OGOJA: ANCIENT AND MODERN

NAME: OBURUKU SUNDAY OGBAJI

REG. NO: 12/MAC/083

“The name Ogoja” is wildly used in Northern Cross River. In the early centuries, Ogoja covered the present Abi, Boki, Ikom, Obubra, Obudu, Obanliku, Yakurr and Yala Local Government Areas.
The present Ogoja Local Government Area consist of five (5) clans which are the Afrike, Bekwarra, Mbube, Kajuk and Nkum. Ogoja is bounded to the north by Benue State, Ikom in the South, Boki and Okundi in the east and Yala in the West. It has an estimated population of about 430,000 and a land mass of about 960,5689 sq. km.
Ogoja has for long remained a potential area of socio-economic development, especially in agriculture where the main products that are mostly produced are yam, cassava, rice, groundnuts, guinea corn, ground beans, sweet potatoes, millet and fruit trees.
The influence of the early missionaries was significantly felt in the area, thus, Christianity is the predominant religion. The area is also endowed with different cultural value and some of them are revived and modernized to emphasize the cultural heritage of the people. Very songs also exist in different areas for different festivals such as the new yam festivals, traditional marriages, birth and burials.
Ogoja is linguistically diverse. The numbers of languages spoken in the area is about six (6) and they distributed through out the five (5) clans. The major languages spoken in the area are Bekwarra, Bakor, Mbe and Nkum.
Ethically, Ogoja is very complex but of the diversity of the area and this enable a considerable amount of communication amongst the ethnic groups.

EDUCATION
The Roman Catholic Mission was the first to penetrate the area through Calabar, the Eastern Headquarters of the Church. Thus, between 1906 and 1930, all the communities in Ogoja Local Government Area has felt the impact of the RCM and the Church of Scotland Missions. There are also notable schools like The Saint Thomas Training College established in 1948, Government Technical College which started as PTC in 1950, Holy Child Secondary School Mount Carmel, Annunciation Secondary School. There are also vocational institutes at Igoli, Adagon and Ogboja and the Women Education Center at Mbube.
The oldest Primary school in the area, Saint Benedict’s was established in 1906 by the Roman Catholic Mission. In recent years, The Federal Government established the Federal School of Arts and Science in 1973. It later metamorphosed into Federal Science College in 1992
There is also a campus of the Cross River University of Technology in Ogoja which was opened in 2002.

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
Ogoja possess enormous potentials for industrialization. It has limestone deposit in Mbube, salt deposit in BBekwarra, Okpoma and Afrike which can be used in the petrochemical industry. Lead and zinc are found in Bansara and lots of clay in Ishibori and Ndok. Ogoja is linked to Benue, Abuja and the Northern part of the country through a good road network.
Union Bank use to be the only commercial bank in the area but modernization have given room for eleven banks to operate in the area.

MARKET
The Ogoja people generally operate a five-day market week. The major markets in the area are found at Ishibori and Ogboja in Ogoja Urban, Odajie, Idum and Ojerim in Mbube, Ogidi, Ukpa and Afrike in Bekwarra and Ndok, Aladim. There is also the the Okpe and Ogoja Ndem markets. Markets such as Ishibori and Ogboja operate daily. Items such as garri, beans, yams, maize and vegetables are all sold here. There are several super markets at Igli and Abakpa as well as several provision stores in all the communities.

RESOURCES
Ogoja is well blessed with highly tropical climate, well marked by wet and dry seasons. The area is also blessed with food crops and very rich trees of different species. The area is also blessed with large quarry rich with by-product which could be used for industrial and commercial activities.

SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT
Ogoja offers a wide range of investments opportunity for both local and foreign investors.
The forest in Mbube and Afrike could be exploited for the development and sourcing of raw materials for industrial use.
The quarry at Mbube, if adequately exploited produced raw materials for road construction, water filtration and glass industries.
An oil palm project could if exploited could produce oil and kernel for edible fats and oil, margarine, candles, cosmetic soaps and detergents. Maize could be used for corn meals, animal feeds, corn flakes and bakeries. Yam could be used for edible powder flour and chips while cassava could be used for high grade industrial starch, alcohol, glue, as well as food items such as chips, flour and garri. Palm wine could be used for baking yeast, alcohol and so on.
Rice could be used for brewing malt and as food item. Groundnut could be exploited for edible oil, industrial and human consumption.

HEALTH
The General Hospital in Ogoja was established in 1915 by the first provincial commissioner, Mr. W. C. Syer for the province of Ogoja with Abakiliki. Services rendered initially were tuberculosis treatment and medical/surgical services.
The hospital later assumed the status of Group Reference Hospital in 1980 with the approval of the Nigerian Medical Council to train house officers.
Today, the hospitals has the following clinics:
1. Dental Clinic
2. Antiretroviral Clinic
3. Eye Clinic
4. Vesico Vaginal Fistula Unit

Laboratories services are also provided.

PREMARITAL SEX.

AN ARTICLE ON PREMARITAL SEX.

           According to the free encyclopedia,(Wikipedia), premarital  sex  is sexual activity practiced by persons who are unmarried. Historically, it has been considered taboo in some cultures and religion.

         In some cultures, the significant of premarital sex has traditionally been related to the concept of virginity. However, unlike virginity, premarital sex can refer to more than one occasion of sexual activity or more than one sex partner. social attitudes to premarital sex can include issues such as virginity, sexual morality, extramarital unplanned pregnancy, legitimacy beside other issues.

          Premarital sex may take place in a number of situations, like it may take place as casual sex, that is, with at least one participant seeking to experience sex, it may take place between a couple living together in a long term relationship without marriage; for a betrothed couple engaging in sexual activity before their anticipated marriage and many other situations as possible.

           Alternative terms for premarital sex have been suggested, including non-marital sex (which overlaps with adultery), youthful sex, adolescent sex young-adult sex. Sexuality is not an instrument of enjoying lustful pleasure for human being at least. In premarital sex, many times, immature human beings explore the sexuality, just out of curiosity, and might be that, they are unaware of the consequences.

          The effects of premarital sex is that, it will lead to mental depression and dilemma, It may also lead to the dangers of exchange of disease; also premarital sex can lead to an unwanted pregnancy and emotional imbalances and guilt feelings.

          Premarital sex can be prevented through spreading awareness of healthy sexuality among children. Awareness of healthy sexuality is not at all the knowledge of safe sexuality. Train them to mingle with opposite sex in a mature way. Inspire them with mutual respect between man and woman and not as objects to fulfill lusty wishes and ambitions.

        In conclusion, love should not be a reason of engaging in premarital sex, for most at times the consequences of it is disastrous which may lead to a life-time full of guilt and bitterness.

WRITTEN BY: 

BASSEY, ENDURANCE PETER

DEPT: MASS COMMUNICATION

 

SOCIAL NETWORKING IN NIGERIA

NAME: DARIUS DARIUS U.

REG. NO: 12/MAC/125

INTRODUCTION
The popularity of social networking sites such as facebook, my space, twitter, and so much more, came into existence from 2005 to 2009.
These sites allows users to develop profits, communicate with friends and strangers, share thoughts, photos, internet links, music and lots more. Many users say that the dangers of the social media outweigh the profits.
The proponent of social networking argue that these online communities promote increased in communication between friends, families, familiarize people with valuable computer skills and allow contacts with people around the world. Experts argue that social networking sites expose children to predators, increased the computers vulnerability to virus, causes low worker productivity and promote narcissism and short attention span. Six degrees.com which came into existence from 1997 to 2001 was considered to be the first social networking because it was the first to allow user to create personal links with friends.

SOCIAL NETWORKING IN NIGERIA
Online social networking platforms like facebook, twitter, skype, yahoo messenger, watsapp, my space, windows live messenger, goggle talk, and blackberry messengers have become part of our modern lives to the extend that many wonder how they had coped before all these cyber resources were invented made available to all.
According to Wikipedia, social networking service is an online service platform or site that focuses on facilitating the building of social networking or social relations amongst people who share common interest, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections. Social networking have certainly changed the way we share information in radical and explosive ways.
It has made life a lot easier by putting volumes of information at the disposal of just anyone who could gain access to the internet.
However, despite the almost limitless opportunities available through social networking, there is a dark side to the phenomenon. Dangers that abound on social networking sites include online scams, cyber stalking or harassment, risks of failure of security in both business and personal context.
The criminally minded always steals information such as names, locations, age, gender, credit card or bank account details to commit crimes. All these happen despite security measures put in place by most of the social networking website.

REASONS WHY YOUR HEART MAY FAIL

NAME: VIRGINIA IKE

REG. NO: 12/MAC/060

The heart is the most important organ in the human body system responsible for pumping and circulating blood to various segment of the body.
Therefor, it must be kept strong, healthy and above all, purified from all dirt and congestion.
There are certain factors that can lead to different heart problems like heart attack, cardiac arrest etc. Such factors are critically examined below:

ANXIETY
Studies by some professionals scholars and medical practitioners have shown that over 65% of heart problems are often associated with anxiety . When one worries too much about work, bills, spouse, attitude, children’s welfare etc, heart failure may occur. The best way to tackle prevent it is to take your mind off those things that you worry a lot and try to put the right mechanism in motion to solve this problem.

FEAR
When you fear for a particular thing, your heart is beclouded by so many dirt and it beat faster than normal thereby causing heart failure.

ANGER
Always learn to control your anger when ever you are angry because it has also been identified by medical practitioners that anger can cause heart failure. When you are angry, it causes the heart to stretch and when it reaches it’s limit, there is that tendency that it might cause heart failure.

SMOKING
This is the most common cause of heart attack. Smoking leaves dark dirt particles on the heart and this causes heart failure.

ALCOHOL
The intake of excessive alcohol, dry gin, spirit is prone to reduce the flow of blood from the heart and can lead to heart failure.

HAPPINESS

NAME: IKOI EUNICE JACKSON

REG. NO: 12/MAC/061

Happiness uplifts you
Happiness feels your heart, mind and soul

Happiness gives you the strength you need in life
Happiness is a great feeling that enters your mind
Happiness takes our sorrows away

Happiness feels your life with joy
Happiness warms your heart
Happiness gives you a sense of relief

Happiness is a very beautiful feeling which allows you to enjoy everyday to the fullest

THE REWARD OF EXCELLENCE

NAME: INYANG NATAREZE ANNAS

REG. NO: 12/MAC/065

It was one of those regular evenings after a hectic long days work. I sat on my arm chair to complete some updates on our blog and this was after have had dinner and a cold water bath.
I checked through my new mails and one of the newest message was from The Nigerian Entrepreneurs Incorporated. On opening the mail, i discovered that it was an invitation to attend an award ceremony and i was nominated as one of those to receive an award. Part of the mail read thus, “…after due considerations, the entire board members of the aforementioned association have nominated your magazine for an award of excellence and most dynamic contribution to the media sector of the Nigerian entertainment industry…” “Fraudsters again!” i said to myself with a deep sigh.
But on a second thought, my previous mails always ask me to some amount into a specific bank with details attach and this one did not. With this thought, i decided to call the number that was attach with the message and the call was answered by the president who confirmed that the message was true and gave me further details.

THE BLIND GIRL

INSPIRATIONAL STORY (ARTICLE)

THE BLIND GIRL

A blind girl sat on a step of a building with a hat by her feet. She held   up a sign which read; ‘I am blind, please help.’ There were only few coins in the hat. A man was working   by he then took the sign, turned it around and wrote some words. Soon the hat began to fill up; a lot of people were giving money to the blind girl. That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were,   the girl recognized his footsteps and asked, were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write? The man said, I only wrote the truth, I only wrote what you said but in a different way. I wrote “Today is a beautiful day; but I cannot see it”. Both signs told people that she was blind but the first simply said the girl was blind. The second sign reminded people how fortunate they were to have their sight. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective? Moral of the story:                                                                                                                               

!  Be thankful for what you have.

!  Be creative.

! Be innovative.

! Think differently and positively.

! When life give you hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have thousand reasons to smile.

! Face your past without regret.

! Handle your present with confidence.

! Prepare for the future without fear.

! Keep the faith and drop the fear it a beautiful thing to see a person smiling. But it is even more beautiful to know that you are the reason for the smile.

                   E-MAIL- obisixtus@ymail.com OR call, 07032924736

 Cross River University of technology (crutech), calabar.  Department of mass communication.

Written by, Obi Sixtus Abi

CAUSES AND REMEDIES OF PROSTITUTION IN UNIVERSITIES

NAME: UREN JULIET UDOP
REG. NO: 12/MAC/119

PARENTAL IGNORANCE AND WICKEDNESS
Some parent who do not know what the university is all about and some who has this knowledge that the university is like the secondary schools just because they have never stepped their feet on the campus ground will think that their children will want to use the money they ask for to carry out their own selfish desires but on the real truth is that they want to use this money to do their academic work. If their parents refused to give them this money they will go into prostitution up with the school requirements.

UNTIMELY DEATH OF PARENTS OR GUARDIANS
In this world of difficulties, people strive harder and harder everyday to make ends meet and this might cause us to loose our lives along the way. When our parents or guardians dies, they leave us stranded and after all said and done prostitution is the final destination because we cannot afford to be school drop out.

LECTURERS THAT WANTS SORTING AND SEX
The university is a world on own which consist of different people with different characters, lives and behaviors and it is said that a university student , old or young is counted as a matured person because they pass through the stress and punishment of university life.
Moreover,there are lecturers who delight in selling grades just as it is well known in a lot of universities that student read to know and sort to pass. Some lecturers also harass students for sex and most of them will willingly start to prostitute.

REMEDIES
1. Replacing all lecturers that are after money and sex.

2. Parents should see their children’s schooling as their responsibility and by giving them support they need in school.

COURAGE

NAME: OLORY JENNIFER EGBE
REG. NO: 12/MAC/100

Courage is what makes us
Courage is what divides us
Courage is what drives us
Courage is what stops us

Courage creates news
Courage demands more
Courage creates blame
Courage brings shame

Courage shows in school
Courage determines the cool
Courage divides the weak
Courage pours out like a leak

Courage puts us on a knee
Courage makes us free
Courage makes us plea
Courage makes us flee

SHADOWS

NAME: ODEY VALYN OTANYA

REG. NO: 12/MAC/086

Shadows
Dark reflections
Not in water or mirror
Dawn comes
My shadow appears
Like a phantom

When clouds darken the sky
At night falls
My shadow fades away
Mysteriously
Like the moon at sunrise

When the darkness occurs
We fear the horror of the night
When the light appears
Our fear banishes away

Shadows
Dark as ebony
Banished
By the Darkness of night