GNO – Page 2 – NAN Archive

GNO
Mar, Sat, 2020

FG lauds Ayade’s agro-industrial revolution in C/River

Commendation

By George Odok

Calabar, March 21, 2020 (NAN) The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Sabo Nanono, has commended the agro-industrialisation initiative of Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River.

Nanono gave the commendation on Saturday in Calabar while being conducted round the industrial park by Gov. Ayade for on the spot assessment of the industries built under his administration.

The Minister visited the ultra modern Rice Mill, Ogoja, Cocoa Processing Factory, Ikom, Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory, the Feed Mill Company, the Calachika Frozen Factory, the Noodles Factory and the Garment Factory.

The Minister described the state’s investment as impressive, adding that agro-industrialisation is an alternative means of revenue generation and employment for youths.

“I am very pleased to see that what will be processed in the Frozen Chicken Factory will be consumed locally and internationally.

“This is very important for us as a country because the consumption of chicken in Nigeria is very high. We need more of this factory across the country.

“It is a great effort and something that will reduce the over dependency on imported chicken where we spend alot of foreign exchange on.

“With this kind of factory, we can internalise our production for chicken and safe alot of foreign exchange because I know that they are alot of poultry farms in the country for eggs and meat”, he said.

Nanono called on other governors to emulate Ayade’s agricultural drive, adding that even without oil, he has done alot in the agricultural sector to move the nation agricultural sector forward.

“It is a reality that I have seen today. The Cross River governor knows the important of agriculture for food sufficiency and revenue generation”, he said.

On the vitaminise rice seedlings, the Minister lauded Ayade for the technological approach deployed in processing the seedlings.

He commended him for also setting up the Cocoa Processing Factory in Ikom local government area of the state and rice mill in Ogoja local government area.

He assured that the Federal Government will support the state with the necessary facilities to promote and enhance agricultural produce in the state.

Speaking, Ayade said his desire to invest massively on agriculture was to create a value chain for food production, employment and exportation to generate revenue.

“We have created a value chain for young men and women to go into maize and soya beans cultivation because that is what we need to put into the feed mill that will feed the birds before the birds will come for slaughter and processed as frozen chicken.

“We are asking young people now to go to the farm and start massive cultivation of soya beans and maize that would be used for feeding this chicken for domestic and external consumption.

“It is in view of this agricultural drive that we have invited President Muhammadu Buhari to come to the state and lunch the Green Money initiative”, the governor added. (NAN)

GNO/EAL

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

GNO
Mar, Fri, 2020

Defence/Security

COVID-19: Navy screens passengers onboard vessels

Screening

By George Odok

Calabar, March 20, 2020 (NAN) The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy on Friday said the Command was carrying out Coronavirus screening for passengers onboard vessels entering Nigeria through the maritime environment.

Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. David Adeniran, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Calabar.

Adeniran said the steps were taken to ensure that no victim from any of the affected countries was allowed entry into the country through the waterways unnoticed.

He said: “At the onset of the pandemic, the Chief of Naval Staff gave an instruction through the medical administration, which we have keyed into on the steps taken to prevent the virus.

“When you enter any unit of Eastern Naval Command, you will see very strict compliance as it concerns screening of your temperature, washing hand basins and sanitisers.

“In terms of entry, whenever we have information that any ship is coming into Nigeria, we keep track of the vessel.

“We have facilities through the falcon eye to track any ship movement for 30 days to know which country or water you have been to and from there we monitor and direct accordingly.

“We as the Navy know how to track any vessel and know the location they are coming from. With that, we are able to advise the port authorities and offshore oil facilities accordingly.”

The FOC explained that the Eastern Naval Command had set up a Coronavirus help centre and other social media groups where everyone in the command is updated.

“For now, there is no reported case of any Coronavirus from the maritime environment.

“From the onset of this pandemic, there was a particular ship that came from one of the affected countries and we took appropriate actions to ensure that the vessel was cleared without any issue of health challenge.

“So far so good, the Navy is ready.

“During the Ebola outbreak, the Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar took appropriate steps and a lot of money was spent by the hospital to ensure that any detected case was handled efficiently,” he said.

He assured of the hospital’s preparedness to handle any case of Coronavirus within the state. (NAN)
GNO/FAA/ISMA
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Edited by Folasade Adeniran/Ismail Abdulaziz

GNO
Mar, Fri, 2020

General news

No case of Coronavirus in C/River -Commissioner

Coronavirus

By George Odok

Calabar, March 20, 2020 (NAN) Cross River State Government says it has yet to record any case of corona virus and advised residents to disregard rumors of suspected cases.

The commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Calabar, that the report in the social media claiming that a student of the university of Calabar was tested positive to the virus was “false and misleading”.

The commissioner appealed to members of the public to disregard such information and to remain calm.

Edu, who assured residents of their safety, said the state had taken proactive measures to contain the viral attack.

According to her, the state has deployed health workers to carry out sensitization campaigns in its borders and airports and is screening those coming into the state.

She, therefore, warned those circulating such mischievous reports to refrain from causing fear and panic among residents of the state.

“The attention of the Cross River Ministry of Health has been drawn to rumours circulating in the social media of a reported case of Coronavirus in the state.

“The false report stated that a student of Human Kinetics Department, University of Calabar had contacted the virus and was isolated at home having come in contact with some persons.

“This is to notify the general public that the information is false and misleading and should not in any way cause unnecessary fear and panic as Cross River still remains free of COVID-19.

“The permanent isolation center is still vacant with no patient in it.

“Cross River people are, therefore, advised not to panic as all hands are on deck to ensure that any suspected case is managed properly”, she said.

She explained that Gov. Ben Ayade had put everything in place to ensure that residents were given proper medical attention. (NAN)

GNO/PD/ISMA

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Edited by Philip Dzeremo/Ismail Abdulaziz

GNO
Mar, Thu, 2020

Defence/Security

Navy has improved Nation’s maritime security, says FOC

Security
By George Odok
Calabar, March 19, 2020 (NAN) Rear Adm. David Adeniran, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, said the force had done a lot to improve maritime security and protection of Nigeria’s natural resources.

Adeniran said this on Thursday in Calabar while addressing members of the Senate Committee on Navy, led by its Chairman, Sen. George Sekibo.

The FOC said that the Nigerian Navy had continued to maintain a steady presence at sea with a view to curb all maritime theft and provide security for maritime operators and oil platforms.

He said that the achievements were made possible through the timely appropriation of the Senate to enhance naval operations at sea.

According to him, the visit by the committee will afford them the opportunity to have first hand information on the ongoing projects embarked upon by the Eastern Naval Command.

“Distinguished Senators, I wish to inform you that the navy has achieved a lot in the area of maritime security.

“The more the maritime corridor is secured, the better for the country and sincerely, there have been an improvement in maritime environment security.

“Evidently, there is a relationship between national economic wellbeing of our dear nation and maritime environment and by extension the Nigerian Navy.

“The Nigerian Navy will continue to solicit for more support from the senate because we know that you will oblige us. The Nigerian Navy is cost effective investment for the economic wellbeing of our dear nation,” he said.

Responding, Sekibo said that the visit was a familiarisation tour by the Committee to assess the ongoing projects executed by the command.

He lauded the Navy for improved maritime security, adding that Nigeria’s major revenue earner was oil, hence the need for effective maritime policing.

“We have seen improvement in maritime security, essentially in policing of the waterways and curbing all illegality at sea.

“The Nigerian Navy has done a lot, but we charge you to do more because we still hear cases of oil theft and others. We will encourage and stand by you as you put more effort to safeguard our critical natural resources.

“Navy personnel will not swim to sea to protect our economic resources. Ours is to stand by you and see how the needed materials and equipment are provided to ease your job,” he said.

Sekibo advocated that the International Oil Companies who benefits mostly from maritime security and surveillance, should be made to pay a token towards the contribution of maritime security and procurement of equipment. (NAN)
GNO/NNO/ISMA
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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Ismail Abdulaziz

GNO
Mar, Wed, 2020

Defence/Security

Navy intercepts Cameroon-bound 204 drums o illegally refined diesel, arrests 4 suspects

Seizure

By George Odok

Calabar, March 18, 2020 (NAN) A patrol team of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar, Cross River, has intercepted 204 drums of illegally refined diesel being smuggled to Cameroon, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The team also arrested four suspects in connection with the seizure. The suspects are Okon Asuquo-Okon, Unwana Nkereuwem, Ndundu Entom and Victor Effiok.

The Commander of NNS Victory, Rear Adm. Vincent Okeke, handed over the petroleum product and suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Calabar.

Okeke, who was represented by Navy Capt. Ibrahim Gwaska, said they were arrested on March 13 at the Calabar River entrance enroute Cameroon

He said the product laden in a wooden boat was suspected to be illegally refined Automative Gas Oil (AGO).

“On Friday, March 13, 2020, NNS Victory patrol team on routine patrol intercepted and arrested a wooden boat laden with substances suspected to be AGO at Calabar river entrance enroute Republic of Cameroon.

“Investigation revealed that the suspected illegally refined AGO was loaded from Ijaw Creek around Bonny Island in Rivers State and was heading to Wovia in Cameroon,” he said.

He added that on the same date and location, another boat laden with 105 drums of AGO was arrested, but the suspects absconded on sighting the Navy Base gunboats.

“Prior to this very arrest, on March 4 2020, the base patrol team arrested three suspects and 54 drums of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in a wooden boat at Agbana West Point by Tom Shot Island Breakwaters.

He said the PMS were handed over to the State Commandant of the NSCDC on March 6.

“Similarly, on March 7, 2020, a wooden boat laden with 42 bags of rice were intercepted without suspects. The total market value of the items is N22 million,” he added.

He warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal acts and engage in legitimate businesses or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

The state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Danjuma Elisha, received the petroleum products and the suspects and promised to diligently prosecute the matter. (NAN)

GNO/CHOM/EMO
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ejike Obeta

GNO
Mar, Wed, 2020

Defence/Security

Police arrest 3 suspected armed robbers in Calabar

Arrest

By George Odok

Calabar, March 18, 2020 (NAN) The Cross River Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers, who specialise in trailing bank customers to rob them after withdrawals.

Mr Nkereuwem Akpan, Commissioner of Police told newsmen that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad on Wednesday in Calabar.

Akpan said that the command had developed rapid response mechanism that helps in tracking suspected armed robbers easily.

“This morning, a three-man robbery gang was arrested. They specialise in robbing people who go to the bank, withdraw money and before entering the car, they will trail and rob you.

“This morning, they went to First Bank in Calabar road to rob someone. In the process, the victim raised alarm and with the help of the public, they were picked by operatives.

“It is a good breakthrough. The suspects have confessed to the crime. The community policing of the Inspector General of Police is still working.

“We have picked over 30 suspects in the last few months. When you partner with the public, you will see results”, the commissioner said.

He lauded the people in the state for their support and cooperation with the police through useful information, urging them to sustain the tempo in order to rid the state of criminal elements.

He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon investigation was completed.

One of the suspects, Ifeanyi Ebama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was arrested after breaking into someone vehicle to steal money.

“I broke the glass of one man’s car to steal money wrapped in nylon. As soon as I carried the nylon, the man shouted.

“Before I knew it, I was arrested with two of my friends who were waiting for me inside the car.

“We normally pack our vehicle close to the First Bank in Calabar road and monitor customers come out with large sum of money either in a nylon or big envelope.

“We have been in the business for three months now. I want to beg the police to forgive us’’, he said.

NAN reports that a Toyota sienna vehicle, a rod used in opening car doors and breaking the glasses were recovered from the suspects. (NAN)

GNO/CHIN/IU

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey and Isaac Ukpoju

GNO
Mar, Tue, 2020

Entertainment

Calabar garment factory to produce NYSC uniforms

Calabar Garment factory

Uniform

By George Odok

Calabar, March 17, 2020 (NAN) Cross River owned Calabar Garment factory has procured order for the production of 8,000 pairs of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniforms.

The Garment factory is one of the industries established by Gov. Ben Ayade in his first term in line with the industrialisation policy of his administration.

The state Commissioner for Industry, Mr Peter Egba, during a tour of the factory on Tuesday in Calabar, disclosed that the factory was given eight days to produce the uniforms

“For me, this order is a manifestation of the engagement we have had over time. It helps sharpen our skills, keep the employees and generate revenue.

“The state governor, in establishing the Garment factory, stated that the factory will be among those to decouple the state from over dependence on federal allocation”, he said.

The Commissioners maintained that the sophisticated machines at the Garment factory greatly aided in meeting the NYSC order.

“The NYSC brought their materials to us to make for them at the Garment factory. Basically, the idea behind this was that they wanted to test our capabilities to deliver within a short period of time.

“That was why they gave us only eight days to deliver 8,000.

“Because of staff strength and the sophisticated machines put in place by Gov. Ayade, as I speak to you now we have been working for five days to beat the deadline”, he said.

Egba stated that plans were in top gear to also ensure that the factory gets NYSC order for uniforms for the next stream of Corps members in May.

“Another stream of corp members are coming in May this year, and we fully expect that after we might have delivered this present order and on time, we will get an even bigger order when the next stream of corp members come on board”, he added. (NAN)

GNO/EAL

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

GNO
Mar, Tue, 2020

Environment

Fire destroys economic crops in C/River communities

Fire

By George Odok

Boki (Cross River), March 17, 2020 (NAN) Fire incident has destroyed economic crops worth millions of Naira in Cross River communities of Agba, Bansan, and Obubra in Boki local government area of state.

The mysterious fire incident, which started from the night of March 12 to the early hours of March 13, destroyed economic crops such as cocoa, plantain, banana, oil palm trees, bush mango and avocado peer.

The destruction covered an area of over 1,000 hectares which covers the three communities.

Clan Head of Agba 2 community, Mr Patrick Ekpang, who conducted News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent around the disaster area, said the incident had caused hunger in the affected communities.

Ekpang told NAN that over 200 farmers were affected by the fire incident, adding that the victims had become jobless in their communities and without food to feed their families.

“As you can see, the entire farming forest have been destroyed by fire. We woke up one morning to hear that fire has gutted the entire farmlands involving three communities.

“We all rushed to the area, but before we could put off the fire, our economic trees have all been destroyed. Before the incident, some cocoa and oil palm farmers were preparing for harvest before the fire struck.

“We have lost millions of Naira and now, some of our youths who also own large farmlands have become jobless in their own communities.

“We are appealing to the National Emergency Management Agency, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Office of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management including corporate organisations and individuals to come to our aid.

“We need food and financial assistance to help us procure more nursery and inputs to start a fresh planting ahead of the rainy season,” he said.

Mr Hilary Bisong, the House of Assembly member representing Boki 2, who is from Agba community, called on the state and Federal Government to provide relief materials and financial assistance to the victims.

Another victim, Mr Stephen Asu, told NAN that the tragic incident had caused poverty on the side of the victims.

“We have become beggars in our own communities. Until now, we don’t know the immediate cause of the fire incident that has damaged our economic trees and rendered us jobless and hungry”, he said.

For Mr Peter Agbor, who said the fire incident started from his farm, lamented that his 20 hectares of cocoa, oil palm trees and avocado trees all got burnt.

“For me, I have four children; I don’t have any other occupation apart from farming. There is serious hunger in my house now because I can no longer harvest my crops for sale and the one we consume at home has been deflated”, he said.

Other victims, Mr Paul Eban from Bansan and Mr Denis Akan from Obubra communities, also appealed to the SEMA and NEMA to come to their aid.

Mr Princewill Ayim, Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that the incident had been reported to the agency.

Ayim told NAN that the agency had taken assessment on the extent of damage caused by the fire incident.

He said the that SEMA had made a letter of notification to the Zonal office of NEMA with a view to help the victims with relief materials.

“We are still in the dry season, I want to advise farmers in the rural areas to stop the burning of bushes within this period.

“I sympathise with the affected victims because I know the hardship that has befallen them. We hope that relevant agencies will intervene swiftly to ameliorate their plight,” he said. (NAN)

GNO/ISMA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

GNO
Mar, Sun, 2020

General news

C/River begins new market construction for road side traders

Market

By George Odok

Calabar, March 15, 2020 (NAN) The Cross River State Government has commenced the construction of new market for roadside traders at Mariam market.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mfon Bassey, who was accompanied by the Head of Local Government Administration for Calabar Municipality, Mrs Christiana Elemi on Sunday visited the new site in Calabar.

They were accompanied by Mr Efa Esua, member representing Calabar Municipality in House of Assembly and traditional rulers.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market is directly opposite the Marian market, inside the premises of Calabar Municipality, behind the Unity Bank.

Bassey told NAN that the new site has been designed to accommodate shops, parking space, a canteen among other modern facilities.

He lamented that the roadside traders had erected illegal structures along the drive way and water channels.

Bassey disclosed that the new market would create sanity along the Marian way and also reduce traffic and allow for free flow of water during the rainy season.

He lamented that most flooding activities in the area was caused by the blockade of drainage system by some traders who have erected structures on the water ways.

He assured that upon completion, traders in the affected area would be relocated to the new site.

He said that the state government was committed to restoring and sustaining a clean and green environment for businesses to thrive.

Elemi said that road side traders in Marian market have defaced the serene environment and the original design of the market.

She said that the new market would also have water facilities with a view to promote high standard of hygiene within the market premises. (NAN)

GNO/ISMA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

GNO
Mar, Sun, 2020

Defence/Security

Kidnapped night club owner regains freedom in Calabar

By George Odok

Freedom

Calabar, March 15, 2020 (NAN) The Police in Cross River has confirmed the safe release of Mr Akeem Ibrahim, owner of a popular night club in Calabar, popularly known as Amber Club/Kaeroke Lounge.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Irene Ugbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Ibrahim was released safely on Saturday night.

“As we speak, Ibrahim has been released and he is currently receiving treatment.

“It took the effort of a lot of stakeholders and security agencies that I will not like to mention, but he is receiving treatment now,” she said.

NAN recalls that Ibrahim was abducted on March 8, 2020, by unknown gunmen around Ibom Layout and his car was later found near Liberty Gospel church in Calabar Municipality. (NAN)

GNO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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