The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Happy International Women’s Day To Women That Are Doing Their Best To Ensure The Bias Is Broken.

    Happy International Women’s Day celebration to every woman out there who is doing so much to ensuring the bias is broken.

    Today I join Nigerian women across the states and in diaspora to speak in respect to gender balance and political correctness.

    Over the years women like Margaret Thatcher, Fumilayo Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and a lot of other heroeins played very sensitive roles in leadership and also fought for women emancipation, we must not allow their fight go to ruins.

    Leadership failures or successes are not gender bias, men as well as women have failed and still failing in different sectors, therefore we cannot continue to fenging ignorance, we must seek for capable hands as both gender has its best foot that should have a stake in the corridors of power.
    We must not continue to jettison the role of women in politics, governance and leadership.

    Let’s support women and give them the chance and opportunities to bring to the table of economic development the attributes they’ve applied in home building and sustainability.

    Our country will remain underdeveloped as long as we continue to underrate, undermine, relegate women and juxtapose her capabilities on the altar of Patriarchy.

    We can’t win this war without you our fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, uncles etc. y’all have daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, Aunties.
    Please speak with us and call the Senate to do the right thing.

    Let’s break this jinx and bias together.
    I am Ambassador Odenke Ibiang
    House of Assembly Aspirant 2023

    I Celebrate these women, they impress and inspire me to do more by their work and resilience.

  • Emana Ambrose Amawu Inaugurates Her Campaign Team For The ABC House Of Representatives

    Odymonkez Blog 

    One of the leading aspirants for the  Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South  the Federal House of Representatives,  Emana Ambrose Amawu, inaugurated her campaign team at her Calabar residence.

    Speaking on her three points Agenda which represents the 3Rs, Rebirth, Restoration, Reward.

    Accordindly, her Rebirth Mantra is based on bringing new life to existence and Restoring the dignity of the three Local Government Areas under her district.

    Reiterating, she emphasized that the time has come for her people to reap the benefits of their many years of tilling and toiling as she is poised to birth a new era, restore the lost hope and foster a reward system for all their years of hardwork and labour.

    She added that a great deal of women have in the past performed excellently as women are know for great leadership qualities and as such should be given the opportunity for what they have to bring to the table not necessarily because there are women.

    Emana, who noted that leadership failure or success isn’t gender bais, as any gender can fail or succeed at a given task.

    All through her years of service as a media personality, she has carried out her job excellently, which includes but not limited to going to the field for reportage at any hour of the night irrespective of her gender thus arguing that responsibility or irresponsibility isn’t also gender bias.

    Emana, urges and solicites to the good people of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South, to give her their entire support ahead of the audacious task as she recognizes the strength of team work.

  • Former President Goodluck Jonathan To Grace UNICAL’s 35th Convocation

     

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has paid a courtesy call on the immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.

    Speaking during the visit, Prof. Obi recalled the roles played by the former president in uplifting the standard of education across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    She described GEJ as a humble gentleman who places Nigeria above any other personal consideration, referring to him as a unifying factor in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.

    The Vice-Chancellor reminded the former President that Nigerians will not forget the epochal call he put across to his successor, President Buhari, which accounted for the relative peace and brotherhood that the nation is enjoying today.

    To this end, the VC said the Governing Council, Senate, and Management have found in him a man worthy in all ramifications for the award of an Honorary Doctorate Degree – (Honoris Causa) of the Institution.

    In his remark, Jonathan expressed appreciation to the Council, Senate, and Management of the University of Calabar for finding him worthy of the honour even after his tenure as president.

    He said that though he had cause to turn down so many similar offers, but because of his love for the institution, he has no option but to graciously accept the offer from the University of Calabar with all amount of humility.

    The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied on the eventful visit by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, and the Registrar, Amb. Jammy Egbe.

    Others include two members of the University Governing Council, Hon. Vincent Ogbuagu and Prof. (Mrs) Eno Grace Nta, as well as, the University’s Alumni Relations Officer, Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe.

  • Jarigbe Agom Empowers All PDP Chapter Executives In Obudu, Bekwarra And Obanliku Federal Constituency

     

    The senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has empowered chapter executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Obudu, Bekwarra, and Obanliku Federal Constituency.

    The State Deputy Chairman of the party (North), Chief Austin Edibe, while presenting the items urged the beneficiaries to remain steadfast in their services to the party. He said the gesture is one of the ways in which the senator wishes to commend their efforts in supporting the party to grow from the grassroots.

    He further encouraged them to always have the interest of the party while working for the success and progress of the party in the senatorial district and state at large.

    Commenting on the development, Chapter chairmen and members of their cabinet, described the Distinguished Senator as a performer who has always kept his words in delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Cross River North, they appreciated the lawmaker and further pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to ensure that the party moves to an enviable position in their respective local government areas.

  • Mental Health: CRSG To Partner Federal Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital To Strengthen Mental Health Services In The State, As Over 196 PHC Facilities Set To Offer Services

     

    Over 50 million Nigerians are said to be suffering from various degrees of mental health illnesses with only a fraction of about 10% of the affected individuals having full access to medical facilities and care due to complacency of admission into designated facilities.

    With an emerging trend of mental health issues among pregnant and nursing mothers suffering post partum stress , there is need to incorporate mental health regiments as part of services enjoyed by women in Primary Healthcare Centres during antenatal services to avoid complications in the nearest future , not also forgetting the increasing figures of substance abuse by young adults in secondary and tertiary places of learning and other mental health problems such as depression.

    Part of these were the motivation which led a team of medical experts from the Federal Neuro-psychiatric hospital to pay a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong in her office to seek ways of creating a timely and lasting solution.

    Led by Dr Edak Okwong of the “Mental Health Prevention and Promotion” unit of the Institution , the body is seeking to collaborate with the Cross River State Government via the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in raising awareness as well as training health care providers on early detection and basic management of suspected mental health cases and strengthen linkage/referral of cases to secondary facilities.

    They said, with most of the population of victims living in rural areas, access to the Neuro-psychiatric hospital could be demanding and as such, creating a flexible platform for preliminary clinical services before situation detoriates.

    She praised the Director General for her innovative disposition in the upgrade of Primary Healthcare facilities across the state, with staff discipline a worthy and enviable achievements.

    Responding to the team’s visit, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the team for the visit, describing the collaboration as timely and audacious in checking the declining mental health situations of Cross Riverians.

    According to her “Mental Health is a huge challenge in the society today and so much awareness needs to be created, especially with the increasing number of young adults who get involved with substance abuse as well as some strange complications such as depression arising from pregnancy and post patum stress in women and slow development in children.

    She said , although the management of these illnesses are beyond the scopes and operations of the Primary Healthcare Centres, early stages of these illnesses could be attended to as well as counseling services provided to clients by health workers who are well trained with desired skills. They’ll also know when and where to refer cases to.

    The DG appealed to them to reactivate the mental health clinic in General hospital Calabar and other secondary facilities in the state to serve as hubs for referral cases from primary health centres.

    She said She’s hopeful that in the nearest future, selected workers who will be trained will cascade the teachings to other staff as the Primary Healthcare Centres is readily available to provide supportive roles to the Neuro-psychiatric Hospital. She committed to ensuring that mental health awareness is integrated into the PHC services.

    At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to the prioritization of at least one Facility in all 196 wards of Cross River State to manage Mental Health related issues, incorporate Mental Health education and sensitization to the state Social Mobilization Curriculum, Periodic training of Health workers on the innovation and requirements for managing mental Health patients amongst others.

    High points of the meeting was the conferment of the Mental Health Ambassador/Advocate title on the Director General and two of the Directors of the Agency for their Unquantifiable contributions towards mental health education and elimination of related illnesses in the state.

    Present at the meeting and other contributions were made by Mrs Joy Chabo, (Director, Disease Control and Immunization), Mrs Sally Enyim(Director, Community and Family Services ), Mrs Unawu Elizabeth.

  • UNICAL Security Operatives Arrests Kinghope Ubi For Using A Dummy Gun To Threaten Students And Snatching Their Phones

    The University of Calabar security operatives has arrested Kinghope Ubi for using a dummy gun to threaten students and snatching their phones on campus.

    Ubi was arrested at the ICT Centre of the institution after leading his two friends to point the dummy gun at Akomaye Ephraim and collecting his Tecno Camon 16 Premium phone valued at N108,000.

    When interrogated, he confessed that he came into the university to visit his girl friend and thereafter, he decided to snatch some phones from students.

    Kinghope Ubi, who is not a student of UNICAL, said that his friend gave him the dummy gun to point at students and collect their phones.

    After arresting him, they found a passport of him wearing Nigeria Customs Service uniform. He told newsmen that he was dismissed from the Customs Service in 2021.

    Speaking on the arrest, the Acting CSO of UNICAL, SP Usani Okon (Rtd), said that the current administration of Prof. Florence Banku Obi frowns at any act of stealing and robbery on campus.

    He said that the VC has repositioned the security operatives in the institution with a view to protect all students and staff against any form of robbery and attack.

    Thereafter, the suspect was handed over to the Anti-Kindapping and Cultism Squad of the Police for further actions.

  • Dr Richard Utubakwu Appointed Provost Federal College Of Education, Obudu

    FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
    P.M. B 1038
    OBUDU
    CROSS RIVER STATE
    March 3, 2022

    DR. UTUBAKU’S APPOINTMENT AS PROVOST
    President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has approved the appointment of Dr. Richard Ugbaha Utubaku as the new Provost of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, for a first term of four years, as conveyed by the Honourable Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu.

    The appointment is consequent upon competitive interview conducted for eighteen (18) applicants for the position among the thirty-five (35) that applied for the job in November, 2021.

    The Chairman Governing Council of the College Prof. Taoheed Adedoja on behalf of Council members has congratulated the new provost and looks forward to his visionary leadership of the College that was established since 1982.

    The Chairman had earlier sent similar congratulations to the new Bursar of the College Mr. Joseph Eba Ogar.

    The newly appointed Provost Dr. Richard Utubaku began his educational career in Roman Catholic Mission(RCM) Primary School Bebuabie, Obudu where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate(FSLC) in 1979. Thereafter he was at Comprehensive Secondary School, Obudu between 1979 and 1985 where he passed the WAEC Examination in flying colours.

    He was at the Federal College of Education, Obudu where he was certified a teacher with the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1990 and then proceeded to the University of Calabar where he obtained a 2nd Class Upper Degree in Education Mathematics in 1992. As a true Nigerian, he served his NYSC at the Government Secondary School Wushishi in Niger State where he was the Corp Liason Officer.

    Dr. Utubaku returned to his Alma Mater, the University of Calabar for an M.Ed in Mathematics Education. At the University of Agriculture, Makurdi he crowned his Academic pursuit with a Ph.D in Mathematics Education in 2015.

    In 1993, the young Richard Utubaku got his first appointment as an Assistant Lecturer in the Mathematics Department of Federal College of Education, Obudu where he rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in 2013, having served variously as HOD, Dean, Director and Chairman of several Committees.

    Dr. Richard Utubaku has to his credit several Conference papers, Journal articles Books and Book Chapters and has some textbooks to his credit.

    Dr. Richard Ugbaha Utubaku is the 1st Alumnus to become a Provost in almost 40 years of the College’s existence and hopes to reposition the College in line with its vision of enhancing academic and professional excellence in teacher education for Sustainable National Development.

    Dr. Utubaku is happily married and blessed with five (5) children.

  • Hon Maria Akwaji Felicitates Gov Ayade @ 54th Birthday, Describes Him As A Quintessential Leader Per Excellence

    Happy 55th Birthday To A Quintessential Leader Per Excellent

    I write on behalf of my family and the good people of Obudu State Constituency to celebrate a quintessential leader per excellent, Sen Professor Ben Ayade on the occasion of your 54th birth anniversary.

    God has blessed you beyond measures and you have chosen to use this blessings to impact on humanity.

    Cross River State government has witnessed a lots of transformation under your watch with lots of industries spread across the state.

    You have demystified leadership and have set a model for others to understudy. Keep setting the pace your Excellency.

    On this auspicious day of your birth anniversary, I wish you renewed strength, courage and vigor even as assume bigger responsibilities in the years ahead.

    Be rest assured of our support, prayers and goodwill as you strive to serve Cross River State better.

    Once again, congratulations!

    Hon Maria Akwaji
    Member representing Obudu State Constituency
    Cross River State of Assembly

  • Caterpillar Movement Congratulates Usibe, Expresses Confident That Justice Will Be Done To This Grave Injustice Perpetuated By The Government Of The Day

    CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT
    28th Feb, 2022

    Dear, Hon. Michael Ede Usibe
    Member Elect,
    Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency,
    Cross River State

    CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR EMERGENCE
    On behalf of our principal Sen Sandy Onor and the entire Caterpillar Movement political family we wish to Congratulate you on your resounding victory at the just concluded By-election in your Federal Constituency held on the 26th February, 2022.

    Despite the militarisation and violence that was unleashed to intimidate law abiding, harmless and armless voters, your people spoke with a loud voice through the ballots that, they have great confidence in your leadership and our great party, the PDP. We are confident that justice will be done to this grave injustice perpetuated by the government of the day. Not too long, you shall assume office as the elected representative of your people.

    We, the Caterpillar Movement family will continue to support you and your people to ensure that the dividends of democracy is enjoyed by all and sundry. Do accept the assurances of our warm regards as you proceed to rendering effective representation.

    Once again, Accept our congratulations.

    Joe Obi Bisong Hon Chief
    Director General

  • Ogoja/Yala Bye-election: Ogoja Has Totally Rejected APC, Bekwarra is aggrieved, Obanliku is unhappy, Obudu And Yala Cannot Secure Ayade A Return To The Senate – Ntamu

    OGOJA/YALA BYE ELECTION AS A LITMUS TEST.

    The much anticipated Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye election has finally come and gone. The uncertainties surrounding the outcome, whether the result as announced by INEC is final or there may be a redress at the Election Petition Tribunal is left for the future.

    The election may have been concluded and a winner declared by INEC, but a good look at some facts and figures may leave us with a different impression other than the earlier assumption that the party who emerged winner determines the overall outcome of the 2023 election.

    From what was declared by INEC, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Jude Ngaji scored a total of 22,778(52.5%) to beat his closest rival, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Mike Usibe who scored 20,590(47.5%). The percentage margin between the candidates is just (5.05%).

    Judging by the fact that the candidate of the APC is a very popular personality and someone who is contesting for the second time in less than four years, 5.05% is rather a margin too insignificant to celebrate, especially by a ruling party. The implication of this is that, only Chief Jude Ngaji who currently enjoys goodwill across parties can win any election for the ruling party.

    Again, it is on record that Ogoja/Yala currently constitute over 65% of the state appointees in Northern Senatorial District, with Yala LGA dominating in some key strategic appointments. Having people such as; the former DG of Due Process, now APC Chairman, the sacked senator, returned as SUBEB Chairman, CRUTECH Vice Chancellor and other high profile appointees all from Yala. One would ordinarily have expected a landslide margin, but the reality at hand is rather shocking.

    The most recent appointment which was released on the eve of the bye election numbering up to 93 appointees had Ogoja/Yala topping the list as always. Some of us expected the new appointees to show appreciation by harvesting adequate votes. But the lean margin of 5.05% is a clear indication that the Governor’s concentration of his appointment in his preferred location has not yielded bountifully.

    In 2023, APC members in places like Bekwarra must brace up for a tough time. As currently constituted, Bekwarra sits at the lowest rung on the list of appointees.With just two Commissioners, a Senior Special Adviser and other appointees of Bekwarra origin occupying the basest offices. It is clear that Bekwarra has not been in the reckoning of Ben Ayade’s Government. Glaringly, Ayade has scant regard or disdain for Bekwarra, same place he has claimed his grandmother hails from all in attempt to scam the people into aligning with him politically.

    The marginalisation of Bekwarra people continues when he left Bekwarra out without any viable industry, except the reported groundnut milling oil factory, which he has been trying grudgingly to complete. With this stark reality, Bekwarra would have no option than to seek a new realignment as the 2023 general election beckons, with Ayade believed to be seeking a return to the senate.

    This is why the just concluded House of Representatives bye election is an eye opener. From the outcome of the election Ogoja has totally rejected APC, Bekwarra is aggrieved, Obanliku is unhappy. Consequently, Obudu and Yala cannot secure him a return to the senate.

    The Nigerian Police Force whose contribution in intimidating electorate largely influenced the actualisation of the lean margin of 5.05% won’t afford the luxury of sending over 5000 officers to each Local Government of Cross River State in 2023. And because it would be a general election, the possibility of having a police helicopter hovering over of every Local Government is very much unlikely.

    Those planning to hide under state powers and the security for intimidation as recorded at many instances across Ogoja and Yala would be disappointed.

    If the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye election was a litmus test, then APC and Governor Ayade have their work cut out for them.

    Equally, the trouncing of the APC by the PDP in Akpabuyo State bye election sums up the acceptability deficit of the power of the party in the state.

    Agaji Adie Ntamu (SAT)
    Is a Strategic Media Consultant,
    and a Seasoned Teacher.

     

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