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When Boki Local Government Chairman, Hon (Pst) John Ewa was campaigning for the 2020 Cross River State LG elections, he had made several promises to the electorate and Boki people, even after the elections. 

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By Pospi Otuson, Abuja 

In a partial primary election conducted around December 2019 at mirage hotel, Calabar having Hon. (Pastor) John Eshian Ewa as the Boki chairmanship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), was the beginning of Ewa's loudmouthing of things he really knew would not happen.

The May 30th 2020 Local Government elections alleged to be a form of Selection by the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, had Hon. John Ewa's campaign based on the catchword “PEACE” this accompanied every single statement, public presentation and press releases throughout his campaign. However, there have been other key promises the self-acclaimed ''Man of Peace'' made that has never been fulfilled which I'll highlight in this article.

After being selected into office like they say; Hon Ewa released itinerary for the Boki Peace Tour, between 9th to 14th of November, 2020 which commenced in Alankwu ward (Bateriko precisely) on the 9th and was concluded in the council's headquarters Boje on the 14th of November 2020. The peace tour backed up with Fasting & prayers, Town-hall meetings, deep talks, etc was yet another atmosphere of Ewa's failed promises.

As Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) of Boki hands over council authority/Office to the Elected Chairman of Boki LGA, Hon (Pastor) John Ewa — June 2020

"I'm trusting that the days ahead will be a season of 'RESTORATION' for the Boki nation" - Hon Ewa said in his appreciation message after taking the mantle of Boki leadership.

Almost 3 years later, I can say Boki people have experience neglect rather than restoration.

The Boki people are advised to call out the APC leadership which he's now a part of, and his administration to challenge my findings.

THE PROMISES AND PROGRESS REMARK


1. Restoring Peace in Boki Local Government Area (NOT YET)


Peace, the focal point of Hon. John Ewa's campaign has been said to be achieved after the the peace tour and following several events where young men in a boki community were said to have denounced cutlism. Actually, the move for peaceful coexistence in a society is very important, it's very commendable and deserved a little accolade for thinking of it even though it hasn't been achieved yet.

So many things constitute peace in every society, Hon. Ewa took steps to set up peace in Boki without proper mechanisms to sustain the said Peace. I wouldn't want to sound pessimistic but peace in Boki isn't stable yet and at some point it feels like it hasn't been tackled at all. We see this things everyday. What exact area has Hon. Ewa managed to sustain this Peace? Political peace, communal peace or what? We still get clashes and disagreement between farmers, communities and the set of criminals invading our rainforests every single day.

There are a lot of factors to consider to build and maintain peace in the society.

It is also important to understand that youths have to be put in the forefront of restoring Peace. I can recall back when Ewa took steps to get the young people gainfully engaged so as to reduce the spate of Cultism and other social vices in Boki and ensure an enabling environment for development with his social reintegration programme where he also constituted a Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee.

A quick question; Have the few youths who denounced cultism been equipped skillfully enough to stand firm and never give room to crime anymore?

How do you create the environment peaceful enough for investors to come in?

Hon. Ewa is yet to figure out.


2. Restoring Boki's Agricultural Potential (FAILED)

As far as Cross River State is concerened, Boki happens to be one of the LGAs with the greatest agricultural potentials. Infact, Agriculture happens to be one thing Boki is known for outside it’s shores. No doubt, We have a very huge agricultural potential. But amidst this God's given opportunity we have, we are still one of the most underdeveloped areas in the state.

Agriculture can help reduce poverty, raise incomes and improve food security for an entire nation, if we create a conducive environment to make farmers excel.

I may want to ask; How far have we gone to explore or show the outside world that the Boki People are really good in Agriculture?

"The Future of Nigeria is Agriculture, and in Nigeria Boki is one of the most strategic in terms of Agriculture" Hon. John Ewa quoted while speaking at the opening day of the Banjuare Boki Festival in Bashua community on 13th August 2019.

Ewa stressed that Boki has Great potentials and that over 40% of bananas consumed in the northern part of Nigeria are from Boki. In his words he said; "The northerners eat more banana than the Southerners. If you go to Yola, Kanu, Kaduna, and Maiduguri they have several special parks where there sell foodstuffs and most of them are garri and bananas, and it's from Boki. So there's huge potential" he said.

"When I left Cross River to school in Kaduna i had always known that most of the bananas consumed in Kaduna were from Boki. 90% of Lorries delivering in Kaduna are from Boki, when you go there and greet them in Bokyi language 'Nkìna' you see people will respond to you" he added.

Pst. John Ewa also said "One of the major markets that attracts buyers from Akwa Ibom, Benue State, Ebonyi State and many other places was Okundi market; but when people from far see young youth displaying big guns in broad daylight, killing themselves, nothing will make them come back".

Hon Ewa had repeatedly said this as he campaigns and even during the Boki peace and reconciliation tour.
After attempting to initiate the idea of Peace, there's no good evidence that Hon. Ewa has taken any steps towards promoting or developing the Agriculture sector of the Boki people.

One big mistake Hon. Ewa made was not focusing on Agriculture’ or considering it as a major priority, that could be the only thing he could have done differently from the past administrations.

3. Stopping Deforestation (FAILED)



Putting a stop to deforestation in Boki forests was one of the promises of the Boki local government Chairman, Hon John Ewa and I need not remind you that it's been failed... we see it everyday.

In an untrue attempt to stop the menace, Hon Ewa had given loggers a 3-week ultimatum to vacate boki forests sometime in May 2021 as reported here on Boki Blog. This was however perceived by the public as a good step but it's just a mere political statement.

In his press release tagged ‘Preservation Of Boki Forest, A Clarion Call For Community Efforts’ he said;

“Gentlemen of the press, the good people of Boki Local Government Council, Members of the public, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

“I, the Chairman of Boki Local Government Council, Pastor John Ewa as well as indigenes and responsible individuals of the society are deeply concerned about the unwholesome deforestation of Boki Forests, one of the few reserves in this part of the Country. 

“This concern has made it necessary for a solidarity call on all well meaning Boki sons and daughters, home and abroad to a three-day tour from 25th-29th of May, 2021 to put an end to this illegality ongoing in our forest.

“It is worrisome that all Government agencies are compromised and these logging activities is about to cause another round of communal Crisis together with the facts that the Boki roads are being damaged by loaded trucks of woods and the Forests are almost gone. As it stands, the only remedy is for the communities of Boki to take this tough responsibility and stop this disaster that has come upon our land before it consumes us.

“Those involved in logging are hereby given 3 Weeks Ultimatum to vacate Boki Forests. At the expiration of this time, Woods, Vehicles and all materials used for wood logging and evacuation will be confiscated and destroyed and defaulters will be arrested.

“Consequently, community Chiefs must mobilize to stop any form of logging or timber activities henceforth or risk their stipends. Forest management is the primary responsibility of Forestry commission but since this government agency and related authorities have failed us, it is time to rise up, take back our forest and preserve it.

“Thank you for your support as I am hopeful that we will all come out to defend our heritage.

Now, even though I would have loved to criticise some phrases used in this statement, I could still let it sly so I'd not complicate the main issues.

I had earlier said this statement is mere political and here's why I know so.

Fast forward to 13th December 2021, The Executive Chairman of Boki LGA, Hon. (Pst) John Ewa hosted the Boki Forest summit as an official launch of action against deforestation in the local government area.

On 19th December, Six (6) days after the said summit, youths in Irruan community impounded two trailers load carrying illegal logs of woods which was against the laws of the state and also following the resolutions at the Boki deforestation summit organize by the executive Chairman. Few days later, two of the younger brothers to Boki council chairman, Chief Jude Ewa and Lawrence Ewa allegedly collected 2 million naira from the illegal logs owners, after which they used soldiers to intimidate and also arrest some of the youths to an unknown destination. This was said by High Chief Bishop Tah on a WhatsApp platform.

He also stressed that after much investigation it was discovered that Lawrence and Jude Ewa acted on the chairman's instruction and up till-date nothing has been done over deforestation in our land.

In the words of Hon. (Pastor) John Ewa "The Boki forest is our future,  the most critical thing that defines us –our forest, our greenness, our safety, and serenity".

Hon Ewa is playing politics with the People's future.

4. The NEW BOKI PROJECT (FAILED)


The Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. John Ewa, on the 27th of March 2021 launched the "NEW BOKI PROJECT" with a view for cultists in the area to drop their arms and embrace peace.

According to a report by George Odok, Hon Ewa explained that as a result of the quest to find a lasting solution for peace to return to Boki, he had decided to to embark on what he tagged "THE NEW BOKI PROJECT" so as to create other viable alternatives for the youths in Boki to explore their potentials.


The initiative highlighted the following headways;

A. Establishing a secure and peaceful atmosphere in Boki

B. Creating Economic Opportunities for the Youths

C. Connecting Boki Communities through motorable roads

Hon. Ewa failed on this woefully.


5. Skill Acquisition Programme for Youths (NOT ACHIEVED)

Hon. (Pst) John Ewa, promised to organize a  Rural Youth Skill Acquisition Programme for Youths in the eleven wards of the council.

He said this at the Day-2 of Boki peace tour held at the Civic centre in Bashua Community of Boki Local government council. In his words, he said “It is high time we start engaging our youth and giving them hope for a better future”.

Unfortunately, Hon. Ewa couldn't achieve this.


6. Health (VERY LITTLE RESULT)

In January 2021, Hon. John Ewa claimed in his new year message that the Boki council have extended it's reach to several international developers and NGOs, and that Fhi 360 has renovated 3 health centers to completion, one in Bashua, Danare and Biajua in Boki Constituency 1. 

He added that “The United Nations too, is in the process of providing three more health centers in Boki, starting from the first quarter of the new year of 2021

“Daily, we have continued to strengthen our ties with so many organisations: the Red Cross, USAID, the European Union, etc all to attract development. We are not stoping until we get even bigger results". He also added

Hon Ewa ended up with a very tiny result.


7. Education (FAILED)


Good & Quality Education is said to be the Bedrock of any thriving society. No doubt, But it is quite saddening that the educational system in boki has experienced major setbacks over the years. And even more backwards under Hon. John Ewa.

FACT CHECK: Boki is among LGAs in Cross River State with highest number of dilapidated school structures. The educational system in Boki can only be explained with one word; Epileptic.

Okwa 1 Primary school, Boki LGA


Today, students seem to have lost the zeal for gaining positive knowledge, students who are sent to school to learn eventually spend most of their time doing unproductive activities.
Sometimes students skip classes to be in the bush with some of their mates doing what only God knows.

While there are a thousand and one reasons why this is so, I would just outline a few.

A major factor responsible for this is the inadequate number of teachers to cover subject matters especially in public schools. Because of the few number of teachers in public schools, teachers are asked to take subjects there sometimes do not know very well and some are asked to teach to many classes, and they often end up missing some of their lesson periods as they get burned out after teaching some of the classes.

Still in his new year message in 2021, while analysing his progress in education, Hon Ewa claimed his administration have been able to capture a twenty four million naira worth of class room block for Okwa 2 community through the National Boundary Commission saying the project was set to kickstart in 2021.

That was the first and last time that statement was seen.

Just in December 2020, I discovered that the Buentsebe Community Secondary School Wula has less than five (5) teachers and up to six hundred (600) Students.

Government Primary School Abo-ogbagante is more of a playground now if I must say, or is it Commercial secondary school Bateriko? Or Ekpashie technical college Ntamante.

Let's also look into the almighty Boki Comprehensive Secondary School, Okundi (Boki Boys) is there any form of growth there? Only a few private schools are performing very well academically.

Unfortunately, Hon. John Ewa's administration had a very wide absence of activities that will excite students towards education. It is baffling to note that in the entire Boki local government area there is no activity that spurs children towards facing their studies. Activities like quiz competition, spelling bee, essay competition, and maths test sponsored by the council.

This would encourage students to bring out their very best. With competitions like this there is no doubt that there will be a great awakening towards facing studies in Boki. No doubts there have been competitions like this in the past but there are mostly organized by NYSC members, and and kindhearted individuals, and therefore they lack continuity.

Truth be told, Education was never a priority under Pastor John Ewa.

8. Infrastructure (PROGRESS NOT TRACEABLE)

Hon. John Ewa's Infrastructural strides are very little, aside renovating the council headquarters and grading the road leading to it, no other project could be traceable at the time of this report.


9. Develop an Ultra-modern town in Boki (FAILED)

Hon. John Ewa in a town hall meeting with the Osokom Clan in Boki LGA on October 2020, said Okundi deserved to be an ultra-modern town, as he unvield his transformational plans for major towns.

According to a report from his media; the three hours meeting had in attendance all clan heads, Chiefs, youths and members of both Executive and Legislative council of Boki Local Government Area.

Hon Ewa never achieved this to even 20%

In my survey, the said beneficiary of selection has had one of the worst administrations in Boki council history.








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About Author

Hi, I,m Pospi Otuson. A Nigerian Blogger, Social Entrepreneur and Convener of the renowned Boki Business Conference. CEO/Founder of Possibility Desk, the largest online consulting platform for possibilities in the world.

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