The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Caterpillar Movement Mourns Ibiaye Accident Victims

    The Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Chief Joe Obi Bisong has decribed the news of the ghastly motor accident that took the lives of eight of his constituents as unfortunate and a hurtful tragedy particularly to the immediate families, Ekori community, Yakurr Local Government Area, Central Senatorial District and Cross River State in general.

    The release reads in full: We received with great sadness, the unfortunate News of the ghastly motor accident at Ibiaye, Biase Local Government Area in the early hours of today, Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 involving a truck conveying Cement and a Sienna Vehicle with Eight yet to be identified passengers from Ekori in Yakurr Local government area of Cross River State.

    “As we admonish all to submit to the will of the Almighty God, we make bold to state that is a hurtful tragedy particularly to the families of the victims, the Ekori community and to all of us, the people of Central Senatorial district and Cross River State at large.

    “On behalf of Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial district, we commiserate with the families of the deceased, the Ekori community and Yakurr local government area even as we await proper identification of these constituents whose lives were menacingly snatched by death and hope that the cause of accident is investigated and forestalled to ensure safer roads for commuters”.

    May their Souls rest in Peace.

    Joe Obi Bisong,
    Hon Chief
    DG, Caterpillar Movement

  • UNICAL 1st Registry Day And Lecture: Sen Jarigbe Has Proven To Be An Exceptional Breed Of The Twenty First Century Politician BY PAUL EKAJI

    REMINISCING ON THE FIRST REGISTRY LECTURE IN UNICAL AND THE “APPEAL COURT SENATOR” QUILL

    While searching for a document in my shelf this morning, I came across this brochure, of the first Registry lecture of the University of Calabar.

    Saddened by the fact that months after the lecture, the entire public Universities have been under lock and key, no thanks to the APC government, I still took time to peruse through my jots on that day.

    It was a very rich academic feast, with members of the gown and town in attendance. The Unical International Conference Center was filled to capacity as everyone struggled to take a comfortable position for a good listening.

    The topic; Ethnicity, Education and Politics: A Triple SWOT Analysis and the National Question, as well as the guest speaker; the Very Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, are two things that picked my interest.

    First, the topic was and still remains a burning issue in our polity.
    Secondly, I wondered how an active and serving Senator could do justice to this burning issue. But you know what? the Senator did it! it was an indepth research with workable solutions and recommendations.

    Some of the salient points raised by the Distinguished Senator are;

    1. Politics should be the overall concern of the Citizens

    2. If politics is inescapable, so are the consequences

    3. The Nigeria government has not done enough in applying the benefits of education to reposition her citizens

    4. The very aim of education is not only for acquisition of certificate, but for societal development.

    Personally, I admire politicians who display high intellectualism in academic discourse. They are just a few of them in Nigeria and Jari proved to be one. He displayed mastery of the topic, with a calm, consistent and unequivocal panache.

    Sen. Jarigbe has proven to be an exceptional breed of the twenty first century politicians who not only concern himself with politics for politics sake but carries in him a demonstrable passion for service to humanity. He keeps an eagle eye on every aspect of human welfare, be it education, health, infrastructure, recreation, agriculture, empowerment, etc.

    One of the major qualities of a good leader, is the ability to INITIATE, EXECUTE, MAINTAIN AND SUSTAIN development. Unlike the other who engages in “camouflage projects” with very analog digital concept, Jarigbe has maintained the tempo in development from when he was in the House of Reps to the Senate despite the distractions.
    Like David, he is a man after God’s own heart.

    In summary, beyond collecting undeserved awards and accolades, our politicians must demonstrate intellectualism with evidence-base representation. They must apply their ideas in solving societal problems. This should form the basis for any political aspiration, and this is what Jarigbe represents.

    If being an “appeal court Senator” is to bring the desired development to the people, please give me more!

  • Court Charges Lady To Pay 23,750k For Collecting 3k Transport Fare From Boyfriend And Refused To Visit

     

    The Lady in the Middle was in court she was arrested by the police. A Kenyan magistrate ordered her to pay her boyfriend Ksh 23,750 (Kenya Shillings) which was given to her by her boyfriend. To visit him, the girl ate the money and switched off her phone.

    The boyfriend gave her Ksh 3000 bus fare.

    So the court said she should pay Ksh 3000, Ksh 750 interest and Ksh 20 000 for emotional damages because the boyfriend was emotionally abused by absence of the girlfriend.

    The boyfriend Beyumunike brought evidence to the court of the mobile money transfer and WhatsApp messages they shared.

     

  • Mass Defection Hits APC As 5,000 Members Defects To PDP In Cross River North

     

    The battle for the soul of Cross River state has continued to gather momentum as about 5, 000 All Progressives Congress (APC) members have defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the northern senatorial zone.

    The defectors include former APC wards and chapter officers, women leaders, leaders of Hausa community in Ogoja, Yala, Bekwarra, Oabnliku and Obudu as well candidate
    in the last Ogoja/Yala federal constitiency and aspirants in the làst congresses.

    Receiving the thosands of defectors at TTC field Igoli-Ogoja on Saturday, the Vice Chairman of PDP Northern Senatorial district, Chief Austine Edibe, commended them for their courage to join the party at this nick of time.

    He enjoined them to go back to their respective wards and work for the success of PDP in 2023, adding that the wards that deliver highest votes would re-warded with more dividends of democracy.

    Also welcoming the defectors,
    Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, advised them to be loyal to party leadership at their various wards and be steadfast, assuring them of more empowerment programmes to accommodate them.

    According to him, “this is the time for the defectors to tie their belts and reject any form of inducements in readiness for the battle ahead.”

    Earlier, the former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, said the defectors should join the “operation vote APC out”and called on them to get their PVCs ready to bring back PDP.

    Some of the defectors expressed their readiness to work for PDP, saying “we are back to our root.”

    One the defectors and a former chapter treasurer of APC Obudu, Agim Joseph Agim, said they came back to PDP because of the love for Sen Jarigbe and to be part of the succes story ahead of 2023.

    Also speaking, Ushie James Odey, former APC secretary Ukpah ward in Bekwarra, said: “We have worked for APC for seven years and i got nothing neither was I empowered. So, I decided to defect to PDP where I can be given human treatment.”

    For John Brown Ugbada from Yala, he said: “I came over with about 300 APC members. We are returning to PDP to enable us work for PDP and reposition Yala local governement area.”

    For Dominic Ebi, a former LP candidate for the last Yala/Ogoja federal constituency by-election, he said: “I have returned to PDP because it is a family that has a reward system.”

  • Jarigbe Agom Flags Off The Construction Of Okuku-Alifokpa-Yache-Echumona 65 Kilometres Road

     

    The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, flagged off the construction of Alifokpa-Yache-Echumoga 65km Road.

    The flagged off was done today 30th July, 2022 at Okuku axis of the road in Yala Local Government Area.

    The road if completed will be the longest stretch road ever facilitated by a lawmaker from Cross River State in recent time and will open up the section of the LGA and revive economic activities as well as the establishment of a supply chain in road transport within its corridor, Okuku- Alifokpa-Echimofana-Yache, as it links the major food hubs to Benue state.

    Speaking during the flag off, Sen Jarigbe expressed concern over the deplorable state of the road and its attendant effect on his constitituents. He stressed that the construction of the road becomes very necessary as it has retarded economic activities of his constitituents in Yala Local Government Area. He committed the project to God, as he prayed for a speedy completion of the road for the use of the people of Cross River North.

    The lawmaker proceeded to inspect the Ongoing Monaiya-Ikaptang Road project which connects Ishibori to the Federal Highway.

    The Senator expressed satisfaction with the level work ongoing as he inspected the ongoing Mini stadium and recreational Centre projects, he facilitated.

    In the Sen entourage were, Barr. Godwin Offiono – PDP House of Reps Candidate Ogoja Yala Fed Constituency, Mr. John George – BOT Chairman Reclaim Cross River, Dr Martins Achadu – Yala 2 State Constituency Candidate, Mr Elijah Okache – Yala PDP Chapter Chairman, Rt Hon Mom Olom – Former CRSHA member, Mr Brown Odey – Cross River State Youth Leader PDP, Dr Raphael Ogar Oko, Joe Ulom, Stephen Okpako, Barr. Paul Ishabor, RoyJones Akpak among others

  • APC National Women Leader, Dr Betta Edu Becomes Ambassador Of APC Young Women, Donates 10M For Mobilization Of Young Women

     

    All Progressives Congress National Women Leader, Dr Betta Edu was today honoured as an ‘Ambassador’ of young women in APC by the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF) in Abuja.

    While delivering her address at the event, the president, Osamaye Seun Bosede said the honour was in recognition of the sterling achievements of Dr Edu and her support for the growth of APC women across the 36 States plus FCT of the federation.

    “You are our Mother and Amazon, this award is in recognition of your outstanding supports and contributions to the growth and development of millions of Progressive Young women forum in the APC and Nigeria. Your efforts at pushing women to achieve excellence is amazing and this is our own modest efforts to appreciate you” Osamaye said.

    In her response, Dr Edu expressed her gratitude to them and enjoined them to massively mobilise support for the APC in the 2023 presidential election.

    In her words ” the coming election will be largely determined by young people, we must all be ready to mobilize more than 20million votes for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for him to win the presidential election. We have started ‘operation 1000 young women per ward’ who will be anchor for young women in that ward. we must make it happen in our various wards in all the States”

    She donated the sum of 10million naira to the youths to help state representatives of Progressive Young Women Forum to mobilize young women in their respective states for the success of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election.

    Dr. Betta Edu is now an ambassador of millions of young women in APC.

    The APC-PYWF is an APC women mobilization group with membership of over 20million young women between the ages of 18-40.

  • Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, Ogoja Endorse Sen Jarigbe Agom For Senate 2023

     

    The Ogoja LGA chapter of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, have endorsed Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for Senate ahead of the 2023 general election.

    The group which made the briefing earlier today during her PVC Sensitization Campaign and Mobilization, have called on the people of Cross River Northern Senatorial District to re-elect Senator Jarigbe for another term to enable him consolidate and continue his transformational projects and policies.

    They explained that, the refined lawmaker has done exceptionally well in critical sectors such as; law making, education, youth empowerment, health, infrastructural development and many others.

    The group further declared support for all PDP candidates in the State, ranging from the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Governorship, as well as the Presidency.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA

  • UNICAL Partners DePaul University For Global Learning Experience Programme

     

    DePaul University, Chicago, USA, is partnering with University of Calabar to deliver Global Learning Experience Programme.

    The Team from University of Chicago USA visited the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi on the 27th of July, 2022 to further conversations on the Global Learning Experience Programme.

    Representatives of DePaul University, Chicago, that are to pilot the Programme are Prof. Margaret Workman and Prof. Isiodoh.

    The University of Calabar will be represented by Prof. P. C. Okafor, (Director of External Relations), Prof. Anthony Akpan (Director ICT), Prof Ajake (Dean of faculty of Environment), Associate Prof. Rapheal Offiong (UNICAL Carbon Innovation Center), Prof. Pauline Essoka (HoD of Geography and Environmental Sciences), Dr. Paul Tawo Bukie (Department of Computer Science) and Mr. Jude Bepeh (Public Health Department).

    During the programme, students of University of Calabar shall take online courses together with students of DePaul University, Chicago.

    Prof. Margaret Workman will take a course in September 2022 while Prof. Isiodoh will take another course in April 2023.

    The students from both University will be allowed to interact through Google platforms, share assignments, classwork, quiz, and to have global learning experiences.

    The programme will involve collection of climate change stories from communities via interviews. These interviews will be recorded and synthesised.This will start in September 2022.

    In July 2023, there shall be a film festival, where the synthesised climate change stories will be used to shoot a movie.

    Visitors were taken round the University of Calabar campus, drill ranch in Calabar and Marina Resort for sight seeing and entertainment.

    Benefits of the Global Learning Experience Programme to UNICAL are as follows:

    1. Results from the entire exercise will be converted into publications which the University of Calabar will benefit.

    2. Students of the University of Calabar who will participate in the Programme will be issued certificates by DePaul University, Chicago, USA.

    3. The Students will also have the opportunity of interacting with students of DePaul University, Chicago where there can share their experiences about learning in Nigeria and learning in Chicago; this will give them global exposure.

  • World Hepatitis Day: CRSG Partners SOGHIN And Lions Club To Mark Day With Street Awareness, Screening And Vaccination

    By Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Government in collaboration with Society for Gastro Enterology and Hepatology in Nigeria and lions club International
    joined the global Community in marking this year’s, “World Hepatitis Day” across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state with street Awareness/road show
    Screening and Vaccination of citizens against the disease.

    In Calabar, the state capital, the procession was led by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who represented the wife of the state Governor, Dr Linda Ayade as she led the sensitization
    across adjoining streets in Calabar Municipal Council.

    Speaking to newsmen after the street awareness and campaign to enlighten the general populace of one of the World deadliest diseases, Dr Ekpenyong disclosed that, the prevalence of Hepatitis particularly Hepatitis Band C in the state,calls for intensified Sensitization and precautions in order to effectively manage it’s spread.

    She said, considering that the disease is highly infectious and a silent killer, it is important people have understanding of what Hepatitis is, it’s signs and symptoms as well as its mode of transmission which unprotected sexual activities, blood transfusion and sharing of sharp objects are the major means of getting infected with Hepatitis B and C virus.

    She noted that with this year’s theme : ” Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You”, the focus is now facility and community oriented as she promised that, the screening will now be done in as many facilities as possible to encourage people to voluntarily get themselves tested , vaccinated and treated as the case may be.

    ” We are encouraging all of our people to come and get tested for Hepatitis.
    The most common among us are the type B and C which affected over 70 million people in Africa in 2021 and over 20 million people in Nigeria according to the World Health Organization.
    With this year’s theme, ” Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You”, we are ensuring that, we get the necessary kits and attention to our various Healthcare centres within our respective Communities in order to encourage our people to voluntarily go into facilities for
    screening and Vaccination.
    We have mandated all of our personel to carry out screening for all pregnant women who come in for antenatal services just like the practice with HIV.
    For today’s activity, over 500 people will be screened and Vaccinated.
    We have also set up a special team to visit Boki Local Government Area which records the highest number of Hepatitis infection in the state, to ensure testing and Vaccination, we are ready to combat the virus and possibly put an end to Hepatitis related deaths”.
    However, we will appeal to federal government and international organizations to pay attention to Hepatitis by ensuring free access to testing as well as Vaccination, because currently, such services are not free.
    Also speaking, Dr Mbang Ada, a consultant Gastro Enterology and secretary of SOGHIN highlighted the common symptoms of the diseases ranging from fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss etc. She also reiterated the need for pregnant women to be tested and those positive should ensure that their babies receive the special vaccine that will protect them against the disease. She also said SOGHIN is committed to supporting the state in ensuring that positive Hepatitis cases will be linked to where proper treatment will be instituted.
    She encouraged Cross Riverians not to wait for government, but should take the leap and get tested and vaccinated.

    On behalf of the Lions club International, Lion Olanikpekun also committed to supporting the state government create awareness and encourage people to get tested and vaccinated.

    The president of medical women association, Cross River State, Dr Vivian Otu and other exco members were present at the event.

    Also present were Directors from State Ministry of Health and the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

    Hepatitis virus is a highly infectious disease, there are 5 major types A,B,C,D and E. A and D are usually linked to transmission via fecal oral route, contaminated water etc, while the common ones B and C are
    found in blood and certain body fluids. It is spread when a person who is not immune comes in contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person with it’s common causes including unprotected sexual activities with infected persons, fluid and blood contacts among others.
    Covid-19 vaccination and condom distribution were also integrated in the services provided.

  • NSCDC Seeks EFCC’s Collaboration In Tackling Emerging Security Threats

     

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to collaborate with it in tackling emerging security threats across the country

    This call was made in Abuja on Thursday, July 28, 2022 by the National Coordinator of the female squad of NSCDC, Chief Superintendent of Corps, CSP Imomkhe Oluwakemi while on a working visit to the EFCC’s Headquarters.

    Oluwakemi said the female squad is a special squad in the NSCDC, formed through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Interior and the Commandant General of NSCDC to protect lives and properties especially in schools across the 36 states of the country.

    According to her, “we are carrying out sensitization programmes in schools to be security conscious, encouraging them to install surveillance devices and reaching out in cases of emergencies via our hot lines. Also, part of the reasons for our visit is to encourage the Commission to reach out to us if there is need for extra hands especially in areas of fire backing and other security needs”, she said

    Responding, Secretary to the Commission, Dr George Ekpungu, who spoke for the EFCC’s Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, thanked the NSCDC’s team and emphasized the need for stakeholders to collaborate in tackling emerging security challenges in the country.

    “I have been told that if you need NSCDC personnel, you go for the female squad and you have demonstrated that it is not about size, gender but about determination and courage to do the job.

    “We already have a robust relationship with the NSCDC .We will do everything to support and collaborate with you”, he said.