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Tag: CALABAR

  • Emefiele visits CBN Calabar, explosion victims

    Emefiele visits CBN Calabar, explosion victims

    Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele Monday morning visited the branch of the bank in Calabar, Cross River State that was affected by a gas explosion last Friday.

    Four people died in the blast, while several more were injured.

    The governor who refused to speak with journalists visited the victims at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and thereafter proceeded to inspect the extent of damage to the bank before immediately proceeding back to Abuja.

    A meeting with the deputy governor of the state, Prof Ivara Esu was called off.

    Although reporters were not allowed in when he when he visited the victims, it was gathered that arrangements were for those who were in me severe conditions to be transferred to other health facilities in the country or flown out if need be.

    Meanwhile operations have resumed at the CBN in Calabar, although skeletally.

    The Nation learnt that departments that were affected by the explosion would be transferred to another temporary structure, while renovation work is done.

     

  • Updated: Several feared dead as explosion rocks CBN in Calabar

    Updated: Several feared dead as explosion rocks CBN in Calabar

    Several people were feared dead in an explosion that rocked the office of the Central Bank in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Friday at about 12.30pm.

    Unconfirmed source said about 10 people were killed and over 30 injured in the incident.

    It was gathered that it was a gas explosion.

    Initial fears were that it was a bomb blast.

    At the scene of the incident, the road where the bank is situated was cordoned off to pedestrians and vehicles.

    There were fire trucks in the premises of the bank and ambulances were coming in and out, conveying casualties.

    There were shattered glasses everywhere and parts of the main bank building were damaged.

    Men of the Police, Army, Navy, Civil Defence and other paramilitary organizations were drafted to scene.

    At the gate of the bank relatives of staff were seen crying. They demanded to see their relatives working in the bank.

    Officials of the bank refused to comment. “We are traumatized right now. No one can talk,” one of them said.

    The Commissioner of Police, Henry Faidairo inspected the scene.

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar, Baba-Adisa Bolanta, who also inspected the scene, said the explosion was suspected to be from gas from the central air-conditioning unit.

    “This is just an initial assessment, and it is not confirmed yet. It is when a final result has been given that we will confirm what really happened,” he said.

  • Explosion rocks CBN in Calabar

    Explosion rocks CBN in Calabar

    • Several feared dead

    An explosion occurred on Friday morning at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Calabar office.

    As at the time of filing this report, several people have been feared dead.

    Details later.

     

    IMG_1739
    The CBN after the explosion on Friday

  • Forum honours illustrious Cross Riverians in Calabar

    It was a memorable gathering the Transcorp Hotel in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, last weekend as the Cross River South Progressives Forum (CRISPROF) honored illustrious indigenes of the state who are serving in the present government at the national level in a thanksgiving dinner.

    Those honoured were include the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita; the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani; and National Vice Chairman, South South of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Hillard Eta.

    Coordinator of CRISPROF, constituted of eminent sons and daughters of the Southern Senatorial District of the state, Mr Eyo-Nsa Ekpo, expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for emphasizing excellence as exhibited in appointments he has made from the state.

    He called on the president to change the trend of humongous neglect, marginalization and deprivation the state suffers for instance in the seizure of the states 76 oil wells; displaced people of Bakassi; poor condition of Ikom-Calabar and Calabar-Itu highways; and the delay in the activation of Calabar seaports.

    Ekpo, a lawyer, said: “We want you to honour Cross River State indigenes, whom the almighty God in his infinite mercy, using the instrumentality of this era of change under President Muhammadu Buhari, has decided to elevate to higher heights in the service of Nigeria.

    “The rational behind it is that it not very common in Cross River State. The state has not been this elevated and favoured and I know that it all because of the persona of the person, who is today in charge of the affairs of Nigeria. He recognizes excellence and recognizes record of service and it is no longer business as usual. And he also recognizes that Cross River has been at the forefront of providing dedicated service to the fatherland. We have a rich history in this direction and we thank the President, for bringing Cross River State into the main stream.

    “Nigerians are very hardworking people, but the reactionary politicians that have been holding sway since 1999 have not allowed our people to work. The godfather syndrome should be put to rest. People must be made to understand that there is pride in being productive. That is the objective of this group.

    “In the era of impunity, excellence was never recognized. The time has come for us to recognize excellence. The godfatherism that existed in the years of the locusts must be killed. Now we must recognize excellence. And these people that were selected to this positions were selected because of merit. And we must recognize them. If we at home don’t recognize them, then who will?”

    He urged the honorees to continue to render selfless service to the development of the country.

    He also warned against the call for the disintegration of Nigeria by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    He maintained that the state does not subscribe to or encourage the call for Nigeria’s disintegration.

    He said: “The people of Cross River South and indeed the entire state will resist any attempt to use them as cannon fodders for the actualization of any landlocked, land-challenged ethnic nationality’s expansionist pretention or agenda.

    “Our forebears resisted it, we shall also resist it to the last person and most importantly, we shall educate and indoctrinate our offsprings to stand against the very idea of balkanization of Nigeria under any guise or subterfuge”.

    Responding, the Head of Service who was represented by Mr. Gershom Davies thanked the group and pledged to do everything in her power to instill discipline in civil service while upholding the change mantra of the President.

    She said: “ I value this award and honour because I may be honoured all over the world but the one from home is what the world will value most. I demand your prayers and corporation to do my job diligently.”

    Also speaking, the CNS who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Theresa Ibas, said: “It is great to my family and the Nigerian Navy. I pledge to continue to be a good ambassador of the state and Nigeria at large”.

    The south-south national vice-president of the APC Prince Eta commended the President and his party for what the “unequal love because considering our support for him, we won’t be where we are today in his administration”.

    A keynote address titled Leadership Issues Related to Managerial Failures in our Political/Cultural Space, delivered by Prof Eyo Etim Nyong charged the Buhari government to be cautious in decisions it makes for the country.

    In Cross River, Nyong urged those in leadership position to focus more on how to lift the state out of its presently very low status in the country, which he said was characterised by low presence of Cross River employees in federal establishments, absence of significant Federal projects in the state, including the challenge of bringing the Calabar Seaport to realisation in order to drive the economy of the state and create employment for youths.

    He advised the current leadership to dwell more in driving the state’s agricultural, ecotourism, hospitality, and cultural heritage sector rather than throwing all its weight on just one annual carnival.

    Chairman of the thanksgiving dinner, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring Cross River with appointments.

    Otu said Buhari’s benevolence to the state sent a strong message that meant that the APC was out to win Cross River.

    Among several dignitaries who graced the event are former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba, former governor of the state, Mr. Clement Ebri.

  • Man impersonating police officer paraded for rape in Calabar 

    Man impersonating police officer paraded for rape in Calabar 

    The Cross River Police Command Thursday paraded a man impersonating a police officer, Idongesit Effiong, 29, for allegedly raping a 23 year old girl.

    Effiong was arrested by men of the police command on the 17 of January 2016 at Ekorinim area of Calabar Municipality, according to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr John Eluu.

    Eluu, said that the victim was raped by Effiong and his two friends who are now at large on the 17th of January at an uncompleted building in Ekorinim.

    “On the 17 of January 2016, One Esther Etete, came to the command with a case of an alleged rape.

    “She complained that she was raped by three men at Ekorinim area of Calabar Municipality.

    “Immediately after taking down her statement, men of the police swung into action and we able to arrest one Idongesit Effiong while two of his friends ran away on sighting us.

    “Effiong was arrested with fake police uniform. Further investigation shows that he has been using this fake police uniform to commit heinous crimes in the area’’, he said.

    According to the PPRO, the police were on the search for the other two suspects.

    Also, the police also paraded one Emmanuel Eyo, 23, and Monachi Igbo, 18, for unlawful possession of fire arms.

    The PPRO said that the suspects were using the arms to terrorise resident at Ekpo Abasi area of Calabar South.

    He further said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were completed.

     

  • Hit FM commissioned in Calabar

    The first privately-owned radio station in Cross River State, Hit FM, has been  commissioned in Calabar.

    The station’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pat Ugbe, said the station was set up to give Crossriverians an alternative voice in radio broadcasting.

    “Hit FM has come to stay. We will provide our audience with the best of music, sounds, news, and talk shows.  We will also partner with the state government in projecting her developmental strides to the people,’’ he said.

    Governor Ben Ayade urged Crossriverians to evolve the spirit of setting up small scale businesses that would make them entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

    Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, Ayade said setting up of the station shows that Crossriverians were beginning to invest in their home soil in other to drive the economy of the state forward.

    According to him, the station, if well utilized, will compete favourably with other government and privately owned stations in the South-South.

    “We want to see more Crossriverians investing in profit organisations that would create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

    “This station should serve as a great contributor in disseminating content to the masses. I urge the management of Hit FM to be factual and objective in their reportage,’’ he said.

    Director of Engineering, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Abuja, Engr. Friday Ukwela, said that the commission has certified the station equipment fit for broadcasting.

    Ukwela advised the management to adhere strictly to the NBC code, saying that any programme that contradicts the code of the commission will be sanctioned.

    The event was graced by popular Nigerian artists including Don Jazzy, Rugged Man, Sunny Neji, Dr Sid, MC Galaxy and others.

  • Enumeration area demarcation begins in Calabar for 2017 census

    The second phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) for the 2017 Census has commenced in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The exercise would last till March 14, 2016.

    Addressing reporters in Calabar, the Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission in the state, Idi Baba Yakubu, said the pilot test of the EAD took place in December 2014 in Akoko North East of Ondo State.

    Yakubu, a lawyer, said the experience from this informed the first phase of the EAD which tool place from November 26 to December 16 in one local government in each of the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

    He said the second phase of the EAD will take place in 29 local government in 29 states of the Federation not covered under the pilot phase and first phase.

    The Commissioner said in order to ensure commitment of field staff, only staff of the Commission have been deployed as demarcators in the EAD exercise so far. This, he said, will ensure that the exercise is insulated from interference and also ensure accountability.

    He said the commission is leaving no stone upturned to ensure that the EAD for the 2017 Census is carried out meticulously, professionally and scientifically to provide the basis for the smooth conduct of the census next year.

    According to him, the importance of the present EAD goes beyond the conduct of the next census, as it will provide the national framework for future censuses and surveys in the country.

    “Given the quality of the EAD and the clear methodology to be adopted, this will be the last time the Commission will be embarking on a full scale EAD exercise as future censuses will only require updating,” he said.

    Yakubu also pointed out that considering the fact that the 2017 Census will be biometric based and will seek to capture the facial impression and fingerprints of persons during the census period, any hope of gaining advantage through manipulation of EAD will not be possible as only persons physically seen will be counted and their biometrics taken.

     

  • Persons with disabilities shut down Calabar

    Persons with disabilities shut down Calabar

    Over 300 members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities yesterday blocked the Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar to protest the alleged insensitivity of the Cross River State government to their plight.

    This crippled businesses in Calabar for hours as the highway is the only road in and out of the city. Most of them just laid on the tarmac.

    They carried placards, reading: “Why are we treated like less human, stigmatised in our state? “If disability is a crime, give us amnesty,” “Governor Ayade, respect the United Nations Convention on human rights of persons with disability,” “Governor Ayade, give us appointment, we also voted you into office, disability can affect anyone,” among others.

    Chairman of the association Ogar Inyang said: “The government of Cross River State is insensitive to our existence; they behave as if we do not exist. They treat us as if we have committed crime being disabled.

    “We’ve exhausted all avenues to dialogue with government. We wrote to the governor, deputy governor, chief of staff, we wrote to the House of Assembly, wrote to the commissioner of Police, made efforts to see the wife of the governor to plead with her to talk to her husband to listen to us but all efforts were in vain.

    “We need a secretariat and vehicles to cater for our transport need. One of us should be appointed as special adviser on persons with disabilities to give us a sense of belonging.”

    Also speaking, Etim Okon, the group’s Southern Senatorial District coordinator, said the solution to the quagmire was for Governor Ayade to address them in person, else “no retreat, no surrender.”

    “We are on the road because the government has refused to respond to our efforts. We have been dehumanised, reduced to beggars despite our intellectual capabilities.

    “The government is giving appointment, SA this, SA that, but we are never considered.  Last week, we staged a warning protest but nobody answered us. Today’s protest is a child’s play compared to the next one. We shall close down this state for days.

    “In Nigeria, we have almost five million people with disability and a number of them are in Cross River. They are not catered for in the budget. Let me ask, what is government’s policy on the education and health of people with disabilities? They are talking of housing, what are their plans for housing for people with disabilities?

    “Ordinarily, people pay N100 from this place to Watt market, but we spent as high as N400. Nobody cares about us. Disability is not bought in the market, if it was, none of us would buy. Ayade, as a learned man, knows how people like us should be treated but he is turning a blind eye, why, why?”

    Commissioner for Sustainable Development Mr Oliver Orok said: “This is the first time we are meeting since I assumed office. They have not come to complain about anything. So, I am wondering why they should do that. We are passionate about what they are passing through but they have never come to us with their complaints.  Those things are things that can be taken care of. Government is not God that will now sit down and know what your problem is.  Government has made it you will not pay tax. They have 10 per cent of employment for them, among others. As I talk to you, there are so many of them in my office working here just to make sure we accommodate them.  Those things are not issues. If it is appointments, is it not to announce appointments. If it is buses, we can get buses for them. But the governor is not in town. So I plead with them to give us one month, let them come and we sit on a round table and talk. They have never come here to talk or complain.”

  • 19th National Sports Festival: Stakeholders propose November 8 date in Calabar

    Participants at the ongoing National Council on Sports in Calabar have resolved that the 19th National Sports Festival be held in Calabar from November 8 to 21.

    They also resolved that the second edition of the National Youth Games be hosted by the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) in Kwara State with 22 sports on the bill.

    They made the proposal on Saturday after deliberating on separate memorandum presented by the Cross River Government and the Grassroots Sports Development Directorate of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

    Dr Ademola Are, Director Grassroots Sports, had told the technical session of the council held at Tinapa Resort that Unilorin had proposed a date for the games

    He also urged states to develop grassroots sports by organising events at least in one sport annually, adding that the games were conceived as an event to balance sports, culture and education.

    He said the games’ objectives included building a robust grassroots talent pool as well as enhancing and elevating sports globally and regionally. He told the session that the national youth games also had the objective of establishing a standard programme for athletes’ succession from one generation to another.

    Mr Asu Okang, the Cross River Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, said that no less than eight venues had been slated for the “Paradise Games’’.

  • Ayade suspends commercial drivers’ levies

    Ayade suspends commercial drivers’ levies

    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Wednesday suspended all levies paid by commercial drivers in the state.

    The governor gave the order when members of the Unified Commercial Drivers Association in the state protested alleged the impounding of their vehicles, multiple taxation and a levy hike in his office in Calabar Wednesday.

    Ayade who sent the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Tina Agbor, to speak on his behalf said, “All your cars will be released. All the levies would be suspended, until the governor gets the papers and looks at them properly. When that is done, we would tell you what to pay.”

    Chairman of the Association, Pastor Thomas Effiong Okon, who led the protesters, said, “We have always been supportive of the government. We have registered without complain. We gave government the support. We are not outsiders but part and parcel of the system. But it is an abnormality for people to sit on us because of their political appointments.

    “On Monday we woke up and we saw our tickets had risen to N500 daily from N400. The N400 was even too high for us and we were even negotiating how to sort it out and the next thing it was just increased like that. As a peace loving person I met the State Security Adviser (SSA) on Monday, the issue was the same and they impounded our vehicles.

    “We were with the SSA, Commissioner for Transport, the Department of Public Transportation (DOPT), and the Area Commander and sat down to sort out the issue because we don’t want to embarrass ourselves because this state is our state. They promised us yesterday that something was going to be done and it would go back to normal, but we discovered this was a falsehood.

    “That is why we are here today to see the governor to tell us because we are over taxed. There is multiple taxation, multiple enforcement, so many government agencies are collecting money from taxes on daily basis.”