The Lumine News

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  • 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

    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

    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

    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.

  • CR North Bye-election: Gale of defection hits PDP as 5000 dump party for Akpagu’s APC In Obudu

    By Denis Inakefe

    The Senatorial ambition of Prof. Zana Akpagu got another big boost over the weekend as over five thousand (5,000) members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP yesterday defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC in Obudu local government area.

    Prof. Akpagu who hails from Obudu, the same local government with Governor Ben Ayade is a frontline aspirant for the Cross River Northern Senatorial district bye-election under APC.

    The academic who’s the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar was in his home town yesterday for a small consultative meeting but on hearing that he was around, a mammoth crowd consisting of PDP members and numbering over 5000 came out to pledge their allegiance to him and his party, the APC.

    Speaking, the popular APC stalwart assured members that the days of intimation by the PDP government in the state was over as APC will deploy its federal might to protect its members in the local government and state in general.

    He said that he was in the race as a Cross River North indigene who is very concerned about the maladministration and failed representation the zone has suffered over the years under the PDP.

    He thanked the defectors for taking the bold decision not minding that the Governor was from the local government even as he assured them that they have made the right decision to be part of movement that will end the incessant cry of poor representation.

    “I want to thank you for this love. Today, you’ve made one of the best political decisions and I want to assure you that we’ll not fail you. Obudu and Cross River belong to all of us; the days of victimisation by the PDP government for being in opposition is over. We’re the government in power and we’ll deploy our federal might to ensure our members are protected from the desperate PDP”.

    He added that “APC under the leadership of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be basking in a euphoria of victory in the forthcoming Senatorial bye-election. From today, you have been formally inducted into the APC family and everybody will be treated equally”.

    On his part, the Ward Chairman of Alege-Uban who received the defectors, George Ochui
    said that their decision to dump the umbrella for the broom was timely as the APC in the state needs a visionary Senator at the Senate to support the strides achieved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his words, “Alege-Ubang is very important in Obudu local government because of its strong political base and agrarian nature. I believe that receiving members of the PDP from that locality will make the senatorial bye-election easy for us.”

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Charles Akeh said that their decision to join the ruling APC is to strengthen the party in the area and work for Prof Zana Akpagu in the forthcoming bye-election.

    He said that “We will ensure that APC wins in Alege-Ubang during the senatorial bye-election. We’ll build on Prof. Akpagu’s unmatched achievements and popularity to deliver APC”.

    An APC leader, Hon. Reuben Okang, while addressing press men said that “We had issues at Alege during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of 2019 where those who worked for APC were sent on exile but we are happy now that we have an aspirant like Zana who has always shown capacity in salvaging our sorrows in the region”.

  • Just In: Drugs Peddlers On The Run As Cross River Security Operatives Begins Bursting Of Hideouts

    By Admin

    In a bid to comply with the directives of His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State for  zero crime and criminal activities in the State with the mandate to security department, the State Security Adviser in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force had begun an aggressive manhunt for criminal elements within the State.

    Today, in a joint operation by the State Security Adviser and selected appointees of the governor, bursted several drug hideouts within Calabar South and Calabar Municipality respectively.

    Most notoriously is an outlet said to be under operation in Calabar South Local Government Area by one of those declared wanted by the state security department for CULTISM, kidnapping, drugs and other criminal activities within the State.

    Items recovered from the various operation sites are hard substances proscribed by the Federal Government, human skulls, weapons of various degrees.

    As at the time of this report, several arrest were made and suspects remanded at the Nigerian Police Anti-Cultism unit for questioning and further investigation.

    Mr Ani Esin who spoke to newsmen onbehalf of the Security team had assured that in no distant time, all culprits of crime, civil violence and anti social acts will be brought to book to restored the dignity of the city.

    His words “we are not relenting in our efforts to zero crime within the State with a strong backing of His Excellency, the Governor who had given us a clear mandate with sufficient apparatus to clampdown and push every criminal elements out of our place.

    “Although we are under immense pressure but we won’t compromise.
    We already have a good number of those declared wanted in our net and the police is currently carrying out investigations. It is just a matter of time before we get hold of others”

     

  • Just In: Ugep Miracle Pastor Caught Burying Charms In Someone’s House

     

    By Odey Ojeka – Ugeb

    A popular and miracle Pastor in Ugep, Yakurr LGA of Cross River State, Prophet Paul Abam has been paraded in Itigidi, Abi LGA of the stste for allegedly burying charms in someone’s house.

    The incident which took place this afternoon Monday 15th June, 2020 drew a crowd according to eye witness account.

    The eye witness who pledged anonymity, said he was caught after being identified by someone who knows him “burying charms in someone building in Itigidi ABI LGA .”

    The eye withness who was at the scene said “we caught Prophet Paul Abam in his home town Itigidi when he was burying charms in someone’s building.”

    Our findings revealed that Prophet Paul Abam was a Pastor at Presbyterian Church (Ugep) before he left to open his own Church – Pastor Paul Ministry.

  • I Will Encourage Collaborative Research And Linkages To Enhance Visibility And Ranking Of Unical In Line With Global Best Practices – Ita

    By Elijah Ugani

    A front line contender of the position of the Vice Chancellorship of the University of Calabar, Prof. Benedict Iserom Ita has stated that if appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, he will encourage collaborative researches and form linkages that will enhance visibility and ranking of the institution in line with global best practices.

    Ita disclosed this to TheLumineNews on a telephone chat today, Monday 15th, June 2020.

    His words “It is my desire to offer public service to my alma mater. I will encourage collaborative researches and create linkages that will enhance visibility and ranking of the University of Calabar in line with global best practices.

    “As part of my plans streamlined in the agenda of my administration if appointed by the President and Commander In Chief of the federal republic of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari through the governing council, I will strengthen staff and students relationship, ensure timely promotion and implementation of staff, create alternative means of income generation by leveraging on the Unical Bright Paint Industry to boost the Internally Generated Revenue IGR.

    “The university does not exist in isolation, it is therefore my utmost intention to strengthen unions – management relationship with the view to create an effective and conducive learning environment that will be devoid of ranchor and acrimony. I will sustain the already ongoing resource, facilities and structural development. I will attract funds for research and sponsorship as well as training and retraining of staff towards positioning the university to respond to the 21st century demands.

    Prof. Benedict Iserom Ita was born on 10th April, 1967 in Aningeje, Akamkpa, Cross River State. He began his education at the Presbyterian Primary School, Akim Qua Town, Calabar, and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979.

    He was admitted into the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mfamosing, Akamkpa and successfully obtained his GCE in 1984.

    Prof. Ita proceeded to the prestigious University of Calabar, Calabar where he obtained B. Sc. (1989), M. Sc. (1994) and Ph.D (2000) respectively in Physical Chemistry.

    Professor Benedict I. Ita’s ability to distinguish himself among his contemporaries stems from an uncanny dedication to his calling and profession. By dint of hardwork, he grew step by step and matured into leadership. Professor Benedict Ita began his working career with the Federal University of Technology, Yola as a Junior Research Fellow during his NYSC from 1989 to 1990. He joined the University of Calabar as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, from where he rose through the ranks to the prestigious rank of a professor in 2010.

    As an academic/educationist of excellence and a man of integrity, his professional and public life have helped nurture his students at both undergraduate and post-graduate programmes to a logical refinement of their careers and studies.

    Indeed, Professor Benedict Ita’s researches and teaching experiences as a scientist have carved a niche for him in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. Nevertheless, Professor Benedict Ita’s works stands out comparatively with a mixed grill of attributes including but not limited to:

    1) Synthesis, characterization and application of nanomaterials in biodiesel production, trapping of pollutants, decolorization of water by adsorption, cement matrix, catalysis, biomedical research, etc

    2) Corrosion and Corrosion inhibitions of metals.

    3) Solutions of Relativistic (Klein-Gordon and Dirac) equations and non-Relativistic (Schrodinger) equation using various methods.

    4) Solutions of linear and nonlinear differential equations using various methods like Homotopy Analysis, Adomian Decomposition, Variational Iteration, Differential Transform, Elzaki Transform methods, etc.

    Professor Benedict Ita has served the University in many diverse capacities which includes but not limited to the following:
    1). Secretary, Strategic Planning Committee, Faculty of Science, Unical.

    2). Head of Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Unical.

    3). Chairman, Central Time Table Committee, Unical.

    4). Chairman, Committee of Deans, Unical.

    5). Chairman, Senate Vetting Committee, Unical.

    6). Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Unical.

    7). Acting Vice Chancellor, Unical, etc.

     

  • Covid 19: Igbo Community In Cross River Sends A High Profile Volunteer Medical Team To Government

     

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Igbo Community in Cross River State has offered to volunteer in the ongoing faith against the dreaded pandemic covid 19 in line with the state governors call for spirited individuals and organizations to join in the fight against the pandemic.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ayade on Non Indigenes Affairs who doubles as the President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Cross River State, Barr. Ugoji NWabueze indicates calls on the public to remember the team in prayers as they offer selfless service to the state.

    The release reads in parts “In response to His Excellency request for more volunteers from spirited individuals and groups to assist in the implementation and enforcement of state Government’s Action Plan on COVID-19, IGBO in Cross River State through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non Indegenes Affairs and President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Cross River State, Barr Ugoji Nwabueze has forwarded a list containing some of it’s best hands in Medical Practice, research and health management, as a volunteer team to his Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State.

    “The team has the mandate to assist the State Government to sustain it’s current enviable National position of Covid-19 free status”

    The volunteers are:

    (1) Prof. C. Iroegbu (Virology & Genetic Ecology)

    (2) Prof. E. Uttah (Parasitology & Environmental Biology)

    (3) Prof A.O.Emeribe ( Harmatology & United Nations Rep)

    (4) Prof. N. Osuchukwu (Community Health)

    (5) Prof A.A.Alaribe ( Parasitology)

    (6) Dr Felix Akubuenyi( Environmental Microbiology)

    (7) Dr Mrs E Osuchukwu (PhD Nursing Science)

    (8) HRM Igwe, Dr E. Ilounu. CMD: Madonna Specialist Hospital, 59 Murray St, Calabar.

    (9) Nze Dr E. Odurukwe, CMD: Melrose Hospital, Ikom.

    (10) Dr S.Ezigbo, CMD: Santa Maria Hospital, Ogoja.

    (11) C.Chinedu (Med Lab Sc).

    (12) Chigoziri Samuel (Nurse).

    (13) Abigail Christian, (Environmental Microbiology)

    (14) Ugoji Nwabueze (Development Media)

    Kindly reflect them in your prayers as they volunteer to offer selfless services to the State.

  • Distinctive Attributes That Places Prof Joseph Asor Above His Contenders For Unical VCship Race

    By Ogar Emmanuel – Calabar

    Prof. Joseph Asor is an erudite Professor of Zoology and Environmental Biology in the University of Calabar, Calabar. He is a man with unparallel experience.

    Bellow are some of his attributes that stands him out among other contenders.

    1. He’s an experienced overseer of human and material resources;

    2. He’s an eminent scholar that’s well wired in the finest academic tradition;

    3. He has been on the rank of a professor for more than a decade;

    4. He has had a robust academic and administrative experience at the university and he’s capable of giving dynamic academic and administrative leadership;

    5. He has the aptitude to create the much needed harmony between students and staff; and on the other hand the tranquility between members of the host community and the entire community because he has been Dean of Students’ Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and an advocate of peace — being a strong believer;

    6. He’s capable of crafting national and international respect, specifically in the academia;

    7. He’s resolute and equipped to steadfastly pursue the continue development of the University even under resource constraint;

    8. He has the Midas touch of increasing the University’s low IGR to a golden height;

    9. He’s not greedy of filthy lucre;

    10. He gives high premium to merit and competency in his previous port of call;

    11. He has unassailable integrity —incontrovertible!;

    12. He has the intellectual shrewdness and mental acuity of pursuing the University’s vision, mission and core values;

    13. He’s psychologically, morally and physically sound;

    14. He has rendered efficient and invaluable services to the University;

    15. He’s committed to the entrenchment of the cardinal philosophy and core values that stands Unical out in the comity of academic institutions;

    16. He’s a man that students and staff, nay the academia will gaze upon with pride and satisfaction upon his enthronement as Vice Chancellor.

    We all need a VC that’s financially prudent, administratively scrupulous, fair and impartial.
    Beloved, this is a noble aspiration that merits our generous support and goodwill. Let’s join our hands to enthrone Prof. Joe Asor as Unical VC.
    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    JOE ASOR COALITION OF COMRADES (JACC) ogaremma922@gmail.com 09078405798