The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • New Era Unfolds In C’River NYSC: Oyenuga Takes The Helm, Vows To Ignite Excellence, Equity

    New Era Unfolds In C’River NYSC: Oyenuga Takes The Helm, Vows To Ignite Excellence, Equity

    In a historic handover ceremony on August 6, 2024, Mrs. Joke Mojisola Oyenuga assumed office as the 28th State Coordinator of the NYSC Cross River State Secretariat, succeeding Mr. Zemoh Andrew. With a vision to propel the Scheme to unprecedented heights, Oyenuga pledged to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and equity, ushering in a new era of open-door administration.

    Oyenuga, determined to build on her predecessor’s achievements, called on staff to join her in a collective quest for excellence. She emphasized the welfare of staff and Corps Members as her top priority, warning against indolence and laxity while encouraging loyalty to the Scheme. The new Coordinator expressed gratitude to NYSC Director-General Brigadier General YD Ahmed for her appointment and vowed not to disappoint.

    On his part, outgoing Coordinator Mr. Zemoh Andrew, now Director, reflected on his successful three-year tenure, lauding staff for their dedication and commitment. He urged those who exhibited a lackadaisical attitude to recommit to their duties, ensuring the Scheme’s image remains untarnished.

    Assistant Director Human Resource Management, Comrade Elot Elot Ukam, who spoke on behalf of the entire staff of the scheme in the state pledged staff support for Oyenuga, promising cooperation and synergy for a smooth administration.

    As Oyenuga begins her journey, the Cross River NYSC Secretariat is poised for a transformative era, driven by her passion for excellence and equity.

  • UNICAL Gate Closure: SUG Assures Students Of Working Diligently To Resolve The Issue

    UNICAL Gate Closure: SUG Assures Students Of Working Diligently To Resolve The Issue

    By; TheLumine Admin 

    The Student’s Union Government SUG of the University of Calabar, has appealed to students to remain calm as the union is working diligently to resolve the issue of closure of gates, which has inconvenience the students.

    In a release signed by the President and Secretary of the union, Comr Blessing Alims and Mr Johnson Osaminen, and made available to TheLumineNews, noted that “The gate was locked as a precautionary measure to ensure our safety and security following the recent protest. Our primary concern is your well-being and safety, and we are in constant dialogue with the university management and security officials to reopen the gate as soon as possible”.

    The release further stated that “We understand the importance of accessing the campus for academic pursuits and other activities. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is brought under control and that the gate is reopened soon”.

    The union leaders enjoined students to exercise patience “Your patience and understanding during this time are greatly appreciated”. The release stated.

  • 11th Edition Of Comr Odey Adamade Unity Cup, 24 Teams Set To Lock Horns

    11th Edition Of Comr Odey Adamade Unity Cup, 24 Teams Set To Lock Horns

    By: Elijah Ugani 

    No fewer than 24 teams are set to lock horn in the ongoing tournament of the 11th edition of comr Odey Adamade Unity Cup.

    The Coordinator of the tournament, Mr Mayor Undeshi, disclosed that “11 years ago, Comr Odey Adamade, conceived the idea of the tournament to reduce the rate of cultism and other social vices engaged by youths of Obudu, and decided to initiate the tournament which have successfully engaged and kept the youths busy throughout this period”.

    Mr Undeshi disclosed that the kick off of the tournament was done by Rev Fr Silverus Ulem, featured Academy FC verses Bekpam FC, which ended in a 2:2 draw.

    The tournament which is scheduled to hold simultaneously in two centres, Chief JA Agba Memorial Stadium, Obudu and St Colman’s Primary School, Utugwang, will produce two best team and. The two teams from each of the centres will play to determine the best to play the final.

    Mr Undeshi who described the tournament as an open tournament, hinted that interested teams from neighboring local governments and states can participate in the tournament. He disclosed that two teams from Obanliku, Adida FC and Hills FC are currently participating in the tournament.

    The Coordinator disclosed that the final will hold on the 6th of September, 2014 which is the eve of Obudu New Yam festival.

    Mr Undeshi commended the resilience of the initiator of the tournament, Comr Odey Adamade , and used the opportunity to call on both the government and spirited individuals to consider partnering with the initiator, to ensure that his dream and goodwill for the youths is realized.

    Speaking with the captain of Bekpam FC, Mr John Udama, he expressed satisfaction with the organization of the tournament having participated in the tournament for three years now. He noted that his skills has been drastically improved and wished that he could have the opportunity to participate in bigger tournaments that will expose him to the world where his career in football could be advanced.

    Another player, Mr Pius Ugbong of Academy FC, told TheLumineNews that he has participated in seven different editions, described the tournament as very successful having grown to the level it currently operate.

    Mr Ugbong said his dream is to see himself and other participants display their talents in both national and international fora stated that, “My joy will be complete when some of the boys are sent out of this country. It is my desire that the officials of the tournament sees the players aa partners in this tournament”.

  • UNICAL Emerges Victorious In Regional Law Competition, Wins ₦2 Million And Fully Sponsored Internship

    UNICAL Emerges Victorious In Regional Law Competition, Wins ₦2 Million And Fully Sponsored Internship

     

     

    By: Cynthia Maduekwe 

     

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has triumphed in the Regional Law Moot and Mock Trial Competition organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, defeating the University of Benin (UNIBEN) as 2nd Position, Imo State University (IMSU) came 3rd position and Rivers State University (RSU) came 4th and UNICAL as first position got in to securing the top prize of ₦2 million and a fully sponsored internship.

    This victory marks the second time UNICAL has outperformed UNIBEN in a competition this year, having previously won an online competition earlier in the year. The University of Calabar’s team, comprising four law students – 1st Female SUG President, H.E. Comr. Blessing Alims Led Administration Attorney General, Greatness Eyonsa, 2 years ago, he won the award of  “Moot god” & “Best Advocate, South South LAWSAN” and 2 years down he is appearing in his last National Moot Competition as a Law Undergraduate with the great team and winning this for the prestigious institution alongside Ignatius Ogabor, emerging as the best advocate of the tournament . Glenn Bassey, and Hannangel Samuel, who won the cash prize of N50,000 for the team for producing a video of the event which had over 4,000 views. The was led by Dr. Paul Ebiala, a law lecturer, who demonstrated exceptional skill and knowledge in the competition.

    The Students’ Union Government of UNICAL,  Management as well the Public and Well wishers commends the team for their outstanding performance and dedication to excellence. This achievement is a testament to the university’s commitment to academic excellence and its students’ potential.

  • NCDMB Zonal Coordinator, Uduak Obot Commends Gov Otu For Restoring C’River As Oil Producing State

    NCDMB Zonal Coordinator, Uduak Obot Commends Gov Otu For Restoring C’River As Oil Producing State

     

    By: Eyo Eyoa

    The Akwa Ibom, Cross River Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB, Dr Uduak Obot, has commended Gov Otu for the tireless efforts made to ensure that Cross River State regains its status as oil producing state.

    The Zonal Coordinator made the commendation in Eket, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday August 6th, 2024 when the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb Ekpenyong, paid him a courtesy visit.

    Obot noted that “Cross River State counts among oil producing states but was delisted from oil and gas league in what analyst described as political blunder”

    Continuing, the Zonal Coordinator averred that “The state did not only lost it’s status in oil and gas production but lost the Bakassi peninsula and 76 oil wells and carried the stigma of non- litoral in the biase National Boundary Commission NBC”.

    The NCDMB Zonal Coordinator who praised Governor Otu for the new status of the state however promised to assist the Cross River State Office of Local Content in actualizing it’s vision in the oil and gas downstream sector of the state economy.

    He stated that with current efforts aimed at expanding oil and gas fortune in the state, there’s need to encourage host and catchment communities cooperation with industries in a scale that is mutually beneficial.

    On the Odukpani oil and gas industrial park, Dr Uduak Obot expressed optimism that the industrial park will be commissioned next year.
    He added that when completed, it will serve local needs in the manufacture of oil and gas components as well as in create employment opportunities.

    “We will assist you. I will send you guidelines that will help you”. Said Mr Ubot.

    Earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Otu on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb Ekpenyong said he was in Eket, Akwa Ibom State NCDMB Zonal Office, on facts finding and sued for more areas of bilateral cooperation.

    Amb Caleb noted “Am I’m delighted to meet with you sir. My visit is facts finding to guide my part in the desire to achieving value for local content in Cross River”.

    Awatt used the opportunity to seek for support and collaboration to enable him add value to the government of Sen Bassey Otu.

  • Economic Crunch: Jarigbe Doles Out Cash Gifts, Bags of Rice To Constituents 

    Economic Crunch: Jarigbe Doles Out Cash Gifts, Bags of Rice To Constituents 

    As part of moves to cushion the economic hardship in the country, the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has doled out cash gifts and 50kg bags of rice to aid constituents.

    The beneficiaries of the palliative include Catholic Women Organization (CWO) in the 6 Mother Parishes of the six (6) State Constituencies of the Senatorial District, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Cross River North Chapter, Cyclist Unions, NURTW unions and People Living with Disability in the five Local Government Areas of Cross River North.

    The distribution is part of Senator Jarigbe’s ongoing effort to providing assistance and support to his constituents in the face of harsh economic conditions.

    Speaking on the development, the lawmaker who was represented by the Constituency Officer, Mr. Egar Mgbantul noted that, the gesture was for all his constituents, irrespective of party affiliations, to alleviate the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

    “This is just my way of giving back to the people amidst the current economic downturn. These food items are a humble gesture to ease the burden of our families during this period. I pray that they bring relief, joy, peace and blessings to all who receive them, Senator Jarigbe added”.

    According to him, he will continue to ensure that these efforts are part of his larger and sustainable strategy to address the root causes of the current economic difficulties and also geared towards promoting long-term economic stability and prosperity of the people of Cross River North Senatorial District.

    The beneficiaries took turns to pour encomium on Senator Jarigbe Agom for remembering them at all times. They prayed for him and asked that God should continue to bless and sustain him.

  • The Agitations Of Nigerians Are Genuine, But One Year Is Not Enough To Fix The Economy – Akpanke

    The Agitations Of Nigerians Are Genuine, But One Year Is Not Enough To Fix The Economy – Akpanke

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The Member representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency, Chief Hon Peter Akpanke, agreed that the agitations of Nigerians are genuine but that one year is not enough to fix the economy.

    The lawmaker made this known while addressing his Constituents at Animal Junction in Obudu LGA, after his early morning walkout from Obanliku to Obudu with his constituents constituents.

    According to the Member of Parliament, “The agitations of Nigerians are genuine, but one year is not enough for the current administration to fix the economy.

    “Please my dear Constituents, I appeal that we give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sen Prince Bassey Otu and others in Government more time to work on the demands made by Nigerians ” Hon Akpanke appealed.

    Akpanke who commended his Constituents for not joining the ongoing Nationwide protest, assured the people of government’s commitment to deliver dividends of democracy and support at all levels.

    Akpanke believes that with the support of the masses, things will change for a brighter future of the country.

    Hon. Akpanke used the opportunity and commended his Constituents for joining him in the walkout and promised to serve the constituency with unwavering dedication.

  • Let Us Support Advancement Of People’s First Agenda Of Gov. Otu – Okputu

    Let Us Support Advancement Of People’s First Agenda Of Gov. Otu – Okputu

    Let Us Support Advancement of People’s First Agenda of Gov. Otu – Okputu

    A member of the State Policy Advisory Committee, Dr Julius Okputu, has advocated for support from all and sundry towards governor Otu’s people centered development agenda in the state.

    In a chat with newsmen on Wednesday, he affirmed that, “a very close scrutiny of the Governor’s development strides within one year clearly reveals a determination to restore a glorious past, that which the locusts have eaten within a humanitarian agenda”.

    According to Dr Okputu, the most audaciously bold from very genuine emotions is ” the setting aside the sum of Ten Billion Naira to clear arears of gratuity from 2014.

    While highlighting new heights under the present administration within one year in office include;

    Construction of near impassable roads across the state, the Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade- Wanihem Benue Border Road

    The forgotten Oban Nsan Road in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

    The Adiabo Road in Odukpani Local Government, restoration of the aesthetics of Calabar, Street lights and cimplete rehabilitation/ reconstruction of roads in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South.

    Back to the North, construction of 17km internal roads in Ogoja, the Alifokpa road and Akreha Bridge, Mkpani Agoi and othe roads in the Central for commencement of work. Rehabilitation and restoration o Government buildings and other facilities.

    The policy thrust of the Governor’s development agenda has a Grassroots bias with intentions that are clearly noble. “Let us pray and support the Governor’s resolve to restore our Tourism flagships: the Obudu Mountain Resort, TINAPA, upgrading and effective utilisation of the Calabar International Conference facility”, he said.

  • C’River SA On Content Development Dissuades Youths From Participating In The Planned Protest

    C’River SA On Content Development Dissuades Youths From Participating In The Planned Protest

    By TheLumine Admin 

    The Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, Ambassador Calab Awatt, has called on youths of the state to stay off the nation wide protest billed to commence on the 1st of August, 2024.

    The SA made this known in Calabar while addressing a section of youths who paid him a courtesy visit at his residence.

    Mr Awatt expressed empathy towards the state of our nation’s economy, and noted that protest ordinarily should not be viewed as a problem but that the biggest issue will be hijacking the whole process.

    The SA who previously was the Speaker of The APC Youth Parliament (1st Assembly) analyzed the ENDSARS protest which culminated into destruction of properties, theft, lost of lives and numerous ill-fated behaviors from most protesters, appealed to youths to desist from joining the protest.

    He further cited another instance where the popular state owned newspaper corporation is yet to be revitalized, the then State library currently undergoing serious revamp and millions of naira already being sunk in to ensure it is fully revitalized to commence operation. He opined that such expenditure would go a long way to address needs in other grey areas such as human capital development, empowerment, etc.

    Finally, he advised the youths in a general spectrum to shun irrational, uncalculated and politically driven form of protest and reassured them the readiness of the current administration to continually deliver dividends of democracy as a benchmark for THE SEASON OF SWEETNESS.

  • C’River State Continues The Distribution Of FG’s Palliatives

    C’River State Continues The Distribution Of FG’s Palliatives

     

    The Cross River State Government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has continued the distribution of 42 metric tons of grains received from the Federal Government as part of President Tinubu’s Food Security Programme to cushion the effect of the recent subsidy removal on Nigerians.

    Speaking at the presentation of food items (grains) to representatives from Cross River State Northern Senatorial District for onward distribution to the Five LGAs and 54 wards in the district, the Director-General of SEMA, Hon. Apostle James Anam intimated that the distribution exercise in the state was formally flagged-off by the Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, on July, 13th, 2024, at the agency’s premises in Calabar.

    According to the DG, so far, several groups like the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Traditional Institution, National Association of Cross River State Students World-Wide (NACRISS-WW), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), Pensioners, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, among others, have taken delivery of the grains on behalf of their groups from the inception of the distribution exercise.

    In ensuring that rural dwellers and other residents’ benefits from the food security programme of the Federal Government and in line with the People First Mantra of the Governor of ensuring fair distribution of the grains, Hon. Anam said the agency has set-up three centres and supervisory team per senatorial district and local government level to monitor the distribution exercise across the 18 LGA and 196 wards of the state.
    On Monday, 22nd July, the Northern Senatorial Committee Distribution Committee that includes members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners and Community Relation Officers from the zone, at Ogoja LGA, took delivery of trucks of items. He intimated that the Central Senatorial District and Southern Senatorial District will take delivery of their items at Ikom and Calabar on Wednesday and Friday respectively.

    He commended Governor Bassey Otu for his commitment and unwavering support for the exercise especially in the area of logistics, describing him as one who prioritizes the welfare of his people. He passionately admonished the stakeholders and the supervisory team to be transparent and also adhere to the agreed template to promote fairness and equitable distribution and hence that food items get to those who actually needs them.

    Speaking more, the DG said, “time for politics is over, now is time for governance”. He called on ward leaders and stakeholders as well as members of the distribution committee to ensure that food items is shared beyond party lines.

    He expressed the hope that more items will be sent to the state by the federal government and appeal to those who are yet to benefit to give the agency some time as they would be reached.