Month: December 2022

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News Politics

Ayade Is Working – Obanliku Indigenes Chant as Fresh Set Of Boreholes Hit Communities

In line with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen Prof Benedict Ayade’s drive to provide basic amenities for rural dwellers, massive boreholes drilling have commenced in Busanfong Village, Bisu Ward in Obanliku Local Government Area.

Speaking, Mrs Janet Inakefe, the Northern Senatorial Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress and an indigene of Busanfong village extolled Governor Ben Ayade for putting an end to the water crisis in the community. She thanked the Governor for always keeping to his promises in alleviating the suffering of the masses.

The Senatorial Woman Leader noted that boreholes approved by His Excellency for Obanliku are 20 and are shared 2 per each ward, and with the provision of this basic amenity, Busanfong and indeed Bisu Ward will “deliver intact for the Sen Prof Ben Ayade and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress” come 2023 elections.

 

Also speaking, Mr Godfrey Ufefe, a Senior Legislative Aide to Hon Sunday Achunikang commended Sen Ben Ayade for the great work he has been doing for the good people of Cross River North and the state at large. Mr. Ufefe noted that “Governor Ayade started Scholarship program when he never dreamt of becoming a governor of the state. He got to Senate and did excellently well. And as he governor, he has continued to drive home development to the rural communities which the borehole drilling is an example”.

Ufefe further explained that Busanfong villagers are excited with the provision of Water and the Solar lights which will be installed in the coming days. He assured that villagers will come out en masse to ensure victory for Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade and APC in the forthcoming General Elections.

 

Meanwhile, villagers and passers-by were excited with the borehole drilling as they chanted in loud voices “Ayade is Working!”, “More to come!”, “God bless Ayade!”.

Categories
News Politics

Obanliku Council Boss, Hon Inde Distributes Thousands of Wrappers to Women, Welcome Defectors To APC.

The Executive Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area Evang Hon Margaret Inde has distributed over 1,000 wrappers to women across the 10 political Wards of Obanliku.

The distribution exercise which took place at St. Peter’s Primary School Bendi 1, under the Chairmanship of Apostle, Dr. Mrs Ann Ugbo, captured various segments of the society including religious groups, ex-service men’ wives, clan heads wives, non indigenes and physically challenge.

Hon Margaret Inde stated that Obanliku Women have been supportive to her administration, saying that without their support, she would not have achieved this much. She further noted that good representation representation has always been her priority.

The Chairman of the event, Mrs Fidelis Ugbo lauded the initiative by the Executive Chairman of Obanliku for reaching and carrying the women along in her administration. She pledged to always support the Chairperson to achieve her promises to the masses.

Also, Pastor George Ejikang, the Chapter Chairman of APC, Obanliku Chapter appreciated Hon Inde for massively reaching out to Obanliku women. He thanked Inde for her selfless services and numerous contributions to the party, APC.

The excited beneficiaries in their numbers praised Hon Margaret Inde and prayed for more strength, blessing and God’s guidance upon her to do more for the nation, Obanliku.

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Politics

APC CRS RESCHEDULES CAMPAIGN FLAG-OFF, NORTHFEST

The Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State Chapter regrets to announce a slight adjustment on the earlier published flag-off of the State Campaign from Monday 5th to Saturday 10th of December, 2022 at the same venue, Ogoja Township Stadium.

In the interim, the Governor will be represented by His Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu OFR for the Thanksgiving service of Ada Bekwarra 11, Signor Omang Idiege on Sunday while the engagement with Party unit leaders and traditional rulers will now hold on the 9th of December by 10:00am and 2:00pm respectively.

Northfest has been moved to 12 noon on Sunday, 11th December while local Government campaign tours will run from 12th to 16th December, 2022.

The Presidential Stakeholders engagement will hold by 10:00am on the 20th at Cultural Center, Calabar.

While we understand the strain and imbalance this has caused a lot of our Party faithfuls whom have since relocated to the Northern Senatorial District in preparation for the flag-off, we want to sincerely apologize to all and to inform you that this postponement became inevitable because His Excellency, Our Governor and Leader of APC in Cross River State and by extention the South-South geo political zone Sen. Prof Ben Ayade CON is in the entourage of our Presidential Candidate, H. E. SEN. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Chatham House London for international engagements.

We wish to use this medium to appreciate and appeal to all Party faithfuls that everyone will have a place of pride in the campaign council either at the State, Local government or Ward level.

Our focus is on victory for the Party as we assure all Party faithfuls that it will be a clean sweep.

 

Erasmus Ekpang 

State Publicity Secretary

Cross River State

2nd December, 2022.

Categories
Health

WAD: C’River remains resolute in fight against HIV/AIDS — Ayade

As the global community gathered to mark the 2022 World AIDS Day, Cross River Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has reaffirmed his administration’s firm determination to sustain the fight against AIDS in the State.

The governor made the declaration, today, during the World AIDS Day ceremony held at Calabar Municipal Council, Calabar.

Ayade, represented by the Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, said, “Today, we join the rest of the world to mark the World AIDS Day. Such event reminds us HIV/AIDS is real. It also reminds us of the progress made in the fight against the disease.”

Speaking further, Governor Ayade mentioned that the reality that AIDS today is no longer a death sentence, gives credibility to the global progress made in the fight against AIDS.

“As a government, we are committed to this fight. We will continue to do our best to ensure that drugs and other life-saving interventions to help us end AIDS are provided.

“We will also continue to provide a conducive environment for our partners to thrive, as we leverage on their support for accessibility to HIV/AIDS services and every other healthcare needs, aligning with this year’s theme “Equalise to end AIDS, Equal Access to Treatment and Prevention Services,” the governor reassured.

He pointed out that though the State’s reduction to two percent prevalence rate speaks of the remarkable efforts made by all stakeholders, it calls for more work to be done in the HIV/AIDS response, with the Cross River sitting 12th on the national prevalence rankings.

While calling for more partnerships from well-meaning organizations, Ayade pledged to strengthen existing collaborations in the eradication of HIV/AIDS in the State.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Iwara Dr. Iwara lauded the present administration for placing high premium on the health of its citizens. He also thanked the wife of the governor, Dr. Linda Ayade for her immense contributions to the health sector in the State through her Mediatrix Foundation.

The Permanent Secretary also appreciated the support all stakeholders in fight against HIV/AIDS, with a promise to instill more discipline and enhance professional standards in the health sector, in order for health personnel to be on par with other stakeholders in the resolute fight against HIV/AIDS in the State.

In a vote of thanks, Mr. Iferi Obeten, who spoke on behalf of the Director General, Cross River State Action Against AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr. Echeri Ansa thanked the State government, development partners, line ministries as well as all stakeholders who have been part of the success story of the fight for the eradication of AIDS in the State.

High points of the event were the World AIDS Day City Walk, presentation of prizes to winners of the Linda Ayade running competition, as well as dance and drama by youth groups.

Categories
Politics

BREAKING: Court Orders Arrest, Detention Of ex-minister Uche Ogah

A magistrate court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, has issued a bench warrant on former minister of state for mines and steels, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, according to multiple reports.

The court ordered the Abia police commissioner to arrest and detain Ogah for failing to appear before it to answer a question of alleged forgery brought before it by Ogah’s political party, the All Progressives congress (APC).

Abia APC had dragged Ogah to court over the document he used to obtain a court victory declaring him the party’s governorship flag bearer for the upcoming 2023 guber poll.

Ogah, APC’s lawyers argued in court, forged the signatures of the party’s state chairman and secretary and presented it before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja. That court, on November 11, declared Ogah as the duly elected governorship candidate of the APC in Abia.

The judgement invalidated the candidacy of Ikechi Emenike who was earlier recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate for the March 11, 2023 governorship election.

APC’s lawyers, later arguing before the Abia magistrate, accused Ogah of obtaining the Abuja court judgement fraudulently.

Following Ogah’s failure to appear before the magistrate to defend himself, the court, sitting in Abia on Thursday, ordered him to be arrested and detained.

Information was still sketchy at the time of filing the report as the court officials our reporter met refused to speak on the matter.

Categories
News

NYCN Obanliku Chapter Visit HRM Item, Call For Youths Support

The National Youth Council Of Nigeria, Obanliku Chapter ably led by the Coordinator, Comr Adie Boniface paid a familiarization/ courtesy visit to Chief Amos Itim Paramount ruler of Obanliku.

The Coordinator, Comr. Adie Unimke on behalf of the Obanliku Youths thanked the Royal Father for his contributions and prompt response during the Youth Council election which was in serious contention for months.

Adie Boniface further used the opportunity to intimate and invite the Paramount Ruler to the upcoming Obanliku Youth Summit slated for 21st and 22nd of December 2022.

The Coordinator also expressed some of the challenges faced by the Youth Council, particularly the “Obanliku Youths House Project” to the Royal Father, and solicited for his support for the actualization of the project.

The Paramount Ruler Chief Amb. Amos Itim, welcomed and appreciated the Chapter Executive for the visit, because to him, a time for interaction like this is necessary. “It’s an opportunity for us to interact and champion a positive way that will better our youths”.

The Royal Father promised to support any positive activity of the youths that will create direct impact on the lives and development of Obanliku. He pray God to guide and direct the path of NYCN Obanliku.

Categories
Health

WAD: Cross River Govt Restates Commitment To Fight HIV/AIDS

The State government has restated its unflinching commitment to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Cross River.

The Director General of the State Action Committee on AIDS, Dr. Etcheri Ansa reaffirmed government’s commitment, Wednesday, at a media parley building up to the World Aids Day.

With this year’s celebration themed “Equalise to end AIDS, equal access to treatment and prevention service.m,” the Director General said the State will continue to strengthen its collaboration with development partners in a bid to bridge existing gaps and deepen user-friendly HIV Services across the state.

Dr. Ansa, who was represented by Grace Ibor, thanked donor agencies and development partners for the remarkable efforts towards HIV response in the state.

“Cross River State has made great strides towards meeting the worldwide 95% target and the state is grateful to it’s development partners. We are also grateful for the tremendous work that is going on at the local government level to ensure people have access to HIV support services.

“We hope to work with you to close the existing gaps so we can deliver user friendly HIV Services. As we plan towards 2023, we are hoping that all the gaps will be bridged”, she said.

The CRSACA DG pointed out that the 2% current prevalence rate of the State is still higher than the national prevalence, placing the Cross River in 12th position, leaves much to be done in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Emmanuel Egbe, the Senior Technical Officer with the Excellent Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), said his organization, as lead partners, will remain committed to strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders in bridging existing gaps.

He said ECEWS has put in place mechanisms to strengthen existing collaborations, while continuous capacity building for personnel is carried out to enhance HIV services in the State.

Also speaking,, the head of Office, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Cross River, Marija Rakovic thanked the government for providing a conducive environment for partners to thrive in the State.

Rakovic who spoke through Ike Nteigbanam, the ASRH/HIV Analyst, pledged to continue working with the state to provide access to universal HIV prevention and support services.