Two medical staff of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) have tested positive for Covid-19, reports Grassroot Reporters.

This was disclosed by the the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme in an internal memo obtained by GRASSROOT REPORTERS and directed to staff and patients of the hospital dated July 3, 2020.


According to the CMD, the staff's samples were among the 5 samples the hospital sent to NCDC accredited Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State which returned positive.

He said the tests were carried out using the standard PCR Testing Technique. He however said the staff have made tremendous recovery.


The memo reads in part: "The management of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital wishes to inform our hospital staff and patients that Covid-19 tests performed on 5 samples from our hospital returned positive.


"Two of these samples came from our medical staff. These staff have since made tremendous progress along the path of recovery and are doing well. The tests were performed using PCR Technique at the NCDC Accredited Laboratory located at Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki".

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/07/two-medical-staff-of-university-of.html?m=1

See memo below

Dominique
Sissy3

Cross River State has finally recorded 5 positive cases of the dreaded Coronavirus, [/b]reports Grassroot Reporters.

[b]This was announced by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme on Wednesday, July 3 in an internal memo to staff and patients of the hospital obtained by Grassroot Reporters.

Prof. Ikpeme said the tests were carried out using the standard PCR Testing Technique at Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.

He added that out of the 5 patients tested, 2 were staff of the hospital who have recovered from the virus.

The memo reads in part: "The management of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital wishes to inform our hospital staff and patients that Covid-19 tests performed on 5 samples from our hospital returned positive. Two of these samples came from our medical staff. These staff have since made tremendous progress along the path of recovery and are doing well. The tests were performed using PCR Technique at the NCDC Accredited Laboratory located at Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki.

"We wish to reassure our staff and patients that a positive Covid-19 test is not a death sentence nor a reason for any type of fear or stigmatization. As stated above, our medical personnel have recovered. We urge all staff and patients to abide by the guidelines on hand and respiratory hygiene as advised by the State and Federal Government through various agencies, especially the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control". The memo read.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/07/breaking-news-cross-river-records.html?m=1

The Cross River State Commissioner for Health and Chairman Cross River State Covid-19 Response Taskforce Dr. Betta Edu has called on Cross Riverians to expect positive Covid-19 cases anytime soon following the Federal Government of Nigeria resolve to lift the ban on interstate travel and opening of the airport, Grassroot Reporters reports.

Recall that Cross River State is the only state in Nigeria yet to record a confirmed case of the virus.


The Federal Government had, on July 1, 2020 lifted the ban on interstate movement.


Dr Edu stated this in Calabar as she decried the massive influx of people into the state over the last 6 days. She said hundreds of persons have moved into the state and more than anytime we are at risk.


According to her, the influx of people into the state since the re-opening of the interstate border is extremely overwhelming, adding that it poses a very serious public health concern especially in the fight against contending the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic.


She further stressed that most entrants into the state including some almajiris that came in about four days ago in their numbers are from Covid-19 epid center, and that this calls for worry. The state is urgently intensifying plans to set up more stringent public health preventive measures following the development stating that Cross Riverians should expect a new normal. However, she call for calm adding that it is time for all Cross Riverians to take precaution as they engage in their daily activities. According to her, everyone must be on alert and remain safe in this second phase of the pandemic.


"Please don't feel panic, don’t feel stigmatized, walk into our new test centers, get tested, get protected and together we can overcome this virus" Dr. Betta Edu.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/07/cross-river-state-to-record-positive.html?m=1

Ukwa Eburutu: The Most Neglected Community In C'River In Dire Need Of Govt's Help By Obio Monday

Ukwa Eburutu, one of the ancestral clans of Efik Eburutu is arguably the most neglected communities in Cross River State by government at levels.

A community with a population of about 29,000 persons who are predominantly farmers has for years been abandoned by successive governments.

The community is bounded to the north by Biakpan in Biase LGA, to the east by Ikot Okpora/Ikot Ana axis of the Cross River, to the south by Ito community in Odukpani LGA and to the west by Iheochawa Igbo of Okpo-ihe, Achara and Ututu in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State.

The deplorable Ukwa Eburutu Road
A visit to the community leaves many asking if the community is part of Nigeria due to the near absence of government presence. The minimum basic amenities that sustains human life and the economy of a locality- water, road, hospital, electricity- is lacking or non-functional in Ukwa Eburutu. Over the years, the community had depended on stagnant streams in the community for drinking water, cooking and other uses. The water, the unsafest in any part of the world is not only very dirty, it contains visible particles such as degenerated leaves, sticks and dead insects. The invisible ones can only be told if taken to the laboratory for examination, which one bet contains microorganisms which are dangerous to human health. In 1993 or so, the community lost about 50 persons to the outbreak of cholera which is attributable to the most unsafe drinking water the people of the community drinks.

During dry season, the streams dries up and the community is left to its fate. Those who have the strength trek about 25km to the next available streams of Afiang, Abasuba and shallow wells which are not also safe for animals talk more of humans!

Despite water being declared as a basic human right by the United Nations, this basic necessity of life has eluded Ukwa Eburutu community. To make matters worse, the community's effort at village levels to drill borehole water has yielded no result.

In 2008, the community thought their years of suffering was gradually coming to an end when the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded contract for the construction of a solar powered borehole water but the project was abandoned, dashing their hopes of portable drinking water. Their woes continues till date, with hopes that government intervenes and save this community from an imminent outbreak of diseases.

Traveling to Ukwa Eburutu has always left a very sour taste in the mouth of those who dare embark on the journey, especially first time visitors. Odukpani LGA headquarters, which Ukwa Eburutu is administratively under is about 10-20 minutes drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital. But sadly, to get to Ukwa Eburutu, a community under Odukpani, takes about 10-15 hours! This pitiable situation can only be attributed to lack of road network to the community, and not the distance. To get to the community is hellish as the road is not only unmotorable but a death trap!

Having seen the suffering his people go through in trying to access their community through road, the Ayara Brothers (as I chose to call them), decided to make life a little more easier for his people. Prof. Ndem Ayara Ndiyo, one time Economic Adviser to the Cross River State government and incumbent Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and his brother, Engr. Esu U. Ayara, a businessman and chief executive officer (CEO) Esuvik Nigeria Ltd decided to construct a 30km road from Ukwa Eburutu to the bank of the Cross River, directly opposite Ufut community in Biase LGA. The road which the cost is yet to be estimated, according to Engr. Esu Ayara in an exclusive interview with Grassroot Reporters comes with many culverts, spur. The road which is at its route tracing stage would be the 'life saver' for the people of Ukwa Eburutu if it is eventually completed.

But this gigantic project may not be completed if government doesn't come in to provide whole or reasonable percentage of funding of the project. Apart from the route of the road being swampy, which requires sand-filling, to access the road, a bridge to link the road to Ufut community or a pontoon is much needed to make this road accessible. All these requires so much money which the financiers may not have.

To this end, the federal, state and local governments should as a matter of urgency come to the rescue in order for this effort by these great sons of Ukwa Eburutu not to be in vain as the community has for years, suffered untold hardship as a result of lack basic amenities.

Obio Monday is the Editor-in-Chief of Grassroot Reporters. He writes from Calabar, Cross River State
He can be reached on +2347033996028
Email: mondayobiojnr@gmail.com

Read Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/ukwa-eburutu-most-neglected-community.html

Photos

Lalasticlala

Shops and other business activities belonging to Igbo traders in Cross River State were closed down on Monday, June 22.

At Watt, Etim Edim and Marian Markets, Calabar, shops were under lock and key when our correspondent visited.

Grassroot Reporters gathered that the closure was necessitated by the spate of kidnapping of Igbo traders in the state.

The latest being the CEO of Odinka Electrical and Electronics, Chief Odinka Odinka who was kidnapped alongside a former board member of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, FNPH, Princess Filia Henshaw.

Chief Odinka, who is said to be in his 70s and an asthmatic patient, was kidnapped from his shop at Target Street Calabar South LGA.

The traders were directed by the leadership of Igbo union to close their shops and business activities in all the major markets in Cross River State.

A trader, John Okechukwu who spoke to our correspondent said Igbo traders live in fear over what he called "rampant kidnapping of Igbo traders in the state".

He said: "The kidnapping of Igbos in the state is becoming alarming. We are living in fear. Igbo traders are endangered species. Chief Odinka was kidnapped since February and his abductors have refused to release him while others have been released.

He added that they were directed to close down shops for today and tomorrow to protest and demand for the release of all Igbo traders.

Irked by the directive, the Cross River State government told the traders to disregard the directive, vowing to "prosecute any person or group of persons under any guise seen obstructing any Igbo trader from opening his/her shop for business in the state on Monday, June 22, 2020 and Tuesday, June 23, 2020".

In a statement on Sunday night signed by Dr. Alfred Mboto, Permanent Secretary, Security Services, the government described the directive as unacceptable.

The statement reads:

"The attention of the Cross River State Government has been drawn to a plan by some members of Igbo traders union in the Calabar metropolis to force their members to close their shops for two days with effect from Monday, June 22, 2020.

"Government is also aware of the threat of N50, 000 surcharge by the union on any Igbo trader who opens his or her shop for business within the two days.

"Their plan is unacceptable to government and government will do everything within her power and the law to arrest and prosecute any person or group of persons under any guise seen obstructing any Igbo trader from opening his/her shop for business in the state on Monday, June 22, 2020 and Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

"All Igbo traders in Calabar and the entire Cross River state are therefore, advised to disregard the call and threat of the Igbo traders union and go ahead to open their shopes for their legitimate businesses.

"The union is rather enjoined to encourage the state government on the on- going war against kidnappers, cultists, drug trades, arm robbers and other illegal operations in the state instead of scuttling the effort of government".

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/igbo-traders-dares-criver-government.html

zoeA:


Why na... Him for stand na

lol

zoeA:
So where is he? I mean the kidnapper... Is he inside?

I heard he's on the run

bookson:
Is such an action legal or are they still trying hard to vindicate some people that believe our country is Zoo where there is lawlessness? #IT IS WELL

It is well bro

A combined team of the police, Department of Security Services (DSS) and the army today demolished and set ablaze the house of a suspected kidnapper, Edet Effiong Nyong, at Esiere Ebom, close to the Calabar beach market, Grassroot Reporters reports.

According to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Calabar, security reports shows that Edet was responsible for the kidnap of the father of the former Director of DSS and a relative of the former deputy governor of Cross River State, Barr. Efiok Cobham.

Findings also show that the suspect was released from prison last year and thereafter, he went into kidnapping again.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/house-of-alleged-kadnapper-set-ablaze.html

HornyTave:
in a sane country, police are not allowed to carry an assault rifle but semi automatic pistols.

This is Nigeria bro

Agapezena:
How can u say collectioning Oga Blogger? Na wa oh!!! Even your dictionary or autocorrect suppose give u signal say wetin u write dey wrong. See as u use grammar wan scatter my eye.. Na so i just dey blink since i see that sentence, please do the needfull Mr. Man

lol... Oga na mistake. It's been corrected. Thanks for spotting sha

... Returns Riffle To Police Boss


The police has received an AK-47 service riffle snatched from one of its operatives at Itu-Odukpani bridge, the boundary between Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State.

Grassroot Reporters gathered that the riffle was snatched from one of the police officers attached to the Cross River State Covid-19 Interstate Movement Enforcement Team stationed at the bridge head.

The unknown youths who were alleged to be angry over an alleged collection of bribe by policemen stationed at the boundary for enforcement of the ban on interstate movement, mobilised and snatched the riffle from the unnamed police officer. The incident which happened on Thursday, June 11 created tension in the area. The youths from Cross River State were said to have been infuriated by the security agent's collection of bribe from passengers from Akwa Ibom State, a state with confirmed cases of Coronavirus into Cross River State, thereby exposing them to the risk of contracting the virus.

A youth from Oku-Iboku in Akwa Ibom State, a boundary town at the bridge told Grassroot Reporters on condition of anonymity that security agents and other members of the enforcement team collects between N500 to N5,000 to allow passengers from Akwa Ibom State into Cross River State.

Unhappy with the development, the Vice Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. Enefiok Inyang, with the help of the police, launched an investigation into the incident which led to the recovery of the riffle.

Reports say the incident led to casualties but Grassroot Reporters could not independently verify this claim.

However, the State Security Adviser – South, Mr. Ani Esin in company of the Vice Chairman of Odukpani Local Government, Hon. Enefiok Inyang presented the snatched riffle to the Mobile Police (MOPOL) 11 Commander, ACP Kabiru T. Salisu at Odukpani, Cross River State.

Speaking while returning the rifle to the MOPOL 11 Commander ACP Kabiru T. Salisu, Mr Ani assured the Nigerian Police Force of the State's commitment to foster and strengthen the relationship between the State and the force.

Receiving the riffle on behalf of the MOPOL 11 Commander, CSP Mohammed Zakari Ya'u commended the State Government for it's prompt response to resolve the issue and more remarkably, in a peaceful manner.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/youths-snatch-service-riffle-from.html

cosef:


It's lalasticlala

Thanks for the correction.

Cc: lalasticlala

Lalasticlara

A young medical laboratory scientist, Samson Okolo, was among about 4 persons who died on Tuesday, June 9 from a ghastly motor accident involving a Toyota bus and a trailer close to Ibiae Oil Palm Estate, Betem section of Ikom-Calabar Highway, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The late Samson who is said to be working with a nongovernmental organization in Abuja died while transporting patients' samples to Calabar.

An eyewitness told Grassroot Reporters that a trailer veered off its lane and rammed into their bus, leading to a head-on collision. All occupants of the bus died on the spot.


Samson, an indigene of Enugu State graduated from Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State in 2015.

Meanwhile, tributes to the late scientist continued to pour in from friends on Facebook.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/young-med-lab-scientist-about-4-others.html?m=1

Lalasticlara

Motivational speaker and former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan has blamed the Igbos for dominating Nigeria's commercial sector and forgetting to dominate the media too, which is why they do not have the 'air power' in Nigeria.

The Igbos, who are sometimes referred to as the 'Jews of Africa' dominates most sectors of Nigeria's economy but few such as Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Sun Newspaper), invested in the media.

Pastor Omokri said such mistake was not made by the Jews in Europe and America.

He said on Twitter:
"The mistake Igbos made, which the Jews in Europe and America did not make, is that they focused only on dominating Nigeria’s commercial sector, and forgot the media.

"The media is like air power. Once you have it, no one will mess with you".

The author of many books further blamed the Igbos for not using Nollywood the way the Yorubas have been using the media in their favour.
"Igbos should have used Nollywood the way the Yoruba use the media. Sadly, Nollywood actually works against them.

"It makes others perceive Igbos wrongly, as ritualists. Ndi’Igbo saw Nollywood as a money maker, and failed to see it as a game changer".

On the apprenticeship system practiced by the Igbos, he described it as the most successful in the world.
"The Igbo apprenticeship system is the most successful in the world bar none.

"Alaba International market alone generates $4 billion according to
@RobertNeuwirth.

"Why can't Nollywood do movies on that and promote Ndi’Igbo, rather than ritual and juju?".

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/igbos-dominates-nigerias-commercial.html?m=1

[Lol quote author=BuhariNaWah post=90307540]

Clara ko, Santa Cruz ni[/quote]

Lalasticlara

Former senator and aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has vowed to dedicate the rest of her years on earth to teaching activist and journalist, Agba Jalingo a lesson he would never forget, reports Grassroot Reporters.

Senator Giwa, angered by a post on Facebook attributed to the journalist wherein he accused the senator of mismanaging funds meant for the construction of a health centre in Bakassi in the early 90s and conniving with Governor Ben Ayade to deliver a 'scam' housing unit to the displaced people of Bakassi, challenged him (Jalingo) to "produce the following documents to back up your wild and fallacious allegations:
1) The letters of award of the contract or contracts for the supply of hospital beds to Atabong and Abana

2) A copy of your letter of request under the Freedom of Information Act for the detention warrant of my incarceration at what used to be known as the Afokang Prison addressed to the Nigerian Correctional Service .

3) The reply from the Nigerian Correctional Service stating how a rainstorm may have destroyed the requested proof of my incarceration at Afokang".

In a strongly worded press statement on Thursday, Mrs. Giwa, popularly known as Mama Bakassi said the journalist's obsession with her " now has me worried for my physical safety because your failure to assassinate my character could transform you into a full blown psychotic stalker intent on causing me physical harm". She said.

Few days after the governor Ben Ayade alongside Ita-Giwa handed over housing units to the beneficiaries in Bakassi, a video by CrossRiverWatch surfaced online wherein an elderly woman who had a meal with Governor Ayade and was 'given' a house claimed she was never given any house. She appealed to the governor to come to her aid.

See Ita-Giwa's Statement in full:

"I could not help noticing a curious confession contained in your last miscommunication about me. You let slip that since 1989 as a teenager you had been hearing about me and follwing up on how I more or less stole funds from the Cross River State meant for the supply of hospital beds in Atabong and Abana.

I wonder how a teenager could be so fixated on an older woman to the point of hallucinating about her business transactions. One begins to wonder wether or not your late mother noticed your obsession at the time, because she obviously didn't seek psychiatric help for you then.

Nothing gives fillip to your growing notoriety as a serial blackmailer and liar than your claim that I stole funds meant for hospital beds in Atabong and Abana.

This is because the year you accused me of stealing the funds, both Atabong and Abana communities were being administered by Cameroon.

How then could the Cross River State Government have awarded me contracts for the two communities? Maybe Paul Biya of Cameroon awarded the contracts.

As it is, your fixation with me has trolled you into adulthood, as you appear to still be having hallucinations about me. By your admission presumably as an adult you approached the Afokang Correctional Centre for the documentation of my detention as a result of the alleged hospital bed supply fraud. According to you, they explained that the documents may have been destroyed in a rain storm.

In keeping with my commitment to always provide succour for my people during these trying times of the Covid 19 pandemic, I moved hell and high water to make my way to Calabar on the 2nd of May to be close to my people in order to support them with some palliative relief, only to be accused by a non entity of being smuggled in by Governor Ayade to perpetrate a fraud against the very people I am sworn to protecting. What arrant nonsense coming from a buffoon like you.

This your obsession with me now has me worried for my physical safety because your failure to assassinate my character could transform you into a full blown psychotic stalker intent on causing me physical harm.

In my capacity as a grandmother that you call me, I come across remarkable personalities all the time, some of them young and enterprising. Unfortunately, I don't recall ever meeting an inconsequential pest like you. I am told that you are a man of small stature, which apparently mirrors your status as a cerebral midget. So, unfortunately I will be unable to identify you in person.

I will therefore, have to take the necessary precautions to secure my person against you in order to frustrate any potential physical attack from you or your agents.

I now challenge you to produce the following documents to back up your wild and fallacious allegations:

1) The letters of award of the contract or contracts for the supply of hospital beds to Atabong and Abana

2) A copy of your letter of request under the Freedom of Information Act for the detention warrant of my incarceration at what used to be known as the Afokang Prison addressed to the Nigerian Correctional Service .

3) The reply from the Nigerian Correctional Service stating how a rainstorm may have destroyed the requested proof of my incarceration at Afokang.

Failure to expeditiously provide the above listed documents will compel me to ask my solicitors to institute yet another libel suit against you.

Your pretence at being an activist and journalist is unravelling and I promise you that your quest to dance naked in the market square has my full support.

You are a classic example of an agent provocateur with an agenda to cause disaffection in Cross River State. How come in the history of the state no Efik son or daughter has ever cast aspersions on the many prominent and illustrious indegenes of your northern zone?

If anything the Efiks have celeberated the many iconic and colourful leaders from the northern zone of the state. Now an upstart like you has the temerity to attempt to pour scorn on me a respected Efik leader.

When I told you I have your time, you took it as an empty threat. Well, be prepared for a marathon epic battle, because I will never give in to the cheap antics of a blackmailng hustler like you.

I have worked too hard and paid my dues and therefore, will never allow a runt that you are cast aspersions on me. I'm sure you have heard the adage of the child who seeks to deny a "grand mother" sleep that the child shall also never find sleep.

Clearly you are ignorant of what it takes for a woman toascend the height of my political achievement in Nigeria.

If you did, youwould have hesitated to tango with me. Do you know the epicpolitical battles I have had to fight and win against formidable forces?

Have you a clue the quantum of insults and invectives i have had to endure for a Liliputian like you to challenge me?

Since you have decided not to respect my old age I too have decided to dedicate the rest of my years on earth to teach you a lesson. You have murdered sleep, prepare for the consequences. I am ready for you".

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/06/ita-giwa-vows-to-dedicate-rest-of-years.html?m=1

#SayNoToJungleJustice

Lalasticlara

Two suspected armed robbers were Saturday night burnt to death by unknown persons at Ekpo Eyo by Unwanse, Calabar South.

A resident of the area who preferred anonymity told Grassroot Reporters that the hoodlums who were three in number were pursued from Orok Orok through Ekpo Eyo.

The robbers who were said to be armed shot at the boys who were pursuing them but they kept pressing.

He said " they were three in number. One of them hid behind a transformer in the area to avoid being caught but unfortunately, he was caught. While one escaped, two were not lucky".

The unidentified robbers were said to have had their bodies mutilated before they were eventually burnt.

As of the time of filing this report, their corpses were yet to be evacuated from the area.

In a telephone chat with Grassroot Reporters, the police Public Relations Officer in Cross River State, DSP Irene Ugbo said the police is aware of the incident and have launched a man-hunt for the perpetrators.
"Yes I'm aware of the incident. The report got to me early this morning. According to what we gathered, three of them were on a mission when eventually the people of the area caught them. One of them escaped with a gun while two were unlucky and were lynched".

She added that " Whatever it is, we don't encourage any member of the public to take laws into their hands. We have been preaching against such acts. It's an unfortunate one. Our DPO have gone to the area to see if they can arrest the perpetrators. They were suppose to arrest them and hand them over to the police, not to take laws into their hands. So, we are working on it".

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/05/suspected-thieves-burnt-beyond.html?m=1

Hmmm

edoairways:

To add to it, thousands of Christian villagers in China have been told to take down displays of Jesus, crosses, and gospel passages from their homes as part of a government propaganda effort to “transform believers in religion into believers in the party.