National Assembly members in Cross River state have sent their hearty congratulations to former Cross River state governor, His Excellency Sen. Liyel Imoke on the occasion of his 59th birthday.
The NASS members who conveyed their felicitation through a publication on Daily Sun Newspaper wished H.E Sen. Liyel Imoke “all the joy, love and happiness that the world has to offer”
H.E Sen. Liyel Imoke who is the founder of ‘The Bridge Leadership Foundation’ was a one time minister of the federal republic of Nigeria and Senator.l representing Cross River Central Senatorial District.
The NASS members who signed the release include Sen Gershom Bassey , Sen Sandy Onor, Rt Hon Essien Ayi, Rt Hon Daniel Asuquo, Rt Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Rt Hon Chris Agibe, Rt Hon Etta Mbora, Hon Dr Alex Egbonna, Rt Hon Legor Idagbo, Rt Hon Mike Etaba.
Congratulations and happy birthday to His Excellency Sen. Likely Imoke.
COVID-19: UNITED PURPOSE; WSSCC, support C’ River State with standard hand washing facilities as mayor of Calabar pours encomium on CRS COVID-19 response
Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu alongside The Chairman of Calabar Municipality Hon. Nta Eke ( Mayor of Calabar) and Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet David Ekpenyong on Monday flag off the distribution of over 200 standardized hand washing facilities to health facilities across the state as part of COVID-19 response. These Hand washing facilities are to be distributed to selected primary healthcare facilities in the 18 LGAs in Cross River State along with three months supply of soap.
Speaking, Dr Betta Edu commended United Purpose RUSHPIN program for their support in the heat of Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the country. She said this will go along way to strengthen the good works the state have done on sensitization and hand washing across the state.
“Handwashing with soap is one of the cheapest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and others against coronavirus as well as many other infectious diseases. She called on the mayor of Calabar Hon Eke who she noted was already starting on a high note of great performance; to support the enforcement of the NO MASK NO MOVEMENT while prioritizing health care in his LGA.
The Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet David Ekpenyong tasked Primary health facilities to take preventive measures such as the hand washing facility that will be distributed across. She said hand washing is the first steps in curtailing the coronavirus, adding that after washing your hands avoid touching of eyes, nose and mouth so as to be safe.
Ekpenyong urged the council to ensure various business places have a hand washing bucket at the entrance of their respective facilities to enable people coming in to wash their hands.
The Mayor of Calabar Municipality, Efeffiong Nta Eke eulogised United Purpose and RUSHPIN for choosing the Local Government as one of the beneficiaries while assuring them of proper utilization. According to him Hand washing has come to stay in the local government as he will do everything possible to ensure this is reciprocated at ward and zonal levels. He noted that primary healthcare is one of his cardinal agenda and blueprint of his administration.
Earlier Speaking, Program Manager for RUSHPIN, Mr Nanpet Chuktu said hand washing is not just about fighting Covid-19 but a very important safety guard to good health. He urged the state government to invest in more sustainable sanitation and hygiene infrastructures for health centers and schools.
Highlight of the event was unveiling of the hand washing facilities for Calabar Municipality by the Commissioner for Health, DG CRSPHCDA, Mayor of Calabar the Deputy Mayor Hon Agor and Former Commissioner for Health, Prof Joseph Ana.
The body of a 20-yr-old student of Batholomew College of Health Technology, Shao, Kwara State (BCHT) has been found after she was allegedly raped and murdered in Ilorin Abdulrahman Safau Omowumi, was allegedly raped and macheted to death at Gerewu. According to a relative of the deceased: “Omowumi, until her death, was undergoing her internship at ABEBI Hospital, Gerewu, and temporarily living with her uncle at Gerewu, due to proximity to her place of attachment.
She left home on Saturday, 27th of June, 2020, around 4 pm and she did not return home till Sunday morning. The family reported to the police.
The police later found her corpse beside a river at Oko-ọba, Gerewu, on Sunday, with matchete cuts on her head and she was suspected to have been raped.
Her corpse was deposited at the Ilorin General Hospital morgue before she was finally buried at the Muslim cemetery on Thursday 2nd of July, 2020.”
Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Comr. Ofum, Anthony Mkpe has served and fought for Alankwu and Boki at large, you could then imagine if given the mantle of leadership at that gigantic level of Alankwu Ward chairman NYCN BOKI chapter
Comr. Ofum, Anthony Mkpe is unpolemically the God sent to the youths and good people of Alankwu ward And BOKI LG at large we therefore put forward a clarion call and sundry that he should be giving the mandate as chairman NYCN Alankwu Ward.
Comr. Ofum, Anthony Mkpe is a YOUTH who has acknowledged his limitations in matters of service, yet still love to serve.
The future will be tough, but we have zenith confidence that with Comr. Ofum, Anthony Mkpe as chairman we can surely overcome. We can do it. We’ll be able to.
Comr. Ofum, Mkpe has a vision, let’s join to birth it for the good of Alankwu…!!!
Comr. Akwo Jerome Bankong Chairman Alankwu Ward Youths for Good Leadership
In an effort to promote the Agro-Commercial sub sector in the State, the Commissioner for Commerce, Pst. Mrs.RoseMary Archibong, received in her office today, a team from Santuscom Agro-Investment Company, led by the Managing Director, Chief Ofana Paul and congratulated them on their forth coming rice Investment Exhibition on behalf of His Exellency, Governor Ben Ayade.
Pst. Archibong, pleasantly observed that the Company has demonstrated sensitivity in line with the Government’s post COVID 19 disposition towards livelihood sustainability.
She lauded the initiative in creating opportunity for Investors in the rice and other agricultural value chain stating that the Company has embraced the Governor Ayade’s unique, organic seedlings which matures in three months. She introduced the Ministry’s Market friend and solicited their partnership.
Earlier, the Chairman Santuscom Agro-Investment Company, Chief Ofana Paul, stated that the Company was set up to compliment Governor Ayade’s Industrialisation drive especially in the rice and other agricultural value chain in terms of processing, packaging and promoting the State owned rice, Palm oil, yam flour amongst other agricultural products.
Ofana, also added that with the depleting nature of oil, Agro-Commerce remains the main stay of the Economy. He encouraged the Youths, to embrace the farming culture and expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception by the Commissioner, and hoped that the Ministry will be part of their forth coming event.
High point of the event, was the presentation of a 10 kg bag of Ogoja branded rice to the Commissioner.
Nigerians have been able to dig up the identity of the mentioned ‘Andrew’ who is allegedly responsible for the torture being inflicted on his relative in Pakistan. According to reports earlier circulated, the man’s relation named Andrew used him as a collateral for a business with the group. However, as Andrew didn’t show up to pay what he owes. The gang tortured the human collateral he left behind and filmed it to serve as a warning. In the video the Nigerian man is seen begging his uncle to sell everything they have and pay a man called Nuruz otherwise he will be killed on July 10th. Now, some Nigerians have dug deep to find out that Andrew’s real name is Andrew Okwudilli Ezechi aka Okwudili Mmuosa. He is from Umudim village in Akwaukwu, Idemili Local government of Anambra state.
A young man who released an audio to explain the identity of the men. He spoke in Igbo and said Andrew is a drug dealer who took his cousin, to Pakistan and used him as a human collateral to collect “merchandise” on credit from Pakistani drug lord. According to the person narrating the story, Andrew has finished selling the merchandise and used the proceed to buy a car and other things and “living the life”. Meanwhile, it is said that he has been lying to the Pakistani drug lord that the merchandise spoilt and they should send him more to mix it. The drug lord refuse to buy the lie and is now torturing the human collateral and vowing to kill him if his money is not paid on or before Friday, 10th of July.
Speaking on the scope of collaboration the Acting Managing Director, Mr Joseph Edet said that Branding is the linkage between Cross River State Garment Factory and Yala Local Government Area. Stating that the factory will be producing Jackets, face caps, helmets, T-shirts and full branded costumised uniforms for revenue officers in Yala Local Government Area. He commended the Yala Chairman for his visionary developmental strides and ingenuity that he has demonstrated since he assumed office. He also applauded his vision to regulate the activities of revenue officers for uptimum productivity and control in order to curb crime and fraudulent practices in the area.
He also reiterated that with the passion and zeal showcased by Hon. Febian Ogbeche, adding that, Yala will in no time be a save haven for investment and the Cross River State Garment Factory will leave no stone unturned to partner with them to achieve their objectives. He implore other local government areas to emulate Yala to come up with creative initiatives to add value to their citizens and by extension to aid the Governor to attain his industrialisation vision for Cross River State.
Responding, the Chairman of Yala Local Government Hon. Fabian Ogbeche expressed his amazement for what Governor Ayade has done with the Garment Factory, describing him as a genius and a transformational leader. He emphasized on the need for all Cross Riverians to consciously patronize home based factories. He assured that Yala Local Government has sealed a permanent deal with the Cross River State Garment Factory for all their branding needs. He also equated the quality of materials produced at the factory to global brands, stating that the factory with the competent hands on ground will certainly not fail in all the professionalism required and branding capabilities.
He called on well meaning Cross Riverians and Yala indigenes to support their revenue drive agenda in order to curb illegal collection of taxes and levies perpetrated fraudulently by some criminal masterminds.
Meanwhile as part of efforts to support Governor Ayade’s fight against COVID-19, he said he will further collaborate with the Garment Factory to produce a special branded face mask to flag off and enforce the No Mask No Movement advocacy In Yala Local Government Area.
Hon. Ogbeche thanked Governor Ayade for giving him the privilege to serve his people in the capacity of Chairman of Council. He pledged to give Yala a facelift by changing the status quo and repositioning the entire landscape with different creative initiatives.
The chairman Revenue Monitoring And Collection Committee Mr John Ngwu said that value addition to the revenue unit is a key aspect of Hon. Fabian Ogbeche’s administration. Adding that effective rebranding to regulate the operations of the government revenue officers by differentiating them from the illegal operators will aid the achievement of their set objectives. He emphasized that before now it was impossible to determine the certified revenue operators from the fakes, that necessitated the collaboration with the Cross River State Garment Factory to be able to give the appropriate branding to the legitimate revenue officers in the area.
Mr Ngwu also noted that the major challenge associated with revenue collection and improving internally generated revenue for Local Government Areas is the inadequacies surrounding the revenue units. He called on other Local Government Chairmen to emulate the initiative of the Chairman of Yala to boost their revenue collection operations and to reposition their revenue units.
The highlight of the visit was a brief tour of the Garment Factory led by the Acting Managing Director and his team of professionals.
Coalition of Integrity political Parties CIPP, vindicated on the suspension of the EFCC Acting Chairman. The CIPP commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the fight against corruption, with the suspension of the Acting Chairman which was long over due.
According to the political parties spokesman, it is a clear indication to Nigerians and the world over that, Mr President is serious and ready to stamp out corruption in the country. Those who were suggesting that the fight on corruption was one sided or to punish opposition’s or perceived enemies of Government can now see with their two eyes that there were wrong afterall .
We comment the Attorney general of the Federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami for his bold step in exposing the riot in the Anti Craft Agency. We are aware of this recklessness for some time now, but nobody was prepared to expose it. Truth comes real, even some media outfit such as social media and other print and electronics media were all bought over and on payroll of the Acting Chairman so you can’t hear anything on the media as they were all on salaries, as for us Political Parties Chairmen, we were monitoring the situation in EFCC very closely but is important that this matter has been put to permanent rest.
Nobody is above our laws. You will recall that the former DG of the Department of State Service (DSS) Mr Lawal Daura had investigated this same issue and make recommendations to the Presidency and National Assembly but instead of them to listen to him and carefully study his remarks they quickly use blackmail and removed him from office to cover their tracks and continue with their merchandise even in the absence of Mr President who was far away London receiving treatment. With this kind of Development today, we are confident on Mr President promise to Nigerians that he will completely eradicate corruption and corrupt appointees in his Government.
Magu’s suspension is one of those reassurance by PMB to the Nigerian people. For me, now that every Nigerian is aware of what transpired between DSS Former Boss and the former Acting Chairman of EFCC, it is incumbent on the Authorities to recall the Former DG back in my own opinion Shendam said.
Ondo State Chapter of Coalition of Integrity Political Parties has call for the impeachment of the state Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.
Ajayi was accused of gross misconduct and political witchcraftcy on his boss the executive governor of the state.
He (Ajayi), resigned from the the ruling APC and defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party but insisted on remaining in office. Hence, he is now seen and labelled a traitor whose ambition should not be taken serious.
It was gathered that, Ajayi through his dealings and actions, prays for his boss’ death by calling on the governor to hand over to him within 21days. Instead of wishing the Governor quick recovery from the dreaded Convid-19.
Speaking to news men in Akure, Ondo state capital the spokesperson of the CIPP, Mr Jimo Oluwale describes the embattled Deputy Governor as an ungrateful man who rose to power through the help of the Governor but now chooses to betray the Governor and the entire Ondo people. We are still shocked with the turn of events the he concluded.
However, the prayer for Ondo deputy governor’s impeachment has largely been prayed for by arms of governments, pressure groups, public opinion bodies etc because of his uncultured, uncivilized and ill political behaviors he displayed in recent days.
Meanwhile, the Ondo state governor Rotimi Akeredelu has been tested NEGATIVE of the Convid-19.
The Cross River State Director General on Investment Promotion Bureau, Barr. Tutu Ekeng has guaranteed the transformation of Calabar Municipal to an investment hub for other local government areas in the state.
The Director General, made this pledge during her synergy visit to the Chairman of Calabar Municipal Local Government Area, Hon. Effefiong Eke Nta, at the Municipal Council.
Barr. Tutu Ekeng hinted that, Calabar Municipality was the First Capital City in Nigeria and the Capital of Cross River State. In line with these fact, the Capital City of Cross River State has a superior edge of enticing investors and bringing investment opportunities to the State.
Her word: “The Local Government is a basic arm of the government that deals directly with the grassroot. So, in accordance to the Governor industrial vision, His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade to industrialize the State for the betterment of the citizens.”
“The Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau is an agency created by law in 2007, 2008 with a prime responsibility to promote investment opportunity of the State. “Also, we are at helm of business entry facilitation for investors. If an investor comes in and is willing to meet with the local government council, get a land, or meet with the internal revenue our office coordinate the whole ball of wax, so that, the investor can have a short over time with a narrow bottle neck.”
“We also have the AFTER CARE SERVICES focus on Corporate Social Responsibility’s to ensure that the investor takes charge of the community basic responsibility. So we are here proffer our in dept supports and formally familiarize with the council.”
In response, The Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council thanked the agency for the tremendous opportunity and pledged his partnership as they beam light in search of talents that will advance the State. Hon. Nta further called for the agency’s support as the council will be well focused on revatilizing sports and agriculture.”
On her part, The Director General, Investment Promotion Bureau assured the chairman of the agency’s determination and readiness to assist the council succeed as well as leave a legacy at the end of their administration.
Highpoint of the meeting was the creation of synergy and better working relationship between the Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau and Calabar Municipal Council, as well as the presentation of a flash drive and souvenir to the Council.
The Boki Sons Association Abuja, yesterday crowned two of their elder statesmen Mr. Antony A. A. Bisong and Dr. Osang Francis as patrons if their association.
The age long sociocultural group of the Boki Nation based and operated in the FCT-Abuja took this step to drawing more concern, coaching and attention of most of the key contributor, support and facilitators of the growths and development of of BSA-Abuja closer by officially making them their patrons in accordance to their laid precepts.
Boki Sons Association Abuja, the nomenclature implies, is born out of the inherent spirit of oneness, togetherness and unity of the legendary Boki LGA of Cross River State.
The coronation ceremony which took place in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, brought the presence of highs and mighty to grace the occasion.
The patrons who took turns in admonishing the BSA-Abuja respectively, thanked the association for finding such high trust in them by making patrons amidst all super and supra Boki LGA kins and titans resident in Abuja. To this trust, they promised to do the best in making sure BSA-Abuja grows to enviable heights as they move from leadership regimes to another.
Cross River State Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu has described the strike action by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) as ill-advised and premised on wrong reasons.
Dr Edu, who spoke Monday during a live breakfast show on a national television insisted that the reason given by the striking doctors had nothing to do with the state.
She also scoffed at claims that the state has not managed the coronavirus pandemic well, insisting that the state has been above board and even at the forefront of managing the pandemic in the country.
According to her, “Cross River State started as early as January 7, 2020 by sensitizing her people, setting up the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) with the NMA playing a part in it. Military and paramilitary personnel were also involved with screening at border posts. We embarked on the no mask no movement policy, distributed PPEs and so on and so forth.
“For testing, Cross River is attached to Irua in Edo State . It requires a whole day’s travel and most times even when you get there they will complain of lack of regents in the laboratory. It made the process cumbersome to get results ready even within 48hrs amidst the numerous expenses while we kept calling on NCDC to come setup our own laboratory.”
She said even when “sample collection and contact tracing was ongoing, the NMA was still casting doubts, including on even results declared by NCDC. Suddenly every illness in the state was being attributed to COVID19 by the NMA, thus allowing people to die unnecessarily. I am an eye witness to most cases. As such, as a State we decided that every case be treated as COVID19 until the results prove otherwise and all cost be put on the Cross River State Government. Even when NCDC gave us very few sample collection kits we had to go for alternative plans using other means of testing.”
Describing the strike as a very sad development, she said the decision to go on strike by the NMA has put “millions of lives of Cross Riverians at risk all because NCDC did not upload results. First and foremost, neither the Cross River State Government not the state Ministry of Health was informed about any five positive cases by the UCTH. NCDC said they are an independent center and they went ahead to do their job. We as State, we don’t have powers to decide what happens in NCDC or Ebonyi State testing center. Whoever takes or sends samples must follow the written public health procedures that should take place for a sample to be verified and moved from one place to another for transparency. Such procedures include being able to at least identify who the patient is; do history taking and write in the case finding form and if the person meets the NCDC case definition criteria, then you take samples and ID number, etc before sending the samples in a perfect situation to the laboratory where you can trust the integrity of that sample. Sample is tested and results brought back and then uploaded. This are the acceptable standard all over the World which NMA CRS refused to go through and yet declared strike actionsall because NCDC didn’t announce their 5 claimed cases.”
She disclosed that the state has “requested for the details of the 5 cases and as soon as that is done we will respond effectively as it is not rocket science for us to know these people.
“So you go on strike because NCDC refused to upload results? This is killing the same people NMA swore to protect. This is bad.”
The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade has sympathised with traders in Marian Market over the fire out break that raged some parts of the market recently.
Speaking with some leaders and affected traders at Marian Market,the Commissioner for Commerce, Pst. Mrs.RoseMary Archibong, who conveyed His Excellency’s feelings also empathised with the affected traders and promised to brief the Governor on her on the spot findings.
She regretted that while the State, is fighting to ensure that livelihood of CrossRiverians is not destroyed by the pandemic, traders of essential commodities would loose their stock and revenue in this unfortunate manner.
In an interview, the PRO of National Association of Nigeria Traders Cross River State Chapter, Mr Tony Ogar, recounted the loses of traders and appealed that the Government, come to the aid of those affected as the cause of the inferno was yet to be unravelled.
It’s no longer a news that princesses and beautiful souls are born in July. So is the story of a beautiful soul, always smiling and kindhearted July born princess/young woman… They named her, PRINCESS NAOMI…
Dearest Princess-Naomi, as you add another year today and celebrate the most significant day in the entire journey book of your existence from seasons to seasons, we join the league of your family, friends, cronies and admirers to thank Almighty God with you and for you, ( your life, prosperity, achievements, wins, trophies etc).
Lady Princess Naomi
As a simple and friendly but uniquely intelligent young Annunciation student from an obscure pedigree, you’ve transformed to become the jewel of humanity and a true picture of an African Super Woman.
A well cultured and schooled young woman with full training and erudition from the prestigious University of Calabar. Member, of Nigerian English and Literally Professionals Council (NELFC). An Icon of inestimable value Born with natural and inbuilt maturity, advisory and counseling know-how, humility, civility, respect and honour of an African Woman. A daughter with the special touch that makes the difference mixed with an expectational swaqs and vibes of the Calabar City trace. An Illustrious daughter of Obubura-Bansan of the Glorious Boki Nation in Cross River State, and a worthy brand of the People’s Paradise State… The Pride of her Mother/Family and a well treasure and cherished lasty of the Achus bloodline. You are a Smart Goal Getter!!
Naomi, you’re indeed, God’s gift to humanity. We celebrate and felicitate with you on this auspicious occasion of your belated BIRTHDAY, in this month of July in the year of our 2020.
We pray Almighty God richly bless you with many more years in good health of mind and body.
As you always bring love, peace, smile, joy, understanding, favour, glory, succour and happiness to families, friends, groups and individuals, unions, so shall God grant you Peace and Joy today and always.
Drastic measures are to be taken against those who are using children for both entrepreneurs or domestic activities as beasts of labour.
Saying in Finland on Friday the 3rd of July 2020, in a meeting with the members of the African Development Concept Ry. Finland, Ambassador Agim Godwin Apple, call on the international organisation to provide financial and materials assistant to the Human Rights Watch and Youths Empowerment Foundation in Nigeria to enable the NGO fight the just cause.
The Global Peace Ambassador of the Universal Peace Federation UPF and President of the Human Rights Watch and Youths Empowerment Foundation International, Amb. Godwin Apple, told the African oriented organisations in Europe that the cases of child labour, molestation of girl child, domestic violence and other forms of abuses are increasingly becoming an epidemic in Nigeria and something has to be done about it.
He continues by saying that the community based advocacy by the Human Rights Watch Foundation will be a good solution to reduce the level of the crimes against humanity in Africa.
Ambassador Agim Godwin Apple, said that Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially or morally harmful.
Such exploitation is prohibited by legislation worldwide, although these laws do not consider all work by children as child labour exceptions include work by child artists, family duties, supervised training, and some forms of child work practiced by individuals children.
Child labour has existed to varying extents throughout history. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many children aged 5–14 from poorer families worked in Western nations and their colonies alike.
These children mainly worked in agriculture, home-based assembly operations, factories, mining, and services such as news boys—some worked night shifts lasting 12 hours.
With the rise of household income, availability of schools and passage of child labour laws, the incidence rates of child labour fell.
In the world’s poorest countries, around one in four children are engaged in child labour, the highest number of whom (29 percent) live in sub-saharan Africa.
About four African nations (Mali, Benin, Chad and Guinea-Bissau) witnessed over 50 percent of children who are used as Beasts of Labour.
The vast majority of child labour is found in rural settings and informal urban economies; children are predominantly employed by their parents, rather than factories.
Poverty and lack of schools are considered the primary cause of child labour.
Globally the incidence of child labour decreased from 25% to 10% between 1960 and 2003, according to the World Bank.
Nevertheless, the total number of child labourers remains high, with UNICEF and ILO acknowledging an estimated 168 million children aged 5–17 worldwide were involved in child labour in 2013.
The Human Rights Watch and Youths Empowerment Foundation wishes to use your support in changing the world for the better by liberating the children of the world.
Take action and DONATE to help the Child.
First Bank Nigeria Account name: Human Rights Foundation Account number: 2035409304
The Indonesian Immigration officials have been accused of torturing and killing over expired visas and documents.
According to reports, the officials barged into victims’’ houses to effect arrest, forcing them to pay ₦450,000 before they are released. The exercise was said to be carried out daily targeting mainly Nigerians with the aim of extorting money from them.
It was gathered that those, who could not cough out the money, were tortured with many dying in the process.
Those unable to raise the money are compelled to call their family members for them to find a means of sourcing the funds.
It was further gathered that a Nigerian identified as Chukwueze was tortured to death while in the custody of Indonesian immigration officials because he could not raise the money demanded as a bribe.
A source, who spoke with Sahara Reporters said, “We are passing through hell here in Indonesia. The immigration officials are killing us because of expired visa. They come into our houses to arrest us and force us to pay N450,000.
“If you don’t pay the money, they will ask you to call your relatives to raise the money.
“Last Monday, one Nigerian died in their custody because he had no money to pay. He died due to the torture he was subjected to by immigration officers.”
Meanwhile, some Nigerians recently staged a protest at the Nigeria Embassy in Jakarta over alleged discrimination and targeted raids by Indonesian immigration officers.
Three weeks after the death of her father, Professor James Nwoye Adichie , renowned US-based Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has penned down a tribute as she mourns him.
Late Professor Adichie, Odelu Ora Abba , died on June 10, 2020, at the age of 88 in Anambra state after a brief illness. In a tribute to him posted on Facebook, the renowned author detailed the events leading up to his death. She also spoke about some of the plans they made for future.
She spoke of her pain; how she cried for days till her side muscles ached, how she screamed and pounded things, and how much she misses him. She accompanied her words with a video showing her and her father together at different points in their life.
Professor Adichie was Nigeria’s first professor of Statistics. He studied Mathematics at Ibadan and got his PhD in Statistics from Berkeley. Mourning him, Chimamanda who is the author of Half of a Yellow Sun, Americannah, and Purple Hibiscus wrote: “ And just like that my life has changed forever. June 7, there was Daddy on our weekly family zoom call, talking and laughing. June 8, he felt unwell. Still, when we spoke he was more concerned about my concussion (I’d fallen while playing with my daughter).
“ June 9, we spoke briefly, my brother Okey with him. “Ka chi fo,” he said. His last words to me. June 10, he was gone. “ Because I loved my father so much, so fiercely, so tenderly, I always at the back of my mind feared this day. But he was in good health. I thought we had time. I thought it wasn’t yet time. I have come undone. I have screamed, shouted, rolled on the floor, pounded things. I have shut down parts of myself.
““The children and I adore him,” my mother wrote in a tribute when he was made professor emeritus. We are broken. We are bereft, holding on to one another, planning a burial in these COVID-scarred times. I am stuck in the US, waiting. The Nigerian airports are closed. Everything is confusing, uncertain, bewildering. “ Sleep is the only respite. On waking, the enormity, the finality, strikes – I will never see my father again. Never again. I crash and go under. The urge to run and run, to hide from this. The shallow surface of my mind feels safest because to go deeper is to face unbearable pain. All the tomorrows without him, his wisdom, his grace.
“ We talked almost daily. I sent him my travel itineraries. He would text me just before I got on a stage: Ome ife ukwu! Nothing else mattered to me as much as the pride in his eyes.
“I saw him last on March 5th in Abba. I had planned to be back in May. We planned to record his stories of my great grandmother. “ Grief is a cruel kind of education. You learn how ungentle mourning can be, how full of anger. You learn that your side muscles will ache painfully from days of crying. You learn how glib condolences can feel.
“ My father was Nigeria’s first professor of Statistics. He studied Mathematics at Ibadan and got his PhD in Statistics from Berkeley, returning to Nigeria shortly before the Biafran War. A titled Igbo man – Odelu Ora Abba – deeply committed to our hometown. A Roman Catholic with a humane and luminous faith. A gentle man and a gentleman. For those who knew him, these words recur: honest, calm, kind, strong, quiet, integrity.
“ I writing about my father in the past tense, and I cannot believe that I am writing about my father in the past tense. My heart is broken.
“ Thank you to my darling brother Chuks Adichie for this video. Daddy’s kindness lives on in you.“
Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade says the state may sooner than later record positive COVID-19 cases now that the state borders are open.
Ayade in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, said given the influx of people into the state now that the borders are open, it will be impossible for the state to remain free of the virus.
He therefore, appealed to residents of the state to adhere strictly to safety protocols as a way of protecting themselves from the virus.
While thanking them for voluntary observance of preventive measures reeled out in the last couple of months, he urged them to be more vigilant now than ever before.
“Now that our state borders are open, this is the time to be more vigilant. We need to be more careful because we expect the state to start recoding coronavirus cases.”
He said with the “easing of restrictions and the opening of borders and airports, it is actually time for us to be more proactive and adhere strictly to safety protocols.”
The governor however, assured that the state government will work harder to keep the state as safe as possible.
“We will intensify our no mask no movement policy and other policies meant to keep our people safe. It is time for us to increase our vigilance. As a state, we will never go to sleep. Government will stay awake so that our people can sleep in peace,” it concluded.
Cross River State Commissioner for Health and Chairman of Covid-19 Response Taskforce, Dr Betta Edu on Friday afternoon during the inspection of Cross River State Covid-19 Testing and Sample Collection Centre at Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar disclosed to Press men that testing of already collected samples of COVID-19 has started today following the completion of the training at Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital Calabar while the walk in drive-through testing will begin on Monday 6th July, 2020.
The Honorable Commissioner who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Barr Takim Asu Takim and Special Adviser Health to the Governor, Dr David Ushie call on Cross Riverians who may come down with symptoms of Covid-19 irrespective of class to avail themselves at the Sample Collection Centre, Lawrence Henshaw Infectious Disease Hospitals for testing.
She said the reference laboratory has the intensity and capacity to bring out eight test sample result from the Gene xpert machine and 96 test sample results from the PCR machine every 45 minutes in an accelerated speed that could enable the state record almost 500 test per day. According to her, testing has began today but you can drive- through by. Monday. She called on all not to panic as Covid-19 is not a death sentence but should come forward for testing as the need arises.
Dr Edu stated that Cross Riverians at this moment that were not keeping to the state prevention guidelines and COVID-19 Taskforce protocols should sit up as State government would not condone such act again especially as we move towards the most decisive 2nd phase of Covid-19 prevention Control.
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