The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nicholas Kalu

  • Yilwatda’s emergence a crucial step towards party renewal, says Ekiti Rep

    Yilwatda’s emergence a crucial step towards party renewal, says Ekiti Rep

    The Member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Steve Olusola Fatoba, has described the emergence of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a landmark moment for the party and a crucial step toward its institutional renewal.

    The Ekiti lawmaker commended the APC leadership for facilitating a seamless and unifying process that produced a leader of outstanding intellect, integrity, and national vision.

    The chairman of the House Committee on Information and National Orientation, in a statement in Abuja, congratulated Professor Yilwatda on his emergence.

    He described Professor Yilwatda as a symbol of a new era of progressive, competent, and forward-looking leadership that the party and the nation urgently need.

    “Professor Yilwatda’s election as National Chairman comes at a time when our party must renew itself from within, reconnect with the people, and reassert its ideological commitment to good governance and national unity.

    “He brings to the role an impressive record of service, a solid grasp of modern governance, and the strategic mindset required to reposition our party for the future,” Hon Fatoba said.

    A strong advocate of responsible public communication and democratic deepening, Hon. Fatoba noted that Yilwatda’s background as a university professor, technocrat, and public administrator presents the APC with a unique opportunity to combine vision with execution, particularly in engaging young Nigerians and restoring public faith in the political process.

    “Professor Yilwatda’s breadth of experience, spanning academia and governance, gives him a distinctive edge. He understands the complexity of our national challenges and the aspirations of a new generation. Under his leadership, I am confident the APC will witness a renaissance grounded in transparency, innovation, and inclusion,” he added.

    Read Also: Southeast Renewed Hope Agenda backs Tinubu’s re-election bid

    Hon. Fatoba urged party members and stakeholders across the country to unite behind the new chairman and work collectively to ensure the APC remains a vehicle for transformation and stability in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

    “As a party, we must consolidate our gains, strengthen internal democracy, and recommit to the ideals of progressive leadership. This moment is more than a political transition; it is a strategic opportunity to rebuild trust and restore credibility,” he stated.

    He further pledged the support of the House Committee on Information and National Orientation to the party’s leadership, affirming readiness to work in synergy with the new chairman to reframe the party’s narrative, communicate its policies effectively, and foster public confidence in its leadership.

    “I congratulate Professor Nentawe Yilwatda once again and wish him wisdom, strength, and grace in this noble responsibility. May his tenure mark a new chapter of growth, unity, and renewed confidence in the All Progressives Congress,” said.

  • Farmers allege fraud in CBN anchor borrowers programme

    Farmers allege fraud in CBN anchor borrowers programme

    Farmers in Cross River State who are beneficiaries of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme have alleged fraud in the programme.

    The programme is a Federal Government initiative to boost production for rice farmers in the country.

    According to them, they signed for a loan of N250, 000 at the Bank of Agriculture, but were given N95, 000.

    They claimed, according to the terms of the agreement, they are to be given N250, 000 as well as rice, fertiliser and insecticides among others.

    One of the farmers, who gave his name as Adoga said: “After being told that the fertiliser was given at a subsidised rate, officials of the bank have now said that the N95,000 was the balance after deduction for fertiliser which is given at N7,500 against the market value of N6,000 and the other items.

    “They made us signed for the sum of N250, 000 but our accounts were credited with just N95, 000. We want the Federal Government to explain this disparity to us.

    “We don’t know why the Federal Government handed over the program to the state to coordinate. We should have been made to deal directly with the Presidential Committee handling the programme. Please, this issue should be addressed urgently.”

    But the Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Prof Anthony Eneji, said the farmers misunderstood the terms of the agreement.

    He explained: “The whole scheme is calculated based on per hectare basis. Loans are given to farmers based on per hectare basis. For each hectare, what was agreed with the farmers in a stakeholders meeting was N235,000 and not N250,000. That is the sum of the loan. Not all of that was to be given to them in cash. Mostly it is in the form of the improved rice treated seed, the fertilisers, fertilisers and then other agrochemicals. We did this because if the money is given to them cash, they would not buy all those things.

    “So the money is given when they want to floor their land to till it and then when it is time to harvest, then the balance cash is given so they can harvest. So it is not that they are supposed to have everything in cash. That is how the scheme operates.

    “What is given to them now is part of the N235,000. Like they are given six bags of fertilizers each, they know how much a bag of fertilizer is selling. Then there are chemicals, and improved rice seeds, all the costs are deducted from there and the balance is given to them to floor their land and also during the harvest. So they are coming with a wrong understanding.”

  • Enyimba FC adopts Calabar as home ground

    Enyimba FC adopts Calabar as home ground

    Chairman of Enyimba FC of Aba, Abia State, Mr Felix Anyasi-Agwu, says Calabar, the Cross River State capital, would now serve as the home ground of the team.

    Addressing reporters at the UJ Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar on Wednesday, Anyasi-Egwu said this is because the Aba Stadium is undergoing reconstruction.

    He said the club would be in Calabar until the end of the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Season.

    The football administrator said, “Calabar would be our home ground as the Aba Stadium is under reconstruction. Enyimba is in Calabar to stay. We will stay in Calabar until the end of the season. We want Calabar to be our home. We don’t want to be treated as outsiders. The team would be fully based in Calabar and would not have to be travelling from Aba down here for our home matches. I know we are called Enyimba of Aba, but now we are Enyimba of Calabar.

    “We have met with all stakeholders to seek cooperation and synergy to work as a team. We also urge for massive support for the team. Our coming here would be of immense benefit to the state. We are here to contribute positively to the development of Cross River. It would not be nice for us to feel that we are not at home. We ask for support and we would make you proud.”

    He said some indigenes of the state have been included in the team.

    Anyasi-Agwu said they chose Calabar because of the good history and relationship they have with the city and also the hospitable nature of the people.

    He said they would be open to advise and constructive criticism.

    Enyimba played a goalless draw in a tune up match against Rivers United at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    The club would host Sunshine Stars of Akure at the in Calabar on Sunday in their first match of the season. The league kicks off on Saturday.

  • Joy as woman delivers quintuplet 10 years after marriage

    Joy as woman delivers quintuplet 10 years after marriage

    There was celebration on Tuesday at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) in Cross River State as a married couple that has been childless for 10 years were blessed with a set of quintuplet.

    The Nation gathered that the couple, Dr Ekpo Edet and Mrs Esther Edet, are staff members of the hospital.

    The Children who were born at about 11:00am on Monday weighed between 1.45kg and 1.75kg

    The excited father of the quintuplet, Dr Edet, was grateful to God for what he described as a miracle.

    Edet said: “I want to thank God Almighty. He’s a faithful God. The first time in the history of Cross River State, the first time in the history of UCTH. Five at a go! God has been just been faithful as we have concluded the first phase and the doctors have confirmed that the babies are kicking. We are entering into the second phase and I know it’s not going to be easy but I solicit for support from all well-meaning Nigerians, all my friends and well-wishers.”

    Wife of the Cross River State governor, Dr Linda Ayade, who visited the new parents and their children in the hospital, said it was a sign of good things for the state and country.

    She made a donation of N1 million to the couple and N500,000 to the medical experts who made sure the babies were delivered successfully.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, congratulated the father of the babies who was steadfast in all the years they did not have children.

    Dr Ayade and Dr Asibong also donated incubator to the hospital on behalf of Cross River State Government.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Stella Odey; the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Rosemary Archibong; and the Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu, were also present to support the family and urged other well-meaning Cross Riverians to do same.

    The quintuplet who consisted of three girls and two boys are currently in the Special Care Babies Unit of the Teaching Hospital in good condition.

  • 10 killed in Cross River communal conflict

    Ten youths were reportedly killed in renewed hostilities between Usumutong and Ediba communities both in Abi local government area of Cross River State at the weekend.

    It was gathered both communities have been in conflict for years over ownership a piece of land often leading to loss of lives and property.

    A resident of the area said yesterday, “On Friday, there was a burial at Usumutong. The Ediba people used the opportunity of the other people engaging in a burial to attack. The Ediba people knew that the Usumutong people because of the burial were unprepared for any attack.

    “They are still quarrelling over a piece of land. They are saying that the last time there was a conflict, the Usumutong people inflicted so much casualties on them, so they were looking for an opportunity to strike back and did so on Friday. It was a revenge attack.

    “The people of Usumutong who suffered the attack are planning a counterattack from what I am hearing because it is like tomorrow (Monday) is the market day of the Ediba people. 

    “It is actually is actually a sad situation because the two communities are brothers and sister. There is no difference between them and they are just killing themselves like that. It is just animalistic. In this age of civilisation, people are still doing such.”

    State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, security agents have been drafted to the area and normalcy restored for the meantime. He said they will keep their eyes open to ensure another outbreak of violence does not occur.

    “The governor is very livid with this development because great efforts have been made to bring peace to the area. We had gotten respected leaders of both communities and plans were still on to ensure both communities co-exist peacefully. Then all of a sudden this happens.

    “There will no longer be any Mr Nice Guy in dealing with this problem. The big stick still will be employed this time to check the problem. The present administration will ensure that though the problem has been age long, it will end once and for all. We will ensure that every perpetrator of this crisis will be brought to book,” he said.

  • Calabar waterways secure – Chief of Naval Staff

    Calabar waterways secure – Chief of Naval Staff

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ette Ekwe Ibas, has expressed satisfaction with the security of the Calabar Waterways.

    Ibas, who was in Calabar for the annual shore inspection of Naval formations, promised that the Navy will continue to ensure that it introduces measures to ensure the security of the maritime domain in the country.

    Ibas, conducted round by the Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Command (FOC), Calabar, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, pointed out that there are over 6000 creeks in the Niger Delta of which they have identified 37 that are navigable that criminal elements use for their activities.

    Ibas also said the Navy has a healthy relationship with the civilian populace.

    “The relationship with the civilian populace is quite okay. In the past, we have had issues with some of our civilian relations and friends. We have tasked to ourselves that every one of us in a way has a civilian relative or friend. If your father is not a civilian then your mother, or brother, sister and so on. Ours is to protect all Nigerians and not to have issues with them and that is what we are preaching as we go around,”

    The CNS also dialogued with Officers and ratings of the Command during the inspection.

  • Businesses shut as cultists renew killings in Calabar

    Many businesses in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, were closed on Wednesday as a result of the fear of renewed violent cult killings in the city.

    Shops and offices in the business hub of the city on Bedwell Street, Bassey Duke Street, Nelson Mandela Street, the Watt Market among others were shut in the wake of incessant shootouts in the area that have characterized the cult clashes.

    About 10 persons have been reported killed in various areas of the city since Sunday, when the fight broke out.

    On Tuesday evening, a policeman was killed and two security vehicles set ablaze when they were attacked by a group of cultists.

    In the early hours of yesterday two men were shot dead in their homes along 8 Miles in Calabar.

    Addressing reporters yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Tunde Gbonlarumi, holding brief for the Commissioner, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, said on Tuesday at about 9pm, over 60 suspected cultists engaged the Atakpa Division of the Nigeria Police and other areas in Calabar South.

    According to him, the cultists were engaged in a serious gun battle. In one of such gun battles along Bogobiri by Queen Duke Streets, two of the cultists were shot dead and one of them captured alive, he said.

    In another development along Nkwa Street by Eyamba Street, he said men of the S-Squad who were carrying out a joint patrol with Operation Skolombo on that same Tuedsay evening were attacked by the cultists and after a heated gun duel, one policeman, Inspector Edem Archibong died.  Another officer, Inspector Obonhga, was also shot but survived and is responding positively to treatment in a hospital, Gbonlarumi said.

    He said a total number of eight suspected cultists have been arrested in connection to the crimes. He said they will be charged to court expeditiously at the end of their investigation.

    He also said a woman was abducted in her home along Satellite Town by four gunmen also on Tuesday, but was rescued by the effort of the police, who locked all escape routes. When the kidnappers realized they could not escape with the woman, they dumped her and her vehicle, which they tried to escape with and disappeared.

    He warned criminals that they will not be spared as the police is committed to smoking them out and ensuring the face the wrath of the law.

    He urged law-abiding citizens not to be afraid, as they police would do their best to protect their lives and property.

    The policeman also called for the cooperation of the media and general public to check criminality, as security is everybody’s business.

    The last time there was a cult clash in the city was about three months ago when over 30 persons were killed in the brutal clashes.

  • Ayade to legalize hawking in Cross River

    Ayade to legalize hawking in Cross River

    The Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has sent a Hawkers’ Right Bill to the State House of Assembly in a bid to legalize hawking in the state.

    Ayade, in an interaction with reporters in his office in Calabar said it is insensitive for a government to ban hawking without any alternative.

    According to him, such amounted to the infringement of the right of the hawker.

    His words, “I have just sent the Hawkers’ Right Bill to the House of Assembly, to provide a right for hawking. You cannot tell a man not to sell his goods because he does not have money to rent a store. And you tell the man not to steal? Just provide a regulatory framework; there should be reflective outfits, there should be a minimum age of 18 to hawk, you will have a time frame when you come out so that you don’t constitute nuisance. But to prohibit hawking is to tell a man I don’t want to give you food, and I don’t want you to steal. It is unfair. They have right to seek and determine how they chose to live within the ambits of the law.

    “Cross River would the first state that would officially recognize hawking. The core mandate of a leader should be the social security of his people. If a man choses to hawk, if you are government that is sensitive and understands the real principle and objective of the law, then you will know that the hawker has a right. Governance is about how you protect the weakest in the society and that is why even with the way things are, Cross River is still doing tax exemption for the poor.”

    The governor also said the expansion of his new government by engaging about 800 appointees was deliberate to ensure many people were empowered financially.

    He announced that he was going to announce 300 more appointees next week.

    Ayade said he would rather spend four years paying salaries to reduce hunger and quit as governor than spend money on projects and politicians.

    The governor also said the Presidential System adopted from America was not the best in running the country.

     

  • APC will win Edo again, says Eta

    APC will win Edo again, says Eta

  • Explosion rocks CBN in Calabar

    Explosion rocks CBN in Calabar

    • Several feared dead

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

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

    Details later.

     

    IMG_1739
    The CBN after the explosion on Friday