The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Gov Otu Begs Sandy To Sheath His Sword And Jettison Further Appeals

    By Sylvia Akpan, CrossRiverWatch 

    Following the Election Petition Tribunal affirming the victory of Governor Bassey Otu, he has prayed his petitioner and opponent in the March 18 2023 polls – Senator Sandy Onor to accept defeat.

    The Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Oken Inneh dismissed all the reliefs sought by the petitioners in suit No. EPT/CR/GOV02/2023 and affirmed the election of Senator Otu and his deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, on March 18, 2023.

    Reacting to the judgment, Governor Otu urged the opposition to sheath their sword and join hands to rebuild Cross River State, Cross Riverians desire.

    “It is with great delight and a high sense of responsibility that I welcome the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal, which gave us our deserved victory and has affirmed the mandate Cross Riverians freely and overwhelmingly gave to us on March 18, 2023,” he expressed.

    He commended the Election Petitions Tribunal for a fair judgment, adding that, “our confidence in the judiciary has never been in doubt. And it has been reinforced by today’s dispassionate ruling on the elections. I commend the Election Petition Tribunal for proving their mettle once again by upholding the virtues of justice, fair play and responsibility.”

    Also, he urged Cross Riverians to join his administration in realizing the People’s First mandate.

    “I call on all Cross Riverians to join hands with my administration as we continue to put in place the administrative framework needed to realize the noble objectives of our People’s First mandate.

    “With this judgment, I call on members of the opposition, who are our brothers and sisters, to take the ruling in good faith, jettison any further appeals and join hands with my administration to bring the much-needed dividends of democracy to our people.

    “It is expedient for me to stress that if our dear State Cross River must be counted amongst the comity of States with bright future and great economic potential and social security, then all hands must be on deck to make the lofty dream come true.

    “Our well-thought-out People First Agenda remains sacrosanct in attaining its goals. What I urge all citizens and those who have found here as home whether for business, investment, pleasure or education, is to be patient and give us the needed support as we work to reposition the State for the better.

    “Fellow Cross Riverians, the present times call for sacrifices on the path of everyone. We must remain resolute and strive to play our various roles in the development of our beloved State. “Finally, I thank the executive and members of our great party, the APC, and all Cross Riverians for their support, loyalty and unflinching solidarity before, during and after the elections.

    “As we take our destiny in our hands and resolve never to be left behind, may the Almighty God reward our efforts and remain our crowning glory.”

  • Betta Edu Inuagurates Program Coordinators In The Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs

     

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu had sworn in Unit Heads and cluster Executives under her ministry to help redeem the dignity of zero and low income earners across the country.

    In a much historic event held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Edu urged the new heads to kick start their duties immediately with optimism, transparency and total dedication.

    She noted that, with over 75 million Nigerians living below the poverty index, the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope initiative is set to create a lasting to issues of Malnutrition among young school and out of school children Internally displacement people, Youth and unemployed adults.

    She urged them to work harmoniously with other affiliate members to bring succor to the lives of the poor by regularly positioning themselves in the field for proper and immediate contact with the targeted population .

    Among those inaugurated are the National Head of Office, National Conditional Cash Transfer, Dr Michael Ajuluchuku, Deputy Head of Office/Deputy National Coordinator
    Dr Janet Ekpenyong, a seasoned Medical Doctor , health Financing specialist, experienced programme manager and a Philanthropist from Cross River State. Also inaugurated are Engr Mrs Anjor Obandi (Home Grown school feeding program), Mr Richard Romanus( YESSO Project), Dr Echeri Ansa (Renewed Hope Initiative for out of school children) amongst others.

  • C’River Tribunal Judgement: DG Caterpillar Movement Calls On Supporters To Remain Calm

    The Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Chief Hon Joe Obi Bisong has called on supporters to remain even after the governorship tribunal upheld the election of Gov Bassey Otu.

    Bisong made the call while reacting the judgement of the tribunal today in Calabar.

    In his words “The Governorship Election Tribunal just delivered her judgement in our petition.

    “We appeal to our teaming supporters to remain calm.

    “There is still plenty of hope. We shall seek further legal opinion in the way forward and revert to you soon”

     

  • C’River: Tribunal Upholds Governor Otu’s Election

    The Governorship Election Tribunal in Cross River State, has upheld the election of Governor Bassey Otu.

    The tribunal in its ruling, held that, the issues of Certificate brought before it by sandy Onor of PDP, was a pre-election matter.

  • Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu Releases 13 Appointment

    PRESS RELEASE

    The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, announces the following appointments in line with the President Tinubu’s directive to restructure the social safety net Programme to address the expanded mandate of the ministry.

    The appointed persons will join her team in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at providing succour to those affected by humanitarian crises and eradicate multi-dimensional poverty In Nigeria:

    1) National Coordinator NASSCO- Hon Abdulaziz Danladi

    2). National Cash Transfer Office NCTO Head of office – Dr Micheal Ajuluchukwu

    3) NCTO Deputy Head of Office- Dr Janet Ekpenyong

    4) National Programme Manager,Youth Empowerment Empowerment and Social Support Operations (YESSO) – Richard Romanus

    5) National Communication manager NSIP – Hon Jamalu kaburu

    6)National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for Refugees ,Poor and Internally Displaced Persons- Hon Chidinma Makuachukwu

    7)National Programme manager, Grant For Vulnerable groups – Hon Thalis Apalowo

    8)Programme Manager ,At Risk Children Programme- Hajia Salia Sanusi Yusuff

    9)National Programme Manager, National Home grown School feeding Programme (Renewed Hope Home Grown School feeding and End Hunger programme)- Hon Mrs Obande

    10) Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (Renewed Hope MSME Loan Programme)- Hon Dr Joseph Nkang.

    11) Programme manager
    N-Power Programme (Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme – Dr Akindele Adekunle Egbuwalo

    12)Renewed Hope IDP Refugees out of school Programme (National Alternate school Programme )- Dr Mrs Etcheri Ansa

    13) National Project Manager, Community and Social Development Programme- Hon Olubunmi Bello

    The Honourable Minster of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, remains the Chairman, National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office(NASSCO) Management Team, while the Secretary NASSCO Management team is Hon Abel Enitan,the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    The Minister charges the new appointees to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new offices as there will be no room for excuses or failure, in the actualisation of Renewed Hope mandate
    and in moving Nigeria Forward.

    The appointments take immediate effect.

    Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, (ANIPR),Special Adviser On Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA.
    September 25, 2023

  • Richie Romanus Appointed YESSO National Program Manager

    President Asiwaju Tinubu has appointed one of us, the convener of Us4Us, Mr Richie Romanus, as the National Programme Manager, Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations(YESSO) through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu

     

  • UNICAL VC Condemns Assault On Students, Calls For Immediate Investigation

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has in strong terms condemned an alleged assault on students of the Institution by a suspected Lecturer.

    In a video clip that surfaced online on Sunday night, a suspected Lecturer in the Institution was seen flogging a group of students who were gathered around an entrance to a classroom with a belt.

    According to reports, the students were students of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences who were waiting for their practical before the unfortunate incident occurred.

    The Vice-Chancellor who is currently on official function outside the state said her attention has been drawn to the said clip, but the Acting VC, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, Director of ServiCom, Prof. Patrick Egaga, Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Tony Enyang and the Acting Chief Security officer of the Institution, Capt. Austine Bisong(rtd) are already handling it.

    Prof. Obi who condemned the incident said it was unprofessional and against the University’s rules of engagement. She however appealed to the students and the general public to maintain calm as justice would be served as investigation had commenced already.

  • It’s Time We Realize That God Is Not Our Business Partner; He Is Not An Accountant To Record Our Deeds In Order To Pay Us According To Our Merits BY FR PETER OBELE ABUE

    THE GOD OF LOVE

    Some people prefer the god of revenge and punishment than the God of Love. They believe other people who are not as good as them are destined to receive no reward from ‘their’ god. But was Abraham our father in faith not called while still a pagan? Was David not forgiven while he was at his worst sin of adultery and murder? Was Moses who murdered an Egyptian while ‘defending’ his people not still called to lead his people? If you read this and think I am taking God for granted, encouraging tolerance for evil, laziness, or sloth, then think again.

    Jesus addressed his disciples in the gospels, saying: “Friend, I am doing you no wrong … take what belongs to you and go…Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Why are you envious because I am generous? “ (Matt. 20: 1-16). Our God is a generous God, even when we know he has zero-tolerance for sin. He lavishes his love on both saint and sinner
    alike. He forgives sinners unconditionally so that they may find it in their hearts to repent or even forgive those who sin against them. All so we may understand his true nature and seek to be like him; a God of love.

    The Babylonians, in exile, had this false image of God; only as a punisher of evil, and Isaiah tells them in very plain language that they were wrong and needed conversion of heart. This time, it was not a conversion from sin and corruption, but a radical change from their myopic way of thinking ( and looking at God): “Let the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thought … I will abundantly pardon you, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

    It’s time we realize that God is not our business partner; He is not an accountant to record our deeds in order to pay us according to our merits. Seriously, we merit nothing from God; we can only receive …forgiveness, generosity, love, and indeed salvation from him. A DOG is the only creature you can train to obey you and work in accordance with your dictates, not GOD. It’s time we begin to change our mentality of the God we serve and relate to him like a G-O-D, not a D-O-G

  • Jarigbe Agom Facilitates Rehabilitation of Refreshment Spot at Calabar Sports Club

     

    The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, DSSRS, has facilitated the rehabilitation and upgrading of the refreshment spot at Canaan City Sports Club (Calabar Sports Club), located at Calabar – Calabar Roundabout, Calabar, Cross River State.

    The facility which previously housed the club’s gym, a mini-bar and other indoor games has suffered years of neglect, prompting the lawmaker’s intervention.

    Senator Jarigbe noted that, infrastructure is key in sports development and will further provide the facilities to harness the rich sporting talents within and outside the shores of Calabar as well as, boost economic activities in and around the facility.

    “To enable the State compete favourably at the global stage, there is need to have standard sporting facilities where abundant talents can be discovered and nurtured to stardom” he added.

    Recall that the lawmaker had facilitated the construction of a Mini-Sports Stadium and Recreational Centre, in Cross River North Senatorial District.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA.

  • Suspected Armed Men Arrested, Gun Factory, IED Discovered In Cross River

    By Tori.ng

    Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command uncovered an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) and gun manufacturing factory, on Wednesday, at Osomba Community in Akamkpa Local government Area of the State, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects.

    The Operation was led by Commander, Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad, ACKS, (Dragon Squad) SP Ogini Chukwuma on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogo Grimah.

    Findings by Vanguard showed that police recovered remote-controlled IEDs, detonators, other explosive devices, several automatic weapons, dozens of locally made double barrels, and pistols while nine suspects were arrested including bomb makers.

    When contacted, the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo who confirmed the development said that nine persons have been arrested and were now in their custody.

    She noted that even a notorious gangster, armed robbery suspect simply identified as Orok Etim a.k.a Gowon is equally in their custody.

    The following items were recovered according to SP Irene Ugbo: explosive devices (High explosives 90M) 8 pieces, 60M 6 pieces, Detonator 10 pieces and Indicators 15 pieces as well as 10 pieces of remotes devices and 10 pieces of battery as power source.

    Other items recovered include; G3 automatic machine gun 2 pieces, 3 pump actions, MAC 4 automatic rifles 5 pieces, 5 locally fabricated pistols, LAR rifle, a fabricated revolver, a locally beretta Pistol, 650 rounds of 7.6×51 LAR ammunition 29 rounds of 7.62×39 AK-47 AMMUNITION X 70 pieces of cartridges amongst others.