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JARIGBE DRIVING GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT IN C/RIVER NORTH

Published

5 years ago

November 21, 2020

Cyril Ogar

The race for the replacement of late Senator Rose Oko in the National Assembly has continued to gather momentum as the two major parties contending for the seat are mobilizing forces to ensure that they grab the Cross River Northern Senatorial District seat.

The race is a straight battle between the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom and that of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Agi, SAN has witnessed new and stronger campaign strategies since the postponement of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as a result of the #EndSARS protest in the country.

Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, currently a member of the House of Representatives, who represents Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency is not giving up the battle for the ticket of the PDP for the election. He believes that he won the primary and should be the party’s flagbearer.

He is seen as a candidate who stands out in the popularity contest and the candidate to beat in the election.

Elected into the Green Chambers in 2015, Hon. Agom has kept in touch with those who elected him to serve via his legislative outreach and constituent’s involvement in the smooth running of the federal constituency.

In his desire to make life meaningful for his people, the lawmaker took a need assessment tour within his constituency where he engaged his constituents to exray their myriads of challenges. This tour resulted in the provision of some critical infrastructure, facilitated by the lawmaker for improved living standards and economic growth.

Within his first term in office, the young lawmaker ran an open-door policy, with the help and support of his constituents, and a lot was achieved. Hon. Agom influenced, through recommendation, the employment of many constituents into various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including the Civil Defense, Federal Road Safety, Nigerian Army, Police, EFCC, Banks, Department Of Petroleum Resources, to mention but a few.

AMONG SOME OF HIS PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Electrification of Idum, Adum, and Igbo in Wanihem ward. Yala LGA (REA) Supply and Installation of a 500kva transformer in Wanibolor. Yala LGA ( Fed. Mins. of Power Works & Housing), Drilling and Installation of Motorised borehole in Okuku. Drilling & Installation of 1No Motorised borehole in Yache.

The home town of Dr. Stephen Odey, Drilling & Installation of Solar Powered borehole in Ikajor Ward Ishibori in Ogoja Drilling & Installation of Motorised borehole in Nkum Irede, Ibil in Ogoja, Drilling & Installation of 1No Motorised borehole in Idum Mbube. Electrification of Mbube East from Benkpe, Supply & Installation of 500kva transformer in Oboso, Mbube (Fed. Mins. of Power Works & Housing), Empowerment & training of over 250 youths in vocational skill acquisition in his constituency over 8million was giving out in cash for startups, He facilitated the construction of the (old) Union Bank Road, Igoli-Ogoja LGA- NDDC 2016 Budget and many others.

On his first primary assignment as a lawmaker, Jarigbe has sponsored 10 bills and four motions on the floor of the green chambers for the benefit of Cross River State and Nigeria in general

Others include:

University of Calabar Act (Amendment) Bill 2017(Amendment of cap U5 LFN 2004), A Bill for an act to provide for the establishment of a Federal University of Technology, OGOJA and for other matters connected therewith 2018, A Bill for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Yala 2018.

MOTIONS:

Call for Rehabilitation of the Road from Yahe-Ukelle in Yala LGA of Cross River State to Igede in Oju LGA of Benue State, 25/11/2015.

Urgent Need to Investigate Acts of Procedural Breach by the Management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), 08/03/2016.

Urgent Need to Investigate the Huge Debts Owed to PPMC by Major and Independent Oil Marketers/Sabotage by Some Oil Marketers, 29/09/2016.

Urgent need to investigate the mysterious death of the Late Joy Odama; Crutech Student, 21 years, from Yala, who died controversially in the house of one Alhaji Usman Adamu in Abuja.

It is worthy to note that one of Hon. Jarigbe’s Bill, HB 262 University of Abuja Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015 has passed the third (3rd) reading and was assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is now gazetted as one of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN).

He has also intervened in several cases, especially through cash donations, gifts, cars, tricycles, sewing machines, funding of small scale businesses, procurement of farm inputs for farmers, construction of solar-powered boreholes, skill acquisition training, scholarship to deserving constituents, and many others.

Following his outstanding legislative performance and constituency development, Hon. Agom was re-elected for a second term to consolidate and sustain the tempo of his outreach. On marking the first year of his re-election for a second term, the pragmatic lawmaker sent out a touching message to his constituents.

He wrote: “I come on this platform to thank the Ogoja/ Yala people for the confidence reposed in me, exactly one year ago. My greatest joy is that my brother and friend who contested on the opposite platform is one of my closest allies today. We’ve long moved on. He didn’t emerge because he had special skills but because it’s God’s chosen time for me to serve our people.

“We are mere mortals and can’t assume invincibility.

Your continued support is invaluable and my promise to you is that- I AM POISED to delivering on this MANDATE you graciously gave to me in Trust. I remain eternally indebted to you all for this rare opportunity. God bless you all”.

Barely Seven Months from the inauguration into the 9th Assembly for a second term, Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom has done the following.

Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom has empowered over 200 Constituents from across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala with Birds, Feeds, and Vaccines.

He has done free medical outreach across Ogoja/Yala with Over 5,000 constituents as beneficiaries.

He has also empowered over 50 constituents with motorcycles, over 25 Tricycles, mechanized farm implements,s and 5 Cars to people across Ogoja/Yala.

Supply and Installation of 2,500kva transformers in Ogoja.

He has also extended his hand of goodwill by giving out N250,000 to youth from Ijibor in Bekwarra local government area to start up a business.

Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom made a passionate appeal for a fire truck to be made available for the fire Department in Ogoja.

Rehabilitation of Borehole in Ochochi Okpudu in Okpoma, in Yala LGA.

Presented wrappers and cash to all the widows in the constituency during the Yuletide season. (2019).

Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom facilitated the entrepreneurship development training for more than 400 constituents to enable them to access the CBN AGSMEIS Loan of N10m. The training fee was over N5m

He has organized skills acquisition training for youths across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala where cash was also given for start-ups.

He has purchased 240 jamb forms for Jambites across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala.

Hon Jarigbe Agom has affected the payment of Bursary to constituents across Ogoja/Yala which is ongoing.

With the mandate bestowed on him by the electorate, he sees himself having a commitment and a social contract of service for the overall interest of his people.

Hon Jarigbe, the voters have already decided, they approve of his philosophies and have chosen to place their trust in him; that allows him not only to represent by listening but also to represent by leading, by shaping opinions. He possesses the passion, experience, disposition, and sagacity to satisfactorily represent his people.

As a lawmaker, he is appealing to the best instincts of your constituents, he ran for a legislative office to make a difference, a difference for the better; and yes, he is putting the people first by his utmost commitment to their needs, in a very special way.

Legislative service is one of democracy’s worthiest pursuits. It is an important duty that deserves time, attention and dedication, in all of these tight engagements, you are never far from your people, hence your doors are open and accessible to your constituents far and near and even others in the diaspora

Besides, he has made the job of a lawmaker a lot more interesting to your supporters because you really know the people you represent. He used his skills and office to help communities find solutions. He returns phone calls, answers e-mails and letters, has town hall meetings, and replies to chats; this is awesomely encouraging and commendable.

Representation requires a bond of trust between citizens and their representatives; this bond, he holds in high esteem because enjoys the support and goodwill of his constituents in view of his openness, transparency, worthiness, accountability, and accessibility.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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