May I use this opportunity to commend Sir Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River State for his commitment towards the total restoration of Cross River State pacesetting status.

Do you know: After 13 years of non-functional Calabar Port, Sir Ben Ayade came into power in 2015 and vowed to decouple Cross River from Federal Government Allocation (FGA), just last month the Marguisa Calabar Service had witnessed full operation with the arrival of the Marguisa Boreas at Calabar Port. According to our investigation, the Boreas is one of the biggest and spacious ship to have landed in Calabar-Nigeria.

Do you know: With the berth of the Marguisa Boreas at Calabar Port, Cross River State economy will experience a turn around?

Do you know: With the full operational services of the Calabar Port, businesses in the direct catchment of Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba and as far as Borno and Jigawa States will patronize the Calabar service and turn around the fortunes of the Calabar Port as well as create more jobs in the State?.

Do you know: On the 31st of September 2019, the Federal Government of Nigeria under the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari gave official approval for the dredging and construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport?

Do you know: Sir Ben Ayade is the first Governor in Nigeria history that came into power with the idea of governance expansion?

Do you know : Sir Ben Ayade is the first Governor in Nigeria history with over 6,000 appointees, he picked youths from the streets and mould them, shift government to them?

Do you know : Most Cross River State Youths now have good houses, investments in the state capital courtesy of Sir Ben Ayade?

What else do we (Cross Riverians) want from a man who works 24/7 at home and still repeating same feat abroad all for the sake of the poor masses, Cross River State will never be the same in few years to come if every officers (political appointees) of the government put in their best to support Sir Ben Ayade as him alone cannot do it all. It could be by your prayers, commitment to your duties, and also doing that which you know will contribute immensely to the growth of our dear state.


And to Our indefatigable Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, I pray that God continue to use you for you have demonstrated to the world that you can add values to a system even as second in command.


The writer of this piece is proud of the harmonious relationship existing between the Governor, Sir Ben Ayade and the masses, particularly the less-privileges.


I would said I'm  committed to a positive change in the lives of the citizens as being championed by Governor Ben Ayade and his team.

Signed


_Jake Clifford_

_For Weetalknaija Daily_

The Creative Industry Group CIG appoints another pilot for it's body in Cross River State.

A brief history about the most BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL STATE IN NIGERIA.
Cross River's annual CarnivalCalabar2019 is around the corner. This annual event features the best of arts that ever exists. Cross River houses the biggest street party on the continent of Africa, and emerging industrial state in sub Saharan Africa.

The position as stated, requires one with verse knowledge in management, packaging and exposure bearing in mind that the difference in the massive sales of a good product than a better one lies in it's packing and exposure and to accomplish such task, this is where the services of Comrade Cletus Amawu Albert Amawu is needed.

Comrade Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu is a  Criminologist, Administrator, On Air Personality and Critical minder.

Congratulations Sir, am confident that with you on the saddle the organization will soar in it's endeavors. The appointment takes immediate effect

Signed:
Odama Groovydee Abednigo, state coordinator.

Ten entrepreneurs have won a federal government N10million grant to grow their businesses.

Presenting cheques to the winners at a National Youth Empowerment Summit, as part of activities to mark the 59 Independence anniversary in Abuja, Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo said the grant would create job opportunities and develop skills, as well as assist the beneficiaries to expand their businesses.

A 9 years old programmer was among the lucky winners.

A 9years programmer who has develop several games

VP Osinbajo was represented by the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo at the event.
The youths were given the opportunity to showcase their talents and works in new media, ICT, design and architecture, arts, shoe making, make-up, arts and dance.

The Vice President said the federal government would continue to support young people who come up with laudable initiatives.

The secretary to the government of the federation, Mr Boss Mustapha said the programme was designed to empower young entrepreneurs, who in turn, would empower others through an exp

October 2nd, 2019
Press Release

The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the February 23rd, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections, Chief Jude Ogbeche Ngaji has decided not to neither file an appeal nor proceed with his litigation against Hon Jarigbe Agom and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the election petition appeals tribunal.

We enjoin all our teeming supporters and loyalists to stay on track and remain law abiding as further details shall be coming shortly.

Thank you for all your support, prayers and steadfastness so far.

Ogar Solomon Ogar
Media Director
Jude Ogbeche Ngaji Campaign Organization (JONCO)

Senator John Own Enoh Of The APC  Withdraws From Appealing The Judgement Of The Cross River Gubernatorial Election Trifa, according to 'Yala Shall be great Again' page on Facebook


In his words at the Apc stockholders meeting last night in Abuja, the senator said, "Let me not distract the governor as I don’t see anything possible in the court of appeal for me, this is my personal decision and I don’t have any regret about it. But anyone that wants to do his case is free to do that". He thinks Cross River First, God Bless Distinguished Sen. John Owan Enoh, APC Gubernatorial Candidate for 2019 Election.

Congratulations to the people of Cross River State and the  Governor His Excellency, Senator Prof Sir Ben Ayade.

by Oamen Eromosele

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Dr. George Moghalu as managing Director/CEO of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Chairman of Anambra State chapter Vincent Ezekwueme, in a statement yesterday, described the appointment as the best independence gift to the Southeast.
He said the people would remain grateful to the President for ‘his patriotic reintegration processes’.

The statement reads: “This is a welcome development and cheering news to the people of the Southeast and Nigerians. This is the best Independence gift to the Southeast. The President has provided the opportunity towards resuscitation of the moribund Onitsha seaport.”

Ezekwueme urged Moghalu to live up to the expectation of the President and Nigerians by being selfless in the discharge of his assignments.

“Moghalu as a moralist, selfless, patriotic, humble, honest and servant leader must bear the interest and social wellbeing of the citizens at heart by rehabilitating the decrepit and deplorable Onitsha seaport to boost economic activities in the Southeast, as well as give them a sense of belonging,” he added.

He appealed to the President to extend similar appointments to the family of former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, who was his political ally and running mate in 2003.
The Nation News

There was no shortage of excitement in the first half of Champions League matchday two as Tottenham Hotspur created a piece of unwanted history.
Last season's European Cup finalist were humbled 7-2 at home to five-time champions Bayern Munich, while Juventus and Atletico Madrid registered comfortable wins.

Manchester City left it late to claim all three points against Dinamo Zagreb, thus avoiding embarrassment, something Real Madrid couldn't say as they fell further behind PSG, who followed up their 3-0 win over Los Blancos with three more points at Galatasaray's expense.
With the dust now settling, and all eyes moving towards Wednesday's games, here are ten things you might have missed.

1. Gnabry joins an exclusive club

In the build-up to facing Spurs, Serge Gnabry suggested any booing coming his way, due to his past connection with Arsenal, wasn't going to faze him. Gunners supporters would have enjoyed his performance this evening as Bayern swept away their group rivals 7-2, putting further pressure on Mauricio Pochettino.

Of those seven, he'd score four (aka a poker) making him only the 12th player in Champions League history to manage such an amount in a single game. Gnabry subsequently joins Marco van Basten, Simone Inzaghi, Dado Pršo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andriy Shevchenko, Bafétimbi Gomis, Mario Gómez, Robert Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. Hope that history repeats itself

Atalanta defied the odds by reaching this season's Champions League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini's men were a joy to watch across their 2018/19 campaign and many had them down as potentially this year's Ajax – an unfancied side going against the current – but that seems to be a pipe dream now they've lost their opening two games.

A humbling 4-0 loss at Dinamo Zagreb was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat at the San Siro, where they are playing their home games, meaning they become the first Italian side to suffer such a fate since Inter Milan in 2006/07. The Nerazzurri, though, progressed. However, next up for La Dea are back-to-back matches against Manchester City.

3. Equalling Ruud

Before the game, Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac was asked to comment about Spurs' lethal marksman Harry Kane. He duly placed him aside the game's best number nines, one of whom he has the pleasure of working with on a daily basis. What more is left to be said about Robert Lewandowski whose many feats are legendary?

His goal on the stroke of half-time to give Bayern the lead in north London, having come from a goal down, moved him to just one behind the great Ruud van Nistelrooy (56) in the all-time Champions League scorers chart. It would prove to be a temporary situation as moments from the end, he'd equal the great Dutchman. He now trails Karim Benzema, who sits third, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo occupying the top two places, by four goals.

4. On the list

Cristiano Ronaldo is Mr. Champions League; no player has dominated the competition since its inception like him. Tonight saw him score goal number 127, which is 15 more than second-placed Lionel Messi, but more impressive was that Bayer Leverkusen was the 33rd different team he's scored against. That is a tournament record which he now shares with legendary Real Madrid forward – and former teammate – Raul.


5. The long wait goes on

After the group stage draw was made, Olympiacos and Red Star Belgrade knew the battle for third, and Europa League football after the winter break, was going to be fought between themselves given Bayern and Spurs were their fellow Group B participants.

Olympiacos visited the Serbian capital as not the greatest of Champions League travellers, and they were unable to return home with all three points, something they've not done in this phase since October 20, 2015 when Marco Silva's men left Dinamo Zagreb with a slender 1-0 victory.

6. Felix arrives

The departure of Antoine Griezmann, particularly the way it was handled, was a sad affair but Atlético Madrid always keep on moving. Filling the Frenchman's shoes is the impressive Portuguse teenager João Félix, whose mammoth £113m fee, paid to boyhood club Benfica, hasn't exactly weighed heavily on him.

With so much being expected of him, Felix's first Champions League goal (ever) was bound to arrive soon into his young Atleti career and, lo and behold, in his second competition appearance under Diego Simeone, Lokomotiv Moscow became the first of many victims.

7. Icardi puts PSG in control

Unloved and unwanted at Inter Milan, there were a few rumblings Mauro Icardi was struggling to fit into his new surroundings, with certain members of Paris Saint-Germain's playing staff not receptive to him.

If there's one way to win folks over, it's doing the talking on the pitch and in Istanbul, against a fiery Galatasaray, he did just that. Icardi's only goal, coupled with Real Madrid dropping two points earlier in the evening, means Thomas Tuchel's side control Group A.

8. A first for Son

Son Heung-min's importance to Tottenham Hotspur's cause is well-documented. The 27-year-old South Korean forward has in many ways taken a lot of the goalscoring burden off Kane's shoulders. Tonight's meeting against Bayern Munich was something of a reacquaintance.

Across eight previous meetings – during his time in Germany with Hamburg and then Bayer Leverkusen – he'd not only taste just one victory, but never managed to register a strike past the Bavarian giants. That changed in the 12th minute when his shot went across Manuel Neuer to give Spurs a precious lead. However, things would only get worse for Mauricio Pochettino's team.

9. Déjà vu

It's like we've been here before with Spurs, who were handed their biggest-ever European Cup defeat by Bayern Munich, this meeting was only the second Champions League game in which they've shipped at least four goals. The last time, a group stage home meeting with Barcelona last season, ultimately saw them reach the final. As incredible as that journey was, it's hard to see them repeating it. Even more damaging, never before had Spurs conceded seven goals in a home game.

10. Sterling shines

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Raheem Sterling, as we've discussed on these pages before, is a footballer on the up. Whether or not he's 'world-class' is irrelevant but what cannot be disputed is his goals involvement record, particularly at home in the Champions League.

Having come on in the 56th minute, with City's game against Dinamo Zagreb deadlocked, Sterling ended the stalemate 10 minutes later. In the 89th minute, he would tee up Phil Foden, meaning he's now been directly involved in 18 goals across his last 16 home Champions League outings (scoring 11 and creating a further seven).

by Samuel Adesanya

How relevant is former President Goodluck Jonathan in Bayelsa State politics? His preferred governorship aspirant lost at the recent primary. Also, his choice as running mate to the flagbearer could not fly. Senior Correspondent MIKE ODIEGWU examines the plight of the former leader, who is now left in the cold in his home state.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is admired, not because he was an excellent leader when he was in power, but because he conceded defeat after losing the 2015 election.

That singular act of surrendering power to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) endeared him to many world leaders and institutions. Many people, therefore, described him as the hero of democracy.

Jonathan had meteoric rise in power. The late former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeiseigha of Bayelsa State made him his deputy. The Otuoke-born leader rose from deputy governor to become governor, following the impeachment of Alamieyeseigha. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo made him the Vice-President to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He became the first President from the minority oil-producing tribe, following, the death of Yar’Adua.

But, all is not well with the former president in Bayelsa, his home state. Despite his experience and political profile, Jonathan has been boxed into a corner under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson.

In fact, Jonathan and Dickson, hitherto belonged to the same political family, the Green Movement (GM). Members of the movement, including the King of Opume in Ogbia, King A.J. Turner, and a former Chief of Staff, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha were regarded as the kingmakers.

As governor, Jonathan made Dickson his Commissioner for Justice. When the cabal, which consisted mainly of the GM crafted a plot to oust former Governor Timipre Sylva in 2011, Jonathan, who was President, picked Dickson, who was then in the House of Representatives as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to replace Sylva.
Dickson, was one of the brains behind the Doctrine of Necessity that elevated Jonathan to the Presidency, following the death of Yar’Adua.


No sooner had Dickson emerged governor than his relationship with Jonathan hit the rock. The former First Lady and wife of Jonathan, Patience, authored and acted the script that led to the collapse of the relationship due to her insatiable quest to control the governor and the state.

The former First Lady and her foot soldiers, especially Jonathan’s Special Adviser, Domestics Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, allegedly tried to run an alternative government in Bayelsa, sidelining the governor in most of their activities. They threatened Dickson with impeachment.

The Abuja forces, hiding under the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), tried to run a parallel government in Bayelsa. To assuage the former First Lady, Dickson made him a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and bore all the outrage that resulted from the decision.
But, Dickson was not happy that Jonathan failed to control his wife and call her to order. The former President rebuffed all entreaties by Dickson that Patience should learn how to respect democratic authorities. The governor fought back by removing all the vestiges of Jonathan and his wife in his government. He carried out a cabinet reshuffle and replaced appointees recommended by the former first family. Therefore, Jonathan’s reverence and relevance in Bayelsa politics diminished under Dickson administration.

The governor, however, survived the presidential onslaught. The victory of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 gave the governor a lifeline. In fact, there were reports that some PDP leaders in Government House popped champagnes immediately news filtered that Jonathan lost the presidential election. If Jonathan had won, Dickson stood no chance of flying the flag of the PDP for the 2015 election.
Though the governor organised a grand reception for Jonathan and his wife, he was said to have learnt his lessons from his previous experience as he decided to own and manage his political structures.

Dickson weeded off Jonathan’s sympathisers while constituting fresh executive committees of the PDP at the state, local government and ward levels.
Shortly after his re-election, the governor for the fist time spoke publicly about his travails under Jonathan’s presidency. Speaking on 2017 Isaac Adaka Boro Day, the governor lamented that his Ijaw people, who surrounded the former President, contributed to the downfall of his Presidency. He said such persons wasted the six years the Ijaw occupied the Presidency.

Dickson said that the ministers and other presidential aides from Bayelsa were after their selfish interests, thus losing the unique opportunity of attracting development to their domains. Speaking before laying wreaths at the tomb of Boroh in the Heroes’ Park, Dickson recalled that the persons who served in the Presidency for six years failed to work with him in the quest to bring development to the state.
Instead, he said they were preoccupied with “devilish plot” of unseating him and installing another governor in his stead.

“They suffered from the Bayelsa-Ijaw disease of pull-him-down syndrome,” Dickson said. The governor’s statement caused ripples in the state as persons against him interpreted it to mean an attack on Jonathan, his benefactor. It further created bad blood between him and the former President.

The diminishing political status of Jonathan worsened during the last House of Assembly and National Assembly elections in Bayelsa. The governor single-handedly decided the candidates of the PDP in all the state and federal constituencies. All the Jonathan’s preferred aspirants failed to clinch the tickets of the PDP.

Jonathan’s preferred aspirants, who defected to other parties to contest the elections, performed woefully at the poll. They were trounced by either the candidates of Dickson or those of the APC. There was silence in PDP when Jonathan’s senatorial district fell to the APC in the last election. Results of the elections showed poor performance of the PDP in Jonathan’s Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area and his East Senatorial District comprising Ogbia, Nembe and Brass local government areas.

The senatorial candidate of the APC, Mr. Degi Eremienyo Wagara, and the APC candidate for Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, Isreal Sunny-Igoli, won at the district. Jonathan was said to have backed Senator Barigha Amange, who lost the PDP ticket, but defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to contest the senatorial poll. But again, he failed to win the poll.

Following the abysmal performance of the PDP in Jonathan’s zone, some stakeholders accused the former President of anti-party activities.

The Ogbia Renaissance (OR) said in a statement by its chairman, Mr Obhioru Mitanoni, said Jonathan, his wife, A.J Turner and other PDP chieftains committed brazen anti party activities. Mitanoni claimed Jonathan secretly sponsored candidates of the APC, Accord Party and the ADC.

Jonathan was rendered politically impotent in the build-up to the governorship primary of the PDP for the November 16 election. Before the primary Dickson promised to consult the former President to decide the flag bearer. Both leaders were seen together in public functions in what many people described as strange romance. However, their political differences tore them apart.

Undoubtedly, Jonathan was said to have preferred a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe for the PDP ticket. There were reports that both Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo appealed to Dickson to allow Alaibe to fly the flag of the party. But Dickson insisted that only a member of his Restoration Team would get the ticket of the party.

Though Jonathan made no public declaration supporting Alaibe, all his foot soldiers and his political associates including the king of Opume, A.J. Turner publicly identified with the aspirant. In fact, Turner, a monarch, accompanied Alaibe to Abuja to collect his expression of interest and nomination forms. But they were up against Dickson, who had mapped out strategies to disgrace them at the internal poll. The governor has always said he would retire some old politicians from politics.

To further ensure the emergence of his preferred candidate, Dickson formed his personal political family, which he tagged the Restoration Caucus of the PDP. It was under the platform he delivered a Senator representing the Central Senatorial District, Douye Diri, as the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming governorship election. Jonathan and his co-travelers were stunned at the defeat of Alaibe at the primary election.

In his quest to be in charge, the governor also shut out Jonathan from the running mate slot of the PDP. Despite calls from many stakeholders to honour Jonathan with the slot by picking anybody from Ogbia, Jonathan’s local government area, Dickson remained adamant as he personally chose Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor, who hails from his Sagbama Local Government Area.

By all indications, Jonathan has no political structure in Bayelsa to accomplish any interest, unless he goes cap in hands to beg Dickson. Many people are worried that the former president has no stake beyond being a member of the PDP in the party’s quest to retain the state.

But analysts said Dickson should not be blamed for the travails of Jonathan. They cited the alleged abysmal performance of the former President in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta. According to them, there is nothing tangible on ground to remind the state and the Niger Delta that they once had the office of the presidency.

Others said Jonathan’s Ogbia local government is an eloquent testimony that he failed his people and would never attract any grassroots political support. They said it was inexplicable that there are no basic infrastructures in Ogbia.

But, Dickson has maintained that there is no love lost between him and Jonathan. He said they were in good terms, insisting that their cordial relationship was displayed during the last state functions.

“That event should have shown to most people that there is no problem between us. He is my elder brother and leader and he will continue to receive his respect. Even in this transition. That event shows that we are united when it comes to what we do for our people.

“There is no relationship that had lasted longer than our relationship. There is no issue. But, aides and people around make careless statements and they manipulate stories and take advantage of the proximity they have with the former President.”

October 1, 2019

By Abraham Kadiri

Chief Mrs Angela Ogeyi Odey, Founder of Oja-Ugu Foundation and former SSA to Gov. Ben Ayade on Mobilization and Enlightenment has commended the digital Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade for his relentless agitation towards the restoration of the Cross River ceded oil well in Bakassi Peninsula and the recent Federal Government approval of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the Foundation in Okpoma, her home town, she succinctly outlined the achievements of the Governor during his first term in office and the few months he has being in office for the second tenure, stating that Cross Riverians will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy in an administration that is led by a vibrant, relentless and ingenious governor.

In her remarks she said, “His Excellency, Senator Prof. (Sir) Ben. Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State has achieved yet another feat through his effort of of relentlessly agitating for the restoration of Bakassi ceded oil wells and for securing approval of President Buhari-led Federal Government, for the design, building, financing and operation of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port in Cross River boarder local government. We are proud to have a vibrant, relentless and ingenious Governor such as Gov. Ayade who has initiated and completed a number of life changing projects through the Industrialization Drive. The recent approval of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port project is a plus to our dear state.”

The Queen of Olacho added that the impact of this long awaited projects will be far reaching as it will place Cross River in an economic pedestal expected to enable Calabar become a commercial hub of South-South and South East – “the positive spill overs will be massive,” she said.

 The project, according to the former SSA on Mobilization and Enlightenment to Governor Ayade, will be sustainable and no doubt, bring about wide array of economic impacts – expanded market opportunities, lower prices for consumer goods, infrastructural development, boost in commercial activities, increased employment, rapid transfer of skills through foreign direct investment (FDI) and most importantly improve the standard of living of Cross Riverians.

Further, Chief Angela stressed the fact that the said sea port will, to a large extent act as funnel for economic development, improvement in Nigeria’s BOP and increased foreign exchange earnings.

 She concluded that, even though it may be argued that the process of the design, building and operations of the sea port will come with some demerits, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

As the country marks its 59 independence anniversary, Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade, says the citizenry must remain resolute by re-committing and re-dedicating theirselves to the enduring values and vision that distinguish them as truly Nigerians.
Speaking at the ceremonial parade held at U J Esuene stadium in Calabar, the governor maintained that  "it is only by such distinguishing attributes that we can achieve true independence as a people, one that will guarantee true freedom, good governance and total emancipation in the real sense of it."
Ayade, represented by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, averred that "while our today is steadily finding perfect harmony with our great expectations as a people, with our rapid industrialization policy, we remain highly optimistic that given our great energy and potentials to flourish, we will and surely weave our determination to precision and berth a better tomorrow."
On the state of the nation at 59, Ayade said: "We cannot say with absolute conviction, that 59 years down the line, it has been a bed of roses. At best, it has been a potpourri. At times chequered, disappointing, hard and fraught with challenges that so often dulled our spirits," reasoning that "in spite of those dispirited moments, there has have, however, been sparkling times that we have radiated so much national pride as a people, following our chain of accomplishments as a nation. And against all odds, we have continued to bounce back, to rediscover ourselves by staying focused, steadfast and optimistic."
While  urging the people of the state to continue to soldier on with audacity of hope, a refreshing optimism and the spirit of enterprise, Ayade reassured that, "with our minds firmly fixed on the ever-glittering skyline, we shall sure chart a pathway to our destination."
The governor added that "as we advance closer and closer to attaining that tomorrow of our dreams, we need not only align, but must pull together, to shrug off tendencies and avoid strictures that accentuate our fault lines," while intimating that "as an administration, we came with a clear focus to restructure and recalibrate the economy of our state."
 To this end, Ayade noted: "we have been able to create a new economy that is anchored on industrialization with a huge potential to create jobs and lift our people out of the woods," even as he implored Cross Riverians to "continue to bond together so that we can boldly confront the future with a renewed confidence and determination."
   He assured that his administration willl not relent until it ensures that every Cross Riverian is indeed rescued and clawed back from the socio-economic quagmire that has held him or them  captive to hunger and lack.
 Ayade further enjoined the people of the state to "render our supplications to God for His grace and enablement to overcome the challenges of today and actualize our dreams of tomorrow for the attainment of true independence."

By Ifreke Inyang



Former Arsenal midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, was quick to praise Bukayo Saka, following a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday.

The Gunners went behind to a Scott McTominay effort, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalized for Unai Emery’s men.


Saka had Arsenal’s best chance of the first half, prompting a fine double save from David de Gea and could have scored in the second.

The Nigerian-eligible forward also appeared to have the better of veteran Ashley Young throughout, with his pace threatening constantly, while he assisted Aubameyang’s equaliser.

Fabregas, writing on Twitter, believes his old club might have unearthed a gem.


“Saka is a player. Eighteen years old and showing great maturity,” he tweeted, also posting a clapping hands emoji.

Sowore dragged out of court by DSS
Nigeria came into being as a result of the British amalgamation of
Northern and Southern colonial territories in 1914. The amalgamation
was an act of colonial convenience for obvious reasons. The Brits
wanted one country stretching from the desert to the Atlantic Coast.
Northern Nigeria couldn’t pay its way while southern Nigeria generated
more than enough revenue for its administrative expenses.

The amalgamation laid the historical bitterness, rivalry, and enmity
between the two colonial territories. The two colonies are quite the
opposite of one another. The North is largely Muslim. It was the
center of the erstwhile Islamic Empire called the Sokoto Caliphate.
The Muslim North looks up to the Middle East and other parts of the
Muslim world for affinity, solidarity, and sociopolitical model. The
South is largely Christian and highly influenced by the sociopolitical
pattern of the West and traditional African societies. This was the
beginning of a precarious foundation of our federalism.



The foundations of true federalism are based on the concerns for the
unity and integrity of a culturally diverse nation like ours. Our
historical experience is a sharp contrast to the important foundations
of federalism. Ours is a disruptive and disintegrative sectarian
forces coupled with political rancor and instability prevailing since
independence.

Bayo Oluwasanmi

The lopsided power-sharing arrangement between the federal government
and the states fuels precipitation and intensification of ethnic
conflicts. The politics of ethnicity has remarkably retarded our
national development and has remained the sole engine that drives our
modern history. The unjust monopoly of power and resources by the
central government has galvanized the federating states to advocate
for the restructuring of the federal system. The Northerners have
never favored restructuring because the status quo guarantees them a
perpetual hold on power and monopoly of resources at the center.


Of the 59 years of independence, the northerners have been in
political and economic control of the central government for 40 years.
They have always found it compelling to capture the central
government. Indeed, they believe in the self-fulfilling prophecy that
they “are born to rule Nigeria” forever. The arrogation and arrogance
to be in perpetual control of the central government have further
marginalized other federating units in the union.

In all the years they have been in power at the center, the
northerners have used diverse strategies and tactics to maintain and
perpetuate the grip on power at the federal level. For 40 years they
have been responsible for the economic neglect and infrastructural
decay of Nigeria. Full of monumental incompetence, they are the
unrepentant pirates and predators of our economy. Because of their
long hold on power at the center, they, more than any other ethnic
group in Nigeria, hindered the process of national development and
integration.

For all these years, the northerners who headed the central government
are icons of corruption. National funds allocated for developments
never reached the target groups and purpose.

Agreed all the different ethnicities that have served as Nigeria’s
Heads of State or Presidents have performed woefully abysmal. However,
the northerners who have been in charge for most of the years are the
most generously deficient in democratic leadership. They lack
sacrifice, courage, initiative, imagination, wisdom, and vision. The
northerners have exhibited crass incompetence more profoundly than any
of the groups because they have no idea of what participatory
leadership, servant leadership, transformation leadership,
super-leadership, and value leadership mean.

They have consistently opposed progressive ideas that would chip away
their hold on the center. The northerners have always fought against
everything progressive and prosperous for true federalism. They oppose
devolution of power (restructure), resource control, derivation
principle, revenue sharing formula, state police, and the development
and exploitation of mineral resources nationwide. In fact, they want
the current 13 percent derivation to be further reduced.

The latest assault from the Fulani hegemonic morons is coming from
Emperor Muhammadu Buhari who has completely dismantled the bedrock of
our democracy: the rule of law. As if under a spell, Nigerians watch
helplessly without putting up any fight, the abrogation of any
semblance of rule of law by Buhari. Framed on trumped-up charges,
Omoyele Sowore, the pro-democracy activist and former presidential
candidate will be arraigned in court today. Sowore is standing trial
on 7-count charge for treason, money laundering, insulting the
president, among others. He has been detained for almost 60 days.
Emperor Buhari, a Sunni Muslim, refused to release Sowore on bail as
ruled by the court. We consider the systemic persecution and
oppression of Sowore as a declaration of war against the Yoruba race.

To Yoruba bastards, prodigals, crumb eaters, backstabbers, traitors,
alatenujes, and akindanidanis and others who hold cabinet positions in
Buhari administration are the willing allies and ready tools in the
hands of Buhari. I have a word for you: Stop selling your birthrights
for a bowl of amala. Stop playing second fiddle to Buhari. Stop
selling your own people to Buhari and Fulani terrorists. Now is the
time for all Yorubas regardless of party persuasion and religious
affiliation to come together and fight the Fulani oppressors and get
out of this doomed nation… It’s Oduduwa or nothing else!

This is it. The battle lines are drawn. Yorubas, consider this: Why
should we continue to elect these political parasites into office
whose agenda is not the Nigerian agenda? Why should we abdicate
leadership of this nation to the narrow-minded, selfish, power-hungry
feudal imperialists? What are we doing with northerners known for
their deformed vision and spineless leadership?

Yoruba Ronu!

Akan Nnani, an actor and former member of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly COZA, says a family friend of a lady who died while aborting a pregnancy for embattled COZA Pastor, reached out to him via DM to share the sad story with him.

Akan who announced his exit from the church in July shortly after Busola Dakolo accused Fatoyinbo of rape, took to twitter to recount how the pastor allegedly used money and luxury gifts to shut Pastors up so they could cover up his illicit activities.

The Nollywood actor recounted how a popular female clergywoman who was called out a while back for asking for $1000 from church members, came to COZA and told them that God told her that if any of them dares to speak ill about Fatoyinbo, they will suffer.

See his tweets below

By Reno Omokri

Predictably, General Buhari gave an Independence Day broadcast full of LIES. Below, I shall expose the many lies he told this morning and I challenge General Buhari to sue me.

General Buhari said “In the last four years, we have combatted the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram”.

LIE: Boko Haram controls 8 Borno LGAs. Read the TRUTH here. Buhari LIED!

General Buhari said ‘The capacity of our forces is enhanced by the acquisition of military hardware’

LIE: Our armed forces use guns purchased by Shagari.

General Buhari said “we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression“

This is such an OBVIOUS LIE. Buhari locked up his critics and refused to obey court orders to free them.

General Buhari said “I reiterate my call for all to exercise restraint”.

This is the JOKE of the CENTURY from a man who threatened to ‘SOAK the DOG and BABOON in BLOOD’.

PRACTICE what you PREACH .

General
@MBuhari
 said “This Administration inherited a skewed economy”

LIE: Buhari inherited an economy rated by CNNMoney and WorldBank as the world’s 3rd fastest growing economy! He ruined it in 1 year.

General Buhari said “previous governments abandoned the residual Investment-driven Non-Oil Sector”

LIE: President Obasanjo paid off our entire debt when oil was a quarter of what it sells today!

General Buhari said “exchange rate in the last 3 years has remained stable”

LIE: Google it. The Naira was rated the 4th worst performing currency 3 years ago and one of the most depreciated 2 years ago.

General Buhari said we have “robust reserves of US$42.5 B”

LIE: What he failed to tell you is that he has more than DOUBLED our debt. When you minus the reserves from our debt, we have NO RESERVES!!!!

General Buhari said “Learning from the mistakes of the past, this Administration is responsibly managing our oil wealth”

LIE: Nigeria now pays more FUEL SUBSIDY than in 2015. Nigerians pay more for FUEL.

General Buhari said “we are significantly increasing investments in critical infrastructure”

LIE: Because Buhari more than DOUBLED our debt, we now spend more on DEBT SERVICING than on infrastructure!

General Buhari said “we launched the Presidential Power Initiative to modernize the National Grid”

LIE: Buhari is modernising NOTHING. The last 3 power plants Nigeria built were built by Goodluck Jonathan.

General Buhari said “Our efforts to improve the power sector will complement other infrastructure investments”

LIE: IMPROVE Gini? Do you have power? Nigeria now generates LESS POWER than in 2015.

General Buhari took credit for the 2nd Niger Bridge.

LIE: The 2nd Niger Bridge is a PPP Project that was FULLY paid by Goodluck Jonathan from the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

General Buhari said “We‘ve made remarkable progress in almost all segments of the agriculture value chain”

LIE: Yet, Nigeria became the world headquarters for EXTREME POVERTY under him? Why such lies?

General Buhari said we are committed “economic stability and diversification”

LIE: Yet, in a leaked memo, his chief of staff admitted that they collect less non oil revenue than under Goodluck Jonathan. LIE!

General Buhari said  we provide adequate resources to meet the basic needs of our teeming youth”

LIE: While Goodluck Jonathan built 165 almajiri schools and 14 new federal universities, Buhari had built NONE.

General Buhari said he has “deterred rampant theft and mismanagement of public funds that plagued public service”

LIE: Yet, according to Transparency Int’l, Nigeria is MORE CORRUPT today than in 2015!

General Buhari said “This Administration has fought against corruption”

LIE: Look at the ministers Buhari appointed. Look at those surrounding him.

General Buhari said “An example is the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case”

Yet Buhari said Abacha did not steal. Which is it sir? Did he or didn’t he?

Finally, General Buhari said “I call upon Nigerians to combat Corruption”

Is Buhari combating corruption?

- Who owns Ikoyi billions
- When will Aisha Buhari's ADC be tried?
- Who reinstated Maina?

#TableShaker #BuhariTormentor #BuhariIndependenceLies. - By Reno Omokri

Dear Compatriots,
1st October each year is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on our country.
2. It is also a time for us, collectively, to:
3. Remember the sacrifices made by our Founders and great leaders past; by soldiers, by distinguished public servants; by traditional leaders, by our workers —- sacrifices on which Nigeria has been built over the 59 years since Independence in 1960; and
4. Rededicate ourselves to attaining the goals which we have set for ourselves: a united, prosperous and purposeful nation in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges.
5. In the past four years, the majority of Nigerians have committed to Change for the Better. Indeed, this Administration was re-elected by Nigerians on a mandate to deliver positive and enduring Change – through maintaining our National Security; restoring sustainable and inclusive Economic Growth and Development; and fighting Corruption against all internal and external threats.
6. This Change can only be delivered if we are united in purpose, as individuals and as a nation. We must all remain committed to achieving this positive and enduring Change. As I stated four years ago, “Change does not just happen… We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust… simply put, to bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”
SECURITY:
7. Good Governance and Economic Development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security. In the last four years, we have combatted the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram. We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results. We are also grateful to our neighbours and allies – within the region and across the world – who have supported us on this front.
8. The capacity of our armed forces to defend our territorial integrity continues to be enhanced by the acquisition of military hardware as well as continued improvements in the working conditions of our service men and women.
9. The Ministry of Police Affairs has been resuscitated to oversee the development and implementation of strategies to enhance internal security. My recent assent to the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act has created a legal framework to support our Police with increased fiscal resources to enhance their law enforcement capabilities.
10. These initiatives are being complemented by the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to arrest the incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across our nation.
11. We remain equally resolute in our efforts to combat militant attacks on our oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta and accelerate the Ogoni Clean-up to address long-standing environmental challenges in that region.
12. The recent redeployment of the Niger Delta Development Commission from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs underscores our commitment to enhance the living standards of our communities in the Niger Delta, through coordinated and appropriate programmes.
13. Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media. Whilst we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.
14. In this regard, I reiterate my call for all to exercise restraint, tolerance and mutual respect in airing their grievances and frustrations. Whilst the ongoing national discourse on various political and religious issues is healthy and welcome, we must not forget the lessons of our past – lessons that are most relevant on a day such as this.
15. The path of hatred and distrust only leads to hostility and destruction. I believe that the vast majority of Nigerians would rather tread the path of peace and prosperity, as we continue to uphold and cherish our unity.
ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY GROWTH
16. This Administration inherited a skewed economy, where the Oil Sector comprised only 8% of Gross Domestic Product but contributed 70% of government revenue and 90% foreign exchange earnings over the years. Past periods of relatively high economic growth were driven by our reliance on Oil Sector revenues to finance our demand for imported goods and services. Regrettably, previous governments abandoned the residual Investment-driven Non-Oil Sector, which constituted 40% of Gross Domestic Product and comprised agriculture, livestock, agro-processing, arts, entertainment, mining and manufacturing activities that provide millions of jobs for able-bodied Nigerians and utilize locally available raw materials and labour for production.
17. To address this imbalance, our commitment to achieving economic diversification has been at the heart of our economic strategies under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, which I launched on the 5th of April, 2017.
18. This medium-term development plan charted the trajectory for our economy to exit from recession and return to the path of sustainable, diversified and inclusive growth for Nigerians. Pursuant to these reforms, the economy has recovered and we have had 9 successive quarters of growth since our exit from recession. The exchange rate in the last 3 years has remained stable, with robust reserves of US$42.5 billion, up from US$23 billion in October 2016.
19. Learning from the mistakes of the past, this Administration is committed to responsibly managing our oil wealth endowments. We will continue to prudently save our oil income and invest more in the non-oil job-creating sectors.
20. In this regard, we are significantly increasing investments in critical infrastructure. Last year, capital releases only commenced with the approval of the Budget in June 2018. However, as at 20th June this year, up to N1.74 trillion had been released for capital projects in the 2018 fiscal year.
21. Implementation of the 2019 Capital Budget, which was only approved in June 2019, will be accelerated to ensure that critical priority projects are completed or substantially addressed. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has been directed to release N600 billion for Capital Expenditure in the next 3 months.
22. To maximise impact, we shall continue to increasingly welcome and encourage private capital for infrastructural development through Public Private Partnerships. Through the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, which I initiated in January this year, we are giving incentives to private sector inflow of over N205 billion in 19 Nigerian roads and bridges of 794.4km across in 11 States of the Federation.
23. As we push to diversify the economy, we still remain focused on optimizing the revenues generated from the oil and gas sector. We will, working with the Legislature, soon pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and amendments to the Deep Offshore Act and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act into law, to ensure Government obtains a fair share of oil revenues, whilst encouraging private sector investment.
24. We will also continue our fight against illegal bunkering of crude oil and the smuggling of refined petroleum products across our borders, including the diligent prosecution and conviction of offenders found guilty of these acts. Whilst Nigeria remains committed to free and fair continental and international trade, we will not hesitate to take all necessary steps to tackle illegal smuggling, transshipment and other predatory trade practices that destroy jobs in our country.
25. We are resolute in reforming the power sector. In August this year, we launched the Presidential Power Initiative to modernize the National Grid in 3 phases: starting from 5 Gigawatts to 7 Gigawatts, then to 11 Gigawatts by 2023, and finally 25 Gigawatts afterwards. This programme, in partnership with the German Government and Siemens, will provide end-to-end electrification solutions that will resolve our transmission and distribution challenges.
26. The programme will also look to localize the development and assembly of smart meters as well as the operations and maintenance capabilities of transmission and distribution infrastructure.
27. I am pleased with the improved inter-agency collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the regulators in the banking and power sectors to ensure that electricity sales, billings and collections are automated and become cashless.
28. These initiatives are important to ensure that the technical and collection losses in the sector are substantially reduced. I remain confident that Nigerians will have affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply in the not too distant future.
29. Our efforts to improve the power sector will complement other infrastructure investments projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, which is investing in the Mambilla Power Plant project, as well as key economic road infrastructure such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano Expressway. The first set of these projects remain on track to be completed by 2022.
30. Our journey to food security and self-sufficiency is well underway. We have made remarkable progress in almost all segments of the agriculture value chain, from fertilizers to rice, to animal feed production. We shall sustain these policies to ensure additional investments are channeled, thereby creating more jobs in the sector. We must not go back to the days of importing food and thereby exporting jobs.
31. Our commitment to achieving macroeconomic stability and economic diversification, has been underscored by the merger of the Ministry of Finance with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
32. This combined Ministry has the important mandate to enhance the management of domestic and global fiscal risks; coordinate policies with the trade and monetary authorities; raise and deploy revenues to fund budgeted expenditure; and integrate annual budgets and medium-term fiscal strategies.
33. With this, our revenue-generating and reporting agencies will come under much greater scrutiny, going forward, as the new performance management framework will reward exceptional revenue performance, while severe consequences will attend failures to achieve agreed revenue targets.
34. I recently constituted an Economic Advisory Council to advise me on inclusive and sustainable macroeconomic, fiscal and monetary policies. This independent body will work with relevant Cabinet members and the heads of key monetary, fiscal and trade agencies to ensure we remain on track as we strive for collective prosperity. However, we are also committed to ensure that the inconvenience associated with any painful policy adjustments, is moderated, such that the poor and the vulnerable, who are most at risk, do not bear the brunt.
35. Our ongoing N500 billion Special Intervention Programme continues to target these vulnerable groups, through the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, loans for traders and artisans, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and social housing scheme.
36. To institutionalize these impactful programmes, we created the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development which shall consolidate and build on our achievements to date. To the beneficiaries of these programmes, I want to reassure you that our commitment to social inclusion will only increase.
37. Our population growth rate remains amongst the highest in the world, presenting both challenges as well as opportunities. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we provide adequate resources to meet the basic needs of our teeming youth.
38. Accordingly, we shall continue to invest in education, health, water and sanitation, as well as food security, to ensure that their basic needs are met, while providing them with every opportunity to live peaceful, prosperous and productive lives.
FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND RESTORING GOOD GOVERNANCE:
39. On fighting corruption, our institutional reforms to enforce the Treasury Single Account policy, introduce the Whistle-blowers’ Initiative, expand the coverage of the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System as well as the Government Integrated Management Information System have saved billions of Naira over the last four years, and deterred the rampant theft and mismanagement of public funds that have plagued our public service.
40. The Ministry of Justice, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will continue to address this menace. We are determined to ensure that transparency and good governance are institutionalized in public service.
41. We must commit to installing a culture of Good Governance in all we do. This Administration has fought against corruption, by investigating and prosecuting those accused of embezzlement and the misuse of public resources. We have empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled detailed databases of evidence, traced the proceeds of crimes and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.
42. Furthermore, we partnered with our friends abroad to combat tax evasion, smuggling, terrorism and illicit financial flows. In June 2018, I assented to the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, to provide a domestic legal framework for obtaining international assistance in criminal matters.
43. This measure has already strengthened our law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence, investigating suspects and facilitating the recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of property implicated as proceeds of crime.
44. An example is the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case, working closely with the Government of the United States of America. The Federal Ministry of Justice is working with the US Department of Justice to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the repatriation of these funds.
45. The P & ID Arbitral Award has underscored the manner in which significant economic damage has been caused by the past activities of a few corrupt and unpatriotic Nigerians.
46. The policies that we are putting in place today are to ensure such criminal and unpatriotic acts do not go without consequences. Our renewed partnership with the 9th National Assembly will facilitate the swift passage of enabling laws that will institutionalize these anti-corruption efforts in our criminal justice system.
47. In this connection, I call upon our States to intensify their own efforts to instill greater fiscal transparency and accountability. And to ensure greater fiscal efficiency and optimum use of our very scarce resources.
48. The blight of Corruption is fighting back. Nevertheless, this is a battle that we shall see through and this is a war, which we shall win by the Grace of God.
49. I will also call upon all Nigerians, from every walk of life, to combat Corruption at every turn. By choosing to question and confront corrupt practices, by reporting unethical practices or through whistleblowing. Together, we can overcome corruption and will no longer be a country defined by corruption.
50. Fellow Nigerians, let me reiterate my call for unity across our dear nation.
51. Nigeria will emerge from our present challenges stronger and more resilient than ever – but only if all of us join hands to entrench Good Governance, foster Inclusive Economic Development, and defend and protect our Nation from all those who would wish us ill.
52. I thank you most sincerely and wish you a Happy Independence Anniversary.
53. May God bless you all, and may He continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.