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Loyalty Has Resumed Its Pride Of Place
By Eval Asikong
The restoration of Rt. Hon. Orok Duke to his position in the Niger-Delta intervention regime is a significant leap, a milestone that marks a turning point in our political reward system in the state which had been eroded in time past. It goes further to show that the incident of always rewarding those who are not usually loyal and supportive to a system is a trajectory-deviation which Prince Otu is unwilling to entertain.
This has firmed the people’s confidence and, further, deepened their trust in him. Ideally, loyalty, uncompromised commitment to a cause and the unwavering support for it must, first, converge before a successful pursuit of reward is advanced. This is because the notion of reverse vengeance, where enemies are rather rewarded as against devoted loyalists, as it were previously, had yielded profound implications that have been undesirable. I am a witness.
Interestingly, our political landscape is rapidly evolving: through new electoral reforms, power has, originally, returned to the people. Therefore, to thrive and endure in it, there must be an adequate reward mechanism. It would have been a bad precedence for Prince Otu to validate the narrative that those who usually work in the state political vine yard are usually denied access to the vine field during harvest, if he had not heeded the strident outcry of the people that was echoed in protest. Prince Otu has charted a new dimension in leadership by proving that calmness is not weakness.
The effortless upturning of that odd appointment is a strong warning to those who fall into the category of seeing our state as an annexed territory of Obia-kpor in Rivers. The bubbles from Rivers, unduly, enjoyed by some traitors within who have attempted to broker the sale of our state as annexed territory just to advance their parochial and self serving visions have expired. The new Sheriff in town would not spare any of such bubbles. All must burst with humiliating swish. The new sheriff is resolute and determined to excel in his administration and stay ahead the curve. It is not a season of sweatiness for nothing: it is a season where attempts of controlling the state from distant land by some inebriates will not be tolerated.
The appropriate use of the lever to the dynamics of the delicate interplay between loyalty and reward is dependent on the leader. Prince Otu has not only decided to firm his grip on that lever, but to use it adequately, as could be seen in the installation of Orok Duke. It is a remarkable endeavor that has stunned many, especially the outliers at the opposing end who were already making mockery of the incident, with the impression that it is irreversible.
By this, Prince Otu has achieved a heroic feat that heralds a new chapter in the use of authoritative value allocation with anticipation of extra ordinary possibilities. Without this daring undertaking, the challenges and uncertainties would have been too formidable to overcome. No wise leader will ever allow his credibility in governance to be belittled. He has already started on a high note, showing signs of his relentless consistency in blazing the trail.
He has shown readiness in paying any price, support any friend, oppose any foe and bear any pain in sub serving the general interest of the people in the concentric order of the party, first, the people and the entire state. The people are confident that the next seven and a half years will be very defining for the state.
With the Orok Duke that I know being in the NDDC Board, the Niger Delta intervention regime will record remarkable success in pushing the boundaries of opportunities, while aiding its acceleration to unexplored frontiers to unearth new possibilities and at the end, such astonishing accomplishment is going to be for the benefit of us all. Is this what we could have missed? A man, who from the very beginning of his political career, has enjoyed un- besmirched reputation will never compromise in any way while representing his people in any capacity.The choice to settle for Orok Duke was well informed.
Politically, some people will always dare to reap where they did not sow and will even do it with every air of arrogance and pride. We must always, for purpose of sanity, be devoted to defund such odd confidence by being out-rightly responsive, just as Prince Otu did because it, usually, provokes morbid feelings amongst those who have been selfless and loyal, as it makes mockery of their invaluable contributions and selfless dedication to sustain the system. These are some of the tragic systemic ravages that cast shadows of discouragement to loyalty. But we thank God the present administration has, bold-facedly, demonstrated objectionable tendencies to the morbid narratives of “monkey work, baboon chop”.
Congratulations Rt. Hon. Orok Duke and,
Congratulations APC Cross River!
Uncategorized
NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
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