The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Ikom Main Market Traders Commends Sen. Sandy Onor As He Drills Motorized Boreholes, Set To Build Health Facility For Them

     

    Admin

    The joy of traders in Ikom main market know no bounds as they continue to thank the Senator representing central senatorial district, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor for his magnanimity and steadfastness in keeping to words to fulfill his campaign promises.

    In 2019 during the electioneering, Prof. Sandy Onor had promised the traders in Ikom Main Market, motorised boreholes in the market to ease water challenge faced by traders.

    This gesture is in furtherance to the two million naira (#2,000,000) donated by the senator to displaced traders following an inferno which gutted parts of the market, earlier this year.

    The Chairman, Ikom Main Market Traders Union (IMMTU), Comrade Emmanuel Ogigha said; “In the history of this market, no elected official or government parastatal has remembered Ikom Main Market in any form. All we normally see is that they come here and collect revenue from us with nothing to show for the revenues we’ve been paying. We so much thank God for giving us somebody like Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor. The water project is ongoing. The people are working day and night to fast tract its completion”.

    “The DG Caterpillar Movement was here and he expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far. He also informed us that the Senator has concluded plans to construct a health facility here in the market for us. We are very happy I must confess. A health facility in Ikom Main Market is long over due”.

    “Series of terrible things has been happening here. Often times, women put to birth in the open while purchasing food and other items; a situation that is dangerous for the safety and survival of both the mother and the child.

    “During compulsory immunization, our women find it extremely difficult to take their children to health centers to be immunized because of the distance from the market. The initiative is a laudable one. It will go a long way in handling the numerous health emergencies we often encounter here. Health is wealth. You have to first of all be healthy before you can be able to pursue any goal. We thank distinguished Senator for keeping to his words. We thank him for his concern. We thank him for having us in mind. He is a man indeed. The entire market traders are happy with him.

    “On behalf of myself, my exco members and the entire people of Ikom Main Market, we say a big thank you to our Senator. May the Almighty God bless him”

  • NOLLYWOOD Films Wins Big At 17th Abuja International Film

    By Admin

    The 17th Abuja International Film Festival is pleased to inform the general Public that the film festival that went virtual for the first time in 17 years has come and gone with laurels awarded in 15 categories to deserving filmmakers.

    According to Temitope Duker, who doubles as a film maker and the festival director of the festival this year she started the night via the virtual closing ceremony that attracted over 100 filmmakers, journalist and film enthusiast explained to the virtual audience that she took over the mantle of leadership as festival director two years ago.

    In her opening speech, she said this years festival is remarkable and will go down in history as the year many festivals shifted from physical film festivals to virtual as it has been an interesting experience for them as organizers with its attendant challenges. She also enumerated the opportunities it offers in bringing people together irrespective of the distance. She was however quick to mention the threat it posses to our physical meetings.

    While analyzing the entries receive this year Duker informed the gathering that over 600 entries were received with 92 selected for screening and 42 nominated for possible awards.

    The 92 different Films in different genres were screened virtually over 5 days from 9th to 13th November, 2020
    She went further to highlight some of the films submitted with theme or subtheme on the COVID19 global pandemic that is still ravaging the world till date. Some of the films include; THE INVITATION from TURKEY,CHINA WAR EPIDEMIC from CHINA which centered on how china was able to contain the pandemic, Nigeria was not left out as they were SOCIAL COMMENTS, LOCKDOWN and ATUNMARILAKA from NIGERIA with ENTER THROUGH THE BALCONY from UKRAINE completing the COVID19 entries.

    The year also had an ambitious young female filmmaker Devine Jim George who is in her teens at just 16 submitting her film which was selected and nominated but. Films shot on phone were not left out as there were a couple but of special mention by the festival was LYT submitted.

    The Night saw Dimbo Atiya’s Film DRAWING STREGHTTH picking 5 Awards of the Night for OUSTANDING NIGERIAN FILM, ACTOR, ACTRESS, DIRECTING and GOLDEN JURY, other winners of the Night include Utomi Paul’s Dark for Short Film, Segun Olusola’s Outstanding Documentary films that was jointly worn by Mother Nature Manifestation from Kenya and Women Hold Up the Sky Africa from South Africa.
    The Founder of the Festival Fidelis Duker commended all the filmmakers from 74 countries for submitting their films while also congratulating all nominees and winners.

    This year, All nominees will receive a certificates of nomination which will dispatched to them.
    Below is the List of Winners

    17th ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    WINNERS

    1. OUTSTANDING EXPERIMENTAL FILM
    • SOCIAL COMMENT – NIGERIA
    • CALL ME NEGHUIHO – CAPE VERDE

    2. OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM (NIGERIA)
    • DARK – MOSES IPADEOLA

    3. OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM (FOREIGN)
    • DEFINE DELPHINE – BRAZIL

    4. OUTSTANDING FEATURE FILM (NIGERIA)
    1. DRAWING STRENGHT – DIMBO ATIYA
    2. MUDDLED – BEST OKODUWA

    5. OUTSTANDING FEATURE FILM (FOREIGN)
    1. MAD HOUSE – GHANA

    7. OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY FILM
    • WOMEN HOLD UP THE SKY AFRICAN – SOUTH AFRICA
    • MOTHER NATURE MANIFESTATION – KENYA

    8. OUTSTANDING STUDENT FILM
    • THE HONORABLE – NIGERIA

    9. OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR
    • CHRIS OKAGBUE – DRAWING STRENGTH – NIGERIA
    • GODDIZ FONGWA – SAVING MBANGO – CAMEROON
    10. OUTANDING FEMALE ACTRESS
    • SOPHIE ALAKIJA – DRAWING STRENGTH – NIGERIA

    11. OUTSTANDING FILM IN DIRECTING
    • DIMBO ATIYA – DRAWING STRENGHT –NIGERIA

    12. OUTSTANDING FILM IN MUSIC SCORE
    • THE DEVOTED – HUNGARY

    13. VIRTUAL AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
    • LAST REQUEST – NIGERIA

    14. FESTIVAL MENTION PRIZE FOR NARRATIVE
    • THE KING WITH NO CULTURE – GHANA

    15. AIFF GOLDEN JURY PRIZE
    • DRAWING STRENGHT – NIGERIA

  • Court Stops Kubong Bette From Restraining Its Clan Head Access To His Properties

    By Admin

    A vacation High Court sitting in Ikom, Cross River States has described as barbaric, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect a CLAN RESOLUTION that purports or purported to restrain HRH Utsu Jeremiah Ikongshul Udie, the clan Head of Kubong-Bette Clan from access to his personal properties and not to be interred in his village in the event of death. The decision was made in a ruling in Suit No. HM/MISC.5/2020 at a vacation court before his Lordship, Hon. Justice Obo Awusa Obo.

    The applicant, HRH Chief Jeremiah Ikongshul Udie & Anor had approached the court suing Julius Akwagiobe Udie & 10 Ors. by writ of summons in suit No. HMV/3/2020 seeking for ORDERS inter alia declaring as null and void, the ‘drastic measures and resolutions passed by the 2nd to the 11th defendants on the 21st day of May. 2020; an Order restraining the 2nd to 11th defendants, their agents and privies from executing, enforcing and or giving effects to any of the decisions contained in their so called ‘drastic measures and resolutions’ dated 21st day of May, 2020; an Order restraining the 2nd to 11th defendants, their agents or privies from further interference in the internal affairs of the Ikongshul family of Kubong-Bette; an Order awarding the sum of five hundred million naira as general and special damages.

    While the matter was pending, the applicants through their counsel, D. O. Kulo, Esq. had applied by motion seeking for an Order of interlocutory Injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their agents or privies from executing or giving effects to the decisions or resolutions contained in the memo titled “Clan resolution” and dated 21/5/2020 pending the determination of the suit.

    In his rationale, the court reasoned that “there is no amount of compensation which a court of law may order to be paid that can assuage for the loss of a man’s right to family house and the right to be interred in a man’s own village in the event of death”, while relying on Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    The said barbaric unconstitutional, null and void resolution, which now has no effect, purportedly declared as drastic measures to:
    1. Denounce the applicant as their Clan head

    2. Revoke and withdraw totally a proposed land for Alpha University which was donated by the Clan to Dr. Ashima, the Applicant’s son (for that purpose of establishing a university in the Clan, work of which had commenced).

    3. At the event of death, not to allow to be interred in the Clan either the applicant (Clan head) or his children, and that none of the Clan members will honour such burial rites.

    4. Ban any Community member or Clan citizen from entering the applicant’s domain; and anyone found ‘guilty’ of this will be heavily fined and penalized accordingly by the Clan.

    5. The Applicant’s portion of land and residential house in the community is unanimously allotted to the 1st Defendant/ Respondent, Julius Akwagiobe Udie.
    The learned judge also held that the matter in Exhibit B is a family matter which does not call for Exhibit C – the null and void Clan resolution. Appearing for the Respondents was D. A. Okim, Esq.

  • Nigerian Striker, slumps And Died While Training With Gateway FC

    Culled from Legit News

    Nigerian football fraternities have been thrown into deep mourning on Monday morning, November 16, following the tragic death of ex-Shooting Stars player Yusuf Usman Usein.

    The forward who was popularly known as ‘Eiye’ was training with Gateway FC of Abeokuta with the hopes of signing for them before he slumped on Sunday evening, November 15.

    Usein was said to have been resuscitated on the pitch by medical men who rushed into action after he slumped.

    And according to the confirmation by Crown FC of Ogbomoso media officer Tunji Alabi, the player died later in the midnight.

    Alabi said further that Eiye who also played for Crown FC was a very hardworking, easy going, loyal, very dedicated and God fearing player.

    ”It is so unfortunate that we have lost Usein and we pray that God will forgive him and grant him eternal rest. He was a good and dedicated player when he was playing for us in Ogbomoso,”Yusuf Usman Usein actually started his football career on the streets of Ibadan in Oyo state before he was given the chance to join Shooting Stars.

    The lanky forward spent two seasons with the Ibadan-based club before he moved to Crown FC of Ogbomoso.

    Gateway FC will be playing in the Nigeria’s second tier League which is the National League in the 2020/21 season.

  • Chairman of The Akpanke Foundation Donates 1.5M To St. Charles Lawanga Parish, Calabar.

    By Admin

    The Chairman and Founder of The Akpanke Foundation, Mr. Peter Akpanke has donated the sum of 1.5M to the building of the Lord’s own house.

    Mr. Akpanke announced the donation during the annual Thanksgiving mass organized by St. Charles Lawanga parish, Essien Town – Calabar, on the 15th of November, 2020, where served as the Chief Harvester.

    Recall that Mr. Peter Akpanke was recently honored with an award of recognition by an Abuja based organization for his philanthropic gesture.

    His interventions had no limitation as he was sighted in Lagos during the pandemic distributing palliatives. He has touched the lives of many down trodden persons who lives in abject penury, across Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Lagos and Cross River States.

    When contacted, Mr. Akpanke told The Lumine News that “I can’t thank God enough for all he has done for me. I never knew that you tracking almost every bit of my intervention, both in my personal capacity and as The Akpanke Foundation. To me, it is a privilege to give back to the society, what God has blessed us with. As long as he keeps and provide for us, we will continue to reach out to the less privileged.

    “I don’t believe in making shows with my interventions, but if you insist, I will connect you to my Programme Director, he will share with you what we have done recently”

  • Police investigation vindicates Pastor Bassey Udosen of N5million claim by Helen Isamoh

    By Admin

    Police interim investigation has vindicated Pastor Bassey Udosen of Message Point Assembly of N5million claim by Helen Isamoh, who is the SSA to Gov. Ben Ayade on Gender and Development.

    In a report signed by ASP Igri Ewa, the O/C Public Complaint Bureau, State Police Headquarters Calabar, the report vindicated Pastor Udosen of the allegation, thereby asking Engr. Orok John, the agent of Russell Investment, an online trading platform with headquarters in America to pay back Helen Isamoh the N5million.

    Helen Isamoh had earlier petitioned Pastor Bassey Udosen and Orok John, alleging that they both collected N5million from her under false pretence.

    But, the police investigation viewed the matter as a business investment.

    The police report said. “The second suspect, Orok John, admitted collecting five million from the complainant to invest in the business, that he never gave any kobo to the first suspect-Bassey Udosen.

    “In the light of the above, it is suggested that the second suspect, Engineer Orok be made to return the complainants money to her and Engineer Orok be made to face his case.

    In a chat with newsmen, Pastor Udosen said he has known Helen for almost four years because she usually come to his church for prayers and counselling.

    He said that he has never been into any marketing business before, but as a Pastor, he has congregation members who are into different fields of human endeavour.

    He explained that in 2017, Helen approached him and said she is into networking and would like to introduce him into “Micheno”.

    “Based on how I trusted her, I decided to invest because she had told me that all investors normally get 50% of their investment in return.

    “I gave her N9million to invest. When she did the investment, she came out to tell me that the money has crashed, therefore I need to forget about the money.

    “I told her that I needed to use the money for something and she was able to raise N5million for me. I knew she was lieing because she did not invest the money.

    “When I went to Micheno, I discovered that she did not put the money with Micheno, rather she invested the money with one woman, and when I confronted her, she accepted that she didn’t invest the money with Micheno because she heard that Micheno had already crashed.

    “I discovered that she used Micheno to collect the money from me. I collected N5million from her and she promised to pay me the balance of N4million in 2018 and till date, she hasn’t paid me the money, and I didn’t want to start having problems with her.

    “At the presence of the police, they asked her if she had introduced me into Micheno and if she was also owing me N4million, she admitted.

    “In February 2020, one member of my Church called Ephraim, told me about MBA investment and I quickly introduce Helen into it and she invested over N9million. As we speak, Helen makes nothing less than N1million from that business I introduced her into every month.

    “She has not come out to say anything on this because she is still collecting money from there every month. I want to make it clear here that I don’t have any business with Helen on any online marketing platform anymore.

    “When Engr. Orok, a member of my church told me about the Russell investment, I gave him N1.5million to invest for me,” he said.

    Pastor Bassey further said that he had to introduce Helen to Orok so that she can also invest in Russell Investment since she was into online business.

    According to him, Helen first invested N400,000 with Orok in Russell Investment and he was aware of the payment.

    “Aside the N400,000, I didn’t know of any other transaction again that happened between Orok and Helen. She kept telling me how she was benefitting.

    “One month after, Orok called me and said that there was a challenge because he could no longer withdraw money from the account.

    “I called both Helen and Orok to my office and I asked Orok to explain what happen, he then opened his phone and showed us all that transpired. I was worried because I have invested N4.5million too.

    “Orok explained to us that they were doing maintenance and after 14 says, nothing happened. It was then that I called her again so that we can see how to handle the matter, the only thing I saw was that Helen went ahead and brought police to invite me for questioning,” he said.

    Pastor Bassey maintained that Helen threatened his life and boasted on how she was going to use the social media to run him down in Cross River State because he is a pastor.

    He however, urged Helen to tell the public the truth and stop blackmailing his name and dragging his church into unnecessary social media fight.

    Speaking also, Orok corroborated Pastor Bassey’s statement, saying that Helen was dealing directly with him and not the pastor.

    Orok said that he had told Helen in the presence of the Police and his lawyer that he will be paying her N200,000 monthly until the N5million is exhausted.

    He said that after showing her the transaction which was no longer fruitful for withdrawal, he pleaded with Helen to agree with him on a repayment plan for the N5million, but she refused and said she wanted the cash in bulk.

  • BREAKING: INEC Announces December 5th For All Bye Elections

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has fixed December 5, 2020 for all pending bye election in the country.

    The decision was taken today after a critical meeting with all stakeholders by the Commission.

    In a release sighted by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Voters Education, Mr. Festus Okoye Esq., indicates that all bye elections will hold on December, 5th 2020.

    The release reads in parts “Based on these consultations, the Commission believes that security in the affected states has improved while the environmental challenges has reasonably abated. Consequently, the Commission has decided to hold all pending bye elections on Saturday, December 5th, 2020”

    Recall that the Commission had met with all Resident Electoral Commissioner on  October 22, 2020 and postponed the bye election that was fixed for October 31 due to the security and environmental challenges.

  • NCDMB Under Legor Awards Contract For The Development Of Three Youth Centres In His Constituency

     

    The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB has awarded contracts worth over four hundred and ninety million Naira for youth development focused projects in Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Areas in Cross River State.

    The contracts include NCDMB ICT Centre in Bendi Technical School, Bendi, Obanliku LGA, NCDMB ICT Centre in Clement Ebri Technical School at Utugwang, Obudu LGA and completion and upgrade of Youth Resource Centre at Abuochiche, Bekwarra LGA.

    The contracts were awarded to Ayioludo Nig. Ltd of 16 Okpaoloko Road, Abachor Igbeku-Yala, Cross River State, Ibex Train Ltd, Abuja and Kresto Paco, Abuja.

    The projects are facilitated by Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo who is Chairman Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring in the House of Representatives.

    The Member Representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives said the intention is to build the capacities of young persons to seize the opportunities provided by Local Content in the oil and gas, power, ICT and other sectors.

    He added that as part of his oversight functions he would ensure that the contracts are executed to specification and are completed within specified timelines which is six months in order for his constituents to enjoy the benefits of the project and the dividends of democracy.

    He concluded that the leaning to youth development focused projects were intentional as the youth demographic are the key to national development and are close to his heart; the recent agitation by youths nationwide being a pointer to the neglect of the demographic.

    It can be recalled that only recently, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo facilitated a month long training of over 300 young people in GSM phone repairs, hardware, software and entrepreneurship development in his Federal Constituency by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    Indeed, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo is an outstanding representative in the Green Chambers and is drawing development to his Federal Constituency and making a difference for his people. He is deserving of the continuing support of the people.

  • Social Safety Net: Cross River Emerges First State to Transit From YESSO To NASSCO In Nigeria

     

    Cross River State has emerged the first state in Nigeria to successfully qualify and transit to National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) after the closure of Youth Employment and Social Support Operation ( YESSO) in the country.

    The state under *Governor Ben Ayade* had met all the required criteria and completed the full documentation and assessment by NASSCO, hence the commencement of the programme.

    Speaking during the take off of the program in Calabar, Governor Ben Ayade said that Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) in Cross River State through the State Operation Coordination Unit(SOCU) has been touching lives in the last Seven years.

    “Cross River State intends to use the Social register to drive Human Capital Development and increase access to targeted transfers to poor and vulnerable households under an expanded state social safety net system

    Earlier in his speech, *Mr Apera Iorwa* , the National Coordinator of NASSCO assured the state Government of his cooperation in increasing and building the state social register of poor and vulnerable households within the stupulated record time.

    NASSCO is saddled with the responsibility of building the National Social Register and coordinating livelihood support to extremely poor & vulnerable households in Nigeria.

    “We are developing a social safety nets framework that will help the state in implementing its social protection policies inline with the new NASSCO guidelines and protocols.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner, Ministry of International DevelopmentCooperation, *Inyang Asibong* opined that ” His Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade has prioritized social protection (SP) interventions as a key strategy towards reducing poverty and socio-economic vulnerabilities in cross river state” Asibong added.

    “The Permanent Secretary *Mr Felix Ita* envisaged that about fifty four thousand (54,000) households, and almost two hundred and ninety nine thousand (299,000) persons were captured in the intervention projects and programes in all the eighteen local Government Areas”.

    The State Coordinator, State Operation Coordinating Office, *Mr. Chris Anake* while commending the Governor, reassured him of SOCU commitment on achieving the state deliverables.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the Cross River YESSO seven- year programme exit report by the Commissioner, MIDC to the State Governor, Sen Prof Ben Ayade.

  • Gully Erosion That Threatens Residents Of Ikot Effanga Mkpa

    By Elijah Ugani

    The ravaging gully erosion at Stream Road (Usung Efag)/Water Board in Ekot Effanga Mkpa Clan, Ward 9, Calabar Municipality remain unabated as residents continue to call government attention to the deadly trap occasioned by the gully erosion.

    One of the residents, Hon. Ekuma JP, told The Lumnine News that “we are helpless in the circumstance and until government comes to our rescue, we are going to be cut off from our normal life. I want to appeal to both the Chairman of Council and the governor to please come to our rescue.

    Recall that the Councillor representing Ward 9, Calabar Municipality Council, Hon. Solomon Etim Ika, had on Friday, 30th October, 2020 through a MOTION OF URGENT PUBLIC INTEREST, during plenary, drew the attention of the legislature to the ugly situation and called on both the local and state governments to rise to the challenge of the moment to safe residents of the clan the stress of not being able to access their homes should the erosion persist.