The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

CORAfrica Donates School Bus To Refugees At St Peter’s Primary School Adagom, Ogoja

By Elijah Ugani

A non-governmental and humanitarian organization, Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica), has today 1st December, 2022 donated a bus to St Peter’s Primary School Adagom for use by refugees and host community children.

Speaking during the presentation, the Founder/Chief Strategist of CORAfrica, Rev Fr Dr Peter Obele Abue noted that “the rationale behind the purchase of this bus is the long distance trekked by our pupils and our desire to provide the needed support to aid effective and conducive learning environment for them.

“As part of our educational model and to provide support in addition to compliment the efforts of UNHCR, in providing the required education, we had rented this structure and commenced the basic training of these children last year, and we currently have a population of 500 pupils, comprising of 464 refugees and 36 host community children”

Speaking further, Fr Obele maintained that “In addition to payment of staff stipends, we also provide snacks periodically for our pupils as a way of encouraging and stabilizing the children to enable them pay attention to the lessons taught.

“In response to the rapid and increasing growing population beyond our expectation, and the need to ensure standard in providing for the educational needs of the pupils, CORAfrica has acquired 50 plots of land in Adagom 3, less than 100 meters away from our temporary site. Work has begun with over 30 trips of sand, 15 trips of gravel and 600 bags of cement for the construction of an ultra-modern 8 classroom block in the new site. God willing, by January 2023 a more conducive learning environment will be available for the pupils.

“As an organization that is poised to emancipate the plight of rural African Children, we are determined to support the laudable initiative by UNHCR. We are committed to promoting inclusion and equitable learning opportunities for all, to improve access to education for refugees children in line with the global compact for refugees on education, as we anticipate further collaborations with UNHCR”.

Fr Obele used the opportunity to commend UNHCR Head of Ogoja UNHCR Sub Office, for honoring their invitation to witness the historic presentation of the school bus and requested for an audience with the Head of Ogoja Sub Office to enable him share their plans and programmes with him, to ensure that such programmes align with UNHCR mandate.

Chief Stephen Mankong who spoke on behalf of Adagom community, stated that “For us in the community, we are glad to be part of this occasion. Historically, since the coming of refugees to Adagom, this is the first major private donation of a person for the use of both the PoCs and the host community people”

Chief Mankong called on UNHCR to consider a partnership with CORAfrica as he said “It is my desire that UNHCR partner with CORAfrica in changing the educational misfortune of these refugees and host community people”

On his part, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, represented by the Programme Manager, Mr Hillary Agida commended Fr Peter Obele Abue for his passion for the vulnerable. He recalled that Fr Obele had founded the orphanage in Mbube where a lot of orphans have graduated into very meaningful persons in the society.

He called on UNHCR to find an appropriate place for CORAfrica so that they can do even better for the refugees intervention.

Mr Andy Ubong of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, averred that “we are here to say thank you CORAfrica for the assistance given to the government of Nigeria to assist the refugees. We are ready to collaborate with you any time”

Responding, the UNHCR Head of Ogoja Sub Office, Mr Tesfaye Bekele, who was represented by Mr Jonathan Derko, stated that “UNHCR in Ogoja have heard a lot about CORAfrica. The Country Representative has a very soft spot for children. She was here last month for the commisioning of the health centres at Adagom 1and Ukende.

Bekele averred that investment in children is investing in the future, and used the opportunity to appreciate the good work of CORAfrica.

Speaking further, he noted that “UNHCR looks forward to strengthening partnership with CORAfrica. “The more we see development like this, the more enthused we are to strengthen partnership” he added.

The event featured presentation of keys and particulars of the bus to the Head Teacher of the school, as well as a presentation by the pupils of the school and host community youths.

December 1, 2022
CORAfrica Donates School Bus To Refugees At St Peter’s Primary School Adagom, Ogoja

By Elijah Ugani

A non-governmental and humanitarian organization, Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica), has today 1st December, 2022 donated a bus to St Peter’s Primary School Adagom for use by refugees and host community children.

Speaking during the presentation, the Founder/Chief Strategist of CORAfrica, Rev Fr Dr Peter Obele Abue noted that “the rationale behind the purchase of this bus is the long distance trekked by our pupils and our desire to provide the needed support to aid effective and conducive learning environment for them.

“As part of our educational model and to provide support in addition to compliment the efforts of UNHCR, in providing the required education, we had rented this structure and commenced the basic training of these children last year, and we currently have a population of 500 pupils, comprising of 464 refugees and 36 host community children”

Speaking further, Fr Obele maintained that “In addition to payment of staff stipends, we also provide snacks periodically for our pupils as a way of encouraging and stabilizing the children to enable them pay attention to the lessons taught.

“In response to the rapid and increasing growing population beyond our expectation, and the need to ensure standard in providing for the educational needs of the pupils, CORAfrica has acquired 50 plots of land in Adagom 3, less than 100 meters away from our temporary site. Work has begun with over 30 trips of sand, 15 trips of gravel and 600 bags of cement for the construction of an ultra-modern 8 classroom block in the new site. God willing, by January 2023 a more conducive learning environment will be available for the pupils.

“As an organization that is poised to emancipate the plight of rural African Children, we are determined to support the laudable initiative by UNHCR. We are committed to promoting inclusion and equitable learning opportunities for all, to improve access to education for refugees children in line with the global compact for refugees on education, as we anticipate further collaborations with UNHCR”.

Fr Obele used the opportunity to commend UNHCR Head of Ogoja UNHCR Sub Office, for honoring their invitation to witness the historic presentation of the school bus and requested for an audience with the Head of Ogoja Sub Office to enable him share their plans and programmes with him, to ensure that such programmes align with UNHCR mandate.

Chief Stephen Mankong who spoke on behalf of Adagom community, stated that “For us in the community, we are glad to be part of this occasion. Historically, since the coming of refugees to Adagom, this is the first major private donation of a person for the use of both the PoCs and the host community people”

Chief Mankong called on UNHCR to consider a partnership with CORAfrica as he said “It is my desire that UNHCR partner with CORAfrica in changing the educational misfortune of these refugees and host community people”

On his part, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, represented by the Programme Manager, Mr Hillary Agida commended Fr Peter Obele Abue for his passion for the vulnerable. He recalled that Fr Obele had founded the orphanage in Mbube where a lot of orphans have graduated into very meaningful persons in the society.

He called on UNHCR to find an appropriate place for CORAfrica so that they can do even better for the refugees intervention.

Mr Andy Ubong of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, averred that “we are here to say thank you CORAfrica for the assistance given to the government of Nigeria to assist the refugees. We are ready to collaborate with you any time”

Responding, the UNHCR Head of Ogoja Sub Office, Mr Tesfaye Bekele, who was represented by Mr Jonathan Derko, stated that “UNHCR in Ogoja have heard a lot about CORAfrica. The Country Representative has a very soft spot for children. She was here last month for the commisioning of the health centres at Adagom 1and Ukende.

Bekele averred that investment in children is investing in the future, and used the opportunity to appreciate the good work of CORAfrica.

Speaking further, he noted that “UNHCR looks forward to strengthening partnership with CORAfrica. “The more we see development like this, the more enthused we are to strengthen partnership” he added.

The event featured presentation of keys and particulars of the bus to the Head Teacher of the school, as well as a presentation by the pupils of the school and host community youths.

December 1, 2022
Cross River: PDP Stallwarts Raises Alarm Over Incessant Destruction Of Campaign Posters, Billboards, Accuse CRISSA Of Partiality

By Emmanuel Eyo, Calabar

Some stalwarts of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Calabar South and Municipality have raised the alarm over the destruction of its candidates’ campaign posters and bill boards within the metropolis.

The stalwarts accused Cross River State Signage and Advertising Agency (CRISSAA) of not only denying the party spaces to mount bill boards on the flimsy excuse that PDP and its candidates have not met the criteria, but of discreetly pulling down the opposition candidates’ billboards in strategic locations across the state.

According to them, this is an attempt to heat up the polity and could degenerate into cold war between PDP and APC supporters if not checked.

One of the PDP chieftains and a member of one of the leading candidates’ camapign team, Daniel Asuquo, said reports gathered from the field showed that all the party posters pasted even on residential houses and some billboards on some candidates’ offices have been either been destroyed or defaced by, warning it is a dangerous practice that would do no one any good.

Asuquo stated that twenty-four hours after inaugurating PDP Presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Cross River Campiagn Council in Calabar, the agency allegedly sent in some miscreants who went in the wee hours of Sunday, November 13, 2022 and destroyed Atiku’s billboard mounted in front of the office at Marian Road.

He said when the security man on duty tried to stop them, they threatened him with gun and some other dangerous weapons, warning him stay clear as the order was from the above.

He further accused CIRSSAA of being behind the dismantling of PDP campaign billboards at Diamond Hill, Ediba and Ikot Ishie axis of Calabar Municipality, Odukpani junction and Okwurikang in Odukpani local government.

Also accusing the agency of favouritism, another PDP stalwart, Dominic Inyang, said CRISSAA had banned the pasting of posters of any form indiscriminately on private and public buildings, but allowed APC to past their campaign posters at the back of U.J. Esuene Stadium and some bus-stops around the same stadium.

Inyand said allowing APC to do that is a confirmation that CRISSAA is tacitly working for APC and rather demarketing PDP by denying them spaces.

He said even when some PDP candidates have met all the conditions including payments of agreed fees to CRISSAA’s account, the agency is still hell bent on frsutrating PDP, adding that they would have no other option than to start mounting their own bill boards as the state belongs to all Cross Riverian.

He wondered why Governor Ben Ayade that preaches politics of ethics should turn around to use CRISSAA to witchuant political opponents, adding that no amount of intimidation would stop PDP from wining the 2023 polls in the state.

“We know that bill boards do not win election. But it is our right to campaign within the armbit of the law which we have complied with. I learnt that the agency is acting on Governor’s script of trying to muscle political opponents.

“The DG of CRISSAA has shown open partiality by allowing APC to paste their campaign posters at stadium against his own rules of engagements. We do hope that when PDP pastes theirs, he won’t say we have gone against the law?”

Earlier in his reaction a few days ago when the matter first came up, the Director General of CRISSAA, Mr. Effiom Effiwat, said:”We have not given approval to PDP candidates to mount billboards. There are proceedures to follow and if you don’t we would pull it down.”

November 28, 2022
Linda Ayade Offers Free Medical Outreach At Obudu German Specialist Hospital

The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade, through her Mediatrix Development Foundation in partnership with Faith Care International has organized a Free Medical Outreach in Obudu. Doctors and medical personnel arrived from all over the country Friday night ahead of the commencement of the outreach on Saturday, 26th to Wednesday, 30th November, 2022.

The outreach which is to run for 5 days is taking place in the recently completed state-of-the-art Obudu German Specialist Hospital and has drawn massive crowds from Obudu and neighboring LGAs. Free services being offered range from eye and dental care, consultation, laboratory services to surgeries.

Over the last 7 years, Dr. Ayade has continued to provide these free medical services to Cross Riverians and saving them huge financial expenditure. Speaking at the outreach, Mr. Jeffery Adamade, the Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrix Development Foundation, praised the turnout and said that over 30 successful surgeries had already been carried out just halfway through the outreach. He said the Obudu outreach was one of about 10 medical outreaches organized by MDF in the state. He said this year alone, the organization has held outreaches in Abi, Odukpani, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo and Obudu. The outreach to Akamkpa and Akpabuyo were held in the remote areas of the LGAs and lasted for a stretch of 17 days.

He applauded the commitment of the Governor’s wife to the health initiative while stating that her determination to help the sick across the state was no surprise given that saving lives was her lifelong passion. Through this initiative, thousands of Cross Riverians have been saved the headache of looking for money or even losing their lives while seeking finances for medicare.

November 28, 2022
PDP Inaugurates Campaign Council, Promises To Reclaim Cross River

By Elijah Ugani

The Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democrate Party PDP has inaugurated its campaign council, and has promised to reclaim the state in 2023 polls.

Inaugurating the campaign council, the PDP state Chairman, Mr Venatius Ikem charged the campaign council to coordinate all the vibrant energies needed to win the 2023 general elections at all levels.

In his words “I want to congratulate all of you who made the list to drive the process to reclaim our state. Let me charge you to coordinate all the energies needed to win the 2023 general elections”

Speaking further, Mr Ikem took responsibility for all complains associated with the composition of the campaign council list and promised that with due consultation with other stakeholders, the campaign council will be enlarged.

He expressed satisfaction that Cross Riverians are desirous of volunteering to serve in the process that will midwife Cross River State of our dream.

He stressed that not everyone will be in the state campaign council, others will serve in the local government campaign council and appealed to them take the task at the local government level very seriously.

On his part, the PDP governorship candidate, Sen Prof Sandy Onor, congratulated all those that made the campaign council list and averred that “the journey to recover Cross River State has just begun. I must commend your zeal and determination shown in this all important task to rescue our generation and the one next.

“Together, we will go to every local government with our message. We will not promise what we cannot do. I have served as Local Government Council Chairman. I was Chairman of Chairmen. I was also ALGON National Vice President and President at some point. I also served as Commissioner in two ministries, Agriculture and Environment. I served as Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, and now I’m a serving senator. I have experience and served in all the tiers of government and I’m better equipped to salvage this state that is drifting.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to you to remain in your various local government areas and organize your people, don’t follow us around. Mobilize your people, let them come out and vote, protect your votes. No body will intimidate us”

The Chairman of the campaign council and Former Governor of the state, Mr Donald Duke commended the resilience of the state executive committee and for finding all members of the committee worthy of the noble assignment to rescue the state and declared that all hands must be in deck to reclaim the state.

The Director General of the campaign council, Mr Efiok Cobham Esq, pledged to deliver on his assignment as he thanked the state executive committee to have found him worthy of the task to direct the affairs of the council.

The Campaign Council is made up of 1,080 members with the former Governor, Mr Donald Duke, as Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, as Director-General.

The campaign structure has Ekpo Ada, Esq, Ntufam Gabe Orji and Hon.Mom Olom as Southern, Central and Norther senatorial districts coordinators respectively.

November 26, 2022
2023: PDP Set To Inaugurate Over 1,000 Member Campaign Council, Promises To Reclaim Cross River

Judex Okoro

The Cross River state Peoples Democrate Party (PDP) has concluded arrangements to inauguerate its campaign counil, promising to reclaim the state in 2023 polls.

The Campaign Council is made up of 1, 080 members and with 18 sub-committees, is headed by the former Governor, Mr. Donald Duke, as chairman and former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, as Director-General.

The campaign structure has Ekpo Ada, Esq, Ntufam Gabe Orji and Hon Mom Olom as Southern, Central and Norther senatorial districts coordinators respectively.

In a press statement made available to newsmen, the state party chairman, Venatius Ikem, Esq, said the members would be inaugurated on Friday, November 25, 2022 at the Venetian Mall, Murtala Mohammed Highway Calabar at 2:00pm.

Ikem enjoined the members, who would work in the various directorates of the Campaign organisation, to be prepared to work assiduously towards recaliming the state.

He said: “I congratulate all members of
the council for meriting the onerous task of reclaiming Cross River State from the abyss.”

The state-wide campaign is expected to roll off after the inauguration and would be followed with ward-to-ward campaigns.

November 24, 2022
Mediatrix Development Foundation, Faith Care International Stage Free Medical Outreach

By Elijah Ugani

Mediatrix Development Foundation has released the plan for a mega free medical outreach in partnership with Faith Care International.

A release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrix, Mr Jeffrey Adamade, indicates that the 5-day medical outreach which is to commence on November 26th to November 30th 2022, will be held at Obudu German Specialist Hospital.

The release further requests members of the public to take advantage of the opportunity to access medical services.
The services to be rendered during the outreach will include surgery, dental care, laboratory services, consultation.

Mediatrix Development Foundation has continued to partner with Faith Care International to stage this medical outreach in Cross River State since 2016. Previous outreaches were held in Obudu, Ogoja, Ikom, Ugep, Itigidi, Odukpani and Calabar South.

Mediatrix Development Foundation is a pet project of the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade, who sits on the board as President.

November 23, 2022
C’River State Govt Partners UNDP To Control Use Of Small Arms In Border Communities

The Cross River State government and the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) is working on introducing a program that will deal with matters of security in border communities, on controlling the use of small arms in the State.

This disclosure was made when a delegation of the UNDP paid a working visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation (MIDC) on Monday in her office in Calabar.

According to the Comptroller-General for the South-South Center, Maj. Gen Martin
Obot (rtd), the delegation was in the State to intimate the Commissioner of its entry to the state to liaise and undertake the program.

Speaking also about the program, the Head, Center for Control of Small Arms and Programme Analyst for the UNDP, Mr. Jonathan Madaki noted that the core mission was to proliferate the use of small arms around border communities of the state as a means of securing the areas.

Mr Madaki said the delegation was delighted to meet with the leadership of the Ministry as the coordinating MDA in the State. He said the collaboration will make the task much easier and achievable.

In her remarks, Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong described the mission as a timely intervention considering the possible hike in social vices during this festive season.

Dr Asibong thanked the delegation over the planned partnership in securing border villages and suburbs in the state, reiterating that Cross River State is relatively peaceful when compared with others and should remain so.

The Commissioner specially acknowledged efforts of the UNDP on interventionist policies in the state, highlighting the Hydro Power Project at the Obudu Ranch Resort and lots more as case studies.

She noted that the program is key as regards the hosting of the Carnival Calabar as the state anticipates the influx of visitors to grace the carnival in the days ahead, while pledging Governor Ben Ayade’s unalloyed resolve to the successful implementation of the program in the state.

The session had critical functionaries among who were the representative of the CSOs Mrs Doris Okzia, UNDP Consultant Josephine Aba, the Chief Programme Officer for Security Intelligence, the Director of Administration of the MIDC and other management staff.

November 22, 2022
UNICROSS Management Assures Students Of Safety Within The University Environment

The Management of Unicross wishes to inform parents , students , stakeholders , Government and all residents of Cross River State that the University acknowledges the sad experiences of some of its female students culminating in the theft of their phones and personal belongings by hoodlums .
The Management of the University wishes to reiterate its commitment to the complete eradication of these criminal elements inimical to the peaceful coexistence of the university .

The University Management has already contacted relevant security agencies to fish out these hoodlums who have decided to constitute themselves as a nuisance to the institution .

It assures all staff, students, parents and stakeholders that the hoodlums would be caught and made to face the wrath of the law within a very short time .

It also wishes to state that there were no cases of rape as mischievously peddled by some bloggers and news sites. Management frowns at the despicable act of publishing information without towing the noble path of verifying information for facts .

The University wishes to appreciate the maturity of the students who though affected by the untoward situation, have gone back to their classrooms to continue with their normal activities and admonishes those who may want to destabilize the system using this sad occurrence to desist forthwith, as the institution would not hesitate to invoke all disciplinary measures as deemed necessary.

Unicross Media Team

November 22, 2022
Jarigbe Commences The Rehabilitation Of 27 KM Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Wanihem Road

By Judex Okoro, Sunnewsonline

Committed to improving the living standard of the people of Cross River north senatorial district, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has commenced rehabilitation work on the 27 kilometres Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Wanihem road in Yala local government area of the state.

The road is one of the major projects that Governor Ben Ayade had in 2016 promised to complete before leaving office.

Jarigbe, who was represented by the Constituency Officer during the inauguration exercise, Mr Egar Mgbantul, said he decided to take up the road project to ameliorate the sufferings of his people, explaining that he is the National Assembly to protect the interest and welfare of his people.

According to him, when completed the road would enhance community integration, boost inter- community trade and give the constituents access to other economic opportunities that abound within the senatorial zone.

He commended the people of Yahe and Ukelle for their tremendous support so far, promising to attract more democratic dividends.

He enjoined the contractor to try and deliver quality work and on time to ease rural transportation.

Dignatories present at the short ceremony before commencement of construction work include
Mr Julius Elah, Manus Ugboji, Hon. Martins Achadu, Mr Isaac Okpoko, Stephen Okpako, Mr Igbologidi, Chief Emmanuel Egwu and party leaders and stakeholders from the four wards of Ukelle and Yahe as well as supporters.

November 22, 2022