The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • Rima, Magna Decks And Diana Ogar Memorial Foundation Takes Diabetes Campaign To Rural Communities

    Rima, Magna Decks And Diana Ogar Memorial Foundation Takes Diabetes Campaign To Rural Communities

    By Admin

    As part of the activities to commemorate the 2020 World Diabetes Day 2022, Rima and Magna Decks of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) in collaboration with Beatrice Diana Ogar Memorial Foundation (BEDODMEF) has taken public enlightenment campaign on diabetes, free counselling and distribution of testing kits to rural communities of Kakum, Bebuagbong, Bebuabie and Bebuatsuan in Ipong Ward of Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria.

    The campaign which held on Saturday 19th November 2022 at the Kagbong Primary Health Care Centre, aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of diabetes mellitus, signs and prevention as well unraveled the importance of regular testing for diabetes.

    Speaking during the exercise, Dr Nicholas Akan (Capoon, Rima Deck) maintained that “World diabetes day was created by IDF and World health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes.

    “World diabetes day became an official United Nations day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Fredrick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922”

    A 4 Blood Glucose Monitoring System for self testing were donated one each to the 4 health Centres of Kakum, Bebuagbong, Bebuabie and Bebuatsuan.

    The enlightenment campaign seek to:

    Create public awareness about the dangers of diabetes in these rural communities.
    Educate the target population on preventive measures against diabetes.
    Enable the chosen population know their diabetes status.
    Support those diagnosed of diabetes with some form of medical interventions.
    Encourage regular exercises/walk out aimed at reducing excessive body weight.
    Create a data base of diabetic cases to inform policy formulation.

    With the 2022 World Diabetes Day theme, “education to protect tomorrow,” the International Diabetes Federation has launched a global survey to explore the levels of access that healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes have to diabetes education.

    Receiving the test kits on behalf of Ipong ward for delivery to the various health centres, the ward Focal Person, Mrs Elizabeth Ugi, commended the organizers of the programme and assured of proper usage.

    Rima Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has its headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State. Its jurisdiction stretches from Obanliku and Obudu in Cross River State, to Benue and Nasarrawa States.

    Magna Carta Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) covers Shire areas which includes, West Midlands, East Midlands and some parts of London all in England.

    Beatrice Diana Ogar Diabetes Memorial Foundation (BEDODMEF), was established with the mission to prevent diabetes and improve the health conditions of people living with diabetes, while the vision is to reduce the number of diabetics.

  • Never Judge A Book By The Cover, Happy Wedding Anniversary To Us BY BIANCA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU

    Never Judge A Book By The Cover, Happy Wedding Anniversary To Us BY BIANCA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU

    NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER…
    Each time I see this picture, the rather funny but sad story of this wedding cake on the left comes to mind.
    I was told by a good friend, during my wedding preparations that there was a lady based at Enugu that makes great wedding cakes. Infact my friend, though not familiar with the lady, offered to take me to hers.

    Dressed rather casually, I decided to park my own Mercedes and I joined my friend in her own car which was a cute looking but modest Volkswagen (known as Beetle in those days) and she drove us to the cake maker’s place.

    Upon our arrival, The popular cake maker, (whose name I withhold for obvious reasons) totally oblivious of my identity, took one derisive look at the car we arrived in, and was not impressed. I told her I needed her to make my wedding cake, and she started coming up with all manner of excuses.

    First, she told me her cakes were very expensive and I definitely would not be able to afford it ( at 25,000 naira in those days), and offered to direct me to a cheaper cake place, stressing that she only makes cakes for important personalities ( even going ahead to drop names..such as one Union bank manager, one boutique owner, etc who in her estimation were ‘dignitaries’) but I told her that I could manage to afford it.

    She then asked where the wedding was taking place and I told her it was at Abuja. She said I would have to pay for her transportation to Abuja to mount the cake and that since she only travels by air, not road, this added cost would be difficult for me to carry, to which I replied that I would pay.

    She raised the issue of hotel accommodation, which I assured her, would be taken care of.
    My friend kept nudging me and whispering in my ear, ‘ Tell this woman who you are so she can put a stop to these nonsense questions’, to which I replied no. I was secretly amused, albeit perplexed at that moment about human nature and social climbers, which by her attitude, this lady clearly was .

    What I found surprising was that the lady herself was definitely not well off, her own car was an old Corolla, her surroundings not plush, and she was merely one of those ‘I must belong by all means’ type of people, yet she had the temerity to look down on others she considered not ‘rich’.

    To cut a long story short, still not convinced that I could afford her services ( judging by my casual dressing and the modest ride, which was not even mine, meaning I probably had no vehicle of my own), she briskly discharged us both, telling me to drop my number, and that she would call me.

    I dropped my number with her under my Igbo name Odinaka, and we left. I never heard from her again.

    I simply took up a generous offer from the Canadian chef at the Nicon Hilton Abuja then, who was a master baker, and my gigantic multi tiered wedding cake was made at no cost at all, simply as PR to market and advertise the Hotel’s services.

    The Enugu based cake maker, one day, just a week to the wedding, saw the television broadcasts of our impending wedding which was a big event at the time, and realised it was me who had come to her place for a wedding cake.

    She flew into a panic and quickly managed to find her way to my house, and started begging, with all kinds of bland explanations, asking why I didn’t introduce myself ‘appropriately’ ( by which she meant as a ‘VIP’), and even offering to make the cake free of charge, but it was too late.

    On this day, a beautiful breezy day in November 1994, it was a memorable wedding ceremony at the Nicon Noga Hilton ( Today’s Transcorp Hilton), Abuja, the first wedding event ever hosted there. And it was grand…

    This life size multi step cake seen in this picture, much bigger and more lavish than any conceivable one the Enugu cake maker could ever have offered, was donated by the management of the Hilton.

    The Enugu based Cake maker lost a great opportunity to showcase her skills and her product since the event was telecast across the country..TV, radio, Newspapers, Magazines and every conceivable news medium with the Hilton Master Baker taking the cake credits.

    This advertisement masterstroke greatly boosted the Hilton Events hosting business and facilitated countless more weddings at the same Congress Hall at Hilton. Last I heard, the Cakemaker’s business has since folded after she faced some difficulties in her business several years ago.

    Moral of this true life experience is, NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER. We are all human beings,created equally before God, if not before man, regardless of our status in life.

    The tragedy of our times is that so many go through this sort of scenario on a daily basis but sadly with a different outcome.

    I could shrug this Cakemaker’s attitude off , being myself, a person of means relating incognito, knowing that she could not even scratch the surface of my net worth, and that I was possibly doing her a favour by opting for her services because of the significant publicity it would bring her , but what of my friend in whose car we drove there, who was a modest earner living within her means, and who it became clear, goes through this disdain on a regular basis from these types of social climbing crabs ? When did it become an offence to own or drive a beetle?

    The truth is that so many folks are this way inclined, and it is downright despicable.

    We must never relate to others based solely on who or what they are, what they have, what car they ride or how expensively or poorly they are dressed…Everyday people lose opportunities to forge valuable ties and long lasting friendships because of their snobbish outlook.

    ……and best of all, when one door closes, another greater one will open by Divine mercies. I lost a molehill but gained a mountain.

    HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND OGA M, DIM CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU !

  • Reconciliation In PDP Must Be Based On Equity, Fairness And Justice – Wike

    Reconciliation In PDP Must Be Based On Equity, Fairness And Justice – Wike

     

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reiterated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G-5 governors will only be disposed to reconciliation based on equity, fairness and justice.

    The Rivers State governor made the assertion at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover, the 8th so far constructed and completed by his administration. The project inauguration was performed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo State, on Wednesday.

    Governor Wike pointed to how, prior to the crisis rocking the PDP, some members of the party were singing praises of him and colleagues that make up the G-5 governors. But he noted that the same people have turned around to call them names because they are clamouring for equity, fairness and justice.

    “ I’m sure, those of them in my party, before, they cannot say anything without mentioning Wike. But now, because I said let the right thing be done, let agreement be agreement. Because I have said that, I have now become an enemy. These were people who were praising me morning, night, any day.

    “But because we said, look, we had an agreement, do this, do that, and some people believe that they will not and we said it must be done. We stand for equity, fairness and justice. That is what the G-5 Governors will continue to preach. We have said we are not against reconciliation, but reconciliation must be based on equity, fairness and justice.”

    Governor Wike said politics is about interest and Rivers people must be sure of what they stand to benefit for any support they will have to give ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “Politics now is about interest. You must tell me what is the interest of Rivers State. You must tell me what is the interest of my community. I will not join anybody who does not want my State to benefit. I will not support anybody who does not like my State.”

    Governor Wike drew attention to the place of integrity in leadership across strata and why leaders must be bonded by what they say and do.

    “When once you have lost integrity, there is nothing you can offer again. And that is the problem we are having in this country where politicians will stand up and make a statement.

    “And then, people are watching you to fulfil that statement, promise you have made and when you don’t, Nigerians will now say that is how politicians behave. I don’t agree to that.

    “Individuals can behave that way, I will not behave that way. If I say something today, I will do it. If there is any reason I won’t do it, I have to come back to you and let you know this is the reason why. And that is what they call integrity.”

    He called on leaders across strata and divide to promote unity among Nigerians. According to him, the expected unity should be devoid of ethnicity, religion and party considerations but based on the fact that one is a Nigerian.

    “We need a Nigeria that all of us can be proud of. And so, for us, all we are looking for is how Nigeria will progress. How people will have food on their table. It is not a about ethnicity, it is not about religion. It is not about party but how Nigeria will progress. That is where we stand.”

    Governor Wike decried situations most people are made to experience, which often make them to question their nationality as Nigerians. He said, it is unfair for some Nigerians to lord it over others on an unequal stance, a feeling that negate unity and progress.

    The governor also seized the opportunity to offer public apology to Comrade Oshiomhole over some political comments made against him and the governorship candidate that he supported in the last Edo State gubernatorial election.

    “You know I came to Edo State to make sure your candidate didn’t win election. I was virtually in charge, everyday coming out on television to take you on, and I said you will not win, and you didn’t win.

    “Well that assignment has been done, we now know who is who. I want to tell my people, I sincerely apologise to you and you know, each time you (we) learn.”

    Commenting on the project, governor Wike noted how the people had cried over the inconveniences they had suffered while the construction work lasted. But with the Rumuepirikom flyover now completed and inaugurated, governor Wike observed that people are happier that their sacrifice was worth it.

    Governor Wike instructed Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to return to the Rumuepirikom community and make sure all roads are reconstructed in the area.

    Performing the inauguration, former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole noted with pleasure the belief by governor Wike that in a democracy, though political parties are needed to win elections, promises made to the people must be kept and projects delivered as proof of governance.

    “I think, Rivers people should be proud because, our people often say that prophets are not appreciated at home. Governor Wike has truly transformed this city.

    “So, sir, the truth is that, I have heard anyone who is able to say with some measure of confidence that governor Wike, his own na just talk. You talk, you walk the talk.

    “In politics, I can’t come to this place when we want the votes and begin to celebrate you. If I celebrate you like our President Buhari has celebrated you now, and you’re using the certificate to make the most potent campaign against my own party what can we say?”

    Comrade Oshiomhole, who was also a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, commended governor Wike for using his time in office as governor of Rivers State to make a difference.

    “Facts are very stubborn. So, I agree that even your worse critics will admit that governor Wike has made a difference. You made a difference not only in terms of projects but even your statement this afternoon, I join you in saying, because I had course to say that in Benin when I was governor of Edo State that how can a country be governed by people who cannot be trusted.

    “When politicians make statements, make promises or even make agreements or even enact laws and the laws are not to be obeyed by themselves but to be obeyed by others and when they default in their promise or standing, they say that is politics for you.

    Providing the description of the project, Rivers State commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo said the Rumuepirikom flyover is 820 meters long, has a width of 26.8 meters, two approach rams of 110 meters each, and 600 millimetres walkway on either sides and 600 millimetres median.

    He stated that the flyover is designed to last, will reduce time spent in traffic, improve the socioeconomics dynamics within the benefitting communities in addition to the enhanced value of property in the area.

     

  • UNHCR Hands Over Completed Health Facilities To Cross River State Government

    UNHCR Hands Over Completed Health Facilities To Cross River State Government

     

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, has handed over two constructed and fully equipped Health Centres to the Cross River State government for use by the refugees and host communities in Ogoja Local Government Area.

    The UNHCR Country Representative, Chansa Kapaya, while commissioning the health centres, commended the cooperation of all stakeholders and thanked the federal government in general and Cross River State in particular for hosting the Cameroonian Refugees.

    She maintained that the statistics of 85,000 refugees in Nigeria is the official registered refugees by UNHCR and National Commission for Refugees, and stated that Cross River State government alone hosts 50,000 refugees and Ogoja Local Government Area host about 15,000 refugees.

    The Country Rep held that “Just recently, we distributed 200 vaccine carriers boxes and fully equipped ambulance, security pick up van to ensure security for locals and refugees in Ogoja”

    She used the opportunity to call on the Cross River State government to increase the number of health workers in the facilities so that health care services will reach the vulnerable population and expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for providing the enabling environment for the refugees.

    The Head of Ogoja Field Office of UNHCR, Mr Tesfaye Beleke, thanked the UNHCR Country Rep for finding time to hand over the constructed health facilities to the Cross River State government.

    “Apart from these health facilities, very many schools were renovated and some were constructed across the state.

    “Today’s occasion is a very unique one that we don’t have very often. The Country Rep is here to handover these facilities to the government” he added.

    The Director General, State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, reiterated government’s commitment to providing the needed support to enhance effective intervention.

    On his part, the Zonal Coordinator, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr Innocent Efoghe thanked UNHCR for providing and equipping the health centres.

    Receiving the Health facilities on behalf of the Cross River State government, the Director General of the Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, thanked UNHCR for the interventions to better the lives of the Cameroonian refugees and host communities.

    She used the opportunity to extend the felicitations of the Wife of the governor, Dr Linda Ayade and pledged the commitment of the state to support refugees through the livelihood intervention as implemented by Mediatrix Development Foundation.

    Dr Ekpenyong pledged commitment to full utilization of the facilities as she announced that the Adagom Health facility will be enlisted as one of the facilities for the implementation of the Cross River State Insurance Scheme. She further announced that more Health Workers will be sent to the facilities to enhance maximum health service delivery.

    Speaking on behalf of Adagom and Ukende communities, Chief mankom Stephen and His Royal Highness, Ajiji Pius Ipole, Clan Head of Ogboja, separately welcomed UNHCR and held that “this has been a dream come true that access to comprehensive health care is now very close to the PoCs and the locals”

    They used the opportunity to request UNHCR to reconsider the policy of making the locals pay for healthcare services as the it is telling very negatively on them.

    The Chairman of Adagom 1 settlement, Mr Ngale Samuel, commended the Adagom community for the magnanimity in hosting the refugees. He applauded UNHCR for the enormous concerned to assist refugees accessed health Services and maintained that “we are proud of this UNHCR intervention and refered the health facility to a wonderful intervention”

    He requested for more health personale and doctors to assuage the doctor to patient ratio.

    The Chairman of Ogoja local government council, Hon Emmanuel Ishabor thanked UNHCR for recognizing the support given to the refugees and thanked particularly the leadership of Adagom community for the provision of land other support for the refugees and appealed that their concerns and challenges be channeled appropriately.

    The health facilities handed over were, Primary Health Centres Adagom 1 and Ukende.

    The occasion featured presentation of gift items to the Country Rep by Adagom 1 and Ukende host communities

  • C’River Flags off Training Workshop On Integrated Service Delivery, As State Benefit From Global Fund RSSH Project

    C’River Flags off Training Workshop On Integrated Service Delivery, As State Benefit From Global Fund RSSH Project

    By Simon Ushie

    Enabling Resource allocation matched with competent manpower is said to guarantee efficiency and productivity especially in the health sector, an analogy that calls for effective partnership between states, the Federal Government and well endowed partners as Nigeria seek to attain Universal Health Coverage status in the nearest future.

    Among these decisive moves is the collaboration between the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to train health workers in the advance management of Reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child , adolescent, elderly Health and nutrition program across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Flagging off the training exercise in Calabar on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong encouraged the participants to remain committed and focused to the course of learning in order to be abreast with the new development.

    She said the essence of the training was to build capacity of health workers to ensure quality service delivery. She said as Federal Government and state government work hand in hand to bridge the gap of limited human resource through the basic health care programme and employment into service respectively, it is pertinent that health workers are trained and retrained to ensure optimal service delivery which will encourage patronage in their facilities to complement efforts of the Community health influencers and Promoters (CHIPS) agents who will be engaged in influencing and mobilizing people to patronize facilities.

    She highlighted some of the challenges faced in the primary health sector which requires urgent attention to include the high rate of maternal and child mortality, inadequate human resources and adoption of modern Health techniques which she said the training is set to address.

    She appreciated Global fund and NPHCDA for choosing Cross River State among the first 3 states in the federation for the pilot phase of the high impact Resilient Sustainable System for health(RSSH) project which will help tackle lapses in the Primary Healthcare facilities especially in the rural areas.

    Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara lauded Global fund for the support and for choosing Cross River State to ne one of the beneficiaries while also charging the participants to take the training serious and help support the state to mitigate the high rate of maternal and infant mortality by ensuring to disseminate appropriate information to health workers at the various facilities and reiterated Cross River State Government’s commitment to ensure only qualified health personnel will be absorbed into the service.

    The Integrated service delivery focal person from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Musa said the NPHCDA is one of the subrecipient of the global fund project and one of the major benefits of the project is to train health workers to provide quality integrated health services to clients to ensure we reduce cases of low patronage of health facilities as well as mortality of mother and child.

    The Program which is sponsored by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency through the support of the Global Funds Resilient Sustainable System for health will facilitate the high impact advance knowledge, train and produce at least 40 state level trainers on integrated sercice delivery to serve the state

    It will further build the capacity of at least 150 PHC service providers on the ward minimum Healthcare package using the integrated training documents developed to suit Cross River’s work pattern, program management, sensitization and mobilization for high impact program scheme.

    The training was facilitated by well knowledgeable instructors who have designed different frame works for the advancement of Primary Healthcare activities in the country and participants are to disseminate same knowledge at ward, Community and facility level.

    Also present at the event were, Mr Julius Idoko of NPHCDA, Comrade Bassey, Chairman community health workers union, representative of the chairman of National Association of Nurses and Midwives, the Director Community and family health, Mrs Sally Enyim, the state social mobilization Officer, Mrs Nsa Ekpenyong amongst others.

  • Wife of Bekwarra Council Chairman, Embarks On Operation Back To School

    Wife of Bekwarra Council Chairman, Embarks On Operation Back To School

     

    In a deliberate effort to ameliorate the burden on parents as they get their children/wards back to school for the 2021/2022 first term academic session, the Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Hon Dr Emeka Josephat Owan throuuh His dear wife, Amb Mrs Lucy Owan embarked on “Operation Back to School”.

    The exercise commenced on tuesday, 11th October 2022 and lasted for two weeks with visitation to public primary schools across the Ten political wards of Bekwarra. The essence of the visit was to encourage all Bekwarra children in public primary schools to be hardworking and not relent in pursuing their dreams, as well as support their parents, considering the economic situations in the country.

    Highpoint of the exercise was the distribution of writing materials, textbooks, school bags, socks, and sandals to pupils in primary 1 to 6, as well as payment of school charges for some selected pupils.

    The school tour had in attendance the Director for Education, the Secretary, Bekwarra Education Authority, Supervisor for Education and other Council Appointees.

    Reacting to the kind and unprecedented gesture, the pupils and Head Teachers prayed God to Continue to bless the council chairman and his dear wife abundantly.

    The following were the schools visited during the tour:

    Gakem Ward:
    1. St Mark’s Primary School Gakem
    2. Community Primary School Akurinyi, Gakem
    3. St Bernard Primary School Ushara, Gakem
    4. Community Primary School Illah, Gakem

    Beten Ward:
    1. St. Justin Primary school, Beten
    2. St. Gregory’s Primary School Ikanda
    3. Community Primary School Abuana
    4. Johnpat Great Believers Academy, Akpakpa

    Otukpuru Ward:
    1. Community Primary School, Abuagbor Ukum.
    2. Community Primary School, Otukpuru-Afaa
    3. St. Theresa’s Primary School Bewo

    Abuochiche Ward:
    1. St Christopher Primary School, Abuochiche
    2. Holy Child Convent School. Abuochiche
    3. Excellent kids intentional nursery and primary school, Abuochiche, Bekwarra LGA

    Ibiaragidi Ward:
    1. St Peter’s Primary School, Ebegang
    2. St Dominic Primary School, Ibiaragidi-Iye
    3. St Sylvester primary School, Ububa Iye
    4. Community Primary School Ibiaragidi
    5. St . Celestine’s Primary School, Anyikang
    6. Federal Model Primary School Anyikang Alilam

    Nyanya Ward:
    1. Sacred Heart Primary school,Nyanya Idigwe
    2. St Edward’s Primary School Nyanya Ulim
    3. Community Primary School, Ugbamu, Nyanya.

    Ugboro Ward:
    1. St Paul Primary School, Utukwe
    2. St. Peter’s Primary School, Akurinyi
    3. St. Clement’s Primary School, Ugboro

    Afrike Okpeche Ward:
    1. St Ignatius Primary School, Afrike okpeche
    2. Community Primary School, American, Afrike Okpeche.

    Afrike Ochagbe:
    1. Community Primary School chool, Ilagos Ikahor, Ochagbe
    2. Community primary School, Kaduna Ochagbe
    3. St David’s Primary School Ochagbe

    Ukpah Ward:
    1. St. Augustine’s Primary School, Ukpah
    2. St Stephen’s Primary School Ukpah
    3. Holy Child Convent Primary School Ukpah
    4. St. Finbar’s Primary School Ukparibu

     

  • The Impending Battle For The Soul Of Cross River North BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    The Impending Battle For The Soul Of Cross River North BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    This is by far, the most expected battle ground in the elections of 2023, more than the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after, ofcourse, the Governorship itself. And the reasons are quite simple. It is already shaping up to be the contest between the Leviathan and the people, the monstrous influence of government and the convinced resolve of the citizens. The dramatis personae are also both equally determined to win the diadem and bring the trophy home either as a personal memento or the carcas of a slain elephant to be shared amongst all, at the village square.

    Who would have thought that the day will come when someone will look a sitting Governor in the eye and stake a similar claim to his cherished fancy. But that day has already come in the Northern Senatorial Zone because the Governor dropped the ball. And now the die is cast! And the man of power and means, the gorgon medusa, finds himself standing bare nockled in the ring with the man of the people, who he has driven to become his nemesis, poised for battle in Philipi.

    If only Professor Ben Ayade had heeded to the often repeated cliché that “a stitch in time saves nine” , Napoleon’s Waterloo may well have been averted. But he did not. He spent too much time listening to the sound of his own voice and dancing trendy steps to the singing and clapping of his appointed choir. No wonder Oscar Wilde wrote that “education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”

    In the sunset of 2014, Senator Jarigbe Agom was as excited about an Ayade Governorship as Ayade himself is now inebriated by the pomp and circumstance of his own reign. It was he who broke the news to me in Ikom with excitement, that Governor Imoke has asked Senator Ayade to go ahead and pick the Governorship form. Jarigbe thereafter pulled all the stomps to help put him in office, buoyed such as he was with the idea of a Northern Governorship at last, and his ironclad belief in the ability of the then Senator to positively come through for the North and for the state.

    Alas, no sooner did Ayade ascend the apogee than he looked down from Olympus cursing the base degrees upon which he recently ascended. (I’m sure Shakespeare wrote something of the sort). And then he kicked away the ladder, sending it cantering unto the ground. Oh, what a tragic fall that was! Out of the ashes, however, Jarigbe rose like the phoenix in classical mythology putting on an iron coat to become not even a third term Congressman, but a Senator of the federal republic.

    As Senator, Jarigbe has reset the standard for that office and carved a broad new spectre for himself where even angels will fear to thread without his express permission. He has been creative, resourceful, caring and generous. He has shown the people of the North that it is possible to bring the dividends of democracy to them from Abuja and the people believe him. They believe him because they have seen his work and felt his impact both personally and in their communities. The even call him “the Governor of the North”.

    Governor Ayade is by all means also a worthy son of the North and a scion of Obudu. With his government left with only a few months to put to shore, he has appointed thousands of people into nonexistent offices to help him win back the Senate. For him it is an existential threat and failure is not an option to contemplate because his pride, his future safety and happiness are all at stake. For Ayade the senate is both his life and his future.

    As government appointees prattle and rattle with irreverent pomp and bombast, gushing out expletives and adamant Facebook posts, the word on the street is saying otherwise and every signal continues to point irrevocably in the direction of the Unconquered Generation and its army of self-convinced, self-propelled combatants. Welcome to the Kingdom of BIVAS, the boogeyman of the men in power and of power.

     

    

  • Imo Police Command Parades Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With The Gruesome Murder Of Their Colleague

    Imo Police Command Parades Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With The Gruesome Murder Of Their Colleague

    The Imo State Police Command has paraded the two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of their colleague, Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu, a cashier of a gas plant in Owerri, Imo State.

    LIB had reported that that Nwachukwu was allegedly killed by her coworkers and her body buried in a shallow grave within the premises of the gas plant.

    The victim was allegedly murdered by the suspects including the manager, in an attempt to steal the company’s money.

    Spokesperson of the command, CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, November 7, 2022, said a shovel and a cutlass believed to be the murder weapons used in killing the victim, were recovered from the shallow grave.

    According to the PPRO, the two suspects are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Nwachukwu while two others are on the run.

    “Following a case of Missing Person reported on the 24/10/2022 by the family of young woman, Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu aged 36yrs who left home for work at HALIM 633 SYNERGY COOKING GAS STATION, Toronto/Road Safety by MCC Road Owerri, Imo State and never returned home,” the statement read.

    “After a futile search, the family decided to complain to the Commissioner of Police through a petition written by one Pastor Mrs Precious Abara. On receipt of the petition, it was immediately referred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) for discreet investigation. Detectives from the FORENSIC SECTION were detailed to investigate in conjunction with a team of CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS (CSI’s) led by Inspector Obele Fredrick.

    “The investigating team, on the 26/10/2022 at about 1200 hours left the Police Headquarters to the scene of crime on investigation, armed with Forensic Equipments. On arrival, preliminary investigation revealed that Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu who doubles as the Secretary/Cashier of the Gas Plant, takes the weekly money sales to the bank on Tuesdays and manages the day to day running of the company because the owner who resides abroad entrusts the business in her care.

    “These unfolding revelations gave the team of detectives an insight into puzzle surrounding the disappearance of the lady and a thorough search was made in the premises of the entire gas station for clues.

    “Unfortunately, nothing incriminating was discovered hence they moved to the back of the COOKING GAS STATION. In the course of search, a blood stain was observed on the wall of the fence. This made the team to suspect fowl play hence, they carefully and professionally traced the blood stain to an area where dried grasses were packed deceptively with two heavy stones placed on them to create an impression that nothing has been done around area for long time.

    “But, the operatives were not fooled. They removed the heavy stones, the grasses and gently dugged out the earth, alas an offensive stench oozed out. Excitedly, they dug further only to discover it was a shallow grave. Inside was a shovel and a cutlass and the decomposing body of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu.

    “Consequently, the corpse was exhumed, the shovel and cutlass recovered to the Station. Hypothetically, it is reasonably suspected that the two items recovered in the shallow grave are the murder weapons used in killing the victim.

    “The corpse was later evacuated and deposited at Federal Medical Centre mortuary for autopsy.

    “Two suspects have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu while, two others are on the run.

    “The police operatives are not relenting in their search for the fleeing suspects and within the shortest possible time, they will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement conncluded.

    Lindaikeji

  • Sandy Onor Donates 3M For The Construction Of A Passage Way At Ndebeji Collapsed Bridge

    Sandy Onor Donates 3M For The Construction Of A Passage Way At Ndebeji Collapsed Bridge

     

    The Governorship Candidate of the PDP and Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor has donated the sum of Three Million Naira (#3,000,000.00) for the construction of a passage way to ease movement on the broken bridge of Eku near New Ndebeji Community in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State.

    Senator Onor made the donation on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 in Calabar when the committee saddled with the responsibility to create a safe passage way paid a courtesy call on the governorship candidate.

    Making the donation on behalf of Sen Onor, Ntufam Dr Omang Ntui admonished the committee to make judicious use of the resources in order to achieve timely result considering the stalled human and vehicular movement in and out of the community.

    Responding on behalf of the group, the elated Chairman of the committee to over see the creation of a safe passage route, and village head of Akoh, Ntufam ASU Clement said: “We have never had someone like him. Today, we ‘re grateful that our own son, Senator Sandy Onor heard our cry and came in timely to intervene and assist us. We thank him so much.”

    Recall that Sen Sandy Onor was the first public office holder to visit the stranded communities and motorist, when the bridge collapsed, he had promised to engage and facilitate more allocation for the construction of the road; an improvement of the previous budgetary provision he had facilitated.

    Caterpillar Movement Media

  • C’River: Back To South Crumbles As Southern Youths Signs Pact With Sandy

    C’River: Back To South Crumbles As Southern Youths Signs Pact With Sandy

    Isabella Okon, Calabar

    A death knell has sounded for the vociferous clamour by select politicians in Cross River popularly christened “Back To South” which demanded outright zoning of the governorship ticket from all political parties to the southern senatorial district ahead 2023 Elections.

    The fatal blow to the clamour followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between youths from the seven local government areas in the south under the aegis of Progressive Southern Alliance and the PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Sandy Onor in Calabar

    Speaking at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders before accenting to the MOU, the People’s Democratic Party standard bearer Senator Sandy Onor lauded the bold steps demonstrated by opinion leaders behind the initiative, stressing that sectional interest must never be allowed to scuttle concerted efforts to reclaim the state from imminent collapse .

    According to him “Back to South” was a selfish concept driven by ulterior motive, intended to promote mediocrity and prolong the current decay in our dear state for mere personal interest of some few elites. Anyone with genuine interest in the well-being of Cross River State would never support the current administration to perpetuate itself in power under any guise.”

    “We can not sacrifice competent ,experience, dexterity,academic prowess and charisma on the altar on ethnicity. We have outgrown such myopic persuasions. Besides, I am an Ejaham man from Akamkpa maternally, therefore, I am eminently qualified in all ramifications. I am indeed the best candidate in terns of education,experience, exposure and charisma”

    Senator Onor stressed that” I have been a reliable and trusted friend of the Efiks, in 1998 when some prominent politicians in All People’s Party APP then ganged up that an Efik man can never be a governor, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong who emerged as the APP Governorship candidate was replaced with Mark Ukpo overnight ,though I was in APP, I mobilized men and resources in Central and Northern parts of this state to support Mr Donald Duke of PDP because I saw potentials in him. That was how Donald became our governor in 1999.You can verify from them. Let’s dwell on issues that unite and accelerate the development of our state. I would be a governor for all”

    In her remarks, the Deputy Governorship Candidate , Emana Ambrose Amanhwe said it was time for the south to mainstream its interest in the incoming administration in order to guarantee attainment of peculiar issue affecting the the senatorial district.

    In his address, the coordinator of the Progressive Southern Alliance Asuquo Bassey Solomon revealed that the initiative was meant to provide a platform to address misconceptions and paved the way for an all inclusive government while foisting a united front to guarantee victory at the poll in 2023.

    Parts of the MOU stipulate revamping of the tourism sector of the state, Tinapa, Obudu Resort , jobs creation, good governance and key roles for supporters from all PDP Governorship aspirants in the campaign organization.

    Professor Offiong Ani, Bobby Effiom Ekpenyong, Esu Coco Bassey, Asuquo Solomon among others facilitated the summit.