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Tag: Cross River

  • COVID-19 hits Cross River as lawmaker allegedly dies of virus complications

    COVID-19 hits Cross River as lawmaker allegedly dies of virus complications

    Nigeria’s lone COVID-19 free state, Cross River may have recorded its first COVID-19 related death since the pandemic began early this year.

    According to reports, Godwin Akwaji, the lawmaker representing Obudu constituency at the house of assembly, has died after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

    He died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) isolation centre around 12:30 pm on Thursday.

    Akwaji, who was said to be diabetic, exhibited fatigue, fever, cough, breathlessness, classic symptoms of the virus.

    TheCable, quoting Akwaji’s family source, reported that Akwaji was treated for malaria and pneumonia with no improvement.

    It also reported that some persons who visited the lawmaker at the hospital are already showing symptoms of COVID-19.

    Cross River is the only state where any case of COVID-19 has not been confirmed in the country.

    It may be joining the leaderboard if NCDC verifies the cause of Akwaji’s death.

    In April, the commissioner of health, Betta Edu claimed that some officials of the NCDC were offering bribes to people in the state to claim they have symptoms of COVID-19.

  • Lone COVID-19 free state in Nigeria, Cross River announces resumption date for public schools

    Lone COVID-19 free state in Nigeria, Cross River announces resumption date for public schools

    Cross River State Government has announced June 16 for the resumption of public schools in phases.

    The date, approved by Governor Ben Ayade, was made known by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Godwin Amanke, in an interview with news men and in a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita.

    Amanke explained that on the said date, three public schools – one each in the three senatorial districts across the state – will reopen and after two days, an increased number will be approved for resumption. Others will resume in phases till the end of the month.

    “We are starting with public schools and subsequently, private schools will equally be made to resume,” Amanke said.

    He explained that the state government was coming out with a COVID-19 protocols for resumption of schools which shall cover provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), produced by the State Garment Factory, to be distributed for free to school pupils and their teachers.

    He added that the state has about 23,000 pupils in primary schools and over 75,000 in secondary schools – all of who will be provided with the PPE currently being mass-produced in the factory.

    “Students will wear face masks and face shield to school. Once at the school gate the children will wash their hands and legs. Hand sanitisers will also be used. When the children enter the classroom, they will remove the face mask and use only the face shield so as to get enough ventilation.

    Governor Ben Ayade through a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, noted that the production of the Coronavirus protective wears (PPEs) in the Garment factory was part of his administration’s effort to fight the global pandemic.

  • 15 COVID-19 cases in Bauchi came from ‘infection-free’ Cross River – Gov. Mohammed

    15 COVID-19 cases in Bauchi came from ‘infection-free’ Cross River – Gov. Mohammed

    Fifteen of the Coronavirus Disease in Bauchi State are from Cross River State.

    This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, during a news briefing.

    Cross River has insisted till now it has no case of the virus, but with the Federal Government seeking for more testing opportunities.

    Mohammed, who said 15 of the COVID-19 cases in Bauchi State were people travelling from Calabar, the Cross River State capital, threatened to lock down the city if the number of infections continues to rise.

    He said: “I don’t want to join issues with anybody.

    “But I want to tell Nigerians that they are going to be accountable to God.

    “There is no need pretending that this thing is not there.

    “We, as leaders, we must come out and face the challenges.

    “We in Bauchi, we are not pretending.”

    Mohammed said the rising cases of COVID-19 was as a result of the people to follow specified protocols.

    He said: “Some of our places of worship, especially the mosques, they are the epicentre of infections, and nobody is doing anything.

    “I am pleading with the people of Bauchi, if this thing continues to happen, we are bordered by seven states, some of them are worse, in order to secure the common people of Bauchi, I might have to lock up Bauchi.”

  • COVID-19: Cross River begins mass production of PPE for trial resumption in public schools

    COVID-19: Cross River begins mass production of PPE for trial resumption in public schools

    Cross River Governor, Sir Ben Ayade Tuesday unveiled Personal Protective Equipment, PPE made at the state owned garment factory.

    He disclosed that the protective gears, which include face shields and PPE overalls. will be deployed to schools free of charge for the use of students as the state government commences trial resumption of public schools.

    Ayade said medical personnel in the state will also be given PPEs for free.

    The Governor used the occasion to appeal for federal government for patronage.

    The Governor said that production of the protective gear was part of his administration’s effort to fight the global pandemic, COVID-19.

    His words: “I think that the federal government will be excited to encourage the resumption of schools because obviously the coronavirus has come to stay with us and the reality is that countries that have attempted to resume schools have had to contend with the increase prevalence of the virus but obviously how long can we wait as a country?

    “So perhaps, we have to adopt a new lifestyle that will integrate coronavirus as part of our lifestyle. And so for Cross River State, we have a strong commitment that our children cannot continue to stay at home, the more they stay, the more the moral decadence, the more indiscipline, the more they become lazy of getting back to school and getting started because for every stage in life there is time where you have to be in class and once the children miss that delicate phase, it becomes very difficult.

    “I think it is wise for the kids to go back to school and I have seen this happen in China where kids are back to schools with their nosemasks and shields. So you wear your nose mask and you wear your face shield when you get to school you drop the mask and wear only your shield to allow for more ventilation and more breathing.”

    Continuing, the governor said: “We believe it is time for the federal government to also show love and support to Cross River State. We have always led from the front and we think the mass production of PPE is an added advantage for which all health practicioners from to nurses to radiographers must be equipped with PPE for them to work.

    “Because we care, we want to support our public schools with free distribution of PPE. But our PPE for schools is limited only to the nose masks and face shield. But for the health workers in Cross River State, they will be provided at no cost because the government has to borne the cost.

    “ We have invested massively in the mass production of nose mask and face masks but in the course of time, it became obvious that the PPE is even far more critical because we realize that without the PPE our health workers, our frontline workers are at risk and so there is a need for the production of PPE.

    “Recently, doctors in Nigeria issued strike notice and their major reason was that their colleagues are dying in their numbers occasioned by the lack of PPE as they have direct contact with patients with confirmed cases. So, Cross River State hadto invest seriously into the production of PPE. And we have gone out of our way to get the best quality of materials and brought in people who specialize in mass production from India. They are here with us today and they’ are working very hard producing thousands of face shields. These face shields will be the first and major shield production here in Nigeria”, the governor said.

    Meanwhile, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Godwin Amanke said a trial resumption of schools will commence on June 16th of June, 2020.

    “Students will wear face masks and face shield to school. Once at the school gate the children will wash their hands and legs. Hand sanitizers will also be used. When the children enter the class room, they will remove the face mask and use only the face shield so as to get enough ventilation.

    “Upon closure, they will wear back their masks and wear the shields and go back home. Teachers will wear same and under go the same coronavirus protocols in the class room.”

  • Igbo community in C’River commends Ayade, raises security advisory committee

    Igbo community resident in Cross River, has commended Gov. Ben Ayade for his fight against insecurity in the state, announcing setting up of an advisory committee to compliment his effort.

    The commendation is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ugoji Nwabueze, leader of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state.

    Nwabueze issued the statement after a caucus security meeting he summoned to review constant kidnappings in the state.

    He remarked that Igbos, resident in the Cross River acknowledged that insecurity, which was growing globally, was no longer the exclusive responsibility of the state but all.

    Nwabueze, a Lawyer, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes Affairs (Igbo) observed that the current measures put in place by the government in fighting insecurity in the state have proven to be efficient in tackling security challenges.

    “The Igbos commend the governor for rising to the challenge of insecurity in the state through the demolition of property acquired by kidnappers, through ill-gotten ransom.

    “Also, the declaration of 35 cultists on the wanted list, whose activities greatly affected the economy and nightlife of the state, thereby, reducing its tourism potentials.

    “Consequently, the Igbo community in Cross River has set up a security advisory committee for information gathering, sensitisation and close networking with security agencies in the state.

    “The Igbos are saying, constant kidnapping of people and high insecurity caused by senseless cult wars in the state have greatly affected the business fortunes of the state,’’ Nwabueze said.

    He gave an instance of one Chief Jude Odinka, a 70-year-old businessman with health complications kidnapped, over a month ago and is yet to be released, as well as several others who have died in the process, after ransom, as too many atrocities that cannot be tolerated any longer.

    The Igbo leader appealed to the governor, not to be intimidated by pressures or blackmail from people, who wanted to use insecurity in the state to rubbish his programmes.

    “The meeting rose with the resolution that any Igbo son caught in acts that constituted insecurity to the government of the state would be allowed to face the consequences,’’ he said.

    The State government recently engaged in massive demolition of property belonging to suspected kidnappers and cult leaders at large in Calabar South Local Government Area of the State.

  • Ayade swears-in council chairmen with N11.38 billion take off fund

    Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade Tuesday swore-in the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state.

    The event took place at the State Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Calabar.

    The new chairmen and their vice emerged victorious in last Saturday’s council polls.

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP cleared the entire 18 councils areas and also produced all the councillors.

    Speaking after swearing them in, Ayade urged the council Chairmen to avoid unnecessary trips outside their councils, harping on the need for them to stay back home and work for their people.

    The governor disclosed that he was leaving behind for the newly elected chairmen, N11.386 billion as take off fund, adding that they had no reason not to perform.

    “Remember I am giving you councils that are not owing salaries, not owing pension. So I don’t want to hear tomorrow that your are owing.

    “We are happy to announce to you that you are coming into office while the governor leaves behind N11.386 billion in your coffers.

    “Today marks a great opportunity for the people at the grassroots who have never had direct access to government, to feel the impact of government,” the governor told the new chairmen.

    He further implored them not to engage in grandiose projects but concentrate on simple projects that directly impact on the lives of the people.

    His words: “You are serving the grassroots, I do not want you therefore, to embark on big projects. I need you to deal with those projects that directly impact on the lives of the people. I need you to deal with boreholes, I need you to deal with culverts, minor bridges that link communities.”

    The governor advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councillors so as to effectively serve the people.

    “I urge you to work in harmony with your councillors. There must not be a divided house. Therefore, work harmoniously with the councillors so that together you will serve the people effectively”, the governor said.

    He also urged them to reside in their respective local government areas so as to be abreast of the needs of their people.

  • COVID-19 free status: Cross River has low testing capacity, shortage of personnel – PTF

    COVID-19 free status: Cross River has low testing capacity, shortage of personnel – PTF

    The Presidential Task Force Team on Wednesday has said the only state yet to record COVID-19 case in the country, Cross River, has low testing capacity.

    The team said this during a visit to the state.

    The team, which comprises experts from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), noted that the state was also grappling with other challenges like inadequate surveillance, dearth of personnel, and other logistical problems.

    The PTF said it was in discussions with the state and other stakeholders to find ways to solve those problems.

    It also said although its first visit to Kogi State did not yield expected results, it is, however, hopeful that the second visit will be more productive as there is now better correspondence and understanding with the state.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, who made this known yesterday in Abuja, during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said: “Kogi is yet to be visited the second time.

    But I can say that we have a better understanding with the government of Kogi this time around and we are hoping that when the team visits Kogi, we will have a better report based on better understanding.

    “For Cross River, we want to commend the Governor for welcoming the team and for the collaboration that took place and better understanding as well.

    Essentially, the findings at the end of the visit revolves around issues of security at the border, inadequacy of surveillance system and the low capacity for testing because of dearth of personnel to make this testing possible.

    “Of course, what was also observed was that the call centre is probably not what it should be, as it is still being set up as at that point in time. The situation may have changed now.

    “There was also the issue of difficulty in shipping test samples from Cross River State to Irrua reference laboratory in Edo state, which is possibly the nearest centre to Calabar. At the end of it all, there were discussions about how to mitigate these gaps and challenges.”

    Concerning updates on the hazard allowance and other incentives promised the frontline health workers, Mamora said: “The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health is currently in a meeting in this regard and I do hope that before the end of the week, the final outcome will be made available.”

    The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, added: “We are focused on supporting all the states in the country.

    Almost every single day I have been having discussions from Governors pushing for labs, treatment centres, commodities, technical support, guidance, and knowledge.”

    “So our hands are full, but the purpose of our existence is to support states and we will continue to do so.

    “I sent out messages to all state commissioners of health and their state epidemiologists over the Sallah holiday to really focus this week on getting in more samples.

    In Imo state, we just saw a small but significant increase in the number of cases because of their increased testing and the fact that they now have a lab in Owerri.

    “We have enough reagents to test over 100,000 people in our stockpile. The challenge now is how to work with state to reinvigorate the sample collection process, and this is the purpose of our work this week.”

  • Cross River is last man standing as Kogi officially records two coronavirus cases

    Cross River is last man standing as Kogi officially records two coronavirus cases

    Nigeria, on Wednesday announced 389 new Coronavirus cases, the highest the nation has recorded in a single day since the pandemic struck in February.

    The nation now has total confirmed Coronavirus cases of 8,733, according to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Wednesday.

    Lagos contributed to the soaring figures recorded, as the state rakes in 256 of the cases, the highest it has recorded since the pandemic was first discovered in the state in February.

    Katsina, Rivers, Kano, Adamawa and Akwa Ibom recorded 23, 22, 14, 11 and 11 cases respectively, while Kaduna, rakes in seven cases, just as Gombe, Plateau, Abia, Delta, Niger, Kogi and Oyo recorded two cases each, while Imo, Borno, Ogun and Anambra have one case each.

    Kogi State has now joined the league of states with Coronavirus virus after two cases were detected on Wednesday.

    Five deaths were recorded in Nigeria on Wednesday while the total number of patients discharged so far stand at 2,501.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the only state in Nigeria with no official COVID-19 case is Cross River.

    States that record Coronavirus on Wednesday

    Lagos-256
    Katsina-23
    Edo-22
    Rivers-14
    Kano-13
    Adamawa-11
    Akwa Ibom-11
    Kaduna-7
    Kwara-6
    Nasarawa-6
    Gombe-2
    Plateau-2
    Abia-2
    Delta-2
    Benue-2
    Niger-2
    Kogi-2
    Oyo-2
    Imo-1
    Borno-1
    Ogun-1
    Anambra-1

  • We won’t participate in rescheduled Cross River council polls – APC

    We won’t participate in rescheduled Cross River council polls – APC

    Main opposition party in Cross River State, the All Progressive Congress(APC) has picked holes in the rescheduled local government elections fixed for Saturday May 30.

    A statement from the State chairman, Sir John Ochalla, declared “the APC Cross River State will not be part of the charade on Saturday.”

    It noted: “The processes leading to the conduct of the election have been fraught with gross irregularities and deliberate subversions of basic constitutional requirements guiding conduct of an election.

    “Giving a two to three days’ notice for the conduct of an election of this magnitude is not only ridiculous but very irresponsible.”

    The party further noted it is in Court with CROSIEC (Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission) and Cross River State Government seeking to compel the state electoral body to adhere strictly to the dictates of the Constitutions /Acts of the National Assembly and the CROSIEC bye-laws.”

    It called on all APC “candidates to the election, party faithful and teeming supporters of our great Party should remain calm and law-abiding, while they go about their lawful duties without let or hindrance.”

    The notice of election by the state electoral body signed by its chairman, Mike Ushie, noted that the election which was earlier scheduled to take place on March 28 has been rescheduled for May 30th.
    It noted: “Accreditation and voting start at 8.am on that day and closes 3.pm to give room for collation. All movements are restricted except those on essential and election duties. Markets and shops shall remain closed within the period. Voting takes place at polling stations and no loitering shall be entertained at such zones”.

  • SDP loses Cross River chairman

    SDP loses Cross River chairman

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Sunday announced the death of the Chairman of the party in Cross River, Chief Etta Onghiri.

    The National Chairman of the SDP, Chief Supo Shonibare, made the announcement in a statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Alfa Mohammed, in Abuja.

    Shonibare described Onghiri as an active progressive leader, who spent most of his life championing the cause of the party and the people of Cross River.

    He said that Onghiri’s death was shocking to both the SDP and the people of Cross River.

    “Onghiri was a man, who spent a considerable period in the progressive wing of politics and made great efforts in deepening the support base of SDP in Cross Rivers State.

    “It is a pity that we have lost his continuing participation in the struggle and efforts to elevate SDP into a prominent position in the leadership of competing parties.

    “He would have made SDP to emerge as the truly progressive party with the well being of the people being the main objective policy of government.”

    Shonibare commiserated with the family of the late chairman, the SDP leadership and members of the party.