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Calabar

  • Cross River gov bans ‘Okada’ in Calabar

    Cross River gov bans ‘Okada’ in Calabar

    The Cross Rivers State Governor, Bassey Otu has banned the activities of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada in Calabar.

    Otu said those willing to use their motorcycles for commercial purposes should restrict their activities to remote areas.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, the governor said the decision was taken after consultation with Security Chiefs in the state.

    “A total ban on the activities of all commercial motorcyclists within the Calabar metropolis.

    “Those willing to use their motorcycles to earn a decent living are restricted only to remote areas away from the city centre.

    “Anyone caught going against this directive will have the motorcycle impounded and the offender prosecuted,” the statement reads partly.

  • Hold me responsible if my successor fails to perform – Ayade

    Hold me responsible if my successor fails to perform – Ayade

    Gov. Ben Ayade, says he should be held responsible should his successor fail to enthrone good governance in Cross River.

    Ayade made the declaration during a Thanksgiving Mass held at Saint Charles Wanga Catholic Church, Essien Town, Calabar, on Sunday.

    The outgoing governor, however, expressed confidence in the personality and capacity of the incoming Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, to perform.

    He stressed that the people would soon get to understand why he supported Otu to succeed him in office.

    “That is the kind of Governor you are expecting. A man who is ready to sacrifice, a man who is ready to surrender his comfort to ensure that the citizens of Cross River State sleep well.

    “No wonder, all the enemies started to ensure that today doesn’t happen, but God said devil you are a liar.

    “If it was somebody else, by now, arrangements would have been in place on how to demolish streets, demolish houses, but here we have a man of God who has compassion. A man with character, a man with integrity, a man with honour, and the fear of God.

    “If Bassey Otu does very well, glory to God, if Bassey Otu perform very well, after praising God, praise him for his goodness.

    “But, if Bassey Otu does not do well, hold me responsible, because this alliance and this commitment to hand over power to Bassey Otu was signed and sealed since 2014,” he stated.

    Admonishing the outgoing and incoming Governor, the officiating Minister, Rev. Fr. Malachi Ephraim, lauded Ayade for the love he has shown to the church.

    “This is a man who has showed the most love to the church than any other Governor in Cross River. As for Prince Otu, I beg you, from tomorrow, I beg you, just be Governor for Cross River State,” he pleaded.

    The Cleric who preached from the book of Genesis 11:1 to 9, where he drew lessons from the ancient story of the Tower of Babel, urged the people to be united to move the state forward.

    According to him, “Pentecost means that as people from Cross River, we must come together to build up a state for ourselves.

    “But the Lord told me that at this stage, you must do what is right in Cross River State. The spirit makes Senator Ntufam Bassey Otu qualify.

    And to Sen. Bassey Otu, Fr. Ephraim said It’s not going to be easy: if not for God, this seat is not for you, no be you for sidon here, So as you begin, rededicate yourself to God as you begin, go and serve your people,” the Cleric said.

  • Final year student bolt driver killed in Calabar

    Final year student bolt driver killed in Calabar

    A final year student of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and bolt driver was on Friday night killed by suspected car snatchers at the Mary Slessor roundabout, Calabar, Cross River.

    The deceased identified as Francis Atabi, had given the two suspected car snatchers a ride around 8pm when the incident occurred.

    The suspects were said to have tried to snatch the Toyota Corolla vehicle from the driver while on their way to theri supposed destination.

    The resistance put up by the 25 year-old final year student of Education and Political Science, was what made the suspects stabbed him multiple times and also tried to snuff the life out of him with a rope round his neck.

    The deceased was said to have ran over a security man when he lost control of the car.

    As at the time of filing this report, the security man wassaid to have given up at the hospital where he was rushed to in Calabar.

    Meanwhile, Police Command in the state have confirmed the incident and said investigation had already commenced on the matter.

    Spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo who made the position of the Police known, said no stone will be left unturned in a bid to bring the perpetrators to book.

  • We’ll discharge our duty without fear, favour – Election Tribunal

    We’ll discharge our duty without fear, favour – Election Tribunal

    Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, Chairman of Election Petition Tribunal in Calabar, has given assurance that the tribunal was prepared to discharge its duties without any fear of favour.

    Adeniyi said this on Wednesday during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal in Calabar.
    He said that the tribunal would ensure that judgement was delivered in favour of the real winners of the just concluded National and House of Assembly elections in the state.

    The Chairman, who spoke in company of other two panel of judges including; Justice Z. U. Modibbo (Member 1) and Justice Eva Okoronkwo (Member 11), sued for cooperation of all parties involved in the tribunal.

    Adeniyi stated that the tribunal was not a battle ground, stressing that all the tribunal needed was the cooperation of all to enable the tribunal discharge its duties to the best of its ability.

    “The tribunal is not a battle ground and we shall proceed seamlessly and without delay.
    “We shall discharge our duties to the best of our abilities and always remain mindful of the oath we took.

    “We assure all litigants of a fair trial and we will not entertain any form of interference from any quarter.
    “We shall report any attempt to interfere with the tribunal to the security agencies,” he said.

    The chairman stated that the tribunal was conscious of time and sought the cooperation of the bar and bench in the discharge of their assignment.

    Also speaking, Mr Attah Ochinke, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Cross River branch,
    said that his members would exhibit high professional conduct throughout the period of court proceedings.

  • Electorates demand upload of results, threaten INEC officials in Calabar

    Electorates demand upload of results, threaten INEC officials in Calabar

    …. C’River PDP Guber candidate charges electorates to protect their votes

    Wevole Ezin

    Electorates at Ward four, polling unit 015, State Housing in Calabar Municipal local government area of Cross, have threatened to beat up INEC Presiding officer for failure to upload results.

    Trouble started after results was counted but the INEC Presiding officer was unable to upload the results into the INEC portal.

    The angry and inpatient voters demanded that the results must be uploaded for dear that it might be changed later.

    “We will not allow what happened during the Presidential election to happen to is again. They must upload it before leaving this place.

    Other polling units are already uploading their results, why can’t we see our own uploaded. That is how they work hand in hand with APC to still our votes, we won’t allow that to happen again.”

    A resident who simply identified herself as Dr. Mrs. Ebakar said, ” we don’t really know what is happening, what we observed in the last election is what is going on now and we won’t allow them to play on our intelligence. The presiding officer in charge, for him to upload the results, he is finding it difficult.

    “He uploaded offline but the voters are really emphasizing that if he doesn’t upload the results online for people to see, he is not living this place, so that is the problem we are still facing. That boy will not live here if he don’t upload the results. He should call his superior to come. We are still waiting because, what happened the last time during the presidential election, we don’t want it to repeat itself again.

    “It can’t be technical because in the same state housing, so many persons have called, confirming that they have already uploaded their results online which we have even confirmed by accesing the results with our phones.”

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the governorship election in the polling units 95 votes against All Progressives Congress (APC) 48 votes and Labour got 8 votes, while PDP also won in House of Assembly election with 58 votes, Labour, 50 votes and APC, 46 votes.

    Earlier, the PDP Governorship Candidate in Cross River State, Senator Sandy Onor has charged party supporters not to be deterred by alleged intimidation from the opposition party, APC.

    He gave the charge while answering questions from newsmen shortly after casting his vote in his home town in Nsofang village, Etung LGA of the state.

    Onor who expressed displeasure over purported attack and burning down of 7 PDP vehicles along Okurikang axis in Odukpani LGA of Cross River State on Friday evening by unidentified thugs urged electorates to protect their votes.

    He said, “We have some concern for instance adhoc staff that INEC put together clearly shows they are on APC side.

    “But it does not foretell the will of the people. We believe that with the proper monitoring, we will be able to check thier excesses.

    “APC strategy has warned out. Peoples power is strong enough. I trust God that evil plans will not come to pass” Onor maintained.

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  • Just In: Dethroned Obong of Calabar re-emerges as successor of throne

    Just In: Dethroned Obong of Calabar re-emerges as successor of throne

    By Wevole Ezin.

    The sacked Obong of Calabar has been reselected and proclaimed by the Etubom’s Conclaves.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the reselection was done following the Supreme Court Judgement sitting at Abuja on January 13th 2023 ordering a fresh process of selection of the Obong of Calabar.

    The former Obong, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was reselected and proclaimed the Obong of Calabar today, January 18, 2023 by the Etubom’s Conclaves.

    This was contained in a statement signed by 13 members of the Etubom Conclaves and was read to Newsmen by the Chairman, His Royal Majesty Etubom Ntiero Efiwwat at the Palace of the Obong.

    He stated:” Following the judgement of the Supreme Court sitting at Abuja on the 13th of January, 2023, ordering that the Etubom’s Conclaves the kingmakers lof the Palace of the Obong of Calabar should conduct another process of selecting Obong of Calabar in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of Etuboms’ Council 2002 and in strict compliance with the rules of natural justice, among other things, the Etubom’s Council has promptly complied with that court order by taking all necessary steps leading to and convening of the Etubom’s Conclaves and conducting another selection of Obong of Calabar.

    “The turn to produce the next Obong of Calabar, after the demise of His Eminence Edidem (Prof) Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, being that of the Atai Iboko group of Houses as provided for under The Constitution of Etuboms’ Council 2002, the qualified Etubom’s who fall under this group were communicated to and directed to produce and present to their nominee, the most senior Etubom of Atai Iboko group, HRH Etubom Otu Efa Otu presented their selected nominee for the throne of the Obong of Calabar in the person of HRH Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House.

    ” Having been fully satisfied with the candidate’s qualification and eligibility, the Etuboms’ Conclave therefore declared him the successor and hereby conveys his proclamation as the successor to the throne of Obong of Calabar today, 18th January, 2023.” He Chairman of Etubom’s Conclaves stated.

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  • Carnival: APC mourns death of fun seekers in Calabar

    Carnival: APC mourns death of fun seekers in Calabar

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Wednesday expressed shock at the killing of seven fun seekers during the Carnival Bakers Parade in Calabar on Tuesday.

    Many were also injured in the accident when a motorist rammed into the crowd of fun seekers.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary in Cross River, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, stated on Wednesday in Calabar that its leadership was traumatised by the accident.

    “The leadership of APC in Cross River is deeply pained and traumatised by the horrifying, saddening and devastating incident which has stained and shortened the joy and excitement of the Yuletide celebration.

    “We mourn and sympathise with the families of the deceased and those injured who are currently receiving treatment.

    “We also commiserate with our leader, Gov. Ben Ayade and indeed the entire people of our state over the harrowing incident.

    “We pledge our support for the families of the deceased and survivors during this moment of grief and pain,’’ Ekpang stated.

    He added that the party would do everything within its capacity to soothe the pain caused the families and the survivors.

    He assured that the ugly and unfortunate occurrence would be addressed appropriately.

    “We also want to state that this should not deter your confidence in the party as we are also out for you and your well-being.

    “Please, once again, accept our deep sympathy on this unfortunate accident. We pray God to strengthen you and your families,’’ Ekpang stressed.

  • JUST IN: Police foil ‘Christmas heist’ in Calabar

    JUST IN: Police foil ‘Christmas heist’ in Calabar

    The Police Command in Cross River said it foiled a robbery attack in one of the old-generation banks in the State capital city on Friday.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Sule Balarabe, who confirmed the incident, said that the command arrested four suspects in connection with the planned failed attack.

    He said the suspects were Joshua Samuel, 22; Innocent Edom, 20; Samuel Okon, 28; and Mohammed Salisu, 29.

    The Commissioner, however, noted that five of the suspected bank robbers were still at large.

    He also said that the nine-member robbery gang that had been terrorising the city, was smashed by the command.

    ”Based on credible intelligence, the Supol in charge of EPZ (Export Processing Zone) mobilised a tactical team and stormed the bank, apprehending four out of the nine suspects.

    ”The four arrested suspects were the ones carrying out espionage (surveillance) for the remaining five armed men outside waiting to strike.

    ”During preliminary inquiry, the suspects confessed to have been on an espionage mission with the intent to alert other gang members on when to strike and rob the bank,” he said.

    He assured that the fleeing suspects would be apprehended soon by the command.

    Balabare further warned criminals, who were bent on causing havoc, to either leave the town or stay law abiding as they would be ruthlessly dealt with.

    ”All the commanders of our tactical teams, DPOs are on red alert to deal decisively with criminal elements in any part of the state, within the ambit of the law and in the most professional manner.

    ”My officers and men have stepped up policing holistically across the length and breadth of the state.

    ”In achieving this task, the command has carried out massive deployment of personnel and tools in critical infrastructure, recreational centres and directed aggressive vehicular/foot patrols before, during and after the festive season,” he said.

    Similarly, the Command also warned potential dealers and users of fireworks to desist from the illegal business venture.

    The CP appealed to guardians and parents to caution their wards to desist from patronising fireworks sellers.

  • Cholera Outbreak: Situation under control – C/River Govt.

    Cholera Outbreak: Situation under control – C/River Govt.

    The Cross River Government says it has deployed human and material resources to bring the cholera outbreak in Ekureku community that led to the death of 20 persons under control.

    Dr Janet Ekpeyong, the Director General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made this known in an interview in Calabar on Sunday.

    Ekpeyong, who expressed sadness over the deaths, said proactive measures have been taken to prevent further spread of the disease in the affected villages in Ekureku in Abi Local Government Area of the state.

    She said the deaths could have been avoided if protocols were followed in the affected villages.

    According to her, the state government has deployed a response team together with representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Nigerian Red Cross and the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.

    She added that “the combined team have all intervened accordingly and helped to save lives and prevent further spread of the disease.

    “The government finds this incident quite unfortunate and sympathise with affected families.”

    The state primary healthcare boss disclosed that no fewer than 30 persons have been hospitalised as a result of the outbreak.

    She said “because of the fast transmission rate of cholera, we recorded many deaths, with many others hospitalised in various government-owned facilities and are responding to treatment.

    “We are applying every possible means to halt transmission as we have gone across the community sensitising the people on the possible ways of managing the disease.

    “We have as well been speaking to community leaders to support the government by lending their voices to ensure their communities adhere to hygiene protocols to end cholera and other related illnesses,” she said.

    She said samples have been taken and sent for confirmation, while treatment of the water source and fumigation was ongoing.

    Newsmen had reported that no fewer than 20 persons had died between Thursday and Saturday following cholera outbreak in the agrararian community that shares boundry with Ebonyi.

    Investigation revealed that the community had been grappling with the challenges of potable water and poor health facilities.

    The 10 villages that made up Ekureku are: Agbara, Ngarabe, Ekureku-be , Akpoha, Akare-for, Anong, Emenekpon, Etegevel, Egboronyi, Emegeh.

  • APC postpones campaign flag off in Cross River

    APC postpones campaign flag off in Cross River

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River has announced postponement of the state campaign activities earlier rescheduled from fifth  to  Dec. 10, 2022 indefinitely.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, on Thursday in Calabar.

    Ekpang said that a new date would be communicated accordingly.

    “We understand the strain and imbalance,  this has caused a lot of our party faithfuls who have since relocated to Northern Senatorial District in preparation for the flag-off.

    “We want to sincerely apologise to all and to inform you that this postponement became inevitable due to national engagements with our party candidates and critical stakeholders in Abuja.

    “We wish to use this medium to appreciate and appeal to all party faithful that everyone will have a place of pride in the campaign council either at the state, local government or ward level.

    “Our focus is on victory for the party as we assure all party faithful that it will be a clean sweep,” Ekpang said.