The Lumine News

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  • C’River Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Presents Food Items And Relief Materials To Inmates Of Nigerian Correctional Service In Calabar

    C’River Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Presents Food Items And Relief Materials To Inmates Of Nigerian Correctional Service In Calabar

     

    In her continuous quest to extend the Season of Sweetness to all Cross Riverians and in line with His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s People First Agenda, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Helen Isamoh Egodo Ph.D, presented food items and other relief materials to Ogoja inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Cross River State.

    The Commissioner who conveyed the Governor’s compassion towards the inmates assured the inmates and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service, CRS, of the State government’s determination to provide the needed support and assistance to the Nigerian Correctional Service in their determined attempt to rehabilitating the inmates.

    She encouraged the Controller, Cc. Kupan Amos to call on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for necessary assistance anytime the need arises.

    IDr. Egodo prayed God to give the inmates a new beginning, and enjoined them to keep making good choices now regardless of the past as their choices today determines their destiny.

    Responding, the State Controller of Correctional Service Cc. Kupan D. Amos Ph.D, mni, who received the gifts on behalf of the inmates at the Cross River State Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Calabar expressed appreciation to the Cross River State Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu, for his regular support for inmates in the State and his drive towards ameliorating the suffering of his people.

    Dr Amos also commended the efforts of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Helen Isamoh Egodo, for always showing great sympathy for people with special needs.

    He applauded Dr Egodo for working tirelessly to ensure that the Governor delivers on his mandate and campaign promises in order to rebuild the Paradise City.

  • LOAN CRS Chapter Embarks On Indefinite Strike

    LOAN CRS Chapter Embarks On Indefinite Strike

    Culled from CrossRiverWatch

    The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) Cross River State chapter has embarked on an Indefinite Strike on Monday May 13th.

    LOAN said the action is due to the State Government’s inability to meet their demands for the implementation of the existing approval for parity between Law Officers and Magistrates, in the 50% Salary increment for Magistrates since June, 2022, without a corresponding increase for law officers.

    The association had embarked on a warning strike on March 27, 2024 to April 2, 2024 over the demand, however there appears to be no solution to their plea.

    LOAN Chairman Ewonah Araghe, Esq. and Chairman Action Committee C . Adama had signed a notice made available to CrossRiverWatch in Calabar saying the government has a, “deliberate refusal to implement the existing approval for parity.

    “The notice reads in parts: “LOAN in its executive meeting held on the 9” day of May resolved to embark on an indefinite strike to press home their demands. This is because there is no credible reason or explanation as to why they refused to implement the 50 % increment for Law Officers in the first place.

    “This singular act has plunged members of (LOAN) Cross River State Chapter into indescribable hardship. Much worse, it defies logic to try to subject members of this profession to discriminatory treatment. In the light of this, we are constrained by this bulletin to direct all Law Officers working in all Government Ministries and agencies to proceed on an indefinite strike, commencing from Monday the 13” day of May, 2024.

    “We advise the government not to take for granted the maturity of this Association by trying to coerce or victimize its members as the association will resist such threats. The time for empty promises and excuses has passed; the time for action is now.”

  • Ike Ekwermadu: My Friend And The Global Leader At 62 BY OSITA CHIDOKA

    Ike Ekwermadu: My Friend And The Global Leader At 62 BY OSITA CHIDOKA

     

    We met in 199; you came to pick me up in your Peugeot 505 Salon car. At that time, you were a Local Government Chairman, and I was Personal Assistant to Chief Okete, Minister of State Works and Housing.

    Our friendship was on and off as you climbed the ladder of leadership. I saw you as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Senator.

    In 2008, our friendship was renewed, made possible by Olisa Metuh, your classmate. The friendship, this time, blossomed.

    You were there when my mother came back from her first cancer surgery.

    You were there when I turned 40. You were there in Obosi when my father turned 90.

    You were there by 7 am for the surprise praise and worship session when my wife turned 40.

    You came to Obosi to see the Thomas Chidoka ICT Centre before its launch in 2016.

    Your wife Nwanneka was always by your side and heartily entertained us with that Abacha that I insist she must get a patent for. I particularly respect Anukata etinye ego (as Olisa and I fondly call her) for focusing on her job as a civil servant while you held sway in the Senate—a remarkable woman.

    I was there at your birthday events. The picture of you, your wife and myself was your 2019 birthday.

    I witnessed your intellectual curiosity never wane, even as you dedicated yourself to public service. Your pursuit of knowledge and your passion for debate, all while maintaining your duties, are traits to be emulated. I escorted you to receive your PhD certificate from the University of Abuja.

    You are a loyal friend, a good husband and a great father. I am proud of you, grateful to know you and happy that you prioritised fatherhood.

    You live your love of family and pay the price for love.

    Today, you mark 62 years. We would have been at your house eating and laughing. We will eat today, but we will not laugh. We will drink, but we will not be raucous because……

    To all friends and admirers: Ike and Nwanneka are in good spirits. They know that ….this, too, shall come to pass. Their back may be bent, but their spirits are not broken.

    Your legacies are etched in our hearts – those you’ve touched. Though the burdens may weigh heavy, your spirit remains unyielding.

    In the face of adversity, you stand tall, a living testament of hope and inspiration to all who know you. Your commitment to family, community, and service is a soulful reminder of and tribute to the power of love and sacrifice.

    Your resilience and calm confidence whenever I see you are an enduring testament to your character and doggedness.

    Next year in Enugu, with God keeping us, we shall sing the Lord’s song not in a strange land but on the soil ordained by God.

    We will celebrate again a friend, a leader, a father and a man whose community and friends acknowledge with one voice as a global leader.

    Happy birthday, Ikeoha, okala madu, and husband of Nwanneka.

    Osita Chidoka
    12 May 2024

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Osita Chidoka and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for 

  • Governor Sim Fubara Has No Power To Use Executive Order To Relocate The Venue Of The Rivers State House Of Assembly By OKOI OBONO-OBLA 

    Governor Sim Fubara Has No Power To Use Executive Order To Relocate The Venue Of The Rivers State House Of Assembly By OKOI OBONO-OBLA 

     

    The constitutional crisis in Rivers State continues unabated with Governor Sim Fubara using all the apparatus of power at his disposal to ensure that the Rivers State House of Assembly is totally emasculated and does not perform its constitutional responsibility.

    After collaborating with three members with three members of the House of Assembly to secure an injunction restraining 25 members of the House of Assembly from sitting on 10 May 2024; Governor Fubara issued an executive order directing the relocation of the sitting of the Rivers River State House of Assembly to the Government House Port Harcourt.

    What is an executive order ?
    It is the declaration by the President or a Governor that has the force of law usually based on statutory power.

    The Constitution makes provisions for three branches of government, namely the executive ,legislature, and judicial.
    Each branch of government is a sovereign in itself and therefore independent.

    The pertinent question is : Is it within the constitutional power of the Governor of Rivers State to issue an executive order to relocate the sitting of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the precinct of the Government House, Port Harcourt?
    I submit that the executive order by Governor Fubara amounts to an interference with the legislative powers vested in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The Constitution vests the power on the Rivers State House of Assembly to regulate its own procedure.
    Section 101 of the Constitution provides that subject to the Constitution, a house of Assembly shall have the power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.

    I therefore submit that it’s the Rivers State House of Assembly that has the power to decide where it should sit temporarily in view of the fact that the House of Assembly was gutted by fire recently.
    It certainly does not lie within the plentitude of executive powers vested Governor Fubara to decide the place where the Rivers State House of Assembly should relocate temporarily.

    If the venue of the Rivers State House of Assembly is unsafe, it is entirely within the constitutional purview of the House to decide on what to do.

    The Supreme Court has declared that Executive Order 10 (EO10) signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature is unlawful.
    In the case of 36 States versus Attorney-General of the Federation, the Supreme Court declared that Executive Order 10 (EO10) signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature is unlawful and unconstitutional.

    The executive order of Governor Fubara is a dangerous precedent that must be thrown away into the waste basket of illegalities and unconstitutionalities.
    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Cross River TOPREC Laud Governor Otu for Creating More Satellite Towns

    Cross River TOPREC Laud Governor Otu for Creating More Satellite Towns

     

    The Cross River State Representative of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria, TOPREC, TPL. Dr. Simon Ajom has lauded the recent declaration by the state Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for the creation of more Satellite Towns in the state.

    Dr. Ajom made this known during an interactive session with Journalists on Thursday 9th May, 2024 in Calabar, the state capital.

    According to him, the idea aligns with the Governor’s ‘People’s First’ mantra of his Administration and if fully implemented, it’ll serve as growth poles centers that will help in expanding the state Government’s effort in the provision of basic infrastructural facilities as they relates to roads, power supply, housing, schools, telecommunication, etc which are already overstretched as a result of increase in human population.

    Emphasizing the needs and importance of satellite towns, Ajom said the action and activities will promote effective utilization of different land-uses as well as guarantee environmental quality, comfort, security and safety of lives and properties in the state.

    He also expressed the readiness of professional Town Planners in the state to partner with the State Government to achieve the desired goal in the areas of site selection and layout design, infrastructural and facility planning, Urban designs and renewal, regional and rural development planning, sector planning, master planning and development control amongst others.

    Dr. Ajom is also a fellow and one time Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP and a former Director of Physical Planning Unit, University of Calabar. He is currently the Head of Department, Urban and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in the University of Calabar.

    ©️Onigah Joseph Egidi

  • NYCN, Cross River State; A Body Of Fraud BY PHYLO MODLIN ODU

    NYCN, Cross River State; A Body Of Fraud BY PHYLO MODLIN ODU

     

    A list of requirements for consultation has surfaced online, purportedly from NYCN-CRS Consultative Heads. That list is an embodiment of disgraceful avarice, mindless exploitation, disdainful extortion and coming from a youth body, it is painful. Even a fine for the most abominable crime in a community or bride price list to marry a graduate maiden from a disobliging family in C’River State isn’t so tainted by Cupidity as compared to an ordinary NYCN election, particularly in this difficult economy.

    A youth is expected to spend not less than 5 million naira for the Chairmanship position, in an election that is already compromised. Everything on this list is to be presented to each consultative body of the three Senatorial district. This is aside from LGAs, Wards consultations and individual consultations.

    To continue a circus of ineptitude, incompetence and corruption, there’s an ongoing exploitation, bribery, foolish threats, character assassination, spiritual tussle, interference from politicians and so many untoward things. NYCN-CRS is like Students Union pro-max, where many have been perpetual undergraduates in the name of stakeholders, never graduating, exploiting students who seek offices in SUG. They have passed the age of youthfulness, some are nearly grandfathers, but greed and perhaps, laziness is still keeping them in NYCN.

    In 2019, I was made Award planning committee Chairman out of the blues, even though I have never been a registered member or active participant of the group. I resigned shortly after. It didn’t make sense to me, the kind of cartel appointment made into subcommittees. They just wanted someone they could manipulate into generating funds for their event, and mostly, for the pockets of their so called cartel. Not long after, they had an election that was erupted by violence and unresolved controversies till date. In the style of Prof. Ayade, titles of no-value adding offices were imagined, and hundreds of youths appointed into them. What they do is to attend funerals and child dedications with their Chairman in a convoy.

    There is no single achievement in the interest of C’River youths or the State that can be ascribed to NYCN. No job, no talent/craft promotion, no scholarship, no profitable empowerment. Just eye-service and sycophancy. The government they should be holding accountable and liaising with when necessary, is the same government they’re busy blackmailing themselves to, for appointments. This is the reason why many leaders do not respect the group.

    NYCN has a youth parliament, with members representing every constituency in the State, just like, CRSHA. But what laws are they making and for whom? All I know about them is that some of them are just white starched-shirt wearing boys who call themselves ‘Honourable Member’. No value!

    The present NYCN-CRS has a catastrophic impact on our youths who may want to seek political offices in future. It is a breeding ground for mediocre politicians, and until conscious efforts are made to resist and uproot the bad eggs and their nonsense, it will soon become a group synonymous to political nuisance.

    Take a look at the list. Is NYCN a group or a cult?

    Phylo Modlin Odu.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, PHYLO MODLIN ODU, and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • Power To Proclaim: We Are Challenged By The Ascension To Proclaim With Power, As Jesus Remains With US Through The Holy Spirit BY PETER OBELE ABUE

    Power To Proclaim: We Are Challenged By The Ascension To Proclaim With Power, As Jesus Remains With US Through The Holy Spirit BY PETER OBELE ABUE

     

    Grace, we understand, is the supernatural gift from God bestowed on all baptized Christians and as christians, we can not afford to turn our grace into disgrace. After his Ascension, Christ commands his disciples. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15.” This power to proclaim comes with God’s grace and we have been given that power from the mandate by Jesus Christ himself. As we prepare to celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost, we are challenged by the Ascension to proclaim with power, as Jesus remains with us through the Holy Spirit.

    Unfortunately, most modern-day Christians lack the power to proclaim. They are afraid or ashamed to boldly stand for Christ and proclaim what they believe. The book of Acts of the Apostles, gives an account of the Ascension of the Lord and recounts jesus last to his disciples: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)”. From these words, it is clear that power has been given through the Holy Spirit of God to all believers to proclaim the good news.

    Jesus goes up to heaven, now at the right hand of God, promises to send the holy Spirit in a special way on Pentecost, and he fulfils that promise. As we await this Pentecost, we are challenged to use this power to proclaim our faith in thoughts, words, and actions. As the saying goes, “God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called”; so you don’t need to be a perfect person or very fluent in English to have the power to proclaim. Jesus did not call only those who have some position in the Church, but he calls each one of us to proclaim the good news and he promises that he will be with us till the end of time, so we need fear no evil. This mandate challenges each one of us to live our faith and to proclaim it boldly before everyone.

    The power of the Holy Spirit will change the Church, the community, and our individual lives, if we who follow the Lord and take advantage of this mandate. This is what the Church of Christ needs now more than ever. This is what will change the world and not a few timid churchgoers, not sure of where they stand. As St Paul says in his Letter to the Ephesians: ”One body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4:4ff) .” This can only be possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Be not afraid!

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Peter Obele Abue and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • Weaponization Of Poverty… BY AGBA JALINGO 

    Weaponization Of Poverty… BY AGBA JALINGO 

     

    Once, I attended an ANPP campaign event in Maidugri as a journalist and was privileged to be in the Governor’s convoy. The Governor then was ANPP. He was in company of a former National Chairman of the party, who was also from the North. (I want to withhold their names.)

    While the governor’s convoy was negotiating a wide roundabout in the center of Maidugri, there was a large number of young people running around and selling petrol in kegs. Obviously there was fuel scarcity and black market was thriving. In a later conversation which I overheard, the former national Chairman asked the Governor why he allowed so many people to run around with flammable liquid like that in the center of town? He warned that it was very risky and advised the Governor to do something about it.

    The Governor promptly replied in Hausa language that, it was election time and those boys selling fuel are the boys they use to disrupt elections when the need arise and any attempt to remove them from that point during elections will lure them to the opposition party. He said they are easy to procure and dispense and promised the Chairman that, they will be removed after elections, if the fuel scarcity persisted. I speak Hausa fluently so I didn’t need an interpreter.

    Let me give you another instance. I have also heard a political office holder from the South say, “Don’t worry yourself Agba, about those complaints. People are hungry, once you send them some money, all the annoyance will disappear.”

    These are two actual scenarios that I was able to shovel from my memory this morning to buttress the point that the perpetuation of poverty is a weapon of politicians and political organizations. They create poverty, and weaponize same for their self-benefit. There are well researched theories which have managed to show how politicians create poverty, manipulate poor people for their benefit and clip the poor to remain on the same level over a long period.

    Even amongst the people, we have weaponized poverty against ourselves. For most important persons in our lives and families, the comfortable time for them to give money or assistance is, when you want to entertain or when you are grieving. Like when you want to conduct a burial, friends and relatives will spend millions to travel across oceans, and from the cities to attend. WhatsApp groups will open for generous donations. When you are ill or want to start a business or fund education, you will be ignored. We are acquiescing to a vice.

    Successive governments have conducted numerous researches on causes of poverty, suggesting various policies, yet there is no political will to implement these policies and ensure poverty is addressed. But the worsening situation in the country is proving daily that, handing out tokens to the citizens like our leaders are doing today will not resolve any problem. It is rather creating a dependent citizenry and escalating an already fragile situation. Political realism should therefore open our eyes to the urgent need for sustainable poverty eradication methods that can enthuse the alienated population.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author,,l Agba Jalingo and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • Why The Judiciary Should Not Be Dragged Into The Political Fray In Rivers State BY OKOI OBONO OBLA

    Why The Judiciary Should Not Be Dragged Into The Political Fray In Rivers State BY OKOI OBONO OBLA

     

    The antagonists in the political internecine warfare going on in Rivers State presently should not use the judiciary as sacrificial lamb through dragging political motivated cases to the court under the guise of asserting their rights .

    The latest injunction obtained on 10 May 2024 in the High Court ,Port Harcourt, by three members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against 25 members of the House, which restrained them from parading and holding out themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters at Aba Road,Port Harcourt or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative sears having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    This seems to me a dangerous escalation of the intractable crisis that has dogged and engulfed the State since 2023.

    It seems to me wrong for three members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to use the weapon of a court injunction to prevent 25 members from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities under the guise that their seats have been vacated.

    Who vacated the seats of these 25 members?

    I know as a fact that in 2023 27 PDP members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected from the PDP to the APC.

    I know as a fact that under the 1999 Constitution, a member of a legislative house that leaves the political party that sponsored his election to join another political party stands to lose his seat.

    But the exception is when there is a splinter or crisis in the political party that sponsored his election, his defection would not affect his seat.

    Therefore, under the circumstances, could it be said that these 27 other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that defected from PDP to APC have lost their seat?

    This is a legal question under the circumstances that only a court of law can determine.

    Therefore, he doesn’t lie in the mouth of the three members of the Rivers State of House of Assembly to determine the fate of their colleagues on the other side.

    The Rivers State House of Assembly has a 31 membership strength.

    A quorum of one-third of these 31-member House of Assembly is required constitutionally for it to conduct the business of the House.

    Accordingly , 10 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is needed to declare the seats of 27 members that defected vacant.
    It is illogical or unconstitutional for three or five members to remove 27 members when, in the first place, they can not form a quorum.

    I think that the injunction obtained on 10 May 2024 by three members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against 25 other members is a desperate act to ward off the impeachment of Governor Sim Fubara by the majority in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    I think it was a wrongful exercise of discretion by the learned trial Judge to have exercised his discretion in favor of these three members who applied for the order of injunction.

    The judge ought to have ordered that the 1st-25th Defendants should put on notice in order to hear their own side.

    It was wrong for the judge to have at the level of ex parte application to have agreed with the applicants that these 25 members have lost their seats.

    This is the reason why I was saying at the beginning of this write-up that the combatants in Rivers State should not drag the judiciary into their fight.
    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Chief OKOI OBONO-OBLA, and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • C’River State Govt Set To Revamp Home-Grown Feeding Programme, Disengages Old Vendors

    C’River State Govt Set To Revamp Home-Grown Feeding Programme, Disengages Old Vendors

    TheLumineNews

    As part of efforts to reinvigorate the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the Cross River State government has announced the disengagement of its former vendors, in a press release dated 3rd of May 2024, sighted by TheLumineNews.

    The release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Nsa Gill expressed appreciation to the outgoing vendors for their service and wished them well in their future endeavors