The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

We Must Reclaim Cross River State – Barr Ekpo Ada, Gershom Bassey DG

The Director General of the Senator Gershom Bassey Campaign Organization (Team-Gersh), Barr Ekpo Asuquo Ada has reteriated the need to reclaim and restore Cross River State.

Barr. Ada made this known on July 21st, 2022 during a welcome rally in his honour at the Caterpillar Movement Campaign Secretariat, #143 Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Calabar Cross River State.

Welcoming Barr Ekpo Asuquo, the DG Caterpillar Movement, Chief Joe Obi Bisong the leader of Team Gersh on behalf of his principal drew the attention of the supporters to the supremacy of the party as he said, “As party men and women we ‘re conversant with the tone that the party is supreme. The political journey is a journey that you start alone and as you grow you continue to gather more people to join you. If you’re not well behaved, those around you will continue to leave until you get to your destination alone”.

Chief Joe Obi further explored the harmonious relationship that existed between Barr Ekpo and himself and maintain that “We started this journey for the search of the governor of our state together with my brother and bossom friend, Barr Ekpo Ada. Chief Gershom Bassey appointed him DG, while Senator Onor appointed me DG. All through the period of campaigns, we never had disagreement because we believe politics is the people and politics is interest. At the end of the primaries we made frantic efforts as brothers and friends and as colleagues which brought us to this position. We spoke extensively with Senator Gershom Bassey and his team, we had several meetings. Let me state on record that Senator Gershom Bassey gave us a deputy governor and today, the big fish has arrived”.

He assured Barr Ekpo Ada of equal stake as DG in the quest to reclaim Cross River State. “On behalf of our principal and candidate of our great party, Dist Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor, I welcome you and be rest assured you have equal stake and equal stand as DG because you’re a good DG”.

Responding, Barr Ada charged his supporters to work for the success of the PDP in order to be relevant and likened politics to the game of soccer when he said: “In this business it is like a football Match. If you’re not in the field to play constantly you would loose your form. We must take the scene. We must support Prof. Sandy Onor and Lady Emana Duke. We must reclaim Cross River State.”

The legal luminary further outlined his expectations when he said: “All we ask from our candidate is good governance. A government that is all inclusive, a government that would not have refuse all over the streets, government that would not be full of lies, government that would not deceive our people that we have projects that are nowhere to be found. A government that won’t be geo-ethnically nepotic”.

He concluded by saying, “I ‘ve been working very closely with the DG Caterpillar Movement. He’s my brother, he’s my friend, he’s my colleague, we were councillors together. And let me tell all of you, I had the course to sit with Senator Prof. Sandy Onor, I told him clearly that my people of the south we’re still watching to see what he would do. The fact that he has called me, as small as I am and he picked up his phone and called me and said let us have a chat and I sat with him, there’s a lot that I ‘ve seen. It’s not about your brother. Sometimes your brother can be on the street. All of us are from the south and we know what we have passed through in the south. Let’s stand up and work. PDP must win!”

Caterpillar Movement Media

July 22, 2022
Cross River State: A City Of Refuse Under Ben Ayade – PDP

July 22, 2022
Vacancy: Mediatrix Development Foundation Is Hiring
Mediatrix Development Foundation Recruitment
- IndustryNGO / Non-Profit Associations
- FoundedN / A
- TypeNGO
- Websitehttps://www.mediatrixfoundation.org/
- AddressPlot 278D, Justice Okoi Itam Way, State Housing Estate, Calabar, Cross River State
About Mediatrix Development Foundation

Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) is an initiative of Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs Linda Ayade who also sits on the Board as President of the organization which is aimed at improving the lives of women and children by reducing the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, within these target populations in Cross River State through effective collaboration with Government MDA’s and other relevant stakeholders and partners. Mediatrix Development Foundation’s (MDF) head office is strategically located in the heart of Calabar. The organization is housed in a bungalow at Plot 278D, Justice Okoi Itam Way, State Housing Estate, Calabar, Cross River State, with a sub-office along St. Thomas Aquinas Road opp. Fanag Gas behind Montaji Filling Station, Okuku Road, Ogoja, Cross River State. We are incorporated as Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in 2015 with an average estimated annual budget of N71, 902,193.63. Our primary focus is on health intervention at the community level which primarily targeted women and children under the ages of 5 years, Livelihood and Economic Inclusion, Justice and Rights, Education and Volunteering, and other cross-cutting issues including Gender Equality.

Mediatrix is seeking for qualified candidate to fill the position a Livelihood Assistant

S/N Position Title Contract Type Department Location

1 Livelihood Assistant STA Programs Ogoja

Internal Candidates:

Interested staff members should consult the policy recruitment. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, you may also contact the HR unit.

External Candidates:

External candidates must meet the essential minimum requirement of the position and candidates who are not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

Submission of Application:

Please visit Mediatrix Foundations’ Careerpage @ https://mediatrixfoundation.org/careers

Closing Date:

2 August, 2022.

N/B

Please ignore the career page link in the former email.

Thank you.

Doris Etta N

Mediatrix Development Foundation

Human Resources Officer

Plot 278D, Justice Okoi Ikpi Way, State Housing Estate,

Calabar, Cross River State.

[email protected]

Website: www.mediatrixfoundation.org

Direct line: 08033767992
July 20, 2022
Ekpe Hilary Uchiche, Hon Francis Lukpata Igbologidi, Helen Laffin And Hon Clement Obok Rejects Gov Ayade’s Appointment, Insists On Sen Jarigbe’s Reelection

Some PDP stakeholders of Ukelle extraction in Yala Local Government Area, were lobbied by Governor Ben Ayade as part 9f his strategy to win the 2923 election to represent Cross Northern Senatorial District.

Against their expectations, the Stakeholders Uchiche, Hon Francis Lukpata Igbologidi, Helen Laffin And Hon Clement Obok rejected the appointment and insisted on Sen Jarigbe’s Reelection.

July 18, 2022
Igbo, Hausa Communities Endorses Chief Peter Akpanke For House Of Representatives

Sociopolitical and cultural groups of Igbo, Hausa and other no indigenous communities in Obudu Local Government Area, have endorsed Chief Peter Akpanke for House of Representatives for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

The groups who are all domiciled in Obudu Local Government Area and shares over 5,000 votes apiece, said Akpanke has been a good man to them from time immemorial and so they will not wait for him to informed them of his ambition formally but have decided to support him unanimously due to his numerous interventions and results oriented leadership.

The Chairman of the Igbo community, Mr James Chukwu in his address said, the endorsement is in appreciation of the philanthropist’s contributions and empowerments of sons and daughters of OBO Federal Constituency, which also cut across to their different trades.

In the same vein, the Imam of Obudu, Malam Yusuf said, Chief Akpanke has always identified with them and as such, deserves their support going into the 2023 election.

Also, members of the Cameroon community said they have indicated interest in his project because he is the first and only politician that has recognized them.

Commenting on the development, the philanthropist said, the endorsement to him, is a mark of general acceptance of his ideologies and goodwill, his efforts to empathize with humanity and to strengthen the culture of peace and harmony for which he has always been known for.

He said the support came with an assurance of more commitment and dedication to the course of liberating the Federal Constituency from its failed and unfortunate leadership in order to consolidate on the gains they stand to benefit under the leadership of Senator Jarigbe Agom and Senator Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor

July 18, 2022
Obanliku Cyclist Union Endorses Chief Peter Akpanke For House Of Representatives

The Obanliku Cyclist Union, today endorsed, Chief Peter Akpanke for House of Representatives for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

The union in a visit to Akpanke this morning said, “the move is in recognition of your achievements in education, your drive and empathy for the less privileged and orphans in the society”.

The chairman of the union, Mr Victor Ushanung who spoke on their behalf, insisted that Chief Akpanke deserves to be in the House of Representatives come 2023 to enable him consolidate on the gains already recorded in critical sectors of the LGA through Senator Jarigbe Agom.

The group also noted that Chief Akpanke has made moves to ensure that Obanliku sons and daughters goes to school, he has graded roads, built and contributed to the renovations of churches among others.

They pledged support to the philanthropist for better service delivery such as good health facilities, provision of portable water, good road network and many others.

July 16, 2022
Sandy Onor, Others Receives Papal Honours From The Roman Catholic Church

By Elijah Ugani

The Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis I, has bestowed Papal Honours on the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District who doubles as the Cross River State PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 general election, Ntufam Prof Sandy Ojang Onor for his commitment to the Catholic faith in particular and humanity at large.

His Lordship, the Most Rev Dr Donatus Edet Akpan charged the recipients to see the honor as an invitation to serve humanity and defend the faith they professed.

The Bishop held that God sought the prophet Isaiah’s disposition to his apostolic mandate, when he asked, “whom shall I send and who will go? And Isaiah answered, here am I send me”. Continuing, he charged them to affirm their willingness to serve the Church in this new capacity.

Speaking further, the Bishop maintained that the call to serve in this capacity transcends beyond human thought and cited the scenerio at Jesse’s house where the prophet Samuel had thought that he could anoint one of the handsome looking young me he met, but God did not choose any of them, he rather found favour in the last born David the shepherd who was in the field looking after the flock.

He used the opportunity to inform those whose names were dropped from the Papal honours that the decision was strictly that of the Church. “The committee in the Diocese recommended the names that we sent to Rome, I will be stupid to request for explanation why some names were dropped”
He however encouraged the congregation to see the approval of the awardees as an act of God.

Sen. Sandy Ojang Onor was among the ten persons inducted into the Knighthood of Saint Gregory the Great SGG, while four other persons were inducted into the Knighthood of St Stephen.

Two senior priests of the diocese, Very Rev Frs Atemgweye Unimna and George Chokpa were conferred with the Mosignori.

Speaking during the reception organized in his honour, Senator Onor posited that it’s very difficult to sperate the relationship between the church and the State as they are inextricably interrelated and cannot function without the other.

He further stated that “the church is worried that we now have a completely failed state and promised on his honour to lead Cross River State out of the woods if elected Governor come 2023”

Indeed, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor has beyond Politics, proven his loyalty to the things of Christ and the course of humanity.

The difference between the Papal honours of Knighthood and the normal Knighthood of St John International and St Molumba is that in the Papal honours, the diocese nominate base on one’s contribution to the Church, confirmed by a body in Rome and conferred by the Pope (Papal honours), while in normal Knighthood, you have to indicate interest, attend the necessary lectures, write examination and on successful completion, you are inducted, this is strictly a diocesan affairs.

July 10, 2022
Another Landmark Victory for CRS, PDP and Women of Nigeria – Amb Nkoyo Toyo

Another Landmark Victory for CRS, PDP and Women of Nigeria.

30 years ago Lady Cecilia Ekpenyong was Deputy Governor to Mr Clement Ebri. It has taken this long for another woman to emerge as Deputy Governor in CRS. I am delighted to witness this moment of history and believe that our party, the PDP stands to gain in many ways from this development.

I wish to congratulate Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor for his choice of Emana Ambrose-Amawhe and believe that the twin will lead the PDP in CRS to success. The PDP must be extolled for having shown uncommon gender sensitivity in Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Rivers and Adamawa States where outstanding women emerged as running mates.

Congratulations to you Emana, and best wishes in the months ahead.

Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo
Governorship Aspirant (2022)
4/07/2022

July 5, 2022
Jarigbe arrives Cross River North Amidst Fanfare, Restates Commitment To Good Governance, Inspects Ongoing Mini Stadium And Recreational Centre Projects

The Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, today arrived Cross River North Senatorial District to a resounding carnival-like welcome by party faithfuls, leaders, supporters, and constituents.

The lawmaker who was visiting the Senatorial District for the first time after the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Primary elections, met a crowd of thousands of supporters from the Senatorial District.

The lawmaker proceeded to the construction site of the Mini-stadium and Recreational Centre, where he inspected the ongoing projects alongside other candidates of the Party. He also interacted with the site Engineers where he was assured the projects will be completed within 6-week and handed over to the People for use.

While addressing supporters, Sen. Jarigbe thanked the party faithfuls for the reception and their support so far for the party.

“I want to thank you all for the continuous support for PDP and the warm welcome”

“PDP na our own, we will continue to support party members especially those that rejected Food on the table and stood by the Party.

“The next governorship election in our state will be decided by Cross River North because no party has performed more than PDP in the senatorial district”

“On my part, I’ll continue to empower you, influence projects, support those in business, I’m not interested in acquisition of wealth meant for everyone”

Some dignitaries present include; members of PDP State exco, Barr. Godwin offiono (Ogoja/Yala Rep candidate), Barr. Dorncklaimz Enamhe DG Sen. Jarigbe 2023 campaign Organization, Hon(Chief), Rita Ayim(Ogoja state Constituency candidate), Dr Paul Ebiala Esq(Yala 1 state Constituency candidate), Dr. Martin Achadu( Yala 11 state Constituency candidate), Rt.Hon Mom Olom, Emma Odidi (PDP Chapter Chairman Ogoja), Hon. David Obule(PDP Chapter Chairman Bekwarra), Hon. Egar Mgbantul, Pst John Naku, Gospel Agom, and thousands of supporters.

TEAM JARI MEDIA

July 1, 2022
Human Rights Violation: Court Awards One Million Damages To C’River Magistrate Against Nigerian Air Force

Culled From barristerng.com

The Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Calabar (Court 2) and presided over by Hon. Justice Rosemary Dugb Oghoghorie has today 1/7/2022 awarded damages of One Million Naira only against the Nigerian Air Force over an alleged case of human rights violation.

The Applicant in the case, Eno Iyamba Esq. who is a serving Magistrate in the Cross River State Judiciary had dragged the Nigerian Air Force to Court alleging violation of his fundamental rights.

The case which was filed on Tuesday 17th August, 2021 in Suit No. FHC/CA/FHR/63/2021 named the Nigerian Air Force and the Chief of Air Staff as 1st and 2nd Respondents respectively. Also Airman Mbu and Airman Gala, both from the 305 Special Mobility Group, Nigerian Air Force, Calabar were named as the 3rd & 4th Respondents respectively.

According to the court processes made available to BarristerNG, the case of the Applicant is that on the fateful evening of Friday 19th March, 2021 at about 8.30pm he invited his personal physician to his home at Essien Town, Calabar to help attend to a medical emergency involving his wife. The Applicant’s wife was said to have suffered from diarrhoea leading to dehydration and general bodily weakness. After stabilising the situation, all efforts by the doctor to secure a Bolt Drive (an online transport service) back to his home were unsuccessful. This compelled the Applicant to offer to drop the doctor at his Satellite Town residence.

At about 10.30pm when the Applicant drove alongside his doctor and got to a military checkpoint at UNICAL Hotel Road by Victory Way Junction, personnel and agents of the Respondents from the 305 Special Mobility Group, Nigerian Air Force arrested, detained, tortured, dehumanised and brutalised the Applicant by making him to roll on bare ground, slapped him severally and in the process perforated his ear drums thereby causing him some hearing impairment.

That the personnel rebuffed all explanations from the doctor to the effect that he was returning from a medical emergency. Again, this is notwithstanding that the Applicant properly identified himself as a serving Magistrate and showed his Identity Card (a situation that further infuriated the personnel) even as he drove on his official government plate number. The personnel alleged that the Applicant was stubborn for driving during purported curfew hours.

That the Applicant was later admitted as an outdoor patient at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where he received medical examination and treatment for about two weeks at ENT Clinic and the Optalmology Clinic.

It is also the case of the Applicant that following the unwarranted brutality and dehumanisation of his person by the Respondents and their agents, he consulted his solicitor who promptly wrote to the Respondents on Monday 22nd March, 2021 asking that the personnel involved be disciplined and brought to book. That upon receipt of the complaint, the Respondents reached out to the Applicant via phone call from their Head of Legal Unit (305 Special Mobility Group, Nigerian Air Force, Calabar) to the Applicant’s solicitor whereby a meeting was scheduled. That at the said meeting which held on Monday 19th April, 2021 at about 4pm, the Respondents persuaded the Applicant from pressing any charges against them and promised to take necessary disciplinary measures against their identified personnel and communicate same in writing to the Applicant as well as bear the cost of his medical expenses. But that no action whatsoever was taken by the Respondents, instead they became bent on shielding and covering up the said erring personnel.

The Applicant therefore sought the following reliefs from the Court:

“1. A DECLARATION that the action of the Respondents in brutalising the Applicant by kicking and slapping him repeatedly/ randomly and making him to roll on bare ground at a military checkpoint along UNICAL Hotel Road by Victory Way Junction, Calabar on 19th March, 2021 is cruel, inhuman, degrading and constitutes gross violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to dignity of the human person as cognisable under Sections 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

2. A DECLARATION that the action of the Respondents in arresting and detaining the Applicant at a military checkpoint along UNICAL Hotel Road by Victory Way Junction, Calabar and depriving him of his liberty from 10.30pm of 19th March, 2021 to about 1.30am of 20th March, 2021 is unlawful, unjustifiable and constitutes gross violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty as guaranteed in Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

3. A DECLARATION that the action of the Respondents in interfering with the free movement of the Applicant along UNICAL Hotel Road by Victory Way Junction, Calabar from 10.30pm of 19th March, 2021 to about 1.30am of 20th March, 2021 is unlawful, unjustifiable, reckless and constitutes wanton violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to freedom of movement as guaranteed in Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

4. AN ORDER compelling the Respondents to tender a written public apology in two national dailies to the Applicant.

5. The sum of N100, 000, 000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) jointly and severally against the Respondents as general damages for the gross and wanton violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights.

6. The sum of N100, 000, 000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) jointly and severally against the Respondents as punitive/exemplary damages for the needless, reckless and unwarranted violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights.

7. The sum of N33, 470.00 (Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Naira) jointly and severally against the Respondents as special damages arising from the gruesome brutalisation of the Applicant/ violation of his fundamental rights.

The Particulars of special damages were stated to include:
Medical expenses incurred as contained in the following exhibited payment receipts/invoice:
i. Invoice No. 14026/ receipt No. SR122623 dated 20/3/2021 (N3,900)

ii. Invoice No. 178192 dated 20/3/2021 (N1,700)

iii. Invoice No. ASH1616247703 dated 20/3/2021 (N5,000)

iv. Invoice No. 10668534 dated 22/3/2021 (N4,250)

v. Invoice No. 178260 dated 22/3/2021 (N650)

vi. Invoice No.0100030 dated 22/3/2021 (N510)

vii. Invoice No. 71878 dated 23/3/2021 (N550)

viii. Bill Invoice No. 0101 dated 30/3/2021 (N5,250)

ix. Invoice No. 147233/ receipt N. SR127003 dated 31/3/2021 (N2,600)

x. Invoice No. 178904 dated 31/3/2021 (N1,400)

xi. Receipt No. B88080 dated 31/3/2021 (N2,900)

xii. Bill Invoice No. 0150 dated 8/4/2021 (N4,760)

AND for such further order(s) as this Honourable Court may in its absolute discretion deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

Delivering judgment in the case today Friday 1st July, 2022 the Court deprecated the actions of the Respondents and stated that security agencies in Nigeria are enjoined by law to protect and not abuse the rights of the citizens. That the actions of the Respondents which are not denied, are unfortunate and condemnable. The Court proceeded to award general damages of One Million Naira only in favour of the Applicant.

In a chat with the Applicant who was personally present in Court, he stated that he was satisfied that justice has been served in the case. “The main essence was to get justice and correct the rascality of the Respondents which is now becoming a common occurrence. I am however disappointed at the paltry sum awarded by the Honourable Court. I came to Court this morning in high spirit hoping to get a befitting birthday present from the Court. But I’m disappointed because I doubt if the paltry sum could ever deter a further occurrence. I intend to meet with my lawyers to review this outcome,” he stated.

Also, speaking with counsel for the Applicant, James Ibor Esq, he lamented the failure of the Hon. Judge to pronounce on other reliefs sought by the Applicant including special damages (medical expenses incurred) as well as the claim for written public apology as provided by law, and noted that these are grave errors that may necessitate an appeal against the judgment

July 1, 2022