The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Asphalting Begins on Busangfong Road Facilitated BySen Jarigbe Agom

     

    Excitement filled Busangfong community yesterday as contractors commenced asphalting on a key road project facilitated by Senator Jarigbe Agom.

    The road, which connects Busangfong in Obanliku Local Government Area to Ikom Local Government Area, is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities for the community. Sectors such as markets, schools, and other businesses are expected to benefit from the enhanced connectivity the road will provide.

    The community has expressed appreciation for Senator Jarigbe’s efforts, describing him as a politician whose commitments are reliably fulfilled. According to them, Senator Jarigbe is notable for turning his promises into tangible outcomes.

    Commenting on the development, Senator Jarigbe has emphasized the importance of durability in the construction work, instructing the contractor to ensure the road withstands the test of time. The senator has also pledged to continue working on infrastructural projects across the five Local Government Areas of his Senatorial District.

    The commencement of asphalting on this project marks a significant step forward in improving infrastructure in Obanliku, aligning with Senator Jarigbe’s broader goals of enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth in every part of Cross River North Senatorial District.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA

  • Eyoanwan Clears Backlog Of Allowances For OUDA Workers, Donates OPS Devices

    BY Sonnie Okem

    In a show of compassion and commitment to grassroots empowerment, the Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency Bishop (Dr.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has cleared the backlog of allowances owed to workers of the Ogoja Urban Development Authority (OUDA) by the previous administration.

    Addressing the gathering during her visit to Ogoja Local Government Area, the First Lady stated that the current administration had put mechanisms in place to ensure regular and timely payment of staff benefits. She emphasized that the gesture was aimed at boosting worker morale and productivity, urging the workforce to reciprocate government’s goodwill by remaining dedicated and efficient in service delivery.

    In addition to the cleared allowances, Bishop Otu distributed Point of Sale (POS) devices to OUDA workers, persons living with disabilities, and local women entrepreneurs. She also donated food items, wrappers, and cash palliatives worth Millions of Naira, aimed at cushioning the prevailing economic hardship and stimulating small-scale economic activities in the area.

    Her Excellency encouraged the beneficiaries to use the POS machines and seed capital responsibly as a means of livelihood, thereby supporting local economic growth. She reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Sen. (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu to uplifting the less privileged and empowering communities through sustainable initiatives.

    Welcoming the First Lady and her entourage, the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Christopher Agbeh, expressed heartfelt appreciation for her continued support to the people of Ogoja. Describing her as a “dedicated mother of the state,” the Chairman lauded her relentless efforts in bringing hope and meaningful interventions to rural dwellers.

    In a gesture of appreciation, Chief Agbeh pledged parcels of land to Her Excellency for the establishment of a private residence and cassava farm in the area. He also requested that she convey the community’s deep gratitude to the Governor for his selfless and people-oriented leadership.

    The highpoint of the event was the distribution of POS devices with starter capital, food items, wrappers, and cash donations, alongside the physical disbursement of monthly stipends to OUDA workers.

  • Jarigbe Fulfils Promise, Credits 500 JariBurs Beneficiaries

    By Admin

    The senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom, has fulfilled his promise, disbursed Fifty Million Naira (50M) to Five Hundred beneficiaries drawn from the Five Local Government Areas in northern Cross River State.

    This was contained in the release made available to the public by the coordinator of the Programme, Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    The JariBurs Initiative is an educational intervention for constituents midwieved by Sen Jarigbe Agom, to ameliorate student’s hardship in the pursuit of their education.

    The JariBurs Initiative is said to be the first intervention carried out by a politician that has no political interference as the selection process was done through a seamless process using a tech approach.

    Agba Jalingo had insisted that the JariBurs was not meant to settle political supporters and that it was meant for deserving constituents and the selection process must be blind.

    In a chat with Agba Jalingo, he noted that “payment is in batches as all beneficiaries will be credited before the week runs out”.

    Some of the beneficiaries who have received the money, expressed satisfaction with the process, and noted that God knows why he used Agba Jalingo, to oversee the process as they have no politician to have pleaded their cause, but that without connections, they could benefit from the JariBurs Initiative.

    They however thanked Sen Jarigbe Agom, for the financial support and promised to use it judiciously.

  • Just In: National Association of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives Embarks On Warning Strike

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The National Association of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives NANNM, has had announced the commencement of a seven days warning strike with effect from 18th August 2025.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Secretary, Cross River State chapter, Ijeoma Njoku, the association is pressing for a five points demand.

    The release reads in full “Arising from the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on 16th August 2025, the SEC – session agreed that all nurses (State and LGA) should proceed to 7 days warning strike, following the expiration of a 7 days – ultimatum given to the state government by the Joint Action Committee of Health Sector Unions in Cross River State, begining from 12:00am of Monday 18th August, 2025.

    “Reasons for the strike

    1. Payment of 100% CONHESS (2024 review) for nurses

    2. Proper implementation of the new national minimum wage for nurses

    3. Review of hazard allowances

    4. Employment of more nurses in the state

    5. Promotion and release of promotion letters”.

    The release further mandated unit heads to ensure that all members under their supervision comply with the directives “You are therefore mandated to ensure total compliance by all members in your various units”

  • #JariBurs Beneficiaries, Obanliku LGA See Your List

    #JariBurs beneficiaries….

    Obanlikwu LGA.

    The winners will be published by LGAs.

    No single name here lobbied or was recommended or planted by anyone. Everybody won because the system was blind.

    Same thing with all the other LGAs.

    TF

  • Understanding How The #JariBurs Selection Process Works… BY AGBA JALINGO 

     

    The data collected during the application had the selection process in mind.

    A spreadsheet has since been developed of all entries with the time stamps and corresponding information requested.

    Therefore, the serial numbers will follow accordingly.

    1. The entries will initially be filtered by the Local Government initially. Entries with more than one Local Government Area will be automatically disqualified at this stage.

    2. Data will be replicated in five different spreadsheets, one for each Local Government Area in Cross River North.

    3. The data for each Local Government will be revalidated to remove multiple entries.

    4. Thereafter, the RANDARRAY function on Excel 365 will be used to randomly generate numbers matching the total entries for each Local Government Area.

    5. For example, Yala Local Government has 743 entries, therefore, numbers randomly generated will vary from 1 to 743. Thereafter, the first 100 generated will be copied.

    6. The SHOWROWS function will automatically highlight the entries whose numbers are generated.

    7. Then comes the hard work! Each entry will be carefully checked for the following three key uploads;

    i. How do you verify identity? (Name of applicant and their Local Government of Origin).

    ii. How are you sure the person is a student? (Hence the Admission letter).

    iii. Is the person active as a student? (Evidence of payment of fees in the current session).

    8. Each selected entry must scale through this hurdle before the bank details will be checked to ascertain it is not a proxy.

    9. If the process does not return 100 beneficiaries among the first randomly generated numbers, the process from Number (4) will be repeated to generate the remaining beneficiaries.

    Now you know how it will work. And like I said previously, this process may not be perfect or full-proof, but it will definitely return results that are better than what was done previously.

    This initiative is powered by Sen Jarigbe Agom, representing Cross River North Senatorial District.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #JariCare
    #JariBurs
    #JariEnterprise
    #JariLeads

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Send Your Kids To School Outside Cross River BY INYALI PETER 

     

    As young Cross Riverians, we can help our children and the generation coming after us avoid the situation we find ourselves now where we are completely disconnected from national politics. Let’s adopt the strategic approach of sending our children to schools in other parts of Nigeria other than Cross River. This can help them build friendships and networks that will support their growth as they mature.

    I believe spending all the time schooling within have limited our opportunities. Look around your circle, most of the people you know are likely at a similar level or lack the influence to give you a push forward. Now, compare this to peers from other parts of Nigeria who attended school around the same time. Many of them have risen to positions where they can uplift others.

    To help our kids not lament like us, we must be deliberate about the quality of friends they keep and grow with. Most friendships that have stood the test of time were built in schools . Choose institutions at all levels where they can forge connections that will transform their lives. Let’s not repeat our mistakes and expect different outcomes.

    Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Inyali Peter, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Jarigbe Flags Off Rural Water Project In 22 Communities Benefit From Water Supply 

     

    No fewer than twenty-two (22) communities in Cross River North Senatorial District are set to benefit from Senator Jarigbe Agom’s rural water supply project, as the lawmaker flags off the project in the Senatorial District.

    During the 2024 Christmas celebration, Senator Jarigbe had directed all affected communities to contact the constituency officer and report if they lacked access to clean and affordable water.

    The communities, which had previously decried perennial water scarcity and lack of access to drinking water, noted that Senator Jarigbe kept his word.

    Representing Senator Jarigbe Agom at the flag-off ceremony in Ogoja, Constituency Officer Mr. Egar Mgbantul stated that the rural water project, which has become an annual initiative, aims to fulfill the basic needs of the people. It ensures access to safe domestic water, good hygiene, and other basic amenities in the affected communities.

    According to Mr. Egar, access to potable water is a fundamental human right. He also assured constituents that communities not captured in this phase will benefit from the next phase.

    The benefiting communities, spread across the five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial District, include:

    OBANLIKU LGA
    1. Bebuenkayang-Bisu

    2. Bessenge-Utanga

    3. Busi 4 – Busi ward

    4. Ablesang-Bishiri South

    BEKWARRA LGA

    5. Customary Court-Okpeche Afrike

    6. Ugboro-Ugboro Ward

    OGOJA LGA
    7. Bansan-Mbube West

    8. Ishibori Urban 1

    9. Mbock 1-Ekajuk 2

    10. Ukpe-Nkum Iborr

    OBUDU LGA
    11. Alege/Ubang Ward – Biwhe

    12. Begiading Ward – Ohong

    13. Ipong Ward – Bebuatsuan

    14. Ukpe Ward – Karu

    15. Utugwang South Ward – Ukpada

    16. Urban I Ward – Indiabeb

    YALA LGA

    17. Echumoga – Echumofana Ward

    18. Yahe – Yahe Ward

    19. Mfuma/Ntrigom ward- Ntrigom

    20. Ijiraga ward- Ijiraga 1

    21. Ezekwe – Igede Ward

    22. Aliforkpa – Yache

    Igede and Aliforkpa will be drilled after the rainy season.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA

  • Lady Petitions Embattled Ursula Agbor For Alleged Cyberstalking, Criminal Defamation

    Culled from CrossRiverWatch 

    By Kelvin Ololo

    Loveth Bissong has petitioned Miss. Ursula Agbor over alleged cyberstalking, criminal defamation and harassment to the Nigeria Police Force, Cross River State Command.

    Miss. Loveth Bissong, petitioned the embattled Ursula, through Basic Rights Partners – a law firm fighting human rights in the state and the South-South region of the country.

    The petition signed by Kehole Enya, Esq. for the Basic Rights Law Partners and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, dated 4th August, 2025 and received 5th August, 2025, noted that their client has been subjected to a series of deliberate and harmful communications by Ursula through WhatsApp. These they stated, included unsolicited messages, voice notes, and calls that were defamatory, offensive, and psychologically disturbing and clearly intend to harass, embarrass and provoke Loveth.

    They held that the actions of Ms. Agbor amounts to cyberstalking and criminal defamation, and have caused their client emotional distress, public embarrassment and genuine concern for her safety.

    The petition reads: “We are Solicitors to Miss Loveth Bissong (hereinafter referred to as “our client”), and We write upon her firm instructions to petition your office against one Ursula Agbor for acts of cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and harassment via the WhatsApp messaging platform.

    “Our client is a law-abiding Nigerian citizen. However, she has recently been subjected to a series of deliberate and harmful communications by the said Ursula Agbor through WhatsApp. These included unsolicited messages, voice notes, and calls that were defamatory, offensive, and psychologically disturbing were clearly intended to harass, embarrass and provoke our client.

    “The actions of Ms. Agbor amounts to cyberstalking and criminal defamation, and have caused our client emotional distress, public embarrassment and genuine concern for her safety.

    “In light of the foregoing, we respectfully urge your office to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into this matter and also take appropriate steps to address the malicious and criminal use of digital media to stalk and harass our client.

    “We trust in your swift and firm intervention to address this growing menace and to restore our client’s peace of mind. Thank you for your attention.”

    As of news time, source hinted CrossRiverWatch that Miss Ursula Agbor is in the police net at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Calabar

  • For Clarity On #JariBurs BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    I want to confirm that I am coordinating the #JariBurs bursary program for Sen Jarigbe Agom. I am not a member of his party neither do I have anything or intend to do anything with his political party. But I have written about so many things about our Senatorial District and he agrees to implement some. He listens if you make sense and can articulate your ideas firmly and convincingly.

    The ideas have been simple and straight forward. Incrementally replace three days medical outreaches with health insurance policies for our people. Be blind to political party lines. We had #JariCare. You are putting down, N50million for bursary; #JariBurs. Oga, eliminate bursary committees, the committee members will chop at least a quarter of the money and load the list with cronies and acolytes and ask beneficiaries to return part of the money as kick back. Remove individual contact with cash for distribution. Use tech. Remain blind to party lines. Select the people through an unbiased process, across party and non-partisan lines. Be a leader with a large heart. Again, leave party out of it. I will help create a process that, though not perfect, but will ensure 500 people get their 100,000 neatly without stress. Not a dime will miss. I repeat, not one dime will miss. Verifiable data will then be provided and can be retrieved in seconds anytime it is needed.

    Senator Jarigbe is not involved in the selection process. He is not sending us any name or requesting that we include any name on the list. I am also not personally interested in adding or squeezing any name into the list. Tech will do that. I can give other people a hundred thousand Naira too for their fees. We need to set a precedence in our Senatorial District, so others will copy. This process will not be perfect, but it will be better than what has been going on in the past and we will take feedback from this and improve on the next one. It is work for our people.

    I requested that the Senator should give me and my team a manacle free environment to do our work. What you want is 500 students from Cross River North to get 100k. I will do that for you seamlessly and give you the verifiable data, after. Data that will remain useful for planning as time goes on. My biggest joy at the end of this will be, seeing the testimony of a poor student who is not in Senator Jarigbe’s party, who does not even know Senator Jarigbe, or not have or know anybody to call and lobby, but is very intelligent and could get this 100k assistance from a system that was blind and transparent.

    So there is no amount of lobbying or pressure or messages to my inbox that will bulge this process. Stop wasting your time. Health care, education, provision of water etc, aren’t things that we will continue to play politics with. Majority of our people have suffered for too long and we need to take imperative interest in creating long term solutions to these basic problems. We need to eliminate corruption and thievery from these processes to capture more people who have nobody to call or lobby, into an inclusive society. I will continue on this path whenever my input is sought.

    The electronic balloting system will be done in the presence of the Senator and his team. Beneficiaries will be published and I will ensure, as the Senator desires, that the 100k gets to all the 500 eligible students.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #JariCare
    #JariBurs
    #JariEnterprise
    #JariMoreToCome

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.