The Lumine News

Author: News

  • The Ritual Of constituency Projects And Legislative representation: Why We Need A Rethink In Cross River North.

    By Agustine Aboh

    For weeks now the cyberspace, especially the social media space have been crowded with news of constituencies empowerments by of Representatives at the national assembly; Legor and Jari (being a norm).

    It must be noted that since the inception of our contemporary democracy over two decades ago, nothing or very little has changed in content and context of constituency projects and empowerments.

    Ranging from Car and Bike gifts to uncritical loyal foot soldiers and ass-kissers, to wrappers, blocks of six class rooms, toilets, solar streets lights that do not last beyond the day of commissioning, borehole, the regular Magi and salt and conditional cash gifts.

    These have been unchanged, and in the present age of liberal democracy and Fourth industrial revolution, Representatives in CRN still gifts us these benign items.

    Now, back home! Last week I saw Legor gifting Cars to his loyalists in Bekwarra and a Funny looking Obudu-ogoja taxi like Passat to Obudu. Obanliku was not included as usual. Instead, bikes were given to PDP Ward chairmen in Obanliku glorified by a self vilified HOA member in Obanliku.

    To cut the long story short, I think it’s time we begin to rethink what constituency projects and empowerments should be and hold our Representatives answerable.

    That’s right, but some greedy never do well loyalists will say we are wailing and seeking for cheap publicity – at least Google my name and see how far am know and reference across the globe.

    For Obanliku, I think we should begin the process of requesting what constituency projects and empowerments should get to us and our people that will make meaning to our desired quest for prosperity as a people well-neglected and self-injured.

    It won’t be a bad idea we ask Legor and who ever becomes the next senator to include in their 2021 constituency budgets such items like;

    1. A befitting Palace for our Paramount Ruler in Sankwala, Obanliku.

    2. Construction equipments like bulldozer, a payloader, tractor, and other such equipments that will help the local government to open access roads, control erosions and give succour to our people who can not afford to bring their produce to local markets. Since we all know the present state of slavering malnourishment of our Local government resources taken hostage by a family dynasty and Czar.

    3. Enhance Human capital development by giving responsible and reasonable scholarships.

    4. Work as committee members or chairman to help our unemployed graduates littering our villages as it’s done elsewhere.

    5. Provide our farmers with improved seeds and seedlings. And any other projects the communities through reliable needs assessment have presented.
    Let it be known that am not against settling of party loyalists but these shouldn’t be done at the expense of community development. It’s time we all know that politics and governance is all our collective business.

    In our constituency, Legor is not doing us any favors, let it be known that these are our monies.

    Thank God ICPC have started tracking constituency projects starting in CRS with those of Sen John Owan Eno. They’re coming and we’ll be here to furnish them any information they might need. And Legor should not be doing this car gifts alongside his unsaleable Senatorial Candidate, it speaks volumes of the context of his supposed constituency empowerments.

    I come in Peace! Shalom!!

    Long Live Cross River State
    Long Live Cross River North
    Long Live Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra Fed Constituency.
    Long Live Obanliku LGA.

    Augustine Aboh
    Geopolitics and Security Expert
    Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna.

    NB: The views expressed above are strictly that of the author and does not represent TheLumineNews.

     

  • Breaking News: Police Parades Four Suspected Kidnappers In Calabar, Rescues Female Victim

    By George Odok Jr

    The Cross River State Police Command has paraded four suspected kidnappers and rescued one Cecilia Onyago, 38 years.

    Parading the suspects at the State Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill in Calabar, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, said the breakthrough was recorded by the Command.

    She said that the victim, one Cecilia Onyago ‘F’ 38 years was rescued without a ransom paid.

    “We are working to make sure that kidnapping is no more in the State. We urge Cross Riverians to provide us with information which would enable us work harder and pick these hoodlums wherever they may be.

    She said that on July 10th 2020, in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, a husband and wife were going about their normal businesses when armed kidnappers came in and kidnapped the woman.

    “The Police got a distress call from the people and we swung into action. In a bid to know the location where the woman was taken to, we got one suspect which led us to the arrest of other gang members.

    “Right now, the suspects are in our custody, a lot of items have been recovered including two vehicles, Toyota Camry with registration number NEM 828 AY and Jetta car no LSD 879 AV and several local guns.”

    DSP Ugbo said that the suspects are with the Police and they have given the Police useful information, adding that as soon as investigations were completed the suspects will be charged to court.

    “We are very happy about the success recorded because Cross River State is noted for being a place people come and relax and Police is working tirelessly to make sure the hoodlums are brought to book.

    “Every evening, we have a team of Police officers at different locations doing stop and search; it is a regular exercise which the outgoing Police Commissioner put in place.

    “We urged all Cross Riverians to corporate with us, give us useful information to make sure that these bad boys are apprehended, we want timely information that will help us reach these bad boys.”

  • Covid-19: Peter Akpanke Foundation Distributes Palliatives, Sanitizers, Face Masks And Empowers Youth With Motorcycles

    By Elijah Ugani

    As part of the efforts to cushion the effect of the ravaging pandemic, coronavirus, Mr. Peter Akpanke of the Akpanke’s foundation has stop at nothing to continue to remember his people endlessly.

    Today in Bendi village, The Akpanke foundation distributed palliatives to the entire Obanliku which includes Bags of rice, face masks, hand sanitizers , clutches, cash and lots more valuable gift.

    This is in line with the Mission of his foundation “ Building sustainable communities where everyone has equal opportunity devoid of oppression and poverty “

    Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

    This comes barely one day as the same foundation had presented a car gift to Mr. Ben Ukukong of Keting, Bendi ward 1 in Obanliku local government area of cross river state.

  • Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong: An Enigmatic/Innovative Progenitor Of Union Sustenance And Educational Renaissance

    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.

    He is an accomplished academician, astute administrator, intrepid goal-getter and undaunted activist who shares the vision of the founding fathers of the University of Calabar.

    Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong vision statement for the university in the coming five years is to transform it into a leading university in Nigeria and in the sub-Saharan region, in teaching, learning, research and community service. This he intends to accomplish through hard work, setting timelines, with continuous/rigorous evaluations for every task assigned to Staff and Students, to be backup with incentives as well as training and retraining of Staff.

    Professor Offiong understands that to produce globally competitive and skilled graduates and make University of Calabar a “Center of Excellence”, a lot of things will have to be done differently.

    He will attract grants and established functional linkages with other institutions in Nigeria and abroad.

    Professor Offiong intends to put in place a sustainable plan to boost the internally generated revenue(IGR)

    He will revolutionize the delivery and quality of Education/Services by expanding and integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
    into all the services/ operations of the University.

    As a former Union Leader, he will work to sustain industrial harmony and strive to enhance Staff/Students welfare, motivation and productivity.

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is astute unionist of no mean repute. He has been consistently involved in the processes that led to the midwifing of both students unions during his undergraduate programme. As a student activist, he championed most of the students yearnings that relived the plight of students.

    As a member of the Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASSU-UCB, he was elected Vice Chairman at age 30 and was reelect for second term of four years following an excellent performance.

    During which time, all the unions in the University collaborated and midwived the University of Calabar International Secondary School.

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was elected Chairman, Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASUU-UCB, in the year 2000 and was reelected in 2002 to serve another term of two years. During this period, ASUU-UCB made very positive impacts in the management of the university and in resolving all Labour related crisis.

    The distinguished Prof. Offiong E. Offiong also served as JAC Chairman, comprising of (ASUU, SSANU & NASU), University of Calabar branch. During his tenure as Chairman, he established a welfare scheme for the branch to carter for members welfare needs such as weddings, child dedication and bereavement etc.

    During this period, he introduced “computer loan scheme” which afforded members own their personal computers and became computer literate.

    Prof. Offiong negotiated and signed the second Centre for Educational Services CES Agreement of the university and got all the entitlements owed members including handsome allowances for Lecturers involved in Consultancy Services/Part-Time lecturing.

    As Chairman of ASSU-UCB, he was also the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Calabar Zone, comprising of UNICAL, UNIUYO, IMSU, FUTO, UNIPORT and RSUSzt and as well NDU and CRUTECH where he midwived their charters into ASUU.

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is the first Cross Riverian to be elected National Vice-President of ASUU. At which time he organized the first leadership training workshop for Chairman and Secretary of branches in ASUU.

    Juxtaposing Prof. Offiong E. Offiong experience in the formation and service in the various unions he served previously, he very equipped with the technical, influential, managerial and developmental skills and prowess to reposition staff welfare and create job satisfaction as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.

    In line with the new direction in Universities world wide to be ‘Visible and globally Competitive’. Professor Offiong will strengthen the capacity of Academic Staff to have more publications in high impact journals cited in Scopus/Scimago, Thompson Reuters etc. abstract and citation database. As an exemplary academic leader, he is on the Scopus abstract and citation database, where the world university rankings are hinged on, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has contributed 35 publications, 1017 citations and an H-index of 17. Surely, as Vice-Chancellor he would know how to create the enabling environment for many young/upcoming scholars to strive and surpassed this.

    He will be focused also in improving the ranking of the University of Calabar through facilitating local and international conference attendance.

    He will consolidate on the achievements/efforts of the past administration of the University towards the expansion of new faculties/Centres and infrastructural development. New centres of excellence where the University has a competitive advantage will be established.

    Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has traversed the ranks of public administration and is therefore no administrative neophyte. He has been Dean of Students’ Affairs, where he is been exposed to all the intrigues of students. He is a one-time dean of one of the largest faculties in the university; now splits into the present faculties of Physical and Biological Sciences. He was a member of the Governing Council of Unical and Commissioner for Education for 8 years.

    As Commissioner for Education, the schools in the 18 local government area of the state witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, first of its kind. The performance of students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

    He also midwived the establishment of the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously shutdown State-owned College of Education (COE), Akamkpa.

    He intends to institutionalize Effective management and governance in the University of Calabar.

    If given the chance to become the 11th Vice Chancellor of the university of Calabar, he promises to work hard to reposition academics, administration and consultancy in the university of Calabar.

    The above vision and mission statements are achievable because Prof. Offiong E. Offiong has the credentials, his experience, strength of character, good health, fear of God and a clear idea of what it will take to transform the University of Calabar, his Alma Mater. He is endowed with influential, managerial and developmental prowess to change the narratives of leadership in the University of Calabar.

  • Peter Akpanke’s Foundation Empowers Ben Ukukong With A Car Gift

    By Elijah Ugani

    As part of activities to mark the thanksgiving of the President/Founder of Peter Akpanke Foundation, Mr Peter Akpanke in appreciation of God’s love and benevolence towards his family, a brand new Toyota Camry pencil light, was presented to Mr Ben Ukukong at Keting, Bendi ward 1 in Obanliku local government area of cross river state.

    Presenting the car on behalf of the President/Founder of Peter Akpanke Foundation, Mr. Chris Ogar urged the beneficiary to use the car judiciously to the service of God and mankind.

    Speaking to TheLumineNews, the philanthropist, Mr. Petrr Akpanke, stated that “I have decided to do this in other to encourage the beneficiary and send a message to the wider society in general and the youths in particular that there is dignity in labour.

    “God has been very faithful to me and my family and I owe him all the thanks, what I owe God can only be redeemed by human, it is on that note that I have decided as part of the activities for my thanksgiving to present the car to Mr. Ben Ukukong.

    “As long as God continue his work on us, we will continue to extend this magnanimity to as many as we can”

    Responding after the car gift, the recipient, Mr. Ben Ukukong who was visibly elated by the gesture, thanked the magnanimous donor, Mr. Peter Akpanke for the show of love, and wondered what he must have done to deserve the gesture.

    He however, promised to follow the footsteps of his donor and posited that “I have learnt a lot today, the act of given. Thank you very much for this lesson, I will try my best. I want to call on all of you here to join me to thank Mr. Peter Akpanke for this car gift”

    The car gift presentation was to kick start the activities to return the glory to God and service to mankind.

  • Anniversary: TheLumineNews Sets Up Award Committee

    By Admin

    TheLumineNews has constituted a committee to over see the process that will lead to selection of 9 Cross Riverians who have distinguished themselves in different fields and one civil society organization to be honored in an event yet to be announced to mark its first anniversary.

    In release signed by the Editor-In-Chief/Publisher Comrade Elijah Ugani, addressed to the members of the committee indicates that the committee will allow members of the public to nominate persons of their choice and state reasons why they make such nomination.

    Find full address to the committee.

    “As part of the activities to mark one year anniversary of TheLumineNews I wish to seek your approval for you to serve in the committee to select the best personalities that will make the list of awardees in ten different categories.

    “Your resilience, dogged disposition and insistence on the ideals is the motivation that propels your nomination.

    “It is my believe that your wealth of experience will be brought to bare in this process.

    “The aim of establishing TheLumineNews is to serve the society, contribute to nation building by providing accurate and timely information on happenings around us, as well as illuminate the society with truth in defense of the oppressed.

    “TheLumineNews is the fastest growing online media organization in cross river state and hopefully, we anticipate to become the most vibrant, reliable and up to date media platform with the widest coverage and publicity in the state in the coming years.

    “We anticipate 10 categories of award to honor a few cross riverians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavors.

    “Categories of the award:
    1. Best Ayade appointee
    2. Best employer of labour in Cross River State
    3. Best youth entrepreneur of not more than 45 years
    4. Best journalist
    5. Best blogger/social media influencer
    6. Best Right lawyer
    7. Best civil society organization (NGO)
    8. Best public/civil servant
    9. Best State House of Assembly Member
    10. Best National Assembly Member.

    “We will allow the public to nominate, and state reasons for their nomination, telling the public their choice of nomination.
    This will last for a period to be agreed by this committee.

    “At the expiration of the timeline, the committee will shortlist three persons or organizations in each of the ten categories with the highest nomination.

    “And present same to the public, thereafter, the public will vote for the three persons/nominees. The votes will form part of the assessment for the overall best in each category.

    “The committee will do background check on the 27 persons and three civil society organizations at the final stage to be sure of the information provided to avoid being misled.

    “The committee also reserve the right to decide otherwise in the circumstance(s) where a particular nominee is beclouded with controversy.

    “At every point in time, the committee is free to seek clarification and is to work as independent as possible.

    “Committee Members.

    1. Comr. Ogar, Emmmanual Oko – Chairman
    2. Mallam Yuguda – Member
    3. S. A. Akpanke Esq. – Member
    4. Mr. Augustine Aboh – Member
    5. Mr. Boniface Ushie-Ogar – Member
    6. Miss Damaris Onyendi – Member
    7. Mr. Jerry Unimke – Secretary.

    “Thanks in anticipation and congratulations to you all”

    Elijah Ugani
    Editor-In-Chief/Publisher
    TheLumineNews

  • Wike Fires Perm Sec For Flouting COVID-19 Guideline

    By Admin

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has sacked the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Sunny Okere, for allegedly flouting guidelines put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease in the state.

    This was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim.

    According to the statement, Okere’s dismissal was with immediate effect.

    The former permanent secretary was dismissed for reportedly participating in a burial ceremony with more than 50 persons in attendance in contravention to the state government’s protocol on funerals amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The governor was quoted as saying, “In the face of increasing infections and systemic risk to public health and safety, most residents have continued to disregard the mitigating protocols with reckless abandon.

    “Public and private transporters, business owners and churches are refusing to adhere to the relevant protocols. Punch

  • Dr. Mrs. Mary Iji Receives Royal Blessings From The Paramount Ruler Of Bekwarra LGA As She Consults To Replace Late Sen. Rose Oko At The Red Chambers.

    By Admin

    Ahead of the yet to be fixed northern senatorial bye-election  to replace the late sen. Rose Oko, at the senate, the quintessential and trailblazing woman of valor, a pathfinder and social engineer of very high repute, Dr. Mrs. Mary Eru Iji has defiled all odds as she takes the bull by the horn to declare her intention, zeal and readiness to cling the People’s Democratic Party PDP, ticket to replace the replace the late Sen. Rose Oko.

    Dr. Mary Iji who has hails from the same place with the late Sen. Rose Oko in Yala local government area of northern cross river, has argued that being a woman and having being the late Senator’s personal friend and trusted ally, it was very proper for her to complete the tenure of her friend and sister at the red chambers.

    The prospective senator took to consult Ward Chairmen and local government Chapter Executives of the five wards that made up the northern senatorial district, also made her way to Akurinyi village in Bekwarra local government area to consult the Paramount Ruler.

    The custodian of Bekwarra traditions and customs, His Royal Majesty, Odey Ogbeche who listened to Dr. Mary Iji spoke passionately about her desire to return hope to the people through effective representation, good leadership, youth libration and equity, was very elated having been thrilled with her ovation and mastery of the political interplay in our recent democratic system.

    HRM however noted that “it is very appropriate for you to be given the mandate to complete the tenure of your sister in line with the 35 percent affirmation for women, as late Sen. Rose was the only female National Assembly member from cross river state.

    “In other climes, women have have occupied prominent positions of authority, example is Rwanda, we have more women in parliament than men. I have no reservation to bless you”

    The Paramount Ruler took time to communed in his dialect with the ancestors of his land, and gave Dr. Mary Iji his royal blessings and maintained that “on behalf of Bekwara nation who have blessed me and given me the mandate to bless others, I hereby bless you to go and get what rightly belongs to you. As many who gather to seek your dawn fall, they shall fall themselves”

    His Royal Majesty used the opportunity to intimate Dr. Mary Iji that the electorates are in dare need of a representative who understands the need and plight of the people in relation to time and season, and not the Abuja type of representatives who return and remember them only during elections.

    Akurinyi is a village that shares boundary with Yala local government area. The Paramount Ruler disclosed that, there is little or no government presence in the his community as the only source of good water is the borehole drilled by himself for his used.

    Akurinyi is situated along the dual carriage from OKpoma to Obanliku, it is hopeful that the road will see the light of the day as the road is impassable when there is downpour.

    Dr. Mrs. Mary Iji enjoyed the goodwill of all those she consulted as they all encouraged her and wished her the best as she navigate the length and breadth of northern senatorial district seeking support to get to the red chambers.

    On his part, UKani Paulinus Joseph Ekunke commended Dr. Mary Iji for the bold step taken to gun for the senate position and urged her not to underestimate any person in the course of her consultation as power comes from God, but God uses man to perfect his plans for mankind.

    Some stakeholders who for fear of being victimized, rather have decided to play from behind the scene in the Dr. Mary Iji’s to the red chambers.

    Voice of the North Media

  • Psychiatric Hospital Workers Protest Injustice In Covid-19 Hazard Allowance

    By George Odok Jr – Calabar

    Workers in the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) in Calabar have staged a peaceful protest over what they described as “injustice” in the payment of Covid-19 hazard allowance to health workers in tertiary health institutions.

    The workers said some category of staff which include clinical staff, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory and some health assistance were paid 40 per cent.

    They lamented that the accountant, environmental officers, the administrators, auditors and store keeper including cleaners where paid 10 per cent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workers carried placards such as ‘Covid-19 hazard allowance: pay the 30 per cent allowance now’, ‘we say not to 10 per cent, pay us our balance now,’ Ministry of Health drifting to animal farm’ among many others.

    Speaking, Mr Daniel Odo, Chairman of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) FNPH branch, said that all staff in the hospotal were vulnerable to all risk and outbreaks.

    Odo maintained that all workers in the hospital were health workers, adding that it was the reason why all workers of the hospital irrespective of rank were paid N5,000 as hazard allowance.

    “As a branch of JOHESU, we say bold no to the skewed implementation of the payment of Covid-19 hazard and inducement allowance which was approved for all health workers by the Federal Government.

    “The haphazard selection of few members who were paid jumbo 40 per cent of their basic consolidated salary and the remaining half, a paltry 10 per cent was aimed at divide and rule us.

    “In the spirit of our resolved and solidarity that an injury to one, is an injury to all, I appeal to the generality of our members and particularly those that were privileged to receive the jumbo pay to be part of the collective struggle.

    “We cannot guarantee industrial peace in the health sector until we are paid the balance of 30 per cent. We have never and we cannot accept that our hospitals have become the animal farm where all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Secretary of JOHESU in FNPH, Mr Ken Bassey, said the peaceful protest was not against the management of the hospital, but rather it was agreed by the national body of JOHESU that they staged a peaceful protest to demand for the 30 per cent balance.

    Bassey also maintained that every worker in the hospital was also at risk of any health challenge or disease outbreak.

    “This peaceful protest is to send a message to the Federal Government over the displeasure and injustice in the payment of the Covid-19 hazard allownace.

    “The payment was to compensate the health workers for the risk they face in service delivery and for handling the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “But surprisingly, when the payment was effected, it was segregated. Some people were paid 40 per cent, while others got 10 percent.

    “We are saying no because we face the same risk from the gate man who stands at the gate to the ambulance driver who drives the patients and all that; we must be paid and treated equally because this is not an animal farm where some people are treated more equal than others,” he said.

    Addressing the protesters, Dr Bassey Edet, Managing Director of the Hospital, commended the staff for expressing their grievances, adding that he will communicate accordingly to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health.

    “We will communicate to the authorities concerned. I feel pained myself because injustice done to one is done to all,” he said.

  • OMPAN Calls On CRS Govt To Reinvigorate Fight Against COVID-19 Lockout, Prosecute “General Iron”

    By Admin

    THE Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, OMPAN, Cross River State chapter has called on the Cross River State Government to reinvigorate the fight against COVID-19 lockout in the state.

    The association made the call in a communiqué after its monthly meeting held in Calabar on Thursday.

    The Communiqué signed by its state Chairman, Comrade Efio-Ita Nyok stated that the call has become imperative following the complete noncompliance with basic safety rules like wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitizers and physical distance by majority of the population in the state.

    “Ninety percent of residents in the state no longer use personal protective equipment and go about their businesses with an air of nonchalance which speaks volumes of what might befall the state in the event of an outbreak of the pandemic in the state”.

    OMPAN observed that the state sits on a time bomb as the borders and points of entry into the state which used to be closely monitored have now become open for free entry and exit into the state.

    “Reports from across the state shows that movement into and out of the state no longer witness scrutiny or restriction as was the case when the government announced the lockout against the pandemic”.

    The association said figures globally indicate that the rate of infection is on the increase and even in Nigeria there is a spike in the level of infection and the state having not witnessed any case should be sustained through continued and stringent lockout effort.

    “Initiating a policy without close and continued monitoring is like kicking a ball down the road and letting it rolls without being guided to a logical direction and that is not going to stop the infection from entering the state and causing havoc”. OMPAN noted.

    The association also called on the state government to call on the contracting firm handling the construction of the Tinapa-Odukpani junction roundabout road to expedite action to put pay to the frequent motor accidents that are being recorded along that road.

    “There have been records of frequent motor accidents particularly trucks crashing on that road and obstructing free movement and causing avoidable hardship on road users.”

    The association stated that though rainfall is on the increase but measures should be taken by the contractor to avoid frequent crashes on the road.

    The umbrella body for online media practitioners in the state particularly noted with profound reservations the unconscionable barbarity of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River on Forestry Security, Thomas Obi Tawo, popularly called “General Iron” who reportedly burnt Nigerians in Boki LGA recently (with some allegedly dead) for suspectedly being witches and wizards whom he said he saw in his dream fighting with him. OMPAN called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the so-called General.

    “We note with reservations the barbarity of the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Forestry Security, Thomas Obi Tawo, who recently burnt some Nigerians indigenous to Boki for suspectedly seeing them in his dream fighting with him.

    “It beggars the mind that this type of elements are still living with us in society and more still, he is still an appointee of a state governor who had claimed to be a politician with ethics.

    “OMPAN is therefore calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of SA Tawo. Such entities, if convicted should be kept faraway from society”, the statement concluded.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are strictly that Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter and does not represent TheLuminrNews.