The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • U.S Government Commissions Upgraded Cross River State Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19, Commends Cross River State

    U.S Government Commissions Upgraded Cross River State Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19, Commends Cross River State

    By Admin

    The United State Government on Tuesday through her Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard joined the cross river state Governor, Sir Ben Ayade to virtually commission an upgraded Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Cross River State, which has been equipped with support of the American people to track and control the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

    Cross River is the first of the nine states to receive the EOC upgrade. The commissioned EOC comes with a new call center. The EOC is coordinating the Statewide public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak and other diseases of public health concerns.

    Commissioning the Centre virtually, United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard commended the state government on several measures been instituted to curtail the spread of the disease and protect the health of Cross Riverians.

    She said the upgraded centers are now equipped as operational digital situation and communication rooms that powers and coordinate the state COVID response and other disease outbreaks, utilizing data integration, warehousing, and visualization to provide state officials transparent and real-time information on COVID-19.

    Her words “With the commissioning of these EOCs, Nigeria can better coordinate the COVID-19 outbreak response and surveillance activities, as well as any other emergent disease outbreaks or disasters, which will help to turn the tide of the pandemic within their state, ultimately the nation, and flatten the COVID-19 curve.”

    Speaking virtual from the Governor’s Office in Calabar, Cross River State Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu said “Though Cross River continues to have no documented cases, we need to be on our guard to do even more to ensure the COVID-19 pandemic is brought to a speedy end or controlled to the best of our ability in Nigeria.

    “We want seize this opportunity to continually invite USAID to come to cross river and strengthen our health system. We really appreciate this support”.

    The DG NCDC Dr Chikwe Ihekwazu, thanked The US Government for the support and pledged continued support to Cross River state who he said must be at the drivers seat and take full responsibility for the health of its people. He commended the state and asked for sustainability of the Upgraded EOC.

    On her part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu who was Physically present at the EOC, thanked the US government for the support, and held that the state is working closely with NCDC through the deployment of national Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to support response activities in the state.

    Edu maintained that the EOC has a situation room and a call centre where staff are on 24 hours standby to receive calls from the public and track data/ information on COVID19.

    She thanked the US Government for their intervention stating that Cross River State will appreciate more support to strengthen the health system to address not just COVID-19 but any other outbreak in future.

    Edu stated that “the emergency operations center will serve as a central point of contact for public health activities and data collection including tracking of suspected cases in a consistent manner with up-to-date information shared among federal, state and local partners as well as with the public”

    Dr. Douglas Chukwu, Cross River State team lead for USAID partner Jhpiego, conducted a virtual tour of the new Emergency Operations Center for U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and Cross River Deputy Governor Ivara Esu, DG NCDC and the Commissioner for Health.

  • Breaking News: APC Names Ajimobi Acting National Chairman

    Breaking News: APC Names Ajimobi Acting National Chairman

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has named Sen. Abiola Ajimobi as its acting National Chairman.

    This comes on the heels of Tuesday’s affirmation of the suspension of the National Chairman,
    Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

    A release sighted by TheLumineNews and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu indicates that the NWC of the party has received the news of  the Appeal Court which Upheld The Suspension of the Party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The release reads in parts “The National Working Committee NWC,  of the All Progressives Congress APC, has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    “Guided by advice from the Party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the Party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Sen. Abiola Ajimobi will serve as the Party’s Acting National Chairman.

    “According to Section 14.2. (iii),of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone”, the NWC stated.

  • Councilors Are Not Chairman Boys, They Are Legislators And Representatives Of Their Various Communities – Jalingo

    Councilors Are Not Chairman Boys, They Are Legislators And Representatives Of Their Various Communities – Jalingo

    By Admin

    A Veteran journalist and human rights activist who was declared a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International, has   stated that Councilors are not Chairman boys, but are legislators and representatives of their various communities, who have control of an arm of government at the local level to oversight and checkmate the chairman for effective management of our resources and community.

    Agba disclosed this on his verified Facebook account today 17th June, 2020 in an attempt to intimate councilors who have little or knowledge of the role of a councilor, as a respond to one of his friends who is a serving councilor in one the local government council who sought his (Agba) counsel.

    Find full text of Agba Jalingo’s solicited counsel.

    “Agba, We Be Chairman Boys?

    “Wetin be Councilor work sef?

    “After dem swear us in, our leaders dey tell us say we must be loyal to Chairman if we no wan get problem. E dey sound like threat. Are we supposed to be chairman boys? Wetin be councilors work sef?

    “No mind dem. Na shakara. If una reach ten ba; six of you by simple majority fit remove the chairman sef, if una fit agree. But that is not the first thing to do……

    “For you that is reading this, I don’t know what immediately comes to your mind when you have a discussion like the one above, with one of the newly elected councilors in Cross River state.

    “In case I am already boring you with my hackneyed expletives about Cross River, please kindly understand with me. I have determined decidedly, supposedly, intentionally, to deliberately pay additional attention to how local government funds in our State are judiciously utilized.

    “The NFIU rules and the assumption of office by the newly “elected” chairmen after five years, have both combined to give me a new task of ensuring that we sustain the discussion around how the N3BILLION LG funds that goes to the 18 LGAs in our State monthly is expended.

    “But the goal of making these huge resources work for our rural people will remain illusive if councilors who are lawmakers at that level, do not know their duties. As honest as my councilor friend is, in that our conversation and with all the willingness he has demonstrated to learn, it is also a lesson to the electorates to up their game and resort to leaders who have a clear idea of their duties before take off.

    “Councilors are like Senators and House of Representatives members at the federal level or like members of State Houses of Assembly at the state level. They are the ones saddled with the constitutional role of making by-laws for the administration of LG councils in Nigeria.

    “A by-law is a rule or law established by an organization or community to regulate itself, as allowed or provided for by some higher authority. The higher authority, the State House of Assembly in our case, establishes the degree of control that the by-laws exercise.

    “Like federal and state lawmakers, councilors are elected to represent their local communities in the running of their local council and they have very important roles to play.

    “Among others, they are meant to communicate Council policy and decisions to people in their Wards.

    “All councilors are meant to be advocates for their communities and are ‘case workers’ for their individual constituents when advice or support is requested, while also acting as advocates for the best interests of their Wards and also the wider council area.

    “Councilors are also meant to lobby for local concerns and issues that are important to their various Wards.

    “They are meant to be resolving potential conflicts among community organizations.

    “It is part of their role to support communities to develop their own solutions to problems in their area, where appropriate

    “Balancing competing demands for resources when making decisions in the best interests of the whole LGA.

    “These tasks are usually achieved in chambers through a set of organized rules which include:

    “Standing Orders: These are rules to ensure that council and committee meetings are run properly, and decisions are made in an open and accountable way.

    “Contract Standing Orders: The rules for buying goods and services, as decided by the council.

    “Financial Regulations: Rules to make sure the council is honest and open when dealing with public money.

    “After election, you will now be able to contribute to the development and review of the council’s policies through your role in challenging and scrutinizing the work of the council. Councillors are the only locally democratically elected community representatives capable of holding public services to account for their performance within local areas and on behalf of local communities. Having been sworn in, councillors now have a key role to play in scrutinizing and monitoring how well services are delivered by the council and its partners.

    “Be mindful that Councils are not just service providers. They also play a regulatory role in issues such as planning, licensing, trading standards and environmental health.

    “This involves councillors playing quasi-legal roles on special committees. These regulatory committees operate within a specific set of legislation and guidance that will be provided by the councillors.

    “Since no politician can yet get into office in Nigeria without political party affiliation, councilors are as well expected to remain affiliated, disciplined and report back to their parties.

    “They should engage with their local party organization and meet regularly as a political group within the Ward to continually review party policy to be abreast of council policy.

    “In a nutshell, councilors are not Chairman boys. Rather, like federal and state lawmakers, they are legislators and representatives of their various communities who have control of an arm of government at the local level to oversight and checkmate the chairman for the effective management of our resources and our communities.

    “Finally, there is also a need to reassess the quality of people we elect as councillors considering the important roles they play in the administration of our councils and the volume of money that now goes into the councils”.

    Thank you and God bless Cross River

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #FollowOurMoney
    #HoldLeadersAccountability

  • Linda Ayade Calls On Stakeholders, Government And Care Givers To Set Mechanisms In Place To Reduce Sexual Violence Against Children

    Linda Ayade Calls On Stakeholders, Government And Care Givers To Set Mechanisms In Place To Reduce Sexual Violence Against Children

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Wife of the cross river state governor who is also the President/Founder of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Dr. Linda Ayade has called on stakeholders, government, stakeholders and caregivers to set mechanisms in place to reduce sexual violence against children.

    Ayade made the call yesterday, 16th June, on her verified Facebook account, Linda Ayade on the 2020 commemoration of the African Child.

    “International Day of the African Child.

    “#16June
    On 16 June 1976 In Soweto, South Africa, thousands of black school children took to the streets to protest about the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of them were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand injured.

    “To honour their courage and in memory of those killed, in 1991 the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) established the #Day of the African Child. The Day also draws attention to the lives of African children today.

    “The theme for this year is #HumanitarianAction in Africa: Children’s Rights First.
    We have always celebrated this day with children drawn from our communities with sensitization programs, health talks, outdoor games etc but this is not possible this year with the COVID 19 pandemic on us.

    “Looking at this year’s event, we have been hit with several cases of child rape and the number is still on the rise which is saddening.

    “We call on stakeholders, government agencies, community leaders, care givers to set mechanisms in place to reduce sexual violence against children.

    “Parenting interventions and in-school Sexual violence prevention interventions are great ways to strengthen parenting skills as a way of reducing children’s risk to sexual violence to avoid potentially violent situations.

    “#ProtectTheChildItIsTheirRight
    #StopChildRape
    #StopTheViolenceAgainstChildren
    #Mediatrix”

  • If Yala Must Be Developed; No More Conventional Prejudices

    If Yala Must Be Developed; No More Conventional Prejudices

    By Ogar Emmanuel – Calabar

    This piece may perhaps goes out as a rebuttal to the barrage of words sent to me in attempt to gag me yesterday over the article I wrote about Yala. For the record, I’ve always been a proud Yala man and I pride myself so in almost all my doings. But I’m not proud to belong to a generation of people that seems to be satisfied with the constant state of backwardness. I’m one of the disquieters poised to cause sociopolitical uneasiness in my LGA until we feel the taste of development like the flavour of our salt.

    I was compelled by force of patriotism to pen the article. I was (I’m ) worried, disturbed, disgruntled and disappointed over the stunted and shunted growth or underdevelopment of Yala even with the numerous advantageous political positions Yala has held and still holding as you read from me.
    I wrote it as a mirror-image of my embittered heart when I compare Yala LGA with her counterparts!

    As a proponent of sociopolitical and cultural development of the society, having the flair for the entrenchment of the pivotal philosophies of social contract, I envisioned that the short but powerful piece would trigger sociopolitical awareness and social change, and afterward heats up the cold enthusiasm of those privilegedly entrusted with our mandate to begin rural development in Yala. It was my desire that an indaba would be called sooner as a result of the post.

    I’m in my late 30s. I’m old enough to express and exercise my inviolable and inalienable rights courageously and honestly without minding whose ox is gored. Hence, over 3 decades ago, I can sadly vaunt that Yala is pitiably stagnant. Not just stagnated but lagging miles behind development! Shamefully, we pride ourselves as a people with so many political officials.

    We’ve many young men that have been gagged because they kissed the lips of Jezebel. They have lost their voice(s). Many of them want obtuse leaders. Leaders without moral and physical courage (s). This is so because they’ve bowed blindly to opinion formed beforehand. This is known as conventional prejudices. If we need change, then we must hold unto Einstein’s opinion.

    Albert Einstein in a letter to a professor emeritus of philosophy at the College of the City of New York, defending the appointment of Bertrand Russell to a teaching position stated,” Great spirit have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinion; courageously and honestly. ”

    Because of prejudices, we lack all social amenities. No portable water; zero rural electrification, alarming rural-urban drift, high youth restiveness, no banking facility(ies), no drugs in the health centres, most clinics and infirmaries are homes of street urchins and ruminants animals, no asphalted road, no street light ( solar light) and the once great Okuku market is a shadow of itself. Okuku police station(rented) and roundabout were built more than 40 years ago, but as I type, they’re in sordid and rustic phases of dilapidation.

    Nostalgically, about this time last year, I was hired to carry out evaluation exercise in 3 LGAs (Biase, Ikom and Yala) in Cross River State. As I traverse the length and breadth of Yala in particular, I wept for my people. There was no road from Okuku to Yache even on bike. Before we got to our destination, we got off the bike many times to avoiding falling.

    It’s not my intention to present Yala in this manner — in fact I’m feeling ashamed already. Methinks we’ve jointly failed ourselves and there’s therefore a prevailing need for paradigm shift. A shift from the abnormal we blindly see as normal to the “best-normal.” Consequently, if this piece criticises anyone, such fellow stands criticised.

    For those that called to pooh-pooh the originating post, sorry, be prepare to express more contempts as I’ve steamed up my engine. Expect more!

    You that asked if I was paid: no! I can’t be hired! In fact I wrote it while the preacher was delivery his sermon on Sunday morning. You can see that the time is already late. Thus, we can’t continue to handle matter of this urgent need with child’s clove. You asked whom exactly am I. OK, I’m simply who I’m ! I’m against moribund convention that keeps us behind in development. I’m against ethnicity and tribalism in whatever shades it appears! I’m for humanistic ideas. I’m for comradeship and chivalry.

    Greetings!

    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    Is from Ijegu Ojor.

  • The Recent Social Media Attack On Sen. Sandy Onor Is Very Unnecessary

    The Recent Social Media Attack On Sen. Sandy Onor Is Very Unnecessary

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The social media space has been inundated lately with accusations and counter accusations on the scorecard of Cross River State legislators on their one year in office on the 12th of June, 2020, with Sen. Sandy Onor as the focal point.

    It is our legitimate right to hold our representatives at all level accountable, this to me must be done with every sense of responsibility and self respect. I refuse to be convinced that any sane person can resort to the use of derogatory and unpleasant words to demean his or her representative in the guess of holding them accountable.

    Without any equivocation or apology to any person with a contrary view, I condemn in strong terms the manner at which this matter was handled.

    It is very important to state that the Media Assistant to the distinguished senator Sandy Onor, Miss Phylo Modlin Odu, being human may have erred in her approach and attempt to respond to those who have constantly called on our MPs to present their scorecard in the past one year in office.

    Mr. Simon Utsu had on the 12th June called me out to present Hon. Godwin Akwaji’s scorecard, but I have been decisively and resolutely mute not because I don’t know what to respond but because, there isn’t enough to satisfy his curiosity at the moment, and so instead of putting myself forward for a ridicule and attack, I decided to stay at the fence.

    However, I deemed it very auspicious to put some records straight which I think is within my precinct to provide to dole the already erroneous public perception about the operations of the national assembly with regards to constituency projects as practiced in our today democratic system.

    Like others, Sen. Sandy Onor assumed office on the 12th of June, 2019 and President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Appropriation Bill on the 27th May, 2020. It necessarily follows that the 8th National Assembly members had already elected or infused constituency projects into the 2019 budget.

    A quick look at Sen. John Own-Enoh for instance will reveal that some of the projects he facilitated, are the ones currently receiving attention, such as the Agbokim road and other ongoing projects.

    Distinguished Sen. Sandy Onor is currently lobbying for funding to complete some of the abandoned projects while pushing for the release of funds for the new projects as captured in the 2020 Appropriation Bill which is yet to be released.

    I also find it very expedient to mention that the review of the 2020 Appropriation Bill, captured some of the abandoned projects in the central senatorial district of the state for speedy execution.

    Whether wrong or right, it has become a norm in our legislative system that after elections and prior to the inauguration of the new parliament, all funds including constituency funds are closed and directed to the outgoing members of parliament.

    This account for why, government at all tiers, after the inauguration of parliament, makes concerted efforts to make funds available to the new members.

    In view of the bottleneck associated with the system as it is currently, the distinguished Sen. Sandy Onor cannot outlined any physical achievement in terms of projects. This is however applicable to all first time members of parliament, you can verify this from any of them close to you. Hon. Alex Egbonna has the same story.

    They have until December, 2020 to be able to present their scorecards in line with the funds that will be release to them.

    We can ask all returning members of parliament to give us their scorecard in the first year of their second, third, forth or fifth term as it is the case with some of them.

    It is worth to mention here that what I see some MPs rolled out as achievement in within the first year, is a repetition of what they displayed during the billed up to the 2019 general election.

    But I can authoritatively confirm that MP Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has initiated some projects that are currently ongoing within this one year of his second term in office, the Ijebu water project Yala local government area.

    On securing federal jobs, the era of replacing ghost workers in MDAs is over, this was common between 2011 to 2019, with the introduction of IPPIS, it is very difficult but possible for a member of parliament to get you a federal job. It is our desire that our MPs use their good offices to ensure that federal character is implemented when the federal civil service commission wants to employ.

    Unless you have an ulterior motive to malign the person of Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor, the explanations given here should sub peddle your curiosity and best, I have always insisted that we do everything within our reach to ensure we make contact to get some information from the person we intend to engage directly before we take to social media to vent our displeasure.

    We must rise to the challenge of the moment to engage our leaders at all spheres and strata of leadership, but for us to be justified and not misunderstood, we must do it with all form of civility.

    Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria
    Long live Cross River State
    Long live MPs of Cross River State extraction
    Long live Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor
    Long live all those who stand to ask the right questions about leadership in Cross River State.

    Elijah Ugani is a
    Development/Humanitarian Consultant
    Public/Motivational Speaker
    Public Affairs Analyst/Commentator
    Writer/Publisher/Blogger
    Social Mobilizer of High Repute
    He writes from Calabar.

  • Meet Prof. Offiong E. Offiong Vying For The Position Of Vice Chancellor, University Of Calabar

    Meet Prof. Offiong E. Offiong Vying For The Position Of Vice Chancellor, University Of Calabar

    By Admin

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was born in Calabar
    on November 6, 1963. In 1974, and completed his Primary Education with a Distinction.

    He then attended Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, where he sat and passed with Division–One WASC (1979). Prof. Offiong holds a B.Sc (Hon) degree in Chemistry
    (1984) from University of Calabar where he graduated with
    Second Class ( Upper Division).

    In 1990 he obtained his
    Ph.D in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry
    from the same
    department, University of Calabar, supported by DAAD in Germany with a scholarship to conduct laboratory bench work in Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.

    Prof Offiong also holds a Certificate in Equipment Maintenance (1991) from Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, UK.

    After his successful mandatory National Service (NYSC) in
    the University of Ibadan, Prof Offiong started his lecturing career in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, University of Calabar and rose to the rank of Professor in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry in 2002.

    Offiong has successfully supervised 7 Masters and 13 Ph.D theses in the University. One of the PhD theses won the National Universities Commission’s Award of “Best Thesis in
    Physical Sciences in Nigerian Universities in 2012”.

    As a true scholar, he has been a mentor to many budding Academics especially in the field of Inorganic Chemistry. Many of his former Graduate Students are now Professors and others high ranking Academics in Nigerian Universities and abroad.
    One of them is the current Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Calabar.

    Prof Offiong is an astute Academic/ Researcher with over 70 Research articles/publications in Peer-review journals
    cited in high impact databases. He had been
    Postgraduate/Undergraduate External Examiner in many Universities across the country including; UNIUYO, MOUA, BSU, UNIABUJA, UNN and presently in RSU.

    He has also served the University system in several capacities
    including; Sub-Dean , Faculty of Science, Dean Faculty of Science, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Member, Governing
    Council of the University of Calabar (2000 – 2004), Member, UCISS Governing Borad, Member, Central Admission Committee, Member, Centre for Educational Services, Member, University of Calabar Reformation and Implementation Committee, Member, Committee in the development of School of Pharmacy, Unical.
    Chairman and Zonal Coordinator ASUU, National Vice President ASUU among others.

    A celebrated Academic whose spirit of assistance spans
    through different human endeavours, Prof. Offiong also shared his passion and acumen in public service.

    Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Commissioner for Education, Cross River State. During this period, the Schools across the
    18 LGAs witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, the first of its kind. The performance of CRS Students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and
    2013 respectively.

    His contributions to the establishment of
    the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously closed down
    State-owned College of Education in Akamkpa speak volume to elucidate his sterling qualities and passion for education and scholarship.

    He was the Chairman of All States Commissioner of Education in Nigeria from 2009 to 2015.

    Prof. Offiong served in the Presidential Task Force on Education with the mandate of implementing a
    transformation agenda in Nigeria education system (2011 – 2014).

    His love for academic and human resource development knows no bounds; as a Commissioner, Prof. Offiong still rendered services free as an Academic by teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and successfully supervised ten (10) Graduate theses during this period despite the fact that he was on Leave of Absence.

    Prof. Offiong has won several international Fellowships/
    Awards through which he visited many laboratories/
    Institutions and Universities in Italy, France, Germany,
    Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates, Finland among others.

    As part of his community and humanitarian services, he is the immediate Past President of the Boys Brigade Nigeria (BBN), CRS Council (2013 to 2019). He is currently the Chairman of Education committee in the Obong of Calabar.

    Executive Forum. Prof. Offiong is married to his heart–throb Dr. (Mrs.) Ame l. Offiong; the marriage is blessed with three beautiful children; Efanga, Asa and Eme.

    Prof. Offiong has clearly demonstrated profound and purposeful leadership as an administrator, academic and above all a role model for young people in his thirty-five years as a Lecturer.

    He has also served the state in the following capacities;
    Consultant/Resource person, CREPA/FEPA on World Bank sponsored Environmental Action Plan for CRS.
    Consultant/Resource person to the Min. of Agric & Water Resources, CRS.
    Member & (Chairman, Sub-Committee on staffing) local accreditation to CRUTECH.
    Member, Education sub-committee, CRS transition committee.
    Chairman, Education & Social services cluster, CRS, comprising 11 MADs.
    Leader, CRS delegation on a study Tour to Educational Institutions in India.
    Leader, CRS delegation o a 5-day learning journey to University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
    Member, CRS delegation on sister state relationship visit to the state of Maryland, USA.
    Leader, CRS delegation on a Study Tour of Highbury College, Portsmouth, UK.

    At the national level, Offiong also served as;
    Associate Consultant in Environmental Chemistry to Shell Producing Nig Limited (West)
    Consultant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Gas emission project.
    Member, NUC committee on Development of Basic Minimum Academic Standards for post graduate programme in Nigerian Universities.
    Member, Presidential Task Team on Education.
    Member, Implementation on the Presidential Task Team report on Education.
    Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to Highbury College, Portsmouth.
    Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to the all Ministerial 2013 World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring meeting with E-9 countries at Washington DC, USA.

    With these experiences, he would make a good Vice Chancellor if entrusted with the responsibility.

  • Nigerian Governors Forum Now A Toothless Bulldog – Gov Wike

    Nigerian Governors Forum Now A Toothless Bulldog – Gov Wike

    By Paulinus Nsirim – Port Harcourt

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the Nigeria Governors Forum has become a toothless bulldog because it has lost focus on its role in defending the rule of law in the country.

    Governor Wike said the Forum used to be non-partisan and a powerful voice on national issues.

    He noted that since the All Progressives Congress(APC) took over the leadership of the body in 2015, Governors have turned to beggars.

    The governor made the assertion at media parley that held at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    “Before 2015, the Governors Forum used to be very powerful as symbols of their respective states but APC killed it because they were protecting the interest of the ruling Party.

    “During of one of the rerun elections in this state, my security aides were withdrawn thus exposing me to danger, the Forum did not say anything because the Chairman was a member of APC.

    ” I told them then that what they were doing was wrong. Now they have become a Beggars Forum even when there are constitutional infractions.

    “You can see that APC Governors say that they are progressive. You can see how progressive they are when they keep quiet when a fellow sitting governor is disqualified from contesting elections.

    ” Adams Oshiomole campaigned for Governor Obaseki four years ago. The same man has turned around to say that Obaseki has a defective certificate.

    “Has Oshiomole apologised to Nigerians that he supported someone with a defective certificate? Who is saying that a sitting governor has a defective certificate? Is it a man that does not have a certificate?

    ” Oshiomole should be told to practice what he preaches.

    ” APC wants to perpetrate impunity in Edo State the way they unleashed terror in Rivers State in 2019.

    “They think because they have the Army, Police and INEC they can do anything and get away with it.

    “They tried it in Rivers State but God gave us the will to say no. I hope Edo people will also say no to their impunity,” he stated.

    Speaking on Governor Obaseki’s planned defection to PDP, Governor Wike said he would be happy to receive him.

    He however, said that he would not guarantee automatic ticket for him because Edo people would decide.

    “Edo PDP have a role to play. There is nothing like endorsement. But I must tell you that I am not happy the way he was disqualified by the APC because it will affect his integrity, “he said.

    The governor debunked insinuations made by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association(NMA), Dr. Obelebra Adebiyi about the State’s response towards COVID-19 and said the State Government has given the Ministry of Health all that it requires to fight the pandemic.

    The governor stated that the increasing number of Covid-19 cases results from more testing conducted on persons and Obelebra who is in charge of the state treatment centre cannot politicise the fight by creating unnecessary panic to score cheap political points.

     

  • Nine Professors Battles For University Of Calabar Vice Chancellorship Position

    Nine Professors Battles For University Of Calabar Vice Chancellorship Position

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    No fewer than nine professors have indicated interest for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), to replace the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu, on December 1, 2020.

    TheLumineNews gathered that all those who have indicated interest have intimidating CVs, they include but not limited to:  Prof. Joseph Asor (Biological Science);  Prof Offiong E. Offiong (Chemistry);  Prof. Ndiyo Ayara (Economics);  Prof Francis Bisong (Geography) and Prof Florence Obi, (Education) former Commissioner for women Affairs, and former Deputy VC Academics. (more…)

  • Daniel Emori Bedridden With Spinal Cord Injury For 16 Years Cries For Help

    Daniel Emori Bedridden With Spinal Cord Injury For 16 Years Cries For Help

    By Admin

    An Abuja-based 37-year-old Daniel Emori from Adadama community in Abi local government area of Cross River state, has called on kind-hearted Nigerians to come to his aid over his health predicament.

    Daniel has been bedridden for 16 years now after an automobile accident he had in 2003 while working as a delivery van driver for a pharmaceutical company in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    He told LEADERSHIP that he now resides in Bwari area of Abuja having been abandoned to his fate without proper medical care since then.

    “It was after my S.S.C.E (WAEC) in the year 2000, I traveled to Onitsha in search of greener pastures. I started working in a plastic manufacturing company as a machine operator. After two years in the company, I went to a driving school for six months.

    “After I finished from the driving school, I started working as a driver before a pharmaceutical company employed me as one of the company delivery van drivers,” Daniel explained.

    For donations toward Daniel’s surgery – Account Name: Emori Daniel, Bank: UBA, Account Number: 2072008766, and for further enquires, Daniel can be contacted via phone number: 07031655209.

    According to him, the fateful day was October 10, 2003, and while on his routine duty of supplying the company’s products to customers, he had an encounter with a stray cow, which resulted into an accident.

    “Almost immediately, I sustained a spinal cord injury on the spot which has paralysed me till date.

    “16 years after all, effort to reach both my local and state governments of origin to get financial assistance for the required surgery and treatment has not yielded any fruitful result. That is why I am using this opportunity once again to appeal to fellow Nigerians and the general public to come to my aid.

    “Infections and pressure bedsores have eaten deeply into my body due to lack of medical care as a result of not being financially buoyant to take care of myself. I am gradually dying,” Daniel added.