Month: April 2024

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has expressed his felicitations to Muslims nationwide as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir this year alongside the rest of the world.

Rt. Hon. Ayambem urged Muslims to remember the core values of the occasion, which include selflessness, love, obedience, and perseverance.

The goodwill message reads: “I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Muslim faithful as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the conclusion of Ramadan.

This sacred occasion prompts us to contemplate our shared humanity and the significance of self-sacrifice in pursuit of higher ideals.

As leaders, we recognize the vital role of religion in our society and remain committed to fostering an environment where all can peacefully coexist, regardless of religion, origin, creed, or status.

I am honoured to once again extend my warmest wishes to the Cross River Muslim community and the entire Nation on this auspicious occasion. May the lessons, blessings, and joy of this season endure with us always.

Sincere regards.

Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem
Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly

The GFO Orim Foundation, led by Chief Martin Orim, has provided business startup kits and training to 45 individuals from the Bekwara, Obanliku and Obudu Federal Constituency, in its sixth edition empowerment program.

The program was held at the Obudu Council Secretariat in Cross River State, in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). 35 young teen mothers and at-risk girls received beauty care business startup kits, while 15 individuals, including one girl, received solar installation business startup kits.

Chief Martin Orim, the Chairman of GFO Orim Foundation, congratulated the beneficiaries during the event and expressed gratitude to the ITF for their continued collaboration. He also encouraged the ITF to keep its doors open for future partnership opportunities. Chief Orim urged the beneficiaries to use the skills and resources provided to them by the foundation to create wealth.

Chief Orim explained that his foundation’s continuous empowerment is motivated by his desire to support the less privileged and keep youth away from criminal activities. After facing difficulties in the Nigerian system, he decided to establish a foundation to give back to society. He encouraged the beneficiaries to use their acquired skills to succeed, emphasizing that skill empowerment is essential for wealth creation. He thanked the Voice Foundation for their support in selecting the beneficiaries and urged them to monitor the trainees’ progress.

The Chairman of the event, Hon Engr Thomas Aruku, a member of the Ogoja House of Assembly, acknowledged that he has been part of the program for six years. He applauded Chief Orim’s consistency in running the program for the sixth consecutive time and noted that the empowerment has rekindled hope in beneficiaries who had lost hope after giving birth at a young age. Aruku assured the beneficiaries of mentorship and support.

Engr Sulieman, the Industrial Training (ITF) Director, stated that the training was rigorous but beneficial for the beneficiaries. He tasked the beneficiaries to use their skills to contribute positively to society.

Hon Sylvester Agabi Jnr, the Deputy Speaker, the Bekwara Community Relations Officer to Governor Bassey Otu Patrick Oko, the Obudu Chapter Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Mr Hilary Ibli, and other stakeholders present at the event commended Chief Orim’s developmental initiative. They urged the beneficiaries to pray for Chief Orim’s continuous blessings and to keep working towards reducing the crime rate in society.

Mr Okaku Isaac, one of the beneficiaries, thanked Chief Orim for adding value to their lives through training and empowerment. He noted that with the empowerment, Chief Martin Orim had succeeded in turning people from the streets into self-employed persons. He prayed for God’s blessing upon Chief Orim.

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Prince Adie Unimke Jnr. (Argentina) Declares to Run for CRS NYCN Chairman

Dear all,

I am most delighted to announce that I, Comrade Adie, Prince Uninmke Jnr. (Argentina) from obanliku Local Government area, am declaring my interest to participate in the forthcoming Youths Council Election of Cross River State. I am confident that I possess the necessary leadership skills and expertise required to add value and impact people’s lives in the state.

Over the years, I have garnered experience in various leadership positions, which have allowed me to develop the necessary skills required to lead with excellence. I am a one-time Royal Ranger Commander (Assembly of God) I am a one-time President National Association of Obanliku Students, World Wide. (NAOS WW). and Currently, I am the Coordinator of the National Youth Council, Obanliku Chapter.

My primary objective as a leader is to build on the strength of the outgoing administration and further consolidate the gains of quality representation. I am taking up this challenge to offer my quota and advance the scope of leadership across the eighteen Local governments of Cross River State.

Before declaring my candidacy, I consulted my immediate constituency, leaders of thought, and critical stakeholders to ensure that all requisite demands in advancing this cause are part and parcel of the long history I’ve taken and have been working with as an individual in different public assignments.

I am convinced that we can make a difference, and as we prepare to change the leadership of this body, the infusion of fresh blood into the Youth body of Cross Riverians is needed, I am willing and ready to render selfless service as may be required to move us forward.

Finally, I solicit your support as we together embark on this journey to better the lives of Cross Riverians.

Thank you.

The Former Chief of Staff of the Cross River State Government and Chairman of the GFO Orim Foundation, Chief Martin Orim, has paid a visit to Pastor George Ejikang, the chairman of the All Progressive Congress Obanliku Chapter, to offer his condolences over the loss of his mother, Mama Cecilia Ejikang.

Chief Orim, accompanied by several notable dignitaries including the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State Assembly, Hon Sylvester Agabi, Mr Paul Akoli, Hon, Phydel Aben, and others, visited Ejikang’s residence in the Obanliku Local Government Area.

During the visit, Chief Orim and the accompanying dignitaries met with the family of the late Mama Cecilia Ejikang to express their sympathies and offer their support during the family’s difficult time.

Chief Orim expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and also prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.

Yesterday, in Allege Urban, late Mr. Emmanuel Orim, the elder brother of the former Chief of Staff of the Cross River State Government, was laid to rest. Among those present at the funeral to commiserate with Chief Martin Orim was the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, the member of the House of Assembly representing Ogoja, Engineer Dr Thomas Aruku, and other notable individuals.

The All Progressive Congress’s Obudu Chapter Chairman, Mr. Hilary Ibli, and Bekwara Chapter Mr. Joe Odama, were also present alongside a group of stakeholders from Obudu, Bekwara and Obanliku.

Speaking at the funeral, Mr Joe Odama stated that the main reason they had come was to express their condolences to the former Chief of Staff, who, in his opinion, always knew how to rally his supporters when assigned to a public role.

Odama expressed gratitude to Chief Orim for his continuous contributions to development despite not being in public office. ” Chief Orim has been doing incredibly well and is accomplishing a lot. He is a great politician, and he knows the political business, Odama added.

The Chairman of the GFO Orim Foundation, Chief Martin Orim, in a display of empathy, paid a condolence visit to the Cross River State All Progressive Congress Legal Adviser, Barr Pius Awah, at his residence in Obanliku Local Government Area.

Chief Orim’s visit was to condole with him as he offered final burial rights to his late wife, Mrs Irene Mary Awah.

Earlier on, Chief Martin Orim had also paid a condolence visit to Maurice Nkom, in Ogoja, as he laid his father to rest.

Chief Martin Orim took time to express his sympathy to the bereaved and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.

Hon. Martin Orim was accompanied by the Cross River State Deputy Speaker, Hon Sylvester Agabi, Ogoja House of Assembly Member, Engr. Dr Thomas Aruku, Mr. Paul Akoli, Hon Phydel Aben, Mr Boniface Ishamali, Mrs Rhoda Ashong, and other notable figures.