The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • Meet Miss Egoagwuagwu Agnes Maduafokwa, The Girl With The Highest JAMB Score 2020

    Meet Miss Egoagwuagwu Agnes Maduafokwa, The Girl With The Highest JAMB Score 2020

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    Miss Egoagwuagwu Agnes Maduafokwa. She currently has the highest JAMB score of 365 out of 400. She is the President of the Maths Club, and the 1st Assistant Head Girl of Louisville Girls High School Ijebu-Itele in Ogun State. She wants to study Engineering, were she can apply mathematical concepts in solving societal challenges.

    Egoagwuagwu is from Ihiala in Anambra State and she wrote her UTME on March 14th 2020 in St Michael Otedola Education Centre in Epe, Lagos State.

    JAMB had published the Top 10 Highest scores with 13 students making the list, they are all eager to study Engineering, 4 out of the 13 students are female.

    Egoagwuagwu made the internet sensation as holding the highest JAMB Score with a total of 365 out of 400.

    Use of English 72
    Mathematics 99
    Physics 99
    Chemistry 95

    ©Ada Ukpabi Isreal

    Na my sister sha🤪

  • C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    Source: Paradise News

    The Cross River Government has countered the position of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on the presence of Coronavirus disease in the state.

    An internal memo signed by the Chief Medical Director of the tertiary health facility, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, on Thursday, had advised staff and patients to observe caution after a patient recently tested positive to Covid-19, using the rapid test method.

    But in a swift reaction, the state government in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the State Covid-19 Taskforce, Dr Betta Edu, said the methodology used in arriving at such conclusion was not reliable, adding that even the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned against depending only on the rapid test method to draw conclusion.

    According to the release, “It is important to state that an index COVID-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR and not the antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits which the NCDC had said has very low sensitivity and specificity therefore should not be used for COVID 19 diagnosis.

    “As a state Government we have commenced investigation into this case and we will get back to the public with our findings. All efforts to identify and isolate suspected cases will be encouraged but we denounce any attempt to label CRS COVID-19 Positive using a rapid antibody testing methodology. For now Cross River State has no comfirmed case of COVID-19.

    “We use this opportunity to further call on the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to as a matter of urgency, support Cross River state in the fight against COVID-19.

    “We urge all Cross Riverians to remain calm and not panic, but simply step up efforts in adhering to all safety procedures in the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in the state.”

  • APC Crisis: NEC Dissolves National Working Committee Sets Up Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Committee

    APC Crisis: NEC Dissolves National Working Committee Sets Up Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Committee

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The All Progressive Congress Party APC, has in it National Executive Council meeting convened by the former Acting National Chairman, Hon. Victor Giadom has among its resolutions dissolved the National Working Committee NWC of the party.

    This comes on the heels of the squabbles that has bedeviled the party lately, following the suspension of the ex while Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle, by his ward executive of the APC that was ratified by both his local government and state chapters of the party.

    The suspension was ratified by a federal high court in Abuja, but the distinguished comrade approached the court of appeal to set aside the ratification as obtained by the lower court, contrary to his expectations, the Court of Appeal also ratified the suspension of the comrade chairman.

    This development led to the party having three different chairmen in Acting capacity. President Muhammadu Buhari who seemed to be mute over the development, was said to have backed the Hon. Victor Giadom Acting Chairman, staying that the constitution of the party favored Giadom.

    At the NEC meeting, certain astoninishing resolutions were reached, the NEC decided to dissolve the NWC to settle all those agitating to become the party Acting Chairman.

    Find some of the resolutions at the meeting:

    “1. The withdrawal of all cases in Court
    2. The dissolution of NWC
    3. The establishment of Caretaker/Convention Committee
    4. The ratification of the Gubernatorial Primaries in Edo State

    “LIST APC CARETAKER COMMITTEE AND EXTRA-ORDINARY CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE.
    1. Governor Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) Chairman
    2. Isiaka Oyebola SW
    3. Ken Nnamani SE
    4. Stella Okorete – Women Rep
    5. Governor Sani Bello NC
    6. Dr. James Lalu physically challenged
    7. Sen. Abubakar Yusuf- Senatè Rep
    8. Hon. Akinyemi Olaide – Reps
    9. David leon – SS
    10. Abba Ari -NW
    11. Prof. Tahir Mamman – NE
    12. Ismail Ahmed – Youth
    13. Sen. Akpan Udoedehe- Secretary

  • Press statement By The Niger Delta activists Forum Over The Delibrate punishment Of The Niger Delta People By Babatunde Raji Fashola In The Willful Neglect Of The Odukpani-ITU-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    Press statement By The Niger Delta activists Forum Over The Delibrate punishment Of The Niger Delta People By Babatunde Raji Fashola In The Willful Neglect Of The Odukpani-ITU-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    By Admin

    Good morning Comrades, and gentlemen of the press.

    Seven months ago, issues surrounding this same Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road was on the national spot light. The Niger Delta Activist Forum agitated, vigorously and mobilized a massive protest, against the Federal Government to dramatize our pain.

    Fashola quickly released the sum of three billion and five hundred million naira, for immediate mobilization to site. We engaged further with him and the entire Ministry of Works and on the 24th December, 2019 at their Ministry headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja and a truce was brokered.

    Some of the agreements reached were;

    1. That all ongoing Federal road projects within the Niger Delta region would be completed within the 2020 fiscal year save for a few with overlapping design timeline.

    2. That Federal Executive Council approval would be sort for the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road.

    3. That the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road would be placed, on the list of projects to benefit from priority funding. Meaning that execution was to draw monies from SUKUK bond which the Federal Government would be accessing by January of 2020. And work was expected to commence before the end of February 2020
    etc.

    Weeks after this engagement, the Federal Executive Council did approve the sum of fifty billion and three hundred million naira for this project.

    But regrettably, the Honorable Minister for Works Fashola, and the Ministry of Works have demonstrated no integrity in this regard.

    We are fully aware, how they deliberately chose to prioritize and fund, other projects over this one, forgetting that Oil flows from here and not from those other places. The immediate environmental consequences are born here and not in those other places where they have prioritized over our region.

    The road in context has now become a national wreath of sorrows, tears and pains on our people and an emblem of shame, hanging over Fashola’s neck and the Ministry under his watch.

    The Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Government must as a matter of urgency devote funds immediately to this project and save us, the untold pain.

    Seven months gone bye and no sign of Work on this road. The gridlocks, the pains and sufferings, the robberies, the loss of man hours and the economic sabotage has recommenced in full force.

    *OUR DEMANDS*

    1. We demand that the Honorable Minister quickly allocate the next tranche of cash inflow to address the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road.

    2. The Honorable Minister must address us and the entire Niger Delta people on the genuineness of Federal Government’s commitment to fixing the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road, to be followed with immediate action.

    3. That failure to undertake the aforestated actions within the next twenty one days, the Niger Delta people will respond in the loudest way possible, including but not limited to sustained mass action.

    For the Niger Delta people,

    Comrade Success Jack
    (National President)

    Comrade Bernard Okori
    ( National Treasurer)

    Comrade Paul Abang Ajie
    (Chairman, Cross Rivers State Chapter)

    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    (State Public Relations Officer)

  • BORDERCOM Takes Baseline Survey Exercise To Akamkpa And Odukpani

    BORDERCOM Takes Baseline Survey Exercise To Akamkpa And Odukpani

    By Solomon Asha – Calabar

    The approach of Governor Ben Ayade led administration in Cross River towards bringing the state’s border Communities to the main stream of his aggressive and well articulated policy of development hinged on five years strategic planning is aimed at achieving holistic development of the border communities.

    Director General, Cross River Border Communities Development Commission {BODERCOM}, Mr. Noel Ugbong, who stated this while on a visit to the two Local Government Councils of Akamkpa and Odukpani on Tuesday, June 22, 2020, explained that the governor’s development approach is not based on arm-chair philosophy but well-articulated plan to bring holistic transformation to the beneficial of border communities in the state.

    At the Akamkpa Local Government Council, the DG and his team of Directors, principal and technical staff of the commission visited the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Hon. Linus Bassey Etim, as part of their itinary to undertake a Baseline survey/needs assessment of border communities in the Local government.

     

    Addressing the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, Leader of the Legislative council, Councilors and other principal officers of the council, the BORDERCOM Director General said that he and his team are in the LGA on the directive of His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, who has asked them to reach out to all border communities in the state to carry out the above stated assignment and obtain data that will be inputted into the planning of the 2021-22 budget of the state for the development of border communities.
    He explained that the data to be extracted will be useful and will serve as veritable instrument in the hand of the state government for the strategic 5-year development plan for the communities.

    He disclosed that the data will also l aid the National Boundary commission, Federal Border communities Development commission and other development partners in their planning, stressing that the administration of Sen. Prof. Ayade is passionate about extending effective development to these border communities.

    The BORDERCOM Director General said that Akamkpa as the largest Local government in Cross River State with 5, 003 square kilometers or 1, 932 square mi, with 20 border communities has enjoyed 14 BORDERCOM projects located in the area since the commission’s inception, adding that some time these border communities are far off even from the council headquarters/urban areas and can easily fall prey to external aggressors, a predicament which the government want to checkmate through carrying development closer to these border communities.

    He further revealed that the baseline survey/needs assessment exercise is deliberately fashioned by the governor as a means of not just extracting data but to also give the communities the opportunity to decide what they want and not to impose projects by executive fiat which at times leads to duplication of projects in certain locality.

    The DG told the people of Akamkpa that the LGA is dear to the governor and that as the council with large arable land and mineral resources, it holds great potentials for the state and asserted that the people were lucky to have Hon. Etim with versatile knowledge and connection throughout the state to be their Chairman at this time.

    At Odukpani, the DG of BORDERCOM, Mr. Noel Ugbong and his team equally visited the Council Chairman, Miss Justina Joseph Edem, while in the Local government for the Baseline survey/needs assessment exercise for border communities in the Local Government as directed by the governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade.

    Addressing the chairman of Council and the vice Chairman, Leader of Legislative council, Councilors and other top officers of the Council, the BORDERCOM Director General extend the warm greetings of the governor to the people and commended them for choosing right by voting a woman who will weep the right sentiments to attract development to them, disclosing that the LGA is one of the Council that has produced great men and women at the state and national levels.
    He also disclosed that statistics indicates that the Local government has one of the healthiest population in the state, which is one important indices that is paramount to development, adding, he explained that the history of mankind is that of constantly in the state of flux, movement and conflicts, and that the LGA has about the highest numbers of border communities outside Yala LGA.
    Mr. Ugbong revealed that Odukpani has 28 border communities, meaning that the council has 28 communities that require utmost attention from the state government because of the constant conflicts from outside the state, explaining that currently there are not less than 20 BORDERCOM projects in the Local government since the establishment of the border commission, an indication that the Governor holds the LGA in high esteem., just as the people stood 100 percent for the governor during the elections.

    Speaking further on the purpose of their visit, the DG disclosed that the governor had charged them to interact with the people to extract those useful information and data that will help the government to fast-track development to the border communities which are usually at the periphery which sometime even the council which naturally is supposed to be close to them seems so far because of these communities peculiar nature and circumstances.

    The BORDERCOM Director General explained that the Governor sent them to come and abreast themselves with the people and interact with them to know their core needs to help government to intervene, and to document these needs to reflect in the 5-year strategic development plan of the border communities, and to be included in the 2012-22 budgets of the state, more so that the peoples needs varies from time to time.

    According to him, the exercise will help government to be updating its records as budget will not be mere copy and paste business.

    Mr. Ugbong also said that the baseline survey/needs assessment data being obtained will help the state in its development policy for these communities and to avoid wastage and duplication of projects, just as it will help the National Boundary Commission, the Federal Border communities Development Commission as well as other development partners in their development planning.

    Mr. Ugbong intimated the people that the core areas of focus include education, health, security, water and sanitation and economic empowerment.

    Speaking separately, both the Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas chairmen commended the state governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade for remembering and having the people of their local Governments at heart, especially the border communities and promised to give the programme a full support and the needed attention to succeed, as the Odukpani LG council Chainman stressed on the issue of security and incessant attacks on the border communities of the LGA by the neighboring state.

     

  • F. Baba Isa, Esq: NBA Cautions ICPC on Undue Interference with Lawyer-Client’s Privileges- Stop Harassing Lawyers

    F. Baba Isa, Esq: NBA Cautions ICPC on Undue Interference with Lawyer-Client’s Privileges- Stop Harassing Lawyers

    Culled from LoyalNigerianLawyer.com

    The Nigerian Bar Association has been informed by one of its members, F. Baba Isa, Esq., an Abuja based legal practitioner, who alleged that he is constantly being harassed and threatened by personnel of the Independent Corrupt and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding his activities as a lawyer to his client, one Mrs Roseline Uche Egbuha.

    The NBA is further informed that ICPC placed a PND on the personal and corporate accounts of Baba Isa Esq. at Guaranty Trust Bank without any order of court.

    The NBA has been shown processes confirming that a fundamental right enforcement proceeding was commenced against GTB and ICPC at the Federal High Court, Abuja and all the parties were duly served. The matter was later settled between Baba Isa’s client (Mrs. Roseline Uche Egbuha) and a consent judgment was entered on the basis of terms of settlement executed between the said Mrs. Roseline Uche Egbuha and GTB, one of the terms being the defreezing of the accounts of Mrs. Roseline Uche Egbuha.

    Records indicate that ICPC was in the know of the out of court settlement moves and Consent Judgment was entered accordingly without any objection from ICPC. ICPC did not also object to the discontinuance of the action against it. ICPC, we were informed, was present in court on the day of adoption of the terms and never raised any objection to the proceedings.

    Eventually the sums in the bank accounts were transferred by GTB to the client’s account of FBI Legal, the law firm of F. Baba Isa Esq.

    The NBA states that it is very important in the administration of justice for agencies like ICPC to adhere to the provisions of the laws setting them up. Doing otherwise would be tantamount to resorting to illegality, which is an abuse of power.

    Sections 39 of the ICPC Act makes it mandatory that it is only a court of law that can order a legal practitioner to disclose information in his possession relating to his client. More so, the position of the law is well settled on lawyer/client’s communications, which are protected by law.

    The NBA urges the ICPC to stop harassing lawyers just for the fact that they are performing their professional duties to their clients. The threat to arrest and prosecute Baba Isa Esq, for performing his professional duties would be considered an abuse of power if it is to compel him to divulge privileged information about his client without any valid order of court.

    The NBA enjoins prosecuting agencies of government to respect the decisions of the courts. The Courts in Nigeria have several times condemned the penchant of investigating and prosecuting agencies of government to freeze bank accounts of persons they are investigating without any valid order of court. This should not be encouraged. The NBA therefore views the freezing of the bank accounts of F. Baba Isa Esq without a valid order of court as wrongful.

    Kunle Edun
    National Publicity Secretary, NBA

  • River State Executive Council Approves The Construction Of The Fifth Flyover, Sets Guidelines For Marriages In The State

    River State Executive Council Approves The Construction Of The Fifth Flyover, Sets Guidelines For Marriages In The State

    By Admin

    The Rivers State Executive Council has graciously approved the construction of a five hundred and five meters long flyover at the GRA Junction along the Port Harcourt Aba Expressway.

    The Wednesday, June 24, 2020 meeting that held at Government House, Port Harcourt was presided over by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

    Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for works, Austin Ben-Chioma said council also approved the dualisation of Ezimbu Link Road connecting Stadium Road from GRA junction and the Tombia Road extension linking Ikwerre road.

    He said “Council considered the
    Rumuola flyover not more fitting for the city and approved its expansion to become four lanes to ease vehicular movement and boost economic activities”

    According to him “to ensure that motorists do not suffer untold hardship during the road constructions, the state government will create alternative routes”

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim announced Council’s approval of guidelines for marriages during the Covid-19 period.

    He said prospective couples would be required to apply to the State Governor through the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.

    Such applications, he said, must be accompanied with information on the venue of the ceremony, names, addresses and phones numbers of attendees to make contact tracing easy if the need arises.

    He stated that henceforth, those seeking to bury their loved ones would also be expected to include names, addresses and phone numbers of those to attend such funerals in their applications.

    Pastor Nsirim said government would not grant approval to any application without names, addresses and phone numbers.

    The Information Commissioner said marriages would not have more than 50 attendees including family members who must wear face masks and adhere strictly to
    social distancing of not less than two meters.

    According to him, while church weddings must be conducted between 9am and 12noon, traditional marriages would be conducted between 4pm and 7pm .

    The Commissioner said venues of marriages must have provisions for running water and soap at three points and the venue decontaminated after the event.

    Pastor Nsirim said after wedding receptions are prohibited under the guidelines to reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19.

    He added that violators of the guidelines would be made to pay a fine of 10 million Naira.

  • The Era Of Lost Of Accreditation In UNICAL Will Soon Be Over As The Man With NUC Wand And Acumen Is About To Be Enthroned

    The Era Of Lost Of Accreditation In UNICAL Will Soon Be Over As The Man With NUC Wand And Acumen Is About To Be Enthroned

    By Admin

    Below is Prof Joe Asor’s ACTIVITIES WITH THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION (NUC)

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to Sokoto State University, Sokoto 22nd-25th November, 2017

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to Federal University, Dutse-Ma, Katsina State 26th-28th November, 2017

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to
    Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa
    State 18th-21stMarch, 2018

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State 29th-31st October, 2018

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to Mountain Top University, Makoji Oba, km12, Lago Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, 1st-3rd November, 2018

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to Crescent University, Abeokuta Ogun State, 4th-6thNovember, 2018

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to SouthWestern University Okun Owa, Ogun State, 7th-9th November, 2018

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, 2nd-4th May, 2019

     Chairman, NUC Accreditation Panel to University of Ibadan, Oyo State, 6th-8th October, 2019

     Chairman, NUC Accreditation to University of Ilorin, Kwara State, 9th-11th October, 2019

     Chairman, NUC Accreditation Panel to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi. 3rd–6th November, 2019

     Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to Adeleke University Ede, Osun State, 21st-23rd November, 2019

    Comr. (Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    JOE ASOR COALITION OF COMRADES (JACC) [email protected] 09078405798

    N/B: This opinion is solely that of Ogar Emmanuel Oko and does not represent TheLumineNews or its staff

  • APC May Not Have A Candidate For Governorship Election In Ondo State – INEC

    APC May Not Have A Candidate For Governorship Election In Ondo State – INEC

    Culled from Saharareporters

    As the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress in Edo State gets messier, the party is also in deep trouble over the conduct of its primary election in Ondo State.

    A source at the party’s headquarters disclosed that they may not have a candidate for the Ondo governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020.

    A document seen by SaharaReporters indicated that the party notified INEC that it had fixed July 20, 2020 for its primary election in the state and invited the commission to monitor the exercise.

    However, the letter with Ref. No. APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/020/013 dated June 17, 2020 was only signed by the Acting National Secretary of the party, Waziri Bulama.

    INEC replied the party that the letter violates the provision of Article 4.4 of the commission’s regulations and guidelines for the conduct of party primaries, which requires that such notices must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of a political party.

    Consequently, INEC rejected the letter and advised the party to do the needful. The letter is signed by the Secretary to the commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

    As a result of the development, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu faces disqualification from the Ondo governorship election as the APC crisis may prevent the submission of names of contestants for the party’s primary.

    By provision of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act, political parties are required to give INEC 21 days notice for the conduct of their primaries for governorship elections.

    According to the timetable released by INEC on February 6, 2020, party primaries for the Ondo governorship election begins on July 2 and end on July 25 while the last day for submission of names of candidates is July 28.

  • I Am Looking For Any National Or State Chairman Of Any Political Party That Has Completely Solved All The Problems In The Party – Tinubu

    I Am Looking For Any National Or State Chairman Of Any Political Party That Has Completely Solved All The Problems In The Party – Tinubu

    By Admin

    The embattled National Leader of the All Progressive Congress APC, Mr. Ahmed Bola Tinubu has bear his mind on the crisis rocking the APC at the national level.

    Tinubu was quoted as saying that no Chairman of any political party has been able to solve all the problems in the party, and so the case of Comrade Adams Oshiomohle shouldn’t be a mystery.

    Tinubu was Quoted thus “I am still looking for any National or State Chairman of any political party whether ruling or not that has completely solved all the problems in the party. Even if the party is just a week old.

    “The chairman has been a tireless campaigner and mobilizer for the party. He has steered the party through difficult elections. His contributions should not be undervalued now that the bulk of elections are behind us. To do so would be an act of ingratitude.

    “The [coup] plotters launched their attack solely because they perceive the chairman as an obstacle to their 2023 ambitions.

    “In a well-structured society, people come to understand that the time for politics is seasonal; it is periodic. The responsibilities of governance are what are perpetual. Many of our politicians sadly have inverted this reality.

    “We even had a national deputy secretary improperly calling for an NEC meeting on the basis that he believed himself to be the acting national chairman. Clearly, this man would not have summoned the temerity to make such a move had he not been instigated by powerful individuals, whom he thought would reward or, at least, protect him for committing the wrongful act.

    “We must rally around President Buhari. Instead of everyone saying they are working for the party and nation but going their separate ways based on their selfish designs, we must help him build a stronger national consensus on policies that will ensure safety and bring greater prosperity.

    “Many of us expended sweat, tears, toil and sleepless nights to build this party. Our personal sacrifices were not insignificant. We built this party not simply as a vehicle for personal ambition. We built the party because we saw it as perhaps the only enduring hope to bring progressive governance to this nation. Those who now seek to abuse the party by using it as their personal device do it great harm. They should not be allowed to sacrifice this collective enterprise at the altar of their self-aggrandizement. To be an APC member means more than merely carrying a membership card. It means to believe in a set of ideals and principles geared to our highest purpose as a party and a nation”
    Tinubu Asiwaju BAT