Politics
Cross River State Youths to host 30,000 man summit in Calabar ahead of 2023, thanks Governor Ayade for keeping faith with them
Cross River State Youths under the aegis of APC Youth Lobby Group have celebrated Governor Ben Ayade for uplifting young people in leadership position by insisting the time for youths to play more active role in Cross River State has come.
This was made known by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the youth summit, Mr. Oden Ewa while addressing the press on Wednesday in Calabar on the Youths summit slated for 19 February 2022. This according to him is to celebrate the good gesture Governor Ben Ayade has demonstrated towards youth inclusiveness in the state.
Mr. Ewa stated that the state APC youth lobby group inaugurated in Cross River State two weeks ago is meant to promote youth inclusiveness in governance.
According to him “he has the mandate to organise over 30,000 mega summit at U. J. Esuene stadium. Thereafter, the group will go for door-to-door advocacy with elders to solicit for more inclusion of youths in governance.”
He thanked Governor Ben Ayade for running a youth inclusive government stating that “Participants for this summit will be drawn from all the 196 wards in Cross River State.” He also thanked the Cross River State Executives of the APC led by Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba.
Mr. Oden further stated that the committee intends to mobilise youths across the state to key into the APC agenda adding that “It will be a carnival of some sort meant to galvanise support across the state on the mandate of the APC. We have put together a good structure meant to coordinate the 196 wards of Cross River State. Modalities are already in place and we are using innovation to achieve our goal.”
Also speaking, Mr. Francis Ekpo, Special Adviser Ranch Resort to the governor said “This is the only state that you have a lot of youths in government and these youths have all it takes to sustain the legacy of the present administration.”
The Spevial Adviser Tourism, Ubi Franklin said the summit is meant to showcase what the youths have done in the state. He added that “The future is for the young people and the young people have shown capacity when given the chance”
The DG, CRISSA, Mr. Effiom Effiwatt in his remarks stated that “This is a very bold attempt for young people in Cross River State to showcase that we are ready and also give opportunity for other youths who want to be part of the government to come together and make a bold statement that we are ready and come 2023, young people will be heard.”
Also speaking, DG Cross River State Primary Health Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong said “The summit is to appreciate the governor who has been very friendly with youths and women in his government. It is also to encourage more support for the youths to be given opportunity to take up leadership positions in the state. We expect to see all youths because it is time to get involved.”
On his part, Prince Michael Abuo, the DG Migration said “The APC is an idealogy that is geared towards promoting youth participation in governance. There is need for crowdfunding for a youth endowment funds meant to support the aspirations of young people.”
The summit is being put together by youths in governance as well as others from all works of life. Speakers will be drawn from leaders and young people who have impacted positively in the state over the years. They will be drawn from Politics, Entertainment, Business, Education amongst others.
The summit is billed to hold at the UJ Esuene stadium calabar on the 19th of February.
CROSS RIVER STATE YOUTH SUMMIT LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. Oden Ewa
2. Edem Bassey
3. Ted Afu Inyang
4. Ubi Franklin
5. Andrew Ekpenyong
6. Thomas Ikpeme
7. Martha Agba
8. Eric Anderson
9. Asuquo Ekpenyong
10. Chris Ezo
11. Ugochukwu Nwanosike
12. Mfon Bassey
13. Oliver Orok
14. Saviour Nyong
15. Peter Egba
16 Betta Edu
17. Mathias Angioha
18. Goddy Nyiam
19 Joseph Lashakara Edet
20. Ekanem Ekpenyong
21. Tete Mbuk
22. Utsu John Atsu
23. Offiong Onoyom
24. Stanley Nsemo
25. Janet Ekpenyong
26. Eyo Ita Okon
27. Marcel Edet
28. Micheal Nku Abuo
29. Dan Obo
30. Pastor Thomas Okon
31. Akpanke Ogar
32. Effiom Effiwatt
33. Boyo Nduonofit
34. William Archibong
35. Charles Ojiji
36. David Oyo Ita
37. Paul Eze
38. Stanley Boyce Nsemo
39. Rt. Hon. Farathor Robinson Riman
40. Hon. Linus Etim Bassey
41. Hon. Emmanuel Offiong Bassey
42. Hon. Iyadim Amboni Iyadim
43. Dr. Josephate Owan Emeka
44. Hon. Ada Charles Egwu
45. Hon. Pastor John Ewa
46. Hon. Effeffiong Nta Eke
47. Hon. Mrs. Esther Bassey
48. Hon. John Nkum Etuk
49. Hon. Kingsley Egumi
50. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Indie
51. Hon. Bassey Agara Tom
52. Hon. Bonny Ewhe Eraye
53. Hon. Mrs Justina Edem
54. Hon. Emmanuel Ishabor
55. Hon. Ofem Ebri Obeten
56. Hon. Barr. Fabian Odey Ogbeche
57. Boni Ishamali
58. Ekpo Ephraim Adam
59. Charles Ekanem
60. Kelvin Nyong
61. Edem Anam
62. Gerald Esin
63. Otu Marshal
64. Mizam Arikpo
65. Henry Ekpenyong
66. Henry Ublibli
67. Raphael Ntui
68. Lebo Lebo
69. Akpa Paul okwori
70. Wonah Patrick Onah
71. Vicrine Wohu
72. Akpa Monday
73. Ebiala Monday
74. SaintAugustine Adula Odey
75. Ube Sunday Oyilichi
76. Vincent Onyejowo Ogbo
77. Ogoji Joseph Ulafor
78. Onyekwu Friday
79. Ijom Ukam
80. Lukpata Sunday
81. Abing Chukwu Iza
82. Monday O. Igiri
83. Paul Ntol
84. Agbor Williams
85. Anthony Mgbe
86. Osim Osim Ogonyi
87. Victor Etta Enim
88. Oyongh Agbor
89. Erim Ogar Ndoma
90. Cletus Agbogha Enya
91. Abang Neji
92. Odima Nenjom
93. Ojie Gagriel Osang
94. Tony Bisong
95. Etta Oyen Etta
96. Pius Tawo Ekpang
97. Emmanuel Akan Takim
98. Maurice Tiku
99. Barr Michael Akam Abang
100. Anthony Ofum
101. Alex Father
102. Okey Edim Sunday
103. Martins Okon
104. Odong Oba
105. Kelvin Ayuha Joseph
106. Efon Okpa Achena
107. Precious Odong
108. Cornelian Ebokpo Oba
109. Elvis Amba Etta Ebuta
110. Egbong Osebi
111. Sylvester Okey
112. Bassey Amba
113. Vincent Enya Ogaga
114. Emg. Festus Atin Assam
115. Ekuri Bitty Tangban
116. Mgbe Asu Takon
117. Mgboki Mgboki
118. Luke Anom
119. Comrade Saviour Mbeh
120. Nkoyo Oqua
121. Fidelis Oboh
122. Effiom Webber
123. Chris Agbo
124. Effiong Ita
125. Emmanuel Mkpanam
126. Ibok Ene
127. Eyo O Eyo
128. Arit Abor
129. Abasi Ekpenyong
130. Eyibio Effiong
131. Otu Ita
132. Inok Ekpenyong
133. Ayi Inyang Ayi
134. Frank Inyang Jr
135. Fekix Ita
136. Hon Ating
137. Jack Ekpenyong
138. Fidelis Bassey Otosi
139. Hon. Eugene Ikanga
140. Okoi Ofem Omini
141. Engr. Bassey Egbe
142. Bar. Obeten Okoi Okoi
143. Mitre Iferi Eyong
144. Cyril Raymond
145. Ofem Eloma Igri
146. Ubi Ojeje Williams
147. Emmanuel Donatus Offer
148. Ilang John Omini
149. Fedinand Ubi Omini
150. Ubi Onun
151. Asido Efa
152. Offiong Honesty
153. Ogah Sunday Ilifu
154. Timothy Ushie
155. Innocent Oshie
156. Egbung Odama
157. Thomas Emoshe Enti
158. Ekunke Christopher Adie
159. Okaba Phillip Ogar
160. Emmanuel Efenji
161. Odma Thomas Odama
162. Odey Bernard Agida
163. Ekeng Beto
164. Asuquo Willy
165. Blessing Bassey
166. Hycent Ukwayi
167. Barry Okang
168. Linus Iti
169. Frank Agim
170. Dekas Ikashi
171. Christopher
172. Hon. Emmanuel Akomaye
173. Isaiah Ochui
174. Gabriel Isorshie
175. Odey Peter Adung
176. Ikwebe Nechus
177. Charles Atara
178. Felix Edet Essien
179. Ajah Obok Egwu
180. Enang Ikpo Obu
181. Egbai Jolly Arikpo
182. Peter Nkanu
183. Ifeyeng Unor Ukam
184. John Afenkefe
185. John Ade
186. Thomas Ashibi
187. Jacob Abunlime
188. Alina Peter
189. Clement Ejikang
190. Livinus Ashitangwo
191. Anna Takus
192. Linus Ukpaka
193. Anakai Johnpaul
194. Emmanuel Ibanga Enya
195. Ekuma Emmanuel Bassey
196. Joy Akpan Edward
197. Joachim Egbor
198. Bassey Ekpo
199. Nkanu Dennis Azogbor
200. Anthony Echeng Isong
201. Trevor Inyang
202. Etta Moses Evans
203. Florence Innocent Ibeze
204. Morphy Michael Uko
205. Sylvester Aruku
206. Prince Phillip Alaga
207. Joseph Monkamp
208. Abang Ogon
209. Mike Nku Abuo
210. Eri John
211. Sunny Achang
212. Steven Egar Ayim
213. Mourdey Ugbiji
214. Cletus Archibong
215. Umo Archiving
216. Essien Okon
217. Edet Okon Edet
218. Albert Ndem
219. Effanga Offiong
220. Effiom Okon Effiong
221. Eric Orok Edem Odo
222. Ededem Archiving
223. Ekpenyong Basset
224. Etim Bassey
225. Offiong Francis
226. Essien Essien Eyo
227. Ephraim Effiom
228. Emmanuel Offiong
229. Effanga David Effiom
230. Okon James Orok
231. Effiong Wilfred Asuquo
232. Offiong Bassey Offiong.
233. Orok ENo Bassey
234. Eyo Otu Ita
235. Edet Ekeng Effiom
236. Offiong Edet Bassey
237. Bernard B. Edet
238. Elvis Okon Enyam
239. Augusta Ita Asuquo
240. Fredrick Ayuk
241. Vivian Nyong Edet
242. Vincent Ndifon
243. Michael Okpo
244. Magdalene Ekpe
245. Ogar L. Ogar
246. John Aqua
247. Lidia Kingsley Ambor
248. Eyo Bassey Edem
249. Victor Effiong
250. Effiong Effiom
251. Asuquo Effiom Effiong
252. Francis Edem
253. Samuel Ekpenyong
254. Godwin Sylvester Edet
255. Hon ita Ekparikpa
256. Mr Daniel Effiom
257. Adie Buddy
258. Linus Obogo
259. Imani Odey
260. Rasheed Olarewaju
261. Eme Offiong
262. Emmanuel Ulayi
263. Hope Obeten
264. Eugene Upah
265. Richard Romanus
266. Egbelo Edward Ntebri
267. Stella Ulakom
268. Nathaniel Otaba
269. Andrea Ekeng Inyang
270. Inyali Peter
271. Kenneth Ere
272. George Odok Jnr
273. Solomon David
274. Daniel Williams (DW Photography)
275. Chidi Onyemaizu
276. Augustine Ogar
277. Victor Ekpo Ita
278. Paul Ndik
279. Mathais Amgbah
280. Effiong Ekpenyong
281. Shnaibu Hussaini
282. Stanley Ntagi
283. Archibong Effefiom
284. Effiong Bassey (Senator)
285. Maurice Offiong
286. Eval Asikong
287. Beatrice Akpala
288. David Peter
289. Akuku Achilles Ugbani
290. Sylvester Ngaji
291. Paul Ndik
292. Daniel Williams
293. Abang Ogon
294. Francis Ekpo
295. Mark Awa
296. Jacqueline Ulam
297. Ekamma Itu
298. Sylvester Oneil
299. Akabom Enobong
300. Solomon Inyang
301. Emmanuel Ayi
302. Great Ogban
303. Jerry Odey
304. Okpebri David
305. Egomo Matthew
306. Egor Egor Enang
307. Dr. Mrs. Archibong
308. Dr. Genevieve Barnaby
309. Dr. Ansa Etcheri
310. Adie Ugbizi
311. Austin Wono
312. Ralph Morphy
313. John Agi
314. Dele Bakare
315. Nicholas Itomin
316 Otu Otu
317 Robert Atabi
318 Joan Akwali
319 David Bassey
320 Okunola Olarenwaju
321 Ben Nkebem
322 Ekwe John
Politics
President Tinubu Transmits to The Senate Lists Of Ambassadorial Nominees
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
Politics
I’m Not Playing Politics with Nnamdi Kanu’s Release – Gov Otti Replies Chief Ogbonna
Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to a Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonna, wherein he called Governor Alex Otti unprintable names and also alleged that Governor Otti didn’t visit President Tinubu to discuss the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but to plan on how to defect to the APC, among other childish verbal attacks.
Chief Ognonna has been unleashing unprovoked verbal venom and vituperation on the Governor, but we chose to ignore him, not only because we have been busy with the task of governance, but because we also know that he is traumatised by the obscurity he was plunged into after the 2023 general election and felt he should be allowed to experience some healing that could help normalise his reasoning.
Ordinarily, we would have still ignored Chief Ognonna’s latest idle tirade and allow him delude himself with fantasies of fury, but because the Nnamdi Kanu issue is both sensitive and very important to this government, we felt we should respond and put the records straight.
In continuation of Governor Otti’s efforts aimed at securing Kanu’s release, the Governor subsequently had a meeting with the President after visiting the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30 2025. This is in continuation of earlier meetings the Governor had been having with the FG on this matter in the past two years.
The issue of Kanu was the only subject matter that took Governor Otti to Aso Rock and to the Glory of God, the meeting was both positive and fruitful, as the President was so gracious and generous.
Chief Ogbonna’s allegation of Governor Otti going to lobby to join the APC is both petty, ignoble, laughable and very irresponsible. At the risk of sounding immodest, any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would roll out the drums and red carpet to welcome him with joy and excitement. If anything, many notable and respected APC leaders are not just desirous of having him in their fold, but are strongly appealing to Governor Otti to join their party because they know that he is not a liability.
Ogbonna accused Otti of betrayal, but he didn’t say who Otti betrayed, how and when.
He claimed that Otti doesn’t have capacity, yet Otti defeated him in his Polling Unit, Ward and LGA where his PDP Candidates from House of Assembly to President lost woefully.
He accused Governor Otti of inconsistency, yet he abandoned Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar less than 48 hours after the result of the Presidential Election was announced, in spite of the empty noise and boast he made about the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, all for Atiku’s money when it was needed and available.
He alleged that Governor Otti is playing politics with Nnamdi Kanu, yet, he is angry that the Governor is engaging the FG to secure Kanu’s freedom. Is there anything more contradictory and ridiculous than Ogbonna’s utterances?
At this point, the general public needs to know the genesis of Chief Ogbonna’s anger and aggression.
Having acquired Agbozu Cocoa Plantation when he was in government, the present government decided to reclaim the Plantation which was yielding nothing to the state under Charles Ogbonna. In line with Governor Otti’s policy of operating a government with human face, which sees him pay compensation so as not to hurt any citizen or investor, he approved a compensation package which was paid to Chief Ogbonna. He was excited and full of thanks and appreciation to Governor Otti for the gesture, because he knew he didn’t deserve it. Unfortunately and in line with his insatiable quest for power and money, he thought that another opportunity had opened for him to surreptitiously sneak into the government as he later nominated his son to be appointed by Governor Otti. The Governor flatly declined the request and subsequently appointed another person from the same Ogbonna’s Community, a development that made him feel slighted, diminished and broken and has since then gone out of control, throwing tantrums and hoping to be invited for settlement.
Chief Ogbonna’s problem, like some of his co-travellers is his failure to wake up from his slumber and realise that the era of ruins is over and that Abia has moved forward, never to be dragged back.
His primitive arrogance and mediocre mindset that limit his understanding of government and governance to political appointments, settlement and sharing of public funds without service to the people has so blinded him to the extent that he attacked the Governor recently for awarding the badly broken Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, claiming that the FG had aleady awarded it and thus should not be awarded by the Governor. How could any human being with conscience prefer that his people continue to suffer and die in their numbers just because he feels that building the strategic road would earn the Governor a huge political capital? Ogbonna needs to be reminded that such evil mindset has no place in the New Abia.
Even though Ogbonna’s character deficiency doesn’t position him for any modicum of respect, however, having advanced in age, he is expected to conduct himself honourably and responsibly so as not to attract insults to himself.
Finally, Ogbonna needs to be educated that one of the hallmarks of a great leader is his ability to apply wisdom, emotional intelligence and deploy the instrument of diplomacy in solving problems that have the propensity to impact the security of life and property of the people negatively if handled wrongly.
Governor Otti didn’t campaign with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s name in 2023, and doesn’t need to campaign with his plight for 2027, however, he strongly believes that resolving the problem of Kanu’s conviction is one of the ways to achieving peace, security and healing in our land. Unfortunately, Chief Ogbonna is not grounded, both in character and knowledge of the ingredients of modern leadership, hence his kindergarten politicisation of Governor Otti’s engagements with the FG and visit to the President.
Now that Ogbonna has become an errand boy in the APC, he needs to be reminded that he can pursue his stomach agenda without necessarily carrying out this misplaced aggression against Governor Otti, because it makes him look more pathetic than he can ever imagine.
Ferdinand Ekeoma
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Media and Publicity)
December 4, 2025.
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