The senator representing Cross River Central, John Owan Enoh, yesterday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The senator announced his defection on the floor of the Senate.
As the Cross River Central lawmaker was making the announcement, jubilating APC senators rushed to his seat and practically dragged him to their side of the divide.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Bwacha told PDP members, who defected to the APC, that they would beg to return to the PDP when the party bounces back.
With the defection of Enoh, APC now has 67 members against 41 PDP members.
Tag: Cross River
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Cross River senator Enoh defects to APC
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Fed Govt approves N54b for road linking Akwa Ibom, Cross River
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N54 billion for the reconstruction of Odukpani Itu-Ikot Ekpene road linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this at the end of the FEC meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stated that the road would boost socio-economic activities and improve the performance of the economy by reducing journey time, the cost of doing business and also create more job opportunities.
“The Ministry of Power Works and Housing had just one memorandum it was for the award of the Odukpani Itu-Ikot Ekpene route linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states with a spur to Ibede Itan, the road project was approved for award to messrs Julius Berger Plc.
“So we expect that all of the problems that have been associated with that road which was constructed for well over 40 years ago which has outgrown its design life and also its design capacity those problems will now be frontally responded to by the award of this contract.
“We will do the best to quickly mobilise the contractor to site with the onset of the rainy season and am sure that by this time next year, it will be a better story, a better journey time experience in that area of the country.
“So, this is consistent with the promise of the administration to improve the growth and the performance of the economy by reducing journey time, the cost of doing business and the ease of transport and so on and so forth and also create jobs that would arise from the period of construction,’’ he said.
The Minister of Aviation (State), Hadi Sirika also disclosed that the FEC approved N1.5 billion for projects in the aviation sector.
He disclosed that the Council approved the appointment of transaction advisers for the establishment of national carriers, establishment of aviation leasing company and establishment of maintenance repair and overhaul centre.
He said advisers were also approved for the establishment of Aerotropolis or airport city and for the concession of the nation’s airports
“Today in Council we took the memo for the appointment of those transaction advisers to carry out the advisory services on establishment of national carriers, establishment of aviation leasing company and establishment of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) centre, establishment of aerotropolis or airport city as you may call it and of course the concession of our airports.
“It was considered and all of them were divided into six groupings and they were awarded to Messrs Luftansa consulting/TN Aero FGE for the national carrier, then the aviation leasing company was awarded to Messrs Arrow.
“Then the concession of airports was awarded to Messrs Infrata Dantens, while the establishment of MRO was awarded to Messrs Arrow, then aerotropolis and agro cargo terminals was given to JEBB, all of these were at different amount but the total sum was N1.524,492,863.62.
“Council had graciously approved, these will signal the kick start of all of these activities within the industry of transportation and aviation,’’ he said.
The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu disclosed that the Council approved contract verification of the diary irrigation project located along Kano and Jigawa states.
He explained that the project, which is about 2,300 hectare, was abandoned after reaching 50 per cent completion.
“It has been abandoned for almost 20 years. As you are aware it has been the policy of the federal ministry of water resources to put priority on ongoing projects .
“This particular project happens to be one of the priority projects. Having been abandoned for over 17 years it is not easy to just move back to site.
“We have to do a more detailed analysis of the scope of work to know how much work is needed to complete the project and how much it will cost.’’
According to the minister, there is already a provision for the project in the 2016 budget and it has also been included in the 2017 budget.
He said: “We are hoping that by the time they finish this project we will be able to come back to council for approval to continue.
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Music can melt down human stress – Donald Duke
Donald Duke, Former Governor of Cross River, says music is an effective solution to reducing human stress.
He made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of a musical concert with the title “The Messiah by George Handel” by Lagos City Chorale, conducted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi.
The concert was held in the Shell Hall of the Musical Society of Nigeria (Muson) centre in Onikan, Lagos, on Sunday night.
According to Duke, who says he has passion for music, music has emotional influence that captures feelings of man, lighens up mood and keeps one away from unnecessary stress.
The former governor, who was the special guest of honour at the concert, said it was important for one to take time off work and allow for relaxation for longer life span.
He added that “music has a synical impact that changes human feelings from depression to happy mood and that makes it necessary to take time off work for such concerts.”
The music Director, Mr Emeka Nwokedi, also told NAN that music was the most effective means of communication because it sent messages in different moods – joyful or sad mood.
“Music is the most effective form of communication both in secular world or in form of worship. It provokes emotional feelings.
“Messages that cannot be communicated verbally can easily be communicated through music, especially good and well structured music, thay can change negative traits,” he said.
He noted that listening to good music had a way of subdueing rage and hatred and then turn them to passion and love.
Nwokedi said that the Chorale, also known as Nigeria’s Multinational Award winning choir, won a gold medal at 2016 World Choir Olympic held in Sochi, Russia, among 200 choir groups from 75 countries.
He added that the chorale had from 2011, won laurels and accolades at different world choral festivals in China, United States of America, Australia, Dubai, Latvia, Germany and Russia.
The chorale, with 17 international medals was founded in February 1988 by late Sen. Mere Adesina and Sir Emeka Nwokedi, which had it’s maiden concert in Eko Hotel, Lagos in April 1988.
The chorale performed during the visits of former U.S. President, Bill Clinton and his Vice, Al-Gore, as well as John Major, former British prime Minister to Nigeria.
Highlight of the concert was the combined rendition of “Alleluia chorus” by the chorale and choristers from the audience, which was conducted by the former governor Duke.
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Cross River workers get May salaries on May Day eve
Cross River State workers yesterday evening received alerts of payment of their salaries for this month.
The payment, which was made on the eve of this year’s May Day celebrations, is coming a day earlier than last year’s when Governor Ben Ayade ordered payment of May salary on the first day of May.
Ayade has made salary payment one of his administration’s cardinal objectives with workers getting paid early every month.
The payment of salaries for May is coming barely a week after the payment of May salaries.
During the celebration of Workers’ Day last year, the ceremony became frenzied as shouts of “alerts” rent the air once workers began to receive bank alerts regarding the payment of their salary for the month which was just beginning.
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A’Ibom sues for peace among warring communities in Oku Iboku
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has called on warring communities in Oku Iboku clan in Itu Local Government Area and Ikot Offiong in Cross River to sheath their swords and embrace peace.
Emmanuel made the call on Sunday when he led members of the state Security Council to visit Ikot Ada Akpan community allegedly displaced by suspected gunmen from Ikot Offiong in Cross River State, following a communal clash.
The governor, while addressing the displaced communities in Oku Iboku clan in Itu local government area, said that they were attacked by their neighbouring communities in Ikot Offiong.
He assured them that his administration was taking necessary measures to ensure their security and safety.
He appealed to them to remain law abiding as his administration would do everything possible to forestall a reoccurrence of the wanton destruction of lives and property.
The governor appealed to the community leaders and youths in the area to maintain peace even in the face of provocation by their Ikot Offiong neighbours.
He promised to provide relief materials to communities affected by the violent attacks in order to ameliorate their suffering.
Responding, the transition Chairman of Itu local government area, Mrs. Elsie Esara said that the people of Oku Iboku had incurred severe losses as a result of renewed communal clash and attack by unidentified gunmen from Ikot Offiong.
She appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the community by way of providing relief materials to the affected persons.
Speaking also, a community leader in the area, Mr. Ekpe Antia, said that the people of Oku Iboku have in recent times been harassed and attacked from Ikot Offiong.
He hinted that the community would no longer fold its hands and watch its youth and women being killed by gunmen from Cross River state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that renewed communal clashes between Ikot Offiong community in Cross River and its Oku Iboku neighbours in Akwa Ibom state have claimed scores of lives and property worth millions of naira.
Gov. Emmanuel was accompanied by the Police Commissioner Donald Awuna, Commander 2 Brigade Command Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulahi Hassan, member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal constituency in the House of Representatives and other security personnel.
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Ogun sympathises with Cross River over dead football fans
Ogun state Government has sympathised with Cross River Government and families of over 30 football fans who were electrocuted at a veiwing centre while watching the Europa Match between Machester United and Anderlet in Calabar.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Afolabi Afuape, said on Sunday in a statement Abeokuta that Gov Ibikunle Amosun expressed shock over the report of the death of the football lovers.
“Amosun prayed that God grants Cross River Government and the families of the victims the strength to bear the irreparable loss and wished those injured a quick recovery.’’
According to the statement, sports, particularly the round leather game has been a major factor that is holding the unity of Nigerians together irrespective of their political, religious and cultural beliefs.
The statement said that Amosun warned that issues surrounding loss of lives should not be politicised.
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20 feared killed in renewed hostilities in Cross River, Akwa Ibom
At least 20 persons are feared killed in a renewed communal clash between the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani Local government of Cross River State and their neighbours of Oku Iboku in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday.
According to a source, a total of 12 bodies were recovered on Friday and nine yesterday from the Calabar River, a common fishing ground of both communities.
The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo confirmed the clash but could not ascertain the exact number of casualties.
The source said the victims in the clash were mainly women and fishermen in Oku Iboku.
Ugbo said, “Yes we are away of the problem but it is not true that 20 people were killed. As at yesterday we got information that they are trying to gather up again as they community people have another problem. As you know our men are already on ground because since the problem started we have not left that place, we have been on ground.
“Our men are there, we are trying to make sure the situation is calm. As for now no death person has been confirmed. I think the area is calm because immediately, the commissioner of Police sent policemen there.”
“I can’t tell you how many bodies have been brought but it is not up to that number. I can’t tell you of any number right now because the Area Commander of that area has sent his men out and when I called him this afternoon I asked him, he said he does not know yet that I should wait let him give me the confirmation so I am still waiting.”
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Obiano commiserates with Ayade, Cross River on tragedy
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has sent a condolence message to the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade and the good people of Cross River State over the tragic death of football fans who lost their lives at a soccer viewing centre.
A high tension electric cable reportedly fell on the roof of the building housing the viewing centre in Calabar on Thursday night.
Expressing a deep sense of sorrow, Governor Obiano, who spoke through James Eze, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, said the news of the tragedy came as a shock to him.
“There are certain things that paralyse me with shock. The news of many young people dying at the same time always leaves me in shock. This is one incident that will fill us all with a deep sense of loss for a very long time,” Obiano said.
Expressing his “deepest condolences” to Governor Ayade and all Cross Riverians, he said: “My thoughts and prayers are with you in this dark hour when everything seems to dissolve into strands of questions that have no easy answers.
“Moments like this do not lend themselves to easy explanations, but they simply remind us of the ephemeral nature of life and the importance of living in peace and harmony with our neighbours and devoting more time to the service of God.”
Governor Obiano therefore urged families that lost loved ones in the tragedy to keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith of all believers, assuring them that grief may tarry for a night but joy comes in the morning.
The causalities of the Calabar tragedy were reported to have lost their lives while enjoying a quarter-final UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United of England and Anderlecht FC of Belgium at a viewing centre.
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Buhari saddened by death of football fans in Calabar
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the tragic event that took the lives of several Nigerians at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River on Thursday night.
The President on Friday in Abuja commiserated with the government and people of Cross River and football fans nationwide over the unfortunate incident.
He commended the government for the prompt action in setting up a commission of inquiry into the incident, and for its offer of assistance to the victims and their families.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the mostly young victims whose sudden demise is a big blow not only to their families, but also to the football-loving nation, ’’ he said.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari prayed that God grants the souls of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourned their irreparable loss.
No fewer than 30 persons died on Thursday night in Calabar at a viewing centre while watching the Europa Football League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.
The incident happened at about 9.30 p.m. at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area.
A survivor of the tragic incident told newsmen that a transformer near the viewing centre located in the Iyang-Esu area of the Calabar Municipal Local Government Area exploded during the match and caused a high-tension cable to drop on the viewing centre.