The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cross River

  • Mob burn suspected motorcycle thief to death

    An angry mob in Ugep in Yakurr local government area of Cross River State snatched a suspected motorcycle thief from the police and set him ablaze The Nation gathered Thursday.

    It was gathered the mob snatched the ill-fated young man from the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ugep.

    According to eyewitness from the area, the suspect had allegedly stolen the motorcycle in nearby Adim community in Biase local government area and had brought it to Ugep where someone recognized the stolen machine.

    The person who recognized the motorcycle raised alarm and the suspected thief was apprehended and taken to the palace, where the police was called.

    READ ALSO: Mob beats suspected wizard to stupor

    When the police arrived it was learnt a mob that had gathered refused to allow them go and overpowered the policemen, collected the suspect and burnt him to death.

    Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, said an investigation would be launched into the incident.

    She said no one has the right to take anybody’s life.

  • Quackery: NMA shuts down illegal medical facility in C’ River

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Cross River has shut down a medical facility in Yala Local Government Area in its ongoing fight against quackery in medicine in the state.

    The NMA Chairman in the state, Dr Agam Ayuk, disclosed this on Wednesday in Calabar in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that Divine Favour Clinic and Maternity in Ugaga village was shut after an inspection visit to the facility.

    Ayuk, who led members of the association, including the Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke on the inspection, told NAN that the association had received incessant complaints over medical quackery in the area.

    He said that when NMA stormed the facility, they met a lady, Mrs Rosemary Erimma-Okwoche, who claimed to be a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW).

    Ayuk told NAN that Erimma-Okwoche was central to the running of the facility with an acclaimed medical doctor from Benue who was said to have been visiting the center periodically.

    “The attention of NMA was drawn to the illegal medical practices carried out by unqualified medical personnel in an unregistered private facility named Divine Favour Clinic and Maternity in Ugaga village in Yala Local Government.

    READ ALSO: End quackery in teaching, provost urges

    “The spot assessment of the facility revealed deplorable and substandard state of the center. Two poorly managed patients were seen, one of them with fresh surgical abdominal scars.

    “Further interrogation revealed a lady, Mrs Rosemary Erimma Okwoche, an acclaimed CHEW who is central to running of the facility with an acclaimed doctor from Benue State who is said to have been visiting the center periodically.

    “The lady was apprehended by the police and the facility closed down indefinitely,’’ he said.

    The chairman advised members of the public on the need to seek medical care from qualified medical personnel in duly registered private and public health institutions.

    He warned those involved in the illegal practices to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.

    The NMA chairman further called on the state Ministry of Health to rise to the challenge of curbing medical quackery in the state, adding that Cross River should not be a haven for such illegality.

    Ayuk commended the swift response of the police and the ministry during the inspection tour, and reiterated the need for partnership with relevant stakeholders to stem the menace.

  • Struggle for Cross River Central’s seat rages

    Nicholas Kalu in Calabar in this report captures the ongoing battle in Cross River over the Central Senatorial District

    CROSS River State is made up of three senatorial districts: The southern, the central and the northern districts. In the history of the politics of the state, at least since the beginning of the present democratic dispensation, the central district of the state has always been noted as the hotbed. Whenever the political season comes around as the recent one that just finished, interest in what happens in this area always seems to be higher than in other parts of the state.

    In the just concluded 2019 elections, again most of the attention was on the contest for the Senatorial seat of the Central District. It may be argued that here intrigues played out the most. Maybe this time due to the pedigree of those who sought to represent the district in the red chamber. The two main contenders in this category were the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Dr. Sandy Onor respectively. The district is made up six local government areas which are Abi, Yakurr, Obubra, Ikom, Etung and Boki. Onor is from Etung while Ndoma-Egba is from Ikom.

    Both have had great political careers and are grassroots politicians and stalwarts in their own rights. Onor, a former local government chairman and former Commissioner in the state, had even earned a name for himself in the political sphere. He is called the ‘Original Caterpillar.’ According to supporters, this name is due to his ability to bulldoze and get his way politically. Ndoma-Egba himself had served in the Senate for three consecutive terms since 2003 and had risen to the position of Senate Leader. Known for his visibility and eloquence in the red chamber, he was seen as the guy who got things done, and expectations seemed to be high in anticipation of his return.

    It was like a battle of gladiators to say the least.

    The seat they were aiming to get had been declared vacant by the incumbent, Senator John Owan-Enoh of the APC, who had declared his intention to run for the governorship of the state.

    It is pertinent to point out that Ndoma-Egba lost out in the senatorial primary elections to Owan-Enoh in 2015, in a manner, which at the time, the former    considered controversial. Both of them were in the PDP then. The issues which arose at the time had led to Ndoma-Egba’s withdrawal from political activities for a while and a subsequent withdrawal from the PDP soon after. He often claimed he was ostracized by the party and given that he still had political life in him, had to look somewhere else to live it out. He joined the APC and the rest is history.

    There were lots of other elections in the state, but everyone seemed to be talking about this particular one. It may be argued that even the governorship election did not generate as much interest as this one.

    The elections eventually held on February 23, 2019 after being shifted from February 16. At the end of the day, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Onor was winner of the polls. According to the results announced by returning officer, Prof Ubana Eyong, Onor scored 80, 126 votes to beat Ndoma-Egba who got 60, 298.

    However, even with the announcement of the results the intrigues seem not to be over yet, especially given allegations of rigging, violence, and the collusion of INEC and security agencies to work for the PDP, that trailed the exercise. It may not yet be Uhuru for the Caterpillar. Who knows?

    It appears they may have been some sentiment in wanting Ndoma-Egba back in that he had acquired the ranking in his previous time in the Senate, which affords certain privileges a first timer would not get, and would have been advantageous to clinching the Presidency of the Senate. It was believed that given his legislative prowess and experience in tackling conflict situations, the Presidency may have wanted him to head the Red Chamber thereby making for smooth executive-legislature relation. But this cannot be verified.

    What can be verified however is that Ndoma-Egba has already sent his petition to the tribunal in the state. The Election Petition Tribunal in Cross River State has so far received eleven petitions challenging the outcome of the last general elections in the state. The petitions received so far are only for the National Assembly elections held on February 23rd, 2019.

    In his petition, Ndoma-Egba said among others: “In the late hours of 22nd February 2019, the eve of the elections, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Dr. Frankland Briyai announced to the world through the mass media that the All Progressives Congress had no candidates for the elections of the 23rd February, 2019 and 9thMarch, 2019… At the time of the announcement, there was a valid order of the Court of Appeal, Calabar, made on the 20th of February, 2019 that the status quo be maintained. Clearly the statement was premeditated and malafide,” he said.

    Notwithstanding the petitions and protests against the REC, Dr. Briyai, he has said consistently that he was impartial in the elections and did not work for any political party.

    So, as the battle shifts to the court, stakeholders are only holding their breath.

  • I’ll ensure southern district gets C/River 2023 guber ticket– Ayade

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has restated his commitment to ensuring that the southern Senatorial District of the state produces the next governor in 2023.

    Ayade, who spoke on a phone-in radio programme on Saturday in Calabar, insisted that equity and fairness dictates that the next governor of Cross River must come from that zone.

    The governorship slot in the state has been rotational within the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

    Former governor Donald Duke from the South served for eight years between 1999 and 2007.

    Thereafter, former governor Liyel Imoke from the Central also served for eight years between 2007 and 2015 while Gov. Ayade from the North was elected into office in 2015 and has won his re-election for a second term.

    “In fairness and equity, 2023 is the turn of the South and that was the commitment I gave. I will use every fiber in me to ensure that the next governor comes from the southern Senatorial District.

    “Having insisted on keeping fidelity with the political zoning arrangement in the state in the run up to my re-election, it is therefore, incumbent on me to ensure that the south takes its turn to produce governor in 2023.

    “Fairness is fairness, equity is equity. I have preached equity, so it is my turn to do equity,” the governor said.

    Ayade also used the interview to disclose his plans in ensuring gender balance in his next cabinet.

    He said that there would be more women in his government in this dispensation. (NAN)

  • NGO makes case for women empowerment

    A non-governmental organization, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has called on governments at all levels as well as Nigerians to investment more in women empowerment programmes.

    The organization said there is need to continuously support women in order to improve their lives.

    AHF’s Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, said this at an exhibition in Abuja.

    The exhibition tagged “Balance for Better” was part of activities by AHF to celebrate the 2019 International Women’s Day.

    He said: “We must see empowering women as a priority agenda that everyone must embrace. This is what we are doing in all the states we work in. We work with women at the rural levels, we empower them, and teach them skills.

    “We are going to continue to advocate for the betterment of our women folks. We have to invest in our women, we have to support them and we have to be there for them.

    “What we are doing is to look at our women and speak to their needs. It is difficult for some of our women financially. We are using this to instigate other women to join what their peers are doing.”

    Also, the State Nursing Coordinator for AHF, Christy Awunor, said 150 women from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, participated in the exhibition.

    She said the aim of the organisation is to create opportunities for more women to thrive.

    Awunor said: “Our focus on the women is to create entrepreneurship for every woman. We want every woman to be self-reliant – be able to do something for herself and her family.

    Read Also: ‘It‘s time for women to identify their strengths’

    “We have about 25 exhibitors and we intend to support these women in carrying out what they are doing more effectively and efficiently and also to be able to make money from this and take care of their families.

    “Today, we are going to be handing over some amount to these woman to be able to support what they do.

    “We have empowered quite a number of women not only in Abuja but in Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Nasarawa and Akwa-Ibom state during event like this.”

  • Cross River: APC alleges killing of members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has alleged the killing of several of its members, who refused to be compromised, during the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections by agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led state government.

    The party, which made the accusation in a statement by its acting chairman, John Ochala, rejected the results of the election, which saw the PDP emerge winners.

    The statement, made available to The Nation in Calabar reads, “The All Progressives Congress, Cross River State, hereby informs the general public, that, we dissociate ourselves from this rape of democracy in the name of Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections. We are all witnesses to the daylight robbery of our collective will and mandate, led by the PDP state government in active connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives.

    ”Despite the very responsible manner in which our teeming party faithful and supporters went about their civic responsibility, the PDP in desperation to perpetuate their evil agenda killed several of our members who refused to compromise and resisted the vote stuffing carried out by the PDP.

    ”We call on all APC members and well-wishers to remain calm and go about their lawful duties without let or hindrance while the party leadership explores all avenues within legal limits to correct this aberration.”

    Also addressing reporters in Calabar, the governorship candidate of the Young Democratic Party (YDP), Emmanuel Undie, rejected the results saying there were no elections in the state.

    Undie accused the security agencies and INEC of colluding with agents of the PDP to rig the elections.

    He vowed to pursue all constitutional means to ensure the exercise is cancelled.

    ”There were no elections in Cross River State. It was not free and fair, a lot of people were disenfranchised and there was no safety and security for the people. I personally saw SUVs filled with thugs with automatic weapons moving freely with government number plates.

    ”We witnessed carting away of materials by thugs, multiple thumb printing. There was also swapping of result sheets, hence whatever happened in the field was an exercise in futility. People only went out to waste their time. The police, who were supposed to protect law-abiding citizens, were aiding thugs against the citizens. The results were cooked up,” he alleged.

  • INI EDO, DUNCAN MIGHTY, OTHERS TO GET HONOUR IN CALABAR

    ACTRESS Ini Edo will, alongside other entertainers be in Calabar, the Cross River State capital for the South South Achievers Award (SSA-Award) billed to hold on March 24, 2019 at the Transcop Hotel.

    Organisers say the award is to celebrate top achievers in business, entertainment, media, politics, arts, fashion industry.

    There are indications this will be the first time people from the South-South, who have made notable contribution to the society will be gathered for recognition of this kind.

    According to a statement by TreyLink, organisers of the show, apart from Ini Edo and Duncan Mighty, other notable figures in entertainment and business sectors expected to be honoured at the event include founder of Abuja International Film Festival, Fidelis Duker; former president of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Zik Zulu Okafor; and music promoter, Ubi Franklin.

    Others are; international journalist currently with the BBC World News, Ashionye Ogene and business man and citizens journalist, Agba Jalingo, while actress Kate Henshaw, Belinda Effah, Eve Esin, Nse Ikpe Etim, Timaya, Mc Galaxy have been nominated in different categories of the award.

  • Cross River: APC alleges killing of members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has alleged the killing of several of its members, who refused to be compromised, during the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections by agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led state government.

    The party, which made the accusation in a statement by its acting chairman, Sir John Ochala, rejected the results of the election, which saw the PDP emerge winners.

    The statement, made available to The Nation in Calabar read, “The All Progressives Congress Cross River State hereby informs the General Public that we dissociate ourselves from this rape of democracy in the name of Governorship and State House of Assembly  Elections.

    We are all witnesses to the day light robbery of our collective will and mandate, led by the PDP state government in active connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives.

    Despite the very responsible manner in which our teeming party faithful and supporters went about their civic responsibility, the PDP in desperation to perpetuate their evil agenda killed several of our members who refused to compromise and resisted the vote stuffing carried out by the PDP.

    READ ALSO: Confusion over judgment on Cross River APC

    “We call on all APC members and well-wishers to remain calm and go about their lawful duties without let or hindrance while the party leadership explores all avenues within legal limits to correct this aberration.”

    Also addressing reporters in Calabar, the governorship candidate of the Young Democratic Party (YDP), Emmanuel Undie, rejected the results saying there were no elections in the state.

    Undie accused the security agencies and INEC of colluding with agents of the PDP to rig the elections.

    He vowed to pursue all constitutional means to ensure the exercise is cancelled.

    “There were no elections in Cross River State. It was not free and fair, a lot of people were disenfranchised and there was no safety and security for the people. I personally saw SUVs filled with thugs with automatic weapons moving freely with government number plate numbers.

    “We witnessed carting away materials by thugs, multiple thumb printing. There were also swapping of result sheets; hence whatever happened in the field was an exercise in futility. People only went out to waste their time. The police, supposed to protect law abiding citizens, were aiding thugs against the citizens. The results were cooked up,” he alleged.

  • C/River student crushed to death on campus

    A fourth-year Civil Engineering undergraduate of the Cross River University of Technology, Joseph Agbor, was accidentally crushed to death by a car driven by another student on campus in Calabar, The Nation gathered on Wednesday.

    It was learnt that the car driven by a second-year student veered off the road and rammed into Agbor, 21, who was sitting by a gutter waiting for a class.

    He died on the spot it was learnt.

    It could not be immediately ascertained if the driver was drunk or a learner.

    “We were just waiting for our next lecture. We sat where we normally used to sit by the gutter by the road close to the lecture hall when waiting for our classes when we heard the loud sound of the car. Before we knew what was happening, the car which was in full speed ran into him. He did not even have time to react and was crushed to death instantly. It is a very sad day for us,” a student who witnessed the incident said.

    Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo,said the driver is in police custody at the moment, while the matter is investigated.

  • APC alleges killing of members in Cross River

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Cross River State has alleged the killing of several of its members, who refused to be compromised, during the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections by agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led state government.

    The party, which made the accusation in a statement by its acting chairman, Sir John Ochala, rejected the results of the election, which saw the PDP emerge winners.

    The statement, made available to The Nation in Calabar read, “The All Progressives Congress Cross River State hereby informs the General Public that we dissociate ourselves from this rape of democracy in the name of Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections. We are all witnesses to the day light robbery of our collective will and mandate, led by the PDP state government in active connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives. Despite the very responsible manner in which our teeming party faithful and supporters went about their civic responsibility, the PDP in desperation to perpetuate their evil agenda killed several of our members who refused to compromise and resisted the vote stuffing carried out by the PDP.

    “We call on all APC members and well-wishers to remain calm and go about their lawful duties without let or hindrance while the party leadership explores all avenues within legal limits to correct this aberration.”

    Also addressing reporters in Calabar Monday, the governorship candidate of the Young Democratic Party (YDP), Emmanuel Undie, rejected the results saying there were no elections in the state.

    Undie accused the security agencies and INEC of colluding with agents of the PDP to rig the elections.

    He vowed to pursue all constitutional means to ensure the exercise is cancelled.

    “There were no elections in Cross River State. It was not free and fair, a lot of people were disenfranchised and there was no safety and security for the people. I personally saw SUVs filled with thugs with automatic weapons moving freely with government number plate numbers.

    “We witnessed carting away materials by thugs, multiple thumb printing. There were also swapping of result sheets; hence whatever happened in the field was an exercise in futility. People only went out to waste their time. The police, supposed to protect law abiding citizens, were aiding thugs against the citizens. The results were cooked up,” he alleged.