The Lumine News

Author: News

  • No Mind Them, Idle Jobless People…. BY AGBA JALINGO

    No Mind Them, Idle Jobless People….

    That was the comment someone I know, wrote somewhere yesterday after the Managing Editor of CrossRiverWatch, Jonathan Ugbal was arrested in Calabar by the Police for joining the ongoing nation wide protest. Like I said, I know the person. He has never worked after his NYSC because there are no jobs in Nigeria. He is only waiting, hanging around politicians, abusing others for politicians and hoping to be made PA in Governor Otu’s government. But he is calling me and Jonathan, ‘jobless people” because we are protesting that the country should be better for people like him.

    The irony which I want to write about is that, it is those who suffer the most because of hardship in Nigeria that are up against those who can take care of themselves, but still choose to stake their lives for the poor. I work, I pay salaries every month end. I just did. I have been doing this for fourteen years. I pay office rents in Calabar. I have overhead cost every month. Jonathan works. He earns a pay. Apart from CrossRiverWatch, he is such a multi talented young man that is also doing several other things to augment his earnings.

    When we sent him to Government House in Calabar as CrossRiverWatch Correspondent under Governor Ayade, the Governor rather decided to turn him to SA Media. The governor told me and I asked Jonathan if he wanted the job and he bluntly refused. I called Governor Ayade and told him, Jonathan cannot be his SA. Governor Ayade is alive. Jonathan insisted that he wanted to learn and grow his career in journalism.

    I could have been anything that is not elected in the immediate past and present Cross River State Governments if I wanted to. I mean any position apart from the ones up for elections. I could even blend into a federal government hatchet man and make dirty money. I think I have the credibility and know many people in there to make that happen.

    But we have decided to carry placards not because we are suffering or incapable of eating. We are doing it for the sake of those who are abusing us. We also know how to stay away and enjoy ourselves and watch others being killed and brutalized on TV by security agents. We also can decide to travel abroad and stay there. We can get visas. In fact, our passports have some visas, and when we travel, we are in a hurry to return home.

    Falana, Sowore, and very many other comrades around the country, who always dare to stand in front of those armoured tanks are all employers of labor who can take maximum care of themselves and many others. They all have alternatives and can decide to keep quiet. Yet they stake their lives for those who abuse them for not giving up the fight for a better country.

    But that’s ok because no one sent us. It is a path we choose by ourselves. That’s how we are wired. Everyone cannot be like us but everyone of us desires a better country that will avail us opportunities. It is therefrom that we should look at the ongoing protest.

    It is true that there are elements who want to use the occasion to cause chaos. It is also true that the government is sponsoring violence to discredit the protest and clamp down on peaceful protesters. It is again true that, there are peaceful Nigerians who want to be provided safe passage to peacefully express their discontent with their government. The latter is where we belong and no one must try to take that away from us. It will only make things worse. A suffocated man is an angry man.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

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

  • Let Us Support Advancement Of People’s First Agenda Of Gov. Otu – Okputu

    Let Us Support Advancement of People’s First Agenda of Gov. Otu – Okputu

    A member of the State Policy Advisory Committee, Dr Julius Okputu, has advocated for support from all and sundry towards governor Otu’s people centered development agenda in the state.

    In a chat with newsmen on Wednesday, he affirmed that, “a very close scrutiny of the Governor’s development strides within one year clearly reveals a determination to restore a glorious past, that which the locusts have eaten within a humanitarian agenda”.

    According to Dr Okputu, the most audaciously bold from very genuine emotions is ” the setting aside the sum of Ten Billion Naira to clear arears of gratuity from 2014.

    While highlighting new heights under the present administration within one year in office include;

    Construction of near impassable roads across the state, the Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade- Wanihem Benue Border Road

    The forgotten Oban Nsan Road in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

    The Adiabo Road in Odukpani Local Government, restoration of the aesthetics of Calabar, Street lights and cimplete rehabilitation/ reconstruction of roads in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South.

    Back to the North, construction of 17km internal roads in Ogoja, the Alifokpa road and Akreha Bridge, Mkpani Agoi and othe roads in the Central for commencement of work. Rehabilitation and restoration o Government buildings and other facilities.

    The policy thrust of the Governor’s development agenda has a Grassroots bias with intentions that are clearly noble. “Let us pray and support the Governor’s resolve to restore our Tourism flagships: the Obudu Mountain Resort, TINAPA, upgrading and effective utilisation of the Calabar International Conference facility”, he said.

  • C’River SA On Content Development Dissuades Youths From Participating In The Planned Protest

    By TheLumine Admin 

    The Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, Ambassador Calab Awatt, has called on youths of the state to stay off the nation wide protest billed to commence on the 1st of August, 2024.

    The SA made this known in Calabar while addressing a section of youths who paid him a courtesy visit at his residence.

    Mr Awatt expressed empathy towards the state of our nation’s economy, and noted that protest ordinarily should not be viewed as a problem but that the biggest issue will be hijacking the whole process.

    The SA who previously was the Speaker of The APC Youth Parliament (1st Assembly) analyzed the ENDSARS protest which culminated into destruction of properties, theft, lost of lives and numerous ill-fated behaviors from most protesters, appealed to youths to desist from joining the protest.

    He further cited another instance where the popular state owned newspaper corporation is yet to be revitalized, the then State library currently undergoing serious revamp and millions of naira already being sunk in to ensure it is fully revitalized to commence operation. He opined that such expenditure would go a long way to address needs in other grey areas such as human capital development, empowerment, etc.

    Finally, he advised the youths in a general spectrum to shun irrational, uncalculated and politically driven form of protest and reassured them the readiness of the current administration to continually deliver dividends of democracy as a benchmark for THE SEASON OF SWEETNESS.

  • Our Daily Bread: Learn To Feed Each Other By Sharing What You Have In Love BY PETER OBELE ABUE

    OUR DAILY BREAD

    “Give us this day our daily bread”, we pray everyday (Matthew 6:11). What is this daily bread offered to us? In truth, it is the Eucharistic Jesus offered at daily Holy Mass. The international Eucharistic Congress held recently in Indianapolis, USA brought together more than 50,000 Catholics on fire for God and for this bread of life. It was a living testimony of the Eucharistic presence of Jesus OUR DAILY BREAD and how hungry our world is for HIM. Real strength can only come from the bread that God alone offers us through the Eucharist in his church.

    It is true we need our daily physical food and nourishment to survive, especially in these hard times. In fact, even as we speak, many families and their children will go to bed without adequate feeding and that’s why we often think of daily bread in terms of physical food only. But the point Jesus is making is that, unless we care enough to share even the little we have with each other, we will continue to be eternally hungry. And if we feed on his body and drink of his blood, we will be better equipped to share our lives with others especially those who need us most. He alone can give us that daily bread and until we settle for it, our hunger will continue to linger (John 6:1-15).

    Unfortunately, we live in a world where people care less about their neighbor’s needs, while greed and avarice, selfhood is assumed to be normative, and even often glorified. In such a world, our daily bread is only seen as food to feed our stomachs only and daily we struggle with each other as we compete for survival. Jesus makes it clear to the multitudes who were following him only for the loaves; that he offers more than physical food.

    The solution Jesus offers us is this: Learn to feed each other by sharing what you have in love (see verse 11) like Elisha the Prophet shared with the man who came from Baal-shalisha; ” they ate and had some left ” (2Kings 4:42-44). This kind of love if practised in communities will lead to the multiplication of our daily bread instead of poverty and want. May we come together daily to feed on that Daily bread that lasts for ever.

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

  • C’River Homeland Security DG, Calls On Citizens And Residents of the state To Embrace Dialogue Over Protest

    PRESS RELEASE

    PROPOSED NATIONWIDE PROTEST

    The Cross River State Homeland Security And Safety Agency, on the heels of the proposed Nationwide Protest by some concerned Citizens of Nigeria, hereby affirms the fundamental right of all citizens of Cross River State to engage in peaceful Protest in line with extant laws. We acknowledge that protests are essential Part of any democracy and should serve as an avenue for dialogue between the people and their leaders. It is therefore imperative that this fundamental right of citizens of Cross River to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression be accorded absolute respect and protection.

    However, having travelled this path before, with scars of the ENDSARS PROTEST still manifestly fresh in our minds, we are concerned that, despite the noble and sincere motives of the protesters, there is still a possibility for a hijack by hoodlums, miscreants and enemies of the State. In view of the aforesaid, we call on the citizens and residents of the state to embrace dialogue over Protest.

    More worrisome is the fact that the proposed Protest lacks a verifiable structural leadership, that can be held accountable in the event of a possible breakdown of Law and Order. We therefore appeal to the conscience of Citizens to be more patient with the government, specifically the #People’s First Government of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. While we acknowledge the untold hardship occasioned by some economic policies of the government, we enjoin citizens of Cross River State to allow the state government more time to perfect the ongoing redemptive, rehabilitative and restructuring processes in the state, aimed at cushioning the effect of the economic hardship.

    Cross River State has always been known for the peace, security and hospitality it offers to its inhabitants. We must endeavor to protect this image of our beloved state, so as to continue to attract investors. We must think Cross River State First. We must think Security of Lives and Properties. Never again should we allow our land to be desolate in the name of protest. Never again should we allow strange elements and enemies of the state destroy businesses and means of livelihood in our State. The anarchy of the ENDSARS protest must not be allowed to resurface. Citizens must therefore embrace dialogue not protest.

    Signed.
    Mr. Yibala Inyang
    (Director General)

  • C’River State Continues The Distribution Of FG’s Palliatives

     

    The Cross River State Government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has continued the distribution of 42 metric tons of grains received from the Federal Government as part of President Tinubu’s Food Security Programme to cushion the effect of the recent subsidy removal on Nigerians.

    Speaking at the presentation of food items (grains) to representatives from Cross River State Northern Senatorial District for onward distribution to the Five LGAs and 54 wards in the district, the Director-General of SEMA, Hon. Apostle James Anam intimated that the distribution exercise in the state was formally flagged-off by the Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, on July, 13th, 2024, at the agency’s premises in Calabar.

    According to the DG, so far, several groups like the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Traditional Institution, National Association of Cross River State Students World-Wide (NACRISS-WW), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), Pensioners, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, among others, have taken delivery of the grains on behalf of their groups from the inception of the distribution exercise.

    In ensuring that rural dwellers and other residents’ benefits from the food security programme of the Federal Government and in line with the People First Mantra of the Governor of ensuring fair distribution of the grains, Hon. Anam said the agency has set-up three centres and supervisory team per senatorial district and local government level to monitor the distribution exercise across the 18 LGA and 196 wards of the state.
    On Monday, 22nd July, the Northern Senatorial Committee Distribution Committee that includes members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners and Community Relation Officers from the zone, at Ogoja LGA, took delivery of trucks of items. He intimated that the Central Senatorial District and Southern Senatorial District will take delivery of their items at Ikom and Calabar on Wednesday and Friday respectively.

    He commended Governor Bassey Otu for his commitment and unwavering support for the exercise especially in the area of logistics, describing him as one who prioritizes the welfare of his people. He passionately admonished the stakeholders and the supervisory team to be transparent and also adhere to the agreed template to promote fairness and equitable distribution and hence that food items get to those who actually needs them.

    Speaking more, the DG said, “time for politics is over, now is time for governance”. He called on ward leaders and stakeholders as well as members of the distribution committee to ensure that food items is shared beyond party lines.

    He expressed the hope that more items will be sent to the state by the federal government and appeal to those who are yet to benefit to give the agency some time as they would be reached.

  • Sen Jarigbe Agom, Others Inaugurated As Governing Council Of NILDS

     

    The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, on Monday was inaugurated as Board Member of the 10th National Assembly Members of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Governing Council, representing the South South geo-political zone.

    The inauguration, marking the first NILDS Governing Council meeting held at the Institute’s state-of-the-art permanent site, was attended by the President of the Senate and Chairman of the Institution, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Alternate Chairman of the Governing Council and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Ph.D alongside other members of the Council and Prof. Abubakar O. Suleiman, DG NILDS and Secretary to the Council.

    During his remarks, Senator Jarigbe emphasized the need for the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to continue to strengthen the National Assembly and other legislative institutions in Nigeria.

    According to him, NILDS is the research and academic arm of the National Assembly, which offers certificates, diplomas, degrees, and post-graduate degrees in various programmes in affiliation with some universities hence, deserves utmost attention and priority which the Council will offer the institution.

    The 17- member board of the Institute has the President of the Senate as Chairman, Speaker of the House of Representatives as Alternate Chairman and the Director General of the Institution as Secretary of the Board.

     

  • Do Protests Change Anything? BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Kenya said they needed more money and wanted to increase taxes. The Kenyan government proposed raising US$2.7 billion by increasing taxes on essential goods and services, from cooking oil to bread. The bill also targeted digital revenue, where the bulk of young people generate their income.

    The people of Kenya said “NO” to their government proposal and took to the streets. They marched to their Senate and the lawmakers who were preparing to pass the bill into law, escaped through a tunnel. The government responded with violence and 35 youths were killed by security forces. But the GenZ youths remained resolute and stood their ground on the streets.

    When the government saw that the violence and deaths would not deter the angry youths, President Ruto did a u-turn and immediately withdrew the finance bill which sparked the protests. In a televised address, he announced specific austerity measures that included: The dissolution of 47 State corporations with overlapping and duplicative functions to save on operation and maintenance costs.

    He also suspended the appointment of 50 chief administrative secretaries that were challenged in court on the basis of the positions being unconstitutional.

    The President also announced that the offices of the First Lady and the spouses of the Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary, would not be funded using public money.

    He fired almost his entire cabinet and announced significant cuts in earnings of cabinet members.

    He called on members of parliament to also follow suit and implement cuts in their own budgets and also promised prompt action on rogue security agents.

    The young people of Kenya won. Their victory came at a very high cost of 35 lives cut short by rogue security agents. They may not have ended corruption in Kenya, but they sent a very clear message to their leaders that they are still answerable to the voters. President Ruto knows that those events would repeat themselves if he forges ahead with anti-people policies. He is also aware that his re-election bid is hanging on the balance.

    In Nigeria, there is a planned protest against the suffering of the masses beginning August 1, 2024. Our protests have never been palatable over here. I have been on the streets protesting against injustice for most of my life. I am speaking from experience.

    Will the people join us to protest or will they sit back at home to just watch us on TV being beaten, tear gassed and dragged into waiting Black Marias? Because in Nigeria, there are people who feel that they are too big or too busy to protest, yet they complain the most about the country. These set of people believe that there are others whose job is to always protest when there is injustice, while their own preserve is to just watch the protesters on TV. They stand aloof when things go wrong and expect others to make the things right, while they watch from their window pews.

    There are others who have cheekily asked what protests can achieve. And there are those who claim they are kingdom children and even if a liter of petrol sells for one million Naira, their God will provide, so people should remain docile. But remember in 1 Kings 12, the eleven tribes of Israel did protest against high taxes imposed on them by King Rehoboam. They gathered in their numbers to protest to the King and called for tax cuts but when their King gave them deaf ears, the eleven tribes seceded from Judah.

    We are all in this together knowing nothing will change if we do not do something different. If our protests will ever bring us expected changes, then we all have to think of getting involved, for the love of our country.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

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

  • Nigerians: Redirect Your Protest, Hold Governors Accountable BY INYALI PETER 

     

    As Nigerians prepare to protest the widespread hardship in the land, it’s important to reassess the focus of their grievances. Although President Tinubu announced the tough but necessary decisions on subsidy removal and exchange rate floating, the real obstacles hindering Nigeria’s progress and causing the hardship are the state governors, who have mismanaged resources and prioritised corruption over development.

    While the President and federal government can undoubtedly improve in many areas, their efforts will be hindered if state governors remain unaccountable. The federal government’s initiatives to alleviate hardship are often implemented through the states, but governors continue to shirk their responsibilities.

    Ironically, the governors are the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy removal, receiving a substantial increase of over 100% in federal allocation. Besides, they have also benefited from other initiatives, such as the NG-CARES programme, which has allocated significant funds to 34 states (as detailed in the attached newspaper publication). Despite this considerable windfall, there has been no corresponding improvement in their performance, development, or enhancement of the standard of living for Nigerians.

    The current revenue sharing formula is allocated as follows: 52.68% to the federal government, 26.72% to states, and 20.60% to local governments. Beyond the federal allocation, the states also receive a substantial share of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, with 50% allocated to states, 15% to the federal government, and 35% to local governments.

    In Nigeria, prior to the landmark Supreme Court judgment, states had total control over local government funds. This means that when you combine the percentage of FAAC allocation to states and local governments, states effectively receive 48.32% of the country’s total revenue; while for VAT they receive 85%.
    This clearly highlight governors significant financial leverage.

    However, instead of utilizing these resources to benefit the Nigerian people, governors have crippled the local government system, denying local areas essential services and development, and prioritizing corruption and mismanagement over tangible development. This entrenched culture of neglect and poor performances by most governors has exacerbated the suffering of the people, perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment and hardship.

    See what Chief Nysom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has achieved in Abuja within one year. Apart from Lagos, which state governor can show similar evidence of performance? He did same as Governor of Rivers State and is showing it in Abuja.

    The resources available to governors are more than sufficient to stimulate the economy, but they choose not to act. Unfortunately, they are hardly held accountable for their inaction. Nigerians have always directed their protests solely at the federal government, overlooking governors maladministration and impunity. If the hardship must be addressed, then Nigerians must demand accountability from all levels of government, particularly the governors.

    Ideally, the protest should be directed towards the real problem – the governors excesses, impunity, and maladministration not the President and federal government always. Let’s demand transparency, accountability, and tangible development from our state governments, too.

    As a nation , we must acknowledge that the federal government alone cannot solve Nigeria’s problems. The states must take responsibility and act as partners in progress, not just beneficiaries of federal allocation.

    Those planning the protest should redirect their grievances and hold the governors accountable.

    Inyali Peter, Ph.D

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

  • Cyberstalking: Foremost Abuja Lawyer, F. Baba Isa, Esq., Obtains Judgement Discharging And Acquitting Frontline Journalist Agba Jalingo

     

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, agreeing with the arguments of Barrister F. Baba Isa, has discharged and acquitted frontline journalist Agba Jalingo on Cyberstalking offences preferred against him by the police. This charge was instigated by one Elizabeth Alami Ayade, the in-law of the former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade. Upon her complaint to the police, Agba Jalingo was arrested from his residence in Lagos and brought to Abuja were after detention in police custody he was arraigned at the Federal High Court.

    In CHARGE NO: FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022, Commissioner of Police vs Agba Jalingo, dated the 6th of December, 2022 and filed on the 8th of December, 2022 the following two counts were preferred against the Defendant;

    COUNT 1
    That you Agba Jalingo male of No. 14 Oremeji Street, Ojudu Alapere Lagos on 30th June, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally Published Online at Cross River Watch and alleged that one Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade procured the services of one Pascal Aboh to write Nigeria Law School Examination Bar Examination for her an information you know to be false for the purpose of causing her annoyance, ill will and insult. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 (1) b of CYBERCRIMES (PROTECTION, PREVENTION ETC) ACT, 2015.

    COUNT 2
    That you Agba Jalingo male of No 14 Oremeji Street, Ojudu Alapere Lagos on 30th June, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally Published at your Facebook page known as Agba Jalingo that one Mrs Elizabeth Ayade procured the services of one Pascal Aboh to write Nigeria Law School Examination Bar Examination for her an information you know to be false for the purpose of causing her annoyance, ill will and insult. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(1) b of CYBERCRIMES (PROTECTION, PREVENTION ETC) ACT, 2015.

    To prove these counts beyond reasonable doubt, the Prosecution called three (3) witnesses, including Elizabeth Alami Ayade, the purported victim of the cyberstalking and tendered 9 documents.

    Speaking to journalist after his client was discharged and acquitted of all charges by Honourable Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja based lawyer, F. Baba Isa, said, “At the close of the prosecution case, we elected to enter a no-case submission, confident that the prosecution had failed to prove elements of the offence our client was charged with. I argued this in an over 40-page document, and the court in a well-considered ruling agreed with me and discharged and acquitted my client, bringing to a close a two-year stressful trial.”

    Efforts to reach the prosecution lawyer to find our if they will be appealing this decision of the Federal High were unfruitful as he did not take or return his calls.