June 27,2019


By Dr. Egbara Emmanuel

"Of all the aspects of social misery nothing is so heartbreaking as unemployment.

Between the great things that we cannot do and the small things we will not do, the danger is that we shall do nothing. The thousands of unemployed graduates roaming the streets of the country searching for job opportunities is gradually becoming an obstacle to development in Nigeria.

The current situation faced by most universities, polytechnics and monotechnic graduates is steadily gaining ground with its aftermath clearly reflecting how poverty, crime and prostitution are hugely becoming forces to be reckoned with in the country.


 Unemployment has no doubt practically become a menace to the society as the challenge of the people no longer
in graduating successfully, but securing jobs after graduation.


 It has become a big blow to good academic performances for those who are still in school as most students share the common notion of "it's not what you graduate with, but who I know after graduation".


Mr President, I hope you are doing fine today and thank you for taking your time to read my letter.

Mr President, I write this letter with a broken heart and deep frustrations. The moment young people graduate from the various Institutions they have nothing to do and become part of the statistics that contribute to unemployment figures.

Worse off are those that dropped out of school at various levels, as they struggle to break the cycle of poverty. These groups of people are languishing in the streets, Using bad addictive substances and the cost of living is too high; I must say things are becoming unbearable.

Our nation stands at the crossroads of liberty. Crushing national debt, rampant illegal immigration, insane business regulations and staggering national unemployment are pushing our nation into unchartered territory.

I understand you have policies that contain reasonable projects aimed at eradicating escalating unemployment levels among the youth. As a country, we need to be thankful and grateful to have you as a president but you are not getting it right.



Your Excellency, we now live in a country where people sell jobs and this is unacceptable as it discriminates against some deserving individuals and it has to be addressed. We live in a society where nepotism is taking its root.

Mr President, I have come up with some fresh ideas for your consideration when addressing problems facing the youth in Nigeria today.

Firstly, increase employers support to open up job opportunities and review employment legislations that work against young people when it comes to getting employment in government institutions.

You may also wish to ensure that the current education system is aligned with the needs of our economy, local market labour information and make it motivating and inspirational.

Another thing is to urge young people to value work at all entry levels. I am saying this because there are some youths who overlook some jobs.

Creation of a welfare system that supports the youth to find training and employment opportunities is also very important.

There is also need to integrate entrepreneurship education into our schools’ core curriculum. This is paramount to combating youth unemployment.

It would do you no harm to mobilise entrepreneurs and business professionals to become role models for the youth and make them active participants in entrepreneurial programmes.

It is also imperative to support young entrepreneurs who have viable ideas and skills to create innovative initiatives with soft loans and other necessities.

Mr President, investment in youth employment will support the needs of a competitive and successful economy for many years to come. It will provide knowledge transfer from the aging workforce. I need not say that young people bring creativity, flexibility, high energy and an understanding of new and emerging technologies.

Mr President, I value your judgement, but ignoring the ideas I have raised here will see Nigeria rooted  in underdevelopment.

It is said that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop, as such keeping the youth in unemployment will tempt them to channel their knowledge and energies into negativities that will frustrate your development agenda in the long term. You need to act now.

May God bless you, Mr President, as I wait for your action.

BY PETER OGAR IKIBUNIM.

His Excellency, I wish to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory in the just concluded polls.
I would have loved to recap a few ideas I’ve shared with you in respect of governance in the state,  I will however try to see how I can put all together in this article.
Sir, there is no doubt that my whole narrative in Cross river state development has centered on education, health and agriculture. My focus is still in this direction.
I understand your policy of industrialization and your job creation drive in cross river state. I appreciate the large number of young people you have brought to your government even though some of them are without any clear job description and even those with designations are duplicated and as such with limited or no input at all.
His Excellency, as you prepare to start your second term come may 2019, I wish you can pay attention on the following suggestions of mine.
The suggestions does not in anyway undermine your laudable ideas nor is it in anyway aimed at overstretching the known lean state allocation. My desire is for you to look at my common sense approach to the issues I will be raising.
Sir, in the area of education, for many times I’ve raised the issue of CRUTECH Ogoja and Okuku campus expansion even though none have been attended to except for the recent inclusion of Marketing department in ogoja campus. I am still persuaded to ask, after all, the principles is: Ask and it shall be given. This time around, I shall be asking on a large scale and expecting a large scale answer.
I have always shared that Cross River State can attract or say attain development through education. All that is required is proper planning and implementation.
Sir, we appreciate your efforts in primary education sector. Secondary education is not doing so well. The manpower need of our secondary schools is seriously lacking. It will be of great service if you look specially to the technical education board and revamp our technical schools for practical experiences. Cross river state can be an educational destination in Nigeria.
Revive the civil service, local government inclusive, those with educational qualifications should head to classrooms and the few left properly put to work. Most departments don’t need more than ten persons.
 I’ve always used the development that the siting of just three departments has brought to Abakpa- Ogoja as case study.
As for tertiary education, remember we had a college of Agriculture Obubra, the Polytechnic, Calabar and the college of education Akamkpa. With the large number of higher education seekers in the country, even if a hundred universities are established today, it won’t be able to absorb qualified applicants.
It is based on this need and other development indices that has necessitated this my call.
Sir. It is based on the above and more that I am calling for the conversation of the present CRUTECH Faculty of Agriculture Obubra (former College of Agriculture, to (Cross River University of Agriculture Obubra). Remember this was a full fledge college before its collapse to CRUTECH by Donald Duke.
I am also calling for the conversation of the present Faculty of management Sciences Ogoja and the Faculty of basic medicals in Okuku to a full fledge university (Cross River State University Ogoja). Already, the college of education Akamkpa has gotten accreditation for degrees and requires only support to ensure it does better going forward.
His Excellency, We desire that you look into IMT Ugep and ensure it reaches its optimum establishment purpose.
Sir, for the polytechnic Calabar that was converted to CRUTECH, it will be of great service if a new polytechnic is sited in Boki (Corss River State Polytechnic Boki) to open up that area.
Sir while you plan to build new cities, Cross River State will become a cosmopolitan city with the establishment of these universities and the polytechnic.
The above is possible sir. It may not start in a large scale but its possible.
I know the capital intensiveness of the above projects I’ve mentioned but as I said earlier, common sense planning can solve them all.
Sir your least paid appointee receives about 120,000 naira as we are told. That is higher than the entry level in any of the proposed higher institutions I mentioned.
 Except for the proposed "Cross River State Polytechnic Boki” which requires a fresh start, all the other institutions are already in existence and requires only policy instruments and legislations.
Sir, we know the humanity in you, the humanity that gave rise to your “food on the table appointment policy”
I am not suggesting that you drop the policy, I am only suggesting that they are productive (hand on the plough) as you rightly said last year.
Make an appraisal of all your appointees. Give the qualified institutional jobs using the principles of first denial… 6000 appointees? 5000 employees into our public service, run a lean government without sacking anyone. As I mentioned in my previous article, the privately funded infrastructural development will be massive, new neighbourhood will spring up, investors will naturally come in and your industrial drive will succeed. It is going to be a win win for everyone.
The medical school in Okuku campus will naturally come about and with it a teaching hospital in Ogoja to serve the health need of the people in this axis. Your people will ever live to remember you…..

Omini

By Dr Charles Omini

The National Coordinator PDP Youth Alliance has sent a strong petition to the United States President Donald Trump and the international criminal court ICC to with immediate effect arrest President Muhammadu Buhari for presenting a fake WAEC to INEC.

Omini says from intelligence gathering Buhari has never written any exams in his life and the authenticity of the  fake WAEC Certificate which Nigerians have questioned has now been confirmed to be fake. He further called on President Buhari to prepare his hand over notes and his tenure ends in May 2019 and prepare to report to prison for presenting a fake WAEC Certificate to Nigerians.

Omini further caution  the  Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission to be careful with his rigging strategies in favor of APC and any further attempt to manipulate election results will lead to crisis

OGOJA DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
FEDERAL HOUSING ESTATE,
NDOK JUNCTION,
OGOJA,
CROSS RIVER STATE.
7th MARCH, 2019.



The Minister of Power, Works and Housing,
Mabushi,
Abuja.

Dear Sir,

*AN APPEAL FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT URGENT INTERVENTION ON THE POOR STATE OF ELECTRICITY IN OGOJA, BEKWARRA AND YALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, CROSS RIVER STATE
.*
We write to thank you for the untiring effort you have been putting
to ensure that power supply in the entire country is tremendously improved. We are equally excited about your avowed determination to ensure that power generated is properly distributed to the consumers.

However, the impact of all you have done this past three and half years in not felt in Ogoja, Bekwarra, Yala Local Government Areas, and indeed the entire Northern part of Cross River State.

The Federal Government of Nigeria in 1977 decided to extend electricity from Enugu the capital of South Eastern State to Abakaliki and Ogoja of which the contractor finally finished the Ogoja project in 1978.
The strength and power of the infrastructure was designed to light up Yahe, Bansara and Ogoja towns. In 1979 and 1980, Ikom and Obudu were connected to the same 33kv feeder.

Forty years(40) down the line and with over 56 communities being lighted up, and Ogoja, Obudu and Ikom expanding due to human population increase and the resultant heavy demand of electricity, the 32kv power line which radiates from Abakaliki 132/33kv transmission station in Ebonyi state is overloaded and as such cannot function optimally.

The standard Engineering design of a 33kv feeder stipulates that the length of the 33KV feeder should not exceed 70km. the feeder route length presently stands at over 700km. With less than a total number of 20 distribution transformers as at the time of commissioning in 1979, the total number of distribution transformers have risen to over 500, yet, we are still served electricity with this same old lines.

At the moment, Ogoja, Bekwarra and Yala LGAs are witnessing electricity blackout as a result of the overload of the power line that is made to function far and above it designed capacity. The situation is likening to a man giving his wife the same amount of
money for food now that he has a family of 7 exactly the same he gave
her when they were just married 40 years ago.

To solve this problem, the Federal Government of Nigeria awarded a contract to connect Ikom, Obudu and Ogoja to the national grid with 132kv line at Abakaliki with Ogoja being the last point in the power line.

As at today, the 132kv sub station in Ogoja is 98% ready and waiting for activation, and only 2% of work is needed to complete the work. The transmission sub station in
Ikom is far from completion. The transmission sub station in Obudu is barely above 10% of work. At some point, fire gutted the Obudu transmission sub station material yard.

The 98% completed power sub station at Ogoja cannot be energized when electricity at Abakaliki have not been evacuated to Ikom, then to Obudu before getting to Ogoja. Our research revealed that the Federal Government awarded the contract for the construction of the 132kv power line running from Abakaliki to Ikom, to Obudu and then to Ogoja with Ikom, Obudu and Ogoja having functional power sub stations respectively.

It is estimated that it will take 5 years for the power lines from Abakaliki to reach Ogoja through Ikom, and Obudu. The implication of this to all residence of Ogoja and it environ is that we should brace up for darkness for the next five years.

To this effect, we have met as a people and do hereby make the following demands:

1.That the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency, award the contract for the construction of 132kv power line from Abakaliki to Ogoja to activate the already constructed 132kv  transmission sub station situated at Garki, Okuku road, Igoli - Ogoja, Cross River State.

2.That the Transmission Company of Nigeria be mandated to come and appraise the state of electricity infrastructure between Abakaliki and Ogojathrough Ikom and Obudu.

We are confident that you will look into our plight and use your good office to bring Ogoja, Bekwarra, Yala and other parts of Northern Cross River State out of darkness. We are tired of paying bills for darkness.

Thank you.

Mike Udam
Eric Kanjal
Tom Alims
Benedict Wonah
Ibu Monkom
Ushonye Ayim
James Udam
Emeka Okenwa
Mohammed Sani
Simon Akoli
Festus Okwo
Bashiru isa

MISTAKE YOU YOUNG GUYS MUST NOT DO.  Marry now with the little you have. Don't wait to be a millionaire, Have kids early so they grow along with you. Grow with your spouse and kids and succeed with them. Start your life now as you might still not succeed at your target age.

Many people have waited to make so much money before they get married,  years later money has refused to come, still no wife, no kids.

When you've found true love don't hesitate waiting for money, it  may mean waiting till eternity.

So many  young guys are pretending not to be financially buoyant enough to marry but are already living couples life, so many girls are even wasting away on our streets as sex toys for men old enough to be their grandfather still they tell you they are not matured enough for marriage.

When you marry early, you get preoccupied with your spouse and not end up as "pubic utility " for all and sundry, good enough your kids grow along with you. Stop looking for a "ready made" spouse, work your spouse's  success with him/her grow your wealth together it gives you a sense of belonging and you'll have a say. 

If you have means, pls marry early, don't wait till you see your friends' kids graduating  while you still have yours in kindergarten classes, don't wait to be 60 years and you still have kids in elementary school, don't have kids young enough to be your grandchildren.

Contentment comes not  from much wealth but fewer wants, don't wait to buy Range Sport or build Mansions before you start you matrimony, ask your parents where and how they started, you'll see that you're even better off.

Trust me, it isn't money that brings happiness but contentment, be happy with the little you've got, grow with your spouse and pray for more.

For the ladies, why wait?, when it's even detrimental to your health to bear children late, why not do the needful while still at your prime?,  very many who are waiting for "Mr Rich"
ended up as second wife,  single parent,  baby-Mama, very many never even married.

Don't be deceived waiting for that man who can afford Peruvian wig, designer bags and cutest of wears, those guys are non existent else you'll end up as money ritual material.

Pls young guys,  take my advice seriously, settle down early, don't delay yourself waiting for a big society wedding, the ceremony is just few hours while marriage is lifetime, no matter how much you spend on wedding ceremony, yours won't be the best and no matter how little you can afford, yours won't be the worst, you'll always be somewhere in-between, so why worry yourself?.

Take this as a sincere advise from me.

 Hon Mike Etaba Sir , I wish to formally congratulate you on your victory in the just concluded Elections. Your victory didn't come as a surprise to me due to your impact on the Obubra/Etung people in the last three and half years. You tried in your little effort to attend to some crucial issues like the incessant communal clashes terrorizing our once peaceful LGA. You provided relief materials and support to victims of the various communities involved, even if some of our brothers and sisters tried to baptize it with a political name calling you the sponsor of the crises with the aim of rubbing your good reputation on the mud so you may loose your 2019 elections. You overcame, you conquered and returned to Abuja in a thickly contested elections. Congratulations my Honourable, proud son of Obubra.

However there are some areas I would love to point out here for improvement, that I would say you mistakenly ignored or that you intentionally didn't do well as a representative of the people that lack virtually everything meaningful in life. I appeal to you to consider it with the highest amount of seriousness and welcome it like an observation or suggestion from a concerned and loving younger brother, junior friend or a patriotic citizen of the constituency you represent. If you consider it Solomon's bread and try to make amend, you will not only build a lasting legacy for your family but for the entire Obubra/Etung people.

First my Honourable, if you can remember, during the first elections that took you to Abuja, your phone lines were opened at every time including at nights to phone calls and texts messages and you responded timely and appropriately to issues of paramount to your people. You appeared promising, accessible and philanthropic. But immediately you were sent to Abuja, everything changed. Your number became unreachable or in voice mail. Reply to texts messages slightly difficult. I was surprised when close to the eve of the elections I called and you picked up immediately and responded quiet very quickly without the usual I am busy, this excuse or that. Well maybe it was because you wanted our mandate again, which you got. Now that you have gotten it again, learn from Sen John Owan Enoh and be accessible to your constituents.

I was slightly dismayed to see Obubra remain the same way after three and half years in the house, with our son in Abuja. We thought why we were backwards was because we have not had our own son up there but it is pitiable to still find ourselves in this kind of condition. Our infrastructures are still highly dilapidated, our roads near inaccessible. Imagine the Obubra- Ofumbongha -Yala- Ochon road that is the route to Cross River food factories! That's the worst road ever yet that's where we have all the farm produce. You have to use your office to advocate for our roads.

EDUCATION:  IBB recognised Obubra as an agricultural hub and gave us a Federal college of Agriculture, a school that  boasted agricultural production in the locality. Before we knew it was reduced to mere a faculty of a State University CRUTECH to be precise, with no economic value save ground for cult clashes. It is not palatable for Obubra. Obubra is large enough to accommodate more than one federal or state institutions. Let IBB college return to Obubra while we move Crutch to Ofumbongha or Iyamitet to open those areas for development.  In the same vein, Science school Obubra should be turned into Cross River Polytechnic.

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY: Obubra is lucky to have one of the biggest Fishing Festivals in Nigeria and the very best in the Southern region, that is the Okpambe Fishing festival in Yala Obubra and other tourists attraction such as the Ogurude island, the Onyen Okpon cave, the Yala stone monoliths and a very rich cultural heritage with local dances Okpe and Wobi winning home trophies. I can remember you and I spoke a couple of times before your 2015 victory. I tried to make you and Hon Friday Okpechi see the Fishing Festival as our window into becoming a Tourism hub in the country, with a culture richer than Argungun. You nodded your head and made promises, the promises we are still believing will come to pass. When I spoke with you much later you replied me with the language of MTN. But in facts,the Yala Fishing can be made to bring tourists from all over the world into Obubra thereby ensuring the boom of economic activities in the area. Other lakes and ponds like the Ohaha lake and others can be incorporated into the celebration to give it weight and the Idang, Moninkim and Ahbu modified to give it a better colour. And if that's done, good hospitals, Banks, hotels and schools will increase with the influx of tourists in the area.Obubra will become the golden hen that lays the golden egg.
As the highest Obubra son in Abuja, you can help us market this lucrative economic opportunity to the governor and other concerned stakeholders.

In the area of job opportunities, leaders in other localities buy opportunities for their people with their hard earned money. It is shocking to find out that the opportunities Obubra had in the last teachers employment carried out in the state were slim. Our youths indulge in cultism, thuggery and other social vices due to lack of job opportunities in the area. Emphasize more on job creation and poverty alleviation. Engage our youths with job and skills training fair every month. I will advise you establish entrepreneurship centres in the area with access to loans and others.

Lastly I wish to appeal to you to incorporate your brothers in the state Assembly and other stakeholders in your fight against communal clashes. Our LGA is gradually going into extinction if nothing
is done promptly. You and I spoke in December about OBUBRA PEACE CONCERT. At the end nothing was done about it. We spoke about Obubra Unity Cup, nothing was done as well. Entertainment events like Miss Obubra, face of Obubra, Obubra carnival and others that would have engaged the youths have been abandoned and forgotten. Why will they not take up arms? Please I beg you help us to employ Obubra in the world.

Thanks.

Eriacy Confidence Oba
Coneri Magazine
Lagos

Ignore the Intrigues of some desperate Ogoja/Yala politicians (An open letter to my constituents)


By Egbara Emmanuel.

January 09,2019.

The recent yewulistic behavior of some socalled social media politicians of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Ogoja/Yala,
a closer look revealed that it is a desperate move by a group of frustrated failed acclaimed social media politicians determined to drawback the hands-of-the-clock of progress in Ogoja/Yala politics to create tension and confusion.




Just like the leopard which can never change its spots, these political mavericks, having failed to achieve their political aspirations and aware of the political sentiment at the time, pretended to be part of the team of liberation .


However, these characters have all along been furtively undermining the government and the APC in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency if only they exist, fanning the embers of discontent to precipitate crisis.




It is therefore safe to assume that tired and frustrated of being ignored in their machinations, resulting from several nocturnal meetings and plots against Jarigbe's camp, the group finally revealed itself at the recent billboard attacks .





The group spinelessly ran to social media to hatch their malicious intents and launch vitriolic attacks on team Jarigbe.



This is obviously designed to create ill-feelings among our teeming followers, generate tension and crisis; in pursuit of their narrow interests.



At issues is the conflict between principles, decency and consistency on one hand and desperation and opportunism on the other.


Some people should stop playing God, He gives power to whom He chooses and at His time.
Therefore the machinations and desperate acts by tiny group to impose their will, is not in the best interest of politics and our dear Constituency .




Surely, the role of these charlatans in this shameful drama shall be recorded for posterity.




While it is not one’s intention to engage in unnecessary diatribe, these narrow-minded minds should best be ignored.
The grandstanding and table-banging theatrics had exposed these people as political desperados out to create the impression that their views are the views of Ogoja/Yala.



‘’Nothing can be farther from the truth; this is plainly a miscalculated move that would eventually send its perpetrators into political oblivion.
It would be very sad and disheartening if our people fail to see beyond the antics of these political desperados.


Continued spurious and unwarranted attacks and criticism on the personality of Jarigbe and his team will not engender peace and progress in our political journey.



In my view, such misrepresentations by those who should know, but pretend not to know to satisfy narrow interests, will only create hate and acrimony in our politics.


It would not have been out of place if these politicians who have unlimited access to governance , had exploited such avenue and offer useful and constructive suggestions on how to move the constituency forward.
However, their recent action is, to say the least, unfortunate, disappointing and disturbing.


Their antics and maneuver are well known and in the fullness of time their tantrums would be exposed, as the manifestation of failed politicians who have lost focus on their objectives and pursuit.




Condemning this government in which they were part and parcel is the height of hypocrisy and insincerity; and therefore repulsive.



Let me at this juncture state that, the media jamboree was primarily targeted at the Jarigbe ambition through vitriolic invectives.



But as a concerned citizen I have closely monitored the performance of Jarigbe and in view of current realities, the performance is highly commendable.
Since inception, he has worked tirelessly to proffer lasting solutions to ill issues.





Within  four years Jarigbe has used his wealth of experience in governance to mobilize stakeholders to adopt a consensus approach to deal with fatal blow to societal problems.


Similarly, the administration of Jarigbe Agom has recorded giant strides in education sector, with the renovation, rehabilitation and construction of several educational concerns,from primarily to tertiary institutions in the Constituency.




Politically, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe is in touch with the grassroots and feels their pulse, which explains why all government programmes are targeted at uplifting the ordinary man in every nook and cranny of the constituency .


As an ardent follower of events in my state, I appeal to team Jarigbe to ignore these politicians whose desperation for the spoils of office knows no bounds, and continue with their plans of purpose.


No amount of veil threats, intimidation or blackmail should distract team Jarigbe Agom from its focussed developmental programmes for the people of Ogoja /Yala Federal Constituency .



As for these desperate politicians, the mass of the people of Ogoja/Yala will surely meet them at the polls and silence them once and for all.


In any case a genuine ‘’APC in Ogoja/Yala’’ should be all inclusive, well thought out, comprehensive in approach and with sincerity of purpose in its execution.
Not a hurriedly convened assembly of the frustrated to promote egocentricity.

Dear SHEHU SHAGARI,

As you officially joint the league of ancestors; Please if you see Tafawa Balewa, tell him that his sons are carrying guns against Nigerian state.

Tell Yar'Adua that the amnesty he granted is now business oriented for the privilege few; causing wahala.

Please if u see Ojukwu, tell him that his brothers and sisters are expecting another pogrom.

Tell Awolowo that Nigeria is now more divided and preparing for another war.

Tell Nnamdi Azikiwe that those things that made him cross the ocean 100 times seeking for peace are coming again.

Obviously you will not see Abacha, but if u see anyone that see's
him, pls tell him that Almustapha his main man is out of kirikiri prison; tell him that even Obasenjo came out of prison and became President.

Tell MKO Abiola that another June
12 is looming and his kinsmen no longer speak with one voice.

Tell Gani Fawehemi Senior Advocate of the Masses,  that corruption is now official; tell him that even prosecution and conviction of Politicians who are looting the country dry is selective.

Please don't fail to tell CHINUE ACHEBE not to be disappointed in Nigeria, it's just that since he left to joint the league of ancestors, THINGS FALL APART, Nigeria is NO LONGER AT EASE and the ARROW OF GOD is now pointing seriously at Nigeria because of THE TROUBLE IN NIGERIA, even though we've had MAN OF THE PEOPLE like you, but when we cast our minds back to the good old days, indeed we remember THERE WAS A COUNTRY...
As you joint the league of ancestors, SHAGARI rest in peace...

By Saviour Omobibu

Greetings to my Digital/supersonic Governor, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof Ben Bengioshuye Ayade.

I am a concern security conscious citizen of Cross River State that means well for the peaceful coexistence of the state as well the people living in it.

Your Excellency, since your state security adviser resigned and defected to the All Progressive Congress  APC to  pursue his political career I think it is imperative you source for a competent security expert to replace the office as fast as possible to oversee the issue of security with you as we approach campaign and elections Proper.

Your Excellency Sir, as I speak, we the electorate of Cross River state particularly Ogoja / Yala federal constituency needs strong security as we build up to campaign and elections. Because there is serious security threat in the region.

Sir, as a matter of urgency Cross River State needs a new security adviser that will advice and foresee to the affairs of security in the State.

Sir, Cross Riverians already know you are aware of the  vacancy in your SSA office, and are not longer comfortable with the security challenges in the state.

My dear Governor, the security officers in the State are not duly assigned their jobs as there is always a clash of duty (no separation of power rather conflict of power). This is due to the lack of a security adviser in the State.

Your Excellency without fear or favour, it is allegedly believe that the Office of the security adviser is now occupied by unknown person in disguise. An act that's against the law of the State and the nation at large.

Sir, the SSA office is uncontroversially important to the well being of our dear state and her people. As such the occupant of the office aught to be a people familiar being and not an anonymous entity.

It is understood that, the secret occupant of the office is using the office to his own favour to the detriment of Cross Riverians and his political opponents.

In conclusion Sir, we the citizens of the State calls for the appointment of a qualified security expert to fill in the vacant office of the SSA.

Thank you Prof.
Long live CRS
Long live Nigeria.

TEV_Media

By prince Andrew

The magic success factor for women in leadership
We Nigerian, Youth, Adult  have this uncanny ability to hold a lot of false information  to ourselves, we see the big picture and the details simultaneously, and we want to effectively empower our teams and motivate our teams through inspiration and passion, rather than through domination and control. All of this create thriving successful that bring in generous profit. Whew! That is a lot to hold. Weldon critic we making it easier for her to do more
It’s really not so much about a gender debate of a thing  here but a reality of one  women in person of DR. MRS ROSE OKO PHD.
let me educate critic a little bit Effectiveness leadership comes from being able to access reality and use them authentically, when they are needed most.
When looking at our female leaders e.g DR. ROSE, she is  taking the lead.
Studies Have Shown That Successful Women In Leadership Find These Seven Factors For Creating Lasting Success:
Mental Attitude – Having a positive outlook, and turning your fears into your teachers, your weaknesses into your strengths.
Emotional Intelligence / Social Intelligence – Having the ability to feel your emotions and communicate them in a healthy way, when needed.
Flexibility – Having the ability to dance with the inevitable changes that business of the day and life bring, while staying connected to the vision of your goal.
Leadership Skills – Having effective tools and skills to manage things such as time, energy, money, and communication.
Perseverance – Staying the course even through hard times. Having the ability to remain committed and believe in yourself and your business of the day, regardless of the circumstances.
Relationship Building – Giving up doing it all alone. Having the ability to create alliances that will mentor, support and grow your dreams.
Taking Control of Your Life – Having the willingness to do the personal growth work. Identifying your strengths, weaknesses and being personally responsible for your life.
All  this i see in DR. ROSE OKO. Once again Weldon critics....

TEV_Media

Due to the vicissitudes of this juncture as triggered by the force of 2019 political uncertainty in our nation, Nigeria, a lot of political particles have been energized for their ultimate interest which is not alien to our kind of politics.

Those suffering from political apathy are being schooled via electoral education by civil society groups and political campaign organizations on how to exercise their franchise. While these ups and downs are taking place during this electioneering, politicians and their protégés are shifting camp and equally switching party. Of course, every cattle wants to graze in greener pasture.

Penultimate weeks ago, the senator representing Cross River central senatorial district, Sen. John Owan Enoh declared his intention to contest in the gubernatorial race under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC. It shook the state's political platform to its base.

Since his declaration, he has been navigating his voyages across the tumultuous northern routes in the state to woo supports from the people who believes that the office of the governor has been conventionally zoned to them (North). Truly, he has courted the affections of not a few. The boisterous slogan is owanified or owanification which shall be used interchangeably. Like cyclonic wind, he blew away many traditional Peoples Democratic Party's, PDP faithfuls to his camp, the APC.

The Owanified movement has equally attracted many political bigwigs across parties in the entire state. Some of the bigwigs are the disgruntled and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in PDP. Some joined the Owanification movement for what they believe the candidature of Owan Enoh's means for the state and not for personal aggrandizement as some greenhorns social media commentators are pontificating.

In the voyage of Owanification is Hon. Gabe Ugor the baritone erstwhile council chairman of Yala LGA during the dispensation of Sen. Liyel Imoke. Few days ago, I got WhatsApp message from a cousin and I read from some pages on social media where some people described Hon. Gabe as "Judas Iscariot and traitor".

What were his crimes? He joined the Owanification. Why would people hurled vitriols at someone simple because he was seen associating with some political opponents? Does Gabe owes any unbridgeable political allegiance to stay put even in perilous time and in averse conditions in PDP? Why should one's personality and reputation be smeared by hirelings in our clime for changing political affiliation? Does one not have the right to associate freely again without been vituperated?

The 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011; the African Banjul for Human and People's Rights as well as the United Nations Declarations on Human's Rights expressly and succinctly empowers every individual the inealiable, unassailable and inviolable right to freely associate with people or association as it pleases him or her provided such mingling does not infringed on the right of another.

The foregoing culminated to the unearthing of unknown Gabe's sterling and impeccable performance or achievement as council chairman of Yala LGA.  He does not need much introduction as he's a household name in Cross River State. But by way of starting the obvious, let me avow emphatically that Hon. Gabe Idagu Ugor is a very courageous eminent statesman. He's a distinguished, meticulous and prudence accountant with lofty ideas. His passionate interest in the welfare of children is second to none. Hence, he fought tirelessly against all forms of child abuse by enforcing the Child Rights law in Yala.

Mr. Gabe took over the reins as council chairman on 15th December, 2010 as the 12th administrative head of Yala LGA with the pellucid vision of making Yala LGA an agricultural hub in the state with a healthy, prosperous and well educated people.

Yala under his indefatigable superintendent witnessed unprecedented paradigm shift in leadership. There were transformational and translational changes in governance. These changes had effects in Agriculture; Infrastructure, Education, Economic, Health, etc.

Since Yala is predominantly farming people; and cassava is the most common farm produce (Yam is the major). In the light of the aforesaid,  he procured a specie of cassava that's rich in vitamin A+ from ITTA Ibadan which were planted on about 12 hectares of land in Okpoma and another 8 hectares in Cross River Basin Development Authority, Ijegu. Today, this specie of cassava is found in every farmer's farm. During his tenure, there used to be bumper harvest as farmers were usually given free fertilizer and Agricultural Extension personnel train them on new farming techniques.

His infrastructural drive was superb. He refurbished and rehabilitated dilapidated public amenities. He built the ultra modern Legislative Complex at the Secretariat, Okpoma. Sank many boreholes across the 14 council wards to provide potable water in order to reduce the stress of trekking long distances to fetch water by the people.

In education, this sector was given deserved priority attention. In fostering and restoring the decaying standard of education, the council under his able watch constructed six classroom blocks with staff rooms; headmaster's office, WC toilet and borehole with overhead tank in Alifokpa and Ngoloma in Mfuma/ Ntrigom wards.

Before his emergence, most pupils in primary schools sat on barefloor  due to lack of seats. To ameliorate such menace, he procured and distributed 3,000 unit of desks to primary schools plus 120,000 exercise books. Yala students in tertiary institutions smiled to the banks as he paid them bursary (That was the last time Yala students got bursary).

The total number of 10 primary school buildings were constructed from scratch to finish in collaboration with Cross River State Community Social Development Agency (CSDA). These buildings (primary schools) are found in Ogeke Yache; Ogbaniko Okuku, Ijiraga south Ukelle, Woleche Utukpo, Ijegbeji Mfuma, Ijegu community secondary school, Science Laboratory in Gabu community secondary school, Egbeje and primary school Wodah.
To be continued...
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko

Ochelebe

Senator Benedict Ayade
Executive Governor
Cross River State
Calabar, Nigeria.


Dear Sir,

JUST BEFORE WE PERISH; AN OPEN LETTER.

"Ave, impreto, morituri te salutant" translated to mean "Hail Caesar, we who are about to die salute you" was reported to have been used as a cry, a plea for leniency during an event in AD 52 on lake Fucinus by Captives and Criminals fated to die in the presence of Emperor Claudius through a sword fight. Historians differ on the Emperor's response to them. While some said the Emperor's reply was "vos non" meaning "or not", others said the reply was "Avete non" to mean "Fare you well" but one thing that was certain was that they fought. They dropped down like overripe mangoes and they perished!

While I congratulate His Excellency on this occasion of Nigeria's 58th independence as a sovereign nation and on the smooth sail of H.E through his party's primaries I will however remind him that it is not yet Uhuru as he is not going to be the sole candidate across parties in the 2019 elections as he was in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party. There are other powerful individuals to contend with and ultimately, the electorates would make their picks.

I and those within my spheres of influence are going to vote in our Polling Units which are scattered across the state and I'm yet to make up my mind whether to give you the go ahead to pilot the affairs of our dear state for another term of four years. My reasons are not farfetched and I know H.E has an inkling of what these reasons are.

I have done a lot of questioning to know the policy thrust of H.E's administration and I'm giving up after 3 years. I was excited about the superhighway and the deep sea port. I was delighted about the many INTENDED projects of this administration described in really superlative terms but intentions, if not translated to actions, into tangible deliverables for the people to see, feel and touch, begin to seem like a scam. Put differently, "hope deferred makes the heart sick!" My heart is sick, very sick, Your Excellency!

I can say authoritatively that the standard of education has further deteriorated. While this is not directly His Excellency's fault, but some of us were optimistic that since we have two professors in the saddle, measures would have been put in place to nip this the bud. Yes, new classroom blocks have been erected. But what about the teachers inside the classrooms? Are they being trained and retrained on professionalism and ethics of what their calling is? Why do we still have high level examination malpractices? Why do we still allow a few hands to make our students think they can pass exams without marrying their books and in the end resorting to examination malpractices and aided by the same people who should have taught them in the first place, people who should punish them for malpractices? Something must be done to move us away from here and that should be done urgently!

Sometime in April this year, a young man opened his shirt, showed me a pistol and threatened to shoot me just because he "politely" asked me for money and I declined. Again, In August 22 this year, some teenagers hacked themselves to death on my street in Okuku, Yala. These incidents I'm very sure are not news to H.E who is the Chief Security Officer of the state. And of course the killings that have become the new normal in Calabar and other parts of the state make me wonder if Cross River is still the people's Paradise. In cleanliness, the city of Calabar now stands as a shadow of its old self.

I stayed in Yala for two weeks (14 days) when I visited and had light for six hours. While electricity has been completely privatized, methinks H.E can make sure those whose mandate he enjoys as Governor get value for money instead of paying bills for darkness as is now the case. H.E can encourage investors to come and invest in solar energy. This can be done as pilot projects in major cities to see it's workability if it is viewed as too humongous, too capital intensive for the investors.

Our internal roads have not only become death traps, but graveyards to some of our people. How much longer would it take His Excellency to asphalt the road he has graciously graded and would need to regrade because of the gullies that now exist on them for lack of proper drainage system? Has H.E noticed that some streets in Calabar have potholes that now beautify them with Nigeria map and map of Africa? No, this is not part of what Tourists look out for. They want rest. They desire aesthetics. They value comfort. Unless of course if H.E sees all of the potholes as some sort of beautiful adornments.

Finally Sir, on the issue of those rice meals; we have been waiting to eat from them. how long will they take before completion?

These are areas electorates should get enlightenment before they cast their precious votes.

Yours Youth,

Tony Ochelebe II.

WITH DUE RESPECT MR PRESIDENT, EXCUSE ME SIR!

Mr president, you came to power vis-à-vis a fair, peaceful and credible election. In fact you became the first person in this 4th republic to defeat a sitting president.

Also, prior to the election that brought you in, there was an intensive security challenges via Boko Haram, which was to your advantage because Nigerians felt the then leadership of Goodluck Jonathan lacked the capacity to win the war on terrorism, thus voted for you.

As our president, you told us you have technically defeated insurgency. What is state of security across the country today?

Excuse me Sir, how could the same electoral process that brought you to power at the cost of N93B rise to N242B in less than 4years?

Going by the way you claimed you've fixed our economy; shouldn't cost of things ought to be reduced? If you have won the war on insurgency; shouldn't the dividends reflect in the cost of conducting the 2019 election by slashing the cost downward? Are you  sincere to yourself and to Nigerians?

All I see is a grand plan to reduce our country to a banana republic. Your  self acclaimed achievement on security and economy is the greatest lie ever told in the history of Nigeria.

Enough is enough! You are not to be trusted ever again sir.

Sign  Comrade Emaluji Sunday Michael,  Youth activist

June 1,2018.



theeaglesvoice.blogspot.com

To permit politics to dictate your relationships is to give strangers who care nothing about you more power than they deserve.








So many people I know are getting into Facebook fights, Twitter wars, Instagram arguments, and Snapchat squabbles. What begins as an ideological dispute ends in bitterness.






 People are provoking others, demanding those who do or don’t support their candidate leave their networks, cutting ties with friends and family, and all because of political differences.







I can’t even imagine what the Thanksgiving table will be like this year!
People perceive the stakes this year to be that high. To be sure, political philosophy does matter and does carry high stakes.






 However, the partisan struggle for the control of the state apparatus by this or that temporary manager doesn’t matter as much as election season seems to suggest. You might be being manipulated, and friendships and families are actually too precious to throw away for transient reasons.







It’s a pity to cause permanent rifts, and so unnecessary. The people who rearrange their personal relationships for the election imagine that they are taking control of their lives.







 They don’t seem to realize that they are actually letting strangers control their lives strangers who care nothing for them in a system that actually seeks to divide people so it can conquer them. To permit politics to fundamentally alter something so important as friendship is to give politicians more importance than they deserve.







Trolling and Banning
Now, of course there is a proviso here. If there is someone in your network who is deliberately trolling you, harassing you, and goading you to respond, the best possible response is to block them. Not talk back. Not engage in a tit for tat. Just quietly block, without drama or announcement, much less denunciation.







Most public people I know have blocked as many as one hundred plus people over the past year, simply because this election season has been so contentious, with the alt-right and
alt-left (who oddly agree on so much) battling it out on social media,I Egbara Emmanuel was recently blocked by somebody I laboured for for years to project her before the world,this will be a story for another day, Blocking is the far better path than engaging them.






 Vicious back and forths on the Internet can be life-consuming and draining. People who are trying to do that to you deserve exclusion from your conversation circle.







Apart from these cases, it strikes me as pointless to hurl someone out of your life because of political differences.
First, by denying yourself access to different points of view, you risk isolating yourself from a critic who might teach you something you need to know, maybe about anything in life, but maybe even about politics.








Second, talking to people with different opinions keeps you making sense and speaking in a civil way, addressing others in a way that could persuade them.








Third, and most critically, to isolate yourself, hate others for their views, and regard people with different points of view as less deserving of dignified treatment, plays into exactly what the political system wants for you to do.








But Aren’t They Aggressors?
A counter to my point was offered by a friend of mine last year. Speaking as a libertarian, he said, he regards anyone who supports some government action – even just casually and without much thought – as wittingly or unwittingly contributing to an opinion culture that supports rising political violence.







 The only friends he believes deserve the time of day from him must hold steadfastly to his voluntarist perspective, else he regards them as a direct threat to his life and liberty.







Now, this strikes me as vastly too severe. The truth is that most people who support some government action do not regard themselves as violent people. They believe that they are favoring something that is good for others, perhaps fostering the better life for the community.








For example, if a person favors higher spending on public education, they believe that they are pushing for policies that are good for others, not calling for violence against taxpayers to support unworkable programs. How can you possibly persuade them otherwise if you cut off all ties?
And it’s not just libertarians who can be this way. A good friend of mine was a casual lefty and, like most from his tribe, he was dead serious about the issue of climate change. I had no idea until the subject came up over coffee. I expressed some doubt that the science was truly settled concerning all causes and effects, solutions, costs and benefits, and so on. I was actually very measured in my comments, but somehow they caused him to blow up, call me a science-denying, tin-foil-hat-wearing capitalist apologist, and then actually leave the conversation. And that was it.








I was stunned. I was merely disagreeing with him, however cautiously. But somehow, he had come to believe that anyone who disagreed with him bears some responsibility for the rising sea levels, the melting of the polar ice caps, and the gradual disintegration of the planet, even though I’ve written very little on the topic at all.








He was letting politics control his life and even determine his friendships. Both of us are spiritually poorer as a result of this friendship loss.







And consider the toxic effect the rising politics of personal identity – on the left and the right – are having on the ability of people to find value in each other.







 Imagine how you would make me feel if you believed my color represents a continuing stain on the world order. There is no chance for any kind of engagement; after all, I cannot change my race. Or what if I believe your blackness or gayness or atheism or whatever is leading to demographic or cultural destruction – how can we possibly be civil to each other? The politics of identity is causing precisely these sorts of irrational and pointless splits among us.










What Is the Point of Friendship?
What the libertarian and the lefty I mentioned above do not realize is that they are guilty of the same error of allowing politics to invade the conduct of their lives and determine the conditions of their personal happiness. Once this kind of thing starts, there is truly no end to it.








Must everyone agree with you on every jot and tittle of your ideology to be your friend? Must there be zero tolerance for even the slightest difference in outlook, priority, application, and goal of your particular political outlook? In other words, must all your friends believe exactly as you believe?








If this is your perspective, you might consider: there is not much point to being friends and engaging in conversation with someone who has the exact same view on all things that you have. It seems rather boring. Might as well stay home and reflect on your own infallibility.









I like to think of friendship much the way we think of economic exchange. In economics, goods and services do not exchange in the presence of perfect sameness. They exchange because each party to the exchange believes himself or herself will be better off than he or she was before the exchange. It is only in the presence of unequal expectations that exchange becomes mutually rewarding.










It is the same with friendship. We need to hear different points of view. We need the insights of others. Even if we don’t accept them in total, we can still hope to understand people and the world better by considering what others have to say – with sincerity, warmth, and honesty. In other words, friendships like this help us have an open mind and keep us all humble and teachable.







Candidates Will Betray You
Neither is it a good idea to give up a friendship based on loyalty to a particular candidate. The top two contenders for the senatorial seat have held many different and conflicting views on a huge range of political issues, from development to security to economy. These people are wired to be adaptable based on the polls. To follow one or the other all the way to the point that it affects your associations is to risk compromising your own intellectual integrity.
Neither is worth that.








One of the great tragedies of politics is that it can take people who in real life would be peaceful and loyal and loving friends and turn them into bitter enemies. I’m always struck by this when I see a political rally, with face offs between backers and protesters. What exactly is gained by this? If you put these same people in a shopping mall or movie theater or restaurant, they would have every reason to get along and no reason to be screaming obscenities at each other.








We should hold on to that realization. Each of us is a human being with feelings, hopes, dreams, and a vision of a life well-lived – every single person, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or ideology. Politics should change nothing about that.









If we long for a better world of mutual understanding and peace, one way to help achieve it is to live as if it already exists. Above all, that means never letting politics get in the way of rewarding human relationships.




I remain your brother Egbara Emmanuel Ikaba.

May 30, 2018



The cross river state Director General for due process and price intelligence bureau, Hon.Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba has expressed shock over the sudden death of Obudu lawmaker, Hon.Steven Ukpukpen.





In a statement made available on social media by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Egbara Emmanuel Ikaba, he described the late  as very vibrant in legislative activities.






“The late Gentleman was a vibrant lawmaker and public servant who was very passionate about his assignment and engagements in the Cross river state house of Assembly.





“Hon.Steven Ukpukpen is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly,” Eba said.
“His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary again.






“My heart goes out to his family, the Cross river state house of Assembly and the government and people of Cross river State over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Cross riverian. He shall be sorely missed,” he added.






The Director General prayed God to grant Hon.Steven a place among the righteous in Heaven and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.





Egbara Emmanuel Ikaba Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.

Theeaglesvoice.blogspot.com - Leave a comment

AS NIGERIANS CELEBRATE THE NINETEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN TO DEMOCRACY, I AM COMPELLED TO COME OUT OF MY RECESS BECAUSE THINGS ARE STILL AS BAD AS IT WAS IN OUR SENATORIAL DISTRICT, IF NOT WORSE WHILE THE SENATOR'S DESPERATION TO HOLD ONTO POWER HAS HEIGHTENED.

IF I MAY ASK , WHY CAN'T YOU TREAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND AIDES THE SAME WAY YOU TREAT YOUR CHILDREN AND IN-LAWS WHO ARE NOT EVEN REGISTERED VOTERS AND HAVE NEITHER CAMPAIGNED NOR VOTED FOR YOU BEFORE?

IF YOU GENUINELY WISH TO RECIPROCATE THE UNCOMMON SACRIFICE OF THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR YOU AGAINST ALL ODDS IN ABSENTIA WHILE YOU WERE AWAY IN A LONDON HOSPITAL, THAT TODAY YOU EARN APPROXIMATELY 17MILLION NAIRA MONTHLY INCLUDING MEDICALS AND HAVE ALSO USED YOUR PRIVILEGED  POSITION TO ACCESS OVER 2BILLION NAIRA CONTRACT IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, WUKARI, ABOUT 1.9BILLION NAIRA CONTRACT IN THE  UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR  UNDER TETFUND AND MANY MORE IN UBEC IN OGOJA, NIGER AND KADUNA STATES TOTALLING OVER ANOTHER 2BILLION.

WICKEDNESS IS WHEN YOU DON'T USE THE NUMEROUS ENGINEERS TO EXECUTE THOSE CONTRACTS NOR THE MANY LAWYERS FROM YOUR CONSTITUENCY TO WRITE AGREEMENT OF CONTRACTS, YOU RATHER PREFER TO EMPOWER OUTSIDERS SO THAT
YOUR CONSTITUENTS WILL NOT BE AWARE HOW THEIR VOTES HAVE EMPOWERED YOU TO MAKE MORE MONEY WITHOUT GIVING THEM THEIR DUE.

 BUT ONCE IT'S ELECTION YEAR, YOU ASSEMBLE THOSE FAKE ITEMS AND CALL IT EMPOWERMENT TO DECEIVE OUR ECONOMICALLY BACKWARD PEOPLE TO CALL YOU GOOD MAMA. IS YOUR GOOD MAMA AFTER EVERY FOUR YEARS OF ELECTIONS?

YOU BUILD AND OWN HOUSES EVEN ESTATES BUT NONE OF YOUR AIDES HAVE A KITCHEN IN ABUJA INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR YOU FOR OVER 27YEARS INTERRUPTED. I CAN SEE HOW YOU CLAIM TO LOVE THOSE WHO WORK FOR/WITH YOU.

ONE OUT OF YOUR NUMEROUS AIDES OWN A CAR BUT IT DOESN'T WORRY YOU, AS LONG AS YOUR CHILDREN AND IN-LAWS HAVE A MINIMUM OF TWO TO THREE CARS. I CAN SEE HOW YOU LOVE OUR PEOPLE.

IN YOUR DESPERATION TO HOLD ONTO POWER,
RATHER THAN RESPOND TO MY CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM BY DOING THE NEEDFUL WHICH IS TO DELIVER APPROPRIATE AND VISIBLE RESULTS, YOU RATHER FAILED BY ENGAGING YOUR MEDIA AIDES TO MISLEAD AND DIVERT THE ATTENTION OF OUR PEOPLE BY CALLING US NAMES BUT WE CAN NEVER BE DETERRED.

PAINFULLY, YOU ONLY REALISED AFTER THREE YEARS IN OFFICE THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS NEED EMPOWERMENT LIKE CARS, GRINDING MACHINES, MOTORCYCLE, TRICYCLE (WHICH YOU HAVE KEPT SOME FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS IN ANTICIPATION OF ELECTION TIME) IN YOUR CHURCH MIND WHO ARE YOU DECEIVING? I PUT IT TO YOU THAT IF NOT FOR THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS WHICH YOU DESPERATELY WANT TO RETAIN YOUR SEAT AGAINST ALL ODDS YOU DO NOT WANT TO GENUINELY EMPOWER YOUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FOR YOU OVER TIME.

THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU HAVE SHIFTED YOUR EMPOWERMENT CAMPAIGN TWICE WAS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A CONVENIENT TIME FOR BOTH THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND STATE GOVERNOR TO POSSIBLY ENDORSE YOU AGAINST THE WISH OF THE PEOPLE LIKE YOU DID WHEN YOU WERE IN THE HOUSE OF REPS.

YOUR SUBTLE CAMPAIGN AND  BLACKMAIL IS FOR THEM TO SUPPORT THE WOMEN FOLD AND THAT YOU WANT TO HOLD THE SEAT IN TRUST FOR SEN. AYADE PENDING WHEN HE FINISHES HIS GOVERNORSHIP IN 2023 AND TAKEOVER FROM YOU. THIS I S THE SAME PROMISE YOU MADE TO OGOJA PEOPLE IN YOUR DESPERATION. CAN YOU A PAPER WEIGHT POLITICIAN DECIDE WHO WILL SUCCEED YOU? CAN YOU WHO HAVE NO FEAR OF GOD ALMIGHTY AND THAT LIED ON OATH WITH HOLY BIBLE THAT YOU WHERE IN THE COUNTRY DURING THE LAST ELECTION IN THE JUST CONCLUDED TRIBUNAL KEEP TO ANY AGREEMENT? BUT OUR PRAYERS IS THAT THIS AFFLICTION SHALL NOT VISIT US TWICE.

IF I MAY ASK, HOW MANY WOMEN HAVE YOU SUPPORTED? EVEN THE ONES WHO HAVE REDUCED THEMSELVES TO UNAPPOINTED PAs BY CARRYING YOUR BAGS PUBLICLY IN OCCASIONS SOME WHO ARE YOUR SENIOR BY AGE, STILL NEGOTIATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT MIDNIGHT, METHINK, THESE AND YOUR AIDES ARE THE ONES WHO ARE IN DIRE NEED OF YOUR EMPOWERMENT AS  CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. THE MOBILITY WILL BE MORE USEFUL TO THEM THAN FOR PUBLIC SHOW AS YOUR CAMPAIGN STRATEGY.

LATE LAST YEAR, YOU DECEIVED SOME OF YOUR AGITATED/DEMORALIZED SUPPORTERS WITH APPOINTMENTS FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT BUT I TOLD THEM THAT NOTHING GOOD WILL COME OUT FROM YOUR CAMP, SOME DOUBTED ME, WENT FOR SCREENING FOR MORE THAN THREE TIMES, GOT STRANDED IN CALABAR, CALLED FOR HELP FROM ALL QUARTERS TO FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR VARIOUS DESTINATIONS. ONE OF THEM NARRATED HIS PAINFUL ORDEAL IN THE HOTEL WHERE HIS LUGGAGE WAS ALMOST SEIZED FOR HIS INABILITY TO FOOT HIS BILL WHILE WAITING FOR THE PAYMENT THAT HAS NOT BEEN PAID TO DATE. SOME CALLED, APOLOGIZED AND CONFESSED THAT I AM LIKE THE MAN WHO SAW TOMORROW AS THEIR PAYMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AFTER SIX MONTHS POST APPOINTMENT. ARE YOU SURE THIS IS NOT HOW THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THE SAME PEOPLE YOU HOPE SO MUCH ON FOR YOUR 2019 TICKET WILL NOT DECEIVE YOU? BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING GOD CANNOT DO TO STOP A WICKED PERSON LIKE YOU.

GABRIEL BRAVO OLUOHU.
THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS

On behalf of our principal, Ntufam Dr. Sandy Ojang Onor, Members of the political family of Caterpillar Movement and indeed all our supporters, WE heartily congratulate the promise keeper, achiever, quintessential leader, digital governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Prof. Ben Ayade, the PDP family Cross Riverians and the good people of Nigeria on this special occasion of the 2018 democracy day.

The Caterpillar Movement is proud of your achievements and giant strides in the repositioning and development of Cross River State. Your Excellency you've done well.

Congratulations.

President Donald Trump

Through:

Ambassador Stuart Symington

United States  Ambassador to Nigeria

U.S. Embassy,

Diplomatic Drive

Central Business  District

Abuja - Nigeria.

URGENT NEED TO SAVE NIGERIA'S  DEMOCRACY

Sir,

It is with great delight that I write you this letter, hoping that it meets you well. I congratulate you for having kept to your promise of "America first" so far in all your policies and programmes since assumption of office. Permit me to say that this is not my first letter to an American President, as I made a similar appeal to President Barack Obama in 2015, under former President Goodluck Jonathan, intimating him of the failings inherent in that government and thankfully he acted on the letter. I believe you will also take heed of the urgency of this appeal and act accordingly.

Indeed, your effort to make good on your electioneering promises to the American people and the world, is widely acknowledged and appreciated by all lovers of democracy. However, it is rather unfortunate that in my country, for which I now write to seek your intervention, your friend, President Muhammadu Buhari, is largely paying lip service to his promises and has refused to follow the rule of law in the exercise of his powers under a democratic setting. Democracy in Nigeria is currently facing some of its most severe threats and unless something is done, it could be derailed and jeopardised altogether.

Your Excellency sir, while you daily work to advance the cause of the United States, the Nigerian situation under the present administration, led by the ruling All Progressives Congress, has failed to promote the nation's interest and work for the sustenance of our democracy. It was most unfortunate that when President Buhari visited you recently, he minced words on the true situation of the current happenings in the country, which pose a great threat to our national fabric of Unity, Peace and Progress.

How do I mean? The ruling APC and President Buhari were ecstatically embraced by Nigerians and voted into office with a promise to fight corruption, insecurity and grow the economy in 2015. However, three years on, prevailing maladministration and insecurity have left everyone spell bound, as wanton killings by herdsmen, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, corruption and insurgency in the north-east still ravage the country unabated. Furthermore, the cost of fighting these deadly malaise continues to skyrocket without corresponding mitigation in insecurity. A recent example is the withdrawal of $1billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fight Boko Haram and other security challenges across the country, by the Executive in collaboration with the National Economic Council, without due recourse to the National Assembly for statutory approval. More so, need I mention that the recent advance payment of $496million to your country for the purchase of 12 Tucano fighter jets, by the Buhari-led Federal Executive Council, was done in complete violation of extant laws regarding such purchases. I must say that that action remains illegal, criminal and a breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers the National Assembly to approve all expenditures of the executive. I am aware that the United States is a nation ruled by laws and therefore cannot condone impunity and illegality of this nature - no matter the amount of benefits accruable to it from the sale. I would therefore, kindly appeal to you, to use your good offices to ensure that the $496million is repatriated into the Nigerian coffers and the deal renegotiated and made to follow due process.

I want to also appeal to you to help save our democracy by prevailing on President Buhari and his administration to respect the fundamental Human Rights of Nigerians. The right to life, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom from fear, torture and molestation which are irreducible minimums in any democratic setting, have taken the back seat since this administration came into power.  Unfortunately, these rights are being denied under the guise of fighting corruption by the Executive and its agents. Permit me to say that the fight against corruption by the Buhari government is laudable but grossly selective. I am by no means saying the Nigerian government should not investigate and prosecute corrupt officials or those found to have looted the public treasury. I support the fight against corruption and thus use this opportunity to call on the American government to help Nigeria to win the fight against corruption. However, this letter is to intimate you on the true situation about the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria, which is highly selective and partisan instead of being transparent and fair. While members of the opposition PDP and nPDP are being hunted and liquidated in the name of fighting corruption, fraud allegations against close aides/allies of the President and other favoured members of the coalition that fused to form the APC are being consistently swept under the carpet, with the culprits allowed to live freely without any form of legal repercussion.

Regrettably sir, Nigerians are no longer free to express themselves or to criticise the activities and policies of the government without being assaulted or clamped down upon. For example, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was one of those who supported Buhari and the APC to win the 2015  general elections, but today, has been branded an enemy of the state because he is criticizing the wrongdoings and failings of the administration.

Similarly, I dare say that the harassment, coercion, intimidation and humiliation being meted out on the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, is basically because he emerged as the President of the Senate against the wishes of some  powerful and influential members of the ruling party in  2015 and not because he is corrupt as being claimed by some agents of the executive. It is worthy of note, that H.E. Saraki  belongs to the nPDP stock of the APC and his unjust trial and persecution over charges of false asset declaration since 2015 coupled with new attempts to link him with arrested murder suspects and cultists in his home state of Kwara, points to the selective nature of the fight against corruption being waged by the Buhari-administration. Note that the political onslaught against Saraki and the National Assembly under his leadership, culminated recently in the invasion of the Senate Chambers by sponsored thugs, who forcefully took away its mace and symbol of authority, without the prosecution of the perpetrators. Besides, facts have recently emerged to buttress this assertion about political persecution of perceived opponents of the government. A Special Investigator engaged by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property, Evangelist Victor Uwajeh, recently revealed that he was specifically directed to investigate Saraki and other PDP stalwarts who have been marked for persecution by the Buhari-led administration. Uwajeh, in a statement published by the Cable, an online newspaper, said the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property, established by the Buhari's administration, was specifically created to investigate Saraki, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Stella Oduah, Senator Albert Bassay Akpan, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Femi Fani Kayode, Senator James Manager, Governor Nyesom Wike, Senator Jonah Jang, Patience Jonathan and the current National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, among others.

Kindly note that apart from HE Saraki, all other persons listed above are members of the opposition party, PDP.  Mr. Uwajeh's statement, I must say has practically vindicated HE Saraki and other opposition members currently on trial that the allegations against them were politically motivated. Uwajeh had unequivocally stated that his refusal to work with the APC-led Government to humiliate the so-called enemies of Government has led him into exile.

I write to you because Nigeria and America have a long history of friendly relations, added to our system of government which is modeled after that of the United States. Much as the United States and other national governments assisted Nigeria to return to democracy from military dictatorship in the past and has continued to support the nation's fight against insurgency and corruption, it is time to come to our aid once again in order to sustain our democracy and maintain strict adherence to the rule of law. I believe you are better placed to advice the current leadership on the need to obey the rule of law and be impartial in its ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

I humbly invite you to work with other defenders of democracy, freedom and human rights across the world, like the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and organizations like the Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc, to ensure that the present gagging of the press and opposition political party members in Nigeria do not degenerate further. Help us to prevent imminent breakdown of law and order that may result to chaos and anarchy if the current atmosphere of government's orchestrated harassment, intimidation, coercion, denial of the right to free speech and outright repression of perceived enemies of the administration, is allowed to continue unabated.

I thank you in anticipation that you will take positive steps to liaise with your friend, President Muhammadu Buhari, in order to prevent escalation of anti-democratic acts by agents of the administration.

Long live U.S.A.!

Long live the  Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Yours  sincerely,

Comrade Timi  Frank

Deputy National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress

timifrank40@gmail.com

07033555555