The rising spate of kidnappings in Cross River State especially in the southern parts is no longer news.

The attendant impact of this on the socioeconomic and sociocultural systems is also visible with industrial actions by unions, dwindling night life among others, indicators of these.

Data compiled by CrossRiverWatch shows that at least 14 people have been abducted in November alone.

With an estimated one unreported abduction for a reported one, this data suggest no fewer than five dozen people may have been abducted in 2020 alone despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Critics have said that the fact the abductions have increased amidst a curfew and the pandemic shows a systemic problem.

What is this problem?

Medical personnel are on strike in the State too! 

Despite the fact the State has not officially recorded a case in 3 months, concerns have continuously been raised over the success rate of these kidnappings and how the health of the victims and that of their families are at risk.

What efforts have the government made to curtail kidnappings especially of health workers? 

How safe are health care providers?
These and more remains the focus of this week’s ‘The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo’ with the topic: “Rising Insecurity In Cross River Amidst #COVID19: Issues, Governance And Reality.”

To discuss these and more with us is the Vice Chairman, Cross River branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Pius Agweye and the Coordinator, Coalition of CSOs against COVID-19 in Cross River, Comrade Gabriel Adim.

Join us on Hit 95.9 FM Calabar today, November 22, 2020 from 6:15PM to 7:00PM for the live program. 

Call the following numbers to make your contributions and ask questions; 070095944836, 08092444955.

EPISODE 226 - Rising Insecurity In Cross River Amidst #COVID19: Issues, Governance And Reality.

It is 24 days since Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State presented the 2021 appropriation bill to the Cross River State House of Assembly.

The State hopes to spend NGN277.7bln in 2021.

Before the budget was presented, the discussion largely centered on what the name would be with mixed reactions trailing the size and names of budgets since 2016.

Should this be the case?

What is the level of participation of the citizenry?

The budget is said to be the second most important document after the constitution, how well do people know budgeting processes?

Also, questions such as how will the state finance the budget? What was the level of participation of the citizenry and civil society organizations? How did the state arrive at such a figure? Beg for answers.

These and more are the focus of this week's 'The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo' with the topic: "The Cross River 2021 Budget And MTEF: Beyond The Headlines."

To discuss these and more with us is the Executive Director of Policy Alert, Tijah Bolton-Akpan.

Join us on Hit 95.9 FM Calabar today, November 29, 2020 from 6:15PM to 7:00PM for the live program. 

Call the following numbers to make your contributions and ask questions; 070095944836, 08092444955.

You can also join the conversation on our social media platforms: Follow us on Twitter, @thedialoguecrs and on Instagram @thedialoguecrs. 

Listen to the live program anywhere in the world on our Facebook page or on mixlr.com/hitfmcalabar. Like our Facebook page where you can send in your messages.

Include #thedialoguecrs or #tdwaj in your questions and suggestions which will be taken as they come. 

For adverts and sponsorship please call 08134585365.

EPISODE 227 - The Cross River 2021 Budget And MTEF: Beyond The Headlines.

The By-Elections into National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly positions held yesterday, December 5, 2020 across the country.

In Cross River, the position for Senator representing Cross River North district and Member representing Obudu State constituency were up for elections following the death of the former lawmakers occupying these positions.

Both have been decided but concerns about the credibility of elections and the political system continues.

Claims that the elections were heavily policed remain unanswered!

Concerns have also been raised about the expensive system as well as tactical means of buying votes, a crime in the Nigerian laws.

What were the intrigues and peculiarities in this by-elections?

What was the outcome?

Does the system allow for effective selection of leaders?

How can it be developed?

These and more are the focus of this week’s ‘The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo’ with the topic: “The Legislative By-Elections In Cross River: Conduct, Results And Matters Arising.”

To discuss these and more with us is the Country Director of Citizens Solution Network, Richard Inoyo.

In this episode, voters spread across the constituency will also join the program for perspectives.

Join us on Hit 95.9 FM Calabar today, December 6, 2020 from 6:15PM to 7:00PM for the live program. 

Call the following numbers to make your contributions and ask questions; 070095944836, 08092444955.

You can also join the conversation on our social media platforms: Follow us on Twitter, @thedialoguecrs and on Instagram @thedialoguecrs. 

Listen to the live program anywhere in the world on our Facebook page or on mixlr.com/hitfmcalabar. Like our Facebook page where you can send in your messages.

Include #thedialoguecrs or #tdwaj in your questions and suggestions which will be taken as they come. 

For adverts and sponsorship please call 08134585365.

EPISODE 228 - The Legislative By-Elections In Cross River: Conduct, Results And Matters Arising.

As the SARS - CoV - 2 pandemic rages on across the globe, the Nigerian Government had on December 21, 2020 announced among other measures, that schools will remain closed until January 18, 2021.

48 hours later, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, suspended its 289 days industrial action over the revitalization of varsities and the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

Days after that announcement, questions such as; when will the varsities reopen? And, what measures are in place to protect students? Remain largely unanswered.

In Cross River, all the tertiary institutions remain shut for different reasons including the College of Health Technology over the suspension of the salary scale for Teaching and Non Teaching staff by the Cross River State Government.

What are the issues?

With poor or decaying infrastructure amidst high number of students, concerns about who is responsible for installing infection prevention and control devices in schools is being raised in some quarters. 

Also, how will internal wrangling affect the reopening of schools? 

How can all these be tackled sustainably?

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, the Cross River State Chapter Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Comrade Bright Ewona and Comrade Effiong Archibong, COHTECH branch of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics will be our guests today, January 3, 2021 on Hit 95.9FM from 6:15 - 7:00PM during the live program.

You can also listen via mixlr.com/hitfmcalabar, https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/SjCE, https://audiomack.com/thedialoguecrs.

To ask questions or contribute call 070095944836 or 08092444955;
Tweet to us @thedialoguecrs 
Mention us on Instagram @thedialoguecrs
Or, The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo on Facebook.

Include #thedialoguecrs or #tdwaj in your questions and suggestions which will be taken as they come. 

For adverts and sponsorship please call 08139208189, 08134585365.

EPISODE 232 - COVID-19, Politicking And Impact On The Nigerian Tertiary Education System.

The Cross River State Judicial Panel into Police Brutality and Restitution will resume sitting on Tuesday, January 12 2021.

The last seating of the Panel was on December 23, 2020 when the Panel ordered the Police to allow a Traditional Ruler sent on exile by Police to return to his kingdom.

What have been the twists and intrigues so far?

With the Police changing its representation at the Panel, how will this affect the proceedings of the Panel?

Also, concerns about the lack of power to enforce the recommendations of the Panel have been raised. Will this exercise end up academic?

Can recent cases of Police brutality be brought before the Panel?

What fears are been expressed by lawyers defending victims?

These and more are the focus of this week’s ‘The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo’ with the topic: “#EndSARS, Police Brutality And The Judicial Panel: How Far, So Far.”

To discuss these and more with us is the Chairman, Calabar Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Paul Ebiala and the Country Director, Citizens Solutions Network, Comrade Richard Inoyo.

You can also listen via mixlr.com/hitfmcalabar, https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/SjCE, https://audiomack.com/thedialoguecrs.

To ask questions or contribute call 070095944836 or 08092444955;
Tweet to us @thedialoguecrs 
Mention us on Instagram @thedialoguecrs
Or, The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo on Facebook.

Include #thedialoguecrs or #tdwaj in your questions and suggestions which will be taken as they come. 

For adverts and sponsorship please call 08134585365, 08139208189.

EPISODE 233 - #EndSARS, Police Brutality And The Judicial Panel: How Far, So Far.

Topical radio program which airs every Sunday, 6pm-7pm on Hit 95.9FM Calabar.

The Dialogue With Agba Jalingo is a production of CrossRiverWatch.