KRISTINA REPORTS

Governor Wike commends Saraki, Ahmed for defecting to PDP ▪Says APC Federal Government's intimidation technique will fail Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has congratulated Senate President Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed for their courage to defect to PDP despite the intimidation and harassment of the APC Federal Government. Governor Wike further declared that the harassment and  intimidation technique deployed by the APC Federal Government emboldens PDP leaders across the country to stand firm against tyranny, dictatorship and failed governance. Addressing journalists on the defections of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Tuesday at the Government House Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said the level of impunity under the APC  Federal Government surpasses what was obtainable during the Military Administration. "I salute the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor for bei

Amid the crisis rocking the Kwara State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate President, Bukola Saraki has announced his resignation from the party, citing deliberate violation of “all governance principles required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government”. He declined to say which party was his next political destination. Governor of his home state, Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed has also announced his resignation from the APC, saying the party was no longer a platform for the pursuit of his aspirations. This has somewhat altered the calculations for the 2019 presidential elections as there has been speculations that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was poaching the Senate President, who had been enmeshed in a political row with his former party’s leadership over the manner of his emergence as leader of the 8th National Assembly, in order to field him against President Muhammadu Buhari. Saraki has been the subject of sever

BY UBONG INYANG The University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the Republic of Korea has strengthened its diplomatic ties by resolving to partner on the establishment of a Centre for Korea Studies in the institution. This was made known in separate addresses delivered by the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Zana Akpagu and His Excellency, the Ambassador of Korea to Nigeria, Prof. Lee In-Tae during a Public lecture delivered by the latter on the topic: “Growing the Nigerian Economy through Education: The South Korea Model”, held at the institutions International Conference Centre. The Korean Ambassador who was the Guest lecturer said the relationship between the institution and Korea has been cordial, a cogent reason, he deemed it fit to leave a lasting legacy by collaborating with the institution to establish a centre for Korean Studies to further strengthen its diplomatic ties and contribute to educational advancement. Prof. Lee, In-Tae who described UNICAL as one of the foremost

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike stormed the popular Mile 1 market in Port Harcourt where he shared some amazing moments with the traders. The excited traders were more than amazed when the governor, popularly referred to as Mr. Projects doled out wads of cash to them. See pictures of the visit.

Leader of the Kwankwasiya Movement and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso has dismissed claims by the minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi that President Muhammadu Buhari will win Kano State I the 2019 presidential election. Kwankwaso was one of the 15 senators who defected recently from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State and director general of the Buhari re-election campaign, has stated that nothing would prevent Buhari from winning the 2019 polls. Speaking while inspecting the Itakpe-Warri rail line on Friday, Amaechi said “Do you honestly believe that the president will lose election in this country? Well nobody is God, but that is one of his comfort zones. The next person that left from Bauchi, if you bring president on a sick bed in Bauchi, he will win. He has never lost election in Bauchi.” “One thing about me in the political history of Nigeria, nobody has been in doub

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has fined DAAR Communications (owner of AIT/Raypower) N500,000 for persistent violation of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. NBC’s Head of Public Affair, Maimuna Jimada, via a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, said comments made on Raypower’s programme “Political Platform” was against the broadcasting code. Mrs. Jimada said that the organization was sanctioned due to “provocative, inflammatory and divisive comments” by anchors of the political platform. She said the Commission on May 2, 2017, Aug. 15, 2017 and February 2018, held meetings with staff of DAAR Communications to caution them on unprofessional manner of anchors of the programme. She stated that the Commission had charged the team handling the programme to be fair, and balance their reportage. According to her, during the Feb. 7 meeting, the Commission stressed the need to comply with the broadcasting code to avoid sanctions. “The Political Platform ep

Remember the guy who asked Nigerians to call him a bastard should Buhari win the 2015 presidential election? Yeah, his name is Doyin OKupe. He was a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. This time he is saying the 2019 elections will mainly between President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President, Bukola Saraki. He added that Saraki will be Buhari’s biggest challenge during the forthcoming polls.  Okupe made these assertions while speaking on the recent defection of 15 senators and 37 House of Representatives members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the National Assembly during an interview with Channels Television. According to him, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will accept any individual or parties that want to join them.  “It’s regrettable now but I was one of those who felt if defectors wanted to go, they should go. PDP has been humble, they will take any individual or

By UBONG INYANG True friendship between a husband and wife has been identified as a veritable ingredient for a happy, successful and thriving marriage. The 81st inaugural lecturer of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Prof. (Mrs.) Arit Edem Obot stated this at the institutions International Conference Centre while delivering a lecture on the topic, Matrimonial Bliss: Reality or Mirage? A counselling Perspective’. Prof. Arit Obot Prof. Obot said the major ingredient that holds marriage is love hence the need for a husband and wife to be each others best friend in order to ensure matrimonial bliss. According to the inaugural lecturer, true friendship transcends and rises above the ties of family relationships, stressing that friendship between a husband and wife, with its characteristic honesty and openness is absolutely essential for the success of marriage. She called on the husband as the head of the family to love his wife and the wife as the helper to submit to her

Prof. Zana Akpagu, Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar By Ubong Inyang Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu has charged newly consecrated physicians that saving lives should be their utmost priority if they must excel in their chosen profession.  He described physicians as life savers, urging them to sustain their efforts at rendering selfless service. Prof. Akpagu, who  gave this charge at the 48th Physicians Oath Taking Ceremony (Sponsio Academica) held at the institution’s International Conference Centre, also announced the de-proscription of Calabar University Students Medical Association (CUMSA). The de-proscription of CUMSA is however coming barely two months after the Vice Chancellor had wielded his big stick on the union for engaging in acts inimical to the development of the institution. He congratulated the new doctors and urged them to see their induction as a call to service of humanity while charging them to adhere strictly

Add caption Wife of Nigeria’s minister of transport and former governor of Rivers State, Judith Amaechi was in Port Harcourt for a summit organized by women of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state party secretariat. The turnout was not only spectacular but overwhelming. So was the show of affection for the founder of the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) whose husband touched several lives through the various developmental projects across the state. Judith Amaechi presented the keynote address while other strategic presentations were made by the APC National Woman Leader, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, and a former member of the House of Representatives and chairman of Ogu/Bolo LGA, Maureen Tamuno, as well as solidarity speeches the member representing Port Harcourt constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victoria Nyeche, state chairman of the APC, Ojukaye Flag Amachree, a former commissioner for Women Affairs, Joeba West, among others. Special guests at

President Muhammadu Buhari The statement from the Presidency late Saturday was not only surprising but more of a rebuke to his teeming supporters and support groups nationwide. President Muhammadu Buhari through his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina directed that all campaigns for him be stopped at once until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gives the nod for campaigns to commence. Below is Adesina’s statement. STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS: EASY DOES IT, SAYS PRESIDENCY It has been observed that some fervent supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari have begun what may be interpreted as political campaigns in their advocacies and advertisements in the mass media. We appreciate their enthusiasm, borne out of desire to garner support for an administration that is actuated by nothing else, other than service for motherland, but we hereby appeal for patience, so that the game can be played according to the rules. The Indep

Cyril Hart, former CTC Chairman,  Bonny LGA Bonny Island, the gateway into Nigeria’s south eastern economic hub, host to high profile economic behemoths, NLNG, Shell, and Mobil, remains underperforming in terms of its development profile. Findings reveal that the community’s enormous tourism and economic potentials remain largely untapped thus stalling the multifaceted development that should have been its lot. But new developments give hope of the island finding its feet again such as the Bodo-Bonny road project which would link the hitherto shrouded island to the upland and thus unleash vast opportunities for investment. Also at the verge of commencement is the LNG trains 7 and 8 and the deep seaport mooted by the federal government recently. Charting a roadmap to leverage the inherent opportunities in these developments remains the challenge as the community’s stakeholders seem at a loss on how to forge a functional synergy to pursue these prospects. On hand to analyze thes

By Anita Jumbo One year olds can be much of a handful and need loads of attention to keep up with their infantile antics as they explore the world around them. As a mom I can tell you from experience. So it’s a beautiful experience we share as parents. You must have noticed that it’s either they are disassembling their toys or fiddling with virtually every gadget in the home or trying out their climbing skills. Their ignorance does not help here as they lack the skills to understand what could hurt them or otherwise. This informs why in the middle of your ever engaging and tasking chores you should pay close attention to her-your one year old. 7 Challenges You Would Ordinarily Face With 1-Year Olds 1. They are restless and ever busy exploring the environment around them. 2. They fix their sleep schedules and stay awake when you more than want them asleep. 3. Eating could be as confusing as they come. They choose their food, how they eat it, and where that happe

Proposed Revival  of South-South Ports: A Case of Cheating Does Not Pay By Simeon Nwakaudu On the streets of Nigeria there is a popular saying, "cheating does not part". This saying is open to different interpretations. But the most prevalent interpretation being that in the long run, it is unprofitable to continue to defraud others for selfish gains. The situation enroute Apapa Port  is disheartening. But it is a classical case of cheating does not pay. It is a case of the deliberate economic strangulation of other parts of Nigeria to the advantage of Lagos State. We must be courageous to say the truth,  no matter whose ox is gored. Over the years, successive economic  administrators have castrated the ports in the South-South region, citing lame excuses for  their actions. Today, the consequences  of their criminal manipulation is staring them in the face. I read that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State begged the Federal Government  to revive existing

Benue State has been in the news for the wrong reasons lately as marauding bands of purported herdsmen continued their rampage across different communities in the state maiming and killing and leaving tales of woe and destruction in their wake. The attacks described by many as genocide against the people of the Middle Belt has spread from Benue to her neighbours, Taraba, Nassarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, and recently, Sokoto States.  The angst that arose from the inaction and apparent nonchalance of the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government was palpable as the people of the state in different fora voiced their displeasure with the APC controlled federal government.  One of the fallouts of this was the recent defection of the state governor, Samuel Ortom, who, Wednesday, made a volte face on his decision not to dump his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). He declared for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when irate youths blocked his convoy while en route to meet wit