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Tag: Cross River

  • Ndoma-Egba: Cross River can’t complain about marginalisation

    Ndoma-Egba: Cross River can’t complain about marginalisation

    Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) represents Cross River Central in the Senate.  In this interview with NICHOLAS KALU, shortly after a reception was held for him in Ikom, his home town,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain reflects on the senatorial primaries, which he lost, and the implications of losing the position of the Senate Leader for the Southsouth state.  

    How do you feel about this reception, despite the fact that you lost the senatorial re-nomination?

    First of all, I am deeply touched by this show of affection. Given our environment, where you are in a kind of situation I am in, yuo just take their leave and move to greener pastures. But, to see them, I am deeply touched. I have told them that I remain in the PDP, which is the party that has given me the opportunities and I will remain a loyal member. Secondly, I remain in politics. I am not leaving politics. This is just a bend on the road. It is not the end of the road. So, I will remain in politics to lend my voice to the people and continue to contribute my quota. I am not bitter about the exercise at all. I don’t have the capacity for bitterness. These are all worldly things. I have made peace with myself and everybody

    Many feel there are danger signs to democracy, due to what transpired at party primaries? What was your perception?

    The first thing I noticed after the primaries of the major political parties, which are the PDP and APC is that there was a lot of traffic outside PDP to the APC and there was no corresponding traffic from the APC to the PDP. It just shows one thing which is that the processes in one party were more acceptable and the processes in the other party were less acceptable. Where the process is transparent, people are bound to accept the result, but where it is not transparent, it will bring dissent and resentment. So you now begin to manage tension and resentment to a level that should not be. So our challenge is to make sure the parties enjoy internal democracy, because the parties are the vehicles through which democracy is delivered. So, if you don’t have internal democracy within your party, then you cannot give what you don’t have. People must have the opportunity of competing fairly. All of us must advocate internal party democracy. I think we are all beginning to see the price may have to pay for the impunity in the party.

    Why has the National Assembly refused to legislate on internal democracy?

    You know we have been tinkering with the legal infrastructure for some time. If you recall some time ago, INEC had a major role to play in party primaries. People complained about the dictatorship of INEC in that process and so we now decided to reduce the role of INEC to mere observation. But it now appears that we did not get it right. So we just keep tinkering. So the essential thing is that the basic legal infrastructure for internal party democracy is there. It is an attitude thing. We have not just developed the right attitude to say let there be a level playing ground and a fair chance for all to compete.

    What is your reaction to the PDP chairman, Adamu Muazu’s comment on using and dumping members?

    It is the party itself that should act. The president himself is the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The party has its leadership and I am sure people were aware of the goings on in the party. The party just appeared to be helpless at that point in time. I just hope that helplessness would not be at a high price to the party. But the time has come for us to advocate for internal democracy in political parties. That is the way to go because clearly the impunity is not sustainable at all. The way we are going, it can only take us for a short distance.

    How do you feel about the opposition gaining momentum in the Cross River State?

    Well we would have to work far harder than we have done in the past. The new strength of opposition is from members of PDP, who felt short changed and just moved there to seek an avenue for fulfilling their aspirations. So, it is us in the PDP that have given strength to opposition. And I tell you what my worry is. In the past two or so election, there was hardly any opposition party that was able to field candidates in all positions. Today, we have several that have candidates for every position, which means that they are getting more confident and more daring. So, I just pray we are not arrogant about the way we deal with the situation. We must go right back to the fundamentals. We must begin to engage ourselves and make peace. We must work harder and make sure anybody that has left for one grievance or the other is brought back to the fold. This is not a time for arrogance. We must go back because these people who are now in the opposition or those so disaffected saying they will not vote are our members. We must begin to engage them in a very constructive and sincere way.

    What exactly has Cross River lost in a sensitive position as the Senate Leader?

    Well, a few months ago you followed me round the state where we inspected only 41 out of 75 projects that are ongoing in the state. I am worried whether or not they will be able to secure funding for them. A lot of them may end up being abandoned. That is the immediate implication. Two, the position of Senate is quite a conspicuous position. Because as Senate Leader you are the liaison with the executive and you are the liaison with the party. You sit as the chairman of the party’s caucus. So, we lose that visibility. The voice gives you some mileage which we are losing. But, for me, it is the loss of the argument against marginalisation. It means that we as a state can no longer complain about marginalization. Because they will ask, you are marginalised? When we give you, you reject it. When you take what happened elsewhere, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip and my deputy were unopposed. It was only Cross River that said, no, we don’t want. How do you tomorrow turn around and make any argument for marginalisation when the nation had given you an opportunity and you say you don’t want.

  • Cross River lawmaker dumps PDP for APC

    Cross River lawmaker dumps PDP for APC

    The Cross River State House of Assembly member representing Boki Constituency 1, Ernest Eki, has defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Eki, who chairs the House Committee on Rural Development and Public Utilities, is the second APC man in the 25-member Assembly. The first is Alex Irek, representing Obubra 1.

    The lawmaker told reporters in Calabar that he defected because the PDP administration had not been faithful to Cross River people.

    He said: “The present administration has not done so well to Cross River residents. We live on deceit. I left the party for good to obtain my mandate in the field.”

  • Cross River Senator dumps PDP

    Senator representing the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Addressing his supporters at the Margaret Ekpo Airport in Calabar, he said he resigned because he could not identify with a party which does not have the interest of the people at heart.

    He said he was displeased with the way the party had conducted itself.

    Sweet Prince as he is fondly called by his teeming supporters lost the PDP primary election to chairman of the State Water Board Corporation, Mr Gershom Bassey.

    Although he did not say which party he would be heading to, it is strongly believed he has already joined the Labour Party in the state.

    “I want to thank you for the support and prayers I have been enjoying from you. Today you sent me to represent you. My representation in the Senate has been totally about the people and not myself. I am totally displeased with the way the PDP has conducted itself. My objective here is to consult with all of you and in no distant time, we would come out with a decision.

    “As you can see, I am ready to serve further. I don’t think that anybody should rob Cross River South of a ranking senator. I have done one term and I think our people should enjoy more dividends in a second term.

    “As at now I have resigned from the PDP. Any party that is not ready to serve the people, it would be difficult for me to identify with that party. After due consultations, we would come out with a party that would serve our people. For now I will leave you with an adage which says, ‘Let poor man follow chop’”, he said to loud cheers from his supporters.

    Also believed to have left the PDP for the LP are governorship aspirant, Goddy Jedy-Agba, among other top PDP members in the state.

     

     

  • Cross River: Goddy Agba dumps PDP for LP

    AFTER months of intrigues, it was learnt last night that a frontline Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Cross River State, Goddy Jedy Agba, may have defected to the Labour Party (LP) to realise his ambition.

    Agba, who was seen yesterday at LP’s national secretariat in Abuja with some of his supporters, had served a notice of withdrawal from the PDP primary through a letter to the party’s national leadership on December 8.

    In the letter, titled: PDP Primary Elections: Notice of Withdrawal, he complained about a lack of transparency and absence of a level-playing field in the conduct of the party’s primary.

  • Six killed in Cross River road accident

    Six people died at the weekend in a road crash on the Calabar-Akamkpa Highway in Cross River State.

    A Toyota Picnic car, with six occupants, had a head-on with a Toyota Hiace bus near an Army checkpoint in the area.

    Everyone in the car died.

    It was gathered that the minibus was travelling from Akamkpa to Calabar, the state capital. The bus was travelling in the opposite direction.

    The driver of the Picnic, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, worked in Calabar every morning, a drive of about 45 minutes.

    It was learnt that he usually picked passengers from Akamkpa on his way to work.

    On the day of the accident, he had passengers with him as usual.

    A resident, who gave his name simply as Ekpenyong, said he was in the vicinity when the accident occurred.

    According to him, there was a bang when the accident happened.

    Ekpenyong said when he arrived on the scene, the Picnic was crumpled.

    He said: “I don’t know who was wrong in the accident. I don’t know who caused it. I heard the noise and came out to see what happened. I saw the vehicles by the road side. The Hiace caught fire immediately.”

    Ekpenyong described the accident as mysterious.

    A source at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who spoke in confidence, explained that while everybody in the Toyota Picnic died on the spot, the driver of the Toyota Hiace bus could not be found.

    A soldier at the checkpoint, who also pleaded not to be named, said: “The bus just passed us, not too long before the accident. There was only one person inside, which was the driver. But when the bus was checked after the accident, there was nobody in the bus. Everyone in the Toyota Picnic died. Nobody knows the driver of the bus.”

  • Cross River… the making of a service-driven economy

    Cross River… the making of a service-driven economy

    The emphasis on oil as the country’s economic mainstay has left other areas largely unattended to. The service sector has received little attention, despite its huge potential. Cross River has, however, taken a major step to making its economy service-driven, reports Olukorede Yishau

    It was Saturday, December 13. Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke made the day of the matriculating students of the Institute of Technology and Management, Ugep. As a show of his belief in the institution, the governor attended its first matriculation ceremony. The students were elated. Not a few would have thought a commissioner would have represented him. Their joy knew no bound seeing Imoke talk to them about what was expected of them. The officials of the institution were also ecstatic.

    The Visitor motivated the 83 pioneer students. He urged them to utilise the opportunity of being part of the promising institution. He also congratulated them for being part of history.

    The event of last Saturday would not have been without  the October, 2013 Management Agreement between the Cross River State government and Highbury College. The agreement covers matters regarding staff and student recruitment and responsibility for running its day-to-day operations.

    Highbury College took charge of developing employer relationships aimed at ensuring that upwards of more than 90 per cent of ITM graduates are able to find gainful employment on graduation.

    The ITM Project Implementation Committee, whose membership was drawn from educational experts and representatives from Ministries and MDAs also saw to the completion of the first phase of the project, which includes the construction of the academic block, IT laboratories, student hostels, administrative block, staff housing and the provision of critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water facilities.

    The governor said: “Today’s matriculation ceremony marks both an auspicious beginning and a bold step in our efforts to situate our students at the cutting edge of vocational education and training. I want to heartily congratulate the first intake of students and remind them that they are pioneers of the realisation of a great future for the proper and the economy of Cross Rivers State.

    “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this very important event of the inaugural matriculation ceremony of the Institute of Technology and Management here in Ugep. Today marks a significant step in the evolution of our education system. This institution represents a culmination of this administration’s aim of positioning the youth in Cross River to be the most dynamic and versatile workforce in the country. We are acutely aware of the immense importance of this investment, which will not only transform the economic potentials of the students who attend this institution but will also enhance the future productivity of the state as a whole.”

    He added that the school was established out to address the shortage of mid-level professionals in specialised disciplines.

    The governor observed: “The vision to build the Institute of Technology and Management in Cross Rivers State was necessitated by the need to meet the dearth of vocational training required to prepare our youth to participate in an increasingly globally competitive economy. Students now have an opportunity to have a first rate education delivered by highly qualified lecturers without having to travel outside the state. All in an effort to addressing the shortage of highly trained mid-level professionals particularly in the highly specialised fields.

    “With ITM now fully established , it is our hope that Cross Rivers State will become a net exporter of technical expertise in very competitive fields such as engineering, ICT, and business management. This institution represents a culmination of this administration’s aim of positioning the youth in Cross Rivers to be the most dynamic and versatile workforce in the country.

    “We are acutely aware of the immense importance of this investment, which will not only transform the economic potentials of the students who are attending this institution but will also enhance the future productivity of the state as a whole.’’

    Imoke’s belief in the institute’s ability to provide world-class professionals is not unconnected with the fact that it has affiliation with Highbury College, Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, renowned as a leader globally in technical and vocational education.

    The governor said the partnership with Highbury College was well-thought out.

    “It was important that the right management was engaged and employed to ensure that the training delivered at this institution met world class, international standards. To help us achieve this goal, we turned to Highbury College, Portsmouth UK. The process of developing this partnership was a thorough and properly executed one which began with a visit by a delegation from Cross Rivers consisting of both the state executive and state legislature to Highbury College, Portsmouth in October 2012 to explore the feasibility of a meaningful and mutually beneficial partnership with an institution which was the top vocational training Institution in the United Kingdom. The enthusiasm for this project was so comprehensively accepted by both parties that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the end of discussions. This was followed by further discussions when the team from Highbury visited Calabar which led to the signing of a consultancy and technical services agreement with Highbury College in May, 2013 for them to facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) ecosystem right across the state.

    “The October 2013 Management Agreement between the Cross Rivers State Government and Highbury College comprehensively covered matters regarding staff and student recruitment for the Institution as well as operations.”

    But what is the essence of training without getting employed afterwards? Imoke said graduates of the institution would face less hassles getting gainfully employed.

    “With support from the ITM project implementation committee whose membership was drawn from educational experts as well as representatives from all the relevant government Ministries and MDAs, the first phase of the project has been completed and includes the construction of the academic block and IT laboratories, student hostels, administrative blocks, staff housing and the provision of critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water facilities.

    “Three academic programmes namely, Information Technology, Business Management and Entrepreneurship and Hospitality and Tourism have also commenced. Today, with all the construction work and furnishing of the first phase fully completed, with very highly qualified lecturers and staff hired, and admissions offered to 83 pioneer and well-deserving students, IMT is off to a good start. Work is already in progress on the second phase of the ITM project and is slated for completion in April 2015. When fully completed, the new signature building as it is being called will offer more state of the arts classrooms and specialized laboratories. Various engineering programmes are slated to be offered to incoming students as from next academic year.

    “The central elements of the consultancy and technical assistance agreement with Highbury College included not only assisting the Cross Rivers State government with the development of state of the art and world class Institute of Technology and Management in Ugep, but also the collaboration with the College of Education, Akamkpa for the review and modernisation of the teacher curriculum and for provision of specialist training to build capacity for high quality modern vocational teachers.

    “As part of the development of a holistic and integrated TVET ecosystem, he said, ‘’Highbury College will also work closely as technical partners and advisory consultants to support the upgrade of the curriculum and facilities design as well as improve the operation of the Technical and Vocational Secondary Schools across the state.

    “In doing this, these aforementioned institutions will form the core of a fully functional, market driven, dynamic TVET eco-system which is very critical to our objectives of adequately preparing our youth population for the employment needs of tomorrow’s economy.”

    Those at the event believe that Cross River and Nigeria stand to reap a lot from the institution. Like the governor, many are of the view that the state will through the school produced professionals who can hold their own anywhere in the world. Not surprisingly, Governor Imoke was keen to highlight this point.

    “All of this has been conceived to position Cross Rivers State as the premier service-driven economy in the country but ensuring that our workforce is the most qualified to meet the needs of industry.

    “With the vast amounts of Foreign Direct Investment inflows to the state from companies such as General Electric and Wilmar it has become absolutely paramount to create the basis of a value chain which will be beneficial to the Indigenes of the state. The productivity of our local workforce is a key parameter for attracting more investment into Cross River. Already, the existence of this Institution is having a tremendous impact not just on the host community of Ugep, but also on the state as a whole. Today represents the dawn of a new beginning for the economy of our state and the productivity of our workforce.”

    As Imoke drove out of the venue to attend to other state matters that Saturday, the students, their parents and officials of the institution were not oblivious of the symbolism of the day. Many of them left with the belief that it was the dawn of a new era.

    Many are excited by the fact that work has started on the school’s second phase and is slated for completion in April, 2015. When fully completed, the new Signature building will offer more state of the art classrooms and specialised laboratories. Several engineering programmes are slated to be offered to students from the next academic year.

     

  • ‘Cross River PDP governorship primaries transparent’

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Cross River State, Mr Tanko Ashang, has congratulated the winner of the primaries, Senator Ben Ayade.

    Ashang said Ayade was clearly the best of the aspirants.

    The PDP chieftain, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at an interactive session, described the primaries as free, fair and all inclusive.

    He said: “It was a thorough process, and a thorough process will always attract criticisms, especially in our clime, where people are used to quick fix. The process had no respect for status or wealth.”

    Ashang said those discrediting the process had an ego problem.

    He said: “For a party’s primaries, you expect that everybody should understand the process. That it is a delegate electioný. It was transparent, it was open.

    “The people complaining are those that wanted to discredit the process by using thugs. So, when tight security was provided to stall their plans, they began to complainý.”

    Ashang recalled that as “a delegate, who voted in all the primaries, I saw people cast their votes freely without molestation”.

    He added: “It was an improvement over past experiences. ýThose criticising the primaries are doing so out of pride. They should accept defeat because Ayade clearly won and he deserves the victory.

    “Ayade fairly represents the best of the pack by virtue of his national exposure as a senator. He is an intelligent man, an all-rounder for this job.”

    The PDP chieftain advised the “losers” to see winning and losing as normal life processes and experiences from which human beings learn.

    He urged the other aspirants to support Ayade “in the interest of the enduring peace ýthat the state has enjoyed in the past seven years”.

    Ashang hailed Governor Liyel Imoke for fulfilling his promise that his successor would come from Cross River Northern Senatorial District.

  • Cross River PDP primaries ‘free, fair’

    Cross River State Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has described the primaries held in the state as “free, fair, transparent and devoid of intimidation”.

    A statement by its secretary, Godwin Etta, said claims by some aspirants, who lost in the primaries that the processes were not fair, was not true.

    Etta said: “Everybody in the state witnessed what happened. The exercise was one of the freest and fairest in the country. Claims of intimidation are untrue.

    “The delegates list used for the exercise was authenticated by the national leadership of the party. The same list was certified page by page by the various electoral panels that conducted the various primary elections.”

    He appealed to those who lost to understand that “there can only be one winner”.

  • Cross River expresses worry over rising unemployment

    Cross River expresses worry over rising unemployment

    The Cross River  State has expressed worry over the case of rising unemployment among its youth.

    Deputy Governor Efiok Cobham, speaking during the launch of the YouLead project in Calabar, said the unemployment rate rose from 7.9 per cent in 2002 to 18.2 in 2011.

    The project in partnership with the Canadian government is a capacity building project promoting environmentally sustainable and market driven employment and entrepreneurship for young people in the state.

    Cobham said it was in recognition of the circumstances that they see entrepreneurship development as a veritable means of livelihood for our youths. .

    He said the state has enjoyed a long and productive relationship with Canada and expressed gratitude that the project would promote economic growth, employment and check rural drift.

    Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Perry Calderwood, said his country would contribute N2.4 billion to the project which would span five years.

    “The project aims to reduce youth unemployment through better quality technical vocational training in natural resource sectors. Through this project, Canada is proud to help increase employment, support small entrepreneurs and enable the youth of Cross River to achieve sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

    Calderwood said the need for meaningful, sustainable employment, especially for youth is a pressing issue in Nigeria as well as in many other developing countries.

    “Nigeria has a young population and its youth is energetic, creative and keen to realise its potential and contribute to the country’s development.

    “YouLead builds on Canada’s previous and ongoing work with various Nigerian organisation and government bodies to improve how your country manages the development of its natural resources.

    “In promoting sustainable livelihood we are committed to sharing proven Canadian approaches and experience on how best to manage natural resources,” he said.

    The Chairman of the YouLead Project Steering Committee, Prof Ndem Ayara, said 5, 000 micro-small youth entrepreneurs would be employed by the project.

  • Ochicha: I have better agenda for Cross River

    Ochicha: I have better agenda for Cross River

     Cross River State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Odey Ochicha spoke with NICHOLAS KALU in Calabar, the state capital, on the prospects of his party in next year’s polls.

    Why you intend to run for governorship?

    I have been in several leadership capacities throughout my career. I love leadership. This has prepared and positioned me for leadership and this accounts for my decision to run for the office of the governorship of Cross River State, having been sufficiently groomed in leadership capacities. I am a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management, and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

    The reason I am running is to simply, sincerely, honestly and humbly serve the people. I like selfless leadership in the mould of Nelson Mandela of South Africa. I believe leadership is to serve and uplift your people. I feel by running for this office, I would be able to help my people and make them happy and move our state from the level it is now to a higher level.

    What is your agenda for the state?

    For me, we have the best agenda for the people. We intend to do what most leaders have not in Nigeria. My administration would be anchored on three top priorities. It is only one leader in Nigeria that has adopted this strategy and that is the former Premier of the Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. What were the top priorities? Education, health and infrastructure. So similarly ours would be so. Education is light and life, progress and development. Check all the developed nations. If you don’t make education your top priority, forget it. You will remain in darkness. You cannot grow. Every family or society that wants to be great, education must be your top most priority. So if we assume leadership, education like Awolowo did would remain the most important. The second is health. Health is wealth as we all know. The third which is infrastructure gives us comfort and convenience. These three would be driven by three key economic sectors, which are agriculture, tourism and manufacturing to create job opportunities and generate wealth for our people.

    The perception in Cross River State is that the PDP is the only party. What difference can the APC make?

    That view holds no water. It was relevant up till last year. Following the merging of parties to form APC, I don’t think that can be said to stand again. There is no condition that is permanent. Cross River may have been a one party state because all the little political parties could not come together, but following the merger it is not right to describe us as a one party state. APC is coming up. It has structure now on ground. You know it takes time to build. It is a gradual process. Power is a pendulum. Democracy is all about alternatives. If you leave power in one hand for too long, it is a recipe for decay and retrogression. So for us to move forward to enjoy rapid progress, we need another party to challenge the ruling party. We need a party that can effect a positive change and the APC is a good omen for the state and should be embraced. We need a vibrant opposition to check the government else there cannot be growth, progress and development.

    How formidable is the APC in Cross River?

    Good leaders are opportunity minded not problem minded. So it is now left for the opposition to close ranks and realise that when we all work together, we achieve success and progress. It does not help anybody to work at cross purposes. The only way we can succeed and take over to work together and we would do that to achieve our aim.

    How strong are you financially to face the PDP?

    When it comes to the issue of power politics, it is not a one man thing. It requires collective effort. It requires all hands on deck. What we need is ideas, then you can partner with somebody that has the resources. Once a man of ideas is identified, all that is needed is for all to contribute towards installing that person. Winning elections depends on your strategy and also having a clear vision. No governor ever in this state has the kind of policy we need. One measure you use to assess our leader is their three top priorities. Yes, PDP have structures, but the APC is coming on board. Like I said it takes one to have a credible candidate who can connect with the people. When Obama came on he was not given any chance, but because Americans saw him as a man of ideas, clear vision and great ideas, he was voted. A good product always sells. I know our people. We have instances in Nigeria where the people voted who they wanted not just because of money. The same will happen here. We intend to give the people of Cross River State three best gifts no governor has ever given.

    How would you react to speculations that you are planted by the PDP to cause confusion in the APC? “That is where I come in. With my experience as a successful player in the private sector, and having been in politics for some time now, I know

    There is no iota of truth in that. The PDP cannot sponsor me. If you know my antecedents, they cannot. A lot of my friends are in PDP. They have even tried to drag me in, but they know I won’t. There is one simple question I would ask PDP up till they cannot give me the answer. I ask them what the operational philosophy of the PDP is and none of them has been able to answer that question. What are their three top priorities, they don’t know. They cannot tell me. So how can I be sponsored by the PDP? The issue of party logo, if you notice, we have just rolled out one poster and it is not a campaign poster. It is just to sensitize. That came on board when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not lifted the ban. Before we did that we sought legal advice. They said you want to sensitize, yes, but don’t put the party logo, because INEC had not lifted the ban on party politics. The real one is coming. Just hold your breath, you will see. We are going to launch out ferociously. Elections are in stages. We could not have put party logos because that would have violated INEC regulations. Let us just sensitize the people on my interest. The real ones with party logo will come.