BEN – NAN Archive

BEN
Dec, Tue, 2020

Economy

Mixed reactions trail low turnout at 2020 Calabar Christmas Village event

Christmas

By Benson Ezugwu

Calabar, Dec. 29, 2020 (NAN) Traders and some Calabar-based fun seekers have expressed mixed reactions over the lack of excitement at this year’s event at the Calabar Christmas Village.

A cross-section of the fun seekers and traders expressed their feelings in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Calabar.

Mrs Maria Okon, a restaurant operator, said that she had not made any significant sales since the beginning of the 2020 event, compared to last year’s edition.

Okon said that the event was devoid of the usual hustling and bustling and also witnessed low patronage.

“I have attended the Christmas village events in the past three years, but I have never witnessed this kind of poor attendance.

“I come here in the day to prepare food and wait for customers; sometimes, at the end of the day, I can’t make reasonable sales,” Okon said.

A pub operator, Mr Ezekiel Okafor, said that he regretted being part of this year’s Calabar Christmas village event.

“My brother, this year’s event is nothing to write home about. I mean nothing reasonable was achieved until between Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, when activities at the village received a little boost.

“That was all; in fact, I regret participating in this year’s event. It is a waste of energy and capital,” Okafor said.

A dealer in garments, Mr Uche Ibezim, said he felt bad for attending the show.

“I came from Aba and this is my fifth appearance; but this year’s event is my worst. I didn’t know that there would not be Calabar Carnival.

“It was when I noticed the scanty attendance and the general mood of the people in Calabar, especially the fun seekers, that I asked questions and I was told there was no carnival.

“In fact, as I speak, I have started packing my goods, ready to return to Aba,” he said.

In the same vein, a resident, Mr Effiong Udoh, attributed the lack of excitement at the event to the postponement of this year’s Calabar carnival.

“It is not only the Christmas village but the whole of Calabar was a dead zone.

“It was not unexpected; in recent years, Christmas in Nigeria has always been synonymous with Calabar and the Calabar Carnival.

“It is a period when every Nigerian plans to come and spend a little time in the city, to cool off. But this year, for so many reasons, the government decided to put it off,” he said.

NAN reports that a lot of activities that usually bring excitement in Calabar during the Yuletide were put off by the organisers.

The period of the carnival, holding from Dec. 1 to Jan.1, has been lacking in the usual presence of tourists. (NAN)

BEN/FLP/EMO
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Ejike Obeta

BEN
Dec, Sun, 2020

Agriculture

C/River raises 6m cocoa seedlings to boast production

Cocoa

By Benson Ezugwu

Etung (Cross River), Dec. 13, 2020 (NAN) The Special Adviser to Gov. Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development and Control, Mr Oscar Ofuka on Sunday said Cross River has raised six million improved variety cocoa seedlings to boast its production capacity.

He said this in Bendeghe, Etung Local Government Area, where he was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Ntuiri Eji 1 of Ejagam Kingdom, Efun Efun Afon Ndume-Nne meaning, hero of development by the Etung Traditional Council.

Ofuka described the conferment of the title on him as a testament of his effort to develop Cocoa across the state.

He said with the six million improved variety Cocoa seedlings, the stage was set for the state to reclaim its rightful position as number one Cocoa producing state in the country.

“This is what our governor has mandated us to do, to return Cross River to the position of number one cocoa producing state and to ensure that cocoa remained the mainstay of our economy.

“As for my chieftaincy title, I thank the governor for giving me the opportunity to serve and my people, the Etung Traditional Council as well as my own Local Government for the recognition.

‘I promise that, I will continue to do my best in the development of the state,” he said.

The special adviser said that Nigeria at large would benefit from the cocoa revolution going on in the state, in the long run.

“I say this because, by the time we are through with what we are doing, Nigeria will overtake Cote D’Voire as the number one producer of Cocoa in Africa and the World, ” Ofuka said.

He, however, said that for the state to achieve the Cocoa transformation, more people needed to return to its cultivation.

According to him, there is need for more government investment in the Cocoa Value Chain if the state is ready to change the narrative of over dependence on the monthly allocation from the Federation Account.(NAN)

BEN/EOB/LAB

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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Lydia Beshel

BEN
Dec, Thu, 2020

General news

Calabar Port empowers youths in host community

Empowerment

By Benson Ezugwu

Calabar, Dec. 10, 2020 (NAN) The management of Calabar Port on Thursday gave out various empowerment items to no fewer than 50 youths from Obutong community in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River.

The Calabar Port Manager, Mrs Marie Asein, said that the empowerment was part of Corporate Social Responsibility to the port’s host communities.

“It is the way of life of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to be closely related to the host communities in which they operate,’’ she said.

According to her, the current situation in the country has made employment of indigenes of the host communities difficult in the port’s facilities, hence the need for the empowerment.

She said that Calabar Port had been doing a lot in the area of employment, sensitisation and upgrading of infrastructure in the host communities.

“This is just one of many of such programmes and we will continue to do more to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere in our operational base,” Asein said.

She advised the recipients to take advantage of the tools provided for them to develop themselves instead of waiting for white collar jobs.

“I advise you to be committed to whatever you choose to do with the tools. Do not sell them, we are giving them to you to make you self-reliant,’` she said.

The items given include sewing machines, clippers, generators, make-up kits, fruit mixers and vulcanising machines.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Esor Archibong, a barber, thanked the Calabar Port management for the gesture.

“On behalf of myself and my co-beneficiaries, I thank you so much for this gesture.

“God will bless you and I am assuring the Calabar Port management that we will make use of these tools to better our lives, ” he said.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development, Mrs Josephine Eni, said the state government was ready to partner with the Calabar Port in its quest to develop the youths and the host communities.

She said that Gov. Ben Ayade’s administration had many youth development programmes and called on other corporate organisations in the state to emulate the Calabar Port.(NAN)

BEN/GOM/SOA

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Oluwole Sogunle

BEN
Dec, Sun, 2020

Politics

INEC declares PDP’s Odey winner of Cross River North Senatorial by-election

INEC declares PDP’s Odey winner of Cross River North senatorial by-election

By-election

By Benson Ezugwu

Ogoja (Cross River State), Dec. 6, 2020 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Stephen Odey, winner of Saturday’s Cross River North Senatorial by-election.

The Collation Officer for the by-election, Prof. Ameh Akoh of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi, who announced the result, said Odey scored 129,207 votes to defeat eight other candidates.

Akoh said the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Joe Agi (SAN) scored 19,165 votes to emerge second while the candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Mr Gregory Agam, came third with 388 votes.

“I, Prof. Ameh Akoh of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, hereby declare that Dr Stephen Odey of the PDP having scored the highest number of valid votes is hereby declared winner of the Cross River North senatorial by-election.

“The PDP candidate is hereby declared winner in line with electoral guidelines,” he said.

The senatorial by-election followed the death of Sen. Rose Oko.

The party’s candidate, Mrs Maria Akwaji, also won the Obudu State Constituency seat in the House of Assembly.

Akwaji obtained a total of 32,166 votes to defeat her closest rival, Mr Abor Adaji, of APC who scored 3,546 votes.

The Collation Officer, Prof. Abel Ezeoha, of Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Technology, Ikwo, Ebonyi, announced the result after collation from different polling units.

Akwaji is the wife of the Late Goodwin Akwaji who died in July in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the result, she takes over the seat of her husband as member representing Obudu State Constituency.

According to INEC, nine political parties contested in the senatorial by-election and six in the Assembly by-election.

In his reaction, a PDP agent, Mr Thomas Aruku, described the party’s victory as well deserved.

“I see the victory as well deserved because among all the political parties in this election, it was the PDP that criss-crossed the 54 electoral wards.

“So, to me, we are just reaping the fruit of our labour,” he said. (NAN)

BEN/FAA/DCU

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran/Donald Ugwu

BEN
Dec, Sat, 2020

Politics

C’River North by-elections: INEC expresses satisfaction with peaceful process

By-election

By Benson Ezugwu

Ogoja (Cross River State), Dec. 5, 2020 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed satisfaction with the peaceful process of the ongoing Cross River North senatorial and Obudu State Assembly by-elections.

Speaking to newsmen after observing the process in some polling units in Ogoja,

and Bekwarra, Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education of INEC, said that the process was going as planned.

“I am satisfied with the way the process is going in all the areas visited and from reports received from other centres, the election is going on well.

“The voters are made to observe COVID-19 protocols by ensuring social distancing as well as wearing face masks,” he said.

Okoye attributed observed voter apathy partly to failure of political parties to mobilise their supporters for the elections.

“It could also be that the postponement of the elections from Oct. 31, to today may have also affected the psyches of voters.

“Voter apathy is a global issue not peculiar to Nigeria. However, we hope that before the end of voting, they will come out,” he said.

The national commissioner added that the presence of the Commissioner of Police and his men had made the elections very peaceful and orderly.

In one of the polling units visited by the Commissioner in Ogoja, St Theresa Primary School, Urban ward 2, unit 5, the Supervising Officer, Miss Sarah Esu, said there were no challenges.

She added, ‘”we are ready waiting for the voters.”

The agents of different political parties were also on ground to observe the voting process.

Also in Bekwarra Customary Court ward 1, Abuocheche polling unit, voters both old and young were made to observe COVID-19 protocols.

A 70-year-old voter, Mrs Angelina Agbo, expressed joy at the peaceful and orderly manner of the voting process.

‘I have just finished voting and I am happy, no fighting, no problem at all, ” she said.(NAN)

BEN/DCU

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Edited by Donald Ugwu

BEN
Dec, Thu, 2020

Politics

INEC takes delivery of sensitive materials for by-elections in Cross River

Materials

By Benson Ezugwu

Calabar, Dec. 3, 2020 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Cross River office on Thursday took delivery of sensitive voting materials for Saturday’s Senatorial and House of Assembly by-elections in the state.

Mr Festus Okoye, INEC’s Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, received the items from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Calabar branch, alongside the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Emmanuel Hart, and other officials of the commission.

The police, political parties’ representatives and the media witnessed the official presentation of the materials.

Okoye said that the commission was satisfied with the exercise and gave assurance that the materials would be distributed to the various local government areas.

“We are moving the materials right from here to Ogoja, and all the vehicles carrying the materials have been tracked,” he said.

Also, Mr Gabriel Oguntuwase, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, said the police was ready for the elections.

“We are ready and I warn trouble makers to stay away, if you don’t have anything doing at the polling station,” he said.(NAN)
BEN/FAA/IAA
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Edited by Folasade Adeniran/Isaac Aregbesola

BEN
Dec, Wed, 2020

Politics

C’River by-election: INEC assures transparent, violence free election via technology

C’River by-election: INEC assures transparent, violence-free election via improved technology

By-election

By Benson Ezugwu

Calabar, Dec. 2, 2020 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it wil deploy relevant technology to ensure transparent, violence-free and fair election in Saturday’s Cross River North Senatorial and House of Assembly by-elections.

Mr Festus Okoye, INECs Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee said this on Wednesday in Calabar while speaking on the commission’s preparedness for the polls.

He said the successes recorded in Edo and Ondo elections were testimonies to the fact that the commission was improving by every election through the use of modern technology.

“We want to surpass our successes in Edo and Ondo.

“We are going to conduct a transparent, violence-free and credible election in Cross River North come Saturday.

“We are ready for the elections, the Card Readers have been purged, charged, and configured and will be deployed with other sensitive materials.

“INEC will also transmit Form ECA8A(1) (Unit Results) in real time using the Z-pad via INEC viewing results portal,” he said.

The commissioner urged the security agencies to brace up for the challenged by deploying adequate personnel to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

“It is common knowledge that some of the Local Government Areas have difficult terrain.

“we urge the security agencies to provide adequate and efficient security for election officials, election materials and the voters,” he said.

Okoye warned that, the Commission would not tolerate election violence in any form.

According to him, the commission will not declare any results “procured through violence and resistance to the deployment of Smart Card Readers”.

He said the commission had deployed two extra Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) from Edo and Benue including himself to assist the State REC in ensuring a successful exercise.

He also cautioned political parties and their candidates for the elections to seek legal and genuine redress if they found any INEC official doing the wrong thing.

“We will investigate such staff member and apply appropriate punishment if found wanting.

“But any petition without proper address and phone number or evidence from the petitioner will not be investigated,” he said.

In a related development, the Police Command in Cross River said over 1,500 personnel had been mobilised for the Saturday’s by-election.

The Comissioner of Police in the State, Mr Abdulkadir Jimoh, disclosed this to newsmen in Calabar.

“We will have adequate policemen in each of the polling units. We have 1,341 personnel on ground.

“Also, Seven Mobile Units are coming from different parts of the country to join 200 Mobile Units that we have on ground.

” Some officers are also coming from Abuja to add to the men on ground; so, the police are fully mobilised,” he said.

Jimoh, who was represented by the DCP in charge of operations, Mr Julius Alaliwari, said that the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was collaborating to ensure a violence and crime free exercise.

NAN reports that nine political parties are participating in the Senatorial election and Six are participating in the Obudu State Constituency election.

Cross River North comprised five local government areas, with 627 polling units and 189, 488 registered voters. (NAN)

BEN/DCU

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Edited by Donald Ugwu

BEN
Oct, Mon, 2020

General news

Cross River needs N5bn to fix vandalised centre- Gov. Ayade

Vandalism

By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, Oct. 26, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River says the state will require N5 billion to repair the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC) vandalised by hoodlums.

Ayade made this known on Monday, while reaffirming the curfew imposed on Calabar and its environs.

The hoodlums had on Friday and Saturday took advantage of the #ENDSARS protests and looted items in the centre after they vandalised it.

“It will take the state government N5 billion to bring back the Calabar International Conference Centre, the beauty of Cross River State.

“This is not the Cross River that I was born into; it is unlike us,’’ the governor said.

Ayade said that the action would have negative impact on the progress of the state’s industrialisation efforts aimed at jobs creation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that police and other security agencies deployed to the town had started raiding the suspected criminal hideouts with a view to recover the looted items. (NAN)
BEN/JEY/GOK
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Olagoke Olatoye

BEN
Oct, Mon, 2020

Politics

INEC affirms readiness for transparency in 2 by-elections in Cross River

INEC

Benson Ezugwu

Calabar, Oct. 19, 2020 (NAN) The Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Cross River, Dr Emmanuel Hart, says the commission is ready to conduct free, fair and transparent process during the Oct. 31, Senatorial and State Assembly by-elections in the state.

He said this in Monday in Calabar at a meeting with the media and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee for Election Security (ICCES) as part of readiness for the forthcoming elections.

The by-elections are in Cross River North Senatorial district to replace the late Sen. Rose Oko and in Obudu state constituency which had the late Assemblyman Godwin Akwaji as its legislator.

“We have 459,487 registered voters; 51 registeration areas; and 565 polling units,” Hart said.

According to him, the commission has taken delivery of non-sensitive materials and distributed them to the local government areas.

“We are waiting for the sensitive materials which are expected in the week of the election,” he said.

He also said that 15 political parties would participate in the elections: nine for the senatorial election and six for the house of assembly election.

The commissioner said that accreditation and voting would be done simultanuously during the elections, adding that results would be transmitted electronically at ward levels.

He said that the commission had embarked on awareness and sensitisation of the electorate in the zone to come out en masse to vote candidates of their choice.

He advised the voters to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections, saying that the commission would not condone any violent act or actions that could breach the orderly and smooth conduct of the elections.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Mr Abdulkadir Jimoh, said his command was ready to ensure peace and security before, during and after the elections.

Major political parties taking part in the elections include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).(NAN)

BEN/OSA/DCU

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Donald Ugwu

BEN
Oct, Wed, 2020

Defence/Security

NUJ condemns abduction of journalist’s wife in Calabar

Abduction
Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, Oct. 14, 2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council has condemned the abduction of Mrs Uduak Okoro, wife of Sun Newspaper Correspondent in the state by gunmen.

Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Calabar, Mr Victor Udu, chairman of the council called on security agencies to ensure her unconditional release.

The woman was kidnapped by gunmen on Tuesday at about 9 p.m. while returning from Church service in company of her sister.

Udu described the incident as unfortunate and appealed to her abductors to free her unhurt.

“We are deeply touched by the abduction of the wife of our colleague.

“This is very unfortunate, condemnable and disturbing, especially as journalists in the state have continued to sacrifice for the good of the state and society at large.

“I, therefore, appeal to various security agencies in the state to do everything possible to ensure her unconditional and safe release.

“I also call on her kidnappers to immediately release her unconditionally.”

Udu tasked the state government to prioritise security of lives and property of the citizens by working with security agencies to tackle kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

The chairman, however, urged journalists in the state to continue to do their duties, saying “even if nobody protects us, God will protect us’’.

Okoro told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his wife was with her sister when the kidnappers stopped her car at gunpoint.

“Luckily, the sister escaped with my wife’s cell phone but they took my wife away.

“I was at the press centre when my sister in-law called me to break the story. Honestly, I am traumatised.”

According to him, this is the second time that my wife has been kidnapped.

“I don’t know what the poor woman has done to deserve this. They should please release her,’’ Okoro pleaded.

The police spokesman in the state, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Irene Ugbo who confirmed the incident, said that investigation had begun. (NAN)

BEN/JEY/EEE
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Ese E. Ekama

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