We Are Not Against Teachers Screening But Against The Process – Cross River NUT Chairman

The Chairman, Cross River State branch of National Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Eyo Nsa has frowned at the process of teachers’ audit embarked upon by State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) calling it a ‘stinker’.

 

He barred his mind recently in an exclusive interview with CrossRiverWatch in the union’s Headquarters, Calabar.

Resolving Niger Delta Issues Critical For Development – Governor Ayade

Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade has described as critical, the need to address the restiveness that has characterized the Niger Delta region as a panacea for development.

Ayade stated this when he received the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Sean Hoy and his team during a courtesy visit to his office Calabar where he said the crisis and challenges of the Niger Delta is one that can make the hardest man shed tears.

The governor said that “it is a legal, moral, complex, anthropological and sociological issue to resolve the complex issues within the ambit of human nature.”

According to him, “the choice for a point of intervention remains sacrosanct as no matter how much you have given to a man, liberty is better than slavery”, adding that “the people of the area yearn for redemption which comes from a philosophical change of attitude, re-orientation and restructuring of issues to ensure equity and fair play.”

We Are Suffering From Serious Pollution Caused By UNICEM, Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa Tells Government

The Cross River State Government has resolved to put an end to the lingering feud between United Cement Company, UNICEM and its host communities (Akpabuyo/Akamkpa).

The decision of the government’s was disclosed by Mr. Anthony Imoh, Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Content, during a courtesy call to His Royal Majesty, Ntufam Clement Emayi, Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State.

While addressing the SA, the King said they are fed up with the excesses of United Cement Company because the company is not leaving up to expectations.

His Royal Majesty, Ntufam Clement Emayi who was visibly angry said they are being exploited on daily basis.

He said, “We are suffering from all manner of pollution, water and air. They have no respect for us. I don’t have a car, my palace is nothing to write home about and they don’t care.

Complete List Of Governor Ayade’s 28 Commissioner Nominees Unveiled

1. Hon Sunday Achunekang – Obanliku
2. Engr. Mike ikor Eraye – Obudu
3. Hon Victor Adugba A. – Obudu
4. Barr Joe Abang – Ogoja
5. Thomas U. Udam – Ogoja
6. Prof Anthony Eneji – Bekwarra
7. Stella orem Odey – Yala
8. Hon john Ulafor – Yala
9. Hon Daniel Osim Asu – Boki
10. Barr George A. Ekpungu – Boki
11. Alice Olok Ekwu – Ikom
12. Barr Chris Nja – Ikom
13. Asu Okang – Etung
14. Gabriel Odu Oji – Etung
15. Peter Akam Egba – Obubra
16. Dr John Ofem Inyang – Yakurr
17. Hon Goddy Etta – Yakurr
18. Hon Franscis Etta – Abi
19. Chief Ofu E. Ayia – Biase
20. Rt. Hon Itaya Asuquo Nyong – Akamkpa
21. Rt. Hon George O’ben-Etchi – Akamkpa
22. Asuquo Ekpenyong (Jr) – Odukpani
23. Edem Inok Edem – Cal Municipality
24. Rosemary Effiom Archibong – Akpabuyo
25. Edem Okokon Effiom – Akpabuyo
26. Dr Inyang Asibong – Cal South
27. Oliver Orok – Cal South
28. Hon Savior Nyong – Bakassi

Ireland to Establish Development Centre in Calabar

The Republic of Ireland has indicated its preparedness to partner Nigeria, using Cross River State as the pilot state, to ensure it attains socio-economic and infrastructural development.

Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sean Hoy, disclosed this while on a courtesy call to the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.

The Irish government believes this will help address the problem of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

The Ambassador said that  his team are in Calabar to draw a framework of development that involves the state and Federal Government, in a bid to find the way forward in their respective developmental strives, as well as help curb restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

Mr Hoy who also announced the establishment of a development centre in Calabar as part of the initiative, said he had visited Bayelsa and Rivers States before choosing Calabar as the choice location.

Governor Ayade wonders: How can one say Cross River State is poor?

Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State, a former senator, a professor of environmental studies was in Lagos for an interactive session with relevant stakeholders involved in the forthcoming Calabar Festival. On the sidelines of the meeting the governor had an interactive session with newsmen during which he opened up on his style and strategic approach to governance. Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

On how he is approaching the tough economic challenges

Well the economy is slowing down and so government is supposed to downsize, reduce the number of ministries, cut down allowances and salaries, but that is really not the right way to go. Economics teaches us that it is as such times that governments that are socially sensitive are supposed to expand. At this period of cash crunch is when I have increased the number of ministries from 18 to 28.

Cross River Govt. official condemns burning of cocoa estate

Mr. Oscar Ofuka, Chairman, Cross River Cocoa Technical Management Team, has condemned the recent burning of the Benbege Cocoa Plantation and Settlement in Etung Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some unidentified youths from the area set the plantation and hundreds of building in the settlement on fire two weeks ago.

The youths were said to have been angered by the constitution of the first technical management team for the plantation which according to them, did not favour the area.

Ofuka told NAN in Calabar on Sunday that the action of the youths was completely in contrast with the objectives of the state government to revitalise cocoa industry in the state.

“Setting fire on the cocoa plantation and settlement is unacceptable for whatever reason. It is counter-productive.

“We know that with the dwindling fortunes of the naira, coupled with inflation, each cocoa stem and infrastructure ravaged was worth millions of naira,” he said.

40 killed, village head beheaded in Cross River communal clash

Forty persons have died in a communal clash between Ntan Obu-Ukpe in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State and Ikpanya Community in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Also, 40 persons, including women, mobile policemen and children have been reported missing as a result of the clash.

The Chairman of Odukpani Council, Stephen Asuquo, confirmed that they clashing communities recorded a number of casualties.

However, Hogan Bassey, spokesman of the Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Police, who also confirmed that casualties were recorded, said he could not give the exact number of the deceased.

Ndoma-Egba Urges FG To Withhold Allocation of States Over Non-Conduct Of Council Polls

FORMER Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has called on the federal government to withhold funds of state governments that fail to conduct local governments elections.

Ndoma-Egba spoke yesterday while briefing newsmen on the All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally slated for Calabar today to formally welcome some prominent Cross Riverians into its fold, said President Muhammadu Buhari should have the political will to sanction any state that fails to conduct elections into councils.

He said failure of any state governor to conduct the elections as and when due would amount to a breach of the constitution and should attract sanctions, where necessary.

Ndoma-Egba said: “All the state governors, including the governor of Cross River State, swore to an oath of office to defend and protect the constitution of Nigeria and the constitution provides very clearly for a democratically-elected system of local government.

NYSC plans lodge for members in Calabar

As part of efforts geared towards ameliorating the accommodation problems besetting members of the National Youth service Corps (NYSC) serving in Calabar, Cross River State, the management of the scheme is in receipt of three plots of land for the building of a residential lodge.

The State Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Ifeoma Anidobi, made this known while addressing over 3,000 corps members at the Calabar Municipal Council Headquarters.

She informed them that the council area has donated about three plots of land for the purpose of building a befitting edifice that would help in reducing the accommodation difficulties faced by them.

According to her, the lodge would be provided with borehole and recreational facilities that would help to make their service year memorable.