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Author: Ehigimetor Igbaugba

  • Child Labour: NBS rating not true reflection in C’River – Commissioner

     

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    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba (07030464940)

    Calabar, June 29, 2024 (NAN) The Government of Cross River has described the state rating on child labour by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as “spurious” and not a true reflection of what is happening in the state.

    The government demanded to know the parameters used by the NBS to carry out the research that rated Cross River number one in the country involved in child labour with 67.4 percent.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang who made the demand in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Cross River remained the most “child friendly” state in Nigeria.

    Ekpang explained that Cross River showed the value it placed on the rights of every child by being among the first state in the country to domesticate the Child Rights Law.

    “The United Nations is aware of what we are doing in this regard. So, it is preposterous for us to degenerate into such a high lows even when there are a number of violations of the law.

    “To say the least, we are concerned about such statistics and would want to verify this claim which I still consider as spurious.

    “We have continued with sustained advocacy on the existence of the Child Rights Law in the state. The Law provides for criminalisation of violators and offenders of the law.

    “As a state, we created a special Ministry to be in charge of this, which is the Ministry of Women Affairs with Desk Offices established in the 18 council areas to cascade this advocacy to the wards and villages.

    “Government has gone ahead to involve traditional rulers, opinion leaders and women groups to strengthen this campaign against child labour and child abuse respectively.

    “Of course, note that some violators have been and are being prosecuted in the courts. Even in my ministry of information, my orientation department has been doing a lot to sensitise and orientate the citizenry on the existence of the Law and implementation in the state.

    “All these are helping and would continue to change the narrative in this regard,” he stated.

    The NBS report indicates that over 24 million Nigerian children are involved in child labour, with 14.3 millions of these children engaged in hazardous work as of 2022 when the last report was conducted.

    The northwest geopolitical zone bears the brunt of these figures, with the highest number of child labourers (6,407,102) and children in hazardous work (3,266,728).

    The South East region emerged the highest in terms of percentage prevalence of child labour with nearly half of the children involved in child labour at 49.9 per cent.

    Nationally, 39.2 per cent of children (24,673,485) are in child labour, and 22.9 per cent (14,390,353) are involved in hazardous work, painting a grim picture of the conditions under which nearly two out of every five Nigerian children live.

    The report also shows that children in the 5–17 age group in child labour commit an average of 14.6 hours of work per week.

    The data further revealed the top 10 states grappling with high percentage of child labour in Nigeria.

    According to the data, Cross River, Yobe, Abia, Plateau and Taraba are are top five with 58.6, 58.9, 60.1, 62.6, and 67.4 percent respectively.

    Taraba State is followed by Ebonyi with 56.2 per cent, Imo with 56.2 percent, Kogi with 54.4 per cent while Bauchi and Akwa Ibom came 9th and 10th with 53.3 and 52.2 percent respectively. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ESI/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • Contractors to resume work on Calabar-Itu road – FG

    Contractors

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has assured that the contractors handling the dualisation of the Calabar-Itu highway will soon return to site to resume work on the which served as a link between Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

    Mrs Adebisi Osim, the Acting Controller of Works in Cross River, said this on Friday in Calabar when she played host to Cross River South Consultative Forum in Calabar, a political pressure group.

    Osim said that the resumption of work on the highway followed the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works.

    She noted that the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi had addressed the issues that had stalled the progress of construction work on the highway.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the contractors, Julius Berger and Sematech, abandoned the site last year.

    She explained that in the interim, emergency palliative measures were underway to ameliorate the sufferings of road users on the route.

    According to her, “I am glad to announce that Julius Berger and Sematech are returning to the site to resume works at both ends of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road.

    “The issues that stalled further execution of the contract have been sorted out.

    “Accordingly, once the rains subside, both contractors will return to site to commence work simultaneously.

    “This is due to the peculiar priority attention accorded to the project by our boss, the Minister of Works, bolstered by the interest of Gov. Bassey Otu, who has waded in to handle the issue of compensation which was a major factor.”

    It would be recalled that the federal government had approved the variation cost of the Calabar-Itu road from N79.65 billion to N118.4 billion owing to the prevailing cost of materials.

    Umahi who made the announcement said that the decision followed the Federal Executive Council approval of N42.4 billion as variation for the project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/EMAF
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    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • C’River: NDLEA secures 19 convictions, seizes 525.6kg of illicit drugs

    Conviction

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Cross River command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it secured no fewer than 19 convictions for drug-related offences between January and June.

    The commander, Rachel Umebuali disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Friday.

    She said that a total of 142 persons were arrested for various drug-related  offences across the state within the period under review.

    The NDLEA official further said that 16 persons were currently under prosecution, and that none of the accused persons was discharged during the period.

    Umebuali said that the command seized a total of 525.6kg of different illicit drugs within the past six months.

    She disclosed that illicit drug dealers were constantly devising diverse ways to perfect their trade without being caught

    The commander listed cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, psychotropic drugs, heroin, cocaine and tincture as the most trafficked and abused drugs in the state.

    “These drug peddlers mostly conceal the drugs in bags and convey them to buyers with motor vehicles,” she said.

    Umebuali said that the command’s operations were hugely affected by lack of adequate logistics such as vehicles.

    She however, restated the agency’s commitment to religiously undertake its duty of tackling drug trafficking, addiction and abuse in the state.

    “Whether we like it or not, illicit drug intake has consequences on security, economy, and the overall welfare of the populace.

    “It has an undeniable connection to the rise in insecurity, and impacts negatively on peace and development,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/NNO/AZU

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    Edited by Nick Nicholas and Azubuike Okeh

  • Center reviews 2023 polls, lauds voter education, technology deployment  

    Center

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The International Press Centre (IPC) has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the high level of voter education, planning and technology deployed during the 2023 general election.

    Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, gave the commendation on Wednesday while addressing stakeholders at a one-day multi-stakeholder dialogue in Calabar, Cross River.

    Arogundade said there was a need to address the crucial issue of rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s electoral process in spite of the remarkable improvement noticed in certain areas during the 2023 general elections.

    He, however, called on INEC to work towards improving the logistics challenges, voter’s participation, disputes and violence that usually characterise the country’s election.

    “This dialogue is part of the European Union’s support for democratic governance in Nigeria, under the ‘component four’ (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project.

    “The Calabar event is the fourth dialogue of its kind following previous successful sessions in Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna states.

    “Building trust requires involvement from all stakeholders, and not just the INEC,” he said.

    He urged participants to work together to ensure credible elections and increase voter participation in the next general election.

    Prof. Takim Ojua of the University of Calabar, noted that electoral fraud and violence were long-standing issues in Nigerian politics.

    Ojua who was the lead speaker at the event, said that rebuilding trust required a collective effort of every stakeholder.

    On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Gyogon Grimah, represented by DSP Igri Ewa, highlighted the role of the Police in maintaining law and order during elections.

    Similarly, Mr Ken Bassey, representing the Trade Union Congress (TUC), emphasised the need for fair compensation for workers to reduce electoral fraud.

    Participants included political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and the media.

    They discussed the need for improved voter registration, adequate training for electoral officials and effective collation and transmission of election results.

    They also emphasised the importance of addressing the challenges of free and fair election in Nigeria through robust legal frameworks and effective enforcement. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/EMAF
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    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • C’River Govt. denies abandoning road projects

    Projects

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 26, 2024(NAN) The Cross River Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, has denied allegations that the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government has abandoned some ongoing road projects in the state.

    Ekpang made the denial while speaking to newsmen on the state of ongoing road projects in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government is being accused of not being proactive in the implementation of two key road projects it used to mark its first year in office.

    A NAN survey around some project sites showed that the contractors handling the Parliamentary Extension and the Zone 6/NNPC-Tank Farm Road projects at Esuk Utan, were no longer at work.

    No equipment owned by the contractor, FaithPlant Construction Limited, was found within the project site.

    NAN reports that a section of the Parliamentary Extension Road, constructed under the administration of the former governor, Liyel Imoke, had become highly deteriorated.

    Simirlarly, the Tank Farm Road, constructed during the military era, had also become a nightmare for truck drivers and other road users.

    NAN further reports that upon resumption of office, Otu commissioned work to commence on the reconstruction of the two roads.

    Meanwhile, the commissioner said that the contractors only left the project sites because of the heavy rainfall.

    “Our projects are still very much on course, it is not true that we have abandoned these projects, they are very important to us, and we will complete them.

    “The only challenge here is the weather and you don’t expect the contractors to leave their equipment on site during the rains.

    “Let me also say that the peculiarity of the Parliamentary Extension Road does not permit continuation of work during the rains. The area is swampy,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/AZU

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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

     

     

  • Navy engages sister agencies on inter agency cooperation

    Cooperation

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has engaged about 12 military and paramilitary agencies on inter agency cooperation to enhance the country’s security.

    This was disclosed by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande during the command’s 2024 inter-agency seminar in Calabar on Tuesday.

    The seminar has as it theme: “Strengthening Inter Agency Cooperation Amongst Security agencies At The Tactical Level: a Panacea For Operational Effectiveness”.

    Speaking on the basis of the seminar, Akinwande said the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges required mutual trust to meet the challenges .

    “I will like to stress that the complex nature of security challenges demands that security agencies emplace a very robust, collaborative arrangements that will foster common understanding of security challenges, mutual trust as well as intelligence sharing to meet the challenges.

    “We want to talk directly to the lower cadre, our men out there in the field.

    “We expect that at the end of the seminar, the outcome will foster that much needed inter agency collaboration, cooperation, mutual trust and common understanding among them as far as meeting  contemporary and complex national security challenges that confront us,” he said.

    Speaking on the theme, Dr Ubong Essien, a resource person, emphasised that security agents are a reflection of their agencies.

    He stressed that a big problem lies with the agents, adding that every security agency must moderate, sanction and also look inward at what the agent does at the tactical level.

    Also speaking on the sub topic: “Importance of Building Trust And Communication Among Security Agencies”, Essien said that lack of trust among security agencies made it difficult to cooperate.

    This, he said, was made difficult by the environment and information age we are in.

    He said that the organisational culture of an agency could change a lot and this culture should reflect in the character of the agent.

    On his part, Dr Atehle George, whose lecture was titled: “Conflict Resolution And Mediation Techniques: A Solution for Effective Interagency Collaboration”, urged security agencies to avoid cross cutting mandates, focus on their mandates and not position.

    He added that no agency is superior to the other and that collaboration and partnership is for the overall development of the society.

    In his closing remarks, the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said that every agency remained  unique in its own way, adding that there is no place for superiority of agencies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/CHOM/DOE

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Dianabasi Effiong

  • NDLEA arrests 100 suspects, seizes 290kg of illicit drugs in C’River

    Drug

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Cross River Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it arrested no fewer than 100 suspects across the state between January and June over alleged illicit drug offences.

    The State NDLEA Commander, Rachael Umebuali, said at a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday that the command also seized 290kg of illicit drugs within the period under review.

    Umebuali said that the briefing was part of activities to commemorate the 2024 United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking.

    She listed the seized illicit drugs to include, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, diazepam, tramadol, and cannabis sativa.

    The commander expressed displeasure at the escalating level of drug consumption and trafficking in the state, and the country at large.

    She identified Ikom, Abi, Biase and Calabar South as the local government areas with high drug abuse prevalence rates.

    Umebuali said that the challenge of drug abuse had evolved into a significant social issue with consequences on security, economy and the overall welfare of the population.

    “This has undeniable connections to the rise in insecurity, which is having negative impacts on peace and the economy nationwide.

    “Armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape, and other violent crimes are attributable to the consumption of illegal drugs,” she said.

    The commandant urged the government, corporate bodies and people with a desire for change to join forces with the agency to eliminate illicit drugs in the society.

    He said that the command also used the week to visit places of worship to carry out anti-drug sensitisation campaigns.

    “Our intention is that they will in turn sensitise their children and wards on the fight against illicit drugs.

    “Drug abuse in the state is so high that we need to do a lot. We cannot do this alone without the collaboration of other agencies and the media,” she said.

    Umebuali commended the state government for its support to the agency in the discharge its duties in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/CEO/AZU

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    Edited by Chidi Opara and Azubuike Okeh

     

  • Cholera: Cross River activates emergency response team

    Cholera

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Calabar, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Dr Henry Ayuk, the Cross River Commissioner for Health, says the state has activated an emergency response team that will respond to any threat of cholera outbreak in the state.

    The commissioner made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday.

    He said that although the state has not witnessed any cholera case since the current outbreak was reported, there was one recorded death associated with cholera around March 2024.

    He added that “there was an outbreak of the disease in Obubura and Biase local government areas between February and April, with one death recorded during the outbreak.

    “That was about the only time we had case of cholera outbreak in this state.”

    On the current outbreak in some states, Ayuk said “we have already adopted the guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    “As part of our preparedness, we have reactivated our public health emergency response team at the state and local government levels for prompt response.

    “We are increasing surveillance in the state and also educating communities on the need to report any case of diarrhea.

    “We particularly focused on the riverine areas where we have designated hot spots such as Etung, Abi, Obubura, Biase and part of Yakurr local government areas.”

    There have been reported cases of cholera outbreak in 30 states of the federation, and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged state governments to prioritise access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation and proper hygiene practices in communities.

    In a comprehensive advisory released to the public, healthcare workers and state governments, the centre reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.

    The NCDC highlighted that 10 states—Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos—account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/AAA/HA

    Editedby Aisha Ahmed/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

     

     

     

  • Edo 2024: I will run an inclusive government— Okpebholo

    Edo 2024: I will run an inclusive government— Okpebholo

    Government

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Akamkpa (Cross River), June 17, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, says he will run an inclusive government when elected in the September 21 governorship election.

    Okpebholo stated this on the sideline of a flag off of medical mission by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Akamkpa, Cross River on Monday.

    The Senator representing Edo Central in the 10th Assembly and a member of the Senate Committee on NDDC, also noted that he will adopt bottom-top approach in running the affairs of the state.

    According to him, unlike what is currently obtainable in the governance of the state, his administration will be practically driven.

    ‘‘It will be a governance that the people can relate with, a true people’s government in the real sense.”

    The APC candidate, who bemoaned the lack of infrastructural development across the 18 Local Government Area of Edo, promised to re-enact Adams Oshiomhole infrastructural revolution.

    He said that emergency would be declared on roads, schools and health infrastructure in the state.

    “We are set for that.

    “We will be taking a holistic approach to correct the decayed roads, schools and health infrastructure that have been left unattended to.

    “If the Obaseki-led administration had built upon what the government of Adams Oshiomhole did, Edo would have been competing with a state like Lagos in terms of development.

    “Our mission is to, from day one, hit the ground running and make Edo a better place.

    ‘‘A place we can actually call our own, a place that everybody will be happy to see,” he stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ESI/FAK/VIV

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    Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi/Vivian Ihechu

  • Over 3,500 persons to benefit from NDDC health intervention in C’River

    Over 3,500 persons to benefit from NDDC health intervention in C’River

    Health

    By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

    Akamkpa (Cross River), June 17, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 3,500 persons have been slated to benefit from a free five-day medical mission in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River.

    The medical mission is being sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with aim of providing healthcare services to medically underserved rural communities in the region.

    The Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbudu, said that the medical mission, which had already taken place in eight states of the region, had seen to the treatment of over two million people in Niger Delta.

    Represented by Dr Eme Inyangabia, Assistant Director, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), he said the mission was the flagship of the Commission, serving to endear NDDC to the medically needy communities.

    “The medical mission is one of several health programmes of the Commission, targeted at changing the health situation and narrative of our people in the region.

    “It is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 3 which aspires to achieve Universal Health Coverage and ensure health and well-being for all,” he stated.

    Similarly, the Executive Director, EHSS of the Commission, Dr George Uzonwanne, said they were looking at 12,000 to 15,000 data points as a particular patient may be treated on more than one ailment.

    ‘‘We are carrying out a one-week short term intervention free of charge to the people of Cross River State.

    ‘‘We are looking at treating 3,000 to 3,500 patients but not really the number of patients but the number of data points because one patient may have more than three interventions.

    ‘‘So, we are looking at between 12,000 to 15,000 data points.

    ‘‘Treatments will range from things like malaria to things as complex as having fibroid surgery or general surgery,’’ he said.

    Uzonwanne added that a team would be on standby to look after patients before they were discharged and others with more severe ailments would be treated by the commission in a referral hospital. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ESI/FAK/VIV

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    Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi/Vivian Ihechu