The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Philip Obin Facilitates 110 Slots For The One-off Survival Fund For Biase LGA

    The Technical Assistant to the Vice President of Nigeria on New Media, Hon. Philip Obin is facilitating 10 slots each for the 11 wards of Biase LGA for the N30,000 one-off Survival Fund Grant.

    Total of 110 Slots = N3,300,000

    Required details:

    Surname:
    Middle name:
    First name:
    Sex:
    Phone no:
    Bank name:
    Account no:
    BVN:

    Beneficiaries must be resident in Calabar or able to travel to Calabar as physical capturing is scheduled for today, Monday 15th February, 2021.

    Also, those who were captured in December and subsequently paid are exempted, as the system already has their data and cannot pay them twice.

    Leaders of each ward have been contacted to collate and submit details of beneficiaries from their respective wards before 4pm Sunday 14th February 2021.

    Recall that 500 persons had in December, 2020 and early January, 2021, benefitted from the N30,000 one-off Artisan Grant facilitated by Hon. Philip Obin.

    Between December, 2020 and January 2021, a total of 15 million naira has been disbursed to 500 Cross Riverians. This is in addition to several others, whom the Presidential Aide has helped secure approval for COVID-19 loan applications and the Payroll support for indigenous companies, valued at over 200 million naira.

    Also, 34 members of the newly inaugurated caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River were given slots; Akamkpa and other LGAs were also considered.

    Speaking on a telephone with The Lumine News, Barr. S. A. Akpanke, lecturer and Exams officer, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar noted that Mr. Philip Obin’s love and service to Cross river youth is unprecedented. He used the opportunity to call on all youth in the state who are in a position to assist others to take the steps initiated by Mr. Obin for the betterment of our dear state.

     

  • At 55, Prof. Sandy Onor Has Undauntedly Impacted Humanity Through Effective Service Delivery.

    By Elijah Ugani

    As I reminisced on the existence of Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor in this physio temporal terrain, I am yet to come to terms with the specialty associated with the uniqueness of his creation.

    I really don’t know where to start writing this piece from, because I will end up writing a book in his honor, considering the import of his magnanimity and service to humanity.

    Sen. Onor is currently a Professor at the Department of History & International Studies in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. Where he has taught a thousand generation of scholars who are currently braking grounds and setting records in all spheres of life. He has mentored so many young persons including his peers and colleagues both in the academia and politics. No wonder the President of the Nigerian senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, could not control his emotions when he declared Sen. Sandy Onor as the orator of the 9th senate.

    He has authored several books, including The Ejagham Nation in the Cross River Region of Nigeria (1994 & 2015), and Local Governance in Nigeria (2005). No wonder he is vested with the needed prowess to navigate and circumvent the huddles associated with leadership within the Nigerian context.

    Prof. Sandy has been highly recognized and decorated for his scholarship and other achievements, within and outside the country.

    At various times, he had served as the Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Council (1999-2002), Chairman, Cross River State Local Government Service Commission, Commissioner for Agriculture (2010-2011) and Commissioner for Environment (2011-2013) among other public offices.

    As a first timer in the senate, I recall my rebuttal to the attack on his person by his traducers on June 20th, 2020. I requested them to give the senator and all first timers up to December, 2020 to ask for their score cards.

    Sometimes around September, 2020 Sen. Onor rolled out a litany of constituency projects across the six local governments that made up the central senatorial district. My joy know no bounds because he didn’t disappoint me. The most important aspect of it being that majority of his constituents are very proud of his enigmatic representation and have no regret in his holding their mandate.

    The tact with which he lobbied and got the highest number of constituency projects spread across the central senatorial district in the history of the state remains a mystery.
    Sen. Onor needs to be understudied.

    His is currently distributing computer systems and accessories to five secondary schools in five local governments in the central senatorial district.

    Of recent, he seemed to be the only senator who is in touch with his constituents at regular intervals, spinning through the south, central and northern senatorial districts of the state.

    Just recently, the Ndok Clan in Ogoja local government area of northern senatorial district, honored hi with a chieftaincy title having facilitated the grading of the Ndok – Kakwagom road.

    To have been born on the day when the entire globe celebrates the virtues of St. Valentine anchored on love, goes beyond mere coincidence. There seemed to be a divine ontology associated with his birth that is yet to be unraveled.

    His love for his mentees, students, constituents, cross river state and in deed humanity at large can only be best explained by divine providence.

    Prof. Onor’s stint at the senate visa viz his past records shows that he is an embodiment of selfless service to humanity.

    His recent bill for a special fund for our health sector lay credence to the fact that he understands our basic needs and his disposition to combat them headlong is not in doubt.

    I can best describe him as an epitome of knowledge, a quintessential trailblazer, a community mobilizer and builder, an astute politician, a seasoned administrator per excellent, a contemporary scholar of very high repute, a silent archiver.

    I admire his auditory prowess, his rendition of vocabularies effortlessly to the admiration of his listeners.

    On this auspicious day of his birth anniversary, like most cross riverians out there, we are very proud of him and will continue to support every of his initiative that is geared towards service to humanity.

    The best is yet to come as the future is even brighter. We expect more from him as he begins another cycle of life today.

    Senator Onor would continue to make cross river state proud as I pray for global platform to enable him showcase and market the state in particular and Nigeria at large to the world.

    Once again, congratulations to the distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

  • Ikenga Prince Ezeimo Invites You To NIMO Profile Conference 2021

    By Admin

    Prince Tony Ezeimo inviting people across the globe to join in his first edition of NIMO PROFILE CONFERENCE which he said is in line with the mandate given to him by his late mother to lead a campaign against abortion.

    According to Nkanga Ezeimo “In line with my Late Mother’s instructions asking me to lead a campaign against Abortion, I present NIMO PROLIFE CONFERENCE where we shall discuss elaborately the effects, menace and consequences of induced abortion, drug/substance abuse, sexual harassment and other related Bioethical issues.

    “It will be a life changing summit for Njikoka Youths and beyond.

    “Soonest, we shall register a movement that will be saddled with the responsibility of leading  campaigns against anti-life policies.

    “I implore you to be part of this life changing movement for the benefit of my generation and the next generation”.

     

  • NBA Sues Federal Government Over IGP’s Tenure Extension

    Culled From LoyalNigerianLawyer

    Recall that the tenure of Mr. Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police which expired on the 1st day of February 2021 was further extended by 3 months.

    The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association have looked at the said tenure extension, and is of the considered opinion that the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, does not have the powers to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police and that such extension is unconstitutional.

    Consequently, the Nigerian Bar Association through the NBA Public Interest Litigation Committee (NBA-PILC), has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court challenging the said tenure elongation.

    In the Suit, the NBA seeks judicial determination of the constitutionality of the President’s extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure as the Inspector-General of Police for three months after Mr Adamu had, on 1 Feburary 2021, attained thirty-five years of service as a member of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The NBA’s decision to take this extraordinary line of action is underpinned by an urgent need, and a sacred duty, to reassert the supremacy of the rule of law in the face of growing impunity and the seeming reluctance of Law Officers in Government to give proper counsel.

    The NBA’s position in the Suit is that Mr Adamu ceased to be a member of the Nigeria Police Force when he attained the milestone of thirty-five years of service. Therefore, the President’s extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure by three months, in the NBA’s respectful view, is unconstitutional.

    In the grand scheme of things, the NBA is wary that the more government officials casually violate the law, the harder it would become to expect citizens to be compliant. Citizens take their cues from their leaders and public office holders who flout the laws of the country that they are meant to uphold will discover sooner or later that their examples will be followed by those that they purport to govern.

  • NEWMAP Dissuades Cross River Communities From Indiscriminate Dumping Of Refuse Into Drains

     

    By Nsa Gill – Calabar

    The management of the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project NEWMAP, Cross River State has charged benefiting communities of the World Bank assisted projects to take ownership and guide the projects jealously.

    The charge was given in a workshop on Wednesday, February 10th 2021 in Calabar organised by NEWMAP to sensitize communities on waste management and Erosion prevention.

    The Commissioner for International Development Corporation and the Acting Project Coordinator of NEWMAP in the State, Dr. Inyang Asibong decried the nonchalant attitudes of benefiting communities towards the multi-million naira projects to be eroded by irresponsible human activities.

    She averred that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains is causing erosion even in areas where erosion control had earlier been achieved.

    Dr. Asibong charged communities to activate local waste management task force to checkmate and stop residents who often dump waste in the gutters.

    She assured that government will provide more refuse bin, but most importantly, local residents must understand the dangers and implications of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    Speaking during the workshop, on Effective Waste Management and Erosion Prevention, Dr. Escor Udosen, urged the communities to take responsibility for the various projects of government in their vicinity.

    One of the benefiting communities of NEWMAP projects, Ikot Ekpo community commended the various interventions of NEWMAP which has gone beyond erosion and waste management to provision of water as well as street lights in some instances.

    They pledged to do their best from the impact of the workshop and requested for the expansion of NEWMAP intervention in their area.

  • FG Inaugurates 1.12MW Power Plant in ATBU, Trains 20 Female Students On Solar Power Installation, Maintenance

     

    The Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR has recorded another landmark achievement as the federal government on Thursday, inaugurated a 1.12 Megawatts Solar Hybrid Power Plant in Abubakar Tafewa Balewa University, (ATBU), Bauchi, Bauchi State.

    The historic project which is part of the Ministry of Power Energizing Education Programme (EEP), had the Rural Electrification Agency, (REA) which is one of the agencies under the direct supervision of the Minister of State as the implementing agency.

    To ensure proper maintenance of the power plant, the federal government through REA’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme trained 20 female students of ATBU on solar energy deployment.

    Speaking, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbaja who joined the commissioning ceremony visually commended the Minister and the management of REA for their efforts in achieving the project.

    Osinbanjo said that the EEP programme is a policy that’s aimed at improving electricity supply to 37 federal universities and 7 teaching hospitals in the country.

    He charged management, staff and students of the University to take charge, maintain and protect the project.

    On his part, the Minister of State said that the project is a considerable win and a major step in providing sustainable and affordable power to homes, schools, hospitals, communities and economic clusters across Nigeria.

    Agba said that “This is another milestone of the Energizing Education Programme upon the commissioning of an 8.25MW solar hybrid power plant deployed at Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi on the 4th of December 2020.

    “The EEP is meant to provide sustainable and clean power supply to 37 federal universities and 7 university teaching hospitals across Nigeria. It is a privilege to carry on this mandate to ensure that the policies established to promote 24 hours electricity in our country brings forth positive and commendable results. With this, it is with a great sense of pride that I stand before you today to affirm that this is indeed the continuation of more achievements to come”.

    While noting that the project will help the institution achieve improved quality of education, he assured that “the coming months will see my ministry delving deeper into the various projects that will electrify more universities and communities and also lead to an upgrade in Nigeria ‘s economy”.

    The 1.12MW which has created 310 jobs already was built with a world class training center, efficient solar panels and batteries, 5.4km streetlight for illumination, distribution networks as well as backup power source.

    Reacting on behalf of the university, Prof. Muhammed Abdulazeez thanked the federal government for the project even as he promised that the university will properly maintain it.

    “We are happy that the federal government through the ministry of power brought this huge project to our institution. The project will not only serve our electricity needs, it’ll serve as a training ground for a lot of our technicians. We thank the government, the Ministers and the REA team for this”, Abdulazeez said.

    Climax of the event was the handing over of the project to the University authority by the Minister of Power, Engr. Sule Mamman and presentation of certificates to STEM graduates.

  • Breaking News: Man Gets 7 Years Six Months Imprisonment For Rapping Six Years Old Child.

    By Admin

    Mr. Isaac Evaghoghome has been convicted and sentenced to 7 years, six months imprisonment for rapping a six year girl.

    According to the prosecuting counsel, James Ibor Esq, “Isaac pleaded guilty to the charge of rape of a child (6 years at time of incident) is been convicted and sentenced to a term of 7 years and 6 months imprisonment by His Lordship, Hon. Justice E. E Ita.

    “I thank the Ministry of Justice, Cross River State, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State and Basic Rights Counsel Initiative for the great job”

  • UBA, Former Staff In Court Over Entitlements

    By Joseph Kingston, Calabar

    The United Bank for Africa (UBA) and its former staff, Mr Anthony Idagu, are in court over an alleged refusal of the bank to pay him his entitlements since 2018, as well as an unjustified termination of Idagu’s appointment after 18 years of meritorious service.

    The case, which is in the National Industrial Court, Calabar with suit number NICN/CA/20/2019 was presided over by Justice M N Esowe before his transfer a few months ago. The new Judge, Justice Sanusi Kado, is now in charge of the matter.

    In his statement of claims, Mr Idagu said he was deployed from the Calabar branch of the bank to Ikom in central Cross River in April 2013 as a cash officer, and that he had served in the Ikom branch faithfully till January 31, 2018 when his ordeal with the bank started.

    He averred that as a cash officer of the branch, he was saddled with the responsibility of carrying out integrity test for all staff of the branch following reports of underpayment of customers, noting that he diligently discharged this duty without hitches whatsoever.

    “I carried out the integrity test in conjunction with the Operations Officer of the branch with the aid of cameras without the knowledge of the tellers and one of the tellers (name withheld), failed the test.”

    He said when one of the officers failed the test, he reported his finding to the Control Officer, Mr Kenneth Akpom, who rather than discipline the staff, said the erring staff should be advised verbally and allowed to continue work.

    “We have on record several queries on the said staff, bordering on allegation of cash suppression and under declaration, including that of integrity test on January 31, 2018, but no action was taken against him by Branch Operations Manager, Mr Kenneth Okpom and Matthew Nyiam.

    “The integrity test register was signed by the Operation Manager and he followed his instructions given to him by the Branch Operations Manager to register every outcome of the integrity test which he duly signed,” he submitted.

    According to him, when he insisted on the right thing to be done with sanctions against the erring staff, a committee was set up to investigate the matter but surprisingly, the committee suspended him while the erring staff was left untouched.

    The suspension, he said, went beyond the recommended three months, and that despite the obvious lopsided decision and injustice, he was later asked to resign for no justifiable reason.

    “After eighteen years of meritorious service I was asked to resign just like that, and when I wrote in the resignation letter that I was asked to resign, they rejected it and said I should remove the clause ‘asked to resign’ and that I should say that I was resigning voluntarily. This was designed just to ensure that I do not get my benefits.”

    The former UBA staff appealed to the court to order the bank to pay him his outstanding salary and emoluments. The case was adjourned to April 20, 2021.

  • Gunmen Killed APC Ward Chairman In Benue

    By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) ward chairman of Gboko south, Tersoo Ahu, has been killed by gunmen in Gboko on Sunday.

    Ahu and other APC ward excos were said to be engaged in the training of party officials for membership registration and revalidation exercise when gunmen stormed the venue with clubs, cutlass as well as iron and manhandled him.

    The publicity secretary of the APC, Benue chapter, James Orgunga, who confirmed the incident, said the ward chairman who sustained serious injuries from the attack died later at a public hospital in Gboko, where he was receiving treatment.

    The brutal killing of the APC ward chairman in Gboko, the ancestral home of the Tiv people, may not be unconnected with the alleged factions within the party over the 2023 general election.

    The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Benue Command Kate Anene, a DSP, confirmed the incident and said the investigation has commenced arresting the suspects.

    “Yes I can confirm the attack and killing of the APC ward chairman in Gboko, our men rushed to the scene but the suspects fled. However we have identified them and very soon we shall pick them up,” DSP Anene said.

  • Young Girl Who Beat Security To Grab Osinbajo Hands In Nyanya Market Is Now VP’s ‘Daughter

    By Admin

    The personal photographer to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Tolani Alli, on Saturday, February 6, shared a very inspiring story about a girl named Chinaza.

    According to Tolani, Chinaza had breezed past the vice president’s personal security, grabbed his hand, and compelled him to visit her mum’s shop.

    The incident happened at the popular Nyanya market in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja when Osinbajo visited retail stores to promote the Trader Moni initiative of the Buhari administration.

    Osinbajo travelled to major markets in Nigeria when Trader Moni was launched to ensure that the funds reached traders.

    TraderMoni is an empowerment scheme of the federal government created specifically for petty traders and artisans across Nigeria.

    Tolani wrote on Twitter: “In 2018, Professor Osinbajo visited Nyanya market, Abuja to monitor the impact of the TraderMoni scheme, a mild shock greeted him.

    “Chinaza, whose mother owned a store at the market, and had promised herself to tell the VP what she thought of him from his appearances on her TV and other media, made her way through his security and grabbed his hand.

    “Amidst the presence of a security detail, and an extremely large crowd, she tugged at the VP’s hand ceaselessly, insisting that he visited her mom’s store, and telling him about how much he inspired her to be courageous and reach for her dreams.

    Fast forward to two years and some months later, Chinaza sits with her mum in the presidential villa, with a man who has now come to know her as a “daughter”.

    “Almost three long years since their time of contact and a few correspondences later, Chinaza is on her way to The University with dreams of becoming a Medical Doctor, and the ideals that she has picked up from observing The Prof. up close and afar are unchanged.”