Month: June 2024

Comr Prince Adie Unimke, popularly known as Argentina, the current Youth Coordinator of Obanliku, has picked his nomination form for the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter’s chairmanship election coming up on June 19th, 2024.

SENTRYTIMES reports that the #250,000 nomination form was purchased by the frontline chairmanship aspirant on Thursday at the Council’s Secretariat in Calabar.

Recall that on April 8, 2024, the Obanliku Youths Coordinator declared his intention to run for the office of the National Youth Council of Nigerian President in the forthcoming state election.

Speaking with Newsmen shortly after purchasing the form, Comr Adie (Argentina) expressed his delight at the success and widespread support he received in such a short period following his declaration. He expressed confidence in his chances of victory, stating that he possesses the necessary leadership skills and expertise to add value and impact people’s lives in the state.

According to ‘Argentina’, his primary goal as a leader is to build on the strength of the previous administration and consolidate the gains of quality representation as demonstrated by the State’s current leadership. He stated that he is taking up this challenge to fulfil his quota to broaden the scope of leadership and advance youths across the State’s eighteen local governments.

The director general of Argentina’s campaign, Comr. Clement Kayang, said that after witnessing what Prince Adie (Argentina) has accomplished as an Obanliku Youth coordinator, he believes that Prince Adie will steer the youth body forward.

#Team_Argentina

The recent strike action by labour unions has sparked a wave of misinformation, with politicians falsely claiming that the unions shutdown the national grid. This narrative is not only misleading but also defies logic.

The operators of the national grid, as members of the unions, withdrew their services along with other workers, resulting in a total strike. It is absurd to suggest that the grid would continue to function magically without its operators.

The House of Representatives’ press release yesterday, threatening to hold grid operators accountable for the blackout, contradicts the letters and the spirit of the 4-point agreement signed between the federal government and labour two days ago. This intimidation tactic undermines the negotiation process and ignores the legitimate grievances of the workers.

Politicians should cease spreading misinformation and intimidating workers who exercised their right to strike. Instead, they should focus on finding solutions to the issues that led to the strike.

Now that labour unions have returned to the negotiation table, it is essential to allow the process to continue without threats or coercion, enabling a peaceful resolution. The government must take responsibility for its actions and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.

-Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Reverend Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has assured the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) of adequate support and partnership of her office ,saying the organisation has played a critical role in envisioned a world where women are empowered to be role models in making a positive impact in the society.

The Governor’s wife made this known when she played host to the Muslim Women Organization led by its Ameerah, Hajia Lateefah,Yahaya Idinye and her team in Governor’s office,Calabar.

Reverend Otu reiterated the commitment of FOMWAN interventions in the areas of health, education and women empowerment,
explaining that “propagating both Islamic and Western education as a vanguard of change in the society has single out FOMWAN as a foremost women Muslim organisation in Nigeria and the impact is felt in Cross River State.

“I am very pleased to recieve you today and my office will partner with you as you commenced your FOMWAN week.

“Like you know,if a woman is educated, she will know her rights and responsibilities, and everything about her life will go in the right direction and she will be able to play her role effectively in the society”

“On Hajj,i can assure you that Muslim women would be included when the Pilgrim welfare board is constituted as well as Hajj sponsorship” she said.

Earlier in her remarks, the Cross River State Chairperson/Ameerah of FOMWAN, Hajia Lateefah Yahaya Idinye ,said she and her team were in first lady’s office as part of the activities of FOMWAN week.

The Ameerah said the visit was also to congratulate the Governor’s wife for her motherly role in the state, especially in ensuring that more women have been given opportunities to serve in the State Executive Council as well as other sectors of Government.

“We seeks for partnership between your office and the Muslim Women and inclusion in the state affairs especially the Hajj activities as we are willing to add value to what the state government is doing”she added.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of gifts and FOMWAN annual report to the first lady, while she in return donated foods and non food items for the visiting Muslim Women Organization.

End.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have decided to suspend their industrial action for one week following a lack of agreement on a new minimum wage and the increase in electricity tariff.

The decision was made after a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the unions in Abuja. Festus Osifo, the TUC president, confirmed the news and mentioned that the relaxation of the industrial action would take effect immediately. A formal communique will be issued later to provide more details.

The strike, which began on Monday, impacted various critical sectors of the economy, causing disruptions in schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports. Additionally, the national grid was shut down, plunging the nation into darkness.

The labour unions’ actions were a response to the expiration of the May 31 deadline for reaching an agreement on a new minimum wage. Despite negotiations with the Federal Government, no consensus was reached as labour rejected three government offers, with the latest being ₦60,000. The TUC and NLC insisted on ₦494,000 as the new minimum wage.

To halt the strike, the Federal Government engaged in lengthy discussions with the labour leaders, which included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Labour and Employment, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the TUC president, and the NLC president.

Following the meeting, several resolutions were reached, including the government’s commitment to pay above ₦60,000 and regular meetings between the parties. It was also agreed that no worker would face victimization as a result of the industrial action.

CROSS RIVER STATE APC FELICITATES DR. Justin Atiang Beshel ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY TODAY

The State Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq. JP and the State Executive Committee members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State extend our hearty cheers to you Dr. Justin Atiang Beshel.

Your journey from humble beginnings in Kakwalaka village in Obanliku Local Government Area to becoming the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology has been nothing short of inspiring.

Your distinguished career as a Biomedical Scientist, with a specialization in Cardiovascular Physiology, and your contributions in the academic and medical field have been laudable.

Your extensive teaching career, spanning Ebonyi State University to the University of Calabar, and the roles you have played in various international institutions, have not only enriched the academic community but groomed countless students who now excel in their medical practices, all around the globe.

We have seen your wealth of experience brought to bear in your new position as the commissioner of the newly created Ministry of Science and Technology, bringing remarkable achievements to Cross River State and Nigeria at large, with prestigious awards such as the NG Award in Digital Innovation and the best award in Science and Technology by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

We seize this special occasion to commend your strategic insights and effective mobilization, which were instrumental to our landslide victory in the Last General Elections.

May your new year be filled with continued success, good health, and boundless happiness.

Happy birthday once again, Dr. Justin Atiang Beshel.

SIGNED:

Hon. Emmanuel Edem Inyang JP
State Publicity Secretary
APC Cross River State.

12th June, 2024.
@everyone

…Congratulates King Ateke at 60

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared that the worst days are over as he looks forward to a peaceful and better Rivers State.

Governor Fubara made the declaration while addressing guests and people of Krikese at the 60th birthday of King Ateke Michael Tom, Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom in Okochiri on Sunday.

The governor emphasised that his government will continue to identify with everything attributed to success especially in advancing the state. He said celebrating the 60th birthday of King Ateke Tom is one success that is worth identifying with as a man of immense honour and peace.

“As a government, it is our duty to make sure that we support our own. This is also when you are contributing to the peace and development of our state.”

He congratulated the celebrant for his triple celebration which includes marking his birthday, celebrating both the honour bestowed on him by the Krikese people and the elevation of his stool from second class to first class by the State government.

“I am happy that my brother has chosen to thank God for this special honour in celebrating it with the people and I thank you for supporting him. I know that he may not be a perfect person, but in his little way he tries as much as he can to make peace his major gift to the people of Okrika. I also know, I don’t need to be told how much he spends to make sure people are happy.”

“I identify with you and I want to appreciate you for standing with us, like I said the worst is over, what we are doing today is looking ahead and advancing the state. And I am happy that you are one of my allies.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Transport, Chief Dr. Abiye Sekibo applauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for attending the event describing him as the people’s governor, assuring him of the continuous support of the Okrika people.

He urged the governor to ignore any statement by any Ijaw group other than the Ijaw National Congress and thanked him for putting Rivers State first in all his development programmes.