Author: News

  • Sandy Onor To Hold Easter Retreat With PDP Delegates And Coordinators Of Caterpillar Movement

    By Elijah Ugani

    The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen Sandy Onor has perfected plans to hold the 2022 Easter retreat with PDP delegates in the state.

    In release sighted by The Lumine News and signed by the Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Chief Hon Joe Obi Bisong indicates that the retreat will be held at Gomara Hotels, Ogoja on the 11th April, 2022 for the Northern Senatorial District. That for Central Senatorial District is to hold at Heritage Hotels, Ikom on the 12th April, while the Southern Senatorial District is billed for 13th April, 2022 at Venatian Arena, M/M high way, Calabar.

  • Electricity : Minister Seeks Improved Cooperation With Workers To Tackle Challenges

     

    Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, has charged members of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity And Allied Companies (SSAEAC) for more cooperation with the federal government to improve electricity access in the country.

    Jedy-Agba stated this On Friday, while speaking at the 5th Triennial National Delegates Conference of SSAEAC, held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja with the theme: “Partnering for Higher Productivity and Industrial Peace”.

    The Minister reminded the workers that they are the life wire of the power sector therfore, it was important for them to continue to maintain a harmonious relationship with government to address electricity challenges in the country.

    While commending the President General, Engr. Chris Okonkwo for his support towards the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s power agenda, he however, charged the incoming executive to improve on what they’ll meet on ground to the betterment of members and the sector in general.

    According to him, “I want to commend the President of SSAEAC and his entire team for their support since I came on board as Minister. I specifically commend you for how you have accepted the current administration’s power agenda and your support towards achieving the set goals.

    But, I believe there’s room for improvement. We need more cooperation and synergy to address the challenges in the sector. I want to remind all of us that if we fail to improve things, we will not be failing only Nigerians but God who has placed us in positions to work for the people”.

    He maintained that “power is the greatest economic booster. If we fix our electricity challenges, our economy will grow, investors will come in and there will be jobs for our children. Therefore, let’s see ourselves as partners and not rivals who owe the people of Nigeria same responsibility to provide them with reliable electricity “.

    On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako said that a united and peaceful union can help both the union and government to do things that will be very impactful in the sector.

    He commended SSAEAC for showing. “leadership in labour matters in the sector. SSAEAC as the most senior union in the sector is largely responsible for the peace and harmony enjoyed in the power sector. With unity and vibrancy of the union, we can be meticulous in doing things that can be impactful”.

    Earlier, the President General in his welcome address, said that after delivering thirty two key projects some of which includes, construction of regional Secretariats in Enugu, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, New President General’s office complex with conference hall, building of two guest houses in Lagos, amongst others, he was leaving behind a total of seventy million naira (N70m) for the new executive to kick-off.

    Okonkwo who expressed his appreciation to members of the association for their support and understanding throughout his six years reins, also lauded “the Minister of State, Power who had always kept me close to know where the Ministry of Power would intervene as usual, and lately, the Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu who has also shown good understanding and cooperation with what he met on arrival”.

  • Ayade’s Interview With Arise TV: The Paradox, Farce, And Fact – Ojisi

    PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CROSS RIVER STATE

    9th April 2022

    Press Statement:

    Ayade’s Interview With Arise TV: The Paradox, Farce, and Fact

    Governor Ben Ayade’s ignominious interview granted to Arise TV yesterday, has further underscore the position of the Peoples Democratic Party that the Ben Ayade’s led administration is purely a government whose foundation is built on deceit and lies. For a Governor who has perfected the art of grandiloquence and concussing unsuspecting individuals with litanies of fallacious claims, one wonders where he draws his inspiration and penchant for lying barefacedly.

    Here are some of the paradox from the interview.

    Governor Ben Ayade claimed to have built the Obudu German Hospital, which according to him is the most sophiscated Project built by any Governor in Nigeria. Nothing can be further from the truth as the said Obudu German Hospital is neither sophisticated nor near completion. Like other white elephant Projects of his, the Obudu German hospital is mainly a conduit pipe for the governor to retire public funds. Construction work at the site is quite epileptic and not a single medical equipment has been installed. So, where lies the sophistication?

    On the claim by the Governor that he created 5000 jobs for teachers, the Peoples Democratic Party challenge the Governor to publish the names of the beneficiary and their payroll since 2019. For the sake of emphasis and clarity, the Governor only carried out a kangaroo recruitment of less than 2,300 teachers, unfortunately a greater percent of those recruited are yet to collect their appointment letters not to talk of being on payroll.

    The Governor claimed also to have built the Teachers Continuous Training College in Biase and that the said college is fully functional. This is another mendacious claim as the Teachers Continuous Training College was neither completely funded by the State Government nor is the institution fully functional.

    Of all the lies dished out by the Governor, the most nauseating is his claim of building the biggest pharmaceutical factory in Nigeria called Calapharm. The reality is, we have nothing close to a pharmaceutical company in Cross River State. What we have is a makeshift facility at the Ayade’s industrial park that is neither completed nor operational. We challenge the Governor to mention just one product from the pharmaceutical company that is in the market.

    On the claim that he parades 18,000 Political appointees, the governor has succeeded in making a mockery of governance. What is a single Governor doing with 18,000 Political Appointees in a state that he has repeatedly complained that the economy is comatose? Isn’t it paradoxical that the governor parades such large number of Political appointees under the state payroll some of which are without defined portfolios and job designations yet complains of the economic situation of the state?. It is noteworthy to also stress that the army of food eaters paraded as appointees by Governor Ben Ayade are majorly cultists employed to carry out hatchet jobs during election.

    We call on Cross Riverians to rise and demand total accountability from Governor Ben Ayade. Our dear state cannot continue to be under the stranglehold of his deceits, digital lies and unconscionable approach to governance. We must rise to the occasion and salvage what is left of us as a state. As we approach 2023 Election, we urge Cross Riverians to come out and register in order to vote out this ill-fated government.

    Signed:
    Prince Mike Ojisi
    (State Publicity Secretary)

  • Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe: The Personality Profiling of an Ideal Politician BY PETER AGI

     

    A common notion in contemporary politics holds that political competition and campaigning has become increasingly personalized over time, i.e., a party’s fortune will more than ever before depend on its leading figures. Within Cross River State, Senator Agom Jarigbe Agom” is a reputable politician with humongous capacity that must not be underrated. Today the personalization of political loyalty seems to have set a stage for political alignments with respect to supporters’ loyalty.

    What makes voters prefer a certain type of politician? Focus will be on the politicians’ personality traits as a useful cue for voters that can activate schematic knowledge about a politician’s political leanings and leadership styles. A case review of “The Very Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom”.

    This has become fundamentally clear, because there seem to be a paradigm that has been defined in the ensuing political trajectory in the “Cross River North” albeit Cross RIver State. The name of “The Very Distinguished Senator Agom Jarigbe Agom” is consistently and remarkably stimulating greater political loyalties amongst his people.

    Agom Jarigbe Agom has made people to ask what voters’ want from the individual rather than the political party. He has changed the narrative of political discussions and dynamics with respect to representation. Never in the history of representation have the people been so copiously impacted by any political elites like the way he has. The ideological lines of political parties have been relegated to the background and the emerging factor for election now is the compassionate and empathetic leadership of the people’s Senator.

    It is now true and crystal clear that people will vote for PDP because of the personality of Jarigbe in the CR-Northern District rather than the party itself. The CR-Northern District voters are seeking ideological congruence of the party and that of the Senator. There’s no doubt that his ideological wisdom represents the desirable expectations of the will of the people. He is wearing the shoes of the electorates and knows their pains and desires.

    With election campaigns becoming personalized and candidates becoming increasingly important voting cues, the people of the Northern District are continually convinced that Senator Agom Jarigbe Agom will act to protect their interests and represent them well. They believe that his conduct, so far in office protects them from unnecessary vulnerabilities. To them, he is the ideal and total politician that has made representation attractive. He possesses some exceptional leadership traits that distinguish him from other political elites. This explains why he is the most talked about politician within that political sphere.

    The senator possesses the capacity for emotional stability, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness; compassion and empathy , honesty and humility. These qualities make voters prefer him to others. Jarigbe has been tested and proven to be trusted. He is selfless. That’s why every politician in this region must identify with him to enjoy that humongous victory desirable. He is the people’s first choice and always put them first.

    Jarigbe already knows what he is doing currently and what he is going to do during his term in office after 2023 (i.e., representation of policy preferences) and how he is going to do it. It is one thing sending a political neophyte into a territory that he lacks capacity to attract good things back to his people. This is not the time to do just that. Jarigbe now understands how to put items in the budget for the good of his people. His experience has proven to be valuable so far for his people.

    Voters seek personality congruence with political candidates, in part through the representation of basic values and core ideological attitudes. The personality of Jarigbe certainly accommodates the interests and wishes of his people. He is preferred because he stays in touch with the people, very often appear in public and on e (social) media, rather than hermits who reign (maybe well, but) in a silent, untransparent, and isolated way. His projects are visible for all to see. Jarigbe is outgoing, sociable, and talks directly with his people. There’s indeed connection between him and the CR-Northern District people. He answers their calls and solves their problems.

    Jarigbe is not known to change his opinions as the wind blows but always pushes his agenda through (despite obstacles). That means he is a trustworthy man of conviction and very firm. He is hard-working, dutiful, self–disciplined, and achieving. He is reliable, predictable, trustworthy and never engaged in fraud or corruption. His records in public service are impeccable. These are rare traits that distinguishes him from others.

    Senator Jarigbe has access to a lot of information, knowledge, and an incredibly outstanding high intellectual capacity to process this information. When I personally watch him dissect issues on the floor of the senate, during political discussions on national television I get so amused and proud of his intellectual ability. His capacity for rendition, charisma, carriage, comportment, display of linguistic creativity, language concord and candor are remarkably impressive.

    The people must be willing to reward the characteristics of ‘a genuine intellectual’, ‘an intellectual leader’, ‘knowledgeable’, and ‘well-informed’ . Senator meteoric rise within the intellectually engaging arena is commendable. Let’s appreciate his capacity in this regards. This guy is knowledgeable and open minded. He is a man who understands pressure yet maintains an amazing level of poise indeed balance when challenges arise.

    If you deserve and desire an incredibly inspiring partnership to achieve the developmental goals for our collective interests, then you necessarily continually participate in the opportunity to make developments real. Support the ideal candidacy of Senator Agom Jarigbe Agom. He shares basic values with you.

    Dr. Agi Peter

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Peter Agi and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • Inyang Asibong Dedicates Her Fellowship In Community Medicine To Governor Ben Ayade, And Her Senior Colleague, Dr Linda Ayade

     

    The Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, has passed the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) Fellowship Examination with flying colours.

    With this, Asibong is now a Medical Consultant and a Fellow of the Prestigious West African College of Physicians, the highest Examination body recognized in the Medicine and Surgery cadre. She is also now a Fellow of Community Medicine.

    Dr Asibong, a former commissioner for Health, who dedicated the result to her boss, Governor Ben Ayade and wife said she passed the examination on the day the Governor secured his victory at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “The Lord has been really good to me and my wonderful Boss, and I dedicate my fellowship in Community Medicine to His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade, and my senior colleague, Dr Linda Ayade” she explained.

    She thanked everyone who contributed to making this dream come true.

    Established in 1960, the West African College of Physicians is a professional organization that promotes education, training, examinations and research in Medicine in Africa.The college is the first organization to organize Medical subspecialty training in the region. It awards fellowships in Medicine following rigorous training and Examinations and is one out of two bodies that accredits institutions to train Medical Resident Doctors in West African member countries.

  • Dr Ekpenyong Congratulates Ayade On Validated Victory over Defection

     

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has congratulated the State Governor and His Deputy over the validation of their Defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress by an Abuja High Court, today April 7th 2022 describing it as a “mandate to Purpose Fulfilling Mission”.

    In a Press State Issued and Signed by the Director General, she described the purported failed and premature ejection of the State Governor and His Deputy as a divine authentication procedure meant to solidify the identity of the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade as one of the most loved leaders in the history of Cross River State, urged him to remain committed in the actualization of his goals which is aimed at enhancing the lives of Cross Riverians.

    She used the opportunity to thank the state Governor for his numerous life enhancing programs in the Health sector which has signalled a revolutionary trend across the Country since his inauguration in 2015, urging the state to show support especially in the forthcoming Outbreak response against Poliomyelitis slated for 9th – 14th of April 2022.

    “Total, history is made in Cross River State as the Judiciary did not only stand for the truth and proclaimed it’s unbiased opinion to the issue of Defection and other constitutional rights of Citizens, but it solidified the image of the state Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade as one of the most loved, cherished and celebrated leaders in the state and the Country at large.

    The Unprecedented wave of support from party men and concerned citizens is an equivocal evidence that, truth cannot remain unspoken and a shinning light can never be hidden especially at a moment when the nation needs the expertise of visionary leaders like His Excellency, Senator Ben Ayade.

    He has shown all of these magnanimity in the innovations in the Health sector and as of today, Cross River State has become a model for national programs implementation seeing to the ever growing quest for Universal Health Coverage.

    Since 2015, the state has witnessed reduced rate of child and maternal mortality, improved healthcare Facility utilization, increased enrollment and Community acceptability of our programs, to this light, I wish to remind all of our parents and caregivers of the forthcoming Outbreak Response Campaign Against Poliomyelitis coming up for our children within the ages of 0-5 years old in this month of April, we hope our children will partake in this History making Court Judgement by receiving doses of vaccines and other suplimentary products”.

    Once Again, Congratulations His Excellencies, Senator Ben Ayade and Professor Ivara Esu.

    Dr Janet Ekpenyong
    Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency

  • Bukola Saraki Campaign Advocacy Council Visits Party Secretariat, Solicits Support For Saraki’s Presidential Ambition.

    *PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CROSS RIVER STATE*

    1st April 2022.

    Press Statement

    *Bukola Saraki Campaign Advocacy Council Visits Party Secretariat*
    ……Solicits Support for Saraki’s Presidential ambition.

    Earlier today, the State Working Committee members of our party received in audience the Campaign Advocacy Council of Senator Dr. Bukola Saraki led by Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher. The Campaign Council arrived the Secretariat around 9am.

    Speaking during the consultative meeting, the Spokesperson of the campaign council, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher thanked the leadership of the Party for the reception accorded them, stressing that Cross River State has always been a good neighboring state to the North, especially North Central. Speaking about Bukola Saraki’s Presidential ambition, the Spokesperson declared that hope has arrived with the coming of Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    “I want you to rejoice with us because hope has arrived. Nigerians are victims of broken promises. We are faced with leadership failure. Failure to provide good leadership to manage the resources of this country. We have bad leaders with bad management taking loans without concrete plans on how to repay. This is the time to look for qualitative leadership to pull Nigeria to the greatest height. A president that is not a product of Zoning but competence. For even if we are to talk about zoning, North Central where Bukola Saraki hail from, is yet to produce a president. For Bukola Saraki, he will serve as a nexus between the young and old as he is relatively young. His experience as former Governor and Senate President is another considerable advantage”

    Reacting to the comment made by the Spokesperson, the State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Barr. Venatius Ikem thanked the campaign council for coming to Cross River State. He reiterated the commitment of the party to competence and capacity.

    “My path with your Principal has crossed even to the other generation. I coordinated for Bukola’s father, Oloye when he ran for Presidency in 1992. I was the Chairman of the Electoral Panel that delivered Bukola Saraki as Governorship Candidate. By the grace of God, I will be here to assist him become President. So, I welcome you specially, especially on this agenda, the Saraki Agenda. We in Cross River State like you’ve heard had an accident that has tagged us an opposition State but the reality on ground will always testify differently. We are the surest State for PDP. I am delighted whenever I see a team with people of high intellectual capabilities and experience. As Chairman, I have to manage all the contending aspiration that comes to us but ultimately, it is God that gives power. Within the Chairmen forum, there’s a lot of talk about capacity because we have all seen what just Politics has done to us. Last year, Nigeria used 4trillion Naira just to service debt, not to repay debt, and if you remember, our budget was about 12trillion Naira. Which means, very soon we will be using half of our budget to service debt. This is a serious disaster and I fear for tomorrow. So, we need people with the capacity to navigate their way through the economy and other sectors”

    Signed
    Prince Mike Ojisi
    (State Publicity Secretary)

  • Boki 2: Bajie Ekum Embarks On Consultation Tour, Assures Of Victory

     

    An Aspirant for Boki II State Constituency for the Cross River State House of Assembly Polls in 2023, Mr Bajie Odu Ekum, has commenced his consultation across the six wards of the state constituency, starting with Kakwagom/Bawop ward.

    The aspirants was well received by the chiefs, youths and women of the ward.

    Accordingly, he received their support, prayers and encouragement needed to be afloat on the race.

    The frontline aspirant also visited the Commissioner for Aviation in the state, Dr Jake Otu-Enyia, who described his aspiration as ‘timely’, giving the fact that the time for Kakwagom/Bawop ward to produce the next house of assembly representative is now.

    Dr Jake told Bajie and his supporters that what would stand him out are his qualities which he mentioned to include; humility, intelligent, accessibility, integrity, and above all, having the fear of God in him.

    He assured Bajie of his support, thereby advising him to tour the nook and crannies of Boki II to canvass for a wider support and acceptability of all stakeholders ahead of the primaries and the general elections.

  • Local Government Councilors In Cross River State Threatens To Return To PDP Over Poor Remuneration, None Release Of Funds

     

    BY George Prints

    Councilors in Cross River State have threatened to dump the APC to the PDP over what they described as “poor funding and none release of funds for their legislative activities” by the Cross River State Government.

    The lawmakers, after a meeting held in Ikom local government area, also agreed that they were going to commence the immediate impeachment of all the Local Government Chairmen in the state.

    According to them, over N150million have been released to each Local Government Chairman as capital projects, yet no Councilor have been carried along or given any project.

    They lamented that out of the 22 months they have been in office, they have only received Legislative Votes for six months, a situation they described as “painful and worrisome”.

    Other issues deliberated at the meeting include;

    1. Refusal of CRS government to accommodate councilors on the LGA capital projects

    2. None release of councilors Furniture/Wardrobe allowances.

    3. None payment of councilors monthly legislative votes. (6 LV in 22 months in government)

    4. Lack of legislative training to enhanced legislative proceedings

     

     

  • Ogoja/Yala Bye-election: PDP Petitions Ayade’s CSO, Mark Anyogo For Alleged Electoral Violence

     

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch

    The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) has asked the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba to investigate and sanction CSP Mark Anyogo, who is the Chief Security Officer to Governor Ben Ayade, over his alleged role in the violence that occurred during the February 26th 2022, legislative by-elections in Cross River State.

    The party, through its lawyer, First Baba Isa in a letter addressed to IGP Baba and dated March 2nd, 2022 said CSP Anyogo with AP/no 94062 masterminded and carried out some of the violence and voters intimidation witnessed at the polls for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye-election

    The petitioner alleged that “On the 26th of February, 2022, during the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye-election, where the State Governor relocated the entire machinery of government to the Constituency and under his watch, violence of ineffable proportions was unleashed on the electorates who came out to vote; many persons were injured and maimed”, and that many witnesses confirmed it was CSP Mark Anyogo that led the security operatives.

    The petitioner called on the IGP and the police hierarchy to carryout “a thorough investigation of CSP Mark Anyogo and the other police personnel under his command who unleashed this monumental violence on innocent Nigerians.”

    Sources at the Force Headquarters say Mr. Anyogo has since been invited by the police service commission and is scheduled to appear before them on April 7th 2022.