The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • NITDA To Make Cross River State An IT Hub

    NITDA To Make Cross River State An IT Hub

    By Admin

    The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi has promised to make Calabar, Cross River State one of the Regional IT Hubs the Agency is set to establish across the Country.

    The DG, who is a Massachusetts trained tech expert disclosed this on the 13th of October 2020 when the Director General, Cross River State Border Communities Development Commission (BORDERCOMM), Mr. Noel Ugbong led a delegation of his team to NITDA Headquarters, Abuja.

    Mr. Ugbong facilitated the DG, NITDA who is barely one year in office and extended the Governor’s goodwill message as well as commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing this young, vibrant and tech savvy business-minded youth as Director General of the Country’s IT regulatory Agency.

    Mr. Noel Ugbong praised the Agency for the post-graduate Scholarship program and noted that “It is only NITDA Scholarship that gives equal value to all the States which is very commendable”

    The BORDERCOMM Director General commended the Agency for the Smart Agriculture programme and requested the DG to extend the Programme to Cross River State especially now that the State is one the leading States in the Green Revolution.

    Mr. Noel Ugbong used the opportunity and appealed to the Agency to equip the Skills Acquisition Centres recently handed over to Cross River State border Communities by the Border Communities Development Agency Abuja.

    He posited that if NITDA provides the centres with IT equipment and technical support, it will go a long way to create wealth, IT solutions and control migration. He further briefed the Agency of the steps Cross River State has taken geared towards advancing IT solutions and expertise which NITDA can leverage on.
    Amongst which is the Tinapa Knowledge Centre and available optic fibre across the length of the state.

    Mr. Noel Ugbong appealed to NITDA to provide Internet support to Obudu Mountain Resort which is Nigeria’s number one Tourism Flagship.

    Responding, the enigmatic DG of NITDA assured the DG, BORDERCOM that his Agency was on the verge of creating regional IT Hubs across the Country. He stressed that Calabar has the enabling facility for easy takeoff, the Agency will Consider making it a regional hub. He promised to extend the smart Agriculture programme to Cross River State after the pilot program in Jigawa State.

    The Deputy Director IT Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Muhammed Saidu thanked the BORDERCOMM team for the visit and commended the Governor of Cross River State for the tax exemption in the State.

  • Peter Akpanke Makes List Of Hon. Jarigbe Agom’s Campaign Council

    Peter Akpanke Makes List Of Hon. Jarigbe Agom’s Campaign Council

    By Elijah Ugani

    Barely 24 hours after Mr. Peter Akpanke dissociated self from the campaign council of the factional candidate of the PDP in the October 31st 2020, CRN senatorial district rerun election, he has been nominated into the campaign council of Rt. Jarigbe Agom’s campaign council.

    Mr. Peter Akpanke is the President/Founder of The Akpanke’s Foundation, a nonprofit and humanitarian organization that has touched the lives of most vulnerable persons in the northern senatorial district and is said to have a broad support base across the district.

    He is said to be a staunch supporter of the Member of Parliament, who he believes is a pathfinder and the hope of the northern senatorial district of our dream.

    Though, Mr. Akpanke cited non compliance with with Democratic tenets by Dr. Stephen Odey over his inclusion into his campaign council, it is a known fact that his attachment and support for the MP is the major reason for his dissociation.

    This is however the first time since the return to democracy in 1999 that two persons are laying claims to the party ticket.

  • Peter Akpanke Dissociates Self From 2020 PDP Campaign Council For Northern Senatorial District

    Peter Akpanke Dissociates Self From 2020 PDP Campaign Council For Northern Senatorial District

    By Admin

    A front line supporter of Rt. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for the Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Mr. Peter Akpanke has dissociated self from the publication of a faction of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, supporting Dr. Stephen Odey.

    In release made available to The Lumine News and signed by Mr. Peter Akpanke, indicates that he was never consulted and that the action of the mischief makers violates every known democratic tenets, principles and practice.

    Akpanke however noted that he has no intention to join issues with any person or group of persons and called on the public to disregard the publication which has the intent of misleading the public.

    The release reads in full “My attention has been drawn to a misguided and purported list circulated in the social media under the Finance sub committee as member of a campaign council.

    “For the purpose of the records, I wish to state categorically that I was not at any point consulted to be part of any campaign council, and therefore dissociate myself from any form of membership of any campaign council.

    “My name as contained in that document violates every known democratic tenets, principles and practice. However, I have no intention whatsoever to join issues any person or group of persons.

    “The general public is hereby intimated to take note and disregard the purported publication of my name as a member of the Finance Committee of the campaign Council. This was done to mislead the public”

     

  • Police Rescues Pregnant Teens, Babies From Alleged Baby Factory In Cross River

    Police Rescues Pregnant Teens, Babies From Alleged Baby Factory In Cross River

    George Odok Jr

    Cross River State Police Command has rescued three pregnant women and two babies from an alleged baby factory in the state.

    The State Commissioner of Police, CP Abdulkadir Jimoh, disclosed this to newsmen in Calabar.

    He said a team of policemen in the state led by him rescued the victims when the team stormed the residence of one Madam Ima-Obong Asuquo in Obot Udonna village in Akamkpa LGA on October 13 2020.

    The Commissioner said the rescue operation took place at about 3.40hrs following a tip-off.

    The commissioner said three pregnant teenagers, Blessing Francis, 19, Blessing Okon, 19, and Blessing Solomon, 21, were rescued during the operation by his men.

    He confirmed that two children, Bright Solomon, two years old and Michael Etim, 7 years old were also rescued.

  • President Buhari Addresses #EndSars Protesters Across The Country

    President Buhari Addresses #EndSars Protesters Across The Country

    President Buhari address #EndSars protesters across the council

  • Senator Imoke Constructed Interlocking Kerbs To Safeguard Other People’s Lives, God Used His Good Work To Save His Life – Eko Atu

    Senator Imoke Constructed Interlocking Kerbs To Safeguard Other People’s Lives, God Used His Good Work To Save His Life – Eko Atu

    God rewards good works.

    I need to tell this story especially for those of us who find ourselves in position of authority, or hold one office or the other in trust for the people.

    I recall when Imoke came onboard as governor, he awarded the contract for the interlocking kerbs from the bottom hill to the summit of the Obudu ranch resort.

    This was to further secure the lives of visitors to the ranch who use their cars up the ranch. It could be recalled that so many lives have been lost on the Obudu ranch mountain road either due to break failures or other mechanical faults.

    So it became necessary to assure visitors of their safety while commuting up and down the ranch.

    H E, then Senator Ben Ayade had lost the Mum and as usual with Imoke, went to Obudu to first attend the vigil night and the church service the next day.

    We left Calabar a little late for Obudu. I drove with H E, the Deputy Governor in his car; while Senator Ndoma Egba drove with H E Imoke.

    We had a good time out with H E, then Senator Ayade who given his sociable nature ensured everybody on the convoy was well taken care of.

    We departed Obudu a little late that night to sleep over in the ranch so we could come for the church service the next day.

    For some of us who have visited the ranch especially going up the ranch at night will attest to the fact that the ranch at night becomes foggy. Midway on our journey up the ranch, H E, the deputy governor looked back in the foggy weather and said to me that he can’t sight the headlights of H E cars.

    He then asked his driver to make a U turn, but it was dangerous given that the whole place had become so foggy. We got down and started trekking back to see if we could sight the headlights of H E’s convoy.

    We had trekked for some 30min down the hill, when we sighted the headlights of the convoy. When we reached where the cars were, we realized there had been an accident involving H E. Apparently, the driver had slept off and the car was going into the ditch. The CSO who was Infront manuvoured the steering and the car came crashing on the kerbs.

    H E had a fracture on his right hand which kept him away from work for several weeks because he needed an operation.

    I just remembered that incident and I ask myself, if those kerbs were not in place; the obvious may have happened.

    So when you are in office or position of authority, build that health centre, because you may never know if the first aid you need to survive in an emergency would be provided by that facility. Build that school because the child who goes to that school, might become a medical doctor tomorrow who might save your life.

    God rewards good works, and because Senator Imoke had constructed those interlocking kerbs to safeguard other people’s lives, God used his good work to save his life.

  • Micro Projects: CSDA Intervenes In 350 Communities Of Cross River State

    Micro Projects: CSDA Intervenes In 350 Communities Of Cross River State

    No fewer than 350 Communities across the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River state have benefitted from the State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) Projects.

    The Cross River State Government, World Bank Assisted project is a Community Driven Development (CDD) and intervention mechanism designed for improving empowerment, service delivery and local governance through empowerment of people in the local communities.

    Speaking during a post completion and Project sustainability workshop organised by the Agency in Calabar, the Commissioner for International Development Corporation, Dr Inyang Asibong said that over 900 community projects in all the 18 local government areas have been executed.

    According to Asibong, the Agency has empowered more citizens at the local government levels, with improved service delivery, accountability, transparency and effective communication in the last five years of Governor Ben Ayade’s administration more than ever.

    The commissioner while encouraging the beneficiaries to sustain the assets created in their various communities, warned that Government will not provide further support to any community who fails to maintain and sustain previous projects in their domain, including health centres, boreholes and classroom blocks.

    The Board Chairman of the Agency, Sir Toni Ikpeme commended the communities for implementing thier projects according to standards and specifications. He encouraged them to apply community level strategies to maintain and sustain the assets.

    Also Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager of the Agency, Mr Fidel Udie commended Governor Ayade for funding the Agency to provide support to Communities especially in the height of the COVID 19 pandemic.

    The workshop had relevant line MDAs in attendance, with beneficiaries from several communities where issues of home grown sustainability strategies were discussed, such that benefits can be guaranteed over a long period.

  • God Used The Ayades To Make Me Chairman Of Obanliku Local Government Council – Margaret Inde

    God Used The Ayades To Make Me Chairman Of Obanliku Local Government Council – Margaret Inde

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Council, Evangelist Mrs. Margaret Inde, has stated that God used the Ayades to perfect his plans of making her Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Council.

    The Chairman disclosed this during the thanksgiving service held in her honor at Message Point Assembly, No. 199 Parliamentary Road, Calabar on Sunday October 11th, 2020.

    In her words “I want to thank God for this day, indeed God is still using his own to perfect his plans. I would not have become Chairman of Obanliku if not for my dear mothers, Dr. Linda Ayade and Mrs. Elizabeth Frank Ayade. I was at this alter praying and asking God to have his way, while here praying, the wife of the Governor was busy calling and asking me if all was OK with me. They ensured that everything went according to God’s plan.

    “Prior to the election, I had a dream that President Umaru Musa Yaradua of blessed memory, visited Calabar, and in that dream, he singled me out and asked me to come to him at the podium and I did, he made me sat beside him. After the function he came for, he flown me to Abuja, gave me a position and showed me a mansion to live in, that was the libration for me.

    “When I woke up and realized it was a dream, at first I wasn’t comfortable, and couldn’t believe myself, but I had to believe God and waited for the appointed time, and that time is now.

    “I see that God has used the Ayades in place of the late Yaradua, the former President of this country. I want to thank God for a dream come true.

    “I’m grateful first to God Almighty for his magnanimity and love towards me for this opportunity to serve my people in spite of my unworthiness, secondly to the Ayade family for the support and believe in me, in fact, I am a foster child of the Ayades. Also, my parents in the Lord, Apostle and Mrs. Bassey Udosen who have always prayed and prophesied for me.

    “I had another dream when God told me that I was going to build a house for him, and I asked myself, how can a civil servant whose salary was just seventy thousand naira build a house for God.

    “I didn’t know that God has something great for me and that he will provide the fulcrum for me to begin this project of building a temple for the Lord, it is on this premise that I want to call on you all who have identified with me today in thanksgiving to the Lord to join me to support the building of this church”

    Earlier, Apostle Bassey Udosen, admonished the congregation to utilize the opportunity they have while still alive for the service of God and mankind.

    He noted that nothing will be important when we breath the last, are the things we did while we were alive. He charged all present to consider living a life of impartation and good deeds.

    The man of God used the opportunity and prayed for Governor Ben Ayade and his Deputy as well as the Chairman of Obanliku, Evangelist Mrs. Margaret Inde, he asked for God’s guidance, and that his favours and grace to directs her affairs as she steers the ship of Obanliku local government council to an enviable height.

    The Deputy of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu, joined the Chairman of Obanliku local government council in thanksgiving and made a donation for the church building project.

    Also, the wife of the Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade was visibly filled with with joy to be in the Lord’s presence and used the opportunity to pray God Almighty to grant the Chairman whose emergence is a manifestation of his plan, the grace to complete the work he (God) has started in the life of his dear daughter, Evangelist Mrs. Margaret Inde. She further joined the Deputy Governor and made a contribution to the church building project.

    The thanksgiving was graced by numerous friends, fans, supporters, PDP party faithfuls, Council Chairmen of the 17 local government areas, well wishers of the Chairman too numerous to mention who made their donations to support the church building project.

  • BREAKING: IGP Scraps SARS Nationwide

    BREAKING: IGP Scraps SARS Nationwide

    Culled From Punch

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has announced the dissolution of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

    He said the operatives will be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

    Adamu announced this in a live broadcast on Sunday afternoon.

    The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.

    At the briefing, the IGP said, “The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory.”

  • We Are Assembling Machinery, Equipment And Materials As We Plan Towards A Mega Empowerment Programme – Sandy Onor

    We Are Assembling Machinery, Equipment And Materials As We Plan Towards A Mega Empowerment Programme – Sandy Onor

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has stated that he is working towards assembling machinery and other materials that will bless the fortunes of his constituents through a mega empowerment programme planned for 2021.

    The lawmaker disclosed this to The Lumine News when contacted to comment on the just concluded five days Entrepreneurship Development programme for Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria he facilitated, held at his Constituency Office, No. 1, Okim Osabor Street, 4 Corners – Ikom Local government Area of Cross River State.

    In his words “We are poised to provide the twenty first century representation through effective legislation on issues that bother on the wellbeing of Central Senatorial District, Cross River State and the country at large, which is the primary function of a lawmaker.

    “We are assembling machinery, equipment and materials as we plan towards a mega empowerment programme next year. We will capture all of them that have been trained according to their skills”

    The Senator maintained that “I decided on purpose to facilitate the five days Entrepreneurship Development training because of my desire which is born through genuine intention to empower my constituents, through the mega empowerment, come next year.

    “For any intervention or empowerment to be sustainable and result oriented, you must design a framework that guarantees effective implementation. This motivated me to facilitate the five days Entrepreneurship Development training, preparatory to the mega empowerment.

    “The mega empowerment we envisage will sure guarantee sustainable development and create wealth for my constituents.

    “I’m very delighted to see participants come out in their numbers to attend the five days Entrepreneurship Development Training. With the report I got from the field, I can assure you that we are at the right trajectory to realizing our dream of the mega empowerment come next year”

    The training is intended to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria to reduce the pressure of unemployment in the society.

    Some of the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the programme and expressed their gratitude to Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor, who they described as God sent who understands the needs of his people in every season, as they pledged to apply their new techniques acquired during the training in their already existing businesses.