The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • Jarigbe Fulfils Promise, Credits 500 JariBurs Beneficiaries

    Jarigbe Fulfils Promise, Credits 500 JariBurs Beneficiaries

    By Admin

    The senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom, has fulfilled his promise, disbursed Fifty Million Naira (50M) to Five Hundred beneficiaries drawn from the Five Local Government Areas in northern Cross River State.

    This was contained in the release made available to the public by the coordinator of the Programme, Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    The JariBurs Initiative is an educational intervention for constituents midwieved by Sen Jarigbe Agom, to ameliorate student’s hardship in the pursuit of their education.

    The JariBurs Initiative is said to be the first intervention carried out by a politician that has no political interference as the selection process was done through a seamless process using a tech approach.

    Agba Jalingo had insisted that the JariBurs was not meant to settle political supporters and that it was meant for deserving constituents and the selection process must be blind.

    In a chat with Agba Jalingo, he noted that “payment is in batches as all beneficiaries will be credited before the week runs out”.

    Some of the beneficiaries who have received the money, expressed satisfaction with the process, and noted that God knows why he used Agba Jalingo, to oversee the process as they have no politician to have pleaded their cause, but that without connections, they could benefit from the JariBurs Initiative.

    They however thanked Sen Jarigbe Agom, for the financial support and promised to use it judiciously.

  • #JariBurs Beneficiaries, Obanliku LGA See Your List

    #JariBurs Beneficiaries, Obanliku LGA See Your List

    #JariBurs beneficiaries….

    Obanlikwu LGA.

    The winners will be published by LGAs.

    No single name here lobbied or was recommended or planted by anyone. Everybody won because the system was blind.

    Same thing with all the other LGAs.

    TF

  • Understanding How The #JariBurs Selection Process Works… BY AGBA JALINGO 

    Understanding How The #JariBurs Selection Process Works… BY AGBA JALINGO 

     

    The data collected during the application had the selection process in mind.

    A spreadsheet has since been developed of all entries with the time stamps and corresponding information requested.

    Therefore, the serial numbers will follow accordingly.

    1. The entries will initially be filtered by the Local Government initially. Entries with more than one Local Government Area will be automatically disqualified at this stage.

    2. Data will be replicated in five different spreadsheets, one for each Local Government Area in Cross River North.

    3. The data for each Local Government will be revalidated to remove multiple entries.

    4. Thereafter, the RANDARRAY function on Excel 365 will be used to randomly generate numbers matching the total entries for each Local Government Area.

    5. For example, Yala Local Government has 743 entries, therefore, numbers randomly generated will vary from 1 to 743. Thereafter, the first 100 generated will be copied.

    6. The SHOWROWS function will automatically highlight the entries whose numbers are generated.

    7. Then comes the hard work! Each entry will be carefully checked for the following three key uploads;

    i. How do you verify identity? (Name of applicant and their Local Government of Origin).

    ii. How are you sure the person is a student? (Hence the Admission letter).

    iii. Is the person active as a student? (Evidence of payment of fees in the current session).

    8. Each selected entry must scale through this hurdle before the bank details will be checked to ascertain it is not a proxy.

    9. If the process does not return 100 beneficiaries among the first randomly generated numbers, the process from Number (4) will be repeated to generate the remaining beneficiaries.

    Now you know how it will work. And like I said previously, this process may not be perfect or full-proof, but it will definitely return results that are better than what was done previously.

    This initiative is powered by Sen Jarigbe Agom, representing Cross River North Senatorial District.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #JariCare
    #JariBurs
    #JariEnterprise
    #JariLeads

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

  • For Clarity On #JariBurs BY AGBA JALINGO

    For Clarity On #JariBurs BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    I want to confirm that I am coordinating the #JariBurs bursary program for Sen Jarigbe Agom. I am not a member of his party neither do I have anything or intend to do anything with his political party. But I have written about so many things about our Senatorial District and he agrees to implement some. He listens if you make sense and can articulate your ideas firmly and convincingly.

    The ideas have been simple and straight forward. Incrementally replace three days medical outreaches with health insurance policies for our people. Be blind to political party lines. We had #JariCare. You are putting down, N50million for bursary; #JariBurs. Oga, eliminate bursary committees, the committee members will chop at least a quarter of the money and load the list with cronies and acolytes and ask beneficiaries to return part of the money as kick back. Remove individual contact with cash for distribution. Use tech. Remain blind to party lines. Select the people through an unbiased process, across party and non-partisan lines. Be a leader with a large heart. Again, leave party out of it. I will help create a process that, though not perfect, but will ensure 500 people get their 100,000 neatly without stress. Not a dime will miss. I repeat, not one dime will miss. Verifiable data will then be provided and can be retrieved in seconds anytime it is needed.

    Senator Jarigbe is not involved in the selection process. He is not sending us any name or requesting that we include any name on the list. I am also not personally interested in adding or squeezing any name into the list. Tech will do that. I can give other people a hundred thousand Naira too for their fees. We need to set a precedence in our Senatorial District, so others will copy. This process will not be perfect, but it will be better than what has been going on in the past and we will take feedback from this and improve on the next one. It is work for our people.

    I requested that the Senator should give me and my team a manacle free environment to do our work. What you want is 500 students from Cross River North to get 100k. I will do that for you seamlessly and give you the verifiable data, after. Data that will remain useful for planning as time goes on. My biggest joy at the end of this will be, seeing the testimony of a poor student who is not in Senator Jarigbe’s party, who does not even know Senator Jarigbe, or not have or know anybody to call and lobby, but is very intelligent and could get this 100k assistance from a system that was blind and transparent.

    So there is no amount of lobbying or pressure or messages to my inbox that will bulge this process. Stop wasting your time. Health care, education, provision of water etc, aren’t things that we will continue to play politics with. Majority of our people have suffered for too long and we need to take imperative interest in creating long term solutions to these basic problems. We need to eliminate corruption and thievery from these processes to capture more people who have nobody to call or lobby, into an inclusive society. I will continue on this path whenever my input is sought.

    The electronic balloting system will be done in the presence of the Senator and his team. Beneficiaries will be published and I will ensure, as the Senator desires, that the 100k gets to all the 500 eligible students.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #JariCare
    #JariBurs
    #JariEnterprise
    #JariMoreToCome

     

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

  • Open Letter to the Honorable Minister of Education: Preparing Our Students for the Impending Digital WAEC Examinations BY MIKE UDAM

    Open Letter to the Honorable Minister of Education: Preparing Our Students for the Impending Digital WAEC Examinations BY MIKE UDAM

    Open Letter to the Honorable Minister of Education: Preparing Our Students for the Impending Digital WAEC Examinations

    Your Excellency, Honorable Minister of Education,

    I write to you with a deep sense of urgency and responsibility regarding a matter that threatens the academic future of thousands of Nigerian students—the impending transition of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE). This shift, set to commence next year, presents a critical challenge that demands immediate and decisive action from your office.

    The current reality in many schools, particularly in Cross River State and likely across the nation, is alarming. Data suggests that over 80% of Senior Secondary Two (SS2) students lack basic computer literacy. Compounding this crisis is the fact that a significant number of our schools have no functional computer laboratories, and where they exist, access for students remains severely limited. Without foundational digital skills and exposure to computer-based testing formats, our students are being set up for systemic failure—a prospect that will have far-reaching consequences on their educational and professional futures.

    Your Excellency, the time for intervention is now. I respectfully urge your office to consider the following emergency measures:

    1. Immediate Adjustment of the Academic Calendar: A temporary shortening of the current third term, followed by a mandatory two-month intensive computer literacy program for all SS2 students, would provide them with the critical skills needed to navigate the digital WAEC examinations.
    2. Partnerships with Accredited Training Centers: Collaborate with reputable ICT training institutions to ensure students receive hands-on training in basic computer operations, typing, and digital test-taking strategies.
    3. Emergency Provision of Infrastructure: Direct immediate funding and support to schools lacking computer facilities, ensuring at least minimum digital readiness before the 2025 WAEC examinations.

    The stakes could not be higher. Without prompt action, we risk a generational setback in educational outcomes, with thousands of students failing not due to a lack of academic ability, but because of systemic unpreparedness for this digital transition.

    Your leadership at this pivotal moment can avert this looming disaster. I appeal to you to act swiftly and decisively, for the sake of our children and the future of Nigeria’s education system.

    Respectfully yours,
    Dr. Mike Udam
    School Teacher and Preacher
    Ogoja, Nigeria

  • UNICAL: Dean Calls On HODs, Mobilization Officers To Strengthen Collaboration For Seamless NYSC Process

    UNICAL: Dean Calls On HODs, Mobilization Officers To Strengthen Collaboration For Seamless NYSC Process

     

    The Dean of Student Affairs of the University of Calabar, Prof. Patrick Egaga, has called on Heads of Departments (HODs) and Mobilization Officers to strengthen collaboration to ensure a seamless and error-free NYSC mobilization process for Prospective Corps Members (PCMs).

    Prof. Egaga made this call during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the CES Conference Room, where key academic staff gathered to review and improve the mobilization procedures across the institution.

    In his remarks, the Dean emphasized the importance of using only senate-approved results in the mobilization process and warned against any form of compromise or undue influence from students or staff.

    “HODs should act as watchdogs to ensure Mobilization Officers carry out their duties diligently. Any mistake made in the mobilization process will be traced back to the department, and those responsible will be held accountable,” he warned.

    He further urged all departments to work in unity, emphasizing that consistency and cooperation between HODs and Mobilization Officers is critical to preventing errors and delays in student mobilization.

    The Dean also appealed to HODs to appoint mobilization officers based on capacity, integrity, trust, and service delivery driven output, rather than friendship.

    Also speaking at the event, , the Deputy Registrar, Student Affairs Division, Mr. Patrick Ibiang, delivered a paper titled “Enhancing Mobilization Process for Effective Service Delivery.”

    He clarified that the mobilization process begins and ends at the departmental level before final vetting by the Student Affairs Division.

    “Departments will bear full responsibility for any errors or invalidations, including the cost of reprinting university certificates,” he added.

    Mr. Michael Ikogor, the NYSC Data Entry Officer at the Student Affairs Division, gave a presentation on “Guidelines and Best Practices for NYSC Mobilization Data Entry.”

    He outlined frequent data entry mistakes and advised officers to verify information against senate-approved results.

    The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, providing attendees the opportunity to clarify issues and share suggestions to improve the mobilization process.

    Public Relations Unit

  • UNICAL Secures Full Accreditation For 24 Programmes From NUC

    UNICAL Secures Full Accreditation For 24 Programmes From NUC

     

    The University of Calabar has secured full accreditation status for 24 programmes in the institution from the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC).

    In a letter signed by Engr. Abraham Chundusu, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NUC, the Commission conveyed the outcome of the comprehensive accreditation exercise carried out in the institution in October/November 2024 to the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Banku Obi.

    The full accreditation status indicates that those programmes will run for five (5) years before another accreditation exercise would be carried out by NUC.

    Similarly, six (6) programmes also got accredited status, while two programmes got interim accreditation. Interim accreditation status is valid for two years, after which the programme will be re-visited.

    The gains of the accreditation exercise underscores the VC’s commitment towards a sustained academic standard, a well structured curriculum, aggressive infrastructural development, promotion of academic research amongst others.

  • UNICAL Dean Of Student’s Affairs Invites NYSC Mobilization Officers, HODs For A Crucial Meeting

    UNICAL Dean Of Student’s Affairs Invites NYSC Mobilization Officers, HODs For A Crucial Meeting

     

    As part of efforts to curb the negative trend of fraudulent mobilization of non qualified students for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Dean Student’s Affairs of the University of Calabar, Prof Patrick Egaga, has invited all NYSC Mobilization Officers and Heads of Departments to a crucial meeting slated for today Tuesday May 13th 2025 at the Center for Educational Services CES auditorium by 11:00am.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews, Prof Egaga noted that “Attendance is mandatory as non-attendance will result in non-submission of your Department’s Batch ‘B’ 2025 Senate-approved results”.

    The release further indicates that the agenda for the meeting is NYSC Mobilization.

    The release, signed by Pastor Patrick Ibiang, Deputy Registrar and Students Affairs Officer, on behalf of the Dean quoted Egaga stating that “The meeting is bound to be explosive and exploratory with intent to blocking avenues leading to all forms of malpractices by Mobilization Portal Handlers within the University which squarely aligns with the vision of the current University administration “

  • UNICAL SLT Students Records Excellent Performance In MPE Papers 3 & 4 Exams

    UNICAL SLT Students Records Excellent Performance In MPE Papers 3 & 4 Exams

    Students in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), University of Calabar have recorded a 99.9% pass in the Module 2 Mandatory Professional Examination (MPE) held in the month of March, 2023.

    The results schedule shows that twenty-six tertiary institutions took part in the examinations.

    In paper 3, of the 494 Unical students that registered for the exams, 492 passed while 2 students were absent.

    Similarly, of the 494 that enrolled from Unical for paper 4, 489 passed while 5 were absent.

    The results schedule however indicated that there were 10 irregularities for both papers for which the Head, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Dr. Ivon Etta noted that “The few cases of irregularities as remarked were as a result of wrong Examination Reference Numbers which are being traced for rectification.

    “Recall module 1 was written last year October 2024, and we recorded 98% Pass, while module 2 was written in March this year 2025, and we just recorded 99.9% pass rate.

    “This outstanding performance can be attributed to hard work, dedication from students and Lecturers and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, who created the enabling environment for robust learning and teaching.

    “I returned with about 158 Licenses for our inducted Graduates. 151 license are expected next week as the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology NISLT is releasing them in batches according to students’ compliance with the registration template”.

    Public Relations Unit
    University of Calabar

  • C’River Ministry Of Education Condemns Use Of School Premises During School Hours By Members Of The Public

    C’River Ministry Of Education Condemns Use Of School Premises During School Hours By Members Of The Public

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Sen Stephen Odey, has condemned in strongest term the use of Government Secondary School Atu for a public function to which affected academic activities within school hours.

    The Commissioner made the condemnation today, April 4th when a video was circulated in the Internet showing students writing second term examination while a public function was going on in the school.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews, the Commissioner has ordered the principal and Head Teacher of the secondary and primary school to appear before a disciplinary committee on Monday April 7th, 2025.

    The release reads “Earlier today, a video emerged on social media showing students taking their second-term examination while loud music played within the school premises from a ceremony held within the school premises, thereby affecting the students writing their examination as well affecting academic activities and hindering students from achieving desired results. Senator Associate Professor Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education Cross River State, has issued directives to the affected school Principal, Mrs. Cordelia Imoke, of Government Secondary School, Atu Street, Calabar South, and the Head teacher of Government Primary School, Atu Street, Calabar South, Mrs. Adiaha Hogan Achibong, to appear before a disciplinary panel by Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Ministry of Education Headquarters Calabar.

    “The Cross River State Ministry of Education unequivocally condemns the unauthorized occupation of public school facilities during school hours and has queried the defaulting school heads, warning other school administrators against such actions that hinder positive academic achievement, as a conducive school environment is essential for learning”.