The Gospel Truth

Yesterday the Institute of software practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) National Software Conference and Competition 2013 kicked at the Tinapa Knowledge City, Calabar. The Theme for this year is 'Software Strategies for retooling the workforce'. ISPON seeks to encourage and advise local and foreign investors and financial institutions on the need and benefits of actively investing in the software industry in Nigeria and ensure that the contribution of software technology products and services are recognized in the development policies of Nigeria. ISPON also organizes and host national and global conferences, seminars, talk shows, exhibitions, and workshops for the development of software technology in Nigeria making it possible for the development of a database of local software products/services and provide information and useful contacts for software exports from Nigeria. The opening ceremony kicked off after the arrival of the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Liyel Im...

Contrary to reports making the rounds yesterday that a mudslide had trapped some people at the foot of the Obudu cattle ranch,information reaching me as at this morning after calls from both reporters and government officials on site indicate that this initial report by some media outfits is not entirely true. Yes there was a mudslide at the foot of the Obudu ranch resort but no one was trapped inside the pile of mud. The mudslide only blocked the road leading to the top of the ranch,making it impossible to leave the ranch or go up the ranch through the snaky road that leads to the mountain top. Work has begun to evacuate the mud pile and emergency response agencies are already in control of the situation.Some tourists had to be airlifted to the ranch top by the airforce as they were scared to use the cable car,crossriverwatch.com reported. Most importantly the Government has assured that despite the natural disaster that occurred the ranch remains a safe destination for athlet...

The 2013, Carnival Calabar theme unveiling held on Saturday 13th October at the cultural centre main bowl in the City of Calabar. This unveiling was followed the next day, Sunday,14th October with the first carnival dry run for the year. Years ago I always wondered what the reason for a dry run was but now I totally realise the importance as you have mock in exams and competitions, this prepares you for what is to come and eliminate any challenges that may occur during eventual execution. As for the Calabar Festival (32 days in December) that climaxes into the Carnival Calabar (Dec 27th), every year keeps getting better and better. According to His Excellency, Sen. Liyel Imoke during the unveiling, he reminded everyone how he was absent last year for the festival but was able to watch the entire event through live streaming on Youtube. That's my Digital Governor. And HE promises the world that this year will be televised and streamed straight to you, wherever you...

The Country Resident Representative of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Ms Victoria Akyeampong, has commended the Wife of Cross River Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke for her intervention on women and children through her NGO, Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER).   Ms. Akyeampong made the commendation yesterday when she paid a courtesy visit to her in Calabar. She said her visit to POWER has afforded her the opportunity to know more about the NGO to explore collaboration opportunities.     She said she was in the state to intimate Mrs. Imoke on the activities of UNFPA especially regarding the forthcoming commissioning of the UN House in Calabar where she would also present the 2013 State of the World Population Report   that   covers specific issues around the world that are population related.   She intimated that it is the first UN agency to open a zonal office in the state that woul...

It was a very packed conference room on Thursday 10 th October, 2013 as the top exec of the NUJ and journalists from different media houses gathered for a press briefing by the Trustees of the James Ene Henshaw Foundation. The James Ene Henshaw Foundation is a charitable organisation set up to maintain and promote   the literary legacy of James Ene Henshaw a pioneer of African drama and one of the most popular and foremost playwrights to have emerged from the African continent. Henshaw’s plays were one of the first authentic African dramas to be performed by African people. It is interesting to note that his first seminal play, This is Our Chance in 1956 was closely followed after by Chinua Achebe’s Things fall apart in 1958. Speaking at the press briefing Mr. James Ene Henshaw Jnr, son of the late playwright, and other family members passionately talked about setting up the foundation to maintain and promote the literary legacy of James Ene Henshaw, oversee and publish the ...

  NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS PRESENTS BOOK TO MRS LIYEL IMOKE   Renowned Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, yesterday, in Calabar, presented her Pictorial autobiography titled ‘Kate Henshaw: The World of an Actress, My Story’ to the wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke. Making the presentation, Kate Henshaw stated that the 360-paged book is her contribution to the efforts to support certain charities by donating part of the proceeds from the sale of the book to these charities. She stated that her visit to and consequent presentation of the book to Mrs. Liyel-Imoke is to solicit for her endorsement of the book and through this increase the sale towards raising funds for the less privileged especially little Miss. Kiki whom she said was born without a skull and presently on admission at Johns Hopkins Hospital in United States of America. While commending Mrs. Imoke for her humanitarian projects which have touched the lives of many women an...

A lot has happened between yesterday and today but amongst all I am inspired to share two observations. Research has shown that it takes 40 days to form a habit. In the past 3 weeks I have made it a habit to walk 5 kilometres every morning at least 3 times a week. When I started it looked as if I was never going to make it consistent but 3 weeks down the line, I am still waxing stronger and its now feeling like a part of me. I woke up this morning by 4.30am which has now become like a ritual and I hit the road in my quest to achieve my personal milestone. During my sojourn two things struck me. Firstly I have noticed a certain construction company which from my further enquiry I gathered is handling a project in Ikot Ekpene but every morning they leave Calabar with heavily armed security men and return every evening to spend the night here. And this once again has proved my stance which some Cross Riverians  tried to...

Now that all the buzz is on about this Governorship 'brohaha' a lot needs to be considered before we start talking about North, Central or South. The next Governor needs to be dynamic with excellent administrative skills, humble, patient and a goal getter. Sen. Liyel Imoke may have performed well in some quarters but there are some who will disagree that his Government has worsened the situation of the day to day hustlers on the street especially the merchants in bedwell and the oil merchants in particular. Even the teachers complain about laptops given to them on a salary deduction scheme which they claim to be substandard. Well a matter for another day. Different strokes for different folks. No perfect individual and no perfect government but you have to give the Governor credit, he is my Digital governor. Irrespective of the scorecard the Next Governor will need to capitalise on the weaknesses of this administration and consolidate what Donald Duke started in 1999and ...