Nsa A. Ekpenyong (2025)

15/01/2025

*IT'S ANOTHER MOMENT*

It is yet another moment, a day of veneration in the core of our nation, wherein even time itself stoops to pay obeisance. The air whispers valour, the soil bears the weight of sacrifice and the sky doffs its sombre helmet to salute the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Today, we gather to reconnect with the strands of bravery which bond us to our heroes. From world war to homely brawls you held tough lines of command through the foothills to the eaglets' mountains down the blooded woods of vampires. It is to those who hu**ed the challenge of shielding their land with their blood. It's a moment to pause, reflect and allow gratitude to well up like a river within the valleys of memory.

Can we please have a moment of grave silence? That is for the lost flesh, frames and fluid doing years behind the earth and may the heavens take the spirit of those righteous soldiers that passed over, no longer living and couldn't run when the reapers’ sword came to get them but left with silent teardrops rolling our gutters. Deep aches and coloured tears squeezed from our pores of penury, like the rain on parched earth. As day rises and night falls for the rest of our life fragments, we will miss your present. As life slips off we will still mourn you on this day every year while wishing you all a better home in our hearts and heaven.

Let pour out some liquid, symbolising our connection in a time of consideration for loss reflection, assuring them that the love is here. We will rep and not quit the field till we leave for the same reason to see your lovely smiles. When men fall, everyone loses and tears rule the wards and barracks. Tears are the balm of the mourners for those taken by jaws of peril, the claws of sudden vile and vexed venom of slugs’ songs, each dropping a story of lost hope, lost dreams, lost love and lost families in the time of void. Tears are for the ones who have fallen and left a vacuum, a haunting melody that lingers in the hearts of those remaining.

Can we hold up for prayers? For sacred champions in troops away with helmets and boots, leaving behind families back home with prayers and hope for their safety. This is our salute to the remainders whose conscience and patriotism held on to service instead of mutiny. The gallant ones who take further the great deeds of their comrades and fallen heroes. No retreat no surrender, when lowered between the deep blue sea and the devil, many on the air without wings and others trapped in heated armour, cooked by the scorching sun, yet still cuddled to their ordnance on the post. It's to them, that the heroes passed the baton to carry on their comradeship as freedom disciples to hold salutes today for those who are gone with bullets, swords and thorns in their flesh. Through you, the service is kept as a living promise to represent their life to the fullest. Bearing the burden of remembrance and the mantle of courage, standing firm in the face of hardened days. Every lost friend is a price to march ahead, for every fight given, they carry the hope of a better nation. Their resolve has not shaken, and their hearts have been steeled by the sacrifices laid by those who came before them. This is just a moment to let you all know that we love you. When you shine as warriors, we shine as citizens.

Can we put on our candle? For the brothers and sisters behind the dark wards scribbling rhymes in the critical confinement, holding onto hope that one day their words will open the chains around them and allow them to say goodbye to Mercy Land. It is a moment to remember the silent battles fought within the haunted eyes of those who survived the roar of war. They walk among us, their minds bleached by the cacophony of gunfire and the cries of the battlefield. In quiet corners, they relive the horrors buried in their marrows, their souls yearning for peace through our aids. Their essence is eternal, sewn into the fabric of our nation, armed with hope and promise. Their sacrifice is the flame that lights our darkest nights, to the price of peace and the load of patriotism. Let us never forget them, for even when scars may not be visible, their pain is a wound in the nation's conscience.

Can we take a moment of truth, to everyone out there who lost their providers in this cause of our salvation, we owe you all our golden hearts and caring hands. For the children and mothers alike, caught in the crossfire of their benefactors in the lifecycle they never asked for.... For the ones whose innocence was stolen by the naked street without help. Too many young girls and mothers are held in a system that turned its back on them. For the little hearts that never knew a father’s love, never learned to dream, their paths shaped instead by the shadows of almsgivers and unfriendly friends. Would you spare a thought for the single mothers running amuck, holding a son in the street bleeding and crying a song of sorrow to the deep and deafening ears of onlookers? Dear mother in a father and a wife in a husband bearing the weight of two worlds, trying to be a dad who was plucked by war rituals. Let us now pause to not just mourn but to rekindle the hope flame that ignites their hearts for those who walk through the valley of despair for the sacrifices of our nationhood.

Can we have a moment of peace? For every mortal who fell with our flag in the red line of offensive vengeance, others creeping with peeled elbows and broken knees without a cap but married to their barrels in wanting weather and those who stood on with bleeding limbs to raise the waving flag of freedom. This is for those lost in the belliphonic wartime, only leaning on endurance, bleeding in seizure but sworn never to give in, instead, they live to die slowly for our nation’s secret of liberty

This is another moment to weave these threads of sacrifice, courage and loss into our vest of gratitude. The Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day, January 15, is not just any date like any other day, it is a call to unity and a reminder of the price paid to keep us here. As we drop our wreaths, bow our heads in prayer, and raise our voices in songs, let’s pledge to honour their memory with action to uphold the ideals they fought for. Today we remember that tomorrow we must strive to be worthy of their sacrifices.

*This is specially for the lost heroes, veterans, active men and women and those left to bear the pains of the past.*

Hurray to Heroism

By
*Nsa Ekpenyong*

26/09/2024

*CALABAR-ITU ROAD: The Renewed Hope Episode*

Right from the post-military era the Calabar-Itu road began to show signs of ill fate but no one cared about its fainting flaps. Still, it became a route of moonlight tales when the climate and motorised pressure released reigns of terror on its dark grey vest. Deep potholes were dug in sun-baked concretes, and overgrown evergreen plants rented both wings through this decade-long creation that has held Odukpani communities and their passers-by by the neck. Remember the age-long road that has linked generations, cultures, lifestyles and people from around and afar. It has served earth-moving locomotives, smallholder carts, and the exodus of tourists and adventurers searching for new facts and recreational experiences. The pressure of life events had happened to this Calabar-Itu route, skinning its beautiful- dark velvet and rubbing off its commuters’ joints who transit with loads of deep pains in their hearts and endless complaints on their lips. This was the lost episode!

In these small yet significant moments, memories served us pangs in journeying minds through long queues, the long wait for help and long walks at danger points. These odds stubbornly refused to fade away with a long shadow of decay surrounding every trip. There was a sense of resilience that transcended even the most desolate settings many have seen on many occasions. And beneath each is a spark of hope, the people knew that even in abandonment and neglect, there is still a narrow rescue space ahead for Renewed Hope and redemptive measures from the People's First governance whose leadership is felt with the strength of empathy. This is the relief from the Renewed Hope Episode

Indeed, those who made it through the Calabar-Itu road decades back would say it is one of the signature roads across Cross River State and some major states. We are talking about a road built many years ago and is still the main artery and vein that feeds other parts of Nigeria including Akwa Ibom, Abia and beyond from Cross River State. The long-overserved road has come face to face with critical moments laced with boredom and fatigue with either no help on sight or care, no service, no reinforcement of its weakened pavements and no cheers to the commuters. Over some years the weather took it on with the road changing its beauty in no time, the road had its tragic story told by impatient transporters, severely dilapidated and development had come at a slower pace. For years, motorists had to navigate giant craters and potholes where diversion failed. Death reigned, the wounded cried, delays in queues and loss of business for both road users and residents. Calls were made to leaders with reasons of need and want to have it restored to its original condition. Those calls had reverberated throughout networks, groups, community developers, NGOs and business owners but all met a block of bricks wall. Yet, it was a materialised instrument oftentimes deployed as a part of regional political campaigns and public discussion.

In the recent past, several interventions came with golden intentions but little action was made to rehabilitate the Calabar-Itu road and such action could only offer short-lived satisfaction. These attempts were mere palliatives that hardly addressed the primary challenge of degradation. Previous well-meaning interventions were usually too limited or badly implemented, so not much came of them. Today there is a new groom in town with a renewed gospel and new interventions led by the Renewed Hope Administration presenting a renewed sense of responsibility and possibility. In this series, significant mileage has been covered in a genuine bid to respond to the challenge of Calabar-itu road and to correct the mistakes of the past. These came in many ways, the focus supervision by the Honourable Minister for Works and His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu drumming attention on specific human issues of settlements, resolutions and compensations to victims. More so, the contractors, who have since been mobilised, are currently carrying out work that will restore the long-abandoned road. These are the heroes to be celebrated in due time for planning, performing and delivering the best to the states and the people.

In this regard, the rehabilitation of the Calabar-Itu road will mark a lifeline for the people. The benefits of the road finally being at its best will be limitless, it would reduce travel time, enhance trade between Cross River State and neighbouring states and boost tourism in Odupani, Calabar and more. Local businesses will benefit from better access to markets and become more attractive for investment into agro-processing and manufacturing amongst many other industries. The road also pledges to promote regional integration and enable cross-state business to drive growth within Cross River State and its environs.

Divergently, there are two schools of thought regarding the redress of the Calabar-Itu road from the communities through which the road passes. On the pros are optimists with excitement for new opportunities, enhanced community lifestyle and economic boom. The parallel residents and landlord communities will be able to access a more improved quality of life, it is expected that property prices will go up and people will have better and easier access to cities any time without delays in the traffic. Conversely, a few from the communities include some people with ego-centric views of the road activities affecting their livelihood negatively, as such, it will lead to loss of land, environmental pollution and disruption of their normal life. Whatever their sentiment, it will translate to no effect, at the end a road cannot be constructed on the air at least not now. These interests are being treated in the language and the tradition of the government of the state by His Excellency Senator Prince Edet Otu who has since waded into every suppressed dispute between property owners and the facilitators. Many have benefited already and other prospective beneficiaries are undergoing the process to receive their rightful benefits to balance all so that the road remains a blessing to all without causing dislocation peace and disharmony among the people or a clash of interests.

Truly, the government of the day should be applauded especially concerning the restoration of the Calabar-Itu road. It is the government of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu[GCFR]that has helped in giving this project a facelift and national angle such that the attention that the road needs is not compromised. The Minister of Works has also been diligent in monitoring the construction work and making sure that the contractors are responsible. Governor Prince Bassey Otu’s determination to make sure that the citizens of Cross River State do not only hear about such projects but benefit from them, too, gives more impetus to the administration’s vision of sustainable development.

Looking ahead, with fresh optimism for the majority of the landlord communities along the Calabar-Itu road, the next move is to make sure development helps everyone as promised by the People First Government. The communities need to play a big part in the road project, from creating jobs to keeping an eye on and protecting their surroundings through environmental stewardship. It's also key to give them basic services like electricity clean water, and healthcare to go along with the road's fix-up. This teamwork between building roads and helping communities with necessary amenities will empower the people and make sure the road's good effects reach all parts of the rural community and the outer society at large.

At this point, we have seen good progress, we need to take a close look at how the Cross River State government makes sure this project finishes on time and meets high standards. From proactive signs and signals shown by the Cross River Government, there are concerted efforts that it has teamed up this time with federal authorities, contractors, and local communities to keep an eye on things and make sure the project stays on course through its completion cycle. Governor Bassey Otu who is always ahead in actionable goals is setting out other related projects to get the most out of the road's fix-up, like making feeder roads better putting up rest stops, setting up agro-projects along the route and creating spots for tourists along the way.

As the project progresses, people are looking forward to the set deadline for finishing the Calabar-Itu road. But we need to remember that rushing shouldn't mean cutting corners on quality. The contractors and government bodies need to work together to make sure the road lasts and can handle all the traffic pressure it will get. While getting things done on time matters building something that lasts is even more important. This will help avoid the same problems the road had faced in the past.

Hence, a critical role in the success of the Calabar-Itu road rehabilitation is played by the contractors. Going a step further than simply putting up tarmac there should be the guarantee that the ingredients applied do not compromise its aspect, with work matching global benchmarks. Quality must be accounted for and closely monitored throughout the project lifespan. This means that these people must at the same time show where money was used together with time spent on a single structure while at the same time ensuring that communities living along this road are less impacted as possible.

Politically, as the project is gaining momentum, the proposal to rename the Calabar-Itu road as a tribute to President Tinubu, as a product of his renewed hope mandate is a sign of appreciation for the federal government’s dedication to the reconstruction of the road. Though this proposition may generate controversy, it signifies a new dawn of the renewed hope episode of success where others had failed in this major infrastructure development in the state. Eventually, the final verdict should be left to the masses in these two states who have the road and its revamping as part of their story and undeletable history.

Also, the thought of bringing back collection points for drivers along the Calabar-Itu route might work out as an option for maintaining it when it’s completed. If managed well, collecting fees at certain road sections can help raise the money needed to keep the entire stretch in good shape condition However, such fees have to be fair so they don’t become too heavy on motorists while they try using them since this discourages their use due to high costs hurt every buyer including firms or families transporting goods regularly through this route. The government should look into it in detail making sure that any toll system will always be open, cheap and related to maintenance or improvement of the same road.

In all, the renewed hope episode is the grand finale for the successful completion of the Calabar-itu being reestablished by the People First governance inputs and the renewed hope mantra leading the way. The president's resolve to this project is seen by the speed of the contractors going the extra mile to deliver daily tasks. Governor Otu’s involvement in resolving and compensating communities and landowner interests is commendable. Rehabilitating the Calabar-Itu road is a landmark in Cross River State as well as for the dwelling communities and the interconnected states. The use of national government funds together with the contractor's dedication then the state people’s involvement in it guarantees that this initiative will lead to financial progress for all and increased connectivity within this vicinity. As the rehabilitation work on this road reaches climax, there is a need for a consistent policy from the authorities on how this renewed road will be maintained including either paying toll charges or through continuous infrastructural reinvestments.

*Nsa Ekpenyong*
The Leading Chairmanship Aspirant
Odukpani Local Government Area

23/09/2024

*IMO AND EDO: GOV OTU AND HIS WINNING STRATEGIES*

The earth is lined with heroes whose extraordinary beats have attracted epic ovations with dripping awe like the des ex machina of the Aristotelian drama. Expressed in human forms are deities, idols and avatars who have mesmerized mankind with manoeuverings moulded from mountainous minds. Inspired accounts of bravery, loyalty, wisdom , tact and leadership have separated gods from other mortals. From Gedmronimo, Mahabharata, Shaka Zulu, Mwindi, to Hercules, Theseus and Odin, the hall of fame of legendary displays of daunting valour is thick. The game of politics demands a combo of calculus, gift of the garb and braincells of Socrates and Cicero. The gamers on all sides play it with the passion of the chess , the artistry of the gladiators and the wits of the sages. In the end, a winner is announced in vertical verdict. In most climes, the process will end in legal fireworks firing finality to the furnace of contest.

The above background foregrounds the trajectories of the Sweet Prince, the politically savvy King of the ballots who is addicted to wining where others struggle, no matter the odds the King will pull the votes to the ballots. In Cross River, Imo and Edo his wining testimonials speak volumes about his masterful leadership at its best performances. In a span of years he has been in the acts of winning for himself, three times in the nation's national Assembly and recently as governor.The 2023 Governorship election in Cross River State was extremely tight. APC which had the state as its only win was set against the biggest PDP fathers in the state/region plus the fiercesome Labour obedients. Like the Olympic marathon major, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu emerged with astounding score mark.

Henceforth, he was spotted in the political planet in Nigeria as the man with the Midas touch. Governor Otu goes into any political contest with a winning pedigree, strategy, passion, mantras and scripts reminiscent of a first class student at his final exams. He draws a map round the opposition and launches a lethal idea based communication that changes the dynamics to his favour. He courageously mounts his winning strategies within the balloting territory and unleashes what the voters need to hear. In the end, they send their votes to where the Sweet Prince ask them to do so, this is characterized by unspeakable grace.

APC as a political party tries to avoid gambling in the choice of the person to lead its campaigns in the off cycle elections. The party has settled for Senator Otu as the man for the job because he does it with impeccable precision. He did it at Imo State and has done it in Edo. The question is where is the next? As all eyes are now fixed on Ondo State, it remains to be seen if the Party will still settle for the Ballot Prince Charming or will want to try another hand. For now, Gov. Otu has already carved a niche for himself as the man who won two states for his party APC in brain racking contests. This is the birthmark of *The King of the Ballot,* born with the billions of gigabytes for victory at the polls. With this winning streak the coast is clear, the future is bright and Prince Otu is standing out with a national clean slate in elections delivery.

Hurrah to the Sweet Prince, THE KING OF THE BALLOT!

*Bassey Ekpenyong, Ph.D*
(S.A Research & Strategy to Gov. Otu)

20/06/2023

Obubra still holds the gold medal for the highest number of communal clashes in Cross River State. Apart from the ongoing clash between Ofatura and Ovunum communities which has blocked the highway, in Obubra alone, there are active or hibernating communal clashes between: Iyamitet and Ababene. Iyami...

19/06/2023

WELCOME HERE!

Nsa A. Ekpenyong

15/01/2025

26/09/2024

23/09/2024

20/06/2023

19/06/2023

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share