As social groups and organisations continue to lend their voices against the growing number of reported incidence of rape in the country a group known as “All Ladies in Leadership” in Calabar mobilised and lend support to the battle against rape drawing attention of the public to its effect against the victims.
Accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government Barr Tina Banku Agbor and other female appointees.
The appointee’s displayed banners of various sizes with different inscriptions such as “say no to rape, rape is evil” among others, the team took its agitation to the gate of the Governor’s office Calabar and marched through major streets of the city calling for a more stringent penalty against rapist.
Professor Florence Obi a woman with the fear of God, a Woman whose heart is to touch lives, a Woman with all Educational qualities. Professor Florence Obi is of God, she believed in a word that said trust in God. In Jeremiah 17: 5-8 “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in Man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. “For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. “Blessed is the Man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruits. Because Prof Florence Obi have trust in God she was able to achieved the following as Dean faculty of Education University of calabar, Faculty Building, Revive lost academic culture, Mentorship, International Collaboration, Collegiate System, Infrastructure Development, Incentives and Motivation, Refocusing the Faculty Journal, Improve Teaching Practice, curriculum Review, Improve the Sandwich programme, Improve image of Sub-Dean office, Improve welfare package, Common room and happy hour, Income generating activities, Robust Academic Board, Revive interest of Senior Colleagues in faculty affairs, Rebuilt, Reposition and Rebrand the Faculty. Professor Florence Obi didn’t stop there she forged ahead in building the Faculty by demanding and lobbying for the Faculty building, renovation of existing ones and increased infrastructure development,, creation of more department (7 in the pipeline) and go for a collegiate system,, internationalise and index faculty journal,, More opportunities for international exposure,, Expansion of faculty library,, Setting up of faculty ICT centre / e-library ,, Setting up of 21st century Business Education Laboratory,, More aggressive mentoring,, Robust and more vibrant academic growth,, Sustain and improve on our gains,, Be the best, the very best in University of Calabar and teacher preparation. Professor Florence Obi vision is to make the Faculty a centre for Excellence producing globally and contributing significantly to development through research. Her mission is to produce high quality graduates and scholars in focal areas of learning with theoretical, practical and entrepreneurial skills for the world of work in a conducive environment through quality research and teaching. With this it show’s that Prof Florence Obi is able and capable to take the University to the greater height, let’s us give Prof. Florence Obi the chance to pure out her word of experience, let’s give her the opportunity to bring back the traditional way of working in the university. I believe in the saying power comes from God let’s join our hands and pray for fresh air, new breath. Let’s be free from cabalistic dencifecation. God bless all those that believed in freedom.
Since the advent of university education in the country, only a handful of females have become vice chancellors. For the University of Calabar, the time for Professor florence Banku Obi is now. Does the notion, “what a man can do, a woman can do better,” apply only in the area of trade, craft and maybe other business transactions, but not leadership positions? It seems so. For not even in academia where many of the philosophies and views about bridging gender gaps emanate from does the notion apply.
Ever since the advent of university education in Nigeria, the system cannot boast of producing up to 15 substantive female vice chancellors, either from the public, faith-based or private institutions. Teaching and learning industry is generally perceived as female-dominated field, but this trend changes within the career trajectories of women as their representation begins to decline in a higher academic environment, and more so at senior management level.
Could this be as a result of choice or circumstances? Is it that the system and the society have no faith in women occupying such positions or is it just fallout of gender inequality? Sadly, there is no statistics on the number of female VCs in the history of Nigerian universities.
Apart from Grace Alele Williams, the first female vice chancellor in Nigeria; Sidi Osho, Peace Babalola, Comfort Ekpo, Fatima Mukhtar, Aize Obayan, Jadesola Akande, Oluwayemisi Obilade and the recently appointed Lilian Salami, who defied the odds in the male dominated environment, the position of VC in our tertiary institutions seems to be strictly reserved for men.
This tradition, however, is not peculiar to Nigeria alone as reports revealed that women are also underrepresented at the topmost level in the United Kingdom’s (UK) higher education system. According to report, in the UK higher education system, less than 15 percent of vice chancellors are women, even when women make up 51 percent of the general population; 50 percent of early career academics and 60 percent of higher education students.
The Governing board of the University of Calabar recently declared the office of the Vice Chancellor vacant, of all the contesting professors, Professor Florence Banku-Obi has the most intimidating credentials as adjudged by the most staff of the University.
A peep into Professor Florence Banku-Obi’s credentials leaves one wondering if any of the contesting professors could match her.
Professor Florence Banku Obi Florence Banku-Obi, the former Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academic) is a mother of four and grandmother of six from Bansan Osokom, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, whose successful academic voyage began at the University of Calabar in March 1990 (30 years ago).
She has been a Professor of Special Needs Education for 13 years (Having been made a Full Chair Professor in 2007). Her leadership role in University of Calabar began in 1993 immediately after her return from a Scholarship programme in Jodan Hill College, Glasgow, UK, when as an Assistant Lecturer, she was appointed Coordinator, World-Wide Fund for Nature/Nigerian Conservation Foundation (WWF/NCF) funded Schools and Community Education programmes in 1993.
Since then she has served the University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); Dean, Faculty of Education (In fact, she was elected Dean back-to-back, making her the first Professor to have been so elected in the Faculty of Education since the history of the University); Chairperson, University of Calabar International Demonstration School; Deputy Dean, Faculty of Education; Head of Department Environmental Education.
Member, Convocation Committee; Coordinator of Teaching Practice; Deputy Director (On Campus Programmes of the Centre for Educational Services(CES) Chairperson, CES/ASUU Negotiating Team on CES Programmes; Chairperson UniCAL Housing Loans and Implementation Committee; Examination Officer; Coordinator, Ikom and Ogoja Centres of the then Off-Campus Programmes; Member, University Environmental Sanitation Committee; Member, representing the University on the Cross River State Police Public Relations Committee.
She has been instrumental to the establishments of some new Departments and academic programmes of the University and pioneered the take-off of Affiliation programmes of the University, as approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
As a scholar, researcher and mentor, she has over 60 publications to her credit in both local and international peer-reviewed journals, and has authored two books, co-authored one and also authored several chapters in Books.
She has supervised over 30 postgraduate Diploma Projects, 12 Master’s Degree Theses and 8 PhD Dissertations and had so far assessed 13 persons for professorial positions. On 26th February 2020, Prof Florence Obi became the 92nd Inaugural Lecturer of University of Calabar when she enthralled the University and indeed the world with her Inaugural Lecture titled “From Exclusion to Zero Reject: A Road Map to Inclusiveness”.
In terms of community service, Prof. Florence Obi has served as Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and Member of the Cross River State Executive Council; Board Member of National Universities Commission (the regulatory body for all universities in Nigeria) and pioneer Member of Cross River State Carnival Commission.
Florence is a grass rooter and a community mobilizer. She has served her community in various capacities such as; member of community secondary school management committee, Secretary peace committee, Founder Women Empowerment Coalition, Co-founder Banyinyi Bansan Development Union and Co-initiator, Boki Women World Wide. She is the Vice-President (The first female to be elected as such) of Ochibe Bokyi – The Boki people apex pan-sociocultural organization founded in 1951.
She is very committed to quality university education in Nigeria and has participated in several NUC quality assurance activities such as Institutional Accreditation, Programme Accreditation and Resource Verification. She is well-travelled and has attended so many academic events both locally and internationally.
She has taught in the first African University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, during which she served as the Faculty of Education Graduate School Representative and Chairperson of the Faculty Seminar Committee.
She was: UNESCO Visiting Professor at the University of Buea, Cameroon; Visiting Professor (as Erasmus Mundus Exchange Lecturer) at Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; and Visiting Professor at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. She has equally attended an eight weeks training programme at the University of Oregon, the USA on Women Leadership and Disability.
Florence has served as External Examiner and assessor to some Nigerian Universities, including the Universities of Ibadan, Lagos and Jos; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Bayero University, Kano and to some foreign Universities, one of which is the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Professor Obi has also served as Managing Editor and Editor for some local and international journals, including the African Journal of Vocational Education of the Department of Vocational and Special Education, University of Calabar, Editorial Board Member of the International Journal of Research, a publication of the Department of Educational Foundation, University of Lagos and the Pioneer, Editor of the African Journal of Special Education (The official journal of the Department of Special Education of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana).
In terms of membership of learned societies, she is a Fellow and past National President of the National Association for Exceptional Children; Member, International Council for the Education of Children with Visual Impairments; Member, South African Society of Education (SASE); Member, Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES); and Member, Nigerian Academy of Education.
Prof. Obi, who is a serving Professor and Member of Senate in University of Calabar is a recipient of several awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the growth of the education sector and society at large.
Aside from her unparalleled accomplishments, outstanding qualifications and displayed competencies to take the ivory tower to unprecedented greater heights as Vice-Chancellor, it is profoundly germane to also convey that, since its inception in 1975 (about 45 years ago), no woman has superintendent over the affairs of the University of Calabar.
Therefore, in accordance with the advocacy for gender equality, as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) number 5, to which the incumbent Nigeria President is committed to, there is no better time than now, to appoint Professor Florence Banku Obi as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
Thomas Obi Tawo, the Special Adviser on Forestry Security to Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has been accused of burning locals to force them to confess after he had a dream that they fought him.
According to Cross River-based Journalist, Agba Jalingo, Tawo tortured locals and went as far as burning parts of their bodies with fire to force a confession out of them based on a dream he had.
According to Jalingo, “The atrocities of Thomas Obi Tawo, aka General Iron in Boki LGA of Cross River state. He is Governor Ayade’s Special Adviser on Forestry Security. He dreamt that this people fought with him in his dream and he picks them from their houses and burn them with fire till they confess.”
By Obi Clifford Bubua – SA Community Relations – BOKI.
My attention was caught with nostalgia by a story published in Boki Blog today in effect of a Motion brought to the Floor of the Cross River State House of Assembly yesterday, Thursday 18th June 2020 sponsored by Rt. Hon. Itam Abang alleging the involvement of Hon. Dane Osim-Asu, the Commissioner for Works – CRS in the ongoing internal crisis in BIAJUA community. The cause of the crisis which was I’ll-intended and unfairly linked to a purported land acquisition in BIAJUA and Biakwan forest by Hon Dane Osim-Asu using the guise of Governor Ben Ayade farms as contained in the story is a grave fallacy and misleading.
Just yesterday, I visited BIAJUA community and wrote a report that highlighted the courses of the problem. I had an interaction with the Chiefs and People of BIAJUA in my visit, and of all they narrated as the causes of the crisis, no one had mentioned Hon Dane Osim-Asu or any purported land acquisition by the Works Commissioner as part of the issues. For avoidance of doubt, I recorded a first-hand audio statement from a leader in the community who said it all about the causes of the crisis as he solicits the Governor to intervene quickly to avoid breakdown of law and order. This audio will be made available to the public when it becomes necessary.
In my report of yesterday which was an urgent call on Government to arrest the dangers posed by the crisis in Biajua through the deployment of security agencies to the community, I have stated the causes to include:
Allegations by a section of the community that the Town Council Chairman and his Executives were handling the leadership of the community with High-handedness.
That, the Chairman and his Executives were not transparent.
Lack of accountability.
Financial impropriety on the part of the Chairman and his Executives.
The Chairman’s side of the story alleged that:
An opposition faction in the community are bend on bringing his tenure to an abrupt end by cooking spurious and false allegations bothering on a range of issues against his person and members of his council. He maintained that he and his Executives refused to give-in to their scheming which resulted to the disagreements and eventual restiveness.
The Chairman informed me that, his administration is less than one year in office therefore, it is unfair for a section of the community to mount undue pressure on them as they need time and their support to settle down and implement their plans.
Remember, the crisis is ongoing. As at today, information reaching me has it that, the house of the Community Chairman has been burnt down and other properties destroyed. This confirmed the fears I alleged yesterday in my report calling on prompt intervention.
Now, one would wonder if it holds any water to claim that:
a community is burning down due to a purported land sales which process has not even begun.
Other than the above root causes of the problem in BIAJUA, why is Biakwan which is alleged to be a party to the said land (as the portion of land in question belongs to the two communities) not torn up by similar crises? A critical look into the foregoing postulations will renege the substance of that story in Boki Blog
Above were the causes of the crises put before me in separate encounters with the parties to the crises. It is therefore morally wrong and mischievous to drag an innocent person to this matter. I am not holding brief for Hon. Dane Osim-Asu who will answer to the Cross River State House of Assembly on this matter in due course, but it is within my purview and justifiable too for me to keep the public rightly informed of happenings around Boki which is in line with my primary job description and rightly so, the general public is by this availed with the facts and true causes of the on-going crisis in BIAJUA.
In view of the upcoming elections of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, they’ve been controversies as to who the Cross River Youths in Politics is in support of in the NYCN-CRSC chairmanship race. However, this battle for support has in recent times made the CYP looks as if it’s divided into two houses or cabals. The recent division in the house was evidence in the recent social media saga where some members of the CYP went public to declare the support of the house for Comr. Dan Obo, one of the leading chairmanship candidates for the NYCN-CRSC elections, whereas, another group took the same social media arena to deny the CYP’s support for Comr. Dan Obo. Claiming that, there said support statement was cooked by a kangaroo cabal in the CYP.
The CYP’s decision to support Dan Obo was made known to the public yesterday by the chairman of Cross River Youths in Politics Comr. Julius Kijuo.
However, after an in house meeting and recleaning of political differences in the CYP, carried out by the CYP chairman Comr. Julius Obanghe Kijuo, the house unanimously and generally agreed to throw her support and vote for Comr. Dan Obo for chairman NYCN, Cross River State Chapter.
Comr. Kijuo who stated the CYP’s reasons for Dan Obo’s support in a public statement captioned, “A VOTE FOR COMR. DAN OBO A VOTE FOR BETTER FUTURE OF CROSS RIVER YOUTHS” also admonished all members of the CYP to avail themselves on the day of the election to make their support (votes) count for the man they can rely on.
In his exact words, “A VOTE FOR COMR. DAN OBO A VOTE FOR BETTER FUTURE OF CROSS RIVER YOUTHS, I on behalf of the entire Cross River youths in politics, on this day 17/6/2020 declare our open support for COMR. DAN OBO for the position of National Youth council of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter.
With a holistic consultation, we arrived at conspicuous genuine reasons why he should be given opportunity to serve :
~He has been tested and confirmed in leadership ~He is creative ~He is forcus ~Accessible ~He dreams youthfully ~A bridge builder between the youth and old ~He is responsible Above all MR. INTEGRITY
I call on eligible voters ahead of Friday 19 June 2020 youth council Elections, to vote for a young man who will keep to promise.
Thanks Julius Obanghe kijuo, State Chairman Cross River youths in politics.”
The Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) Kwara State Chapter held and recorded her first executive meeting on the 12th, June 2020.
According to source, The meeting which held via the Executive Official WhatsApp group took place between 8:00pm to 9:02pm and was coordinated and moderated successfully by the state Chairman, Comrade Issa Mutolib Ayobami.
However, the outcome of the meeting was made know to the public by the state acting secretary, Comr. Saeed Tijjani through social media
In the words of Comr. Sawed, “after observing proper protocols and recognition of other Executive members.The state Chairman, Issa Mutolib Ayobami listed the agenda of the meeting captured as follows;
Appoinment of Local Government and Ward Executives.
A letter of Introduction to be presented to NYC National Body from the State Ministry of Youths and Sports”
Whereas, Comr. Saeed furthered, “The Chairman speaking on the second agenda confirmed that he has contacted the S. A on Youths and Sports and a possible resolutions would be communicated to the house by Monday after which he would have officially meet with the S.A.
However, suggestion was made by the Chairman on Nominations for National Directorate to represent the State, whose list are to be sent to the National Body. The National Directorates would consists; 16 Directorates, each Directorates to have 7 members committee which are ; Director, Deputy Director, Secretary and 4 other Members, considering equal representation from each geopolitical zone.
Part of the observations in constituting the Local Government and Ward Executives is to nominate 6 man committee from each district and work the modalities, another observations also suggested appointment the LG Chairman first, this two suggestions were animously adopted by the house as final resolutions on forming LGA and Ward Executives”.
The meeting ended at exactly 9.02 p.m and was adjourned till further notice. The State Ag Secretary, Comr. Saeed Tijjani concluded.
Power indeed comes from God, some few days ago comrade Adams Oshiomhole held supremo,he dictated all that happened in his party,he threw Gov Godwin Obaseki out of the Governorship primaries and solely projected Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu to be the candidate of his party for the election in September 2020.
Gov Godwin Obaseki resigned his membership of the APC and barring any last minute hitch he is most likely going to fly the flag of the PDP in the upcoming election.
The interesting thing about the resignation of Gov Godwin Obaseki is the fact that he only left the APC together with his deputy comrade Philip Shaiubu and members of the state Assembly loyal to him. The entire Edo state structure of the APC loyal to Gov Obaseki remained in the APC,this party structure from ward to state suspended comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole has just been affirmed by the court of appeal,which means comrade Adams Oshiomhole will remain suspended until the supreme court says otherwise which I doubt the supreme court will. Note by virtue of the fact that the appeal court has authenticated the suspension of comrade Adams Oshiomhole, it simply means that in the eyes of the law the authentic leadership of the APC in Edo state is the leadership loyal to Gov Godwin Obaseki.
The suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole followed due process,he was first suspended by his ward executives, the local government and state chapters of the party concurred to his suspension which I think is the valid process for suspending any erring member of any political party in Nigeria.
The National Executive Committee of the PDP will grant Gov Godwin Obaseki waiver to fly the flag of the PDP in the election in September, while he will be the candidate of the PDP his core loyalists will still hold the structure of the APC in Edo state thereby making him the supreme political leader of the state by virtue of the fact that he controls the structures of both the PDP and APC in Edo state going into the election.
Just on Friday last week when Adams Oshiomhole barred Gov Godwin Obaseki from participating in the Edo Governorship primaries of the APC,Gov Obaseki was looking like a political orphan who had nowhere to run to,in less than 48hours he crisscrossed the entire south south states seeking for redemption to his political travails.
Today he is the beautiful bride of politics in Edo state, his aggressor comrade Adams Oshiomhole has gone into wilderness for now and may never return to his exalted office of chairman of the ruling party in the country.
In summary, God Almighty is the author and finisher of the fate of man,let no man play God in the affairs of man. Even if the APC hands its Governorship ticket to Pastor Ize Iyamu as expected he will have to work with so many saboteurs in the state structure of the party in his quest to become Governor of Edo state.
Gov Godwin Obaseki may decide to renege on his resignation from the APC, the party will be glad at this point to take him back and hand over their ticket to him on a platter, he may still wish to continue his journey to the PDP and still get their ticket while his loyalists remain in the APC and still work for his reelection.
The Cross River Anti Tax Agency has called on the State House of Assembly to give it legislative backing so as to eradicate the menace of multiple taxes in the state.
Speaking during an interface between members of the Agency and the leadership of the State Assembly held in Calabar on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong, said they cannot succeed without the backing of the Assembly and stressed that the menace of illegal and multiple taxes is the bane of economic growth.
Isong said: “We cannot succeed without the makers of the law. The governor spoke in an executive fiat manner and we are working on the wings of that executive order. Without the necessary legislative backing, we can only bark but not bite.
“You may carry police and chase people up and down but when it comes to the nitty-gritty of law, you will lack the ingredients to prosecute and execute the policies.
“We bring our cry to you because the governor says he is exempting certain classes of people from taxation. So, we are here for you to help us generate necessary legislation to back up our activities and also give us legal legislative framework because it is not easy to fight a cartel.
“I can tell you that people are making millions daily and billions monthly from the state. These monies are not coming to the state’s treasury and emphasised that the Assembly should put an end to this bondage on the people of the state.
“People are leaving Cross River state every week because of multiple taxation. The taxation is not even the problem but multiple taxations from different people and companies many of them are not from cross river state. They come from outside neighbouring states, take the contract and they are brutal on Cross Riverians, they beat up people, enslave them and put them in bondage”, he stated.
In his response, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eteng Jonas Williams, said the state legislature will give the agency the support it needs to succeed in its activities.
Decrying the menace of illegal and multiple taxation in the state, the speaker said: “Extortion is evil, sinful and we cannot as a government allow this.
“The Tax Exemption Law of 2015, which I sponsored exempted so many people and the amendment of the law to make sure everything is encompassed into one is in progress so as to strengthen the work of the agency”, he said.
In view of the sudden demise of one of the Senior Special Advisers to the Nasarawa State Government, Late Hon. Haruna S. Haruna, the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Nasarawa State Chapter pays a condolence visit to the Governor His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State.
Late Hon. Haruna Sani Haruna who was until his death, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Utilities and was a close friend to the governor was missed not only by the government but the entire good people of Nasarawa State. In his statement, the chairman of NYC Nasarawa State expressed their broken hearts over the demise of Hon. Haruna, as he recalls all his (Hon. Haruna) good works and contributions to the development and advancement of Nasarawa State and prays for Allah to forgive all his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in paradise.
In the chairman’s public statement, “I led a high powered delegation of Nigerian Youth Congress, Nasarawa State Chapter to condole His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State over the demise of his childhood friend, brother and the SSA On Utilities, Nasarawa State Government, Hon Haruna Sani Haruna(NALADO) who died yesterday after a brief illness.
May Allah forgive all his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in paradise. Amen”.
The APC leadership in the CR-Northen senatorial district met in efforts to harmonise, seek and proffer way forward for the party, sorting for it’s preferred aspirants jettisoning injustice and biasness for the forthcoming bye-elections.
Mr. Odey Ochicha, a Frontier and senatorial hopeful, an uncommon leader with robust quality leadership prowess, very capacitated and sophisticatedly branded came and displayed some of his blueprints to the party leaders for the CR-NORTH people.
In his speech well articulated, he reiterated the need for good party rewards for hardwork, party loyalty and unwaved commitments overtime especially portrayed by his humble self, by being the first to party flag-bearer in the 2015 general elections, also being the first of his kind to keep to his promise of remitting 10% of his allowance to the party, a feat which gathered somuch momentum and encomiums poured on him by both the state chairman’s (Sir. John Ochalla) affirmations, the vice chairman north (Dr. Valentine Eneji) as well as the entire attendee’s of the meeting.
Ochicha, in his magnimity large and kind-heartedness promised to open an account with #500, 000 to each of the Local Govts in CRS North and the state on assumption of office as the people’s senator.
Ochicha, made known his ideas, his ideological and revered names gained in service to mankind and successful success in the course of working in NNPC and the Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Ondo State where he is presently the chairman of governing board.
Indeed, CR-North needs a man of many parts whose loyalists cuts across party lines and tentacles well spread to the breadth of Cross River State to the width of Nigeria.
Altruistically, the zone needs a simple but proactive leader, an uncommon but disciplined chief-servant, a God fearing and devoted Christian whose passion to serve is second to none.
A man whose capacity is unsang, deeds beyond rhetoric of plethora, a man whose image represent the interest of the common masses.
Nominate Odey Ochicha for Senate For Purposeful Representation, Effective Oversight, and People-oriented Laws.
Akamkpa Local Government Area on the 14th of June, 2020, lost one of her newly sworn in councillor, Hon. Bassey Okon.
In a press statement released by the SA to the chairman on media publicity, Mr. Brian Agbor the late Hon. Was representing the good people of Oban Ward.
According to the statement, “PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN AKAMKPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT -HON BASSEY OKON
The Executive Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, regrets to announce the passing away of one of our Councilor representing Oban ward , Hon Bassey Okon. The sad dead occurred on the 14th of June 2020.
Details of the burial arrangement will be made available in due course.
The Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya has charged youths in the State to adequately utilise every available opportunity in sports and other sectors to enhance themselves and make the State proud, informing that the commencement of American Football in the State is one of such opportunities to be utilized.
The Commissioner who stated this during the inaugural meeting for the commencement of American Football in Cross River State, disclosed the commencement of esports in the State and the opportunities it provides for youths across the State. He further informed that there is yet another sport known as American Football, which is to kick off in tertiary institutions in the State, soonest and urged the youths to get involved and enhance themselves.
In his remarks, the SA Sports Commission, Mr Tom Aniah disclosed that an American based Obudu born Cross Riverian was behind the introduction of American Football in South Africa and Nigeria, with Cross River State chosen as the pilot State for the sport. He disclosed that all necessary registrations and documentations have been made in the USA to ensure a smooth debut of the sport in Cross River State.
Mr Aniah also added that the mandate given to the ministry is to constitute management boards in the three higher institutions and their campuses for now, namely: the University of Calabar, Cross River State University, Calabar and College of Education, Akamkpa, adding that as time progresses, the same exercise would be cascaded to other schools across the State.
According to him, this will be followed by training of coaches, supply of kits and equipments to the selected schools and affiliating them with sponsor universities in the USA. He noted that other opportunities that will be provided include formation of a National team that would be exposed to international competitions in addition to the school teams, scholarships abroad, technical and financial support to the schools, teams and officials.
Mr. Aniah also emphasised the need to take the sport seriously so that the State does not lose her debut rights to other States in Nigeria.
Others Present at the meeting were the Directors of Sports in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) , Dr. Mrs. Anam and her counterpart in the University of Cross River State, Dr. Ukpong alongside a select team from the ministry.
Cross River: TUC, Joint Negotiating Council disassociate selves from strike, says it’s in bad faith
The Trade Union Congress (TUC ), Cross River state chapter, and the State Public Service Negotiating Council, have dissociated themselves from the strike action called by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The position of the two bodies was contained in separate letters addressed to the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade.
TUC’s letter was signed by Comrades Daniel Effiong and Ken Bassey, Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively while that of the State Public Service Negotiating Council was signed by Julius M Nkoji, Chairman and Clarkson Otu for Secretary.
The two labour organisations said there were no cogent reasons for workers to embark on strike at this time as all the issues raised by the organized labour have either been addressed or on the verge of being addressed by the Ayade administration.
They berated the NLC for being insensitive to the prevailing global economic situation occasioned by the global pandemic, COVID-19.
The labour bodies commended Ayade’s handling of the pandemic which has made the state the only one free from the virus.
TUC letter read in parts: “We seize this opportunity to commend you and your team on the fight against the COVID-19 which so far is a sucess story making Cross River state the only state free of the virus in Nigeria as confirmed by the NCDC.”
On the industrial action called by the NLC, the TUC said: ” We write this letter in reference to the 14 days ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Labour Congress,Cross River state and copied to us. For as much we are not joining issues with the NLC we want to categorically state that we were neither consulted nor informed about the ultimatum.
“We disassociate ourselves and affiliate from the ill- fated, ill- advised and unwarranted ultimatum at this critical time”.
The TUC reminded the NLC that “the issues warranting the ultimatum namely, the national minimum wage, implementation of promotion, restoration of names into pay roll etc are issues that were collectively negotiated by organised labour- the joint council, the TUC and the NLC.
“To the best of our knowledge, the minimum wage has been fully implemented as agreed as of today. The implementation of promotion is also ongoing process.They are delays and we agree, but labour, including the NLC is well aware of causes of delay in implementation. The chairman of NLC is the chairman of the committee looking into cases of fraudulent and irregular promotion of civil servants.
“We are also aware that the verification of suspended names from the payroll was also billed to commence before the COVID-19 induced restrictions and discussions were ongoing with the Head of Service on how best to address the issue.
“We do not want to believe that the NLC is not sensitive enough to the socio- economic environment.
“The 14 days ultimatum issued without consultation with other stakeholders in the labour space is an overreach…and cannot enjoy the support of TUC”
It commended the governor for prompt payment of workers’ salaries saying “as a labour centre, we and our members are aware of the sacrifice government is making to ensure prompt payment of salaries and we commend government for that.We do not think or agree that crises or threats of crises will solve any problem”
On its part, the State Public Service Negotiating Council, while attributing the delay in implementing some of the agreements to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, urged the government to speed up the process “now that Lockdown is being relaxed”
The body thanked governor Ayade for fully implementing the national minimum wage, describing the NLC ultimatum as unnecessary.
Its letter reads in part: “Your Excellency, may we use this opportunity to commend your successful payment of the new minimum wage to workers of Cross River. We thank you indeed.
“Having agreed that part of government/ labour agreement on those issues above have been implemented( minimum wage), others delayed because of COVID-19, therefore, the 14 days ultimatum issued by the NLC is not in good faith, especially now that the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council which speaks for civil servants has not exhausted all avenues and has not referred any matter to the NLC as a labour centre for assistance.”
Governor Ayade continues manhunt of kidnappers, cultist, others in Cross River State.
In a routine search through intelligent reports of flagged and red zones in the capital city of Calabar, the State Security Department has continued it’s manhunt for kidnappers, cultist, notorious rape kingpins and killers within the State.
Weapons of various degrees and charms are being recovered at various locations of the operations with multiple arrest made.
The State Security Department had launched it’s Hotline through the State Security Advisers for security intels and reports.
The Pro-Chancellor University of Calabar. Dear Senator Nkechi Nwogwu,
PROFESSOR FLORENCE B. OBI IS THE BEST HAND FOR UNICAL VCSHIP
We, The Eye for Effective Leadership and Gender Balance in view of the vacancy advertised in the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, being obliged with a great sense of commitment as members of this community largely affected positively by many advantages of the University, and as a part of our corporate social ideals writes to lend our opinion to the making process of the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar. We like to crave yours and the fair consideration of the University Senate on whose instance the sole prerogative of deciding who becomes the next Vice Chancellor lies. In a few weeks, it is imminent tables will be matched to complete the selection of the new Vice Chancellor. We hereby strongly recommend Professor Florence Banku Obi for this Office.
In line with our objectives to advance the course of quality leadership by competence, experience and qualification at all cadre, we present to you a spot-on candidate for the job of the next Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar who possess the fastidiousness, requisite experience and capacity to drive 21st century innovations and the archetype paradigms in academics that the University of Calabar needs to stand out. Professor Florence Obi retains the cognate administrative and academic experiences that will advance robust positive changes in the multidimensional system operational in the University of Calabar.
With a towering 30 years career experience lecturing in Unical, Professor Florence Obi has met the career-time criterion in the University to be entrusted with the opportunity to serve as the Vice Chancellor. With thirteen years professorial ingenuity, she is one of the few candidates with this intimidating credential in-the-run for the this vacancy which has pepped her with an edge over many seeking the office. Thirty years of meritorious contributions to academic excellence is a career lifetime of humbling reputation. Thirteen years of niche-carving and intellectual investment in the University as a world-class professor makes professor Obi an ideal next Vice Chancellor for the University of Calabar.
Dear Madam, the Senate of the University of Calabar needs to pay attention to gender sensitivity – a now global policy widely creating a balance for the inclusion of women in all climes of leadership, which is recording tremendous success even in the academic sector as many Universities around the world has been, and are being headed by women of sagacious qualities like Professor Florence Obi. We are quite sure the trajectory of ten men that has preoccupied the office of the Vice Chancellor of Unical since its inception without a single woman represents a gender disparaging trend, a lopsided record and a hostile precedence against women and their world of values. The President Buhari Administration will be proud of you and the Senate if a woman is given the chance to become the First Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar as this will consolidate the President’s policy of gender balance. In the 45th year of this University’s existence, equity and fairness will heave a relief when a woman has been given the chance to grace the office of the Vice Chancellor and this is to vehemently recommend Professor Florence Obi the AMAZON, who is squaring up with her male contemporaries and keeps a distance ahead of many male folks in the piloting of public and official trust.
If Becoming the university Vice Chancellor was based on merit, Professor Florence B. Obi is in the ivory league of the very best candidates the University of Calabar can pride at the moment. She is a seasoned administrator with parallel experience in educational and public service administration. As one-time Commissioner for Women Affairs and back-to-back Dean of Faculty of Education in the University, her profile and legacies are bearing persuasive credence to her level-headedness for the job. In Academics, she is a pace setter. She has championed academic development with a full Department being credited to her in the faculty of Education. By professorial hierarchy and experience, she is one of the oldest generic University of Calabar professors standing in the better glimpse of replacing the current Vice Chancellor. In fact, Professor Florence Obi is quite ahead of other contenders with merit advantages that should seamlessly sort her out as the best choice to replace the incumbent. Experience wise, Vice Chancellorship has become a second-tie experience to Professor Florence Obi who has been there as DVC – Academics recently. Professor Florence Obi’s tenure as Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academics ended almost at the first quarter of the current Vice Chancellor’s tenure and this naturally fits her perfectly in the job for smooth consolidation on the strides of the current Vice Chancellor. The University of Calabar will be in its best shape when Professor Florence Obi who has labored in building the walls of excellence in this institution takes the rein of Vice Chancellor of the University.
It is said that, “politics is a basic element of human nature”. The exercise to employ next Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar will not be without frantic elements of politics. There will be infractions and infringement of dialectical conventions in the process that will attempt to break rules for certain interests to take the day. There is an intravenous cultural practice in the University system that has designed the cons and pros for emergence into the office of Vice Chancellor as we learnt. Professor Florence Obi being a high value asset to this University deserves to be considered in the light of those cultural patterns the top position in the University is built on. She is an integral part of the foundation of this citadel of learning. If the University of Calabar will brace up with its founding purpose of becoming a citadel of academic excellence then, it needs Professor Florence Obi to lead the transformation like Professor Eka Ikpi Braide did for Cross River University of Technology in the 2000s. Given the opportunity to become the Vice Chancellor, she will surely plow new heights and reinvent the place of University of Calabar in Nigeria and African Universities.
The Pro-Chancellor University of Calabar. Dear Senator Nkechi Nwogwu,
PROFESSOR FLORENCE B. OBI IS THE BEST HAND FOR UNICAL VCSHIP
We, The Eye for Effective Leadership and Gender Balance in view of the vacancy advertised in the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, being obliged with a great sense of commitment as members of this community largely affected positively by many advantages of the University, and as a part of our corporate social ideals writes to lend our opinion to the making process of the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar. We like to crave yours and the fair consideration of the University Senate on whose instance the sole prerogative of deciding who becomes the next Vice Chancellor lies. In a few weeks, it is imminent tables will be matched to complete the selection of the new Vice Chancellor. We hereby strongly recommend Professor Florence Banku Obi for this Office.
In line with our objectives to advance the course of quality leadership by competence, experience and qualification at all cadre, we present to you a spot-on candidate for the job of the next Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar who possess the fastidiousness, requisite experience and capacity to drive 21st century innovations and the archetype paradigms in academics that the University of Calabar needs to stand out. Professor Florence Obi retains the cognate administrative and academic experiences that will advance robust positive changes in the multidimensional system operational in the University of Calabar.
With a towering 30 years career experience lecturing in Unical, Professor Florence Obi has met the career-time criterion in the University to be entrusted with the opportunity to serve as the Vice Chancellor. With thirteen years professorial ingenuity, she is one of the few candidates with this intimidating credential in-the-run for the this vacancy which has pepped her with an edge over many seeking the office. Thirty years of meritorious contributions to academic excellence is a career lifetime of humbling reputation. Thirteen years of niche-carving and intellectual investment in the University as a world-class professor makes professor Obi an ideal next Vice Chancellor for the University of Calabar.
Dear Madam, the Senate of the University of Calabar needs to pay attention to gender sensitivity – a now global policy widely creating a balance for the inclusion of women in all climes of leadership, which is recording tremendous success even in the academic sector as many Universities around the world has been, and are being headed by women of sagacious qualities like Professor Florence Obi. We are quite sure the trajectory of ten men that has preoccupied the office of the Vice Chancellor of Unical since its inception without a single woman represents a gender disparaging trend, a lopsided record and a hostile precedence against women and their world of values. The President Buhari Administration will be proud of you and the Senate if a woman is given the chance to become the First Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar as this will consolidate the President’s policy of gender balance. In the 45th year of this University’s existence, equity and fairness will heave a relief when a woman has been given the chance to grace the office of the Vice Chancellor and this is to vehemently recommend Professor Florence Obi the AMAZON, who is squaring up with her male contemporaries and keeps a distance ahead of many male folks in the piloting of public and official trust.
If Becoming the university Vice Chancellor was based on merit, Professor Florence B. Obi is in the ivory league of the very best candidates the University of Calabar can pride at the moment. She is a seasoned administrator with parallel experience in educational and public service administration. As one-time Commissioner for Women Affairs and back-to-back Dean of Faculty of Education in the University, her profile and legacies are bearing persuasive credence to her level-headedness for the job. In Academics, she is a pace setter. She has championed academic development with a full Department being credited to her in the faculty of Education. By professorial hierarchy and experience, she is one of the oldest generic University of Calabar professors standing in the better glimpse of replacing the current Vice Chancellor. In fact, Professor Florence Obi is quite ahead of other contenders with merit advantages that should seamlessly sort her out as the best choice to replace the incumbent. Experience wise, Vice Chancellorship has become a second-tie experience to Professor Florence Obi who has been there as DVC – Academics recently. Professor Florence Obi’s tenure as Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academics ended almost at the first quarter of the current Vice Chancellor’s tenure and this naturally fits her perfectly in the job for smooth consolidation on the strides of the current Vice Chancellor. The University of Calabar will be in its best shape when Professor Florence Obi who has labored in building the walls of excellence in this institution takes the rein of Vice Chancellor of the University.
It is said that, “politics is a basic element of human nature”. The exercise to employ next Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar will not be without frantic elements of politics. There will be infractions and infringement of dialectical conventions in the process that will attempt to break rules for certain interests to take the day. There is an intravenous cultural practice in the University system that has designed the cons and pros for emergence into the office of Vice Chancellor as we learnt. Professor Florence Obi being a high value asset to this University deserves to be considered in the light of those cultural patterns the top position in the University is built on. She is an integral part of the foundation of this citadel of learning. If the University of Calabar will brace up with its founding purpose of becoming a citadel of academic excellence then, it needs Professor Florence Obi to lead the transformation like Professor Eka Ikpi Braide did for Cross River University of Technology in the 2000s. Given the opportunity to become the Vice Chancellor, she will surely plow new heights and reinvent the place of University of Calabar in Nigeria and African Universities.
The position of Secretary of Council in a Local Government is a very strategic one. The Secretary is the engine room of the political wing of the Local Government. He initiates memorandums(memoranda) for Council meetings, he draws out a day to day guide of the Council Chairman’s activities and schedules, he leverages on the activities of the principal officers of council, most of whom are naturally, civil servants not of Boki origin; he equally moderates Executive/Legislative relations to ensure harmony and eliminate friction, amongst other assignments and functions delegated to him by the Chairman. It is first imperative that the Secretary and his Council Chairman must be very close and well bonded for optimal performance and results.
An enlightened and positively assertive Secretary is an asset, both to the Chairman and the Boki people. Choosing who becomes Secretary should, as of necessity, go beyond putting food on the table for a loyal young man/woman who will do some preconceived biddings. Everyday, the Local Council is in a battle of wits and relevance among competing interests, most of whom are alien to the Boki cause. If nothing else, the Secretary should be someone who is man enough to boss the principal officers of the Council, namely, HOLGA, DGSA, DFA and other departmental heads. His control and firm supervision of these principal officers, will free the Chairman and Vice Chairman ample time to dedicate themselves to the task of providing leadership and dividends to the Boki people, especially at these very perilous times. If a Secretary is not confident in his abilities, and does not exude some charisma, and command respect, he will not be able to superintend over key officials of the council and moderate their conduct for the good of the people. The DGSA and DFA who together with the new Chairman are signatories to the Council account are not Boki people, they’re therefore not obliged to work for Boki interest, but the interest that best serves them. A mature, educated, exposed and assertive Secretary will certainly be an asset to the Chairman especially as the Vice Chairman is a product of the Local Govt system and might still owe some measure of loyalty to principal officers who were her superiors. The Chairman, although a gentleman and obviously well-intentioned, equally has limited administrative experience save for the brief stint in Secondary Education Board.
A good Secretary will also ensure harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature and guide both arms to work assiduously for the good of Boki. He should be able to write a good memo which is Boki-friendly, and be someone who is both respectable and respected. If the political gladiators and kingmakers allow other ulterior motives to guide their choice of a Secretary, they may be, unwittingly, handing over the affairs of the Local Government to non-Boki key officials of Council, and the intended dividends may well fritter away. The purpose of having our own sons/daughters in charge of our affairs for our common good would therefore, have been lost. The Secretary is a key and strategic appointment and its selection should involve deep nationalistic considerations, certainly not just food on the table!
Sir Edmund Aja Bisong, KSJI, a concerned Boki son, was a two-time Secretary of Boki Council.
SamaquaGist.com 