Northern Nigeria plays regional politics
Southern Nigeria plays party politics
Northern Nigeria rules the polity
Southern Nigeria slaves for the polity
Northern Nigeria takes the oil, the gold and the offices
Southern Nigeria takes the crumbs that falls off the table of Northern Nigeria
Northern Nigeria controls the resources
Southern Nigeria stares at the resources from a distance.
Northern Nigeria fights for the North
Southern Nigeria works for the North.

This is our "One Nigeria"...
Zamfara Gold is for the North
Taraba Diamond is for the North
Bauchi Uranium is for the North
Nasarawa Gypsum is for the North
Kogi Tourmaline is for the North

But oil and gas from the East and Niger Delta are for the North and South!

It shall not be well with all proponents of this despicable type of "one Nigeria"!

And more.
Billions of dollars every year
Not reflected in the federation account
Mining licenses secretly given
Money secretly made
Not shared with Southern Nigeria
But VAT from Lagos
Oil from Niger Delta
Gas from Eastern oilfields
Are forcefully shared to all Nigeria
And controlled by Northern Nigeria.

Yet we claim to have a federation
Where the monkey is made to work
And the baboon is made to flex
But people refuse to see the injustice
That happens to be a policy in this contraption!

The North has absolute right to the Gold
The South has no right to her oil
Yet you tell me about a "One Nigeria"
When obviously, there are TWO Nigerias.

It is #confederacyOrDissolution. This injustice is unbearable! This nonsense has just got to stop already!

For those that support this injustice
Injustice would never depart from your homes ever
This I pray in the name of God Almighty

Amen!!!

© Baron Roy

CHARACTER OF A GOOD AND TRUSTWORTHY LEADER.
....Hon Jarigbe Agom patronizes a roadside provision store.

By Adoga Michael Oyi

Leadership is not a distinction between the rich and the poor, the have and the have not. A leader is a follower. But in our contemporary world especially Africa, leadership is seen as wealth making, and followers oppressing avenue. To identify leaders with the actual  traits of leadership is hard nowadays.

Some good characteristics of a good leader is inherent in Hon Jarigbe Agom the honorable member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the House of representatives. He was seen patronizing a roadside provision store in the street of Yahe community in Yala Local government Area. A trait so lacking in many, due to their different view of the subject "leadership". To Jarigbe,  "simplicity is the key to endless achievements in life".

His simplicity, accessibility, and sense of humor together with his overwhelming achievements are the reasons why the keenly observing people of Ogoja/Yala has thrown their supports on him. Hon Jarigbe has redefined leadership. They could be nothing greater than assisting and seeing your people doing graciously well.

Humility is a key figure in leadership. Pride goeth before a fall, no wonder Hon Jarigbe Agom keep soaring like eagles and not falling, "Humility is key".

My people Let's vote a leader that we can put a call across to and he will immediately pick up and attend to our needs. Hon Jarigbe is that man with virtually all the characteristics of a leader.

The biggest enemy of progress is to keep being sorry for your mistakes instead of taking correction and moving on.

Growing up and knowing what being sorry can do and what it can't, also from reading so many stories and learning personalities profile... I must tell you to stop being sorry because you are in that situation,  and just feeling sorry for yourself won't help.

Just stop being sorry and embrace the pains, channel it for better.

Listening to my pastor saying feeling sorry for  yourself because of your background instead of letting go, get back and hit the ground for success to have a story to tell later, I decided within myself that I have to stop being  sorry and rather embrace the pains for positivity.
Political classes, and religious leaders we have today have stopped being sorry and have embrace the pains before they got  to where there are today .
LITTLE ANALYSIS,
Let me start with my pastor David Ibiyeome, one of the great man of God in the world today was nothing before he gave his life to Christ, he follows the teachings of his father and Today he is one of the lead voice in Christendom in the world.
What did he do, He stopped feeling sorry for his past and all the wasted years and followed instructions on how to lead, he embraced the pains of leading  when he had nothing, today the story is not the same.

Former Vice president of Nigeria and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Ababukar. A multi billionaire  was once a street hustler to a point where he stop being sorry for himself, then he got himself out of poverty and built a house for his mother at age 17. All these happened because he got a revelation and stopped being sorry for where he is, rather was excited about  where he would be going to. Today he is in a place where nobody feels sorry for him anymore.

What about the just dedicated 100,000 seaters Church auditorium?, the presiding pastor was not at his best from the beginning, he was a Sunday school teacher in someone else's ministry. Today he has dedicated a multi-billion church auditorium, but the ministry He was before doesn't have as much I guess, if they have we would have known.

He stopped feeling sorry for his starting point and was excited about the future today and today he is a happy man.
STOP BEING SORRY

What about our former President Goodluck. He went to school without shoes but he was sorry for himself because he had no shoes, but then he stopped and kept on...and today he is the face of modern democracy in the whole world.

OBJ, well, one of the  most relevant Nigeria politician. Go and read his story, I'm sure from his time in prison he wasn't sorry for himself rather he embraced the pain, then he became....
I could go on but I think I've made my point but for emphasis lets bring it home, our very own DG DUE PROCESS. He ran for office but something happened, he however didn't let it keep him down for too long. He bounced  back, continue life and today he is in government of the day ...

Those that feel sorry for themselves don't go far..

 Is that relationship not woking hey! Don't feel sorry rather smile at it and embrace the pains, I assure you , you will get the best out of it.

Is that marriage about to end . don't feel sorry, instead do what you can but relax and be positive about it, it will play out well.

Is it about that contract not coming as planned, give it a time, go back and see how it will play out.

... that journey, proposal, keep mentioning. Don't give in, don't feel sorry about the result and  rather focus.

Consider these below to gear you up:

1. Stop being sorry,
2. Embrace the pains
3. Stop comparing
4. Get excited

Doing these, life struggles will find its way out of your system, family, company etc.

Prince Andrew is a young urban professional, a Computer analyst, networker, administrator.
Member of the #project1000 (a solution driven citizenship forum)- and a member of the
Young Africa leaders initiative.

By Egbara Emmanuel Ikaba.


May 29,2018.



Ants are wonderful creatures and they affirm there can be unity in diversity.





These creatures work collectively and in harmony for one goal ‒ to support their colony during hard times and in the time of harvest.







 The ant colony is made up of the queen, whose role is to lay eggs that will replenish the population to avoid extinction. Workers are another group, and their function is to hunt for food, care for the little ones, work the nest and safeguard the colony.






 For the male ants, their function is to mate with the queen for reproduction. It is said that after they have performed this function, they may die.







Comparably, it can be said that the extent to which a state,a nation or a community can excel is determined by how well it can function like the ant colony. In that light, it becomes a necessity rather than an option that we the Yala nation rise and rescue land.









Arise Yala people for your Land,
The Yala Nation demands your devotion.
Let us all unite to uphold her,
And make her great and strong.






We are all involved
In building our motherland.
This is what I glean from this dream: Having a sense of belonging is the foundation of getting involved, and it’s not a one-man affair. On the contrary, ‘we are all involved’ in building the ‘colony’.







Unfortunately, not everyone perceives it this way. Sometimes, what the citizenry should hold themselves responsible for is quickly attributed to government officials. The name Ogar omeka (meaning government in Yala) has become a household name, but sadly for the wrong reasons.






 Government has her role in  development and so does the citizenry. We don’t have to intentionally make a public place dirty with filth and say to ourselves that Ogar omeka will clean it.






 We can do better and assume responsibility for cleanliness of those places. After all, we are all involved in keeping the homes clean.







Different arms of government have their roles and the citizenry also have something to contribute. The functions are different but the goal is one to build the motherland.






 According to Good Luck Jonathan, we face neither east nor west but forward. We must therefore raise our voices together, march forward together and raise that voice for Yala. More than ever before, let the sense of belonging be cultivated in homes, schools and institutions. We can do better. Yala is our motherland and here we call home.







I am very passionate about student empowerment and I would love to see students get more involved. Students should not think that they belong to society only after school, but they should get involved even now while they are in school. I believe students are an asset and they are part of the solution to  development. Not in the future but now, hence its needful that students start seeing themselves as such and come on board fully in building our motherland.






A student may not be the queen or the male ant but a student can function as a worker to ‘work the nest’. It is said that the left hand is for cleaning the right hand and the right hand for cleaning the left hand. In the same way, students have their role to play in  development and their needed support must not be denied.






My name is Egbara Emmanuel Ikaba and I am involved in building my motherland. I am a ‘worker’ and I work the nest by championing student empowerment. Get involved, discover where you belong in the ‘colony’, that is if you haven’t already discovered it. Let the government worker be wholly devoted to his duty, and let the private worker also be dedicated at his post.







Let the teacher be wholly devoted, and let the student also be faithful in bringing their quota to the table. We need to do it right because we are all involved. It ought to be so because Yala demands our devotion and we have to unite to uphold her in making her great and strong.






We are one people, one hope, and we are all involved in building our motherland.



I remain your friend Egbara Emmanuel Ikaba.

By Phylo Modlin


His Excellency, the quintessential, affable, idea driven leader of the intellectual and creativity charged indigenes of Cross River State. I must commend devoid of sycophancy and sentiments, the generosity and all inclusive style in this government. It has never been this good for the youths especially. You're indeed, a rare breed. Only your kind will recognize and applaud your efforts.

Democracy since its inception has been one of the most important ideology propelling our sustenance as an indispensable united force because, "Power is with the people". It is this idea that forms the nucleus for the Peoples' Democratic Party. Having a civilian governor like you today is a dividend of democracy and simply, the will of God. We are grateful.

Practical democratic leaders do better in leadership than "dictatorial democrats" who usually rule with so much desperation for power, impunity and total disregard for the people's will. They're described as "democrats" because they are not military men not because of their ideology. Consequently, when they leave office, their names and influence burns out desperately too, like candle wax. They become less consequential because rather than the people telling tales of their benevolence and impact of their leadership on them, it is their foot soldiers alone who do so. One cannot eat his cake and have it back. Even DSTV decoders are installed on request by the owners. ALWAYS LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE HER LEADERSHIP.

Let the people decide because the Leaders they choose bear the soul of the people and if he misrepresents, the guilt must bother on his conscience especially when he is out of power. That is why in a proper democratic state, certain decision making is subject to opinion poles after which, the leaders take their decisions established on the tenets of majority or sometimes minority opinion as the case maybe. Greed for power makes a society more difficult to run and I thank His Excellency for being exceptionally democratic. He displayed this sometime in June 2015 during the appointment for the office of the (SSG) and other crucial offices in the state. He told the Boki people to make a decision on their choice of candidate for the position of Secretary to State Government and gave them some few minutes to deliberate so that he can endorse. His Excellency returned but the people rather asked him to make his choice and they shall abide by it. Serving him power he already had on a plata of gold but still, in his humility, he refused and rather persuaded them to discuss further and reach a conclusion. It is during this occasion he used the phrase "LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE" and indeed, they decided through an in house secret balloting midwived  by the governor himself and a winner emerged.

So, when I hear people peddle rumours of the governor adopting aspirants for elective positions in the State and National level through his "BODY LANGUAGE" I actually laugh in wonderment and defeated joy that some people, for their self seeking interest and fear to stand elections due to either failure in other leadership responsibilities, incompetence, unqualified or inexperience or all of the above will fabricate stories that a man as intelligent, classy, well exposed and sophisticated as the governor, Prof.Ben Ayade will subscribe to kangaroo practices ahead of 2019 elections. If this is a campaign strategy, it is absolutely demeaning and abysmally lame. Even the PDP State Chaiman, Elder Edim Inok is too just too versatile and as a veteran in the political terrain, he has witnessed impunity at its peak and will not coordinate a repetition of such in his leadership of the party. LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE THEIR LEADERS.

Members of the public are hereby advised and encouraged to shun distractions and keep faith with the government and State party leadership. There's now Politics with Ethics in Cross River State, my vote and yours will count. Our voices will be heard. Blackmail and fraudulent ascension to power will not prevail this time around. Get your PVC today and LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!!!.

Happy Democracy day celebration.
I am MODLIN ODU.
A Cross River Youth.

Written By Adoga Michael Oyilichi

theeaglesvoice.blogspot.com

The fundamental basis of leadership is simply to proffer developmental ideas towards the continues growth and existence of the society.
I wouldn't want to bore my readers with the meaning of the terminologies above i.e Politics, hatred and faction as there are all familiar terms. But, for the purpose of clarity and easy comprehension of my submission, I will like to make brief justice to the term"faction". Faction as we all know, is a term that denote section, group, segregation or cartel amongst others. Faction according to English dictionary, is a group of people, especially within a political organization, which expresses a shared belief or opinion different from people who are not part of the group.

In an environment where division is the order of the day, development can't drive...Oyi 2018

This singular act is common across the nook and cranny of Nigeria as far as human exist. No wonder, Nigeria is backward developmentally regardless of her age.

An environment devoid of hatred is an environment of/for progress. An environment for peace and unity is an environment of/for development. Adoga2018

Team work is paramount to goal attainment. One may ask, Is it bad to set up a cartel to checkmate and liberate my people from bad governance? NO, it is not, but such cartel or group shouldn't aim at destroying the next person perpetually. Such group shouldn't see itself as better of than the other.  They should be need for harmonious working relationship. Only God is perfect.

Factional politics and hatred are the root cause of unconstructive criticism (hate speech), abysmal name calling, direct insult on leaders, abuse of office, greed, nepotism, self-centeredness, pull him down syndrome among others.

In the case of Okpoma, a community in my Local Government Area of Cross River State. This community is so blessed by God with leadership prowess, but destroyed by men via greed and the subject matter above. This community had produced senators(till present), Minister, Generals, Commissioners, Council chairmen, Senior Advocates, State House Members, paramount Rulers, to mention but a few. This same community, lacks portable drinking water, good Road network, Automated Teller Machine(ATM)not to talk of Bank, people live in abject penury, No support to farmers, no market, farmers can't transport their little produce to neighbouring communities or Local Government Area for sale, people live in worry of what to eat, children don't go to school, poor health care system, poor educational system, youth now see alcoholism and drug abuse as the alternative,... As an Okpoma man, I made bold to say our leaders here have failed Yala, unless there's a change of way.
All these are as a result of factional politics and hatred. Those qualified are denied appointment because him or her is  not of their faction, without minding the input and capabilities of that person.

How will there be development, when politicians go as far as sponsoring violent group against the other, when the so called leaders of tomorrow (the youths) are the one being used by politicians to execute their evil plot, when there's no peace, love and respect.

The table will not change, development won't come, future won't be guaranteed, the old won't give way for the young; if we don't rise to the occasion of getting the wrong right, keeping aside sentiment,giving respect to public officials, avoid killing for our bosses to get in, if we don't see the suffering of others as ours. Nothing will change, if we don't campaign against calumny, if we don't appreciate little favor,  if power is not recycled. Development will not come, if we keep seeing ourselves as the God of power at the expense of the other, if we keep looking at the smallest village as a no place thereby, allowing the inhabitants to wallow in poverty to death, if we don't put all ideas together to work, development won't come, until we change our mindset (reorientation).

We are the solution to our problems.

Leke Alder says " most of our prayer points are noise and waste of time to God, because God has given everything necessary for our progress. It is left for us to discover the already made solutions from God, via positive thoughts, ideas inspiration, and so on. For Example, if God has  given us land, should we still call Him to come and cultivate for us.? NO, We must do our part.

Until we rise to the occasion of love, respect, togetherness, positive thinking, we- can do it mentality, etc, nothing will change around us and our society.

Adoga Michael Oyilichi

Promoter of good governance

#theeaglesvoice
#YalaMyPride
#VoiceofYala
#thesonofapeasantfarmer

Written By Adoga Michael Oyi


Friends, personal development is key to goal attainment. What you can't do for yourself, can't be satisfactorily done for you by anyone. Personal strength, focus, determination etc commands respect from all a sundry.

Nothing can be done if nobody beat up his chest and say to himself I must do something.

The government lack every ideas to fix the problem for us. The bank of wisdom of the government is empty. Who actually, withdrew the wisdom? "We did"- which means, we are the solution to the lingering problems in the land.

It is high time we think. My friends will say "think tank". We have to step up from our complain and act.

You can't achieve what you want without labor, I mean persistent drive. You must embrace the struggle, the huddles, the pain, the joy, the humiliation etc for your desire to be met (success).

Ideas are vehicles, that when driven with  readiness to executes,  is capable of landing you safely in your destination (success).

Collective ideas from idealists or like minds can never go unfulfilled.

Most times, we fail because we lack the foresight to see our God sent drivers or conductors that may drive us to our ordained place in life. Can two work together, unless they  have agreed?..Amos 3v3. According to the Holy Book, two can work together, in fact the work will seem so easy and fast, but their understanding (agreement) is very paramount.

Persistent complain without action is a bed beautifully prepared for retrogression.

Aligning with great minds, is capable of transforming your life permanently for the better.

Conclusively, politicians are not our lives. Nevertheless, we were created to help them fulfill their Destinies. Who is now helping you fulfilling yours? (question we need to ask ourselves ). The Joy is, They are people that can help you discover and actualize your purpose on earth,all you need do is to identify and have seemingly the same mental reasoning as them "If you don't discover your dream and work towards its achievement ? you will end up helping others achieving theirs" which can be detrimental to your future in times coming.

I am, Adoga Michael Oyi

I have #theeaglesvoice

Posted By Adoga Michael Oyi


Re: How Liyel Imoke set me up against Hon Asu okang as granted by Sports Commission Chair.

Before senator Liyel Imoke brought in an American based sports development Consultant, Kimasports in 2009, sports in Cross River State was at an all time low. Infact, Cross River came a distant  25th and 15th position at the 2009 & 2010  national sports festival hosted in Kaduna and Port Harcourt before Liyel’s sports revolution kicked off in 2010.

As a sportsman himself, he (lmoke) thought it wise to scout, develop, and enhance the state's chances of becoming a model for other states and putting Cross River on the path of sustainable podium performance amongst Nigeria's elite teams. At the time, the Ministry of youths and Sports development (MOYSD) was headed by Hon Raymond Obeten (now of blessed memory) who was involved in the initial implementation of an athlete centred program - the Cross River State Comprehensive Sports Development Program (CSDP) which eventually produced tremendous results. Two years later on, Hon Obeten passed away and Imoke appointed Hon Patrick Ugbe who improved upon, and consolidated the structures started by his predecessor. My inspiration to lift this article was raised as a lover of sports, and also following an interview granted newsmen few days ago by the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Rt Hon Orok Duke.

Senator Imoke knew (fully) the need to stand down the sports commission board to stop unnecessary infighting  (battle for supremacy), between the Commission and the MOYSD to enable technocrats manage sports activities in a descent and uninterfering manner as was practised initially. The Honorable Commissioner was incharge of the commission though technical activities were handled by the Director of Sports who's also a technocrat. He knew the possible implication(s) bringing in a Board comprised of politicians into sports - it wasn't to witchunt anybody, it was for the overall interests of the state and the model worked exceptional well as the state won national and international accolades under that system. I quite agree that the delay in hosting the 19th National Sports Festival, a right Cross River won in 2012 was due to non compliance of the Contractors handling the Indoor sports complex, the Festival was bade for by Senator Imoke through the Consultant shortly after Lagos hosted the “Eko 2012”.

States leading in sports development in Nigeria; Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, Anambra have at one time or the other engaged the service of a Consultant to manage her sports.
The Sports Commission Chair opined during his interview that Lagos State operates sports without the MOYSD and l make bold to remind him that a good number of states in Nigeria operates without a commissioned board but via the MOYSD and the results in those states are outstanding. Even President Muhammadu Buhari upon receiving expert counsel scrapped the board of the National Sports Commission in 2015 headed by Alhassan Yakmut and  delegated operations directly to the federal MOYSD instead.

His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade may not have known the implications of terminating the services of a Consultant in that regard. Setting up a board instead has caused the state more harm than it has favored sports as this is evident in the results since the CSDP was discontinued in 2015. Under that program athletes won laurels for the state locally and internationally, the Obudu Mountain Race was sustained, Cross River State rose up to the age group ladder and was rated the best youths sports program in Nigeria, five program athletes represented Nigeria across the world and several athletes from that program are (still) competing for medals across the globe. Sports management is better off in the hands of Managers manned by a Commissioner from the ministry, Director of Sports and a competent sports development Consultant, not a board made of politicians with no expertise in sports development. If there is any sector in the state that require the service of a consultant after IRS it is sports.

Posted By Adoga Michael Oyi

Recently, the political atmosphere of Cross River State has been fiercely tensed with name dropping and series of confrontations which leaves we, the onlookers at the mercy of our 'common sense' in a time of uncertainties. The cause of this however, have been traced to the political antecedents especially of the previous government led by his excellency Sen. Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River State from Abi Local Government.

Beer parlour politicians usually speak in whispers of his undemocratic ideas manifested in imposition of candidates on the people which is responsible for the defection of most PDP thunderbolt faithfuls to other political parties and the relative quagmire that ensued which His Excellency Prof. Ben Ayade has tried to resolve some and left the rest to fortune. It is also rumoured that the former Governor is responsible for the emergence of most House of Assembly Members and also for previous and impending threats on the present government at his will.

According to an undisclosed former Commissioner, "my dear girl, he said, Cross River State crumbled under the tyrannical leadership of Liyel not because he didn't have brilliant ideas but because he didn't respect the people's choices". Just recently, Hon. Obeten Okorn, a two time member of Federal House of Reps. for Abi/Yakurr Federal constituency expressed unequivocally that Sen. Liyel Imoke is responsible for the plight of the Yakurr people.

 Again, earlier today 14/05/2018 (The Daily News Nigeria) in an article entitled "How Liyel Imoke set me up against Asu" captured a vivid expository thrill by Hon.Otuekang Orok Duke on the efforts of the former Governor to frustrate the steps and ideas of the young Asu Okang, Commissioner for Youths and Sports in putting together measures to boost Sport activities in the State.
Beer parlor gossip may not just be cheap empty talks of drunken brethrens after all.

Stay tuned for more info as they unfold.
MODLIN ODU

Posted By Adoga Michael Oyi

There is usually the tendency to fear and hold in trepidation the things and people we don't know well, always imagining that they could vanquish us, like the boogeyman in our yellow - fever dreams. Such may have become the lot of Ntufam (Dr ) Sandy Onor by those who feel dwarfend by both his physical quantity, social connectedness and intellectual achievements. Such fear discloses itself in a a variety of ways including the possibility of crying wolf where there is indeed none.

The Dr Sandy Onor Campaign Organization, which has become popularly known as The Catapillar Movement has taken notice of a few tepid write - ups by some young fellow who has struggled to make an argument and perhaps pull a rabbit out of the hat, about the candidacy of Dr Onor for the office of Senator representing the Central Senatorial Zone of Cross River State. Such arguments, lacking in facts and substance, bereft of style and form, have ended up at best as anticlimactic and painfully pitiful.

We will like to inform the general public and particularly our affrighted  competitors that modern day politics, the world over, is about the contest of ideas and the capacity that one has to intellectually intervene in the continuing national conversation about what is, and what ought to be. And that increasingly, the electorates are beginning to put their best foot forward in realization that the people they send to the center must have been adequately prepared for the challenge ahead. Once the electorates understand this, the choice of who they will vote for will become very clear. Senates all over the world, even as far back as the Roman Empire, are hallowed in their sheer nobility and elevated in realm and consequence. The choice of who represents a people therefore, in that sacred chamber, will be the choice of the best among the lot.
Any examination of the candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring right now in the Central Zone that side -  steps these fundamental parameters and goes in search of mundane gossip will be pulling down this noble office from the Olympian heights of mount Kilimanjaro to the back waters of a slum.

Dr Onor by all tests and measurements stands head and shoulders above the chasing pack. An accomplished academic, a grassroot politician, a business man, a public servant and philanthropist. Dr Onor has the pomp,  character and sagacity to become a dominant figure in the Senate within a very short time. What recommends him for the job is the sum total of his person in all its completeness and not his social interactions or friendships across state boundaries. Having been a state Chairman of Centre's party of Nigeria, local government council Chairman, Chairman of chairmen CRS catapulted to National Vice Chairman of Association of Local Government Councils of  Nigeria(ALGON), two term Commissioner for Agriculture and Environment and member Cross River State Executive Council,  Chairman Cross River State Local Government Commission, member of the National and Constitutional  Conference of where issues of serious national concerns were discussed.
As a nationally recognized party man, he was appointed Cross River State Director General of Jonathan /Sambo presidential campaign committee. Director General Donald Duke presidential campaign organization. Director General Sen liyel imoke gubernatorial election. Chairman PDP election appeal panels, member of the PDP caucus and recently secretary of the PDP National convention committee.
Surely, these credentials will send jittery in the spines of people who have lesser pedigree. These attainments are unequivocal testimonies of a man prepared for greater service to his Nation. The  Senate is not a place to cut one's teeth in public service, it is a place one goes to, to complete one's public service work.

We make bold to state that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike has been a friend of Dr Sandy Onor, and is likely to continue to be his friend for even much longer, the Almighty always permitting. They met as Chairmen of their various local government areas over two decades ago, when neither Governorship nor Senatorship was in their contemplation. Dr Sandy had ran elections before Wike became Governor of Rivers State and will surely run more elections after Wike leaves office. To argue that Dr Sandy is Contesting because he believes Wike will nick it for him is to stand truth on its head. Obviously, Dr Sandy onor is about the best material amongst all the contestants to the senate seat. These facts are verifiable. Aspirants should present their credentials for public scrutiny like Dr Sandy onor has done rather than patronizing petty gossips and character assassination.
It is equally mischievous and cowardly to attempt to coral the name of our revered Governor into the mix. The illusions of disloyalty that is being created could have found fertile soil if His Excellency, Senator (Professor Ben Ayade) was a shallow pampered potentate listening to quislings and gossip pimps who are constantly on the prowl to cause disaffection among the people. Fortunately, this Governor is far too digital, intelligent and smart to be led into a proxy war by people who are right now staying awake at night as a result of Dr Sandy's overwhelming acceptability across the zone. Clearly, the Governor himself can tell those who are truly loyal to him from those who are merely attempting to use him as a stepping stone. He can also tell those who the people want, who can win elections and those who cannot.

The aura and magnetism of Dr Sandy Onor, his vivacious intellect and that booming voice that forces even the unwilling to listen, in addition to his capacity to engender love and trust in whoever he meets were not given to him by Governor Wike. Dr Sandy is quite simply a man whose time has come. If chance and fortune seem to be smiling upon him now, it will be because even the Almighty knows his travails and has ordained that 2019 is Dr Sandy Onor's appointed time. Our politics should be ideologically based not on unfounded malicious and bias calculations.
This is simply a contest of a weak wrestler who attempts to wrestle with a stronger wrestler. As time draws nearer for the duel, the amateur wrestler, very convinced of the prowess of his contender decides to employ excuses such as laying blames on the spectators or  the arena because of the  fear of loosing the fight in a fair contest. It would have been better he never came out to contest in the first place knowing how great the pedigree of his contender is. However, in his momentum joy of victory in a battle he had not fought, reality struck him like tsunami, unexpected!. He indict the intellect and integrity of the mere passersby or spectators who did not clap fairly, to affirmed that, he is the MAIN MAN.
Serious minded politicians should not spend time basking in the euphoria of birthday dates, body language and friendship and whatnot, while other aspirants are very relaxed, doing their grassroot consultations and felicitations with the people, keeping faith in the realisation of the Governor's visions, building up more pedigrees and profile for themselves so that, when the time comes to show "stuff" both intellectually, politically, ideologically, morally and what have you, there and then we will know that HE WHO IS, IS.
 Man is at liberty to choose his friends and when he chooses right, he enjoys the company of a good fellow for it takes only a man tested worthy both in character and learning to comprehend that FRIENDSHIP is FRIENDSHIP and POLITICS is Politics.May God help us.

Oko (CEO TheScribe)

Posted By Adoga Michael Oyi

Dear Nigerian youths,
My words to you this day are few. Very few indeed. Concerning 2019 general elections, please do yourselves good to keep bad choices away.

Don't support any politician sentimentally. Our choices shouldn't be determined by gender parameters; ethnicity, tribalism, na-we-we mentality, consanguineous relationship or political affiliation. The betterment of Nigeria for all, and the achievement of the aspirations of our founding fathers should positively influence our choices and your Nigeria dreams should be your guidepost.

There's nothing absolutely wrong to change camp now to avoid "had I known" eleventh hours regret. If you think you're making the right choice in your current base, remain there. But if you don't, there's no shame in changing your mind. You're at liberty to switch off your... Think on your final choice and chose well. Let's correct yesteryear's errors that have plunged us on the brink of war and economy miry mess today.

Don't be deceived. This is our chance. I see a lot of us falling preys and becoming mugus. Today, you're been welcomed and well received as guests or visitors into their offices. They snap pictures with you and flood the social media with it. Don't tag me please! It irritates me. You're gradually being led to the slaughter room unknowingly. Disassociate yourselves from the architects of suffering and smiling.

 They'll write soul appealing footnotes on the pictures: "today, I received very articulate and vibrant youths in my office. These determined and ambassadors of youths with a difference paid me courtesy call. Our youths got brain, you wouldn't know until you meet them, bla bla!" Then you begin to walk like robot with your shoulders elevated above your head and talk as if a stream of water is in your mouth. Sorry, you've been fooled and your (foolishness) mumu just starts with flying colour. The best they'll give you is the miserable tiniest slice of the pie.

These days, your calls are being answered and messages replied because election is drawing nigh and they plant mugus like you to scuttle the better will of the people. If you've been fooled already, receive the political grace to be wise. Be liberated now!

You're posing to have a photograph with a senator or political office holder, you smile like Christmas goat. You're really good for 'isi ewu' delicacy. They're killing you and you don't know. Didn't you know that goat only smile when killed and hung on the stake. Don't be a scapegoat.
In paraphrasing the saying of Adam Smith, do know that it's not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, the baker or the politician that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.

Haven't you observed that it's only penultimate election year that most of our politicians feels much for others and little for themselves? Don't you know? Huh! Is this not evil and deception? Please don't be hoodwinked by this political hypnotic antics.

My words to you is: GET YOUR PERMANENT VOTERS' CARD, PVC.

TheScribe is just observing the common trend.

Oyi

In life we have the fact (truth) tellers and the false tellers (liars and deceivers). Under the fact tellers we have the bold fact tellers and we have the wailers. Where do you belong?

Criticism simply means "critical remark". Observation beget remark. In nor shed, criticism is simply "seeing something and saying something as it is", a platform for correction and progression.

Most of our leaders who peacefully, zealously and open mindedly received  criticism with warm embrace and effectively implemented them, are scoring higher and having a smooth ride into people's heart today.

The funniest thing in criticism is that those that criticised don't benefit directly, rather, the false tellers, not forthcoming fellows, deceivers, liars, blackmailers, etc are those that enjoys the dividend of criticism. Better still the electorates benefits via infrastructural development built out of repentance.

Before now, most leaders especially my representatives, built around themselves  a barb wired fence where no one can gain access to them. They weren't accessible to those that gave them the mandate. They were so comfortable in their city homes, abandoning the poor masses that gave them the mandate with poor road network, contaminated drinking water, abject penury etc, what a colossal disgrace on their part. But with confidence I can now say, the long awaited expectation of the people is gradually coming to them. Thank God for the place of criticism and critics.

To those yet to embrace this precious, beautifully made bed of democracy, should better wake up and receive it with tolerance and amplectant. And those chasing critics about should have a rethink and retract their steps.

Critics, keep up your good work in a constructive manner, posterity will sure remember you for your doggedness and vocality. Forget the immediate gain and concentrate on writing your name on marble.

All ye Beneficiaries of criticism, never take that opportunity to be your intellectual prowess. Someone laboured for the result you are enjoying today. Someone destroys the barb wired fence for you to gain access to your benefactors. Never sees those dogged critics as enemies to your principal or yourself. Tell your principal the truth. Above all, extend your hands of fellowship to critics.

#fact; Without critics and criticism you won't know your weaker points.

I am Adoga Michael Oyilichi
I am a staunch critic, I support criticism not hate speech.

By Adoga Michael Oyi

My readers may disagree with me on the title of this highly opinionated piece for myriad reasons. It's not a fallacy of hasty generalisation as you may tend to make your conclusion after a thorough perusal, hasty glancing and perhaps, assimilation.

I've been quite privileged to mingled with the mighty, weak and... I've interacted with the good, bad and ugly of the society. I've interviewed the destitute, street urchins and scholars. I've worked / served clergymen, businessmen and politicians.  I've by His infinite grace traversed the nooks and crannies of our dear state, Cross River. I've seen the folly and wisdom of these humans. I know their social tensile strain and stress. I know their humanitarian mechanical advantage. I've known the rich. They're certainly wonderful. So many of them want everything for themselves and families.

Most of them are greedy of filthy lucre. They've the characteristics and similitude of vulture. Some of them are scavengers. Their generosity is felt during elections or when they want to use someone. They love their bellies and pockets. The pleas of the needy are noisy in their ears. They abhor and dislike giving to the society in which they'd plundered to enmase wealth. Ill-gotten penny.

I remember vividly some couple of years, I was working on a proposed book. I'd finished everything. My publisher asked me to pay N350,000 for 1,000 copies of the book as printing cost. I certainly didn't have such amount. I approached more than five political office holders in Governor Liyel led-government. I was told to put it in writing. Of course I did. My letters were thrown into the waste bin.

One Cross Riverian I wrote to then, is now an appointee of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He directed me to send my request to his e-mail. I did. He said I should give him time. I did. After many months, I called him when I observed that he wasn't responding. He still asked me to repeat the same procedure. In a nutshell, he didn't help me. That's bygone anyway!

I tell you the truth, most rich people in CRS are doing all they could to make sure only their immediate family members become something. They've their candles burning but wouldn't like anyone else to lit his from theirs. Nonetheless, I'm not saying they should throw up and down anyhow o!

In Imo State, virtually every rich person ranging from businessmen to politicians and career civil servants are philanthropists. They've FOUNDATIONS where helps are given to those in need of them. Health foundation. Education foundation. They give scholarship and grants to indigent students. They sponsor medical outreach. They champion community services. They sink borehole, renovate dilapidated schools, equip libraries and laboratories, construct culverts, bridges, rural electrification, building  places of worship and dissemination of information. They organise seminars for the youths. They build homes for the aged; orphanages for the less privileged (orphans); remand centre for the psychologically divergent and other social or community services.

In that state, foundations such as Rochas foundation; Araraume foundation, Emeka Ihedioha foundation, Nwaturuocha foundation, Uche Nwosu foundation and the host of others are putting smiles on the faces of people. They're giving life and hope to the downtrodden. They're certainly strengthening the staggering morale of the hopeless.

About 60 percent of the State House of Assembly members have foundations in Imo state. I've seen and interacted with some of the beneficiaries. God bless them.

The opposite is what one observes in Cross River State. There are no FOUNDATIONS. Very few NGOs being managed and owned by foreigners.

The only known foundation doing good jobs in the state is IKABA FOUNDATION the brain child of Mr. Jude Ngaji. The activities of the foundation are felt in parts of the State. The foundation is gaining international recognition. They've just renovated a place of worship. Tuition fee of medical and law students have been paid by this foundation. Final year project expensive of some students have been taken care of. Many free medical assistance have carried out in the countryside of our rural communities. Sensitization of the public on healthy information is one of their activities.

Of recent, the Chief of staff, Mr. Martin Orim equally launched his foundation too. He has followed the pace set by Mr. Jude Ngaji. Other illustrious sons and daughters of our great state can do the same.

I do not make case for myself by urging the rich to help, but I'm only appealing to the rich to learn to do good by helping to reduce sufferings, sorrows, poverty and hunger from the society as others are doing in other land and climes.

We certainly need more of Ikaba foundation and Orim foundation. We need more Judes. The Jude that's less selfish. The Jude that's conscious of the dignity of human personality. The Jude that's considering the feelings of others. The Jude that's trying to bear the burdens of others. When we have such Judes, we're sure the world will have less troubles and pains.
God bless those that are contributing to help heal the world.

Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko