The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • UNICAL VC Meets with His Staff, Charges Them to Uphold Excellence, Promote University’s Image

    UNICAL VC Meets with His Staff, Charges Them to Uphold Excellence, Promote University’s Image

     

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has met with members of his immediate staff which include the central administration and the Information Unit, charging them to demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and a renewed commitment to strengthening the University’s public image.

    Addressing his staff, Prof. Offiong Efanga emphasized that those who work closely with him play a central role in how the institution is perceived both internally and externally stressing that there is need for staff to imbibe the culture of discipline, punctuality, efficiency, and a collective resolve to move the University forward.

    While describing himself as “a very simple fellow,” he noted that such simplicity can only be appreciated when staff show genuine dedication to their duties.

    He further stated that the Vice-Chancellor’s “Thank You engagements”, an act of recognition and appreciation, will be periodic and tied to demonstrable progress and hard work.

    The Varsity Administrator urged staff to avoid circulating any information that could portray the University negatively.

    This is even as he reaffirmed the need for consistent and accurate communication, especially through weekly or monthly Bulletin from the Information/Public Relations Unit of the Institution.

    Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor’s staff, the director of Administration, Vice Chancellor’s office Dr. Citizen Ekpo and Institution Public Relations Officer, Mr. Effiong Eyo expressed their commitment to supporting his administration and projecting the University of Calabar in a positive and responsible light.

    The meeting also highlighted the importance of continuous staff development, with the Vice Chancellor announcing that regular training sessions would be introduced to enhance competence and efficiency among the Vice Chancellor’s direct support personnel.

    Public Relations Unit
    University of Calabar

  • UNICROSS Alumni Donates Books To Broadcasting Department

    UNICROSS Alumni Donates Books To Broadcasting Department

    By Inyali Peter

    Yesterday, the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Alumni Association donated a collection of valuable books to the Department of Broadcasting, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

    The Department, which was recently unbundled from Mass Communication and is headed by Dr. Peace Egbai, National Public Relations Officer of the Association, is experiencing rapid growth under the leadership of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey.

    The books were formally presented on behalf of the National Executive Council by two illustrious alumni, Dr. Victor Ndifon, Head, Department of Mass Communication and Member, 6th Governing Council and Dr. Ofut Ogar, Head, Department of Software Engineering and Pioneer Convocation Representative on the Governing Council

    Though we are still a young association with limited resources, we strongly believe that every little contribution counts. This gesture is our way of supporting the remarkable transformation taking place in the University under the current administration.

    On behalf of the NEC and the entire members of the association, I urge the leadership of the Department and its students to make judicious use of the resources. Doing so will motivate the Association to do even more, not only for Broadcasting but for other departments across the University.

    Inyali Peter, Ph.D.
    National President
    UNICROSS Alumni Association

  • C’River State Ministry Of Education Shuts Down More Illegal Schools Across The State

    C’River State Ministry Of Education Shuts Down More Illegal Schools Across The State

     

    October 23, 2025

    In continuation of the ongoing statewide sanitization of the education sector, the Cross River State Ministry of Education Taskforce on the Closure of Illegal Schools has sealed off several unapproved schools operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate (ATO) across the state. The Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, reiterated the State Government’s unwavering commitment to enforcing standards and restoring order in the education system. He disclosed that some proprietors of previously shut-down schools had defied government directives by reopening illegally.

    “Any proprietor who continues to operate after being shut down will be arrested and prosecuted,” the Commissioner warned, emphasizing that the ongoing education reforms will not be compromised or sabotaged by any individual or group.

    On the fourth day of the exercise, the following schools were affected:

    1. Smart Sharunbella Academy, 1B Nyong Agbor Street, Calabar

    2. Christ Infant Nursery/Primary School, Odukpani Qua Town

    3. Grace of God Secondary School, Odukpani Qua Town

    4. Treasure Child Nursery/Primary and Secondary School, Odukpani Qua Town

    5. Blissful Life Christian Schools, Mbarakom Road, Awi, Akamkpa

    6. Holy Choice International Academy, Awi Mbarakom Road, Akamkpa

    7. Divine Partaker International Nursery/Primary School, Awi, Akamkpa

    8. Right Time Schools, Awi, Akamkpa

    9. King Solomon International Nursery/Primary School, Awi, Akamkpa

    10. Bright Future Nursery/Primary School, Awi, Akamkpa

    11. Major International Nursery/Primary School, Awi, Akamkpa

    12. Malcom Child Future Academy, Mbarakom II, Akamkpa

    13. Life Foundation Nursery/Primary School, Isong Inyang

    14. Briforth International Secondary School, Old Okomita, Akamkpa

    15. Foundational Builders Nursery/Primary School, Okana

    16. U.E.C. Nursery/Primary School, Ohana

    17. Leading Stars & World Changers Nursery/Primary School, Iyamoyong

    18. Echimachia Worowor Secondary School, Ovonum

    19. John Calvin Comprehensive Secondary School, Obubra Station

    20. Echimachia Worowor Nursery/Primary School, Ovonum

    21. Divine Kids Academy Nursery/Primary School, Ovukwa

    22. Perfect God Academy Nursery/Primary School, Ovukwa

    23. Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Oderega

    24. Chrisbrown Nursery/Primary School, Ukpada, Obudu LGA

    25. Fidel Nursery/Primary/Secondary School, Mgbenege

    26. God Plan Nursery/Primary School, Nkerira, Utugwang

    27. Givicks International Academy, Kikong, Obudu

    28. Bright Light International Nursery/Primary School, Bebuagbong

    29. Jully Fidelity Nursery/Primary School, Atiekpe, Obudu

    30. Seat of Wisdom Academy, Bekpam, Obudu

    31. Maria Faustina Secondary School, Bekpam, Obudu

    32. Crystal Beacon Secondary School, Bishiri Road, Obudu

    33. Fortress Home International Schools, Ranch Road, Obudu

    The State Government, through the Ministry of Education, has reaffirmed that the closure exercise will continue until all illegal and unapproved schools across Cross River State are completely phased out. This, it stated, is to ensure that only duly accredited institutions are permitted to operate and deliver quality education to the state’s children.

    So far, a total of 133 illegal schools lacking the requisite learning environment and Approval to Operate (ATO) have been shut down within the first four (4) days of the ongoing education sector sanitation exercise.

    #Office_Of_The_Commissioner_For_Education_CRS

  • Cross River Ministry Of Education Shuts Down 36 Illegal Schools Across The State

    Cross River Ministry Of Education Shuts Down 36 Illegal Schools Across The State

    Cross River Ministry of Education has shut down 36 illegal schools across the State. These schools have poor structures and falls short of basic academic standards.

    1. Destiny Group of Schools, Obutong

    2. Peculiar Children Academy

    3. Aunty Etimbuk Blossom Academy, Big Qua Town

    4. Elevate International School, 4 Nyok Esu Street

    5. Help From Above Nursery School, Akai Efa

    6. Topmost Academy, 3 Akai Street

    7. De Jumbo Academy, Ikot Ansa

    8. Diamond Schools, 8 Inter Agro Road, Behind First Bank, 8 Miles

    9. Glad International Nursery School, Behind 8 Miles

    10. Excellent Future Academy, Ikot Nkebre

    11. Samfresh Lead Schools, 8 Miles, Ikot Ekpo

    12. The Almighty Academy, Efa Oboh Street

    13. De Palace Academy, Etomkpe, Ikot Ekpo, 8 Miles

    14. Divine Brains Academy, Nasarawa

    15. Aunty Celia Nursery and Primary School, Etomkpe, Ikot Ekpo

    16. Gospel Nursery and Primary School, Esuk Otu

    17. Alpha Noble Academy, by R&C Water, Border Road, Ikom

    18. Cephas Faith Academy, Obaji Ogar Estate, Grassfield, Ikom

    19. Majesty Unique Academy, by R&C Water, Border Road, Ikom

    20. Triumph Nursery/Primary School, Yawunde, Ikom

    21. Ideal Schools, Yawunde, Ikom

    22. Ark Salvation & Wisdom Schools, Edor

    23. God’s Double Academy, College Road, Edor

    24. Bendok Schools, by Ikom/Ogoja Highway, Edor

    25. Eden Academy, along Border Road

    26. Dominion Academy Secondary School, Nkarassi

    27. Stars Academy Nursery/Primary School, Ishiborr

    28. Kredeemers Academy (Redeem Church), Igoli Ogoja

    29. Firmament Stars Secondary School, Njaman Abakpa, Ogoja

    30. King Carries Multi-National High School, Ndok Junction, Ogoja

    31. Light Bearers Academy Nursery/Primary and Secondary School

    32. Satwo Nursery/Primary School, Ndok Junction, Ogoja

    33. Faith Mission Academy, Ndok Junction, Ogoja

    34. St. Peter Nursery/Primary School, Eshinjok

    35. Wisdom Nursery/Primary School, Mbok

    36. Freedom Heritage Academy Nursery/Primary School, Njaman Abakpa, Ogoja

  • Obudu Council Chairman’s Aide Distributes Educational Materials to Students

    Obudu Council Chairman’s Aide Distributes Educational Materials to Students

     

    In a demonstration of commitment to educational development, the Chief of Protocol to the Executive Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Mr. Akem Julius Ushikpebia, on Thursday distributed learning materials to selected primary and secondary schools within the local government area.

    Accompanied by friends and colleagues, Mr. Akem explained that the gesture was part of his personal contribution in support of his principal, Hon. (Amb.) Peter Akonfe Undiandeye, KSM, whose administration has made education a key priority since assumption of office.

    According to him, the Council Chairman has initiated several education-focused programs, including the payment of school fees for deserving students, the distribution of thousands of notebooks and other learning materials, educational grants for tertiary students of Obudu origin, and the purchase of JAMB forms for hundreds of secondary school leavers.

    Beyond distributing the learning materials, friends of Mr. Akem further supported his initiative with the payment of school fees for some vulnerable pupils, and the provision of school uniforms and other essential items.

    Schools that benefited from the gesture include Begiading Secondary Grammar School, Ohong; Model Primary School, Ohong; Grace Missionary Secondary School Ukwel-Obudu, Obudu; and Bright Day Nursery and Primary School, Ohong.

    In their separate appreciation messages, the Principal of Begiading Secondary Grammar School, Mr. Marcelus Ulayi; the Headmaster of Bright Day Nursery and Primary School, Mr. Innofrank Ukah; Mr. Emmanuel Beshel; and a Primary Four class teacher, Mr. Sylvester Atuabue, expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Akem for his benevolence.

    They commended him for complementing the efforts of the Council Chairman in promoting education and urged other well-meaning individuals to emulate his example.

  • UNICAL-JUPEB Programme Sale of Admission Forms Ongoing – Registrar

     

    ….Describe Programme as the Best Path way into 200 Level.

    The Registrar of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Dr. Mrs Chukwuka Icha has stated that the University of Calabar Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board, UNICAL-JUPEB Programme sale of admission forms for the 2025/2026 academic session is currently ongoing even as she described the programme as the Best path way into 200 level in the University of Calabar and beyond.

    A release by the registrar, indicates that applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admissions into the University of Calabar Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (UNICAL-JUPEB) for the 2025/2026 academic session.

    The release further emphasized that UNICAL-JUPEB is a 10months intensive foundational programme that does not require JAMB OR POST-UTME and admits successful candidates into 200 Level upon completion of the programme in the College of Medical Sciences, Faculties of Law, Computing, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Sciences, Arts/Humanities, Education etc.

    According to the release, application forms are available on the University’s programme website (https://jupeb.unical.edu.ng/applicant/apply) for a fee of N15,500 payable online via an ATM card, bank transfer or through any commercial banks nationwide.

    To this end, candidates are required to possess a minimum of 5 O’Level Credit passes in SSCE WAEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB or its equivalent including Mathematics and English Language.

    For enquiries, applicants are encouraged to call, (+234)802-228-2998, (+234)803-933-9026, (+234)803-590-7984 or visit the Unical JUPEB Office at CES Building or website www.jupeb.unical.edu.ng

  • 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….

    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 

     

    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

     

    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.