Calabar Residents Chase Pick Pocket Into Canal Posted: 25 Nov 2013 10:49 AM PST by crossriverwatch admin The suspected pick pocket in the canal There was a long traffic snarl as a huge crowd gathered along Atekong by Murtala Mohammed expressway junction in Calabar to watch a suspected pick pocket who jumped into the big drainage at the junction following a hot chase by residents after stealing from a passenger who was in the same public taxi with him. CrossRiverWatch gathered from eye witness that the unidentified thief boarded the same taxi with an unsuspecting passenger who just withdrew money from a bank. After successfully robbing his co-passenger, he was said to have jumped out of the moving taxi and attempted to run “but was accosted by residents who gave him a hot chase, caught him and unleash very serious beating on him”. Sensing serious danger on approaching the canal around the Atekong junction, the suspected thief was said to have jumped into the deep canal and must have sustained very serious injuries. When CrossRiverWatch visited the scene of the incident, his body was seen lying in his pool of blood in the canal. Most of the crowd that gathered at the scene maintained that he was feigning death so he could escape when the crowd is dispersed and kept hauling stones at the body inside the canal. Intermittently, he made movements that indicated he was helpless and in pain. Security operatives including the Civil Defence and Traffic Wardens were sighted at the scene but it was not immediately clear whether they came to offer help to the victim or were just part of the viewers. As at the time of filing this report, several calls to the State Police spokesman, Hogan Bassey were not picked. It will be recalled that there has been several incidences of pick pocket at that particular spot within the last two months. The last one saw residents vandalizing and burning a vehicle with the charred remains still littering the scene. Some of the eyewitness who spokes to CrossRiverWatch called on the police to step up surveillance around that spot to forestall a recurrence. An eye witness, Eyo Clement said “the police should beef up their surveillance in that place as the situation is becoming rampant.” Idongesit Akpan told our reporter that her brother “was a recent victim of pick pocketers who have relocated from Lagos, Port Harcourt and Onithsa to Calabar due to influx of people into Cross River during this December.” The charred remains of a car that was burnt at the same spot last week for the same crime A civil defence personnel The crowd gathered to watch including a traffic warden follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch Why I Support Goddy Jedy-Agba For Cross River Governor – Vena Ikem Posted: 25 Nov 2013 08:35 AM PST by crossriverwatch admin Barrister Venatius Ikem, Former PDP National Director of Publicity Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Director of Publicity, Barrister Venatius Ikem has given reasons why he is routing for the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Mr. Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR as governor of Cross River State come 2015. The former two time Commissioner and Chairman of Obudu LGA who is currently engrossed in a flurry of political activities aimed at helping the NNPC helmsman clinch the party ticket declared on his facebook wall that: “For those who do not understand why I decided to root for Goddy Jedy Agba OFR, as Governorship candidate of the PDP in CRS in the 2015 election, I have these to say: “First I consider him eminently qualified by his career experience, having worked in the public service of Nigeria for over 20 years, spanning the Ministries of FCT, foreign Affairs and currently, Petroleum Resources, where he has served with distinction earning a National Honour for his efforts. “Secondly, he hails from CR North Senatorial District. Where by popular understanding the next Governor is expected to emerge from. “Thirdly, he is humble, unassuming, warm and has an easy going personality. Most importantly, knowing the political polarisation in the State, I see him as a neutral figure, capable of providing a platform to accommodate all contending forces: the new, the founders, the established and the aspirants to relevance! “Yes, he is the only one I see who can unite all the forces as well as provide the needed fresh air for new ideas to thrive in the state. For new hope to be borne in those who feel shut out of the political space. “He also has the reach and capacity to attract new interests to the State with that critical paradigm shift in additional ideas to deepen our democracy and development aspirations as a state. He has the capacity to reposition the State as an oil producing state, with industry knowledge. “The time for that change for me clearly is now! The man to lead the way clearly is a man of such standing and experience. Unblemished in controversy all through his service career. “Need I say more? Do I need better reasons? He queried. This declaration is coming on the heels of controversy generated by the stand of most of the federal legislators from the state who hold that the governor, Senator Imoke must be given the prerogative to decide to succeed him from the PDP. Federal Lawmakers from the Central Senatorial District met in Calabar last month and in the communiqué release from the meeting asked the governor to choose his successor and all of them will follow his decision. The leaders maintained that that is the best way to ensure peaceful transition of power and party cohesion. There are plans by the Northern Senatorial district to hold a similar meeting to also take the same position with the Central while the Southern Senatorial district has held theirs and arrived at the same position. Not minding that there are also strong indications that the governor is not favorably disposed to the ambition of Jedy, and his open support for Jedy may put him on further collision course with his erstwhile boss, Barrister Ikem seem not to give any damn. He said: “Being ‘Normal’ is boring! Try something rebellious. It’s exciting.” follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch Imoke Lauds Head of Service of Federation on Reforms Posted: 25 Nov 2013 04:49 AM PST by crossriverwatch admin Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Special Duties & Inter-governmental Affairs, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita during the later’s visit to the state house, Calabar Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has greeted the various reform initiatives by the Head of Service of the Federation Alhaji Bukar Aji, to deliver on effective and efficient service to Nigerians. Imoke, who made his feelings known when he received on a courtesy visit the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Special Duties & Inter-governmental Affairs, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, maintained that the move was in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as they will aid the actualization of the lofty dreams of transforming the country in all sphere. The governor described the recent directives by the Head of Service that Permanent Secretaries should go to their respective states of origin to interface with the federal establishments as noble, saying that it will help in cutting down excesses and draw the out stations closer to the top through effective communications enshrined for the desired policy directions as well as enhance full implementation of reforms at the states level. In his words, “One of the great challenges with our bureaucracy is the fact that we probably do not reform it as often as we ought to. Reform, I believe is something that should be constant and I’m excited that the Head of Service of the Federation is driving reform in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President. Reforms will certainly lead to efficiency in service delivery to our people across the nation. “I acknowledge the fact that there is an introduction of merit in the service and I think that is very important aspect of the reform. From all indications, it appears that there is a lot of streamlining and that would help us collectively in delivery on the dividends that the people expect from us”. On the forfeited land for permanent site of the Federal Training Centre after over 30 years of non development, the Governor assured that land was not a problem and that another land will be made available once the Federal agency demonstrates the right will to commence construction on site, saying that the benefit of the training center, which is serving the south-south zone cannot be overemphasized. On retirees’ emoluments, Imoke explained that with effect from January, 2014, the state government will review upward its own share of pension allowance in line with the current economic realities while asking the federal government to also look into improved welfare for those who served the nation meritoriously in different capacities. He lauded the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita for her hard work, dedication and deep sense of patriotism as demonstrated in the day to day discharge of her primary assignment, saying that she was a good ambassador of Cross River State. Earlier, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said the purpose of the visit which is in line with the directive of the Head of Service was to explain the progress of the transformation agenda of the present administration and also brief the federal civil servants in states on the ongoing re-structuring exercises as introduced by the Federal Civil Service. She disclosed that the visit also afforded them the opportunity of interacting with the federal civil servants with the view to appraising their working conditions as well as matters of their welfare in the day to day running of government businesses. Mrs. Oyo-Ita assured the state government that pensioners who are yet to benefit from the federal share of their pension will soon be captured and their entitlements paid as and when due. follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch Cross River Government Takes Over 14 Community Schools Posted: 24 Nov 2013 11:51 PM PST by crossriverwatch admin Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has approved the take-over of 14 community secondary schools by the state government. The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Offiong Offiong, said this while briefing journalists in Calabar on Thursday on the activities of the ministry. He said the move was to further expand access to qualitative education in the state. Offiong said that many of the schools were in the rural communities, adding that the take-over would further bring government closer to the people. He said, “In order to further expand access to qualitative education delivery, on the approval of the governor, two secondary schools were established/taken over by government. “They are Government Secondary School, Adiabo Okurikang Odukpani and Government Secondary School Mkpot in Etung. “Government has also approved the take-over of 12 other community schools to further expand access to qualitative education in the state.” According to him, some of the communities include Nselle Community, Ijemetop, Ikom, Ikpalegwa Community, Abi, Ofumbongha Community, Obubra and Okosora Community in Ikom local government area. “The import of this is that there is an upsurge in the enrolment in our public schools which shows an expansion in access,” he said. The commissioner also said the ministry had embarked on the accreditation of private schools in the state to ensure uniform standards in the schools. “We urge proprietors/proprietresses of private schools to cooperate with the ministry by responding promptly to the template already forwarded to them. “Already, a task force on illegal schools has been constituted by the government and all un-accredited/unapproved schools will be closed down, ‘’ Offiong said. He appealed to all private schools with clean records to update their registration status with the Inspectorate Department of the ministry. follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch JTF Dismantles Militant Camp in Cross River Posted: 24 Nov 2013 11:41 PM PST by crossriverwatch admin Joint Task Force patrol boats The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield said on Sunday that it had dismantled a militant camp in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River. A statement by the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, in Yenagoa, said that various arms were recovered from the camp. “During the clamp down, the troops recovered 24 x 7.62mm round cartons, five Browning Machine Gun, ammunition, 3 x 7.62mm round special and seven live cartridges. “Other items recovered from the camp include four machine gun belts and one passport fibre boat, belonging to the Inland Water Ways Agency,” JTF stated. According to Nwachukwu, the camp known in local parlance as ‘Efut Esighi Militant Camp, served as operational base for pirates and militants from where they attacked their victims. follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch 500 Sea Pirates Camped In Bakassi Peninsula – Akpabio Posted: 24 Nov 2013 10:58 PM PST by crossriverwatch admin Dr. Godswill Akpabio, Executive Governor, Akwa Ibom State No fewer than five hundred sea pirates are currently enjoying their illegal camping in the ceded part of the Bakassi peninsula. Governor Godswill Akpabio stated this in Uyo when the Chief of Training and Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Major-General Peter Isang paid a courtesy visit in his office. The governor tasked the nation’s military organization to rise to the challenge of contending the activities of sea pirates at Bakassi Peninsula bordering Nigeria and Cameroon. He said Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi may be known for crude oil theft, but the main problem is in Bakassi which has been handed over to Cameroon. He stressed that the situation is a major problem and a major threat to Nigeria Security and her economic prosperity. The Governor alleged that Cameroon seem to have abandoned the place for over 500 pirates who now have their camp in Bakassi and continue to terrorize business activities along the Nigerian territorial waters. “Recently, one of our paramount rulers was kidnapped and he was taken there and he saw it with his eyes. “We can’t strike, We can’t go there, it is left for you the military with all the intelligence supplied to you to find solution to the problem . “The JTF and Nigerian Navy is working hard but they have challenges. They need boats and as a State Government, we will do our best” He assured. Major-General Isang who said he was in the State as part of the inspection tour of troops and their combat readiness within the region, noted that ensuring peace in the State is the concern of the force. He said the Defence headquarters had gotten report about Eastern Obolo and Ibaka that there are some militant camps and there have been a bit of insecurity in that place. “We have decided to access it so that we can take report and decision which will be taken on how to handle such a Disgraced Lecturer Was an Extortionist – Dean, Student Affairs, Cross River College of Education Posted: 24 Nov 2013 10:51 PM PST by crossriverwatch admin Mr. Utum Ina, Dean, Student Affairs, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa The Dean of Student Affairs of Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, has said that the compulsory retirement of Dr. F. Fan, a senior lecturer and former head of the social studies department of the school was because he was very untruthful. Dr. F. Fan was retired in the last quarter of 2012, weeks following his one day detention at the Akamkpa Police division on the directives of the College Provost, Prof. Anthony Owan Eno. The College Dean of Student Affairs, Mr. Utum Ina while speaking to CrossRiverWatch explained that “Dr. Fan was very untruthful, he has over time been a bone in the throat of the management because of his dishonest attitude towards teaching and management’s principles, selling of books or handouts, extortion, buying of test and examination grades et cetera are not allowed but it will amaze you that in the afore mentioned taboos Dr. Fan has a tent, he coarse students to buy his books. “It was as a result of management’s investigation that he received the rating by students from an open test which was published in The Nation Newspaper, Campus Life with the caption: College Checkmates fraud on Thursday 13 September 2012″, he disclosed. Mr. Ina also lauded the leadership modus of the College Provost saying “Eno Owan has done a lot in terms of wiping off tears and shame from the faces of his staff, previously strike was the bubble gum of staff, the campus was a thick forest with tall grasses, no steady water supply, high rate of extortion, safe haven and sanctum of cultism, examination malpractice, no auditorium, un -tarred road, dilapidated lecture halls and offices and so on but today, it’s completely different because of Owan Eno.” Continuing, he asserted that: “The roads in the College have been tarred, lecture halls and offices have been giving a befitting face lift, we now have two auditorium (950 and 450 seaters) in use, new ICT Complex with over 1000 computers with a mini E-library which in due course will become full flesh, the environment is now green, serene and spacious, steady light and water supply.” follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch
Posted on: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 05:55:54 +0000
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