Month: October 2023

Dr. Justin Beshel, the Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Technology in Cross River State, has promised to collaborate with the Cedar Foundation, a non-governmental organization in Cross River State, to help the disadvantaged population in the region.

Dr. Justin Beshel made this known in a meeting with the Cedar Foundation, at his office, in Calabar, Cross River State.

Dr. Beshel, additionally, notified the Foundation about Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu’s authorization to construct an ICT Hub in Obanliku, aligning with the Cedar Foundation’s goal of creating a platform that enables ICT for underprivileged individuals in rural communities. He also stated that the ICT Hub, once established, would be connected to all secondary schools as part of the organization’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, providing internet access to remote areas.

Hon. Akpi Uwanede, CEO of the Cedar Foundation, originally expressed that the purpose of their visit was to form partnerships with various local, state, and international development partners to further their goals. Uwanede expressed gratitude for the opportunity to exchange ideas and acknowledged the commissioner’s past accomplishments.

Uwanede also took the opportunity to inform Dr. Beshel about how the foundation has helped facilitate over 150 underprivileged individuals in gaining admission to tertiary education institutions and securing decent jobs. However, he also mentioned the foundation’s difficulty in registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to which the commissioner assured him of assistance in resolving the issue.

On Saturday, 14th October Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator representing Cross River South joined the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream Resources, Senator Eteng William, and other members to inspect the Snake Island Fabrication and Installation Facility in Lagos.

The Senate has intensively begun the process of resuscitating the moribund $1 billion Kaztec Engineering Limited’s Oil and Gas Fabrication Yard in Snake Island, Ilashe – Lagos State.

This move is part of the Upper Legislative Chamber’s commitment to investigate the reason(s) behind the project shutdown and accordingly, propose solutions that will lead to its revival.

The committee thinks that the achievement of this objective will play a significant role in the ambition of the 10th National Assembly to contribute to the revitalization of the Nigerian economy.

In light of the inconsistent power supply in Obudu, the Chairman of GFO Orim Foundation, Chief (Dr) Martin Orim, demonstrated his humanitarian and benevolent character by donating a brand new Sumec Generator to the Obudu Muslim Community.

Mr. Asu Daniel Orim presented the gift on behalf of Chief Martin Orim to Chief Alhaji Aldula Casimu and other Muslim leaders at Ikwen Ogar Street, in the Obudu Local Government Area.

Upon receiving the gift, Chief Alhaji Casimu expressed gratitude to Dr. Martin Orim for his timely contribution. He affectionately described him as a respected individual loved by all and a true native of the region.

Chief Alhaji Casimu offered prayers that Almighty Allah would bestow blessings and elevate Dr. Orim for his good deed.

Dr. Justin Atiang Beshel, the Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Technology in Cross River State, expressed his willingness to accept constructive criticism and ideas that contribute to the development of the state.

This statement was made during a meeting with The Cross River Movement (TCRM), a non-governmental organization based in Calabar.

Beshel also highlighted the restoration and functionality of the state’s website as a means to enhance transparency and allow global access to government activities, in line with the objectives of Sen. Bassey Edet Otu’s administration.

The group was encouraged by Dr. Beshel, to make an effort to confirm information from trustworthy government sources before sharing it with the public.

The Director of Information of TCRM, who represented Mr. Isor Bassey, the leader of the movement, thanked Dr. Beshel for the warm reception and emphasized that the group’s visit was intended to close the leadership gap, promote good governance, and establish a platform for town hall meetings to ensure that people are informed about government actions.

The State House of Assembly has confirmed Rt. Hon. George O’benEtchi as the Chairman of the Cross River Forestry Commission. The unanimous decision follows his appointment by Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Otu on September 21, 2023.

In a session that received widespread acceptance for O’benEtchi from lawmakers, having been a two-term member of the Assembly, confirmation received widespread acclaim from members of the House of Assembly, the member representing Akamkpa II, Hon. Linus Etim, praised him as a man with an open heart who genuinely cares about the welfare of the people.

Etim lauded Governor Otu’s choice of O’ben-Echi, expressing confidence that the Forestry Commission will undergo a remarkable transformation under the Akamkpa-born former Lawmakers’ leadership.

Also speaking, Hon. Martin Achadu, who represents Yala II, hailed the appointment, describing O’ben-Etchi as a perfect fit for the role. Achadu highlighted O’benEtchi’s character and past achievements, suggesting that he is an invaluable asset to Cross River State.

In the same vein, Hon. Francis Ogban, representing Biase, characterized the newly confirmed O’benEtchi as a focused individual with a determination to revamp the Forestry Commission.

Matthew Okache,

Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker.

10/10/2023

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation will from next month start payment of twenty five thousand Naira grants to the benefiting members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners captured in the expanded National Social Register of the Conditional Cash Transfer,(CCT) Scheme.

Minister For Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, announced this Wednesday when she met with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress,NLC led by its President,Joe Ajaero at Labour House, Abuja.

The Minister explained that the decision to include vulnerable pensioners in the CCT scheme was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to labour leaders which he will deliver on.

Edu told the NLC that “the President mentioned very clearly that vunurable pensioners should be immediately captured on the National social Register and benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer, as part of the national social safety net expansion and this was made clear in his speech on Independence Day where he committed 25000 Naira for 15million household for three months”

She appealed to the NLC to help fast-track the process of collating Data of would-be vulnerable pensioners beneficiaries so that they can start receiving CCT.

“I want us to fast-track this. If we can get this data and information within two weeks, we are sure that you will be beneficiaries immediately and you can start earning from next month which is November, that’s the main reason why I’m here”, Dr. Edu said.

She commended Ajaero for being a team player, saying the task of moving Nigeria forward was a collective one and urged him to continue to have faith in the federal government under President Tinubu.

Responding, Ajaero expressed delight at the various poverty alleviation schemes rolled out by the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry and the passion and commitment the minister has for the job!

He was however of the view that getting to the root cause of poverty would go a long way in addressing the problem.

“Let’s look at not only how to solve this problem, but the cause of it, if we continue to treat the effects of poverty the problem will persist. Let us look other social welfare interventions and job creation that will go a long way to support families.

The NLC boss urged the federal government to create more jobs by creating a productive economy where factories are functioning and employing workers.

He thanked the Minister for being the first member of the federal executive council to visit the labour house in President Tinubu’s Administration,saying “for finding time to visit the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we will work with you to achieve success in this process and your impact will be felt.

President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi,thanked President Tinubu and the Minister for finding the retirees worthy of the federal government benefits.

He said Pensioners recieved as low as between five and ten thousand Naira a month,saying twenty five thousand is a big money to them. He thanked the Minister for the Exceptional performance so far urging her to keep up the speed.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, (ANIPR)
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister.
05/10/2023

By Kingsley Agim

Cross River State Government has promised tourism enthusiasts and fun seekers all over the world a 32-day high-octane, well-packaged and fun-filled activities with the infusion of new innovations to the 2023 Carnival Calabar International Festival beginning in December.

Speaking to newsmen after the maiden meeting of the 2023 Carnival Calabar Festival Planning Committee, the Special Adviser on Event Management and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, said the high-level planning team was set up by His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, and saddled with the mandate of putting up the most amazing and breathtaking show of 32 days of nonstop fun.

Mr. Ekpenyong revealed that the beehive of activities for the 2023 Carnival Calabar International Festival will begin on November 30 with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Millennium Park, with simultaneous occurrences at Ikom and Ogoja to avail those in the Central and Northern part of the State the feel of season.

He also hinted that the children carnival would be reintroduced to the schedule, night of carnival kings and queens, where the bands would parade their respective kings/queens, as well as boat regatta, and a new innovation called the ‘Queen of Humanity Cross Pageant, among other numerous scintillating programmes for tourists and guests in the 2023 edition.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, reminded fun seekers that Carnival Calabar is indeed looming, adding that its 2023 theme ‘Season of Sweetness’ was carefully chosen to offer the State the opportunity to ride on her rich cultural heritage to host the world.

“The warmth that is not seen anywhere in the world is evident on the streets of Calabar during the festival,” Mr. Onah boasted, while calling on young people to key into the sector in order to derive that which would positively influence tourists and investors to the State.

“Above all, the ancient city of Calabar would resume her warmth of playing host to the world,” the Carnival Commission Chairman concluded.

Highlighting some of the new innovations to the globally acclaimed fiesta, the Committee’s secretary and Executive Secretary of the State Carnival Commission, Mr. Austin Cobham, informed that the King and Queen of the bands, an academic component – essay competition, the children arcade (a hub for children’s entertainment, education and fun), waterfront boat contest, and a new creation called the ‘Veterans Night,’ which is aimed at bring retirees and senior citizens together to have fun and relive their youthful years, and the Face of Humanity Cross River Ambassador, which would be premiering in few days to come.

Cobham said the winner of the Face of Humanity Ambassador would be at the forefront of identifying people are in direct needs of humanitarian assistance. He assured that the 2023 Calabar International Carnival and Festival would live up to its billing of guaranteeing culture, camaraderie, frenzy, glitz, glamour and mirthful nature of the people of Cross River.

Articulating his views, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Akiba Ekpenyong, Esq, noted that under the leadership of the ‘People First’ administration, the tourism sector in the State has worn a new look, with the composition of a team of technocrats and industry experts to drive the successful hosting of the renowned tourism fiesta.

He mentioned that the State going round the clock in its preparation for the 2023 Carnival Calabar International Festival, with the environment fast returning to its lush clean and green status, as well as nibbing crime and criminality on the butt.

The Governor is ready to give the needed support to the planning committee to host the best Carnival Calabar International Festival yet. Modalities are also being put in place for easy movement from place to place during the month-long festival.

“The whole package of the 2023 Carnival, from fusion of the educational component to humanitarian service angle, portend to the fact that the Season of Sweetness is indeed upon Cross River State,” Ekpenyong stated.

Abass Lawal Balarabe, who was nominated for a ministerial position, collapsed while standing at the podium in the Senate. He slumped right after delivering his opening statements.

Upon witnessing this, Senate President Godswill Akpabio promptly requested a doctor to provide medical assistance to Balarabe.

Furthermore, Akpabio swiftly instructed the Senate to convene into a closed-door meeting.

He then informed the television cameras present to cease recording the session.

Further details will follow soon…