TheNewsGuru

Tag: Cross River State

  • See odd names of Cross River State budgets under Gov Ayade since 2016

    See odd names of Cross River State budgets under Gov Ayade since 2016

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State on Friday presented to the State House of Assembly the State 2022 budget of N276 billion.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Ayade christened the 2022 budget of the State the budget of conjugated agglutination in continuation of his odd naming of the State budgets.

    Ayade said that the budget was a continuation of budgets of previous years with no new capital projects intended for the year.

    “The state budget for the 2022 fiscal year is N276 billion. Out of this, N101 billion is for recurrent expenditure and N175 billion is for capital expenditure.

    “We are going to focus on completing existing projects with the view to making them functional.

    “Regular payment of salaries is also a priority in the 2022 fiscal year,” he said.

    Ayade added that the government was considering keeping aside a special fund for payment of gratuities of retired civil servants in the state.

    According to him, this is to ensure a gradual reduction of the backlog of gratuities owed retirees in the state.

    “It is my dream that all retirees get their gratuities with less stress,” the governor said.

    He solicited the cooperation of the house of assembly for speedy passage of the budget.

    “I also appeal that you and other well meaning citizens of Cross River join in the task of delivering on our numerous developmental projects for the benefit of our people,” he said.

    Responding, the Speaker of the house, Etteng Williams, assured the governor that the house would do all within its powers to ensure early passage of the budget.

    “We will corporate with you to deliver on this administration’s laudable projects through early passage of the budget,” he said.

    TNG reports since 2016, Governor Ayade has maintained the tradition of the odd naming of the State budgets.

    While the 2016 budget of the State was named budget of deep vision, the 2017 budget of the State was named budget of infinite transposition, and the 2018 budget was named budget of kinetic crystallization.

    Following the similar odd pattern, Ayade named the 2019 budget of Cross River State as budget of quabalistic densification, the 2020 budget of the State as budget of olimpotic meristemasis, the 2021 budget as budget of blush and bliss.

    TNG reports Governor Ayade has one more budget to name for Cross River State before he is out of office in 2023.

  • Okowa, Ayade mourn ex-Military Administrator, Ibrahim Kefas

    Okowa, Ayade mourn ex-Military Administrator, Ibrahim Kefas

    Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his Cross River State counterpart, Prof Ben Ayade have condoled with the Kefas family and Taraba State Government over the passing away of former Military Administrator, Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retd).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kefas, who hails from Wukari in Taraba died at the age of 73 on Friday in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba, Okowa also commiserated with Wukari community over the sad incident.

    He said that the late Kefas was a renowned soldier, administrator and politician, who was Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba after retirement from the military.

    He noted that the deceased distinguished himself as Military Administrator of Cross River and Delta States between 1993 and 1996.

    According to the Governor, as military administrator, the departed Kefas contributed immensely to the development of the states he served.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I mourn with the Kefas family, the people of Wukari and the Taraba State Government on the passing away of Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retd).

    “The late Kefas was an accomplished soldier, administrator and statesman, who will be remembered for epitomising service and patriotism in Nigeria’s development while in service.

    “He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, particularly those whose lives he affected,” Okowa said.

    He prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and associates to bear the loss.

    Meanwhile, Governor Ayade of Cross River State expressed shock and sadness over the death of Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retired), a former Military Administrator of the state.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, Ayade described the late Kefas as a diligent soldier and a sound administrator, who played a key role in the development of the state during his tour of duty to the state between 1993-1994.

    “I received with sadness the news of the demise of the ex-MILAD, Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retired). He was a fine gentleman who proved his mettle as an astute administrator during his tour of duty in our state as Military Administrator,” the statement quoted Ayade.

    The governor rued that by the former Military Administrator’s transition, “death has robbed Cross of a dear friend, a statesman and a partner in the socio-economic and infrastructural development of our state.

    “While we join his family, the people of Wukari, the government and people of Taraba state and the Nigerian military to mourn his passing, we are consoled that he left behind legacies that would keep his memory alive.

    “For in the words of Ann Lnn, “when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.’”

    Ayade prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    He assured the family that his thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve.

  • BREAKING: Ex-Military Administrator of Delta, Ibrahim Kefas is dead

    BREAKING: Ex-Military Administrator of Delta, Ibrahim Kefas is dead

    Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (Rtd), who served as Military Administrator of Delta State during the military regime of General Sani Abacha is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kefas, who also served as Military Administrator of Cross River State died as Nigeria marks her 61st anniversary of independence.

    Kefas was Military Administrator of Cross River State between December 1993 and September 1994, and then of Delta State until August 1996.

    As a Group Captain, Kefas was appointed Governor of Delta State on 26 September 1994.

    While Governor of Delta State, he sacked professor Frank Mene Adedemiswanye Ukoli, Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University for political reasons, an incident recorded in Ukoli’s book: A State University is Born: Throes of Birth, Ordeals of Growth.

    TNG reports Kefas was born into a Christian family on January 27, 1948 in Wukari, Taraba State.

    He is the oldest of many children born to Christian missionary Atewunu Angyu Kefas (Manu).

    His father, Manu, was one of the missionaries to introduce Christianity to the region.

    Being a very devout Christian, he put Ibrahim Kefas in Bible College by the age of thirteen hoping he would become a preacher.

    Ibrahim Kefas, being the youngest student in Bible College at time, completed his program before most but had other plans.

    He was fascinated by planes and wanted to fly them so he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy and became a pilot before he was 20 years old.

    In March 2002, as Taraba State Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kefas and other PDP politicians were attacked by over 200 youths who invaded a PDP rally, and narrowly escaped death.

    Kefas was nominated as National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Governor in the 2007 elections in Taraba State.

    TNG reports the winner of that election was the PDP candidate, Danbaba Suntai.

  • Lawan swears in Jarigbe as Senator

    Lawan swears in Jarigbe as Senator

    The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday swore in Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District.

    The oath of office was administered on him by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Ibrahim El-Ladan.

    Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), replaced Sen. Steven Odey, who was sacked by the Court of Appeal in Calabar on July 30.

    The court declared that Jarigbe was the lawful candidate of the PDP in the Dec. 5, 2020 by-election for the seat.

    The three-man Appeal Tribunal headed by Justice Chioma Nwosu also invalidated the certificate of return earlier issued to Odey by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and directed that it be withdrawn.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cross River North Senate seat became vacant following the death of Sen. Rose Oko in March 2020.

  • WAEC reopens Calabar office after #Endsars destruction

    WAEC reopens Calabar office after #Endsars destruction

    The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has reopened its office in Calabar after it was destroyed by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSars protest on Oct. 24, 2020.

    Hoodlums destroyed the office buildings, vandalised cars, furniture, and certificates among others.

    Speaking on Monday in Calabar, the Head of National Office of WAEC, Mr Patrick Areghan, said that the examination body received the news of the destruction in Lagos with sadness.

    According to Areghan, the destruction on the examination body is condemnable, coming at a period when the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the world economy and also disrupting the academic calendar.

    He maintained that the complete renovation, rehabilitation and equipping of the Calabar office was to give it a facelift with a view to continue to render service to the people of the state.

    He said that the concern of WAEC was the safety of its staff during the destruction, adding that the examination body places premium on the welfare and safety of its staff.

    “The hoodlums attacked the premises of WAEC on Oct. 24, 2020. They destroyed the building and furniture, vandalised vehicles and carted away valuables.

    “After the destruction, some government officials from the state government and other stakeholders visited the place and made some promises, but, we are yet to see the fulfilment of those promises made.

    “As a body of examination, we exist to serve the Nigerian child and satisfy the interests of other stakeholders.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the academic calendar; hence the 2021 May/June WAEC did not hold as usual. The 2021 WAEC examination has been scheduled to start on Aug. 16 in Nigeria,” he said.

    He thanked members of the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and other stakeholders for their support for the examination body in the state.

    He urged staff of the council to ensure that COVID-19 protocols are strictly adhered to during the conduct of the examination.

    Branch Controller of WAEC in Cross River, Mr Oladele Ezekiel, said that after the destruction on Oct. 24, Gov. Ben Ayade visited the office on Nov. 3.

    He said that the governor, while assuring the council of his support to get back to business, promised the office two Hilux pick-up vehicles and the renovation of the damaged buildings.

    “The office followed up the promises rigorously but all to no avail.

    “With great difficulty, the office relocated its operations to the Uyo zonal office for the safe custody of all security materials and the provision of our services to meet the needs of the Cross River residents and other clients.

    “The journey to and from Uyo was not a pleasant one as it was stressful and risky while the road was in serious state of despair with attendant effects on our operations.

    “The management heard our groaning and sent us a coaster bus to alleviate our transportation problems.

    “Furthermore, the management came and saw our pitiable state and the head of national office gave us hope that the office would be renovated before the next examination in 2021, here we are today,” he said.

    He thanked the head of the national office and his management team for their profound interest and genuine concerns for the entire staff and the office at large.

    In his goodwill message, the Secretary of ANCOPPS in Cross River, Mr Dermot Tawo, condemned the destruction on WAEC office.

    Tawo gave the assurance that they would continue to partner with the council to promote service delivery in the state.

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks Cross River Senator, Odey

    BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks Cross River Senator, Odey

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has sacked Senator Stephen Odey, the lawmaker representing Cross River North senatorial district in the Senate.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the three-man panel of the court headed by Hon. Justice Chioma I. Nwosu declared Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as the duly elected senator for the senatorial district.

    The panel also invalidated the certificate of return earlier issued to Odey by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and directed that it be withdrawn.

    The court averred that Jarigbe was the lawful candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 5th, 2020 bye-election for the seat.

    TNG reports the Appeal Court further stated that the decision of the Tribunal was a mere mockery of the Judiciary.

  • BREAKING: Pastor arrested with human skull in Cross River

    BREAKING: Pastor arrested with human skull in Cross River

    The Police Command in Cross River has arrested the Pastor of United Evangelical Church, Michael Bassey, 45, for unlawful possession of human skull.

    It also apprehended 25 other suspects for various offences committed in the state.

    Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Calabar, Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Sikiru Akande, said that the pastor was arrested upon a complaint from a concern citizen on threat to life.

    Akande said that the suspect was arrested at No. 56 Uwanse by Asuquo Ekpo Street in Calabar South.

    “The suspect was arrested with one human skull tied with the complainant’s picture and carved human image with red clothes.

    “Investigation is still ongoing and the suspect will be arraigned in court,” he said.

    The CP also paraded one Christian Edem-Eyo, 34, for allegedly killing and beheading one Uduak Okpo, 65, and buried her head and the body separately on June 6.

    The Commissioner also said that the suspect would soon be charged to court accordingly.

    Bassey, however, said he was not into any diabolical act.

    According to him, he has been conducting healing services for his congregation members before his arrest.

    “I don’t know anything about this human skull. I am innocent of the charges against me,” he maintained.

    On his part, the murder suspect, Edem-Eyo, said he killed Okpo because she belonged to the spiritual world.

    “I killed Uduak Okpo because she belonged to the marine world. She was terrorising me spiritually in the compound,” he said.

    The CP said that the Command’s “Operation Restore Peace” in the state had yielded result through the arrest of criminals disturbing the peace of the people.

    He said that the command was liaising with traditional rulers, youth groups, stakeholders and community dwellers on ways to restore peace and order in the state.

  • Defection: If PDP is willing I may return – Gov Ayade

    Defection: If PDP is willing I may return – Gov Ayade

    The Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade has said if the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is willing, he might return to the party he left on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Ayade was speaking on national television when he made this assertion, stressing that if the PDP should win the presidency in 2023, and the party is willing, he will support them.

    On his possibility of going back to the PDP if it takes over in 2023, Ayade simply said: “If they’re willing, I will support them if they emerge; if they don’t want, I will remain. If I find it’s policy in line with my philosophy, but I doubt it because of the people they are parading.

    Meanwhile, the Cross River State Governor said who is who in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pleaded with him not to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Reacting to a question that 24 hours before his defection, the publicity secretary of PDP had insisted that he was not defecting, Ayade said he was still a loyal member of the PDP 24 hours before his defection.

    “Kola was very right, I was actually still a loyal member before my sudden summersault to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

    He further explained that the thrust on why he defected was based on the fact that his voice can’t be heard in the opposition.

    On whether members of the National Assembly will defect with him, Ayade said:

    “Members of the National Assembly were there and I hold the political structure of Cross River State having 38,000 political appointees across the 18 LGAs of the state.

    “If Ayade defects, others must follow me because the political structure of the state is with me so they must defect with me”.

  • Only elected member of APC in Cross River bares mind on defection of Gov Ayade

    Only elected member of APC in Cross River bares mind on defection of Gov Ayade

    The only elected member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Hon. Alex Egbona, the member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has bared his mind on the defection of the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade to the ruling party.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Ayade, elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), along with members of the PDP in the State, elected, appointed or otherwise, became defected members of the APC on Thursday.

    Ayade declared Cross River as an APC State at the State Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office in Calabar after a two-hour meeting with seven APC Governors led by the APC interim chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.

    Speaking on the development, Egbona, who now happens to be the only elected member of the APC in the State, in a statement, expressed excitement on the defection of Ayade, saying the Governor’s defection has opened up a new chapter for the people of Cross River.

    The statement reads: “History has been made today in Cross River State, as our governor, Prof Ben Ayade leads scores of PDP members and critical stakeholders from the state to the ruling APC. It feels good to see that our dear state is now listed in the comity of progressive states.

    “Before now, I was like a lone child, being the only elected member of the party from Cross River. But today, the music has changed. Other elected personalities have now joined the fold. The broom revolution has hit Cross River State and our people will be the greatest beneficiaries.

    “The coming into the APC of our governor and some members of the state house of assembly, National Assembly, political appointees, local government chairmen and all progressive minded Cross Riverians has opened up a new chapter for us as a people. It speaks of better days for Cross River State in the days ahead.

    “This is what we have been waiting for. Getting our state back into the federal architectural ecosystem is the best thing to happen to us at this time.

    “In my capacity as the elected representative of the APC from Cross River, I am glad to welcome Nigeria’s first digital governor, a humble servant of the people, a senator of the Federal Republic, a friend and compatriot, Prof Ben Ayade, to the APC family. I also welcome all the other defectors to the family. I am ready to work with the new family members to take our state to the next level”.

    TNG reports Governor Ayade on Thursday dumped the PDP for the APC, highlighting the character attributes of President Muhammadu Buhari and the realisation that Cross River, which has been emasculated economically, following the ceding of its oil wells, need to be in sync with the party at the center, as the main reasons for joining the APC.

    According to the governor, “having seen and known the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his commitment to this country, his nationalistic disposition and all the efforts he has made to bring Nigeria to where we are today, it is obvious that at this point we needed to join hands with him to build a Nigeria that we can be proud of .

    “We need all governors to recognize that it is not party that matters. It is character, it is honor, it is commitment to the vision of this great nation. We all need to as a team work ahead of the president by working towards building a prosperous country that the succession worries of 2023 will come without the fears and the worries the international community has for us.

    “I believe that if everyone of us as governor joins hands with Mr President, I think we can sit on the same dining table and fashion out a way to govern this country.”

    Speaking on the development, an elated Buni said he and his team were in the state to formally welcome Governor Ayade to the APC.

    His words: “I am here on behalf of the APC family to welcome His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State formally to the APC. As from today he is the leader of the party in the state.”

    Other APC governors who witnessed the event were Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Solomon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and his Jigawa state counterpart, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

    Also present was the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylver.

    Others at the meeting were the state deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams Jones and members of the state house of assembly, some National Assembly members, members of the Cross River State Executive Council members, local Government chairmen, councilors and some stakeholders, including Dame Princess Florence Ita-Giwa and High Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong amongst others.

  • Why I left PDP for APC – Governor Ayade

    Why I left PDP for APC – Governor Ayade

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has, shortly after his defection, opened up on why he left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    While there are indications that Governor Ayade left the PDP over fracas with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, the Cross River State Governor has stated he left the PDP having seen and known President Muhammadu Buhari and all the efforts he has made to bring Nigeria to where it is today.

    Ayade highlighted the character attributes of President Buhari and the realisation that Cross River, which has been emasculated economically following the ceding of its oil wells, needed to be in sync with the party at the center, as the main reasons for moving.

    Ayade stated that he believes that if every Governor in the country should join hands with Buhari, they can sit on the same dining table with the President to fashion out a way to govern the country properly.

    “Having seen and known the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his commitment to this country, his nationalistic disposition and all the efforts he has made to bring Nigeria to where we are today, it is obvious that at this point we need to join hands with him to build a Nigeria that we can be proud of.

    “We need all Governors to recognize that it is not party that matters. It is character, it is honor, it is commitment to the vision of this great nation.

    “We all need to as a team work ahead of the president by working towards building a prosperous country that the succession worries of 2023 will come without the fears and the worries the international community has for us.

    “I believe that if everyone of us as Governor joins hands with Mr President, I think we can sit on the same dining table and fashion out a way to govern this country.

    “Today, I am officially announcing my defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Governor Ayade stated.

    Speaking on the development, an elated Mai Mala Buni, APC’s interim chairman and governor of Yobe State, said he and his team were in the state to formally welcome Governor Ayade to the APC.

    TNG reports Buni and seven APC Governors had held a two-hour meeting with Ayade at the Cross River State Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office in Calabar prior to his defection.

    His words: “I am here on behalf of the APC family to welcome His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State formally to the APC. As from today he is the leader of the party in the state.”

    Other APC governors who witnessed the event were Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Solomon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and his Jigawa state counterpart, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

    Also present was the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylver.

    Others at the meeting were the state deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams Jones and members of the state house of assembly, some National Assembly members, members of the Cross River State Executive Council members, local Government chairmen, councilors and some stakeholders, including Dame Princess Florence Ita-Giwa and High Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong amongst others.