Central Reports Blog

Conference of Nigeria  Political Parties in Calabar, Gives CROSIEC 14 days ultimatum to conduct LG election.  A unified body of all Political Parties; Conference Of Political Parties, CNPP, Cross River State chapter has called on Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC to conduct Local Government election within fourteen (14) days. In a communique jointly signed by its Chairman, Sunday Michael and Publicity Secretary, Castro Ezama, the group urged CROSIEC to conduct the LG election within 14 days observing the prescribed COVID-19 protocols of no face mask  no movement, no face mask no voting. The statemet read in part, "Political parties unanimously call on the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) to conduct Local Government elections in Cross River State within  14 days observing the prescribed COVID-19 protocols of no face mask no Movement, no face mask no voting." Furthermore, the group commended and decided t...

CNPP urges politicians, political parties to desist from distracting Governor Ayade The leadership of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties {CNPP}, Cross River State chapter has called on both politicians and political parties in the state to desist from further embarking on activities that will distract the Governor of the state, His Excellency Sir Ben Ayade from carrying on with his good works. In a communique dated April 29, 2020 and signed by the state Chairman of CNPP, Sunday Michael and the Publicity Secretary, Castro Ezama, they said that it was not proper that some politicians and even political parties were bent on distracting the governor from focusing on the good work is doing for the state generally and of recently the great strides he has and is still making in the battle against COVID-19-19 and the provision of 8000 jobs in the areas of agriculture, security, environment and health for the youths of the state. CNPP, Cross River Chapter expressed dismay on why...

ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CUMULATIVE LOCKDOWN ORDER OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ON COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 2020. 1. Fellow Nigerians 2. I will start by commending you all for the resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against the biggest health challenge of our generation. 3. As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000 recoveries. Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of this pandemic. 4. The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 5. Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and a...

Cross River state Government set to Evacuate power from Ayade power plant to PHED national grid The Cross River state  government is set to evacuate power from the 23 and 26   mega Watts Ayade power plants to the Power Holding Electricity District national grid .  It would be recalled that Governor Ben Ayade had concluded the construction of the 23 mega Watts power plant at the parlimentary axis of Calabar metropolis, which had been awaiting connection to the national grid,while the 26 mega Watts power plant is almost ready for completion. Disclosing the readiness of the state government to evauate power from the Ayade power plants to the PHED national grid,  Commissioner for Power, Honorable Victor Agwu, commended Governor Ben Ayade for his commitment to ensure Cross Riverians have access to uninterrupted power supply. According to him, it is the determination of His Excellency,Governor Ben Ayade, that the people enjoy regular light and the state go...

Covid 19 is real, don't join those that play politics with it States with uncommitted governors don't have confirmed cases of Covid 19 because testing is competitive in Nigeria due to fact that large population. Also we have very few testing kids to contain the large population, so governor's that sleep will not have their citizens tested. Functional states like Lagos and Abuja have taken the lead in due delligence in the testing of their large population. Yet the testing capacity in Abuja and Lagos do not still contain their population.  There are still  some complaints of NCDC not being proactive enough to all distress calls of citizens even in Anuja and Lagos. This is both a sign and warning that we are not having enough facilities to carter for a large population of Nigerian especially those from States with negligent governors. If you doubt me or feel I am unfriendly with facts, try to call NCDC customer's service line. I tried calling NCDC for days and could...

Female Celebs and their side hustles For a long time, some people have said that Nigerian female entertainers are more financially buoyant than their male colleagues. Some have insinuated that these entertainers got rich by sleeping with men for money. However, these female stars have constantly maintained that they don’t focus on the entertainment industry alone but have other businesses. TOLUWALOPE KAREEM takes a look at some of these celebs and their side hustles Mercy Aigbe Mercy Aigbe is well known as an actress. However, she is also a businesswoman and she has a boutique to her name. The boutique was launched some years back with many of her colleagues in attendance. The business has continued to grow and the actress now has another branch in Ibadan. With the way the actresses flaunts her expensive lifestyle, it is clear that business has been good. Despite having to supervise her business, the actress still graces the silver screen doing what she knows how to do...

Woman dies after two-months dry fasting in Delta An unnamed woman in Sapele, Delta State, has reportedly lost her life after a two-month dry fasting. Eye witnesses said that the incident happened along MTN Road, Okirigwhere in Sapele. It was gathered that the woman, her husband, son, and a friend locked themselves inside the house for two months to complete the 60-day fasting. Our correspondent gathered that a family friend allegedly initiated the fasting which they later joined. It was revealed that they took only water when necessary during the spiritual exercise. Sources told our correspondent that while the mother lost her life due to the exercise, her son became emaciated. Meanwhile, the survivors of the fasting were said to have been taken to the hospital for proper medical attention, while the body of the deceased had been evacuated. The state Police Public Relation Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could neither confirm nor deny the incident. She said no such repor...

Covid-19 Humbled me- Tiwa Savage Earlier in the week, singer, Tiwa Savage, had an Instagram Live session, during which she sang and rubbed minds with her fans. During the chat, the ‘Attention’ singer spoke on how the COVID-19 crisis had humbled her. She said, “This is a really weird time for everyone. Whether you are rich or famous; it affects everyone. It can be a little scary actually because one doesn’t know what would happen next. One doesn’t know what tomorrow brings. The coronavirus pandemic has humbled me because I had my album ready to be released. I had a lot of shows, festivals and tours lined up. All of that had to be cancelled and some postponed. We don’t know’’, when this will stop. This is despite all the plans one has already made. It definitely humbled all of us.” The pretty mother of one also urged her fans to learn the necessary lessons from the pandemic. Savage noted that it was only God that could take the world out of the crisis. She added, “When this is ...

Obaseki's Chief Of staff resigns The Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, has resigned. His resignation, we gathered gathered was not unconnected with the lingering crisis between the Governor and the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. In his resignation letter dated 25th April 2020, Akerele said; “My decision to exit the government is based on administrative and governance grounds. “I am solidly with His excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki in his quest to transform Edo state. His mission and vision resonate with mine. “This is all I have to say, I will like to be given the opportunity to go private as I part ways administratively with the government based on principles. “I thank his excellency for the opportunity given to me to serve in this capacity and also thanks to His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II for his immense leadership and support during the period I served in this capacity. May his reign be long and...

NUJ demands apology from Ebonyi commissioner Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi State chapter, on Friday, accused the Commissioner of Information in the state of misrepresenting facts in a meeting he held with members of the chapel on Thursday in his office. It was gathered that the meeting convened at the instance of the commissioner was to resolve conflict arising from ‘life ban’ on the Sun and Vanguard correspondents in the state, Chijioke Agwu and Peter Okutu respectively. The chapter in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr Sampson Nwafor, noted that the commissioner misrepresented the chapel on its position in a statement he issued on the outcome of the meeting. They described as false the claim by the commissioner that his statement was issued at a joint press conference with the chapter. The statement noted that there was no joint press briefing where the chairman of the chapter, Jacob Ogodo, “eulogised” the governor for banning two of its members. The statem...

WHY DOES THE NEEDED ELIXIR KEEP ELUDING APC  CROSS RIVER AND ONLY A SELECT FEW ARE GENUINELY BOTHERED? In life, contrary winds are inescapable just as it is ephemeral. But the ill-winds of APC Cross River has totally become a problem with solutions still in the dark tunnels. For me, I have since stopped dissipating my strength suing for peace where people are inaccessible to simple principles of reasonability and respect when agitated or in disagreements. We are rather steep in patronizing the law of madness - doing the same thing all the time and expect different results. It does seem to me that some members are agents of the arch-enemy(Satan), so engrossed in the work of their master that, nothing else matters to them except to braggadociously create confusions aimed at driving the final nail into the coffin of the party. They sometimes argue, with the authority of the ignorant, that being at loggerheads with one another brings them relief instead of staying together in ...

All Progressives Congress Cross River State COURT VERDICT: A NO VICTOR,NO VANQUISH SITUATION. Comments emanating from the Appeal Court Verdict of yesterday which authenticated the Sir John Ochala led Executive Committee of the APC in Cross River State has observably been rife thus expressing the concern of members for the strength of the party. However,we are particularly irked by the level of sentiments from some members who   see the judgement as an occasion for hauling venom or tantrums at our brothers in the other divide. We have to state unequivocally that the beauty of democracy consist in the divergence of opinions which those brothers in the other divide expressed in going to court (even though against the party's statutes and precerpts) Against this backdrop, we call for restrain in the outright attack of the tendencies of those members. We insist that those members are still part and parcel of our great party,as we have no other party than ours. On this not...

Mr. Odey Ochicha Ochicha mourns Kyari, condoles with Buhari Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Iluji, Ondo State, Mr. Odey Ochihca has expressed his sadness over the death of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. Ochicha in a condolence message addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari described Kyari as a national asset who was key to the implementation of the lofty programmes of the APC led federal government. He said that "I received the news of the President's Chief of Staff death with great sadness. His death is a great loss to Nigeria, our great party the APC and the government of President Buhari. Kyari was a hardworking senior aide of the President. He even contracted the disease that killed him in the course of working to improve power supply in this country. Indeed, he was one of the most patriotic Nigerians alive and I feel saddened that he died when his experience, knowledge and wherewithal were needed most...

Protesters burn patrol vans, barracks, a high Court as drunken policeman kills resident Angry youths in Ohafia, Abia State, have set ablaze three police vans, a police barracks and a magistrates’ court to protest against the killing of an indigene, Friday Arunsi, by a police corporal. The policeman reportedly shot Arunsi dead on Friday along Ebem Ohafia Road. The incident made it the third extrajudicial killing in the state within two weeks as confirmed by the state Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon. Confirming the incident, the police boss said the corporal, who was not on duty, was on his way from a drinking spree in company with two others; an assistant superintendent of police, and a sergeant. Okon said the vehicle the policemen were in hit a stationary truck offloading goods and they alighted to confront the truck driver. The CP said while the driver was querying the action of the policemen, there was shooting during which ‘someone was killed.’ He said the three po...

BIOGRAPHY OF LATE  CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT BUHARI  Abba Kyari OON, a Kanuri man from Borno was a Nigerian politician who served as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari between 27th August 2015 and 17th April 2020. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Warwick in 1980, and a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cambridge. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983 after attending the Nigerian Law School. In 1984, he obtained a master's degree in law from the University of Cambridge. He later attended the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1992 and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School, in 1994. He started his working career with the law firm of Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo before taking appointment in 1988 as The Editor of the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna. In 1990, he was appointed the Commissioner for Forestry an...

VP OSINBAJO, WIFE CONDOLES WITH PRESIDENT, FAMILY OF CHIEF OF STAFF Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, released the following statement on Chief of Staff Abba Kyari's transition: "Dolapo and I express our sympathies to the President, Mrs Kulu Kyari, the children, and members of the family on the passing of the late Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President. May the Lord comfort and be with you all in Jesus name. Amen." Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President. 18th April, 2020.

AYADE WAIVES WATER BILLS FOR  ONE MONTH  His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade has ordered  the management of Cross River State Water Board to  discontinue the distribution of water bills for the month of April. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Board, Chief Victor Effiom disclosed this in a private chat with newsmen yesterday. Effiom said the Governor granted the waiver to help cushion the difficulties being encountered by citizens of the state as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and the resultant economic challenges. Chief Victor Effiom admonished the general public to pay their outstanding old debts to assist Water Board to serve them better especially now that the Governor has graciously waived that of this month. It will be recalled that the Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has also distributed foodstuff and financial papackages for  the less privileged in society and is giving jobs to about 8,000 young Cross Riverians in the effort to help cushi...

John Otu BirthdayCelebrant Happy Birthday To A High Esteemed Friend Dear John, looking at  years past of your life, you will see God's demonstration of what He has specially destined and designed for you. Looking back at your landscaping achievements in the last one to two years; it seems everything you touch is successful, ranging from your youth service till passing out, youth advocacy, academic prowess, political firmaments and your vociferous agitation for the miscarriages of justice, gross injustice, biased and purposeful marginalisation, all these has recorded monumental feats and traceable antecedents in your life that needs commends, praise and worth accolades. I Paschal Nyiam, use this rare medium of your born and red letter day to tell you that I hold you in an inestimable esteem and my love for you cannot be emphatically emphasized. My prayers is that God continue to increase you, provide and protect you from dangers in the years to come. My brother Joh...

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE CHIEF OF STAFF TO PRESIDENT, ABBA KYARI, PASSES ON� The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020. May God accept his soul. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.� Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) April 18, 2020

Sen. Diri and Dr. Jonathan Jonathan,Diri mourn Bayelsa billionaire,Okoko Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, have described the death of former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Keniebi Okoko, as shocking. In separate statements, on Thursday, the two leaders said news of the demise of the PDP chieftain was shocking. Okoko, who was a businessman and a co-contestant in the PDP’s September 4, 2019 governorship primary which produced Diri as the party candidate, died in a Lagos hospital on Tuesday, at the age of 42. The former President in a condolence message to the father of the deceased, Prof. Kimse Okoko, noted that the billionaire died in his prime. Jonathan said, “His death is shocking and most painful as he was in his prime. Without a doubt, Keniebe still had a lot to offer to the progress and development of Bayelsa State and Nigeria as he was a young man full of great ideas and lofty dreams.” Speaking ...

Rev. Dr. PJ. Ochang Governor Ben Ayade should be sanction immediately, and call to order over the recruitment excise on going in cross river state. This is not the time to play politics. With the warning over the pandemic virus of  covid19 and the precautions of social distance, the cross river state government is undergoing a recruitment excise in the state were thousands are crowded in very joining body space,this is very faulting and against the policies and precautions from the WHO and NCDC mostly on keeping social distancing. Last week ago it was trending how the governor was robbed with a controversial statement on face mark don't need a social distancing if wearing one. Now we are seeing photos on the recruitment where citizens are in a lines for the recruitment exercise, should it be said that the governor is  standing his ground on what had been said or rumored on him about face masking and social distancing. At this time of a global pandemic no politician sh...

The Delta State Police Command has arrested one Iwebunor Onyebulise, popularly known as Ukwa, and one other for the alleged murder of an Indian hemp dealer in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, who confirmed the arrest on Thursday, stated that Onyebulise and his gang robbed and killed a man along the Adonta Road. She said, “Ukwa (Onyebulise) and his gang waylaid the victim on the road and killed him after he had been robbed. “The command has arrested some of the hoodlums, including Ukwa, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department and investigation is ongoing.” Onyebulise was alleged to have shot the victim dead on a lonely portion of the Ejeme-Aniogo/Adonta Road. As at the time of filling this report we gathered that the suspect shot the deceased and made  a way with his bags of Indian hemp on Tuesday in the Adonta community. It ...

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday introduced a new scheme to cushion the effect of the lockdown extension in the state. Sanwo-Olu during a briefing at the State House, Marina, said the government would open food kitchens in all the councils in the state with a target to provide one meal per day to 100,000 youths. Sanwo-Olu added, “There will also be unconditional cash transfer to 250,000 vulnerable residents and economically challenged persons who have identification numbers with Lagos State Residents Registration Agency.” The governor also ordered the immediate release of all private and commercial vehicles impounded from March 1, 2020 for minor traffic offences by the police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and Vehicle Inspection Agency to date. The governor urged for calm among residents, saying, “The additional 14 days extension will afford the frontline health workers to ramp up contact identification, testing, and admission of suspected and confirmed case...

Breaking doctor treating covid-19 patient dies in Lagos A 51-year-old medical doctor on Wednesday became the first health worker in Nigeria to die of COVID-19 after contracting the virus from a patient he had treated. The doctor, who died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, was rushed to the facility on Monday after attempting to manage a COVID-19 patient in a private hospital in Lagos. The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo, said the doctor was not a staff of the hospital but was rushed to the facility after he showed symptoms of the disease. “The doctor is not a LUTH staff; he was a private practitioner, though he trained in LUTH some 18, 20 years ago. I remember I met him, I know him, he left LUTH around 2002. One of his classmates called me that he has some issues in his private hospital, so I asked that he should be brought to LUTH. He was COVID-19 positive, we started him on drugs but unfortunately, he died this morning (Wedn...

Mr. Odey Ochicha Team Ochicha WE LOVE! WE CARE! WE SERVE! WE DELIVER? The name, Ochicha is a brand in NITEL, and NNPC where he worked and in Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji, Ondo state where he is currently the Chairman, Governing Council. He EARNED 7 beautifil and world class names in NNPC namely: Professor, Obama, Vice Chancellor, Registrar  Peter Drucker, Coordinator and Pastor + additional 2 new names he has EARNED since joining politics in 2014 namely: The People's Governor and now the People's Senator making it altogether 9 high profile names. What a wonderful man of many interesting PARTS. This is the man we NEED as our Senator: a man of CLEAR VISION, GREAT IDEAS, BIG DREAMS; a man of PASSION and PEACE; a man of INTEGRITY, DISCIPLINE, PRINCIPLES and HONOR. Regarding employment in Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji, Ondo state where he is currently Chairman, trust my principal, he will ensure adequate representation of the state in the school when the time comes....

Lawyer's flee as accused coughs in Court There was drama on Tuesday inside an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo, when an accused arraigned for assault, suddenly coughed while his charge was being read. The development led to a little disruption of the proceedings, as three lawyers that sat in front of the accused hurriedly moved away their chairs. Despite the drama, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara told the accused that his cough would not stop the session. Ige was arraigned alongside Rasaq Sunday, Wasiu Adeyanju and Samson Ogunleye. They were said to have on April 6, 2020 on Olugun Street, Osogbo, conspired to commit assault occasioning harm – an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of criminal code cap 34 Vol. Il, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002. The accused were said to have used broken bottles, scissors, and cutlass to inflict injury on the left hand of one Lateef Kareem. Rasaq Olayiwola announced appearance for the prosecution. Th...

Lockdown: IG to sanction transporters embarking on night trips. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has vowed tough consequences for members of the organised transport sector who continued to breach the existing restriction order by resorting to night travels. He said the violation undermined the efforts of the Federal Government at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The Force Spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said the warning was sequel to intelligence at the disposal of the force showing that road transport workers, especially interstate operators, have continued to defy the lockdown order and cessation of movement ordered by the FG. “Consequently, the IG has directed Commissioners of Police to ensure full implementation of the restriction order, especially as it relates to night travel without being unmindful of categories of exempted persons and the fundamental human rights of Nigerians,” Mba disclosed in a statement on Wednesday. The IG restated that the...

NSHA orders arrest of SSG Aids The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has ordered for the immediate arrest of four media aides to the embattled Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, for allegedly instigating the state against the lawmakers. They accused the media aides of spreading false information alleging that each lawmaker collected N11m from the state government for distribution as COVID-19 palliatives to their constituents. The resolution of the House followed a motion on a matter of urgent public importance moved by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Mohammed Omadefu, during an emergency sitting of the assembly on Tuesday. Speaker of the House, Mr Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, while reading the resolution also urged the state government to issue a statement to clarify the issue. He explained that such reports if left unclarified were capable of creating confusion. Balarabe-Abdullahi said, “The arrest of the purveyors of such fake news an...

Cross River State Water Board limited takes delivery of treatment materials The Special Adviser on Water Board, Chief Victor Ekpo, has taken  possession of some  treatment materials given by his Excellency, Senator (Professor) Ben Ayade, for production of water to Cross riverians during this Pandemic. Chief Ekpo hailed Professor Ben Ayade for making it possible for the materials to gets into Calabar despite the current situation affecting the Nation. The Special Adviser stated that water is life and in the midst of the pandemic, Cross Riverians needed water, not just any how water but well treated water for survival. Speaking on the Pandemic, he disclosed that the governor has instructed Cross River state Water Board  to give out free water for the month of April in order to help Cross Riverians through this period. Chief Ekpo further stated that water bills for the month of April will not be issued out. He appealed to members of the public not to tampe...

 Boki- A land of milk and honey Boki- A land of enormous natural resources Boki- A land blessed with intellectuals Boki- A home to wildlife sanctuary Boki- An LGA with voices and forces to reckon with in any sphere of influence of life Boki- A land with venerables Boki- A land blessed with intellectuals Boki- A land with capacitated and capacitance ancestry Boki- A home of peace, harmony and hospitality  Boki- Having a two term SSG Boki- Having the Attorney General of the Federation Boki-Having former State party (s) chairmen Boki- Having two state of assembly members Boki-Having numerous special advisers, board members, DG's of agencies and lots More Boki- Having former ambassadors, senators, House Of rep's members and host of reputable politician's Boki- Having two commissioners and have had numerous commissioners Boki- Having Generals and other top and hierarchy military personnels Cocoa farm and Banana plantation In Boki LGA  #Yet;; We ...