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Senatorial Bye-Election: Ukelle Diaspora Drum Support for Hon Agom

Published

5 years ago

October 26, 2020

…Kicks Off electioneering campaign Cross Northern Senatorial District

Cyril Ogar – Abuja

As the race for the Cross River northern senatorial Bye-election gathers momentum, A Group under the auspices of Ukelle in Diaspora, has thrown their weight behind their preferred candidate RT Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, ahead of the Cross River North Senatorial bye-election in Cross River State.

This was made known in a press statement signed by the Acting National Coordinator, Bar. Alex Ebi Edim, and made available to AljazirahNigeria in Abuja. While enumerating the achievements made by Hon Agom who currently represents Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

According to the group, the lawmaker has all it takes to represent the great and good people of Cross River North Senatorial district at the Red Chamber based on his experience, knowledge, and pedigree over the years.

The group in the statement Advocated that it is the turn of Ogoja to emerge as senator following the death of late Senator Rose Oko, who the senator was representing Cross River North at the Senate, which he described as a blow to the entire senatorial district and Cross River State as a whole.

The statement reads in part, “Just as Senate seat is never a birthright for an individual, so also we should know that is never a birthright for a particular local government or ethnic or tribal group to be a senator.

“Each day people cry for a dividend of democracy when someone is representing them but when it time for the leader to come out, we use all strategies to say it must be from a particular place without considering if another zone has ever produced someone from there or has tasted that seat to keep doing the good work he has been doing.

“For a very long time since the inception of Senate till the present 9th Assembly, Ogoja local government Area which is one out of the five local government areas that constitute the Northern part of Cross River State has never in history produced a senator.

Not because they are not good enough as compared to those who have been there but because they are patient and always following due process.

The time for Ogoja is now “Hon Jarigbe is a man who over the years have proved to his constituency that power belongs to God and who believes that being in the green chamber is through the help of his people and not himself.

He is always seen appreciating his people. He is the only leader who has his people at heart anytime.”

According to the group, Hon Agom’s second tenure which he is currently serving he has empowered over 200 constituents from across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala with Birds, Feeds and Vaccines to run agribusiness; free medical outreach across Ogoja/Yala with Over 5,000 constituents as beneficiaries; empowered over 50 constituents with commercial motorcycles, over 25 tricycles (Keke NAPEP), mechanized farm implements and five cars to people across Ogoja/Yala; facilitated the supply and installation of 2nos 500kva transformers in Ogoja; provided cash for small and large scale business start-up capital to his constituents; special invention with N250,000 to youth from Ijibor in Bekwarra Local Government Area to a start-up business.

Rehabilitation of Borehole in Ochochi Okpudu in Okpoma, in Yala LGA; Yuletide Palliative to widows; entrepreneurship development training facilitation for over 400 constituents in order to access CBN’s AGSMEIS Loan of N10 million; organized skills acquisition training for youths across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala including cash for start-ups; paid JAMB registration fee for 240 students from 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala; payment of bursary to students of a high institution of learning in Ogoja/Yala; provision of materials against COVID-19 pandemic in the constituency including hand sanitizers, nose masks, and hand gloves along with palliative to vulnerable persons.

He also reeled out some ongoing and completed projects facilitated by the lawmaker in his federal constituency which include supply and installation of 2nos kva Transformers in Ogoja; onstruction of Nwang road in Ekajuk; construction of classroom block with library and offices for Comprehensive Secondary School in Ekajuk, Ogoja LGA; drilling and installation of solar-powered bore-hole projects at Abachor-Okuku in Yala LGA; Wanikade Ward, Yala LG; Ogoja Central Mosque; Ishindede in Ibil, Ogoja; Ntagamol, Ogoja; Bansara, Ogoja; Ekumtak, Mbube; Ishi-aya, Ogoja; Oyirim, Ogoja; Okpodon, Ogoja; Oba, Yala; Ijiraga, Yala; Gabu, Yala; Abachor, Yala; and Igbekurikor, Yala; Yehe, Yala.

From the above, we can attest that Hon Jarigbe is a purpose-driven leader who is ready to rescue our people by providing more employment, projects, build infrastructure, and render services to us.

He is people-oriented and concerns about the rural areas because he felt the pains of those in rural areas. “Your total support for him won’t be a regret but a plus in the development of our dear political district”, he added.

In a related development, the Cross River State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked off electioneering campaign for the Cross River Northern Senatorial District with Mr. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as its flag bearer with the inauguration of a campaign council
Addressing the campaign council, Barrister Venatius Ikem, the Director-General of the Campaign Council congratulated every member of the campaign council on their appointment,

Ikem who is also a PDP state chairmanship candidate in the forth coming state Congress of the party, charged everyone to remain steadfast and focus on delivering victory to the PDP and Jarigbe Agom in the forthcoming Senatorial election.

Also Speaking, Chief Austine Edibe the Secretary-General of the Campaign Council underlined the need for unity especially in the days ahead,

Chief Austine appealed to all members of PDP to take the Jarigbe Agom message of a better Cross River North to every part of the Senatorial district.

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

4 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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