The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • Linda Ayade Inaugurates Mentorship Programme

    Linda Ayade Inaugurates Mentorship Programme

     

    The wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr.  Linda Ayade has Inaugurated the State Exco for her new programme, CROWEI Urban To Rural Women Support Initiative Programme (CRU2RWI).

    The programme which has Hon. Agnes Atsu (JP) as State Coordinator is to commence the pilot phase at Obanliku Local Government Area immediately.

    The inauguration held on the 7th of May, 2021 at the conference room of the the office of the wife of the governor, had aides of Dr. Linda Ayade in attendance.

    Speaking during the event, the Governor’s wife shared her vision of economic empowerment and emancipation for rural women through mentorship by their peers in the urban areas who have excelled and succeeded in their various chosen fields. She opined that women empowerment is critical because the woman serves as a critical pivot in the home as the woman bears the burden of training and caring for the young ones. She lauded women as key agents for development because research shows that most thriving nations have women in their power rooms making decisions for their growth.

    Dr. Linda Ayade charged the team to work swiftly and commence the program to identify, train, empower and mentor widows, farmers, entrepreneurs and younger women/girls in Obanliku Local Government Area immediately. The pilot phase will see to the training and mentoring of 200 women selected from the 10 political wards of the LGA.

    Responding on behalf of the committee, the State Coordinator, Hon. Agnes Atsu, thanked Her Excellency for the opportunity provided for the members of the team to contribute to the betterment of the lives of the rural women and girls. She pledged her commitment and dedication to her duties and sued for unity among the team members.

    Other members of the Exco are Deaconness Abasioffiong Offiong – Assistant Coordinator; Pastor Dr. Bong Duke – Director, Research/Planning; Miss Benyin Adie – Director, Media Services; Hon. Mrs. Justina J. Edem – Mobilizer, South; Mrs. Lovina Etim Eteng – Mobilizer, Central; Madam Elizabeth U. Adie Mobilizer, North; and, Mr. Fred Abua – Secretary

    The event was attended by the President of CROWEI, Hon. Mrs. Lawrencia Ita, JP and other CROWEI officials.

  • Ayade Committed To Actualizing An Open Defecation Free State – Ekpenyong

    Ayade Committed To Actualizing An Open Defecation Free State – Ekpenyong

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has disclosed that the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade is committed to achieving an Open Defecation Free State in the nearest possible time through the provision of basic infrastructures across the state.

    The DG made this known at the conference hall of the National Orientation Agency, Calabar, during the flag off ceremony of the one day sensitization and capacity building exercise for Community Mobilization Officers towards Achieving an open defecation free status.

    Dr Ekpenyong, pointed out that, achieving maximum results in areas related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene could drastically reduce cases like diahorea, cholera and other common diseases which accounts for more than half of clinical cases in health Facilities.

    Ekpenyong further stated that deliberate measures are being put in place by the state government in actualizing an open defecation free state which include, construction of toilets in rural Communities, sinking of boreholes, sensitization and awareness creation on the importance of maintaining good and personal hygiene.

    In her word “For us in the Primary Healthcare Agency, we are committed to achieving a healthy society and that is why we try to incorporate Water , Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) messages in our routine outreaches in Communities.
    The state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has shown commitment to end open defecation in both rural and urban Communities by sinking boreholes, improving on infrastructures as well as creating an enabling environment for WASH actions to be implemented.

    “We are keen to putting an end to open defecation because it results to more than half of all the clinical cases attended to in health facilities, that is why we urge people to always wash their hands with soap under running water, maintain personal and environmental hygiene”

    On his part, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, stated that all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria obtain an Open Defecation Free Status by 2025 with aggressive sensitization.

    The DG was represented by the Cross River State Director, Mr Amissine Ogban, expressed displeasure with Cross River’s progress in getting more LGAs certified ODF after making history as the first state with an open defecation free Local Government Area in the country.

    “57 Local Government Areas in the Country have been certified Open defecation free with Cross River accounting for 6, a move which necessitated the launch of the “Operation Keep Nigeria Clean” campaign. Said he.

    He charged the Community Mobilization Officers to continue to raise awareness and teach residents the importance of actualizing an open Defecation free status.

    The representative of the Minister for water resources, reiterated the Minister’s commitment to support the state and the nation to achieve open Defecation free status.

    Other speakers include representative of UNICEF, amongst others.

    The six Open Defecation Free Local Government Areas in Cross River State include , Obanliku, Bekwarra, Boki, Yakurr, Ikom and Yala.

  • Councillor Links Two Communities With Monies Meant For Her Official Car

    Councillor Links Two Communities With Monies Meant For Her Official Car

    By Admin

    The social has been inundated lately with photographs of a bridge constructed by Hon. Onem Tyna Miracle, the Deputy Majority Leader and Councillor representing Ward 2 in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, who has reduced the age long suffering of her people as she used the money meant for her official car to build a bridge linking two communities in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State.

    Before embarking on the project, The Lumine News gathered that, she met with the Chiefs of the two communities and informed them of her planned project, but they advised her to do something else as the bridge will be too much for her to execute.

    Bent on denying herself official luxury for the good of her people, the lawmaker insisted and completed the project.

    The good news of her benevolence and exceptional leadership reached the ears of the state Governor, Sen. Douyi Dori, invited her to the Bayelsa State Government House.

    The outcome of the meeting is yet to be disclosed as all efforts made to reach the lawmaker yielded no result as at the time of filing this report.

    She’s currently the talk of the town in Bayelsa State as many are still shocked at her zeal to better the life of her people, with many wondering what could be her drive and motivation.

  • Over 200 Households Receives CRSG Erosion Remediation Compensation In CRS

    Over 200 Households Receives CRSG Erosion Remediation Compensation In CRS

     

    In line with the development of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) designed to compensate people affected by the civil works of ongoing intervention across the State, the State Government has commenced the presentation of cheques to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) across the State. The event was flagged off at Igaba in Obudu LGA and Itate in Yala LGA.

    The Commissioner for International Development Cooperation and Acting Project Coordinator CRS-NEWMAP, Dr Inyang Asibong, earlier this week presented cheques to beneficiaries.

    In her remarks during the cheque presentation, the Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to be very judicious in the use of the money to better their lives. Adding that a key objective of the CRS-NEWMAP is to improve the livelihood of affected persons and lessen the devastating effect of the gully erosion menace.

    The exercise benefited 200 households whose structures fall within the circumference of the civil works for the NEWMAP interventions.

    CRSG carried out this process of compensation without the Assistance of the World Bank, as part of the required counterpart funding for the project by the State.

  • Why The Authentic List Of PDP Ward And Chapter Exco Is Sacrosant BY JARIGBE AGOM JARIGBE

    Why The Authentic List Of PDP Ward And Chapter Exco Is Sacrosant BY JARIGBE AGOM JARIGBE

     

    I have watched patiently from the sidelines as our party is being dragged and muddled in the mud by persons whose sole intentions are to cause commotion within the party and destroy it perpetually before eventually moving to another party they’d been hobnobbing with in the last few years.

    To prevent our party from imploding, I have therefore, decided to speak out to project my voice of reason on why we must embrace the rule of law, equity and justice to resolve the lingering issues rather than continuing on the current arbitrariness and authoritarianism which we have all seen to be counter productive.

    It is my well considered opinion that, the subsisting result of the the PDP Ward and Chapter Congresses in CRS is Sacrosanct and must not be tempered with under any guise or pretensions. The reason for towing this line of action fastidiously is that the congresses followed due processes and were conducted in line with the guidelines of the PDP and monitored by INEC as required by law.

    The Authentic list was ratified by the NWC of the Party and Certified by INEC. Today, as I write, both INEC and the Party have the Authentic list. I went to Court, when I discovered that the governor’s group was trying to substitute the list with a concocted list put together by the Governor himself, his younger brother, Frank and some of their cronies.

    My decision to approach the court was to give legal backing to the Authentic list and to pre-empt and stop the Party from yielding to pressure from the governor to manipulate and alter the list in his group’s favour.

    At the trial, the Authentic list was affirmed by the Trial Court and the governor’s group lost out. The Judgment was appealed against me by the governor’s group. Again, the judgment was upheld by both the Appeal and the Supreme Courts. The Judgment of the Apex Court, finally resolved the matter and put the controversy to rest. The Judgment was given on January 6, 2021.

    I will like to know what would have happened if I had lost at both the appellate and supreme Courts, would they have accepted the victory or not? Surely, they would have insisted that the ruling remains sacrosanct and that’s what I am also insisting to be done. To underscore the authenticity of the Authentic list, it was used thereafter in the conduct of the Primary for the Senate By-election and also used for the zonal congress which held in Port Harcourt recently.

    It is my humble view that the Reconciliation Committee effort forced on the party by a self centred group that must win at all times is an after thought and cannot achieve anything. If it is with regards to the Ward and Chapter Excos, it is far too late in the day to contemplate such a mission because any alteration to the authentic list is contemptuous to the apex court’s ruling.

    I believe strongly and rightly so too that the NWC knows that the Authentic list is sacrosanct. The Party Leadership would not want to be charged for Contempt. I need to stridently sound this note of warning because of the grievous implications of tampering or causing an alteration to Authentic list.

    For one, the implication of altering that list is that the PDP in Cross River State will not be able to file Candidates that are validly nominated in 2023. The main Opposition Party in the State will take every available position. The reason why we would have such an outcome is that an illegal Exco cannot vote to nominate a candidate meaning that you cannot put something on nothing.

    Furthermore, I consider it grossly inappropriate for the NWC to be an accused and a judge, it certainly cannot Approbate and Reprobate. The Committee which had earlier ratified the list cannot in all intent and purpose make a volte face turnaround to alter it in just one fell swoop even after using the list in obedience to subsisting Court judgement.

    I am worried about the fate of our party because of the vultures hovering overheard. We see ominous signs in the horizon orchestrated by Agents who have been sent to destroy our Party. They are the ones hired to play the hatchet role of destroying causing acrimony with intent to destroy the party before moving to another party. Not too long ago, we were witnesses to an open romance between our leader and the ruling party. This is not the first time. Can we please ask Governor Ben Ayade, the outcome of his meeting with the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC? Can we also ask him the outcome of the meeting he had with some APC bigwigs in the Villa?

    I recognise that some of our leaders have inordinate ambitions and are blinded to the realities. I wish them luck. For me, I strongly advise against and will not subscribe to political rascality and disobedience to Judgments of Courts.

    I would also want to put on notice that I will not hesitate to facilitate an action against anyone who decides to be contemptuous. The National Organising Secretary is the Custodian of the Authentic list and I do not see him compromising his integrity. Going forward, can I also suggest that we probe to find out all those who contributed funds to the APC in 2019? If we do, are we sure we will not find contributions from some PDP governors including our own? I am not a purveyor of bad news but cannot be fooled either.

    This Party belongs to all of us. I am a major stakeholders. If that list is altered anywhere, the Party dies in Cross River State. Let the Committee move on and try to harmonize the various interests, moving forward as we gravitate towards the State Congress and National Convention.

    We must preserve the supremacy and not kill the Party, in trying to make one person happy in Cross River State. Whatever we do differently to that list now, is an illegality that cannot be swept under carpet. We have Party members whose tenures are already running as ward and Chapter Exco members. Any attempt at dropping them, will definitely be resisted. The Courts are there. Those who want to leave the Party, should be honorable enough to leave, without destroying our Party. The Party made them and the least they can do, is to leave it the way they met it. They should not accept the role of being the hatchet men.

    My advice to the reconciliation committee is to do a dispassionate report, taking into consideration the legality or otherwise of altering the Authentic list, being men of proven integrity, with track records of service delivery. Those attributes are not about to be eroded, due to extraneous influences and manipulations.

    Remember that, for some of us who have been fought by the Party, to please the Governor, we are already down and therefore, fear no fall. We have been widely and openly discriminated against, not minding our consistent loyalty to the party. Yet, we are assets to the Party in our various Constituencies.

    To be accorded our dues, we must not have the treasury of the State in our hands. As grassroots politicians, we don’t need the State’s treasury to win our elections. Did Hon Alex Egbona have access to the Treasury of the State when he went to the House of Representatives in 2015?

    I know the governors that contribute to the existence and sustenance of PDP in this Country, while some sit on the fence, flirt around and play games with all the other Parties, for their personal benefits. This is not the time to play the ostrich. The Party has to move on.

    Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

    (Senator-Elect)

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and does not represent Theluminenews or the organization he works for.

  • UNFPA Partners CRSG, Holds Training On Gender Based Violence In Emergencies

    UNFPA Partners CRSG, Holds Training On Gender Based Violence In Emergencies

    By Izukah Favour

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Cross River State, organized a 4-day training programme on Gender based Based violence Violence in Emergencies (GBViE), to cushion the effects of the increasing number of people affected by gender based violence in the world, particularly in Cross River State.

    The training which was held at Danic Hotels, Calabar for four days, (April 26th, 2021 to April 29th, 2021) had in attendance major stakeholders and service providers responding to cases of GBV in the state.

    According to UNFPA, the aim of the training was “to increase the knowledge, skills and professional competencies of state and non- state actors to provide effective services to GBV survivors in humanitarian settings”.

    During the training, selected facilitators addressed participants on Gender gender based violence, approaches to gender based violence as well as effective ways to handle cases of gender based violence in the field.

    Speaking during the training, the UNFPA FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Analyst Ms. Theresa Adah, reiterated the need for cases of GBV to be treated as urgent.

    According to her, Gender gender based violence is a life threatening, global health and human issue that violates international law and the principles of gender equality.

    She stressed that failure to address cases of GBV with urgency will lead to a continuous cycle of violence.

    Ms. Adah hinted on the major factors contributing to the increasing cases of Gender gender based violence which she listed as; the make-up of the community/ communities and family systems, Gender gender inequality and discrimination.

    Participants were advised at the training that in delivering humanitarian services to cases of Gender gender based violence survivors, “it is important that protection of survivors is central”.

    Participants were also educated on their primary objective as humanitarian workers and service providers while handling cases of GBV, which is to “alleviate suffering, save lives and maintain human dignity.”

    The training however highlighted the community approach as a strategic way to reduce Gender gender based violence to its barest minimum.

    Speaking on the event and its partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Commissioner, Ministry of Women affairs, Mrs Rita Agbo Ayim, stated that the partnership between UNFPA and the ministry was very important especially as the number of gender based violence cases is on the increase in the state.

    She averred that the ministry is a mother umbrella and as such, collaborations and partnerships like this training, are always welcomed as they help the ministry to effectively carry out its function especially in addressing cases of gender based violence.

    “The Ministry of Women Affairs is the mother umbrella and we are expected to collaborate and work with all partners to ensure that the result is achieved”.

    Ayim advised perpetrators of Gender gender based violence to desist from the act as the law would not compromise in dealing with perpetrators.

    The Commissioner thanked UNFPA for the training as she maintained that the knowledge acquired would be used by participants to scale up their services in the field.

    She urged participants to ensure that they make use of the information learnt to effectively carry provide their services.

    “Let us ensure that the impact of this training is felt while we are at the field”. She added.

    Speaking during the training, The Head of Office, UNFPA Cross River Sub-office, Calabar, Dr. Omolaso Omosehin, stated that the reason for the training was due to increase in the cases of Gender based violence in the state.

    According to him, “one in 3 women have been assaulted globally by a close intimate partner”.

    Speaking further, he stressed that in Nigeria, the situation has increased due to the crisis in Cameron.

    “Particularly in Cross River State, we have a high number of survivors who have migrated from Cameron. Humanitarian workers and service providers in the field are facing so many challenges, hence, the need for the training.

    “We know that humanitarian workers face a lot of challenges trying to see to the needs of the refugees.

    “We decided that it was necessary for those who manage GBV survivors as well as refugees are well trained and that is why the training is very important”.

    He maintained that the training would help strengthen the capacities of humanitarian workers and GBV service providers in the state.

    He disclosed that UNFPA expects participants to train others who were not able to attend the training and put to practice what has been learnt.

  • APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    The All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State has commended the leader of the party in the state and Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, for facilitating grant for 200 women from the state.

    In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Bassey Ita, the party said that they were overwhelmed by the gesture and efforts of the Minister to reconnect the Federal Government and Members of the party in the state especially in the area of social inclusion agenda.

    Recall that recently, some women numbering two hundred (200) were shortlisted for payment of N20,000 each under the Special Grant for Rural (poor) Women component of the Social Investment Programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and superintended by the Minister, Hajia Sadiya Farouq.

    Instrumental to the shortlisting and facilitation of the payment of the money to at least, eleven women from across the 18 local government area of the state was the Honourable Minister of State, Power
    ,Jedy-Agba.

    Excited by the development, APC said that
    under the leadership of the Minister, “in view of the responsibility given us as a party to mobilize the rural women who were mostly members of our great party to benefit from the programme,we most heartily appreciate the Honourable Minister for this great gesture.

    We are particularly overwhelmed with joy and confidence that a new dawn beacons which brings a gapping reconnect between the Federal Government and Members of our party in the state especially in the area of social inclusion agenda”.

    The party assured that “we are confident that, tomorrow counts for our party with the illumination that today’s gesture of the Honourable Minister has brought” .

    The APC added that “the grips of pervasive injustice which usually come from the outcry of isolation and neglect in earning from our central government has been relaxed as gleaned from the aforementioned.

    Our members can now heave a sigh of relief that indeed, the special largesse to our party women has open a new vista of opportunity to talk more rural women and men alike into the APC fold which had hitherto been Herculean to achieve for the pervasive injustice”.

    While noting that the party looks forward to having many more such robust gestures from the Minister and other party leaders in government, they insisted that the current party leadership in the state remains the only rallying point to appropriate developmental options meant for members.

    “The responsibility of sustaining the existing peaceful atmosphere we have so far enjoyed in the party is a burden we have resolved to shoulder, and we wish to submit that we shall continue to disallow undue sentiments whatsoever arising from distribution of opportunities to take toll on our hard earned stability.

    Honourable Minister Sir, we congratulate you once again for the gesture and for the confidence reposed in the party to mobilize our women for the special grants”.

  • Ayade’s Chief Of Staff, Hon. Martin Orim Donates Vehicle To First Priest From Wife’s Community

    Ayade’s Chief Of Staff, Hon. Martin Orim Donates Vehicle To First Priest From Wife’s Community

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Hon. Martin Orim has donated a vehicle to the first to be ordained priest from the Roman Catholic Mission RCM Bedia.

    The Soon to be ordained priest, Rev. Jeremiah Udida will be the first priest from Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area, where the wife of the Chief of Staff hails from.

    Hon. Orim had pledged the vehicle during the thanksgiving ceremony of Major General Parker Undiandeye at RCM Bedia.

    During the thanksgiving, the Priest In Charge of RCM Bedia, Rev. Fr. Paschal Ngang had told the congregation that the major challenge faced by the church was how to purchase a car for the new Priestley’s to be ordained.

    Announcing the donation, the Priest In Charge of RCM Bedia, Rev. Fr. Pascal Ngang wrote, “I just got this car for the first priest of Bedia origin to be ordained on Saturday the 8th of May, 2021,” as he shared images of the red Toyota Corolla on Saturday.

    Rev. Jeremiah Udida is among the ten Deacons to be ordained priests for the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja on the 8th of May, 2021 at St. Benedict Cathedral Ogoja, as part of the activities for the centenary celebration of the diocese.

  • Saviour Orim, Obudu Born Primary One Grammarian To Meet Patrick Obahiagbon In Abuja.

    Saviour Orim, Obudu Born Primary One Grammarian To Meet Patrick Obahiagbon In Abuja.

    By Elijah Ugani

    Former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon, the Igodo-migodo, has reached out to the father of Master Saviour Orim from Ufambe – Ubang in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Master Saviour Orim who has trended recently in video is reported to be a primary one pupil. The video got the internet trending with commentators wondering the mastery at which a primary one pupil could display while chunking out grammar effortlessly.

    Master Savior is said to have wished to speak like the former lawmaker. The video got the attention of Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon and he wants to meet the primary one grammarian.

    Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon wants to mentor Master Savior Orim and pay his fees till University.

    Information available to TheLumineNews indicates that arrangement has been concluded between Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon and the father of Master Savior to be flown to Abuja next week.

    TheLumineNews was the first to indicate interest to offer Master Savior Orim scholarship, GFO Orim Foundation announced a scholarship up to the university for Master Savior Orim, and Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon has also announced scholarship up to the university for Master Savior.

  • The Akpanke Foundation Empowers A Cripple With Wheel Chair, Sewing Machine And A Shop To Start Business

    The Akpanke Foundation Empowers A Cripple With Wheel Chair, Sewing Machine And A Shop To Start Business

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Akpanke Foundation has come to the rescue of a cripple who despites all odds a learned a trade but could not afford a shop and a sewing machine to start up her own business.

    The Founder of The Akpanke Foundation, Mr. Peter Akpanke took to his Facebook page to share his emotions when he met with the cripple.

    He said “On Friday Evening, my dear Friend and Spiritual director of The Akpanke Foundation, Very Rev Fr Roger Mowang talked to me about a certain physically disabled girl who despite her situation, struggled to acquire a skill but needed basic equipments to start up.

    “Since I was home, my team and I accompanied by some friends decided to Pay the said girl whom I didn’t know a surprise visit in her house. It was an unbelievable reality for this young lady, her mother and other siblings.

    “I broke down in tears at some point not because I interfaced with a physically disabled person, perhaps by virtue of my chosen path of service to humanity,it has become normal that I meet this category of people every day. But yesterday’s case was particular because it gave me and almost every body who was present the opportunity to reflect and be reminded that we are who ever we are because of the grace of God. I don’t think i have been that emotional in recent times like I was yesterday.

    “By the grace of God, young Agnes today now has a wheel chair, sewing machine, a shop and some Projects to start up with courtesy of The Akpanke Foundation.

    “I decided to share this story to inspire those who are currently going through challenging situations and those who feel limited by the financial periscope of things in their family. Where you come from or what you are shouldn’t determine what or who you will tomorrow. Agnes would have decided to leverage on her condition by begging for arms on the street like others with similar disabilities, but she decided to confront her limitations in the battle for survival and she’s winning .

    “The shoes some of us now wear in the society today once look expensive even in thoughts, but we thank God for bringing us thus far. Even if others believe in their horses and chariots, I will always hold on to the name of the Lord.

    “The battle is Against poverty..
    Let’s join hands in bridging the Gap…”