The Lumine News

Author: News

  • AYADECARE: Brigade Commander pledges Army readiness to partner CRSHIA on stakeholders security

    By Kingsley Agim

    The resolve of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency to midwife Health Insurance in the State has gained further impetus, as the Commander, 13 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General M. A. Abdullahi, today, March 17 2021, assured of the Army’s readiness to partner with the Agency to ensure the safety of all stakeholders and the smooth conduct of enrollment and other activities of the Scheme.

    Brigadier General Abdulahi gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit,  on the Management of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency in Calabar.

    Congratulating the State on the flag-off of AYADECARE, the Army Commander commended the CRSHIA for the well-organised event, adding that the essence of his visit was, partly, to tap into the Midas touch of the Agency.

    The 13 Brigade Chief cautioned against large crowd at enrollment centres, and called on the Agency to adequately furnish security agencies whenever it becomes necessary and unavoidable for a large crowd to gather, to enable Security Agencies provide adequate cover for the enrolees.

    In his response, the Director-General of the Agency, Chief Godwin Iyala, expressed delight at the visit and thanked the Brigadier General for the commendation which he sees as an indication that CRSHIA is on the right track.

    Chief Iyala attributed the smooth takeoff  of the Health Insurance Scheme to Governor Ben Ayade’s penchance for perfection and special zeal for the enthronement of quality, affordable and accessible health care for Cross Riverians and residents of the State in general.

    “As a Governor who gives priority to the health and well-being of the citizens, he ensures that no stone is left unturned in the match towards successfully enthroning Universal Health Coverage in the State,” Iyala remarked.

    The DG, called for the Army’s partnership, and maintained that the success of the CRSHIA and the Scheme also lies in the hands of Security Agencies. He beckoned on the Brigadier General to avail his officers and men the opportunity to enrol into the AYADECARE Scheme, which boasts of a robust Benefit Package that can take care of most of the health challenges of the officers and Men of the Armed Forces.

    The CRSHIA boss assured the Commander that his Agency would adhere strictly to security tips offered, as the State will not allow any Miscreant or group of hoodlums to take undue advantage, cause mayhem or pogrom to such a plausible scheme meant for the good and well-being of humanity.

    The DG further wished the Brigade Commander a successful tour of duty as he strives to maintain peace and order, which the State is well known for.

  • Jarigbe Agom Donates 1.5M For The Renovation Of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    By Elijah Ugani

    The member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency
    and Senator-elect for Cross River Northern senatorial district, Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom has donated the sum of 1.5M for the renovation of the abandoned Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    His donation follows that of Mr. Arthur Javis, Proprietor of the first privately owned university in cross river state, Arthur Javis University, who also donated the sum of 300k for same purpose.

    Recall that Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, member representing Ogoja state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly opened the floor when he donated the sum of 250k this morning.

    Agba Jalingo who initiated the donation, had announced this morning that the sum of 1.5M was needed for the renovation.

    Jalingo wrote “From preliminary findings, N1,500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira), can return the courtroom to where the Magistrate can resume sitting and hear cases.

    “We can join forces and contribute to achieve this goal in no time. It will be a real test of our commitment to collectively grow democracy and our communities. I am sure it will be something we will be proud we did, when we finally see pictures and videos of the Magistrate sitting in the courtroom renovated by “we the people.”

    “If you are interested in contributing to raising N1.5million for the repairs and light furnishing of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, kindly indicate your interest and a means of payment will be communicated. Be rest assured that all contributions, including the last penny shall be dedicated to this project only, through direct labour and account shall also be rendered publicly”.

  • Hon. Peter Odey Donates 250k For Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2

    By Elijah Ugani

    The member representing Ogoja State constituency and Leader of the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey has donated #250,000.00 for the repair of the abandoned Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    The Court according to a report by the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, the court has been abandoned for 25 years.

    The abandoned court was allotted to Hon. Peter Odey to build a private house by the Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade through the Commissioner for Land, when he applied for land.

    Hon. Peter Odey however, washed his hands off the piece of land when he realized that the premises belong to the court.

    Agba Jalingo had commenced Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    Hon. Peter Odey swiftly responded by donating #250.000.00 for the repair of the abandoned Court.

  • AyadeCare: CRSHIA Activates More Enrollment Centres

     

    By Kingsley Agim

    As enrollment into the State Health Insurance Scheme begins, the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency (CRSHIA) has activated more Enrollment Centres for ease of access to the exercise.

    A release by the Agency’s Director-General, Chief Godwin Iyala revealed that the State Ministry of Health Headquarters, General Hospital, Calabar, New Secretariat Complex – Calabar, Primary Health Centre – Mayne Avenue, Primary Health Centre – Ediba, Primary Health Centre – Akim, Primary Health Centre – Big Qua, Primary Health Centre – Diamond, Primary Health Centre – Edim Otop, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Ansa, Primary Health Centre – Kasuk, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Effanga, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Omin, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Ishie, and Bogobiri as the new Enrollment Centres.

    Chief Iyala further enjoined residents of the State to go out en masse to enrol in readiness to access health care services.

    The DG pledged the commitment of his Agency, in collaboration with the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency and other critical stakeholders will leave no stone unturned in actualizing Governor Ben Ayade’s avowed commitment to providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for all residents of the State, adding that with the emergence of AYADECARE, the much anticipated Universal Health Coverage has finally birthed in the State.

  • Agba Jalingo Commences Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    Following the turn of events that beclouds Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, Agba Jalingo has commenced mobilization for donation to repair the abandoned court, codenamed ‘Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2’.

    Agba asked a rhetoric question, ‘How Much Can You Donate?’

    “I wish to start by saying, I congratulate Hon. Peter Odey, for promptly cooperating with public outcry and stopping work at the premises of the Ogoja Magistrate Court 2. He did that even before the court injunction was issued by the High Court, Ogoja division. I think also that another piece of land should be allocated to Hon. Peter Odey to build his house.

    “Having said that, it is now public knowledge that the court room has been abandoned for over 25 years and anytime any court is closed, it is the common man that suffers the most. There is a reason courts are referred to as ‘the last hope of the common man.’ Courts provide a forum to resolve disputes and help to guarantee our rights to equal protection and due process under the law. Courts exist so that the equality of individuals and the state is reality rather than empty rhetoric. So closing a court room down for 25 years is a lot of disservice to the common man.

    “It is therefore, now time, to recover the Ogoja Magistrate 2 premises, in words and indeed, and return it to a habitable state so that the Magistrate in charge can resume sitting in his court and stop sharing the same court room with the Magistrate in court 1. It is the people’s court. Not government court. Like Police Stations, courts belong to the people. They are the temples of Justice.

    “From preliminary findings, N1,500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira), can return the courtroom to where the Magistrate can resume sitting and hear cases.

    “We can join forces and contribute to achieve this goal in no time. It will be a real test of our commitment to collectively grow democracy and our communities. I am sure it will be something we will be proud we did, when we finally see pictures and videos of the Magistrate sitting in the courtroom renovated by “we the people.”

    “If you are interested in contributing to raising N1.5million for the repairs and light furnishing of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, kindly indicate your interest and a means of payment will be communicated. Be rest assured that all contributions, including the last penny shall be dedicated to this project only, through direct labour and account shall also be rendered publicly”.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

    To donate, kindly click here https://dashboard.flutterwave.com/donate/eihzcj7vun0c

  • Six Months Ago, Agba Jalingo Wrote: Why Justice Simon Amobeda Should Leave Cross River And Exit The Bench

    (This opinion was written 6 months ago.)

    A court order from the vacation judge of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, has stopped INEC from recognizing any candidate of the PDP for the Cross River Northern Senatorial by-election scheduled for October 31, 2020.

    Vacation for federal high courts ends tomorrow Friday September 25 and federal high courts are meant to resume in Monday September 28.

    But while the matter is still pending in Port Harcourt, Governor Ayade went forum shopping for an injunction for his preferred candidate to be announced. He went to his friend, Justice Simon Akpa Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Calabar.

    Fiam, Justice Amobeda arrived Calabar on Sunday and on Monday 21st September, granted an injunction in favor of Ayade’s preferred candidate and ordered INEC to include the candidate’s name as the rightful candidate pending the determination of the motion on notice before him. This is happening during vacation. In broad daylight.

    When were the processes filed?

    Hon. Justices I.M. Sani and I.O. Oshomah are the two vacation judges in the South South. How on earth was it possible for Justice Simon Amobeda to sit during vacation when he is not a vacation judge?

    Was Justice Amobeda granted fiat to sit during vacation?

    What special interest does Justice Amobeda have in Cross River politics?

    He has played so many controversial roles in partisan political scenarios in our State that leaves much to be desired.

    He is the same judge who, on the eve of the contest, said APC did not have a candidate for the 2019 governorship election.

    He is the same judge that threw out Barrister First Baba Isa’s suit challenging the illegal creation of ministries on the exclusive list by Governor Ayade.

    He is the judge that gives all the pro Ayade judgments in Cross River State.

    Justice Simon Amobeda appears to have become a tool in the hands of Governor Ayade to thwart the wishes of the good people of Cross River State.

    I’m glad a petition has gone out to NJC again against Amobeda. Let more follow. He needs to tell the public how that injunction was granted when courts are not sitting.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the writer, Agba Jalingo and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • Ayade Chief Press Secretary Bars Media Aides From Speaking For The Governor

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita has barred all Media Aides working in the Press to desist from speaking for the Governor.

    In a release sighted by The Lumine News, and signed by Mr. Christain Ita, he warned that on no account should an appointee in the Media unit posture, parade or pass himself/herself off as speaking for His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade.

    The release reads in full “I have observed with utter disappointment that some persons in the Media Unit have regrettably arrogated to themselves the role of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and have persistently been posturing as speaking for the governor.

    “The latest of such incident occurred yesterday when one of the appointees in the unit reportedly spoke on a delicate issue he had no authorization is a case in point.

    “While I am still battling to clear the mess occasioned by the brazen zealotry of the purported spokesperson, may I warn that on no account should an appointee in the Media unit posture, parade or pass himself/herself off as speaking for His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade.

    “As a reminder, the responsibility of speaking for His Excellency the Governor, remains the exclusive preserve of the Special Adviser on Media/Chief Press Secretary.

    “Moving forward, any further circumvention of this warning shall be greeted with the severity of penalty it deserves, including a redeployment from the unit.

    “For a coordinated flow of information and a strategic response to issues that border on the Governor’s image, ONLY the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity holds the gavel, unless as he so delegates.

    “Signed.

    “Christian Ita

    “Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor”

  • UNICAL Announces Date For 34th Convocation Ceremony

    By Elijah Ugani

    The University of Calabar has announced a week long activities for the 34th convocation ceremony.

    In a release made available to The Lumine News signed by the Registrar, Mr. Gabriel O. Egbe fcal indicates that the ceremony is for graduands up to and including the 2019/2020.

    The release reads in parts “The 34th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar is hereby announced for the benefit of the general public and for graduands of this university. The ceremony which is for graduands up to and including the 2019/2020 session is as follows… ”

    According to the release, Press conference is to hold on Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 at the Council Chambers of the university.

    Convocation lecture is to hold on Friday, March 26th 2021 to be delivered by Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, on: The National Question and the Challenges of Nationhood.

    While Groundbreaking ceremony of the KAM-wire ODL Building and award of Diplomas/First Degrees/Higher Degrees/Conferment of Honorary Degree and induction into UNICAL Alumni will hold on Saturday, 27th March, 2021.

  • Pregnant Woman Hacks Her Husband To Death In Delta Over Extramarital Affairs

    By Admin

    A pregnant woman has allegedly hacked her husband to death over an alleged extramarital affair in Delta State.

    The incident happened on Monday, March 15, at Ekrejebor axis of Ughelli town in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

    The Lumine News gathered that the 22-year-old woman identified as Faith Okiemute allegedly killed her husband, Edafe Unuakpor, aged 27, with a machete.

    According to reports, after allegedly committing the crime, she fled to the Ughelli ‘A’ Division Police Station to escape jungle justice.

    “The woman was angry that her husband did not spend the night at home. After his return, she accused him of having been with another woman and machete him in one of his hands and abdomen,” a source said.

    “She ran to Ughelli ‘A’ Division police to report herself while friends of her husband rushed him to the Ughelli Central Hospital where he was confirmed dead. Angered by his death, the friends brought and dumped his corpse at the entrance of the Ughelli ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police which led to sporadic shooting by the police to disperse the crowd.” the source added.

    The Delta State Police acting Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the incident, said investigation is ongoing.

    The couple has a two-year-old child together while the pregnant woman is said to have two children with a former husband before she married the deceased.

     

    Warri Aproko TV wrote on Facebook;

    “#Update

    FURTHER DETAILS ON WOMAN WEY KILL HER HUSBAND FOR UGHELLI.

    VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

    Na Okiemute be name of the woman wey kill her husband Dafe for Ughelli this morning and she be marriage returnee as she don first go marriage before but return back to her papa house with two children before this young boy wey she kill today go marry her.

    Our reporter say na as the man return to his house this morning naim the woman engage am in a heated argument wey later degenerate into mortal combat Naim the woman carry cutlass take give the man finishing and doctors confirm the guy dead on arrival at the hospital.

    As at the time of this report, the killer wife dey chill out with police for Ughelli area command.”
    https://www.facebook.com/109349297877389/posts/115192770626375/?app=fbl

  • Anti-labour Bill: Cross River Organized Labour Takes Protest To House Of Assembly

    By Favour Izukah

    The Cross River Labour Chapter has embarked on a protest against a bill tagged by them as “Anti-labour” bill, which was proposed by Honourable Member Garba Datti Mohammed representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

    The protest which was held at the Cross River State House of Assembly Complex was to move against the bill which has passed the first and second reading seeking the transfer of minimum wage from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.

    According to the organized labour,

    passing such bill to law implies that the effort of the work force in the country to free itself from unfavourable conditions is a waste. Moreso, the bill only places them at the mercy of the state.

    However, the protest was made at the State’s house of Assembly to call on the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Etanj Jona William, to rule against the bill when it comes to the Assembly for confirmation.

    The protest was also used to table Local issues affecting workers in the state which includes; Release of gratuities to retirees, promotion implementation, release of the deduction made on Worker’s Salaries amongst others.

    Reacting to the protest, the Speaker of

    the Cross River State House of Assembly assured that the Honourable Members are in support of the workers and if they tag the bill as Anti-Labour, so it is.

    ” We are in total solidarity with you as an Assembly. We stand by you and we will walk with you. If we need to go up with you we will and if we need to go down with you we will.

    “I am assuring you one thing, if the bill comes to us for a concurrent confirmation, we will reject it.

    ” We work for the people and we are elected for the people. If you say the bill is wrong, I don’t think we have any right to continue.

    ” You have told us the bill is Anti-people. We will maintain it. Cross River state of Assembly says no to it.

    “I will take the copy of the material presented to me to the conference of speakers. We will deliberate on it and that decision must be favourable for you.

    On the part of the local issues affecting the workers in the State tabled before the Speaker, he said that the issues have been raised on several occasions but he will work at addressing them soonest.

    “On the issue that concerns the state, on more than three occasion we have taken up the matter and we will continue to take the matter up. I will meet with the new Head of Service and this will be part of the

    issue I will be discussing with her, which I will then take up to His excellency for final approval”.