per cent of the entire forest cover of the country and our plan is to achieve 68 per cent. So we can go to the international community and ask for a Green Bond.

    “We will tell the world that we are indeed planting one million trees as a justification to support the deforestation process for construction of the super highway and industrial farms that are yet to come.

    “You cannot create a farm without causing deforestation,” he said.

    Similarly, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Gov. of Abia, who was a guest at the carnival, said each time he came to Cross River, he learnt something new.

    He said that planting a million trees would once again put Cross River and Nigeria in the world map, adding that Nigeria should be marketed from the window of Cross River.

    He however added that Abia would be coming to purchase rice seedlings from the Cross River Rice Seedling Plant to enhance rice production in Bende LGA of Abia.

    The Chairman of the Green Carnival committee, Mrs Alice Ekwu, said that the Green Carnival was all about planting trees.

    Ekwu said 2000 trees would be planted during the carnival but the process would be continuous until a million trees were planted.

    She thanked the governor for creating a Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry that took care of trending issues of global warming. (NAN)

    Watch Video Below…

  • Cross River Senators snatch 3 Senate Committee slots

    Cross River Senators snatch 3 Senate Committee slots

    By Frank Ulom

    Following the constitution of 69 Senate Committee Chairmen on Tuesday by the Senate President, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, the senators representing the 3 Senatorial Districts in Cross River State were all appointed to head a Committee each.

    President Lawan announced the naming of the Chairpersons and their Vice shortly after the Lawmakers unanimously voted to embark on the Senate’s annual recess.

    The three senators representing the 3 Senatorial Districts in Cross River State; North, Central and South were all appointed to head a Committee, unlike the Federal House of Representatives where only 3 Reps Members out of 8 were appointed.

    Two-time Senator, Sen. Rose Oko was appointed as Chairman Senate Committee on Trades and Investment. She’s representing Cross River State Northern Senatorial District at the Red Chambers.

    Meanwhile, the Senator representing Cross River State Central Senatorial District, Sen. Sandy Onor was appointed Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institution and TETFUND. This is his first time in the Senate Chambers.

    Another 2nd timer and Senator representing Cross River State Southern Senatorial District, Sen. Gershom Bassey was appointed Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

    It’s a big big one for Cross River State and for the first time in many many years the 3 Senatorial seats have been able to chair a Committee.

    See the full Committees, their Chairmen and Vice Chairmen are as follows:

    1. Agriculture – Abdullahi Adamu, Bima Enagi.
    2. Airforce – Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Michael Nnachi.
    3. Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes – Suleiman Kwari, Aliyu Wamakko.
    4. Appropriation – Barau Jibrin, Stella Oduah.
    5. Army – Ali Ndume, Abba Moro.

    6. Aviation – Dino Melaye, Bala Na’Allah.
    7. Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions – Uba Sani, Orji Uzor Kalu.
    8. Capital Market – Ibikunle Amosun, Binos Yero
    9. Communications – Oluremi Tinubu, Ibrahim Bomai.
    10. Corporation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD – Chimaroke Nnamani, Yusuf Yusuf.

    11. Culture and Tourism – Rochas Okorocha, Ignatius Longjohn.
    12. Customs, Excise and Tarrifs – Francis Alimekhena, Francis Fadahunsi.
    13. Defence – Aliyu Wamakko, Istifanus Gyang.
    14. Diaspora and NGOs – Bashiru Ajibola, Ibrahim Oloriegbe.
    15. Downstream Petroleum Sector – Sabo Mohammed, Philip Aduda.

    16. Drugs and Narcotics – Hezekiah Dimka, Chimaroke Nnamani.
    17. Ecology Climate Change – Mohammad Gusau, Olubunmi Adetunmbi.
    18. Education (Basic and Secondary) – Ibrahim Geidam, Akon Eyakenyi
    19. Employment, Labour and Productivity – Ben Umajumogwu, Kabiru Barkiya.
    20. Environment – Ike Ekweremadu, Ibrahim Hadejia.

    21. Establishment and Public Service – Ibrahim Shekarau, Barinadas Mpigi.
    22. Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions – Patrick Akinyelure, Ahmed Babba-Kaita.
    23. FCT – Abubakar Kyari, Tolu Odebiyi.
    24.Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs – Danjuma Laah, Yahaya Gumau.
    25. FERMA – Gershom Bassey, Kabir Barkiya.

    26. Finance – Adeola Olamilekan, Isa Jibrin.
    27. Foreign Affairs – Mohammed Bulkachuwa, Ignatius Longjohn.
    28. Gas Resources – James Manager, Biobaraku Wangagra.
    29. Health (Secondary and Tertiary) – Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Betty Apiafi.
    30. Housing – Sam Egwu, Lola Ashiru.

    31. ICT and Cybercrime – Yakubu Useni, Abdulfatai Buhari.
    32. INEC – Kabiru Gaya, Sahabi Ya’u.
    33. Industries – Adebayo Osinowo.
    34. Information and National Communication – Danladi Sankara, Aishatu Ahmed.
    35. Interior -Kashim Shettima, Diri Douye.

    36. Interparliamentary Affairs – Godiya Akwashiki, Abba Moro.
    37. Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters – Michael Bamidele, Emmanuel Oker-Jev.
    38. Land Transport – Abdulfatai Buhari, Nicholas Tofowomo.
    39. Legislative Compliance – Oriolowo Adeyemi, Sabi Abdullahi.
    40. Local Content – Teslim Folarin, Sabi Abdullahi.

    41. Local and Foreign Debts – Clifford Ordia, Bima Enagi.
    42. Marine Transport – Danjuma Goje, Adebayo Osinowo.
    43. Media and Public Affairs – Adedayo Adeyeye, Akwashiki Godiya.
    44. National Identity and National Population – Sa’idu Alkali, Suleiman Kwari.
    45. National Planning – Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    46. National Security and Intelligence – Abdullahi Gobir, Chukwuka Utazi.
    47. Navy – George Sekibo, Elisha Abbo.
    48. Niger Delta – Peter Nwabaoshi, Bulus Amos.
    49. Petroleum Upstream – Albert Akpan, Ifeanyi Ubah.
    50. Police affairs – Dauda Jika, Abubakar Tambuwal.

    51. Poverty Alleviation and Social Investment Program – Lawal Gumau, Michael Nnachi.
    52. Power -Gabriel Suswam, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
    53. Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases – Chuwkuka Utazi, Sadiq Umar.
    54. Privatisation – Theodore Orji, Oriolowo Adeyemi.
    55. Public Accounts – Mathew Urghohide, Ibrahim Hassan.

    56. Public Procurement – Shuaibu Lau, Lola Ashiru.
    57. Rules and business – Sadiq Umar, Yahaya Abdullahi.
    58. Science and Technology – Uche Ekwunife, Robert Boroffice.
    59. Senate Services – Sani Musa, Lawal Hassan.
    60. Solid Minerals, Mine, Steel Development and Metallurgy – Tanko Almakura, Oriolowo Adeyeye.

    61. Sports and Social Development – Joseph Garba
    62. State and Local Government – Lekan Mustapha, Francis Onyewuchi.
    63. Special duties – Yusuf Yusuf, Biobaraku Wangagra.
    64. SDGs – Aisha Dahiru, Lekan Mustapha
    65. Tertiary Institution and TETFUND – Ahmed Baba Kaita, Sandy Onor.

    66. Trade and Investment – Rose Oko, Francis Fadahunsi.
    67. Water Resources – Bello Mandiya, Christopher Ekpeyong.
    68. Women Affairs and Youth Development – Betty Apiafi, Aishatu Dahiru.
    69. Works – Adamu Aliero, Emmanuel Bwacha.

  • Full List of Ministers and their portfolios

    By Frank Ulom

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated and assigned portfolios to 43 ministers to assist him in running his second term from 2019-2023.

    Before the swearing-in, the 43-man ministers underwent screening by the Senate and were given a presidential treat to help them familiarise themselves with the affairs of the government.

    Out of the 43, 12 Ministers from Buhari’s first term made the final list and were also assigned portfolios – in which most of them retained their previous portfolios. Buhari himself retained the Minister for Petroleum portfolio.

    See the Full List of Ministers and their portfolios below:

    1. Abia – Uchechukwu Samson Ogah – Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development.

    2. Adamawa – Mohammed Musa Bello – Minister of FCT.

    3. Akwa Ibom – Godswill Akpabio – Minister of Niger Delta.

    4. Anambra – Dr Chris Ngige – Minister of Labour and Employment.

    5. Anambra – Sharon Ikeazu – Minister of State, Environment.

    6. Bauchi – Adamu Adamu – Minister of Education.

    7. Bauchi – Ambassador Mariam Kategu – Minister of State, Trade and Investment.

    8. Bayelsa – Timipre Sylvia – Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Under President Muhammadu Buhari).

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    9. Benue – George Akume – Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

    10. Borno – Mustapha Baba Shehuri – Minister of State Agriculture and Rural Development.

    11. Cross River – Goddi Jeddi Agba – Minister of State, Power.

    12. Delta – Festus Keyamo – Minister of State, Niger Delta.

    13. Enugu – Ogbonnaya Onu – Minister of Science and Technology.

    14. Edo – Osagie Ehanire – Minister of Health.

    15. Edo – Clement Agba – Minister of State, Budget and National Planning.

    16. Ekiti – Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo – Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

    17. Enugu – Geoffrey Onyema – Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    18. Gombe – Isa Ibrahim Patami – Minister of Communication.

    19. Imo – Emeka Nwajiuba – Minister of State, Education.

    20. Jigawa – Sulieman Adamu – Minister of Water Resources.

    21. Kaduna – Zainab Ahmed – Minister of Finance.

    22. Kaduna – Mohammed Mahmud – Minister of Environment.

    23. Kano – Sabo Nanono – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    24. Kano – Major Bashir Sani Magashi – Minister of Defence.

    25. Katsina – Hadi Serika – Minister of Aviation.

    26. Kebbi – Abubakar Malami – Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

    27. Kogi – Ramatu Tijani – Minister of State, FCT.

    28. Kwara – Lai Mohammed – Minister of Information and Culture.

    29. Kwara – Gbemisola Saraki – Minister of State, Transportation.

    30. Lagos – Babatunde Raji Fashola – Minister of Works and Housing.

    31. Lagos – Adeleke Mamora – Minister of State, Health.

    32. Nasarawa – Mohammed Abdullahi – Minister of State, Science and Technology.

    33. Niger – Zubairu Dada – Minister of State, Foreign Affairs

    34. Ogun – Olamilekun Adegbite – Minister of Mines and Steel Development

    35. Ondo – Tayo Alaosuadura – Minister of State, Labour and Employment

    36. Osun – Rauf Aregbesola – Minister of Interior.

    37. Oyo – Sunday Dare – Minister of Youth and Sports.

    38. Plateau – Pauline Talin – Minister of Woman Affairs.

    39. Rivers – Rotimi Amaechi – Minister of Transportation.

    40. Sokoto – Mohammed Dangidi – Minister of Police Affairs.

    41. Taraba – Sale Mamma – Minister of Power.

    42. Yobe – Abubakar Aliyu – Minister of State, Works and Housing.

    43. Zamfara – Sadiya Umar Farouk – Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

  • Essien Ayi wins Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency for the 5th time

    By Frank Ulom

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate for the Federal Constituency of Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South (ABC) in Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi, has won the constituency for the fifth time in a row.

    The incumbent House of Reps Member won the ABC Constituency with twenty-five thousand, seven hundred and seven (25,707) votes.

    He won his closest rival of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dominic Aqua, who managed only eighteen thousand, nine hundred and forty-six (18,946) votes.

    The result was announced by the Returning Officer, Prof Ojua Takim, on Monday in Calabar South INEC’s office.

  • Jarigbe Agom wins Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency

    Jarigbe Agom wins Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency

    By Frank Ulom

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Jarigbe Agom, has won the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in Cross River State for the second time in a row.

    Hon. Agom who is the seating House of Reps member emerged victorious with 35,006 votes after edging former State Security Adviser, and the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, Hon. Jude Ngaji, who scored 15,100 votes.

    Speaking shortly after his victory, Agom said, “I dedicate this victory to God and the good people of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency.

    “We are a fully emancipated generation and will not yield to the false perception that left our people in bondage in the past. Thank you, especially to our youths who came all out to protect their votes. It was revolutionary and purpose-driven.

    “I thank all the Leaders who resisted all attempts to sway their right thinking, through offers of transient pecuniary benefits. You all took a decision that will outlive us, for the benefit of our children, yet unborn. For our mothers, I appreciate your prayers and your bogus votes. For the ad hoc staff that tried to subvert the Will of our people, I have forgiven you. For those who fought against me, I want us to reconcile, so we can be in good standing with our Creator.

    “My promise to my beloved people is that I will do better and always put myself in your shoes. God bless you and reward you immensely,” he said.

  • Over 6 million people grace Carnival Calabar 2018

    By Frank Ulom

    Over six million (6,000,000) people from across the world are currently in the city of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria for the Carnival Calabar 2018.

    This year’s edition dubbed “Africanism” is the 15th edition of the biggest Street Party in Africa since it inception in 2004, a creative innovation by the then governor Donald Duke.

    The 2018 edition according to the Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah features 30 countries including Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Ukraine, United States of America, Mexico, Ghana and others.

    Findings by THE PARADISE NEWS reveal that over 6 million spectators have graced the Carnival Calabar 2018 so far, a record higher than that recorded in 2016, which was 4 million.

    Speaking during the flagging off of the event at the Millennium Park (11-11 Roundabout), Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, said the Carnival Calabar 2018 and its theme defines the real Africa, its cultural heritage, beautiful and natural resources.

    Photo: Prof. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State (Middle); Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade, First Lady of Cross River State (3rd Left); Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, 2019 Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (Left); Sen. Prince Florence Ita Giwa (2nd Right); Hon. Eric Anderson, Cross River State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism (Right); Miss Dorcas Kasinde, Miss Africa Calabar 2018 (3rd Right).

    He said, “Today, Africanism as our theme goes beyond Africa – it talks about Africanism, it talks about making Africa a big centre.

    “Africa is such a wonderful continent filled with beautiful people, very diverse culture, and today, we are here to show that truly truly, Africa is a virgin continent; the Western world knows it.”

    Ayade added that, “Civilisation started in Africa. Mining started in Africa. Africa has a high value of knowledge and innovation. Today, the African mindset, movement and everything in Africa is here in Cross River State and therefore I use this platform to unveil Africa to the world.

    “The Western world was the past, East (Far East Asia) is the present, Africa indeed is the future. Therefore, Africa holds a lot of promise to the world.”

    Ayade also presented the current winner of Miss Africa, Miss Dorcas Kasinde of Congo as he declared the long-hours street party open.

    Meanwhile, the SSA to Governor Ayade on Event Matters and the Chairman, Technical and Carnival Event Committee, Mr. Ken Aklah, said the theme “Africanism”, is a way of encouraging other Africans to believe in themselves and in what they have.

    “Africanism is a way of us saying thank you to God for creating Africa. It’s our way of encouraging Africans to begin to believe in themselves. It’s our own way of trying to draw attention – look at the natural resources that we have, look at the trees that we have, look at the beauty that exists in Africa; so why can’t we believe in ourselves and make Africa better,” Aklah said.

  • The Man Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR (Full Biography)

    The Man Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR (Full Biography)

    By Ifere Paul

    Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, is an author, bureaucrat, a politician, a philanthropist, and a farmer.

    Goddy Jedy-Agba was born on the 20th of August, 1958 in Obudu, Cross River State. He obtained his first Degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria in 1983. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka in 1989.

    In his novel, “Stepping Forward with Uti J.D Agba” published by Bookman publishers, Goddy Jedy-Agba captures his story while growing up while looking up to his father in shaping his life. Who and what he has become today is a product of a very long plan.

    As a bureaucrat, Goddy started his federal civil service work as Assistant Secretary II with the office of the head of service, federal secretariat Ikoyi in September 1984. By October 1984, he was posted to the department of health services, federal capital territory, Garki, Abuja, as assistance secretary II. In October 1985, he was reposted back to Lagos as a senior assistant secretary to the federal development authority, Lagos Liaison Office where he worked for two years. By the end of October 1987, Goddy Jedy-Agba was promoted as the deputy liaison officer, federal capital development authority, Lagos Liaison Office, Lagos State. He worked under this capacity till April, 1989, when he was carefully selected as the personal assistant to the honorable minister of special duties under the presidency, state house-Lagos. He was later selected, in December, 1990 to serve as the personal assistant to the honorable minister of state for foreign affairs, ministry of foreign affairs, Abuja. A position he occupied until January, 1993, when he was again, selected to serve as the personal assistant, honorable secretary of state, ministry of petroleum mineral resources, federal secretariat, Ikoyi. In November 1993, he became the head market research, crude oil marketing department, NNPC. He remained at that position until in 1995 when he was appointed the head gas/gas liquids/condensate sales, GGLU Crude Oil Marketing Department, NNPC.

    Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba retired voluntarily from the NNPC to pursue a career in the murky waters of politics. He attained the position of Group General Manager (GGM), Crude Oil Marketing Division (OMD), NNPC. He is the first from South-South to attain the position of GGM, Crude Oil Marketing in the NNPC.

    In September 2012, he was awarded and decorated with a National Honor in the rank of OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC, (OFR).

    Jedy-Agba retired from active service at the NNPC to join the governorship race in 2014. When it was obviously the turn of Cross River North to lead the state. But his ambition would be truncated by some powerful forces in government under the PDP in the guise that the north had no suitable candidate to present as governor. Goddy Jedy-Agba retired even though he had 3 more years in service, and offered himself as a sacrificial lamb to serve his people.

    By the time he decided to contest the election, the political calculations to deny the north the chance of governing Cross River State was abandoned. Instead, the powers that be, started scheming to bring someone else from the same north. Be that as it was, Goddy Jedy-Agba was caught with what he referred to as a health scare. This made him stepped aside from one of the most pronounced campaigns in the history of Cross River State.  He eventually issued a press release withdrawing from the elections against the wishes of his teeming supporters.

    The fact remained that without the entrance of Goddy Jedy-Agba in the governorship race, perhaps, those who have laid siege on the progress of Cross River State would have taken the governorship to southern Cross River. Even though he almost lost his life in the process, he is however fulfilled that the north got a chance to lead the State.

    It is a miracle that Goddy Jedy-Agba came out from the cold to tell his story in the book “Stepping Forward with Uti J.D.Agba”, coauthored with Mathias Okoi-Uyouyo.

    Goddy Jedy-Agba is a philanthropist of the highest order. He has touched so many lives. It is uncharacteristic of him to tell others of what he has done for humanity. There is always a cluster of helpless people trooping to his office for one kind of help or another. He derives pleasure in solving people’s problems. Goddy Jedy-Agba has provided scholarship to so many Cross Riverians in different institutions in Nigeria and abroad. He has trained people in different spheres of endeavors, and has placed a lot of young talents in different jobs in Nigeria.

    He is one of the prosperous business magnets from Cross River State who doesn’t depend on government money to survive. He does not joke with his businesses. He loves farming and produces everything he eats, and owns one of the largest farms in Cross River State.

    Jedy-Agba is one of the major employers of labor in Cross River State, especially through his Godilogo Farms Limited which was incorporated on the 19th July, 2004, but which commenced commercial operations in early 2005.

    The farm at onset was established as an integrated commercial farm with a medium-term plan of setting up facilities for the processing of cassava roots into industrial intermediates like High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), industrial grade starch, and other derivatives such as glucose, fructose syrups, etc. However, it diversified into rice cultivation and processing to take advantage of the very large market for edible rice south and east of the River Niger.

    The Gogilogo Farm employs over 6000 local farmers in its out growers program alone. This helps to put food on the table of local farmers and their households. The farm also distributes free medicines and other provisions to raise the standard of living among farmers, while ensuring that living quarters of these critical employees are kept clean and hygienic.

    Apart from keeping a farm for the production of cassava, rice, yam flour, garri, starch, etc, Jedy-Agba also rears cattle. He refers to himself as a herdsman. His cattle farm produces fresh milk, yogurt, cheese, butter and other dairy products.

    His book has received so many accolades. The following are excerpts:

    “Stepping Forward with Uti J. D. Agba is the autobiography of Cross River State born administrator, farmer and politician, Goddy Jedy Agba. It is written in collaboration with Mathias Okoi-Uyouyo. Goddy Jedy Agba is the son of Uti J. D. Agba, Paramount Ruler of Obudu.

    The nine-chapter book is a well researched, brilliantly written and inspiring story. It is a gaze into Goddy Jedy Agba’s past history, background and antecedent. It is also an anthropological expose of the Utugwang ethnic group and its monarchy; as well as the politics of the First Republic, especially in the Eastern Region. Uti J. D. Agba, Goddy Jedy Agba’s father, then Chief the hon. J. D. Agba was a member representing Obudu Division in the Eastern Region House of Chiefs. Of all the members of the House of Chiefs in that era: Northern, Western and Eastern, Uti J. D. Agba is the only surviving member.

    “Good people of Sankwala, with love and gratitude”, Stepping Forward with Uti J. D. Agba is a journey into the life and philosophy of Goddy Jedy Agba. A life filled with gratitude to God and to men; a life embedded in realism; a life that have faced life-threatening vicissitudes and challenges that have all helped in defining and shaping his humanity” …….as published in TheMetro Lawyer by Sebastine Eko.

    “A researched, brilliantly written and inspiring story.” …Nigeria Chronicle

    “Stepping Forward with Uti J.D.Agba is an autobiography of high order, intended to sustain the reader’s interest, remain true to the historical evidence, and deliver a message, all at the same time… The of the book to be too rich, too sensitive, and too warmly nostalgic, is offset by the unrelenting accuracy of its language. Goddy Jedy-Agba and Mathias Okoi-Uyouyo have written one of the finest portraits of the politician as a biographer that the English language has ever known.” …The Authority

    “It’s not a simple story of the like ‘father, like son’, but a filtered narration of progenies powered by predecessors and ascending to the heights of challenges’ and endeavours.” …Professor Kalu Uka

    “Stepping Forward with Uti J.D. Agba is an autobiography, rich in history, culture and good diction.’ …… Leadership

    At 60, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba has accomplished many of his heart’s desire. He is an “Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. He is happily married to Beatrice Jedy-Agba, OON, with several children.

    As 2019 approaches, the people of Cross River State are looking keenly at Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, whether or not he will declare any intents in once again, to contest the Cross River State governorship seat.

    Until then, I want to use this medium to send sixty hearty cheers to Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, on his Sixtieth Birthday Celebration.