By Ebriku John Friday

It would be recalled that last Tuesday, I made a post to draw the attention of the Sir Ben Ayade-led Cross River State Government to the about 25 tippers and other construction equipments parked along the Okuku-Okpoma-Yahe road by the Sydney Construction Company, the company handling the road project without workers on site for over a week and counting.

The post which was more of a rhetoric question, was to know whether the workers were on strike or there were challenges with the construction firm. This is because, the tippers had been stationed on same spot for such long period without any activities. The post generated many of reactions, in support and against the state government.

Though no tangible response came from any government official or governor's aide or officials of the company, the bad news is that the night of the next day (last Wednesday night), the whole tippers were evacuated and driven away from where there have been stationed for closed to two or three weeks.

This latest development has dashed the hope of our people on the commitment of the state government to quickly fix the road and has further raised curious questions begging for answers. Has the road reconstruction project been abandoned? When will the construction firm commence work again???

One would have thought that, the Okuku-Okpoma-Yahe Road would have been given top priority attention, which should be as one of the achievements of the state government as our digital governor is making 100 days in office today. Painfully it is not.

This is still a hearty appeal to our digital Governor and all well meaning Yala sons and daughters close to the corridors of power in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Please friends, dear brothers and sisters, join me appeal to HE, Sir Ayade to put action to his campaign promises to Yala people and order the commencement of work on the road.

Yala Needs Better Roads
The Economy of our people is dying

By Adeola Bakare on September 6, 2019

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation has Emmanuel Adedeji Oluwatosin, one of the 77 Nigerians indicted by the US government over a large-scale scam.

Two cars – Mercedes Benz E550 and Mercedes Benz C450 -, an iPhone, laptops, a modem and SIM cards were seized from his residence.

He was paraded in Sokoto State on Thursday, following his arrest in Kaduna State.

According to the Zonal Head, Abdullahi Lawal, Oluwatosin and his accomplices acquired retirement account information (RAI) and personally identifiable information (PII) of multiple persons which they used to wire funds into newly-created business bank accounts.
The proceeds were then converted to cryptocurrency.

Preliminary investigations, EFCC noted, showed that about N1,437,889,157.15 passed through the suspect’s accounts.
Seventy million naira from that money had been traced, said Lawal as he said efforts were on to recover the money.

Meanwhile, the anti-corruption agency has arrested a wanted suspect, Muzakkir Muhammad, in connection with a case of obtaining money under false pretenses and production of fake currencies.

He said the suspect was reported by one of his victims, Abdullahi Ibrahim, after he had defrauded another victim, Samaila Sani, a bureau de change operator to the tune of $33,850.

By Ebriku John Friday

This is the popular ADA PRIMARY SCHOOL, situated at Itega Okpame, Okpoma. The school admits pupils from adjoining communities of Abachor Okpame, Idigbo, Olachor, Utukpo, Okrike and Oba, all in Okpoma, the headquarters of Yala LGA of Cross River State.

As the photos depict, buildings are completely worn out and dilapidated, with damaged window, doors and leaking roofs. Also the buildings and premises have been overtaken by overgrown grasses. The entrance is near impassable and the molded signpost is completely destroyed.

No doubts, teachers and pupils will be having a difficult time to carry out school activities of teaching and getting the pupils to follow through.

Ada Primary school, has produced pupils who are have turned community leaders today, with some doing well in business and other chosen careers.

The primary school, aside its primary purpose of teaching and developing young minds in the community, is being used for church Mass on Sundays by Catholic Church as an annex. And also as venue for extra-moral classes in most evenings including week days and weekends.

Today, the buildings and premises are an eye sour begging for URGENT INTERVENTION, a face life and indeed a remodelling to meet of best standard.

I tearfully use this medium to call on the state government through its preforming State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to as a matter of urgency step in and change the ugly face of this primary institution, the only government presence in the whole of Ada community and make it habitable for learning for our teeming children in the communities earlier mentioned above.

This is also a wake up call to community leaders, youth leaders and various stakeholders to mobilize themselves in the spirit of communal oneness to quickly join hands and hearts together and do the best they can before schools resume for academic session.

I will also alert leaders and members of #Project1000 to take this as its first assignment as a solution driven citizenship forum of urban professionals. Charity there say begins at home.

Please let's all jointly work to change the narrative of our own communities.

Photos by Dominic Agbaka.

The National Secretary General of #Project1000, Mr Daniel Riwo has just been accepted as a delegate for the 4th MODEL ECOWAS SUMMIT- ABUJA. This is just as, he was appointed as the FCT Coordinator of The Orphans Empowerment Society (TOES).

Riwo, who received the notification from the organizers will be representing ‘The Republic of The Gambia’ as a national delegate in the summit scheduled to hold from 03-06 June, 2020 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The summit organized by the African Youth Network for Leadership and Development which was founded in 2014, has its theme for the summit as “A Peaceful, Prosperous, Corruption free and Integrated West Africa; Relying on the Potential of Its People, Especially Women and Youth” The summit is a pivotal forum that is expected to bring together up to 200 youths, civil society representatives mostly from across the 15 countries of West Africa.

The choice of The Gambia for Riwo according to the organizers was reached after careful consideration as they may assign or reassign a delegate to another ECOWAS country in the subregion aside his/her country of origin to enable delegates gain familiarization with other countries.
His appointment as coordinator of TOES, which will be running through a one year tenure was with immediate effect.

The Orphans Empowerment Society is a program designed to carter for the needs of orphans all over the world.

Daniel Riwo is also the Founder/CEO of Voice of Yala

PRESS RELEASE

September 5, 2019

SENATOR ROSE OKO WINS AT TRIBUNAL, DEDICATES VICTORY TO GOD, TEEMING SUPPORTERS

Following the ruling by the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, upholding the electoral victory of Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the senator reacting has dedicated her victory to God and her teeming supporters.

Senator Oko, who is representing Cross River Northern Senatorial district in the 9th Senate, is a second term senator and currently chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment.

She expressed gratitude to God and the great people of Cross River Northern senatorial district for their continual support and standing by her throughout the period of the case at the tribunal. She also expressed profound appreciation to the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade, the leadership and members the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for providing the platform for good governance. She added that the victory is a victory for the state government and the party.

She said, "I received today's verdict by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, which upheld my victory in the February 23 National Assembly elections with gratitude first and foremost to Almighty God.

"My gratitude also goes to the great people of Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State for their continual and unwavering support as well as believe in my electoral victory.

"My campaign organization and I express our appreciation to the Cross River State Governo,  His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade, the leadership and members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for providing the platform for good governance. This victory is a victory for the state government and the party.

"Today's Tribunal ruling, is an attestation and indeed a reenactment of our victory at the poll. It's a victory for our teeming supporters, including leaders, stakeholders, men, women and our dear youths, whose mandate has been authenticated by the Elections Petition Tribunal judges.

"The verdict of the tribunal, is once again dedicates to God almighty, the great people of Northern Cross River, comprising of Bekwara, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala and our great party.

While saying the verdict of the tribunal is a 'no victor no vanquish' victory, she assures that this will further strengthen her determination to continue to push for good governance, adding that she will do all within her constitutional rights as Senator of the Federal Republic to work with others and bring all the democratic dividends meant for the senatorial district and indeed the state.

She further called on her opponent in the opposition political party to join her work for the good of the senatorial district, assuring that her second term in the Senate will be for empowerment of our people, development and growth of our senatorial district.

The election petition tribunal in Calabar, the Cross River State capital has at the early hour of today 5th September, upheld the victory of Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom of the people democratic party PDP, striking out the All progressive Congress's case.

Hon Jarigbe Agom was declared winner of the February 23rd, 2019 Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency election by the independent National Electoral commission INEC.

Hon Jarigbe is currently the deputy Chairman House committee on Waterways. Haven served in various committees including Committee on tertiary Education where he deputized his Chairman, Committee on Army, etc, during his first term in office (2015-2019).

Hon. Jarigbe Agom has expressed his profound gratitude to God almighty and his constituents for their overwhelming support through prayers and words of encouragement. He thanked the Digital Governor of Cross River State H.E Prof Sir Ben Ayade, the People Democratic Party PDP, all stakeholders and Cross Riverians for their earnest supports.

He said, "Once more; I wish to thank the Ogoja/ Yala People for the overwhelming support. As the Tribunal has given judgement, upholding my victory., my resolve is to get to work on the mandate given to me by my people"

Hon Jarigbe Agom has also admonished his supporters and opponent that, this time not the time to throw tantrums but the time to join hands together, shunning ego and rivalry for the betterment of the people.

In his words, "It's not the time to throw tantrums but the time has come for us to join hands, play down on the issues of victor and vanquished, perceived animosity associated with egos and rivalry. After all,  Life itself is deeper than what we think or see.

"I thank everyone who has been part of the process( for & against). May God see us through in profound peace", Hon Jarigbe Concluded.

Sign...
Media Team of Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe
Member Representing Ogoja/Federal Consistency.

OKPOMA YOUTH GROUP ADVOCATES FOR A CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, GIVE REASONS WHY OKPOMA SHOULD PRODUCE THE NEXT CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL YALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

By Jonah Odama


Yala politics is one of the most peaceful,organized and  decently coordinated  politics in the state,this is owing to the gentleman agreements of political zoning.

Zoning however,has been a fundamental principle that enhanced peaceful coexistence and promote unity,equity and fairness to all the political wards in Yala.

There is no sane mind therefore,that would go against the sustainability of this beautiful tradition.

However, taken a keen assessments of all the  beneficiaries of the  local government Chairmen and their wards of origin,it is an indisputable fact that OKPOMA has not produced a council chairman since inception despite being  the host community who has generously supported her sister's wards to be crowned as chairmen.

For avoidance of doubt ..kindly  check the chairmen and their wards right from inception till date bellow:

Before the creation of Yala Local Government Council, the following names were democratically elected as Ogoja Local Government Council Chairmen:

1) Hon Tony Ogbeche, Okuku ward

2) Hon Odibu

Then when Yala Local was created in the following persons had been head of council as Caretaker Committee Chairmen and Elected Chairmen respectively;

Sen Greg Ngaji, -----O'o ward

Hon DJ Ogar, ----Ugaga ward

Hon Mathew Ojugbo,---- Echumofana ward

Hon Mrs Theresa Ezama, ---Ebo/Yahe ward

Hon Mr John Eyikwaje----, Ebo/Yahe ward

Hon Augustine Ulom, Yala Constituency 2, Ukele

Hon Mr Egoro, Yala Constituency 2, ---Ukele

Hon Sunday Ugo, Yache/Gabu --ward

Hon Mike Usibe, Yala Constituency 2, ---Ukele

Hon Eddy Achi, ----Echumofana ward

With the above analysis you will all agree with me that OKPOMA should be supported for the next chairmanship elections, I therefore speak to your conscience to support this right struggle.

__________      _________________________

PRESS RELEASE
No: MFA/PR/2019/42

AIR PEACE TO EVACUATE NIGERIANS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that following the recent unfortunate xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians in South Africa, the Proprietor of Air Peace Airlines Chief Allen Onyema, has volunteered to send an aircraft from Friday 6th September 2019 to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return to Nigeria free of charge.

The general public is hereby advised to inform their relatives in South Africa to take advantage of this laudable gesture. Interested Nigerians are therefore advised to liaise with the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for further necessary arrangement. 



Signed

Ferdinand Nwonye
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Wednesday, 4 September, 2019

*DR BETTA EDU*

I humbly wish to Congratulate Rt. Hon. John Gaul and all the good people of Abi/Yakurr for finally reclaiming our lost mandate as this has only proven that power comes from God and God alone. My felicitation also goes to Senator Dr. Sandy Ojang Onor, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, Rt Hon Chris Ntol Agibe  and all other PDP members on your successful Victory not only at the poll but also in the Tribunal. The voice of the masses is always the voice of God.

The Tribunal case was only a means of distraction but am pleased with the fact that you all remained Focused, Commitment, and very Dedicated to delivering your campaign promises to your constituencies. You all have shown maturity and God Almighty has again reaffirmed your Victory as there's no better time for another Victory of this kind like now.

Hearty congratulations as I wish you all a successful four years in office putting into consideration all your Campaign promises as we have so much Faith and Confidence in your Effective Representation and huge determination to deliver to us the Dividends of Democracy. To God we return all praises!!!.

*CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!!!*

*NTEM KRIS*
*FOR DR BETTA EDU*
*EX DG CRSPHCDA*

The stage is set for the second edition of Indigenous Queens Summit slated for September 9, 2019 in Abuja.

The summit will discuss the relevance of skills acquisition and indigenous creativity as key factor in promoting self employment in the society.

In a statement issued by the office of Miss Indigenous Africa, the summit  is expected to have about 50 beauty queens and youths in attendance.

According to the statement, the program which will align with the office of the  current Miss Indigenous Africa, Her Majesty, Queen Mary Obadofin, will honour notable speakers to include: Founder of the KIEK Foundation, Chief Mrs Ebele Iyiegbu, Executive Director, Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Mrs Oyefunke Taiwo Aminu among others.

It further noted that entry for the summit is free as it will discuss relevant factors in promoting self employment among Nigerian youths.