Cross River – Precise Post

Criticisms spurred me to achievements – Ex-Council chairman

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023 - by Lovina - Leave a Comment

The immediate past chairman of Yakurr local government area of Cross River State, Ofem Ebri Obeten has said the many criticisms that trailed his administration, especially those from his political opponents, were the elixir that spurred him and his team to greater success. He disclosed this when he gave a valedictory speech at the council headquarters on Wednesday. He said the criticism kept him awake most times and made him strive for the best possible. He alluded to the fact that he must have made some mistakes but insisted that he and his team made giant strides. Obeten said, “I must have made some mistakes. I must have wronged you and stepped on some toes. But I appeal for forgiveness. “It couldn’t have been possible without you and the criticisms that we got. Like it is often said, no one achieves success without the help of others. “Let me extend my profound gratitude to all my members of exco and the bureaucrats who assisted us out with some of the most fundamental questions that we had. “We laud our friends, …

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RCCG Pastor, 2 Others Regain Freedom In Calabar

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Pastor Sunday Adeniran of the Redeem Christian Church of God alongside two persons who were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Saturday in Calabar have regained freedom. An security source who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard on Monday morning that they were released at about 2 am this morning near Scanobo filling station, Ikot Ekpo 8 miles on the outskirt of Calabar ,the Cross River state capital. The source further disclosed that the pressure from the Anti Kidnapping and Cultism Squad led by SP Awodi made the miscreant to hurriedly collect what they could after making an initial demand of 7 million naira. His words: “They knew that the Dragon Squad was closing in on them ,they had to hurriedly collect about 200,000 naira and let their victims go. “Initially they demanded 7 million for their release but had to just collect what they could as soon as possible and dropped them off at Scanobo area in Ikot Ekpo 8 miles at about 2:am.” SP Awodi and his men from AKCS were already in their trail as at 12 midnight but immediately …

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Retirees Block Ayade’s Office In Calabar, Demand Pension, Gratuities

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

In what will come across as a rather startling development, hundreds of retirees on Friday blocked the Cross River State Governor’s office to demand the payment of their pension and gratuities. Some of them carried placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Governor Ayade pay our pension and gratuities’, ‘Pensioners are dying due to non-payment of pension and gratuities’, ‘Ayade harmonise pension’, among others. The retirees said they were facing untold hardship due to their inability to collect their entitlements and called on Governor Ben Ayade to do the needful by paying them. Some of them said they had not been paid gratuity since 2013 while others said they were being owed from 2014. Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the Calabar branch Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Dr. Eyo Otu Eyo, said, “As we are standing here, nobody earns up to N30,000 pension and yet such people have not been paid. There are thousands that are bedridden. I can take you to pensioners at home who are bedridden. Yet this so-called gratuity has not been paid. “Some have …

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Heartbreaking! One-year-old Baby Burnt To Death In Calabar

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

A woman has been thrown into mourning after her one-year-old baby was burnt to death in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, due to a candlelight fire in a thatched house. The incident was said to have occurred at the Eta Agbor area of Calabar Municipality on October 9. When NAN visited the area, it was observed that the thatched house was completely burnt down. Ms Glory Etim-Akpan, mother of the child, told NAN that her child was sick and so she went out to a pharmacy in the area to get drugs and pampers for her, explaining that she left the child, a baby girl, Kate Dickson, at home sleeping, while the candlelight was burning. “My baby was having cough and catarrh, so I decided to go out to buy drugs and pampers for her. Before I went out of the house, I lighted a candle on top of a metal plate in our room. “I didn’t even get to the pharmacy when I was called that our house was on fire. And It was not up to 30 …

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No new political party on Oct 1, says Utomi

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Political economist Prof Pat Utomi has debunked rumours that he, alongside other prominent Nigerians, are planning to announce the formation of a new political party on October 1. Utomi has recently been linked in the media with a “third force,” called Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP) to give the electorate an alternative platform to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Apart from Utomi, founders of RNP include former Kwara Governor Ahmed Abdulfatai; former Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran; former Cross River Governor Donald Duke; Senator Lee Maeba; former House of Representatives member Usman Bugaje; former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega; Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Yomi Awoniyi, Dr. Rose Idi Danladi and Dr. Sadiq Gombe among others. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was recently reported as saying that 95 groups have recently applied to be registered as political parties. But Utomi, who spoke on the sidelines of a press conference announcing winners of the Year 2020 Zik Prize in Leadership Awards organised by the Public Policy Research …

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EFCC arrests 33 suspected internet fraudsters in Calabar

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested 33 suspected internet fraudsters in Calabar, Cross River State. This was a result of a sting operation that had 17 of the suspects arrested at a location on Lost Office Street, Royal Estate, off Ekot Onin. At Maria Owan by Lemena Junction, the EFCC arrested 10 of the suspects while the other six suspects were arrested at Parliamentary Extension, Calabar. In a statement, the EFCC, said “the suspects aged between 22 – 35 years are: Modey Terrence Akong, Detoo Bem Daniel, Godson Topbie, Moses Valentine Nkpung, Idang Confidence, Chinagorom Edward, Enwereuzo Chidiebere, Obioma ThankGod, Richard Reinhard, Clinton Christopher, Raymond Samuel, Etim Paul, Okechukwu Caleb and Joseph Akobo. “Others are Morayo Jerry, Ogar Jemyford, Emmanuel Chika, Okpubeku Prosper, Onedo Caleb, Enajemo Oghenekaro, Great Asume, Ebuka Uzokwe, Obikwelu Ugochukwu, Oloko Pius Monshe, Gideon Ani, Effiong Akaninyene, Agoh Oscar, Agu Favour, Abang Godswill, Amalam Micheal, Luka Kaben, Ifeanyi Enwereuzo and Achilonu Moses. “At the point of arrest, several laptops and mobile phones were recovered from the suspects. Also recovered from …

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Okorocha Confident of a New Nigeria Devoid of Hate and Insecurity

July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – The Senator Representing Imo West in the Ninth national assembly, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has expressed confidence that a New Nigeria where hate, anger and Insecurity will be completely eradicated will soon emerge. He said this vision may seem unachievable but can be achieved if all Nigerians desire it and work towards achieving same. Owelle Rochas Okorocha said this at the Unity House Abuja when he played host to the APC state Assembly forum from Cross River state who were in Abuja on a familiarization tour to the party headquarters to meet the APC leadership after decamping alongside Governor Ben Ayade who recently dumped the PDP. The group was led by Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey.Speaking at the meeting, Senator Okorocha said “the More we mix the better it is for the country, your coming on board to mainstream politics will begin to give the ruling party a ‘National Outlook’’. It was the CPC, ACN and APGA that formed the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari appreciates the history of this party”. “You are coming at the …

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NASS appoints Ayo-Yusuf as Chief Complaint Commissioner of the Federation

May 26, 2021May 26, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

The leadership of the National Assembly has approved the appointment of Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf as Chief Public Complaint Commissioner of the Federation in accordance with provisions of the law establishing the Public Complaint Commission. The National Assembly also approved the appointment of 37 other Federal Commissioners for the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. A letter signed by the Senate President, Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, conveying the appointments to the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Arc. Ojo Olatunde, said the appointments will take effect from June 1, 2021 in the first instance for a three- year tenure The letter partly reads: “…after due consultation with the leadership of the two Chambers of the National Assembly and having satisfied the requirement of the relevant section of the law, the appointment of following individuals who are found worthy as Chief Commissioner and Commissioners of the Public Complaints Commission is hereby approved to represent their respective States and FCT as indicated against their names.” The Senate President cited the provisions of Section 2 (1) of the Public Complaints Commission Act, which states …

Politics

PDP financial secretary dead, other officials injured in Plateau auto crash

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

PDP financial secretary dead, eight injured in Plateau auto crash The Peoples Democratic Party Zonal tour for Plateau central was on Tuesday put on hold following an auto accident involving the party leaders which claimed the life of the state Financial Secretary, Mrs Mary Adar Gar. The PUNCH learnt that the tragic accident occurred on Friday evening in Mangu when a Vectra car rammed into the vehicle conveying the PDP leaders, who were returning to Jos from Shendam where they had attended the party’s zonal tour for the Plateau South. It was gathered that those inside the 18-seater bus conveying the PDP leaders were the state Deputy chairman,Captain Bitrus Golden (retd.);former caretaker committee chairman of the party,Yakubu Chocho; State Secretary,Emmanuel Tuang; State Treasurer, Ismaila Abubakar; State Auditor, Angela Shinkur; the state woman Leader as well as the Central Zone Vice chairman of the party. An eyewitness ,Timothy Pam said that the party leaders were approaching the Mangu town when the driver of a Vectra car left his lane and hit 18 -seater bus conveying the party officials killing the financial …

Politics

Ayade: Cross River Deputy Speaker Defects To APC

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Deputy Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Joseph Bassey is no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. Bassey has now officially defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) following the defection of Governor Ben Ayade. Bassey told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Thursday in Calabar that the governor’s move has crumbled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. He said that the governor was moving to the ruling party with all members of the State House of Assembly, Commissioners, elected local council chairmen, councilors, and over 6,000 political appointees in the state. “I have already moved with the governor. Cross River is now an APC state and the House of Assembly has also moved with the governor. “We just have to help Cross River residents by aligning with the centre. Cross River receives the least allocation from the Federal Government and this is not good enough. “In the past six years, Cross River has been an opposition party; this is the first time we are missing touch with the centre. “We …

Politics

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade Dumps PDP For APC

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), according to Daily Trust. Top members of the ruling party, including governors and senators are currently at Government House, Calabar, where the defection was finalised. Details later… Source

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Delta Congress says region is ‘autonomous’ ‘No secessionist group can annex us’ — Niger Delta Congress says region is ‘autonomous

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

Abuja (Precise Post) – In what is thought to be a veiled threat to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) has said “all actions by secessionist groups to annex the region shall and will be resisted” . IPOB’s map of its proposed Republic of Biafra includes the six states of the Niger Delta — Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta and Rivers. The Bight of Biafra — which the name is derived from — is off the coast of Niger Delta. In a communique issued at the end of its stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the NDC called on Niger Delta governors to set up a regional security and intelligence outfit “to protect the lives and properties of the people of the Niger Delta region”. The group, a socio-political organisation of ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta established in 2019, also called for a total overhaul of the 1999 constitution to address “the aspirations of the people”. NDC said will convene a “Niger Delta Peoples Conference” in October 2021 to address several …

Politics

Don’t give up on Nigeria – Okorocha

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – The Senator representing Imo West in the Senate, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has sympathized with President Muhammadu Buhari for standing alone in the face of daunting challenges that has bedeviled his administration. The Imo lawmaker said this in Abuja when he played host to the APC Progressive Minds from Cross River state who came calling on him at the Unity House. He said the bitter truth was that the APC reward system was not benefiting Nigerian youths and this was responsible for the anger seen across the nation. He said “ I sympathize with president Muhammadu Buhari at this moment because everything is on him, no one is defending him, the Ministers are not speaking, the Directors are not speaking, then the masses that should say listen at least our president is doing something are not speaking, then everyone is bottled with anger of some sort’. “That is the problem that we have, problems are bound to occur or exist, but handling of the problem is a different thing”. “If you go to a …

Features

‘I Never Asked Eze Igbo To Leave Calabar’ – Obong of Calabar Warns Mischief Makers

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Abasi Otu V, has warned mischief makers after denying claims that he ordered the Eze Igbo Cross River, Chief Emmanuel Ezenwenyi out of the state. Recall that a report had stated that the Obong gave Eze igbo seven days to leave Calabar. In a press statement by the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council of the Palace of Obong of Calabar signed by His Highness B .O., B Duke made available to Vanguard, the Obong said the letter sent to the Eze Igbo giving him seven days to leave Calabar is an attempt to incite the public and lead to the breakdown of law and order. ‘Our attention has been drawn to a letter credited to a group, Nka Ikemesit Mkparawa Essien Efik Duoeba giving an individual-Eze Igbo seven days to leave Calabar if he does not apologise for ‘ insulting the Obong’ during the visit of a dignitary to him”. The Obong stated that he “frowns seriously at the attempt by some persons to use social media to misquote, politicise and incite the public over …

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COVID-19:Anambra Leads With 344 Cases As NCDC Records 1,368 New Infections

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Ogechi Okorie1368 new cases; Abuja (Precise Post) – The latest COVID-19 report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has it that Anambra led other 27 states with 344 cases out of the 1,368 infections recorded on Tuesday. According to the report released via it’s twitter handle account, Oyo State came second with172 cases while FCT and Benue came third and fourth with 148 and 107 cases respectively. The other are: Rivers-95; Ogun-59; Ondo-56;Ebonyi-53; Kaduna-52; Plateau-46; Kwara-36;Enugu-30; Akwa Ibom-26; Osun-22; Edo-20 andAbia-17. Other states where fresh cases were recorded are: Kano-16; Borno-15; Cross River-10;Delta and Gombe-8 each; Imo-7; Ekiti-5;Sokoto-4; Jigawa, Bayelsa, Nasarawa and Zamfara-3 each. The health agency further gave the breakdown of total confirmed cases as follows:

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Maternal Mortality Reduced in Cross River – Hon Ekpo-Bassey

January 3, 2021January 3, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

Abuja (Precise Post) – The lawmaker representing Bakassi State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, Dr Ekpo Ekpo-Bassey, on Sunday in Calabar commended the reduction in maternal mortality in the state. Dr Bassey, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Health, attributed the feat to the doggedness of Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Director-General of the Cross River Primary Healthcare Agency. The lawmaker, who did not state the percentage of reduction in a statement he issued, said that Cross River also witnessed a significant reduction in the prevalence of endemic diseases. “I want to appreciate Dr Ekpenyong for her deep commitment to service delivery in Cross River. “I see her taking the agency to the next level where our people will enjoy access, affordability and efficiency in health care services in their communities. “We have witnessed a significant reduction in maternal, child and infant mortalities including a reduction in the prevalence of endemic diseases. “Cross River is making a difference in the health sector as a whole. In fact, we have witnessed the repositioning and rebranding of the agency in …