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Tag: Donald Duke

  • APC chieftain predicts victory for party in C/River

    APC chieftain predicts victory for party in C/River

    Mr Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River Central Senatorial District, says the party will displace ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in future elections in the zone.

    Obun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Friday that his optimism was based on the gale of defections by chieftains of the PDP to the APC.

    “As you are aware, the senator representing Cross River Central on the platform of PDP, Sen. Owan Enoh, recently defected to the APC.

    “I want to announce to you that just last weekend, the member representing Obubra 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Elocate Ekom, has also defected to the APC.

    “So, now we have one member in the house and more are warming up to defect,’’ he said.

    According to him, this is a clear indication that the people of the central senatorial zone are inching back to where they belonged.

    “It shows that the people of the zone are gradually getting back to the progressive politics where they belonged in the first and second republics.

    “It has been our tradition before the advent of the fourth republic in 1999, and even in that 1999, the same scenario played out until former Gov. Donald Duke collapsed everybody into one umbrella.

    “Unfortunately, now the umbrella is turn into pieces and water has started finding its level.’’

    Obun called for unity among party members in the state, saying that with unity in the party, it would record successes.

    “I appeal for a united front in order to outwit our opponents. With peace and unity in the state’s chapter, Cross River is ours to lose in the coming elections,’’ he said.

  • FG to set up policy for community policing

    FG to set up policy for community policing

    …Nigeria needs 1.8million policemen

     

    The Federal Government has disclosed its intention to implement policy for the establishment of community policing.

    The policy which would be introduced soon would help address the issue of manpower in the Force and also address security challenges.

    To attain the United Nations one policemen to 100 citizens, it was also disclosed that Nigeria needs 1.8 million personnel of the Force.

    The Ag. President, Yemi Osinbajo disclosed the need for the establishment of Community policing in Abuja yesterday during the launch of a book, “Law on Prevention and Detection of Crimes by the Police in Nigeria” authored by the former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

    The Ag. President who was represented by the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu said: “There is no way we can continue with the way we are policing now and the federal government is looking carefully at the issue of community policing and very soon, we would come out with a policy on that.

    “We have to look at other parts of the world when we are doing it, sitting down in Abuja by an IG and policing the remote parts of the country and being in charge of the welfare of all the policemen across length and breadth of the country doesn’t seem to be working.

    “We all have to agree to look at this. There are concerns and challenges and they will be addressed. In the 80s, whenever you talk about private television and radio, everybody gets jittery but some people took the bull by the horn and we are getting the best for that decision today. We have to take our fears away.”

    The federal government also tasked elites to encourage their children to join the Force.

    “If we want a very good, active and efficient policing, we should also try as elites to encourage our children to join the Nigeria Police Force. If we want effective policing and believe that they are actually protecting us, we should also spare our offspring to join the police and do a good job.”

    He also revealed that some retired senior police officers would be engaged for proper implementation of the policy across the country.

    “As for the retired IGs and police officers, you may have a role to play very soon for us to depart from this old way of policing our country. It does not seem like it can work and it is not working”.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, former governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke while lending voice to the establishment of state policing noted that the decentralization of policing is the greatest prevention to crime and allows for better monitoring and intelligence gathering.

    Duke also hinted that Nigeria needs 1.8million policemen for proper policing.

    He said: “I must say that I disagree with the author’s position that state policing, though theoretically ideal will be abused and that states indeed are too financially handicapped from embarking on this. I posit instead that we must always strive for the ideal without losing sight of reality, this reality being that we are severely under policed.

    “Our population may be approaching 200 million by 2020. The United Nations ideal statistics for police civil populace ratio is 1/100. In other words, at 180 million persons, we are in need of a 1.8 million police force.

    “It is the Federal Government that is financially handicapped in this regard to accommodate this number. The States may not have the financial buoyancy to so attain, but thinking outside the box, we may attempt to bring the numbers within reason.

    He further said: “The fear of abuse can be mitigated by an oversight responsibility or authority by the Commissioner of police in the State or a State Police regulatory commission. A further realignment of the zones to create for more zones and broaden the base 1 of the force is needed, as the narrowing at the service top has become inimical to career growth and led to disenchantment.

    “We must quickly attain at least 500,000 federal police from the current 350,000 or thereabout and about the same number at the State level. The decentralization of policing and presence is the greatest deterrent to crime and allows for better monitoring and intelligence gathering”.

    He also suggested that entry level into the Force be reviewed.

    According to him: “We ought to review entry levels into the force from OND to HND and apply aptitude tests to qualify for entry and promotions, and the manpower abounds. Constant training and retraining is a sine qua non in keeping up with the dynamics of a 21st century cyber technical world”.

    Speaking also, the author of the book, Arase said the law enforcement role of the police can only be attained if officers have proper knowledge of what law enforcement entails.

    He said 21st Century Policing architecture of Nigeria ought to deviate from the state of affairs and evolve into a knowledge-driven system that is befitting of our democratic values.

    On the inadequate number of personnel to police the nation and establishment of community policing, he said: “Even if we have required number of policemen in Nigeria, we have to ask what the quality of the men are. There must be quality control in the people we are bringing. We must bring officers who are knowledgeable enough and confident to carry out their duties.

    “In my book, I noted that issues like terrorism, cross border crimes and all are not issues that can be dealt with locally. While it is good that we talk about community policing, the state police can take care of some municipal laws. When it comes to issues of terrorism, cybercrime, you need a highly dedicated central body to take care of it.

    “My own take on state policing is that it is going to come but we have to be careful how we implement it. We are talking about proliferation of firearms, how will they get it? Will states be allowed to purchase firearms indiscriminately? The problem we are trying to solve might give birth to another monster, so we have to think it through and it has to be gradual and not something we rush into.”

     

     

  • 2019: Youths back ex-Governor Donald Duke for President

    2019: Youths back ex-Governor Donald Duke for President

    A group of youths, under the aegis of Nigeria Professional Youth Vanguard (NPYV), has pledged to support the presidential ambition of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke in 2019.

    The group’s National Coordinator, Princess Ayi Umoh, told reporters in Calabar, the state capital, that NPYV would work with the slogan: Donald Duke for Unity, Stability, Peace and Progress (DD4USPP), to enlighten and mobilise the masses for Duke’s presidential ambition ahead of 2019.

    She said: “The real change the nation and its citizens want is when they come out en masse to vote for the former governor of Cross River State in the 2019 presidential election.”

    The coordinator said the antecedents of the former governor showed his capacity to lead the nation successfully.

    Umoh said Duke’s ambition to become President in the next election was at the right time, adding that he remained the ideal person to “deliver the nation from bad leadership”.

    She said: “Going by his pedigree, he is the credible, capable and right person to lead the country.”

    The coordinator said NPYV had been addressing the societal ills, such as poverty, insecurity, moral decadence and corruption since it was formed.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, Mr Godswill Osim, urged Nigerian youths to change the country for the better.

    The governor’s aide said youths formed a formidable force to be reckoned with.

    He said: “For every leadership that has emerged over the years in Nigeria and Cross River, in particular, it was the youths that made it happen. Therefore, it is time for youths to use their time and positive values to change the nation.”

    Osim hailed the Ben Ayade administration for including youths in governance.

    The governor’s aide noted that this had resulted in outstanding results.

    He said: “I charge all youths in the country to wake up and take their destinies as well as the responsibility of moving the nation forward.”

  • I still want to become president – Donald Duke

    I still want to become president – Donald Duke

    A former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, on Tuesday said he would still take a shot at the presidency, if the opportunity presented itself.

    Duke spoke at a programme, “The Nigerian Symposium for Emerging Leaders’’, held in Lagos.

    He said though he once aspired to the position but did not emerge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would still contest for the highest office in the country at the appropriate time.

    Duke explained that it was because of his preference for the presidential seat that he did not vie for any federal legislative seat after serving out his terms as governor.

    “I do not have the flair for the legislature; standing up and sitting down at the chambers to raise a point. That was why I did not contest for the Senate but the presidency, after serving out my term as governor.

    “I have contested the presidency before; I will still give it a shot when the opportunity presents itself . I believe I still have the energy in me,“he said.

    The former governor canvassed the reform of the country’s political system to accommodate wider participation and good governance.

    He suggested the review of the electoral law to allow for independent candidacy.

    Duke said the country’s democracy would fare better if young people, who form the larger proportion of the population ,took more active part in its political process.

    He said most developed countries had young people as their leaders at one point or the other in their democratic history.

    The former governor, however, said power was never given easily, urging young people to participate in the political process and use their prime to add value to the country.

    “I want to urge young people in the country not to see leadership as if it belongs to some people, but do everything positive to be part of it.

    “You can only make a difference at the prime of your life. You can actually add value now, not when you are above 50.

    “So, you need to be part of the political process and play your part. It is your right to be there; nobody is doing you a favour.

    “You represent more than 60 per cent of the population;  you don’t have to beg for it.

    “Just make effort to make that change and contribute your quota to nation building,’’ he said.

    Duke urged government at all levels to be accountable and challenged the governed to demand more from their leaders.

    Also speaking, former Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State decried lack of transparency and accountability in government.

    He said the situation was responsible for the level of corruption in the country and poor delivery of dividends of democracy.

    Obi said the way out of the quagmire was for leaders to carry the governed along in budgetary spending and plans for effective tracking.

    “The way forward is that governments should make their budgets more explicit and published. The plans and the money to be spent on them should be clearly stated.

    “That is when people can track and make comparative analysis with previous budgets and then we can achieve some transparency,’’ he said.

    The former governor also urged the masses to show more interest in the budget so as to keep leaders on their toes.

    Mr Seun Onigbinde, Chief Executive Officer, Budgit, an organisation with interest in accountability in public finance, urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their governments.

    He also urged governments at all levels to always carry the people along in their budgetary proposals and implementation to achieve accountability.

  • Music can melt down human stress – Donald Duke

    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.

  • Duke urges Veritas University graduating students to be change agents

    Duke urges Veritas University graduating students to be change agents

    Mr. Donald Duke, Former Cross River Governor, on Tuesday urged graduating students of Veritas University, Abuja, to always be the change agents that would transform the country.

    Duke said this in Abuja at a Public Lecture to mark the fourth and fifth convocation lecture of the university with the theme: “We the Creatures and the Lord of All Creation”.

    He encouraged the students saying, “arouse yourselves to be the great being that you ought to be, do not trifle this great work of creation by being onlookers”.

    He commended the Catholic Diocese of Nigeria for the tested work in bridging the social divide in the country.

    Duke called on Nigerian leaders to reestablish the society for a better future.

    “It behooves on leaders of the faith to recalibrate the society.

    “If you see what is happening to religion today globally and in Nigeria, there is need for the youth to be agents of change.

    “Globally, there is a competition between the two major religions.

    “God is neither a Christian nor Muslim but religion is a vehicle that takes you to God so leaders must be humble and recognise that God place them in position,” he said.

    Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Bishop of Abuja, urged the graduating students to resist any temptation that could make them cut corners.

    Onaiyekan called on the students to always do the right thing as means of succeeding in their career.

    Also, Prof. Michael Kwanashie, Vice-Chancellor of the university, urged Nigerians to turn to God in order for the country to move forward.

    Kwanashie said to foster love and unity in the country, Nigerians should recognise God in all things.
    “We need to understand that we will account for our deeds, this country cannot move on if we don’t contribute to the salvation of men and women,” he said.

    He, however, said that the university was willing to contribute to the development of education by subsidising the cost of education.

    He said the university was working toward producing men and women who would produce the change the country needed.

    “What we are doing is to make our students combine academic training with moral, spiritual, cultural and social formation,” he said.

    The vice-chancellor urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution and the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university will on March 8 award degrees 180 students out of which six came out with first class honours.

     

  • Donald Duke, others storm beer symposium

    Donald Duke, others storm beer symposium

    The Chairman of the 3rd Nigerian Beer Symposium, and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has said that beer plays a significant role in the sustenance of good health and cultural cohesion.

    Duke who made the assertion at the event which held in Lagos last Thursday noted that not only is beer low in carbohydrates, it is as all-natural as orange juice and milk.

    “Beer has no need for preservatives because of the alcohol and hops, both of which are natural preservatives. The only processing beer undergoes is the same as with bread-it is cooked and fermented, filtered and packaged,” he said.

    The former governor maintained that it is most astounding that beer has no fat or cholesterol and when taken in moderation, beer can tilt high- density lipoprotein levels (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol rations in the right direction. “HDL are the good cholesterols that protect your veins while LDL is the bad kind that builds up in your veins. Beer actually flushes the system and can boost the HDL by up to 4 percent with just a single beer a day,” the former governor remarked.

    Duke also added that beer is a lot safer than the local bottled water.  “If you find yourself someplace where you are advised not to drink the local water, the local beer is always a safer bet. It is a lot safer than the local bottled water. So just follow the rules of beer drinking and you will be fine,” he advised.

    Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. NicolaasVervelde also stressed that the objective of the Nigerian Beer Symposium has been to highlight and share contemporary knowledge on the wonderful product called beer. Despite the very strong ties between beer and culture, Vervelde emphasized that the wrong use or abuse of beer can indeed have undesirable consequences.

     

  • Donald Duke, others storm beer symposium

    Donald Duke, others storm beer symposium

    The Chairman of the 3rd Nigerian Beer Symposium, and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has said that beer plays a significant role in the sustenance of good health and cultural cohesion.

    Duke who made the assertion at the event which held in Lagos last Thursday noted that not only is beer low in carbohydrates, it is as all-natural as orange juice and milk.

    “Beer has no need for preservatives because of the alcohol and hops, both of which are natural preservatives. The only processing beer undergoes is the same as with bread-it is cooked and fermented, filtered and packaged,” he said.

    The former governor maintained that it is most astounding that beer has no fat or cholesterol and when taken in moderation, beer can tilt high- density lipoprotein levels (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol rations in the right direction. “HDL are the good cholesterols that protect your veins while LDL is the bad kind that builds up in your veins. Beer actually flushes the system and can boost the HDL by up to 4 percent with just a single beer a day,” the former governor remarked.

    Duke also added that beer is a lot safer than the local bottled water.  “If you find yourself someplace where you are advised not to drink the local water, the local beer is always a safer bet. It is a lot safer than the local bottled water. So just follow the rules of beer drinking and you will be fine,” he advised.

    Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. NicolaasVervelde also stressed that the objective of the Nigerian Beer Symposium has been to highlight and share contemporary knowledge on the wonderful product called beer. Despite the very strong ties between beer and culture, Vervelde emphasized that the wrong use or abuse of beer can indeed have undesirable consequences.

  • DONALD DUKE, OTHERS TO SPEAK AT BEER SYMPOSIUM

    DONALD DUKE, OTHERS TO SPEAK AT BEER SYMPOSIUM

    AS Nigerian Breweries Plc continues its campaign of correctness for the perception of beer, former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, will lead other experts at the third Nigerian Beer Symposium in Lagos, organisers have announced.

    A release from the company’s Public Relatiions firm, TPT, says the one-day symposium, slated for Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will focus on beer as a beverage that lubricates culture and enhances social bonding across the ages.

    Themed “Beer and Culture”, this year’s edition, according to the statement, will be chaired by Mr. Duke, who was praised for his contributions to the fields of agriculture, urban development, environment, and tourism during his tenure in office.

    Others listed for the event include Professor Innocent Ujah, a Fellow of the Medical College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and current Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba-Lagos; Professor Bartholomew Okolo, OFR, a professor of Applied Microbiology and former Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Ted Mukoro, a veteran advertising guru and Ms. Stephanie Coker, an On Air Personality and Television presenter.

      According to the organisers, the symposium promises to be knowledge-packed and will provide an exciting insight into the global brewing industry, especially as it relates to beer, health and culture.

      Not a few historians agree that beer is one of the world’s oldest recorded alcoholic beverages, with many positive qualities and benefits. However, these benefits are under-appreciated or understood by audiences who are daily overwhelmed by many unsubstantiated misconceptions about beer.

      To address these wrong perceptions, Nigerian Breweries, two years ago, launched a programme – The Positive Story of Beer (PSoB) – to change the conversation and improve the reputation of the beer category by sharing what is wonderful about beer.

  • President Buhari, Donald Duke is not your friend

    SIR: In a newspaper published on May 30, former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke claims that his relationship with President Buhari has always been ‘cordial’. There is nothing wrong with name-dropping, but in this case, as it turned out, Duke flatly lied.

    In a public speech he made in Calabar in 2006 when he first indicated his interest in running for President, Donald Duke called Buhari “an uneducated autocrat now masquerading as a democrat”. He went on to say many other unsavory things against Buhari going as far as calling him “a rank Northern champion”. So, how can a man who spewed these vituperations barely a decade ago now turn around to claim that Buhari is his friend?

    Some people might wonder what my business is with Donald Duke faking cordial relations with Buhari. Well, my business is this: I am sick and tired of politicians I used to respect suddenly turning full circle to make a mockery of themselves just because they now crave appointment or relevance from Buhari.

    Donald Duke has not failed to disappoint since he left office and felt left out in the cold. For the past few years, if Duke was not clandestinely working against Jonathan for refusing to make him Minister, he was attacking his successor, Liyel Imoke for all kinds of petty reasons. And now this: He has turned to claiming cordiality with a Buhari he was known to have bashed mercilessly in the past. What will he soon call Buhari if he fails to pick a ministerial slot?

    Since Buhari won, we have seen plenty of those, from some who are fisting to decamp, and now to the others like Duke who claim false friendships with Buhari. And as if that’s not enough, this same Donald Duke has been saying unprintable things about Jonathan lately. And to think that he also claimed in the past to be one of Jonathan’s best friends. It’s such a shame and so sad that Duke has come to this sorry pass.

    President Buhari, Donald Duke is not your friend. Remember that he was also Jonathan’s friend, and a friend to a whole lot of other people he today makes a business of defaming, and otherwise attacking mercilessly.

     

    • Dr Sullivan Odumegwu

    sodumegwu@yahoo.com