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Tag: Senator Florence Ita-Giwa

  • Colour, excitement as African Food Festival holds in Calabar

    It was festival of colours, cultures and excitement as the 2018 African Food Festival, a part of the Cross River Christmas Festival, held at the African Club in Calabar, the state capital.

    Convener of the event and Leader of Seagull Band, one of the five competing bands of the Carnival Calabar, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, said, the state is known for its culinary and the Christmas festivities would not have been complete without showcasing this.

    The foodfest, which featured the exhibition of food from other parts of the country and even dishes from other African countries, Ita-Giwa said, also sought to explore the theme of this year’s Carnival, which is “Africanism.”

    The event also featured a novel dimension, which was the participation of the 25 contestants for the Miss Africa beauty pageant. The beauty queens were groomed in the ways of the Efik maidens at the end of which there was a contest amongst them and the winner went home with $3, 000.

    Ita-Giwa said, “This is the African Food Festival and as you know this year we are interpreting the theme Africanism during the Carnival. We are showcasing to the world what Africa means, what it was yesterday, what it is today and what it would be in the future. And through the display of our traditional food, we are trying to showcase our cultural heritage and try to encourage tourism. Hopefully Nigerian would gradually move away from dependence on oil and embrace tourism. So this is part of what we are trying to present. We are talking about seamless Africa, because it is not only Nigerian food that is on display here. We have Togolese, Senegalese, Ivorian and Ghanaians. So through culinary aspect we are going to bring Africa together.

    “When African move around, the first thing you do is taste food. If for instance you go to Ghana today, the first thing you will want to do is taste their food. Food in every aspect of life plays tremendous role in uniting people and friendships.

    “The beauty queens are the girls that have come to contest for Miss Africa and we have written this into the Miss Africa script so they can also showcase how to imbibe our culture.

    “This year’s foodfest has taken a totally different dimension. Currently in this state, we are preparing for the Miss Africa contest. In view of the fact that we never lose any opportunity to showcase the African heritage, to show what effort the state is making in actualizing a seamless Africa. One of the things that would help us achieve seamless Africa is this Miss Africa contest, that the governor despite everything has not stopped hosting it religiously every year.

    “Since we are doing this Africanism and the African food contest, we thought we should also marry it in. As we are sitting here, we have the 25 contestants here with us and we have written them into our script this year. So they would also be a cultural contest. The girls are now being transformed to Efik maidens, so they would come out as Efik maidens. They are going to come out and dance with the traditional performance, we have an improvised fattening room. So we are going make them sit on the floor like the maidens do, and they will eat culturally on the floor from the earthenware pots.

    We have appointed judges that would judge tem from when they come out. How much they have quickly imbibed our culture because we are trying to project our cultural heritage. It would be a keen contest. The winner would be given a cash prize of $3, 000 from me as the convener. This festival would keep getting bigger and bigger. This is our third outing and it will keep growing.”

    Wife of the Cross River State governor, Dr (Mrs) Linda Ayade, expressed delight at the event, which she said would help the younger ones to foster culture and heritage.

    ”I am very delighted by the event and on the improvements as well. I have to commend the convener once again for being very thoughtful and being untiring with this work. She singlehandedly started this. It was her vision and here we are today celebrating it even in a bigger way. I am very delighted.

    “It is helping our younger ones to foster our culture and heritage. Without this s a lot of people would not know that some of these things exist or existed in the past and now they have seen it, it has spurred them to go and dig more and know more about what it is and they will sustain this culture and heritage of ours. Africa has been known with culture, we don’t want to lose it.

    This is something that helps people to know that it is not just saying Africa has a rich culture and heritage. This is the practicality of it. Especially for the younger ones, who these days get swallowed by the western culture. They need to get back to their roots and hold what they have dear to their hearts,” Ayade said.

    At the end of the day Miss Nnaemeka Goodness, who will be representing Nigeria in the Miss Africa contest, emerged winner of the contest between the 25 contestants.

  • Ita-Giwa to Niger Delta youths: drop your arms

    Ita-Giwa to Niger Delta youths: drop your arms

    Former Presidential Adviser, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has appealed to youths of the Niger Delta not to take to arms, but to remain patient and dialogue with the Federal Government to seek the development of the region.

    “I am appealing to the youth of the Niger Delta to be patient. We all appreciate the sufferings of the Niger Deltans, including the people of Bakassi. But in the name of God, I am appealing for patience and dialogue as one of the mothers of the region,” she said.

    The Bakassi leader urged the leadership of the Niger Delta to call for an all-inclusive emergency summit, for all groups and interests in the region to come together and speak with one voice to bring about development.

    She also called on the Federal Government to show good faith by implementing the 16-point development agenda presented to it by the region, as well as offer amnesty to Bakassi agitators in the creeks.

    Her words: “All the groups in that region are unable to speak with one voice or agree on a common leadership and this has, over the years, made all efforts to develop the region to be counter-productive.

    “Even those that have held positions of authority over the years have not been able to help the region. This is not a time for blame, but we should seek a solution urgently. With due respect and humility I am appealing to the leadership of the region to call for an emergency all-inclusive summit, especially people and all groups at the grassroots, including youths and women.

    “For us to achieve anything, we have to speak with one voice. We have to imbibe the culture of togetherness. Right now there are all splinter groups and all the groups are unable to solve the problems of the region, including those Niger Delta sons and daughters that have been in position of authority.

    “I am making this appeal as a mother. I am also appealing for an emergency summit. All the groups have not been able to achieve much because of disunity among the leadership. The leadership of the region should work together. They should have a common front in order to tackle all the problems of the region. All the groups should come under one umbrella and call for the summit.”

     

  • Ita-Giwa urges N/Delta youths to drop arms

    Ita-Giwa urges N/Delta youths to drop arms

    Former Presidential Adviser, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has appealed to youths of the Niger Delta not to take to arms, but to remain patient and dialogue with the Federal Government to seek the development of the region.

    “I am appealing to the youths of the Niger Delta to be patient. We all appreciate the sufferings of the Niger Deltans including the people of Bakassi, but in the name of God, I am appealing for patience and dialogue as one of the mothers of the region,” she said to The Nation yesterday.

    The Bakassi leader urged the leadership of the Niger Delta to call for an all-inclusive emergency summit, for all groups and interests in the region to come together and speak with one voice to bring development.

    She also called on the Federal Government to show good faith by implementing the 16-point development agenda presented to it by the region, as well as offer amnesty to Bakassi agitators in the creeks.

    Her words, “All the groups in that region are unable to speak in one voice or agree on a common leadership and this has over the years made all efforts to develop the region to be counterproductive.

    “Even those that have held positions of authority over the years have not been able to help the region. This is not a time for blame, but we should seek a solution urgently. With due respect and humility I am appealing to the leadership of the region to call for an emergency all-inclusive summit especially the grassroots and all groups, including youths and women.

    “For us to achieve anything, we have to speak with one voice. We have to get culture of togetherness. Right now there are all splinter groups and all the groups are unable to solve the problems of the region and it is unfortunate, including those Niger Delta sons and daughters that have been in position of authority.

    “I am appealing as a mother and calling for that emergency summit. All the groups have not been able to achieve much because of disunity amongst the leadership. The leadership of the region should work together. They should have a common front to tackle all the problems of the region. All the groups should come under one umbrella and call for the summit. Every interest or group should collapse and come under one umbrella for the summit.”

  • Between Ita-Giwa and Ben Ayade

    Between Ita-Giwa and Ben Ayade

    The feud between Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade and the state’s frontline female politician, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa is akin to the clash of two titans, one buoyed by the formidable might of state apparatus, the other riding on popular acclaim. Unfortunately, it has the potential of ending with one of the two parties badly bruised.

    For quite some time, speculations have been rife that Governor Ayade is not quite comfortable with the seeming popularity of the woman popularly called Mama Bakassi among the people of Cross River State. But he was able to manage his apprehension until recent developments took both of them on a warpath. Her claim that relief materials meant for Bakassi refugees were diverted by an associate of the governor was said to have irked Ayade, who promptly took the matter up with her.

    Apart from withdrawing the Land Cruiser Prado SUV allotted to her by the state government, Senator Florence became the subject of attacks and intimidation allegedly designed to cow her into submission and silence. Undeterred, the veteran of many previous battles continued her campaign for justice in respect of the refugees.

    Her recent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is said to have further compounded the face-off, as the governor now sees her as a clear threat to his seat in the next governorship election.

  • FG urged to prosecute those responsible for diverting materials for IDPs

    FG urged to prosecute those responsible for diverting materials for IDPs

    The Federal Government has been urged to prosecute those responsible for diverting relief materials meant for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) across the country.

    Speaking against the background of the alleged diversion of date fruits meant for IDPs in the northeast donated by Saudi Arabia, as well as that of relief materials meant for Bakassi IDPs in Cross River, former presidential adviser, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, stressed that anyone found culpable should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Speaking with our reporter in Calabar, Monday, she said said no one should be above the law.

    “Today I read on the backpage of The Nation that Nigeria has had to apologize to Saudi Arabia because they sent truckloads of dates for IDPs and it ended up in the market.

    “Those that are behind the selling of the dates meant for the IDPs should be prosecuted, just like those who diverted relief materials meant for Bakassi people should also be.

    “We also have to apologize to the Federal Government for those who stole the relief materials meant for Bakassi IDPs. All those who signed and collected should be prosecuted,” she said.

    Ita-Giwa, popularly known as Mama Bakassi had earlier called on the Federal Government to probe the distribution of relief materials across the country.

    Speaking with reporters on the alleged diversion of relief materials for Bakassi IDPs, she had said, “This incident is an eye opener and I believe it has been happening for a long time. With this discovery now, I am calling on the Federal Government to investigate the mode of distribution of relief materials to IDPs all over the nation, not just Cross River State. Because maybe most of those things they claim they have been sending to those people end up in the markets. This is an example. Government would be wasting money, thinking that they are rehabilitating people, thinking they are intervening, whereas those things are not getting to the people. So they must be investigated.”

     

     

  • APC will not protect corrupt politicians – Oyegun

    APC will not protect corrupt politicians – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun said Thursday that the party will not offer anybody accused of corruption any form of protection from prosecution as being insinuated by Nigerians.

    Speaking when he received Senator Florence Ita Giwa at the National Secretariat, Chief Oyegun said even though he was not aware of any case of corruption against her, it is important to stressed that insinuation that those joining the party from the PDP are seeking protection from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were not true.

    He said: I know that those who don’t wish us often tend to misinterpret some of this happening as running away thinking that they would have protection from the EFCC.

    “Of course, I am not aware in your case that anybody is harassing you with the EFCC. In any case, it is obvious and played out today that we do not offer sanctuary to anybody running from the arms of the law. The evidence is all over the place”

    He said further that he has “been severally criticised for saying that the change we stand for is something that cannot be accomplished and completed in the life of our present four year tenure. It will not be completed even in eight years.

    “The task is enormous, challenging and worth fighting for. We stand on the threshold of history. God put this nation called Nigeria for a purpose and he does not make mistake. We have a manifest destiny.

    “We thank you for volunteering to join us to work. This is not a food is ready party that has become very clear. I thank Mama Bakassi for doing so much for your people. I want to assure the two of you that you won’t suffer any loss of status or recognition and you will occupy your proper place.”

    While welcoming her and her supporters to the party, he said “We welcome you to the headquarters of the APC headquarters. It is an honour that has been bestowed on only very few persons. One thing made your presence significant here. Traditionally, the South-south has been the heart of the unity and oneness of this nation, whether during the civil war or post-civil war.

    “Of course, our party does not have the presence it ought to have in the South-south. So when people of your calibre join us for the struggle, we from the South-south are particularly glad and happy.

    “We are in difficult and troubling times. President Buhari is trying strenuously to rebuild the shattered economy, to diversify our economic potential which up till now most unfortunately rested solely and unintelligently on crude oil. The result of the collapsed economy in addition to the collapse in the crude oil market has disrupted our economy, which has manifested in the individual deprivations of Nigerians all over the country.

    “In spite of the obvious difficulties that the nation is passing through, people like you voluntarily wanted to assist in this responsibility of helping in nation building.”

    In her remarks, Senator Florence Ita Giwa said she was forced out of the PDP of the impunity done to her by the party, saying “coming to the party is like a home coming, and I am identifying with the people I have known before. I feel very comfortable identifying with the caliber of people in the APC.

    “I will like to correct the erroneous notion that I decamped or they call it defection because there is no party to defect from. I personally stopped attending meetings in the last two years because of the impunity done on me.

    “It is on record that at 2015, I had went to the presidential candidate to say that I  was leaving the party, so I was potentially one of the politicians that were forcefully driven out of the party.

    “Again, with all sense of modesty, as a politician, you have to be good to your people for them to love you on whatever party you come from and till today, the love of my people are still electrifying today as when I started politics 25 years ago and I fill I should no longer waste my time. That is why I kept away because there are two groups running around and some of us are too serious to show our face in that kind of place.”

     

  • Anenih pledges to revamp NPA

    The Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has assured the stakeholders of effective service delivery.

    It made this pledge during a visit to the 100-year-old River Port in Port Harcourt.

    NPA Chairman Chief Tony Anenih, represented by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, promised to make the seaports world standard.

    Anenih said the board would do all within its powers to ensure that the seaports lived up to the expectations of the government, the stakeholders and the public in terms of service delivery and contributions to the growth of the economy.

    He praised the NPA staff for sustaining the River Port in the last 100 years of its existence and solicited for their support.

    A Director, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, urged the management of the Eastern Ports to devise strategies of increasing the tempo of activities in the ports in the region and raise their revenue generation.

    He expressed concern that the Ports in the Eastern region do not enjoy the patronage they deserve, even though majority of the importers are from the region. He added that the Board was determined to reverse the trend, with a view to making the port attractive for business.

    The Managing Director NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operation, David Omonibeke, said the tour of the directors was to enable them see the operation of the authority and to interact with the workers and other stakeholders.

    Also, the Acting General Manager, Eastern Ports, Mr Dele Alabi, told the directors of the characteristics of ports in the region, the cargos they handle and their challenges.

    He noted that despite their challenges, the region are important in to the nation, especially their catchment areas.

    Other Directors on the tour were Senator Lekan Mustapha and Mr Abana Mohammed Gidado.