The Lumine News

Category: Breaking News

  • C’River Ministry Of Finance Secures $10M Grant As World Bank Verifies Eligibility

    C’River Ministry Of Finance Secures $10M Grant As World Bank Verifies Eligibility

    By Admin

    Independent Verification Agents (IVA) from the World Bank are undertaking a verification exercise as part of the validating criteria of the World Bank State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme for results. It is a programme supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Ministry Finance and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation aimed at improving transparency and accountability in governance for sustainable growth and development.

    Speaking at the meeting held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Finance, leader of the World Bank IVA Team to Cross River, Mrs Isioma Bola-Audu said the team is in Cross River to assess the state’s achievement of the Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs) in accordance with the Annual Performance Assessment (APA) guidelines and Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) verification protocols.

    Bola-Audu noted that the programme has nine DLIs that attracts grants for State’s that are able to meet the DLIs as an incentive for running a transparent, accountable and sustainable governance policy.

    Stating further that Cross River State is one of a handful of the 36 states that has met eligibility of the programme by submitting and publishing online her Annual Budget and Audited Financial Statements in a timely and decent manner, thereby qualifying for the World Bank grant. Further to the State’s qualification, the IVA team will verify the state’s performance in 9 different categories of best governance practices.

    “We have seen remotely that Cross River State has done well in achieving the eligible criteria and we are here to verify the Disbursement Linked Indicators in accordance with the verification protocols” She stated.

    Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr in his remarks thanked the World Bank team to the state and assured that the administration will never deviate from running a transparent, accountable and sustainable government in line with the State’s Public Finance Management Laws and the State’s Fiscal Responsibility Law as passed and assented to.

    The Commissioner stressed that Cross River State has been able to show that governance can be run in a transparent, accountable & sustainable manner which is why the state succeeded in qualifying for the World Bank’s grants.

    The Cross River State’s SFTAS Steering Committee is Chaired by the Ministry of Finance, comprising the Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Accountant General, Bureau of Due Process & Procurement, Budget Office, Office of the Head of Civil Service and Debt Management Department.

  • NYSC To Reopen Orientation Camps As Soon As PTF On COVID-19 Gives Directives

    Culled From Palimodia

    The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said it will reopen orientation camps for prospective corps members as soon as the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 gives it the directive to do so.

    Brig Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, the director-general of the NYSC made the statement during the inspection of some facilities destroyed by a wind storm in Gombe state.

    NYSC says it is waiting on directive of COVID-19 task force to reopen camps

    He urged graduates who are waiting to be mobilised for the scheme not to be agitated.

    The NYSC boss told the expectant graduates to be prepared because they may be called upon for camping at any time within a short notice.

    Ibrahim disclosed that the NYSC management has inspected so many camps in the country in order to assess the level of preparedness for reopening.

    The director-general also stressed the importance of skills acquisition by youths. He said the acquisition of skills would turn youths into employers of labour.

  • NUJ Akwa Ibom Boycotts Press Conference Called By Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode

    NUJ Akwa Ibom Boycotts Press Conference Called By Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode

    By Admin

    The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom Council has boycotted the Press Conference at the instance of a former, Femi Fani-Kayode FFK.

    The Union made this known via a release signed by it Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Amos Etuk and Dominic Akpan and sighted by TheLumineNews.

    This is not unconnected with the recent verbal attack on Comrade Charles Eyo, Cross River State Daily Trust Correspondent by the former minister during a press conference which is described as illigal by the Cross River Stste Council of NUJ, when he (FFK) visited and inspected projects undertaken by the governor of cross river state, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade.

    Find the release.

    August 28, 2020

    Directive To All Chapels

    In line with the disposition of the national leadership of our great Union, the State Council has directed that no journalist should attend a media parley with Femi Fani-Kayode or any of his activity at any location in Akwa Ibom State.

    The NUJ is not part of the visit.

    Please, share this information in your various platforms.

    Signed:
    Comrade Amos Etuk
    State Chairman

    Comrade Dominic Akpan
    State Secretary

  • Breaking: 2 Out Of The Three Passengers Dies In The Privately Operated Helicopter That Crashes Into A Building In Lagos State

    Breaking: 2 Out Of The Three Passengers Dies In The Privately Operated Helicopter That Crashes Into A Building In Lagos State

    By Admin

    Two out of the three passengers died as a privately operated helicopter crashes into a building on Salvation road, off Opebi, Ikeja – Lagos state.

     

    As at the time of filling this report, it was unclear, who owns the private helicopter, where it was coming from as well as its destination.

  • Eight Corps Members Bags Governor Award, 12 To Repeat The Service Year As NYSC Passed Out 778 In Cross River

    Eight Corps Members Bags Governor Award, 12 To Repeat The Service Year As NYSC Passed Out 778 In Cross River

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    Out of the 778 Corps Members of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream II, 8 have carted away State Governor’s award, 3 received merit awards from the NYSC governing board chairman, 9 got Commendation letters from the State Coordinator while 12 are to repeat the service year.

    The State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Nakamba disclosed this through the Assistant Director in charge of Reward and Discipline at the NYSC Cross River state Secretariat, Calabar, Mr. Abel Udofia on the occasion of the low-key passing out ceremony held across NYSC offices at the 18 local government areas of the state.

    While on a monitoring trip to the various local government areas, the Coordinator, showered encomiums on the Corps Members for playing prominent roles in their various host communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance of both staff and Corps Members to health guidelines put in place to curb the spread of the pandemic.

    “Gentlemen Corps Members, I salute the speed with which you responded to the fight against COVID-19 under my watch. Despite the option made available by NYSC Directorate Headquarters for you to go home, some of you who stayed behind and were able to contribute meaningfully through the production of nose masks.

    “Worthy of mention is the cooperation from the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, Team in the state who tirelessly produced nose masks across the 4 NYSC Zonal formations. This truly indicates the trainings given to you during your Orientation Course did not go in vain. May God reward you abundantly”, the Coordinator stated.

    Sharing her experience and joy, Corps Member Alexandra Tochi Chibueze who emerged winner of Miss NYSC for the Batch wished that the service year be extended. “It has been so far a learning process. For every step of the way, there was always something new to discover. I find the whole journey so interesting; I don’t even want it to end. Sadly, everything that has a beginning has an end. The saddest part of it is that it won’t even be a party courtesy of the pandemic and the mere thought of it is depressing and really sad. But it’s better to be safe than sick”, she expressed.

    Chibueze who is one of the winners of the Governor’s award further mentioned that the service year shaped her mentality and perspective of life. She said, “It has served as an eye opener to what is really obtainable in the society outside the comfort of home. It has created a platform for self discovery and has encouraged me to be a better citizen. It has also allowed me to serve as an instrument in contributing to national development”.

  • Prof John Inyang Delivers N45 Million To Amunga, Busafong Communities Of Obanliku

    Prof John Inyang Delivers N45 Million To Amunga, Busafong Communities Of Obanliku

    By Admin

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Prof. John Ofem Inyang has delivered a forty five million naira (N45m) cheque to Amunga and Busafong communities of Obanliku Local Government Area.

    As compensation for the 44,000 hectares [Busafong] and 77,000 hectares [Amunga] of lands which the State Government acquired for a proposed resort and tourism consort, Busafong community received a cheque of twenty million naira (N20m) while Amunga community received twenty five million naira (N25m).

    Issuing the cheques to the representatives of Amunga and Busafong communities, Barr. Boniface Abadem and Barr. Anthony Obi, respectively, Prof. Inyang praised his boss, Governor Benedict Ayade for having the people of both communities and even the entire Obanliku at heart, even with a very low state allocation.

    The Lands Commissioner while appealing to the communities to corporate with the state government, highlighted the benefits which abound for the community now and even the generations to come; “I crave the indulgence of Amunga and Busafong communities to corporate with the state government because their children are going to benefit from this projects. These are projects that will create employment, transform your economy and announce your culture and social behavior to the world,” Prof. Inyang said.

    Applauding the State Governor for redeeming his portion of the bargain by availing the communities their respective compensation package, Prof. Inyang said; “This is one of the biggest ceremonies that we often experience as a ministry. It is always gratifying for us when we get to this point where the government of the state will release compensation as agreed with a community; and today we are here to do a formal presentation of this compensation”.

    In their respective responses, the representatives of the both communities appreciated the State Government and further promised to utilize every opportunity given them by pushing Obanliku to the brim of its development.

  • Breaking News: NMA Cross River Branch Suspends Total And Indefinite Withdrawal Of Medical Services

    Breaking News: NMA Cross River Branch Suspends Total And Indefinite Withdrawal Of Medical Services

     

    By Elijah Ugani- Calabar

    The Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River branch has suspended it total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services across the state, following the resolution of the meeting by the 17 man committee sent by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 to resolve all lingering issues, the Cross River ministry of health and NMA.

    NMA in a communique made available to TheLumineNews, jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the association, Drs. Ayuk Agam and Ezoke Epoke calls on the state ministry of health to keep to and respect all resolutions reached during the 17 man delegation visit.

    Find full text of the communique.

    NMACRS/SG/2020/07/259
    7th July, 2020

    COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, CROSS RIVER STATE BRANCH AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 7TH JULY, 2020

    PREAMBLE
    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State branch held an Emergency General Meeting on Tuesday July 7, 2020 to appraise the issues that led to the withdrawal of medical services by the Association.

    The Association made the following observations and resolutions:

    1) We are most grateful to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha and the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Enahire for the timely 17-member delegation from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) led by the Executive Director/CEO National Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Faisal Shuaib that arrived Calabar on 6th July, 2020 to set up a COVID-19 response strategy in Cross River State that will align with the national response.

    2) We deeply appreciate the Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu for the activation of two (2) COVID-19 Test Centres at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar.

    3) We also appreciate the NMA President Prof. I.A.O. Ujah (mni), the National Officers’ Committee and members of NMA for their support to NMA Cross River State.

    4) The Association welcomes the official recognition of the five (5) COVID-19 confirmed cases from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital by NCDC which has resolved the lingering uncertainties negatively impacting public health and safety and has provided clarity on the COVID-19 status of Cross River State and the required response strategy.

    5) We enjoin the Cross River State Government to keep to the resolutions of the meeting held between PTF/FMOH COVID-19 delegation, Nigerian Medical Association – Cross River State branch and the Cross River State Ministry of Health signed on July 7, 2020.

    6) The Association hereby suspends the total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services in all public and private hospitals in Cross River State with effect from today, 7th July, 2020.

    7) We appeal to citizens of Cross River State to follow the NCDC guidelines on infection prevention and control, while reinforcing our commitment to working with the Federal and State Governments to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    8) We sincerely thank the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme and Management of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, the Immediate Past NMA 2nd Vice President, Dr. Ofem Enang, Immediate Past Chairman, Dr. Effiong Mkpanam, Past Chairmen of the Association, distinguished Medical Elders and members of Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State branch.

    9) We appreciate the media and citizens of Cross River State for their understanding, patience and support during this challenging period.

    Dr. Agam E. Ayuk
    State Chairman

    Dr. Ezoke Epoke
    State Secretary

  • FG Sends 17-Man Delegation To Resolve Cross River Health Sector Crisis

    FG Sends 17-Man Delegation To Resolve Cross River Health Sector Crisis

    By Moses Emorinken, Nation Newspaper

     

    The Federal Government on Monday sent a 17-man delegation to Cross River State to beef up its COVID-19 response strategy and ensure that the disruption of routine medical services is eliminated.

    The delegation will also be meeting with the State’s branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to help resolve their grievances and restore calm.

    It, therefore, urged doctors in the State not to down their tools and suspend their strike action.

    Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated this during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.

    According to him, “A strong 17-man team of the Federal Ministry of Health led by the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, left Abuja today for Calabar to engage with Cross River State Government in setting up their COVID-19 response strategy and aligning it with the national response.

    “Agencies and many Departments of the Ministry such as Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), hospital services and Family Health, are represented in the delegation to ensure the appropriate technical handshake between Federal and Cross River State service delivery pillars, and also to ensure that the disruption of routine medical services, which has been observed in many states, is minimised or eliminated in Cross River State…

    “We have also called on the Cross River State Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) branch to suspend their strike action and receive the Ministry’s delegation arriving there today (Monday)”.

     

  • Breaking News: Access Bank Makes U Turn Set To Return Stamp Duty Deductions

    By Admin

    Following the outcry raised by angry Nigerians since Saturday on social media, Access Bank on Sunday promised to refund its stamp duty deductions made from the account of its customers.

    Stamp duty deductions apply to all credit received into current and savings accounts in respect to electronic transfer and teller deposits of N10, 000 and above. The money is remitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The collection of the fee took effect in February but the bank delayed inadvertently its implementation until this week. Access Bank said in an email it sent to customers on June 23 that it “will be required to process the accumulated charges” incurred between February 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020.

    But many customers said they did not see the bank’s message and huge social media backlash ensued when Access Bank began making the deductions incurred since February.

    Some customers said the deductions, even if legal, were outrageous and beyond what was necessary, with #AccessBankScam trending at number one spot in Nigeria as at the time of writing this report.

    “We have have heard our customers’ feedback that this charge is unwelcome, especially at this time against a challenging economic drop,” the bank said in a statement.

    “We have considered your feedback and have decided to pay the stamp duty on our customers’ behalf for the affected period only.

    See hilarious chat between customer and the bank social media handler

  • Breaking News: C’River NLC To Embark On Indefinite Strike From Monday, June 29th 2020 Despite Court Injunction

    Breaking News: C’River NLC To Embark On Indefinite Strike From Monday, June 29th 2020 Despite Court Injunction

    By Ikechwuku Uche – Calabar

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Cross River Council has asked workers in the state employ to stay at home from Monday 29 June 2020.

    The NLC also disclosed that strike action was the last resort since the government has refused to negotiate with them in a bid to addressing their demands but instead turned a blind eye to all their request by sourcing for a court injunction to stop the expression of their constitutional rights.

    Briefing newsmen in Calabar on Friday, Cross River NLC Chairman, Com. Ben Ukpebi said that the state government was neither keen nor interested in attending to the plight of the workers in the state.

    His words: “It is very obvious that Cross River state government is not interested in the welfare of her workers. Workers issues presented to government have been ignored. Even some issues that Organised Labour has reached agreement on have all been abandoned and rejected by the government.

    “Be informed that some of our workers whose names were unjustly removed from the payroll have died, we have lost about five members and we can no longer keep mum, enough is enough.

    “Others requests including implementation of promotion given four years ago, the return of workers whose names were illegally removed from payroll last year September, payment of pensions and gratuities for six years now amongst other demands.

    “Immediate return of weighing allowance to NUPPROW members and RATAWU. Payment of salary of workers employed two years about 2000 of them have not been paid, the allowance is a federal thing and should be returned and so on.

    “I want to say here that we have given 14 days, we have also given another 7 days yet no response on the part of the government, and that is why we believe they are not serious and unperturbed about our cry.

    “So comrades, on this note starting from Monday 29, June 2020, we advise every civil servant in Cross River state, to stay at home, nobody will sack you, nobody will victimise you in any way.

    “Do not allow the labour task force to drive you home from your various offices, stay at home until there is further directive or development,” Ukpebi said.

    Speaking further, he maintained that Organised Labour comprises of 46 affiliate Unions and 45 of them except TUC were on the same page as it concerns the strike action.

    His words:” We are on course and on the right path, there are 46 affiliate Unions under the umbrella of Organised Labour and 45 of them are fully involved in the strike.

    “We learned that the government obtained a court injunction to stop us from going on strike, but the injuction is not binding because it was not obtained from the appropriate court, any labour issue especially matters like this.

    “We, therefore, advise workers across the state to stay at home from Monday and let us make it very clear that there is no better than than this to carry out the strike, it is not in bad faith but in the interest of the entire workforce in Cross River,” Ukpebi said.