The Lumine News

Author: News

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court Strikes Out PDP’s Appeal On Ward And Chapter Exco List

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Supreme struck out the appeal filed by the PDP challenging the judgement of the High Court and the Court of Appeal on the ward and chapter exco list.

    In a unanimous judgement, the court orders parties to bear their respective cost in the matter.

    The apex court has today January 6th, 2021 laid to rest the squabbles orchestrated by the ward and chapter congresses that produced parallel Exco.

    The National Working Committee NWC, had ratified the list that favoured National Assembly members and the exco sworn in virtually.

    The faction of the governor had insisted that the governor being the leader of the party in the state must be the one to produce the ward and chapter exco list.

    This however led to litigation. The matter was however decided in favour of the National Assembly members at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Dissatisfied with both the judgment of the two courts, the governor’s faction approached the supreme court.

    The Lumine News can authoritative report that there seemed to be tension in both camps with many insinuating that the governor may decamp should he lost the ward and chapter exco list to the National Assembly members.

    With this judgment, normalcy will return to the party as the authentic exco will settle to begin work.

    Speaking to The Lumine News, Mr. Peter Akpanke congratulated all the exco that were sworn in and said “indeed democracy has come to stay. This victory is for all of us, irrespective of our differences, and it will sure solidify our party”

  • Rovers FC Resume Preparations For 2020/2021 NNL Season With High Hopes

    By Kelvin Obambon

    With the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) season sets to kick off on 16 January, 2021, the Calabar based Rovers Football Club has begun preparations amid high expectations for the season.

    Speaking during the resumption of training at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Tuesday 5th January, 2020, Technical Director of the club, Mr Etta Egbe, said the team is advancing preparations for the opening season, while expressing optimism that Rovers would finish top on the table and possibly gain promotion for the country’s top flight league, which is the NPFL.

    “We have an ambition like every other club in the division. We want to see how we can get to the top and then gain promotion to the premier league where we rightfully belonged. This is what we are working towards. As you can see the players are having adequate training. We are preparing them for the opposition ahead. In ten days time the league will start and we hope to have a good representation.”

    Egbe further stated that with the quality of players, coaching and technical staff in the team, Rovers Football Club would put up performance that Cross Riverians will be proud of.

    He said “Cross River State Government has been very supportive to the team. We want to use this opportunity to thank Governor Ben Ayade, who has never said no to issues concerning Rovers Football Club. He has always been there for us. We need to reciprocate by getting the club good results that will take us to the premiership.”

    However, the resumption which comes amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic would have little or no visible impact on the team’s level of preparedness, as the Technical Director assured that Rovers Football Club has put in place adequate COVID-19 prevention protocols in line with directives from the national league body.

    He added that currently the squad is made up of 11 old players who will be complemented by additional 20 players for the season.

    The Nigeria National League has been out of action after it went for the 2019/2020 break in December, and never returned due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

  • Tension Heightens As Supreme Court Delivers Judgement On PDP C’River Ward and Chapter Exco List Tomorrow

    Supreme Court To Deliver Judgement On PDP C’River Ward and Chapter Exco List Tomorrow

    All is set for the apex court (Supreme Court) to deliver judgment on the ward and chapter exco list of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, tomorrow Wednesday, January 6th 2021.

    Recall that the PDP in the state has been fractionalized after two lists emanated from the party congresses held to elect ward and chapter exco.

    The two factions had the governor, Sen. Ben Ayade as leader while the other faction is led by National Assembly members from the state.

    The National Working Committee NWC, had ratified the list that favoured National Assembly members and the exco sworn in virtually.

    The faction of the governor had insisted that the governor being the leader of the party in the state must be the one to produce the ward and chapter exco list.

    This however led to litigation. The matter was however decided in favour of the National Assembly members at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Dissatisfied with both the judgment of the two courts, the governor’s faction approached the supreme court.

    The Lumine News can authoritative report that there seemed to be tension in both camps with many insinuating that the governor may decamp should he lost the ward and chapter exco list to the National Assembly members.

    As the supreme delivers judgment tomorrow, it lay to rest which faction will handle the affairs of the party in the state.

  • 30 Women Detected With Breast Cancer In October 2020 – Linda Ayade

    Simon Ushie

    The wife of the Cross River State Governor and the President/Founder of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Dr. Linda Ayade has disclosed that her organization in collaboration with the Cross River State Government have identified 30 women across the three Senatorial districts of the State with various stages of breast cancer in the past one month.

    Dr. Ayade made the declaration at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital during the annual flag of the the 2020 breast cancer awareness month and service provision organized by the Breast Imaging Society of Nigeria( BISON) aimed at reaching out to to women and men in the state to create cancer management and prevention strategies to beat the growing incidences of breast cancer in Cross River State.

    Dr Ayade said, her organization and her office having identified the essence of early detection, partnered with the state government through the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to move into Communities working side by side with local media agents to draw people into checking for lumps in their breasts which was successful, and 30 patients have been identified and referrals made for advanced procedures on the patients.

    She pledged to be more committed in 2021 to sensitize more women “We hope to work closely with you all in 2021 and get more women sensitized, screened and treated on the various stages of breast cancer”.

    On her part, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr Janet Ekpenyong said, the month has offered her Agency the opportunity to improve upon some services especially breast cancer check through various trainings and workshops organized by partners like BISON with visible results been recorded.

    She said henceforth, every woman who visit any of the primary health care centres across the state will be subjected to compulsory breast check to halt the increasing figures of new cases and deaths.

    Head of the Breast Imaging Society of Nigeria (BISON), Cross River State Chapter, Dr Ofonime Ukweh, maintained that “though, all through the phase of Covid19, breast cancer remains the leading cause of death globally with over 600,000 deaths in 2018 alone”

    Dr Ukweh further called for a shift of attention from the consideration or believe that Breast Cancer is peculiar to the female gender alone, she calls on men at all ages and profession to present themselves for regular breast check in teaching hospitals across the country, with BISON ready to support patients who are diagnosed of cancer.

    She used the opportunity to call on all people to have an improved lifestyle through proper diating and regular exercise as well self and frequent check.

    She averred that the group in the past five years have seen them offer services including world class breast imaging, image guided intervention and research following best global practices.

  • Obudu Cargo Airport: 3 Shot And Hospitalised As Police Fires Protesters

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch

    Three residents of Okambi community have been shot by a combined team of Police personnel and civilian gunmen in Obudu Local Government Area of northern Cross River State, over the controversial proposed Passenger and Cargo Airport, eyewitnesses say.

    The victims are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility while two others arrested are also detained at the Mopol 75 base in Obudu.

    The victims include a woman who was shot on both legs, a young man shot in the wrist, another was shot in the elbow while the fourth was hit by a heavy stick by a Police officer which led to him losing consciousness for a while.

    The shooting, beatdown and arrests occurred when resident protested to halt the demolition of houses without compensation by the Cross River State Government to pave way for its proposed Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport.

    Mr. Paul Obi, an aide to Governor Ben Ayade who is in charge of the project had written the community to inform them that demolition will commence today while compensation will be processed at a later date.

    “We mobilized our youths and women and went there to tell them that they had to resettle us first and pay compensation before the demolition of our homes, but they brought guns, Operation Akpakwu and gangstars to shoot at us and chase us away while the bulldozers moved in,” a senior resident (name withheld based on advice from security experts) told CrossRiverWatch moments ago.

    Operation Akpakwu is a security team comprising of personnel from the Police, military and paramilitary forces operating in the State set up in December to combat the rising spate of kidnappings, gang wars and armed robbery.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Paul is said to have employed civilians and armed them to protect himself following allegations that he was not advising Mr. Ayade properly which led to the myriads of challenges bedeviling the airport project.

    In his statement to CrossRiverWatch, he claimed those injured were shot by natives of Okambi community and accused them of attacking a Police officer.

    “Community men shot an Operator, burnt a Dozer (sic), vandalized many, deep machete cut on a Police officer attached to project (sic),” he wrote.

    On those injured, he wrote: “Those who got gun shots were from unprofessional handling of firearms within Okambi Youths. One Iduku Udide and Alonso Ukaba did the shooting that affected them within the crowd.

    But, Kajetan Ifeanyi, another eyewitness said the protesters demanded to see the Governor in person for meaningful agreement to be reached, and also ordering the suspension of work within the Okambi axis.

    According to Kajetan, “Today being Tuesday, 5th of January 2021, it was indeed a tragic morning in the Community as security operatives numbered in their hundreds alongside some thugs and contractors stormed the project site to resume work, reacting to this development, the villagers mobilised themselves to protest against this public ignominy.”

    He explained that the lady shot is a breastfeeding mother.

    This is not the first time violence has erupted over the airport which has cost two lives including those of a Senior Immigration personnel, Mr. Emmanuel Ushie and one community chief in Igwo village.

    Dozens have been arrested with some facing trial while properties of those who spoke vocally over the discrepancies in compensation have had their properties seized and kept at the Mopol 75 Squadron base at the Mega Hilton hotel owned by Mr. Ayade.

    Several protests have rocked the project with the Police often drafted in to shoot and scare away residents several times.

    The State recently claimed that over NGN900 million was paid as compensation to the residents of the five impacted communities. But, natives of these communities have continuously denied this, especially Okambi and Ikwomikwu which will lose at least 80 and 90 percent of ancestral lands. Those affected have also challenged the State to publish the list of beneficiaries.

  • As Magistrate Ashipu Protests Non Payment Of Salary For Two Years, Chris Edadi Resigns His Appointment For Collecting Salary Without Work For Two Years – Attah Ochinke

    By Attah Ochinke

    BETWEEN CHRIS EDADI AND MAGISTRATE ASHIPU

    These two citizens of Cross River probably don’t know each other. Am not aware of any connection between them except that each had the courage to speak up, and by coincidence, they spoke on the same day, 4th January, 2021. Both must have individually resolved that come 2021, they must take action. Thus on the first working day of the year, each person moved.

    Magistrate Iyeh Ashipu was employed as a magistrate into the Cross River State Judiciary and posted to Odukpani. She sits in judgment in her court; dispensing justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will. Or at least that’s what’s expected of her. For 2 years she has not been paid a salary. On 4th January, 2021, she left her court where she dispenses justice to others, to seek justice for herself on the streets. She took her two children to the gate of governor Ben Ayade’s office to protest the non payment of her salary for the past 2 years. Two yesrs? What has she been eating?

    Chris Edadi also acted in protest but from exactly the opposite end of the spectrum. In his case, he was being paid by Governor Ben Ayade as a political appointee, but given no work to do. He got tired of the injustice of pay without work and resigned in protest. He is not alone in the dilema of pay without work; estimates put his category of appointees without work at 6000 in Cross River State. The others are in quiet connivance with the government, to receive wages without labour.

    So how did we get here? Where, on the same day, one high official of government is on the street with her children crying for 2 years of work without pay, while another high official of the same government is resigning in protest over payment without work?

    Is there no policy co-ordination in the government? How do we have a situation where politicians are ascribed names in a fraudulent pretext of appointment, and paid from public funds, while judicial officers performing sensitive duties are left without salary for 2 years? When magistrate Ashipu goes back to her court after her one-man protest, is she expected to also reject bribes and eschew corruption?

    How did we get here?

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed here is solely that of Attach Ochinke and does not represent The Lumine News or its agent.

  • #EndSARS Destruction: Cross River Gov’t Attracts World Bank support

    By Admin

    The Cross River State Government has received support from the World Bank after the destruction of properties during the #EndSars protest  by hoodlums that took place in Calabar on Oct. 23 and 24.

    After the destruction, the state government through the Ministry of International Development Cooperation had approached the World Bank to render support to the state, especially in the delivery units of the World Bank Assisted Programme, CARES, which is scheduled to commence very soon in the state.

    The items donated include furniture, 20 seater conference chairs, air conditioners and inverters, laptop computers and printers, virtual meeting equipment, hybrid inverter with solar among many others.

    Speaking after distributing the equipment to the different units, the Commissioner for MIDC, Dr Inyang Asibong, expressed happiness with the gesture from the World Bank, saying that the distribution was coming at the first day of resumption of duties in the year.

    She explained that two result areas of the Ministry, FADAMA and EDF were badly affected during the protest and all the items were destroyed by hoodlums.

    According to her, the items will go a long way to enable the staff of the result areas to get back to work in preparation for the CARES programme.

    “The CARES is COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus of the government. It is going to be a state owned project and Gov. Ben Ayade is so committed about improving the lives of residents in the state.

    “We know that the poverty index in Nigeria is 40.1, and this is really high. Cross River is lower than the national average, 36.3, we want to further reduce that our percentage to at least a single digit.

    “I want to thank the World Bank for coming to our aid at this point in time, and we can assure them we will make the best use of these equipment,” she said.

    Also Speaking, Mr Fidel Udie, the Acting General Manager of Community and Social Development Agency, said that the donation confirms the good working relationship between the state government and the World Bank.

    Udie said that the donation will now put the state in a good position to participate in the CARES programme, which is a World Bank Assisted Programme.

    “These programme is basically meant to target the poor and vulnerable in the society. Of course, without these agencies and their platforms been able to have their working tools and be ready for the implementation of the programme, the state cannot join other states for the programme.

    “Gov. Ayade was able to follow up with the World Bank and here we have these equipment to help the delivery units to be ready for this programme,” he said.

    He mentioned the platforms benefiting from the equipment to include; CSDA, the state coordinating unit, FADAMA, Enterprise Development Funding, Smart City, Public Work Fare and the state Cash Transfer Unit.

  • Even If Jarigbe Doesn’t Win In The End, I Will Be Happy That He Would Have Taught Governor Ayade That You Cannot Always Ride On A People Roughshod And Go Away Without Bruises – Agba Jalingo.

    Kudos To Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

    I like Jarigbe Agom

    I love fighters.

    Jarigbe is the member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the House of Reps and he is having a running battle with governor Ayade over many things including the struggle for the Cross River North Senatorial seat.

    By my make up, I am naturally drawn to the underdogs. I love their triumph. The odds are always against them but they rise.

    I love Jarigbe because he has become the stormy petrel from within. I have nursed my doubts about his complete sincerity to follow through in his insistence that the right thing must be done by Governor Ayade. I always told him he will soon drop the gauntlet like they characteristically do in their party PDP, and enter a room then come out smiling with Governor Ayade and leave us with only pictures to publish. So far, he has proven me wrong.

    Jarigbe has demonstrated the firmness and effrontery that Cross River North needs in her next Senator. Governor Ayade’s first shot in the Senate when he was a green horn himself representing the same Cross River North Senatorial district before becoming governor, was to take on the red chamber frontally without fear or favor.

    The Senate under General David Mark, was deliberating in plenary over capital punishment for kidnappers. In his very famous intervention, Senator Ayade stepped up and berated the Senate and accused his colleagues of playing the ostrich when they collect millions of Naira and want to legislate the capital punishment for kidnappers who are mostly unemployed youths. This contribution made headlines and also cost Ayade some speaking time in the red chambers subsequently, after the leadership of the Senate began to see him as a rising threat. That is the stuff that Cross River North senators are made of. Tough, fearless, and knowledgeable. They have the ability to confront nonsense and call it what it is. That is the mould Jarigbe has cast himself in the last one year in Cross River.

    In a state where stakeholders with a louder voice that his. In a State with three former governors who are alive and kicking, a State with a former Senate leader of the Federal republic, a state with a minister in opposition, a State with former ministers and former this and that, who have mostly refused to stand up to be counted in the face of the arrogance of our governor, Jarigbe has been able to make himself available for the many Cross Riverians looking out for those that should call our governor to order. Jarigbe who may not be as rich as we perceive other individuals, is spending money, time, energy and building structures and getting down to the people to give them an alternative voice, yet he is in the governor’s party while the opposition politicians in the State are no where to be found.

    I feel a huge sense of relief because the trend where our governor feels that he can continue to hand pick individuals and stifle opportunities for the growth of choice and democracy particularly in northern Cross River must be challenged. Two male members of the State House of Assembly died and the governor sits and says their wives should go and replace them. A Senator dies and you bring up another stooge to impose on us?

    Are you God?

    Even if Jarigbe doesn’t win in the end, I am from Northern Cross River, I will be happy that he would have taught governor Ayade that you cannot always ride on a people roughshod and go away without bruises.

    Thank you.

    Yours sincerely
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The Opinions in this are strictly that of Agba Jalingo and does not represent The Lumine News or its agent.

  • Bekwarra Council Chairman In Company Of His Wife Celebrates 2021 New Year With Orphans, Pays Hospital Bill For Patients

     

    The Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Dr. Josephat Emeka in company of his dear wife, Mrs. Freda Luu Emeka celebrates the 2021 new year with orphans as part of his efforts to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged in the society.

    Dr. Emeka noted that “we have decided to embark on this hospital visitation to appraise the state and situation of the patients, who not privileged to celebrate this year’s new year in their homes on account of various ailments.

    “We cooked for the new born babies. We paid hospital bill for an accident victim and he was discharged.

    “Every position comes with responsibility, and my husband and I have made frantic efforts to reach out to the less privileged. It is our desire that we continue to touch lives as many as we within our lean resources”

    One of the beneficiaries who identified himself simply as Eneji, thanked the Chairman and his dear wife for the show of love and prayed God to continue to bless the family while their resources continue to increase to enable them reach out to others.

    The Chairman and his dear wife undertook the visit to General Hospital Abouchiche, and Primary Health Centre.

    Items provided during the visit includes; Cooked food, drinks, wrappers, diapers for the new born babies and tissues.

  • 43rd Birth Anniversary: Publisher Of The Lumine News Eulogizes Agba Jalingo

    Dear Agba Jalingo,

    As I reminisce on your birth, upbringing and existence, I’m yet to come to terms with the tact, uniqueness and exceptional consideration God displayed in your creation.

    Each time I reflect on your intelligence which spans through all human endeavors, I’m tempted to think that God exhibited a sense of bias during your creation.

    However, what is very amazing and interesting about this intelligence is the fact that you deploy same for the services of humanity.

    Each time I’m privileged to have a conversation with you, I learn a lot, for every discussion you initiate, you definitely espouse our thought process to emerging realities within the context.

    The rapid and steady growth of social media advocacy in Cross River State, to demand for effective leadership at all strata of our human endeavors is solely your initiative. This however has placed the state as the second most social media active state in the country with Lagos state being the first.

    Your resilience and dogged disposition to holding leaders accountable has been very rewarding. Majority of those who come to social media to attack you, celebrate you secretly for fear of the unknown.

    I have been privileged to watch a video that you joined a protest in 1998 during the military era, demanding for good governance and the return to democracy. Your activism has come a long way.

    I celebrate you because of your resolve to deploy your God given intelligence and wisdom as well as your talents to advocate for good leadership and to the services of humanity.

    You’ve been locked up severally, but at no time have you committed any crime but on account of speaking truth to authorities.

    You were declared prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. You won so many Awards and got multiple recognition.

    I don’t expect you to be a perfect person, for there is none of us on account of our existence was created to be perfect, you also have your short comings due to your human frailty.

    I want you to note that even Jesus who died for our salvation was never liked and celebrated by all and sundry, in fact he was accused of blasphemy.
    The same people that Jesus healed, performed different miracles for, were the same people who shouted “crucify him”

    The path you’re toeing has a price tag. But I know you’re prepared for whatever the outcome could be.

    You’re humble but very bold, you’re a happy even at your worst moments.
    Your smiles edifies the soul and reassures victory.
    You bear no grudge, you seemed not to have any enemy. What remains my dilemma is the fact that you know no brother or friend when the person does what you perceived to be the wrong thing.

    The many things that you do that I consider inappropriate or wrong, I have and will continue to excuse you because I have my own flows too, and I have learnt not to be judgemental or condemn anyone.

    Your respect for me when I hold a contrary view from yours and the tact with which you communicate your decisions without hurting me or outrightly dismissing me remains a mystery to me.

    You gave me the approval to start ‘The Lumine News’ and today we are growing by the day. The skills you taught us have rightly deployed here and we hope to get better by the day.

    On this auspicious day of your birth anniversary, let me charge you to reflect, retrospect and adopt the best form approach in your advocacy for good governance, while I wish you God unending grace, support, forbearance, patient, love and protection as you toe the path you’ve chosen.

    Be rest rest assured of my goodwill and that of the management of ‘The Lumine News’ as our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

    Once Again, happy birth anniversary to you!

    By Elijah Ugani