A top member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, Hon. Mrs. Gloria Akobundu has reportedly defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to join the People’s Democratic Party.
Akobundu, who is President Buhari’s Special Adviser on New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), was until recently a chieftain of the APC in Imo State, but who teamed up with the opposition People’s Democratic Party in an attempt to sabotage the re-election bid of the President and at the same time worked against the interest of all APC candidates in Imo State.
Rumours of her romance has been ongoing for quite sometime, but all doubts were cleared following her inauguration earlier today as a key member of the Transition Committee set up by the Imo State PDP earlier today at the Rockview Hotel.
Some members of the APC in Imo State had expected the presidential adviser to repudiate her inclusion in the list of the controversial and variously criticized Transition Committee, as that would amount to anti-party considering that her Party the APC is in court to challenge the fraudulent election that purportedly produced the PDP governorship candidate as winner. Her inclusion as a member of the committee and her subsequent acceptance of the offer have confirmed suspicions from key members of the APC in Imo State that she betrayed the Party and as well sold vital electioneering secrets of the Party to the PDP.
Meantime, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has confirmed that he sought for and secured the consent of Hon. Mrs. Akobundu before appointing her as a member of the Technical Committee. Speaking during the inauguration of the committee, the disputed governor-elect affirmed that he knows every single member of the committee personally and feels humbled that everyone of them responded in the affirmative when contacted for the assignment.
Some chieftains of the APC in Imo State have called on the President to immediately relieve Mrs. Akobundu of her appointment as she cannot continue to real where she did not sow. According to Chief Clifford Uzoma; “the lady has got no moral justification to continue in her position as the President’s appointee. She is one of those who worked assiduously for Atiku Abubakar to win the presidency and she supported all the PDP candidates against APC candidates in the last election. She should be sacked with immediate effect.”

Johnson

President Muhammadu Buhari regrets the recent unfortunate action of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, which led to the avoidable death of Mr. Kolade Johnson, and commiserates deeply with the family of the deceased.

The President acknowledges the genuine outrage regarding the activities of SARS and reassures the public that swift actions have already been taken. Suspects are in custody and an orderly room trial is set to commence immediately, following which indicted officers will be prosecuted in court.

According to President Buhari, “Government will not tolerate in any way the brutalization of Nigerians or the violation of their rights. Any officer of the law enforcement agencies or any other government functionary caught in this act will certainly be visited with the full weight of the law.”

Recall that following directives from the Presidency in 2018 to overhaul the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, steps were taken by the Police leadership to restructure and reform SARS. The President recognizes that a lot more remains to be done and this effort must be sustained.

He reassures that this administration will continue to ensure that all officers in the Police and other law enforcement agencies conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 3, 2019

SEE ALSO: KOLADE JOHNSON DEATH TOO MANY..

The notoriety with which some unscrupulous elements within our security services kill with reckless abandon at slightest provocation is alarming. This trigger-happy elements within the services have brought so much shame upon some of these organizations that Nigerians should be proud of. The Police institution is one that is highly respected in civilized countries of the world not because it is forced on people to do so, but because they earn it through their civil interaction, civil approach and their human right records while dealing with their citizens.

While we daily pray that the Nigeria Police Force should be like the good police institutions we see elsewhere, we should understand that the police personnel everywhere are products of the society with which they find themselves. That is, if the society is good, their police will be good and vice versa. The relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian people has remained a sour one and will continue to remain so because of the attitude of the Police towards the people and the attitude of the people towards the police. It is just that way if we want  to tell ourselves the truth.

In the western world we admire their Police so much, when once the police pronounce, "you are under arrest" whether rightly or wrongly, the first thing you do is to stop and put your hand on your head for them to do their work.

HOW DID KOLADE JOHNSON DIED?

The Anti-cult unit of the Lagos State police command went to arrest a young man with dreads who they suspected to May have been a cultist and were resisted by the people around who trooped out to make sure the young man is not arrested. In the middle of the struggle, the policemen started firing and a stray bullet went and hit Kolade Johnson an innocent young man in a viewing centre where he was watching football. An action led to reaction and produced an innocent victim.

The unprofessional handling of gun by the policemen involved in this,  case calls for serious concern not just to the citizenry but also to the federal government and the police as an organization. How could they not know how to fire without killing? This therefore calls for immediate training and retraining of our security personnel not just the police in weapon handling. While we blame the Police Operatives involved in this operation for a very reckless attitude and call for justice, we should also warn our selves about this insane notion, "Go e no go shoot". This has been some of the insane risk some of our youths and other citizens do take while confronting security operatives, you hear them most times say "fire if you can". Brethren, it is only a mad man/woman that challenges a man/woman with gun because that could be your shortest way to the grave and when it happens, the living will stay and argue the rightness and wrongness of the killing and condolences will be paid.

While the citizens obeys the police "You are under arrest" in other civilized countries knowing fully well that if the police infringes on their right, there are laws that will enable them sue for their rights and claim damages, Nigeria is a totally different place where such rights could be infringe on and nothing will happen. In fact, we are in a country where government's impunity is carried out by the security services and this has boldened the attitude of some conscienceless operatives within the security services.  While there are very bad people within the Police Force and other Security Organizations, there are also very good ones amongst them. The attitude of the bad ones is what has not allowed us to see the good ones until you have encounter with them too.

In all, we must put pressure on our government to immediately reform the Nigeria Police Force and other Security agencies to make them more proficient in weapons handling and more professional in delivering their services to the populace. Our government should uphold the rule of law and obey court orders and that will send strong signal to our security agencies that there are prices for every wrong step taken.

MAY THE SOUL OF KOLADE JOHNSON AND OTHER FAITHFULS DEPARTED, REST WITH THE LORD, AMEN

Iyanya, the Afro Centric super star who is enjoying stardom after departing his co-owned Triple MG for Mavin music has just dropped yet another banger tittled "I gat It " to add to his cart.

 This song was produced by uprising producer Idolzbeat, Idol who's real name is Eteng Emmanuel, he is a native of Ugep, yakurr local government area of Cross River State and is a graduate of Agronomy.

 He has previously done different jobs for some A list artists.


Download song here

*NOLLYWOOD TOP ACTORS AND PRODUCERS AMB EMEKA IKE AND HON PRINCE DAVID TO PARTNER WITH CROSS RIVER TOWN HALL INITIATIVE ON NOLLY WOOD TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING IN CROSS RIVER STATE.*

*The CEO of cross river town hall initiative Chief Samuel Egba, while addressing some youths announce to them, the readiness of Nollywood actors to partner with the initiative on the training of eligeble cross riverians on movie related courses.The training which is slated to hold in july 2019 will kick start imediately after the initiative first indigenous award in the same month, all interested participant are adviced to keep intouch with the management for further details...*
*For Registration and futher information contact us on +2348166641548.*

Cross River Commissioner for Works, Hon Dane Osim Asu has said that the administration of Sen Prof. Ben Ayade is seriously committeed toward ensuring that high quality work is done at the ongoing modernization and replacement of the Ikom Bridge by the Federal Government own contractor, SETRACO.

Hon. Osim Asu, who disclosed this while inspecting the ongoing progress and quality of work being undertaken by SETRACO, at the Ikom Bridge, on Monday, also expressed satisfaction at the quality and pace of work carried out so far in terms.of bulldozing and grading.

He stated that the purpose of the visit is to carry out on the spot assessment of the state of the ongoing construction and modernization work at the Ikom Bridge as part of the main policy thrust of Governor Ayade for quality control and standard in all Cross River government projects, as well as those of the federal government that have direct bearing on the Government and people of the state.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Works explained that he is satisfied that the contractor has been fully mobilized with equipment fully on ground as excavation and concrete work s have been completed.

He disclosed that the water belt and the volume of water at the moment is low, because it required deck on Pier, and that out of the nine expired Piers, five have been constructed and concrete work completed.

Hon. Osim Asu equally disclosed that the span of the bridge is 11.5 metres while the length is 360 metres with reenforced concrete deck slaps, pre-stress concrete bims, each 36 metres long over 10 span bridge, having eight metres carriage way and 1.5 metre walkway.

The Project Manager and Federal Controller of works, Cross River State, Engineer Bassey Nsetie, on his part disclosed to the Commissioner for Works that the project would be completed and delivered in 24 months period.

Motorists commend DOPT for clearing roads in Calabar

MOTORISTS in Calabar have commended the Department of Public Transportation, DOPT, for its operation by clearing traders and their wares on major streets and roads in Calabar to make for easy flow of traffic.

Our reporter who spoke with both private and commercial motorists in places like Calabar road, Eleven Eleven round about, Bedwell Street, Bassey Duke ,Goldie and Eta Agbo Road was told by motorists that they can now drive without much  going through the usual hindrance and obstruction by traders and illegal cab operators who block the roads making  movement difficult.

They commended Comrade Godwin Nyiam and his operatives  for actively taking his job seriously and making a difference from what they used to know the department.

“I am impressed with what the man is doing because we can drive around major areas in the city of Calabar without anyone  stubbornly blocking the road with wares or vehicle”.Okon Edem,  a cab operator said.

Another motorist, a lecturer in the University of Calabar, Dr James Ushie said traffic around the main entrance to the school has been witnessing free movement since the DOPT started its campaign to clear obstruction of the way in the ci.

“It used to be one hell of an exercise to gain entry into the school and we have been begging on the authorities to intervene and since the DOPT came here to clear the place and stationed some of their operatives here”. He said

Most of the motorists called on Comrade Nyiam and his operatives to continue with the work they are doing so that  there will  continue to be sanity in the city.

‘They should not relent; we are enjoying their work and they should even extend their operations to late evenings and night because there is a lot of madness by the drivers at that time”.

Ayade vows to restore degraded areas in Calabar



The governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade has reiterated the determination of his administration to not only maintain the existing greenery status of the state but to also convert all degraded areas in the state capital to centres of attraction.

Ayade who spoke through the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Mike Eraye, on the ongoing restoration of degraded areas such as the frontage of De Choice Foods, and Etim Edem Park in Central District area of the state capital, said that it is the deliberate policy of the state government to beautified Calabar.

He fronwned at the rate at which these central areas at the heart of Calabar have been indiscriminatelyand illegally converted to motor parks and loading points for transporters in the state capital.

Ayade, who charged the Commissioner for Environment to go all out to ensure that the effort of the state government to restore sanity to the affected areas is enforced and the areas totally beautified reasoned that Calabar must continue to maintain it's position as the most cleanest ans beautiful state capital in Nigeria.

The governor further posited that as the state capital which hosts millions of tourists and visitors annually from all over the world during the annual Carnival Calabar Festival, it is important that the city maintain a clean and.green status.

Office of the SSA to the Governor on Mobilization and Enlightenment

April 2, 2019

Insinuations from different quarters, especially from the camp of opposition, during campaign for 2019 General Elections, that His Excellency, Senator Prof. Ayade is not a promise keeper, has been challenged and debunked by his sustained effort in ensuring that the good people of Cross River State continue to harvest the dividends of democracy.

These same category of people had thought that since the Digital Governor is returning to power, he may, like some politicians, not perform and so electorates should take his promises with pinch of salt.

For the first time in the history of Cross River State, the Supersonic Governor is the Governor who has recruited such a large number as that of SUBEB, amidst meagre statutory allocation. No sooner than the SUBEB recruitment that he lifted ban the employment of 1,000 health workers. These came as a surprise to many people who felt the Governor was a joker.

Governor Ben Ayade, however, surprised everyone in the month of March as he has been able to pay the newly recruited 2500 teaching and non- teaching staff who are now dancing to the bank. A friend of mine ( name withheld) who had said that he expected that SUBEB would pay the newly recruited workers in December, 2019 is now speechless.

In reaction to this development, Chief Mrs Angela has lauded Sent. Prof. Ben Ayade, stating that she has not regretted her decision of defecting to PDP, because the Governor is a promise keeper.

"I am highly impressed by the laudable gesture of His Excellency, words cannot express my joy. I am happy, not just because of me, but also because of the multitude of families that are lifted out of joblessness in Cross River. Indeed, the Governor is unwavering in keeping to his promises. We can all attest to this fact by one of the latest proofs - prompt payment of the newly recruited SUBEB staff," she said. "I and my supporters are very proud to be part of this government - I have no regret joining this train of possibilities," she concluded.

Adelabu

The SSA to the governor on Mobilization and Enlightenment in her new month remarks solicited for greater collaborations among stakeholders to move the state to greater heights.

Describing the governor as a pragmatic and visionary leader, whose laudable projects has economically re-positioned the state. The Ayade led administration which is focused on economic progress and human capital development is breaking barriers and thus engaging the youths positively.

When the Ayade led administration began the recruitment and training of over 2000 staffs through Cross River state Universal Basic Education Board, under the able leadership of Chief Barr. Dr.Steve Odey as chairman of the board, many scorned and openly displayed contempt for this noble initiative.

The recruitment process was one of the most transparent recruitment exercise conducted, and today songs of appreciation is the loudest tune in Cross River for the prompt payments of teachers salary. Detractors are once again proven wrong.

Relishing on the prospects Calabar deep seaport presents, the SSA on Mobilization and Enlightenment reiterated the government's commitment to economic, and industrialization drive of the Supersonic governor.

We all have a role to play in the development of our dear state, all hands must be on deck to consolidate on the governor's novel agendas.

Chief Angela utilized the opportunity to call on prospective investors to invest in the state, assuring them of their safety and friendly economic policies.

From the office of the governor on Mobilization and Enlightenment.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board have rescheduled printing of the 2019/20 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination slip to Thursday, April 4.

JAMB’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dr Fabian Benjamin disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the printing of the examination slips was initially scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 2.


Benjamin said the shift in date came after 14 Computer-Based Tests centres were on Monday, suspended due to infractions during the board’s conduct of Mock UTME, including an incident where JAMB staff were attacked at one of its centres.

“The suspension has caused some distortion in the initial arrangement and the board will have to relocate candidates who were scheduled to write in the affected centres to other suitable centres.


“We all know that one of the essences of the mock exercise was to check the level of preparedness of not only candidates but also centres that keep to the rules and regulations of the board.

“It is to check on centres that are desperate to cheat and to make sure that they do not achieve their aim.


“Immediately after the exercise yesterday, we went into a meeting and examined the conduct of the exercise, identified the structural problems and made adjustments immediately.

“We want to ensure no centre fails during the conduct of the exercise.

“So we need today and tomorrow to redistribute the candidates affected by these suspended centres who had planned to extort them, defraud and frustrate the system, to centres that are more suitable, then printing can begin Thursday. ”


He added that the board was putting all hands on deck to ensure that candidates sat for the examination in centres where they were safe, suitable and conducive for the exercise that would be globally accepted.

He apologised to all candidates of the examination for the inconvenience caused, adding that the board’s intention remained to give its best and ensure a hitch-free and successful exercise.


NAN recalls that Prof. Ishaq Oloyede on Monday said that the board had de-listed 14 CBT centres out of the 712 accredited due to infractions like technical hitch and deceit.

He also said that two staff of the board were attacked at Lagos state Polytechnic centre and were almost murdered but were rescued.

Oloyede said the 698 centres left in the operations were ready for the conduct of the UTME scheduled to hold between April 11 and April 15.

The Nigeria international, who had been linked with a host of clubs including PSG and Real Madrid, will continue his campaign at Camp Nou.
Barcelona  have completed the signing of Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi on a four-year contract for an African-record transfer fee of £90m.

The Nigerian had been continually linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, and had declined to clarify his own future as the Barcelona reports grew stronger.

And after weeks of denials, he has finally been confirmed as the Spanish topflight club's latest signing on Monday morning.
Iwobi flew into Barcelona by private jet on Sunday evening to complete a medical at the club’s training base and pen personal terms.

Okrika LGA

ACC 3,803
PDP 25,572

#RiversCollation.

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