Paradise News

Tag: Nigeria

  • Cult clash: 3 shot dead in Akwa Ibom State

    By Emmanuel Umoh

    The raging war between two cult groups, Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe has claimed the lives of three persons in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    THE PARADISE NEWS gathered that one of the deceased identified as Mr. Ubong Etuk was killed in a gruesome manner after being shot in the head.

    It was further gathered by our correspondent that the two groups had been chasing each other’s shadows for the past three months before the weekend clash that started in a motel at Afaha Uqua Eket.

    One was killed at Liverpool Road, another in Uqua Village, while the third person was killed at a sit-out at Atai Ndon Village, all in Eket.

    Further information has it was that the clash leading to the death of three cult members started on Sunday when a member of Vikings Confraternity unleashed terror on a member of the Black Axe with machete cuts.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Odiko MacDon, who confirmed the incident, urged members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear as the Police are on top of the situation.

  • Carnival Calabar 2018 theme dubbed ‘Africanism’

    By Frank Ulom

    The theme of Carnival Calabar 2018 Festival has been unveiled and it was dubbed “Africanism”.

    Unveiling the theme on Monday, the Cross River State governor, Sen. Ben Ayade charged band leaders to ensure they promote the true African cultural heritage in their parades.

    He said, “This year’s carnival Calabar will tell the African story. Telling the African story from the African perspective. It will bring the global attention to the plight of Africa.”

    Governor Ayade further lamented the schemes of the Western world designed to ensure the continent remains the whipping dog of the world as well as under their political and economic control.

    Ayade has since assumption of office in 2015, chosen themes that deal with continental Africa for the 11th, 12th and 13th editions of what is been tagged ‘Africa’s largest street party.

    While commending the Cross River State Carnival Commission, organisers of the carnival for taking the Carnival from number 15 to number 2 in the world in just three years, Ayade also questioned, “Who said we can’t be number one in the world, who said Brazil must always be number one.”

    Speaking earlier, Mr. Gabe Onah, Chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, assured that the commission is making efforts to put everything in place to ensure that Carnival Calabar becomes one of the greatest events in Africa and beyond.

    He noted that the Carnival has offered an opportunity for the state to tell its own story to the world. “Your Excellency, you have been called a man of connectivity because you have brought the whole of Africa under one roof.”

    Mr. Onah also announced Botswana, the home of current Miss Africa winner will be attending the International Carnival for the first time.

    Some of the dignitaries at the unveiling include International Carnival Consultant and organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Eric Anderson,  Special Adviser Governor’s Office, Hon. Kenn Aklah, Miss Africa 2017, Miss Gaseangwe Balopi and a host of others.

  • Gershom Bassey’s billboard phone numbers belong to Mortuary attendant – Commentator

    Gershom Bassey’s billboard phone numbers belong to Mortuary attendant – Commentator

    A renowned social Commentator has said, that the two phone numbers listed on the Senator representing Cross River South at the National Assembly, Senator Gershom Bassey’s billboard stationed at Efio-Ette roundabout in Calabar, the state capital belong to a mortuary attendant.

    Efio-Ita Nyok who is also the publisher of NegroidHaven.Org, a popular online blog analysed the lapses behind Senator Bassey’s approach on politics, adding that effective leadership doesn’t follow lies.

    In his recent article title, ‘BASSEYGATE: RECOMMENDATIONS TO SALVAGE THE SPIRALING PUBLIC REPUTATION OF A NIGERIAN LAWMAKER’, Nyok was able to say the phone numbers on the billboard weren’t connecting at the time of his article, adding that the one that connected was answered by a Mortuary attendant.

    According to him, “I understand that distinguished Senator Gershom Bassey was accosted on Wednesday 24th January 2018 by a handful of constituents mainly youths at the gate of his Akai Efa, Calabar residence and demanded that the lawmaker tell them when his twin phone numbers will finally connect. Can somebody deny this piece of information, please? Hmmmm!

    “Before I proceed in my unplanned commentary, let me first express my profound disappointment with the trend of criticism that has greeted the twin phone numbers published at Efio-Ette Junction, Calabar.

    “The question is, why publish a set of phone numbers to the public that have not been registered (Sen. Bassey particularly admitted this when he entertained Calabar South Constituents at his residence in Akai Efa recently)? Why publish phone numbers to the public when you know they ain’t yet connect-able?

    “Publishing these phone numbers at such a time as this, particularly considering the fact elections are drawing near implicitly suggests that you have been deliberately elusive. Put differently, as a public officer, a majority of your eager constituents have not been able to relate with you: for two years and six months!? And when you finally agreed to meet with them, it’s through a perceived scam!? No! This is totally condemnable!

    “Follow me, please, let’s see whether we locate a solution to this your in-accessibility: Where’s your constituency office sir? If there are any, how many are in the seven local government areas that constitute Cross River Southern Senatorial District? Supposing it’s just one, don’t you think it should be seven as well to allow for easy access to the Distinguished? Should it be just one unpopular building?

    “Fast forward to the phone lines – I can’t leave them: When the lines finally connect, something disappointing happens: a mortuary attendant I learnt took the call – I have not confirmed it though: so, can’t the ‘landed eagle’ beckon with one of his flapping wings to any of his job seeking constituents and pay them to take these thousands of calls!? Hmmm!” Nyok wrote.

    Apart from Sen. Gershom Bassey punditically, Nyok also gave some Recommendations. Read his recommendations below;

    “They say a criticism is constructive when it offers solutions, while I am not a proponent of this sentiment, for germane purposes, let me bulge:

    *Open 7 constituency offices in the 7 LGAs of ‘the south’ beginning from the riverine areas of Bakassi through Biase.

    *Employ ‘desk officers’ who are answerable to your Chief of General Staff (CoS) reportedly Ekanem Samantha Bassey.

    *Equip these offices, particularly installing a dedicated phone line. That is to say, the not-connecting-twin-phone-numbers should be increased to 7.

    *Train those desk officers for courtesy while taking calls, etc.

    *Publish the addresses of these anticipated 7 constituency offices to the public.

    *These constituency offices should be an information hub acquainting your constituents of your activities in respect of representing them at the Red Chamber: your bills, motions, itinerary, developments programmes, etc.

    *For those who don’t feel like going to the constituency office, set up a website for the same purpose above —beyond being the ever-landing sorry, landed eagle, I propose you become a digital Senator.

    *Employ a website administrator who will update the site of your official activities. Coco-Bassey Esu, though after serious training in public relations, may come in handy here. Sequel to his brief training, he can be under monitoring for a while to check for foul linguistics expressions and other related uncouth tendencies. Victor Inyang readily comes to mind for this monitor and tutelage.

    “With the above free consultation, I think your challenge of inaccessibility will be greatly corrected as your public image, which I honestly doubt is in a positive light, with the exception of your family and cronies will improve”, Nyok added.

  • C/River First Lady hosts Southern Governors’ Wives in Calabar

    By Frank Ulom

    The First Lady of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade on Thursday hosted all the First Ladies from the southern part of Nigeria at her maiden Southern Governors Wives’ Forum in Calabar, the state capital.

    The Southern Governors Wives’ Forum comprises of States in the South-South, South-East and South-West geopolitical zones.

    The wives of the Governors who could not take their eyes off the aesthetic nature of the state, right from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport through the beautiful city of Calabar to the Presidential Lodge, testified to the hospitality the state is known for.

    Mrs. Ayade who has been able to attract the meeting to the state amidst her predecessors through her pet projects, Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) and Cross River Women Empowerment Initiative (CROWEI) was filled with joy while meeting with her colleagues and their entourages.

    The meeting will be a 3-day event, with Thursday 26th 2017 (i.e. today) being the arrival of the Southern Governors Wives to Calabar.

    Friday, 27th October 2017 will feature a courtesy call on the Governor of Cross River State, interactive sessions with women, and an empowerment ceremony for women at Adiabo Town Hall, Tinapa. The meeting is expected to be rounded off with a Dinner/Gala Night at the Dome, Calabar Municipal Council.

    Meanwhile, Saturday will feature a get-together and departure of the guests.

    Elsewhere, the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade who is a gender-friendly Governor is pleased to welcome the Wives of his colleagues from the southern states of Nigeria.

    Ayade who felt many women would be touched and their lives lifted, commended his amiable wife for her empowerment initiative for women, which has been scheduled as a major feature of the Governors’ Wives meeting.

    The Forum is headed by Dr. Eneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha as Chairman.

  • CRSG reveals 2017 Carnival Calabar Theme

    By Achiane Adams

    Cross River State Government reveals the 2017 Carnival Calabar Theme as the first Dry Run kicks off.

    His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, has revealed that the 2017 Carnival Calabar Theme is ‘MIGRATION’. Prof. Esu made this known during the flag-off of the 2017 Carnival Calabar’s first dry run at Millennium Park, Calabar.

    Welcoming visitors to the State, Esu promised that based on the progress recorded over the years, this year’s carnival will be bigger, better and bolder. He said everyone is welcome to join in the excitement.

    Speaking earlier, the representative of the Federal Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Grace Isu Gekpe, while apologizing for the Minister’s absence, thanked the people of Cross River State for the amazing reception given to her even though she is an indigene and promised to extend their warm regards to him.

    She said she was really impressed with the passion and effort put into the planning of the festival when she visited the Seagull and Freedom Bands camps.

    Mrs Gekpe added that in the area of costuming, more should be done to promote local textiles and pledged the Ministry’s support to publicise Cross River State’s local content to the rest of the world.

    The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, while congratulating the State for maintaining her role as the nation’s leading tourism destination, said the monorail ride which was his first, from Tinapa Business Resort Limited to the Calabar International Conference Center is a project that deserves recognition and commendation.

    During his opening remarks earlier, the Chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, lauded Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade’s spirit of carnival as he had in the last two years doubled the excitement and fun of the Carnival Calabar Festival with improved criteria and acrobatics.

    Onah said this year’s carnival promises to be more thrilling as all hands are on deck to ensure that the fun gets better.

    After the flag-off, Prof. Esu led dignitaries through the carnival route to Mary Slessor Roundabout, where they sat to watch the different bands.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Tina Banku Agbor, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. John Gaul Lebo, Chief of Staff, Hon. Martins Orim, amongst others, were also present at the event.

    This year’s carnival is expected to attract participants from 25 countries.

  • Cross River First Lady commissions 1st ever Home Health Care

    By Frank Ulom

    Cross River State First Lady, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade on Saturday commissioned the launch of Home Health Care, a programme by Vital Signs in collaboration with AyadeCare in Calabar.

    Speaking, Dr Ayade who praised the innovation said, in the past years, it’s been difficult to get good medical services due to the torrential system. And that, many efforts from those in the medical sector have proved infertile.

    She added that, it was a very big delight to the state when His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade brought in the AyadeCare. According to her, the innovation is there to help both the rich and the poor and for all to have quality healthcare at the time of need.

    Speaking on the benefits of these programmes, Dr Ayade spread the play on why everyone should get a health insurance.

    Her words: “Sometimes when someone falls sick, it’s either you don’t have the means to go to the hospital or you don’t have the hospital near you at the time you need it. Those are the challenges that AyadeCare is here to tackle.”

    The stipend of N1000 per month which is an accumulative of N12000 per year for Home Health Care, Dr Ayade said is cheaper for everyone than what a person pays when he/she falls ill and later admitted in a hospital. But with AyadeCare, she said no matter the illness and number of times, the insurance covers all.

    “As we are launching the Home Health Care of the AyadeCare, we hope that Cross River State in the nearest future would be a hub to refer to in Nigeria in terms of medical care.

    “Health is wealth and if we know we’d keep ourselves healthy, then we shall get even wealthier. We’ve exemplified that today, and hopefully in the future, Cross River State will begin to get quality healthcare”, Ayade said.

    Giving her remarks, the CEO of Vital Signs and the Chief Host of Home Health Care, Dr. Genevieve Barnaby Ephraim said the programme will slow the growth of Healthcare cost for families, businesses and the government. She added that, it’ll save lives due to early intervention and at the same time reduce infection rates as well as encouraging and continuing care between the home and hospital.

    Dr. Barnaby whose inspiration was drawn from her livelihood in Cross River State and the United Kingdom said, “Healthcare is decisive of our future prosperity, it concerns more than material things, it is above all moral issues but concerns fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our state.

    “The government has stepped in to bring Home Health Care Services. Let us all join hands together to bring some basic peace of mind to our families”, she concluded

    His Royal Highness, the Ndidem of the Quas, Sir Barr. Dr. Patrick Inok Agbor who blessed the project also applauded Governor Ayade who innovated the Home Health Care.

    He advised all and sundry including the members of the royal palace to embrace the programme as it will help curb poverty in Cross River State.

    His words: “This is the healthcare that has been made feasible, affordable and ever ready to reach you wherever you are.

    “For our Elders and the senior citizens of this State, I brought you purposely to see what is going to happened, so that tomorrow no one will say he’s not informed.

    “This is the process where you can stay at the comfort of your home and use a simple phone call and services will be delivered to you in a very short period of time. The service you’ll derive from here will be far much cheaper than that of the hospital which is more stressful and barely reliable”, he said.

    Speaking also at the event was the Chairman, Dr. Inyang Asibong, Honourable Commissioner for Health who pointed 4 key things about health insurance which includes; making Healthcare available, affordable, feasible and accessible for everyone. She added that, the Vital Signs’ Home Health Care is a component of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme (CRSHIS) known as AyadeCare that is starting October 1st, 2017.

    “The Home Health Care is the concept of bringing healthcare services to the comfort of our homes for just N1000. It’s specifically designed for the elderly ones, people who are very sick and cannot make it to the hospital, etc.

    “It is the first of it kind in Nigeria and other states are watching to see how it’ll work out so for them to follow. Therfore, everybody should key in, since it’s everyone’s programme and not for government alone.

    “The programme is designed for everybody, both indigenes and non-indigenes and at the same rate of N1000, just like the AyadeCare”, she concluded.

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu who lauded the innovation was pleased to say the Agency has donated a building already for the Home Health Care. She thanked Governor Ayade, Dr Linda Ayade, the Commissioner for Health and the chiefs for the support as the programme is the key to quality healthcare delivery at everyone’s door’s step.

    She said that, one of the very strong request of Governor Ayade was to see that quality healthcare services can be taken to the doors of everyone in Cross River State; this is what gave rise to the AyadeCare.

    She said, “I am so grateful that we have a little part of the AyadeCare which is today Home Health Care.

    “We have equally given our supports to ensure that workers will go to homes to deliver services to all registered persons.

    “This is the first in Nigeria, and we hope we can replicate other Local Government Areas across the state almost immediately so that other states in Nigeria can emulate Cross River State.

    “We are proud of AyadeCare as it’s started from the Home Health Care, we are proud that Cross River is making progress in achieving Universal Health Coverage,” Dr Edu said.

    Earlier speaking was Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba, Consultant Surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital who said, health insurance is an interesting new innovation.

    He added that, Nigeria Healthcare has undergone several innovations including; the paediatric care, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), etc.

    “The problem in our society today is for the arrangement of patients to be administered into the hospital, but with the advent of Home Health Care Plus, that problem can be partly solved.

    “The benefit of health care services is not only for healthcare alone. The service is for patients to be cared for and nurtured in the environment they’re familiar with”, Prof. Ndoma-Egba said.

    Speaking also was the SA to the Governor on Insurance, Mr Godwin Iyala who spoke elaborately on why Governor Ayade tied insurance with health care. He said the objective can be drawn from the AyadeCare and the Home Health Care today.

    The SA applauded the innovation of Governor Ayade and the thinking force of Dr Barnaby as Cross Riverians cam now accessed quality healthcare with just a token of N1000.

    “What is happening in Home Health Care is just a little beginning of the AyadeCare. When you pay N1000 a month, you’re entitled to quality health services; this is just the beginning”, Mr. Iyala said.

    Highpoint of the event featured free medical checkups, health lecture speeches delivered by Mr Paschal Akpo, Dr Jane Adah, Provost, College of Health Technology, Professor Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, Professor Victor Ansa, Nurse Emelda Duke.

    Present at the event were Her Excellency, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo; Professor Okegbe, Chief Medical Director, Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar; Dr Nchewi Ani, President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter; Dr Ene-Obong, a UK based Health Expert; Comr. John O. Ushie, Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress, Cross River State Chapter; and others.

  • 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 

  • 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 

  • 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