The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Sen. Sandy Onor Congratulates Prof. Florence Obi On Her Appointment As The First Female Vice Chancellor Of UNICAL

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The senator representing cross river central senatorial district, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor has congratulated Prof. Florence Obi on her appointment as the 11th and first female Vice Chancellor of the university of Calabar.

    In a release made available to The Lumine News and signed by the Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Chief Joe Obi Bisong, indicates that her well deserved appointment is call to higher service.

    The relese reads in parts “With every sense of responsibility, I write on behalf of the Distinguished Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor, the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District and the entire members of the Caterpillar Movement to heartily congratulate you on your resounding victory at the interview for the selection of the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar. As an acclaimed quintessential amazon and trail blazer who has distinguished herself in scholarship and administration, your victory has not come as a surprise to many of us.

    “Your well-deserved appointment is a call to higher service and we pray that you use the office, to set a trajectory for others as you have always done. You have traversed the length and breadth of the academia and you are most strategically equipped to deploy your wealth of experience to reposition the University of Calabar for global competitiveness.

    “I am confident that your meritorious service as Dean of Education and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic in the University had created the needed fulcrum and opportunity for you to under study the dynamics of leadership at that pedestal as well the challenges confronting the university system which makes you ably equipped for the job.

    “May God grant you wisdom, foresight and the spirit of excellence as you mount the saddle as the 11th Vice- Chancellor and the first female chief executive of the University of Calabar.

    “Once again, Congratulations!
    Chief Hon. Joe Obi Bisong
    Director General
    Caterpillar Movement”

  • UN Food And Agriculture Organization Partners C’River To Build MDAs Capacity On Agrotech

    By Admin

    The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (UNFAO) and Cross River State Government have agreed to partner on some Agricultural and ICT training for staff of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State.

    The partnership was the outcome of the meeting by the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, MIDC and the Lead Advisor to the Governor on Green Money, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo with the UN FAO Rep, Mr Suffyan Koroma at the UN Country Office in Abuja.

    The Programme which will be coordinated by the Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC) will build capacity of staff of some key clusters of the state on agrotechnology and info-business in line with the Cross River State Government efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

    Speaking during a follow up visit to the UN team to broker the Partnership arrangement, the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, averred that the State Government’s Core Policy under Ayade’s administration is on Modern Agricultural Production, Distribution and it’s value chain markets as well Industrialization.

    Asibong explained that the state has keyed into the Federal Government’s initiative on Food security and Agricultural revolution to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and maintained that building the capacity of key MDAs and investing in innovative technology will guarantee food sufficiency not only to Cross River but Nigeria in general.

    “I thank the Technical Team for partnering with Cross River which is one of the three States in Nigeria to benefit from the UN capacity building on modern ICT with Kano and Lagos as two other beneficiaries” she added.

    Speaking earlier during the visit, the UNFAO technical team leader, Mr Dare Olurunmole who is also a project Desk Officer at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said the visit was to identify the ICT needs of the Agricultural lines of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs). The beneficial MDAS include Ministry of Agriculture, FADAMA, SPC, SBS, ADP among others with MIDC as coordinating ministry.

    Mr Olorunmole thanked the Cross River State Government as one of the leading states setting the standard in achieving better quality of Agricultural Produce ,with adequate available data in support of the Sustainable development Goals.

  • Excitement As Gov. Ayade Commissions Modor And Odaghe Vulnerable Centres In Obubra

    George Odok Jr.

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River State has commissioned two skills acquisition centres for the Modor vulnerable group in Apiapum and Odaghe vulnerable group in Ofodua communities in Obubra local government area, including culverts.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, said the projects were funded through the Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency, a World Bank Assisted partnership programme with the state government.

    She explained that the projects were supported with a view to give the vulnerable groups a sense of belonging by improving their livelihoods.

    The skill acquisition programmes include a viewing centre, photo studio, catering school and a computer centre.

    The Acting General Manager of Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency, Mr Fidel Udie, commended the community for providing their counterpart contribution for the successful completion of the project.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hon. Livinus Okpa, popularly called “Incumbent”, said the Ayade led government has given the disabled the opportunity to contribute to the development of their communities and the state at large.

    Mr Toni Ikpeme, the Board Chairman of Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency, charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the projects to enhance their overall wellbeing.

  • Cross River Assembly Speaker Urges Police To Curb Insessant Kidnapping In The State

    By Hope Obeten

    The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams has called on the authority of the Nigerian Police Force State Command to curb the spate of incessant kidnapping in the state.

    The Speaker made the call when he paid a courtesy visit with his entourage to the new Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Abdulkadir Jimoh in his office in Calabar on Monday, 1st September, 2020.

    Mr. Speaker reiterated the commitment and readiness of the 9th Assembly under his watch to render necessary assistance and support geared towards enhancing efficient and effective policing of the state.

    He used the opportunity to officially welcome the new CP to Cross River State and thanked him for his achievements recorded so far within the short period.

    “I want to thank you specially for what you have been doing since you came onboard, we have seen kidnappers that were arrested in Calabar and even as far as Ogoja, we are happy and want to see more of that”, Willaims said.

    He also used the avenue to inform the State Commissioner of Police of the Anti-Kidnapping law that was already passed by the state assembly which gives the police adequate legislative backing to fight kidnapping in the state.

    Earlier, Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Abdulkadir Jimoh appreciated the timely visit of the legislative arm of the government, noting that they are the accredited representatives of the public. He solicited the support and assistance of the House of Assembly to enable the police in the state discharge its responsibility effectively.

    The Police Commissioner said he is committed to community policing hence pledged the readiness of the command to work assiduously to ensure Cross Riverians enjoy sleep, and have peace of mind.

    Members of the House who were present during the courtesy call include, the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey and the Clerk, Elder Bassey Ekpenyong.

  • Nigeria Medical Association Takes Protest To House Of Assembly, Demands Immediate Release Of Kidnapped Colleague

    By Abara Etop

    The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams, has maintained that the State Anti Kidnapping bill has since been signed into law by the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben. Ayade.

    Williams gave the hint, when members of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, undertook a peaceful protest to the Complex and to demand the immediate and unconditional release of their colleague, Dr. Vivien Otu, who was Kidnapped since 28th of August, 2020, in Calabar.

    The Speaker, who was in company of the Chairman House Committee on Heath, Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, reiterated the existence of the law, showing proof of a Gazetted copy, promising to liase with other agencies to ensure that Kidnappers are punish accordingly.

    Earlier, the state Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association NMA Calabar branch, Dr. Innocent Abang, said they were in the Assembly to register their displeasure on, if there is an existing Anti Kidnapping law, yet, Kidnappers are not punish, stressing that since the Kidnapped of their colleague, Dr Vivien Otu, government has not made any statement, calling on security Agencies to ensure her release.

    The Association noted that with the Kidnapped of Dr. Vivien, bring to total number of Cross Rivarians Kidnapped including Doctors, to Sixteen persons and the law is yet to apprehend and presicute.any Kidnapper.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, Women wing, Dr. Bassey Nakanda, said the wing demand the immediate release of their colleague within twelve hours, adding that Dr. Vivien is the current Chairman elect of the wing.

  • 100 Days In Office: Odukpani LGA Partners CRSPHCDA To Promote Quality Healthcare Delivery Through Community Outreach.

     

    The Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Mrs. Justina Edem organized a free medical outreach in collaboration with the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to mark her first 100 days in office.

    The free medical outreach which was held in the Council headquarters attracted beneficiaries from different locations across the LGA, it had hundreds of people being tested, treated, counselled, vaccinated and given drugs for various ailments.

    Speaking to participants and beneficiaries, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the Council head for ensuring that her subjects receive the best of medical services at no cost, which is an encouragement to people especially the low income earners instead of seeking traditional forms of medication.

    Dr Ekpenyong further thanked beneficiaries for turning out massively to take advantage of the exercise as she encouraged them to always prioritize their health to avoid complications in the phase of the pandemic outbreak.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon.Mrs Justina Edem said her leadership will ensure that the health and well-being of her people is best taken care of and as such will continue to work with relevant authorities, groups and individuals to achieve that objective.

    Hon Edem said, aside the celebration of her first 100 days in office and the free medical outreach, plans are under way to collaborate effectively with the primary health care Agency to ensure that all communities in the LGA boast of a working and functional health facility to avoid people moving far distances to seek medical care.

    Some of the benefiaries including Mrs Andem Ekpenyong and Cicilia Offiong thanked the team for the gesture as they wished for more of such opportunities to improve their health.

    The highlight of the outreach exercise was the distribution of facemasks, alcohol based hand sanitizer by the DG, CRSPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong while beneficiaries were checked for Rapid Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, HIV/AIDs and other STDs, eye test as well as the referral for some conditions while drugs were also administered.

  • CRSPHCDA And Biase LGC To Advance Grassroot Healthcare Services

    By Admin

    The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Biase Local Government Area council is set to collaborate to advance quality and effective Healthcare delivery in the council.

    The collaboration is aimed at fostering harmony and delivering best Healthcare services to those in the grassroot in line with the vision of his Excellency, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade to provide effective Healthcare for all citizens.

    The resolve for synegy was reached at Biase Local Government council when the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Janet Ekpenyong led a delegation from her office on a working visit to the Chairman, Hon. Mrs Ada Charles to familiarize with her and to discuss ways of partnership in promoting health services in the grassroot and the entire local government area.

    Dr Ekpenyong disclosed that, since the establishment of the state primary health care agency in 2016, more communities and people have now gained first hand access to health Facilities and services which has checked mortality rate across the state.

    She pleaded for a sustained relationship which has already been established between the council and the Agency.
    “We consider you to be a major stakeholder especially as it concerns Biase Local Government Area, because we know you can help us achieve a lot as it concerns health for both our mothers, new born and the aged.

    “Since the establishment of the CRSPHCDA in 2016, there have been a lot of advancement in the health sector especially as it concerns the healthcare system in the grassroot and that is why we are here to further expand our reach which we know it’s achievable through your support.

    “We have as well come to intimate you of the services we offer to the people, our work is to see that those in the very hard to reach areas access quality Healthcare just like those who live in the city, that is why we request your collaboration both in terms of infrastructure and workers welfare,”.

    Receiving the DG and her team, the chairman of Biase Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs Ada Charles, thanked them for coming as she enumerated numerous achievements recorded by the DG since her appointment in January 2020.

    Hon. Ada pledged her support and commitment to ensure that both Biase LGA and the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency work together to achieve quality Healthcare for her people.

    “The health sector is very important to me, and that is why my team and I have begun health interventions in various communities already, and we expect to improve on it in the nearest future and as well partner with your agency (CRSPHCDA) to reach those in the grassroot” Said Ada.

    She further promised an improved welfare for health workers in the council to motivate them in giving optimal services to the people.

    The DG also briefed her of the soon to commenced State Health Insurance Scheme where she encouraged her to mobilize her people to take advantage of the scheme to access comprehensive health services and as well thanked the council boss for the already established synergy between the council and the agency.

    The DG was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Ms Rita Abu, the Directors of Administration, Barr. John Odu, Director of Finance, Mr Egbe Bassey, Director of Community Health, Mrs Sally Enyie and the State mobilization officer, NSA Ekpenyong as well as the Director of Local Government Area Health Authority, Mr Ibe. .

  • Prof. James Bassey Ejue’s Scorecard As Provost, Federal College Of Education, Obudu.

    By Admin

    Over the years, the Federal College of Education, Obudu has continued to pursue its core mandate. The mandate requires the College to produce highly trained teachers that would be committed to quality education, enhance the core values of the society and promote the socio-economic development of the nation.

    Since inception in1982, the College has continued to produce graduates who are adequately prepared and are now contributing to the socio-economic and political development of the country. The College has remained on this path of growth through the commitment of her Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students who have always strived to sustain any recorded success that may have been achieved.

    It has to be placed on record that the College was formally established in 1982. The founding father of the College, the very distinguished Senator, Dr. Joseph Wayas was the then Senate President and he caused the Federal Government of Nigeria to approve the establishment of this great institution Obudu local government area. With the institution on ground, the sleepy town of Obudu quickly turned around to become a cosmopolitan city and destination for harvesting intellectual and scholastic discourses.
    Yearly, scores of acclaimed academics gather in the College for conferences, workshops and trainings. This has further enhanced the rating of the College as a foremost tertiary institution in the country.

    While acknowledging the pioneering efforts of all past Provosts and administrators of the College, it must be pointed out that the current Provost, Prof. James Bassey Ejue, in spite of the debilitating challenges that he met on assumption, has turned around to become one of the greatest contributors to the development of the College.

    The parameter for arriving at this conclusion was based on the prevailing situation of things when he arrived the College in 2016 at the peak of an economic recession in Nigeria and what the situation is today. Kindly join us to put some of these issues on the spotlight.

    The issue of certification of graduates of the College had witnessed a lull from 2004. This was due to some bureaucratic bottle necks that were put in place at that time.

    At the time Prof. Ejue assumed office, this situation had already started having some negative impacts on the psyche of both staff and students. In fact, public confidence had been lost. He immediately swung into action and virtually relocated to the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Abuja, where the necessary machineries were put in motion to facilitate the signing of the certificates by the Executive Secretary of the Commission. This singular effort led to the release of backlog of certificates from 2004 to 2013. This was however magical. Prompt release of students’ results is now a regular feature in the College.

    Again, on assumption of Office, he profiled the staff and noted that though quite a few were ICT compliance, the level of appreciation by the generality of the staff was nonetheless very unsatisfactory. To stem this trend, the Provost quickly approached the Nigeria Communications Commission and requested that they train the staff of the College. It was on the strength of this request that the Commission engaged the Digital Bridge Institute to train the Staff of the College on Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI).

    This was followed up by a donation of 110 computer laptops by NCC in 2017. And like Oliver Twist, the Provost continued to ask for more. The College had subsequently received further donations of 110 laptops in 2019 from same NCC with more Staff trained.

    At the time of the establishment of the degree programme in the College, only two, out of the thirteen programmes were fully accredited. The other eleven were given provisional accreditations. This was not good enough for the new Provost. He caused the National Universities Commission to dispatch her accreditation team to the College. Today, all the thirteen degree programmes of the College are fully accredited.

    The NCE programmes were also faced with the same challenges because the last accreditation was 13 years ago. He equally replicated the same feat. The 29 NCE programmes are now fully accredited. Ancillary to the above was the issue of the first NYSC mobilization for the degree students which was generating some tension at that time. Within a twinkle, the issues were resolved and the pioneer graduates joined their counterparts across the country in the service of their fatherland. This is now a regular feature.

    It was mind boggling that proper Land survey was never carried out on the College after about 35 years of existence. Reasoning that after some time, it might be difficult to delineate the boundaries of the College, the Provost initiated actions which finally led to the formal survey of the main campus of the College.

    Lack of corporate governance was also a big issue in the affairs of the institution. In compliance with relevant laws therefore, the Provost established the procurement Unit. He articulated the revival and sustenance of the F.C.E. consult which has gradually started yielding desired results.

    The Provost has established a centre for Linkages and Development to attract and coordinate donor support. Little wonder that Dr. Richard Price, an American academic and charity benefactor has offered to donate an ultra-modern lecture theatre to the College.

    The morale of staff was at its lowest ebb when Prof. Ejue assumed office. Various arrears of entitlements were owed staff. This affected the attitude of the workers in the performance of their duties. Prof. Ejue swung into action using his contacts, he facilitated the release and payment of the staff 2016/2017 salary shortfalls. He equally facilitated the release and payment of 2013/2014 and 2015 promotion arrears. This is in addition to the payment of various honoraria and allowances owed staff.
    These however boosted significantly, the morale of staff. Still the Provost never rested on his oars.

    In the area of infrastructural development, despite the paucity of funds, the Chief Executive equally kept eye on the ball. He undertook the following: Renovation and furnishing of the pre-NCE Block; Renovation and furnishing of Demonstration Secondary School Block; Comprehensive renovation of NCB Extension Classroom Block and School of Languages Block; Construction of one-storey 4-classroom Block with offices; completion of abandoned Fine and Applied Arts complex and resumption of work on abandoned Theatre Arts complex; and the comprehensive renovation of School of Languages Block. The Medical Centre which had remained comatose has also been rejuvenated and made functional for the use of the entire College Community. Now the Medical Centre is registered with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    The unbundling of TETfund projects, momentum of Project and infrastructural development even increased. These projects have greatly assisted to address the deficits in major areas of need. The award of contract for all the projects was holistic and it covers construction, equipment and furnishing. These projects include: Technical Education Workshop at the Bebi Campus; One storey Block for the School of Early Childcare and Primary Education; and another storey block for the School of Adult and Non-Formal Education.

    Others are the 300 capacity Multipurpose Pavilion; Science Complex; a befitting School of General EducationComplex, a State-of-the-art gymnasium to replace the one that was destroyed by a devastating windstorm sometime: and a 250-capacity lecture theatre in Bebi campus.

    Every area of need got the desired attention of the very hardworking Provost. The Chief Executive procured a brand new 14-seater bus and another set of three Toyota Hilux trucks to add to the available fleet.

    To address the problem of unsatisfactory power supply, the Provost procured a 500KVA Generator as well as 10 other smaller ones. The administration also embarked on and completed the installation of Solar Street lights throughout the length and breadth of the College.

    The human angle in all these was the construction of two blocks of 10 lavatories each in the main campus with borehole to reticulate water to the entire facility. This Project was indeed a priority project for obvious reasons.

    The Chief Executive made a great impact in the area of sports development. Barely after hosting the NICEGA games in 2007, the facilities at the College Games Village were blown off by a devastating windstorm. The entire sports complex was affected by wear and tear. Looking at the austere state of the College, it was difficult to believe that the amiable Provost would think along the line of trying to rehabilitate the moribund facility. Interestingly however, he defied the odds and embarked on comprehensive rehabilitation of both the Spectator’s Pavilion as well as other facilities at the Games Village. It was no longer news that the 19th edition of the Nigeria Colleges of Education Games (NICEGA) tagged “Obudu 2019 was successfully hosted on this facility and it was adjudged as the best in the 40 years history of the games.

    It must equally be reckoned that some intangible and sundry issues can even affect
    the fortunes of every establishment. At the inception of Prof. Ejue’s Administration
    the college had 29 Ph.D holders but presently the number has increased to 40, while 56 others are undergoing sponsored Ph.D Programmes and 38 undergoing Masters programmes both in Nigeria and abroad. The Provost equally ensured that attention is given to all areas in order to make sure that a conducive teaching and learning environment prevails in the College. For example, he inherited from his predecessors some issues of litigations against the institution. He drove the processes and facilitated the favourable resolution of those legal actions against the
    College.

    In the same vein, payments have been made for the settlement of various inherited liabilities to both staff and contractors.

    No tertiary institution can be worthy of its name without functional and efficient library services. It was with the above mindset that the Provost embarked on the upgrade of the College library. It became a matter of deliberate policy to continually stock the library with more current books and journals; more furniture; and the Provost was also able to put in place an ultramodern e-library infrastructure. Likewise, all the science laboratories in the College have been equally upgraded. Even the language laboratory is not left out, as rehabilitation of the facility has been completed. This is in addition to the provision of classroom and office furniture worth over N100m to address acute shortages.

    All these efforts have resulted in the return of high academic standards and the dividends are beginning to flow. For instance, the College debate team was 1st runners up and 2nd runners up in 2018 and 2019, respectively in inter-tertiary institutions debate competition.

    Also, the college Demonstration Primary School Pupils emerged over-all best in the spelling and current affairs competition in the South-South Organized by Brilliance and Excellence.

    To cap it all, an alumnus of the College, Mr. Francis Agakwu was adjudged as the over-all best at the last passing out parade of the Cadets of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). For a long time; this will continue to be a reference point on the commitment of the College to the realization of her mandate in the area of quality education.

    Worthy of mention at this point is the great contribution of Sir Emeka Oftor Foundation in the upgrade of the College Library. The foundation had earlier donated over 700 volumes of books in different areas of study to the College, and later followed-up again with more book donations.

    These donations of standard and current books were meant to equip the library and upgrade it to a standard that can be rated with other similar higher institutions in the country. The other reason was the immediate need to assist the College in her preparation and arrangements for both the degree and NCE accreditations which the College was expecting at that time. The foundation must certainly share a part in the success of the accreditation programmes of the College because of its timely intervention of donation of relevant books at that critical time. This contribution was fundamental to the overall success of the exercise and it must continue to remain in the front burner in the annals of important records of the College.

    That is why the College will always remain eternally grateful to the vibrant and very dynamic Honourable, Sir Anthony Obi who is the Chairman of the very Foundation. He was the one that facilitated the donation of those books. He never considered the fact that the 6th Governing Council of the College, to which he was appointed Chairman was yet to hold its inaugural meeting. The newly appointed Chairman did a personal appraisal and identified this crucial area of intervention and immediately took an action that was indeed very proactive and helped to resolve one of the most fundamental problems of the College at that time.

    The 6th Governing Council itself must be described as selfless, cooperative, and indeed highly impactful in the affairs of the College. The Council comprises of very patriotic men and women that are less concerned with the heights they have individually attained in the society, but are rather determined to continue to work and make positive impacts through their services to our great College. Without the support of this great body, this litany of achievements by the Provost would have been difficult to realize. Although, the Honourable, Sir Anthony Obi led Governing Council has worked with very little motivation, the Council however must be commended for being very supportive of these giant and noble strides of the College Management.

    It is worthy of note that due to some legal hurdles, the College could not access funds from TETFund for physical development. However, now that Prof. Ejue’s dexterity has led to the resolution of those challenges, very soon the College is going to witness massive infrastructural development. Staff and Students are upbeat and optimistic that the lost glory of the College is back. No doubt, more challenges exist in the system. However, it would be proper to give Prof. Ejue a pat on the back as he bowed out of the system.

    The college will miss this purpose driven and seasoned administrator, but wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

    Public Relation Unit
    FCE Obudu
    September, 2020

  • We Have Come Here To Identify Young Players And Assist Them Get To The Next Level – Sampson Siasia

     

    BY ELIJAH UGANI – OBUDU

    A former International Football Icon and former Super Eagle Coach, Mr. Sampson Siasia has stated that his coming to Obudu is to enable him and his team to identify talents in young people and assist them gets to the next level of football.

    Coach Saisia made known today, September 4th, 2020 at the Obudu Township stadium during the finals of the 7th edition of Comrade Odey Adamade Football tournament.

    In his words “We have to come here today because this is the finals, in events like this, we identify young talents and assist them gets to the next level. That goalkeeper is extremely good.

    “I want to thank Comr. Adamade who made it possible for us to be here. Worthy of note is the fact that all of you have come out massively to be part of this event. We hope to come back here.

    “Football is way of bringing people together and I can see smiles on your faces, to the Chiefs who have waited patiently from the beginning of the match to now, I must commend them, thank you very much for coming.

    “The reception we have right from when we came till now, is being something else, thank you all for your hospitality”

    A member of Coach Siasia’s technical crew, Mr. Elvis Abu, commended the efforts of the organizer of the tournament and posited that the trip was worthwhile.

    Mr. Abu promised to support the efforts made by Barr. Adamade to organize the tournament and pledged his commitment to the organization of the eight edition of the tournament with specific attention to areas that need to improved upon.

    On his part, the organizer of the tournament, Barr. Odey Adamade, was visibly elated to have Coach Sampson honor his invitation to grace the finals of his tournament with the view to identify young and upcoming talents to assist them get to the next level.

    Adamade stated that “my joy is to see any of these youth wear Arsenal, Liver Pool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid or any club jersey as a player in that team, at least the player must remember that this tournament gave him the platform and spring board to get to the zenith of his career.

    “It might interest you to note that some people spent a lot to get Coach Siasia do the assignment he has come here to do. But it might interest you to know that I didn’t spend anything for him to come here. I only went to him and requested him to come, and he obliged. I’m indeed honor to have him here and I want to say that as has said some persons have been identified, I will discuss the logistics that is required to get them to the national team and ensure that I provide same”

    Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers council, the Chairman of Urban Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness Utsu Ezekiel thanked Coach Sampson Siasia for finding time to grace the occasion despites his very tight schedules, and prayed for the enabling opportunities to get some of the youths who have been identified in the tournament to feature in the national team, so that the youths will be more committed in the game of football with the believe that theirs is the turn next, and this will reduce the rate of crime in our society.

    He used the opportunity to thank Barr. Adamade for the steadfastness in the past seven years and asked God to grant him the strength and resources to unite the youths in Obudu.

    The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mr. David Undeshi also known as Mayor, said courage and the zeal to set records has sustain the momentum over the last seven years and maintained that at seven, the organizing committee is about to set the space for others to follow.

    The finals was played by the Academy Football Club of Obudu and Begiaka Football Club. The match ended in a 1 – 1 draw, had Begiaka won a 3 – 0 penalty shoot out, making the team winning back to back.

    The event futred presentation of goal medals to selected and deserving invited guests. Principal among them were Coach Sampson Siasia, Mr. Elvis Abu and Arct. Eric Akpo.

    Special recognition was given to best coach, highest goal scorer, best team, best goalkeeper among others.

  • DG BORDERCOM, Noel Ugbong Felicitates FAD 93.1 FM At 3rd Anniversary

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Director General of Border Development Commission, Mr. Noel Ugbong has felicitated with FAD 93.1 FM Calabar on it’s third anniversary celebration.

    A statement made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the DG, indicates that the credibility and resilience of the organization has had positive impacts in the affairs of governance and public perception in the state.

    The statement reads in parts “On behalf of my family and the entire Border Development Commission, I wish to congratulate the management and staff of FAD FM 93.1 Calabar on this auspicious and glorious occasion of your 3rd anniversary.

    “Your ingenuity, hard work and credibility and resilience in the last 3 years has had positive impacts in the affairs of governance and public perception in the state.

    “I wish FAD FM 93.1 Calabar will sustain the gains it has created in the last three years and employ it’s high degree of professionalism to serve as a veritable platform to promote the rich social-economic and cultural heritage of the state.

    “On this day of your 3rd anniversary celebration, I wish you the best in all endeavours.

    “The best is yet to come, as the future is even brighter.
    Once again, congratulations”.