The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • C’River State Govt Suspends Collection Of Illegal Levies At College Of Health Technology, Calabar

    C’River State Govt Suspends Collection Of Illegal Levies At College Of Health Technology, Calabar

    By Kingsley Agim

    Consistent with its avowed resolve to ensuring compliance with standards at all levels, as well as making social services affordable for all and sundry, the Cross River State Government has suspended collection of all unauthorised levies at the College of Health Technology, Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar.

    A statement, dated June 21 and signed by the Director of Administration, Mr Agba William, on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, government lamented the increasing allegations of unapproved charges/levies at the Cross River State Collinge of Health Technology, Calabar, ranging from 15,000 for admission form, 5,000 for JAMB entrants, and additional 3,000 for both groups of students, as well as 1,200 to cover charges and verification.

    Other allegations of extortion leveled against the school authority, the Ministry’s highlighted to include, sales of past question papers to new entrants, payment of Students Union Government levy alongside school fee, and payment for portal maintenance and internet access.

    “While efforts are ongoing to resolve these anomalies and the seeming lack of adherence to standards, parents, guardians, students and the general public should take notice that all payments regarding the aforementioned charges/levies and any other unauthorised taxation at the College of Health Technology are hereby suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation on the matter,” the release further stated.

    The release also enjoined parents, guardians, and students to report similar illegalities and other untoward practices across all health institutions in the state to the Ministry of Health, restating the present administration’s zero tolerance to practices that are inimical to the effective teaching and learning in the state’s colleges of higher education.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Sen Jarigbe Agom Felicitates With Muslims in Cross River North

    Eid-el-Kabir: Sen Jarigbe Agom Felicitates With Muslims in Cross River North

     

    …doles out cash and six cows for celebration.

    The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has felicitates with the Muslim community in Cross River North Senatorial District as they mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    The Senator in his Sallah message prayed that this year’s celebration will bring blessings, peace and prosperity to all Muslim faithful in the Senatorial District.

    “May the blessings of Eid-el-Kabir fill your life with joy, peace and prosperity”.

    While assuring them on the fulfillment of promises made, the lawmaker urged them to continue to give him the necessary support and cooperation to enable him continue with his infrastructural and human capital reforms in the Senatorial District.

    He presented six cows and cash for the Eid celebration across the five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial District and prayed that Allah showers His countless blessings upon all and makes this year’s Eid-el-Kabir a memorable one.

    Eid Mubarak!

  • One Year In Office: Akpanke Distributes Sewing, Grinding Machines To Constituents

    One Year In Office: Akpanke Distributes Sewing, Grinding Machines To Constituents

    By Elijah Ugani 

    As parts of activities to mark one year in office, the member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Peter Akpanke, has distributed 30 sewing and grinding machines across the 30 political wards that makes up the federal constituency.

    Addressing supporters, the State Chairman of PDP, Mr Vena Ikem Esq, welcomed party to faithfuls to the event and commended them for keeping faith with the PDP, and assured that a lots of things are underway for the people.

    Mr Ikem noted that “I have decided to address you because I know that majority of you will have the feelings that you’re not captured in this phase of empowerment. I want to assure you that you will all be considered for one empowerment or the other.

    “The empowerment will be done in phases. Thank you for all you do to keep hope alive. At the moment, there is no better place to be than in PDP, for this part of the state”.

    The State Chairman of PDP, charged members to brace up for the challenge ahead as the party is prepared to get other positions from the APC in the next election and avoid the temptation of being hoodwinked into leaving the party.

    Presenting the items to beneficiaries in Obudu Local Government Area, held at the PDP State Chairman’s residence, Hon Akpanke noted that “I want to expressed gratitude for your support and goodwill to ensure that I was elected to represent you. I have come today with these items to support your businesses. For all of you who supported me during the last election, this is the beginning of many good things that are going to happen in our constituency”.

    Speaking at Bekwarra, he thanked especially the women of Bekwarra for the prayers, and maintained that “You labored to support our ambition to win election, I havr returned to appreciate and to tell you thank you for all the support.

    “For today, we have come to empower the women, from next week, it will be the turn of the men. Please be calm and exercise some patience. All of you are very dear to me. We will continue to visit and share with you what God has blessed us with.

    “I had told you during the campaign that, if you vote for me and I win the election, I will come home, stay with you and we reason together. I have kept that promise and each time I visit you, I enjoy myself because I’m with my people.

    “These items you see here is the beginning of many good things that will come. For those who support me, you will first benefit.
    As we progress, some people will drive cars, some will build houses while others will do businesses”.

    On her part, the coordinator of the Rock Ladies Bekwarra, Mrs Angela Oko, commended Hon Peter Akpanke, for considering the women to be supported and called on all the beneficiaries to become ambassadors of Hon Akpanke.

    She charged the beneficiaries to begin a house to house campaign to support Hon Akpanke for a second term having performed wonderfully well in just one year.

    Martina Omang thanked the lawmaker for the show of love and prayed God to continue to bless him to enable him give the constituency the needed representation.

  • Jarigbe Facilitates Training and Empowerment Of 500 Youths of Cross River North

    Jarigbe Facilitates Training and Empowerment Of 500 Youths of Cross River North

     

    As part of the activities to mark Nigeria’s 25th years of uninterrupted democracy, the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has facilitated training on Aquaculture Data Management and Empowerment for 500 youths in Cross River North Senatorial District.

    Senator Jarigbe who was represented by the Constituency Officer, Mr. Egar Mgbantul, noted that, the exercise will help to meet the ever-growing demand for seafood and provide Constituents with healthy protein, while reducing the pressure on wild fishes.

    According to the lawmaker, the sector plays a significant role in ensuring food security, as fish is a major source of animal protein in Nigeria and also contributes to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through exports and domestic consumption.

    “The empowerment programme is in line with the objective of grooming the youths to become job-creators, rather than job-seekers”.

    “It is hoped that this will encourage the youths in our constituency to take up fish farming and other agricultural activities to empower themselves,’’ Egar added.

    Constituents were selected from the fifty four (54) Wards of the Senatorial District and were awarded with start-up grants to enable them prepare a tank, get fingerlings and other necessary materials needed to breed the fingerlings to maturity stage.

    Some the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Senator Jarigbe for providing them with such opportunity. They prayed that the good Lord should continue to strengthen him to enable him do more for them.

    Happy Democracy Day!

  • One Year In Office: Akpanke Thanks Obudu Stakeholders, Says It Is Better In PDP

    One Year In Office: Akpanke Thanks Obudu Stakeholders, Says It Is Better In PDP

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Peter Akpanke, has thanked Obudu PDP stakeholders for the support during the 2023 general elections for Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District and himself to represent them at the national assembly.

    Hon Akpanke expressed gratitude for the support during the elections despite threats to life from the power that be, despite the fact that the sitting governor then, was from Obudu with lieutenants of Chief of Staff, numerous Special Advisers and Assistant, Director of Agencies, Chairmen of boards, Council Chairman, 10 councilors among other appointees.

    Akpanke said he has decided to come back and celebrate his first anniversary in office with his constituents because there are the reason why he is in Abuja, having shelved plans to gallivant in Abuja.

    Speaking further, the Member of Parliament, noted that “During elections, I had promised you that if you support me to become your Reps Member, I will consult with you regularly and to the best of my knowledge, you can all attest to the fact that I have kept faith with the promise as this is about the fourth time we are meeting after my inauguration.

    “I’m not representing Abuja, I am representing you people. So, I must sit with you people, discuss with you, understand your plight to enable me present your case during plenaries”.

    Akpanke told PDP stakeholders that “I heard some people are inducing you to leave PDP, I assure you, it is better in PDP than any party elsewhere. Here, you have me and senator Jarigbe. We are always coming you to sit with you and chat a way forward. There what do they have? When was the last time they met like this? We keep doing what we are doing for the next three years”.

    Speaking on the up congresses, Akpanke charged stakeholders to remain united in building the party. “In your various wards, you will meet and agree on your executive which will be signed by everyone involved in the process.

    The MP used the opportunity to invite stakeholders to join the various programmes outlined to mark his first anniversary in office to include; Interdenominational service to be held on Wednesday June 12th at the Sen Liyel Imoke Civic Center, Obudu and empowerment program scheduled to take place on Thursday, 13th June, while Friday 14th June, he will be at his home at Bendi to attend constituents.

    He said “I will commission some of the projects facilitated. While some are ready for commissioning, others are yet to be installed, like solar street lights, classrooms to be constructed, I will lay foundation before I go back to Abuja”.

    Earlier, the PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon Francis Atsua, welcomed and thanked stakeholders for the prompt response despite the short notice.

    He commended the resolve of party faithfuls in Obudu and noted that the choice of Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Hon Peter Akpanke, remains the best in recent times.

    On his part, the Coordinator of Hon Peter Akpanke, Mr Emmanuel Abua, encouraged stakeholders to keep faith with the MP as many positive stories are underway.

    The event which held on June 11th 2024, at the Sen Liyel Imoke Civic Center, Obudu drew stakeholders from the ten wards of Obudu.

    Hon Akpanke was accompanied to the event by the State Auditor, Mr Adida Agabi and his Director General, during the election, Mr Charles Eneji.

     

  • Jarigbe Agom Speaks In Support, As Senate Passes #98.5bn FCT 2024 Supplementary Budget

    Jarigbe Agom Speaks In Support, As Senate Passes #98.5bn FCT 2024 Supplementary Budget

    The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, earlier today urged the Senate to pass the FCT Supplementary Budget due to the infrastructural transformation going on in and around the Federal Capital Territory.

    Senator Jarigbe noted that, with the kind of reforms and infrastructural projects going on in the FCT, the Senate should not waste time but pass the budget to enable the FCT Minister and his team continue with the good works they are doing.

    The Senate on Tuesday passed the sum of N98.5 billion as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024.

    The passage of the Bill followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on FCT during plenary.

    Recall that the Senate had last week stepped down the Bill, saying the details of the budget needed to accompany it.

    The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu West) presented the report on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bomai Mohammed (APC-Yobe South) who was absent during the plenary.

  • Odey Bids Late Godwin Adoga (TM) Farewell Amidst Tears

    Odey Bids Late Godwin Adoga (TM) Farewell Amidst Tears

     

    Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey PhD payed last respect as Late Comrade Godwin Adoga (TM) was lowered to mother-Earth at his family compound at Itate-Okuku, Yala LGA.

    The Commissioner condoled with the immediate family to take solace in the fact that their Late son lived a worthy life even though short; He encouraged TM’s mother to also take solace in God Almighty. Finally, the son of late Godwin Adoga was given scholarship by Senator Odey and promised employment after completion of his tertiary education. The scholarship fund was presented to Hon. Otanya Odey for the boy’s educational upkeep.

    In the entourage of Senator Odey were: Hon. Idiku David, former Secretary of Yala Local Government Council, Chief Tony Okaka, Hon Mike Ogbudu, former Leader Yala Legislative Assembly, Engr. Cosmos Oloko former Special Adviser to former Governor, and several other supporters were present to bid farewell to a jolly good brother and friend, TM.

    On behalf of the immediate family, Hon Otanya Odey appreciated Senator Odey for the condolence visit and specially commended his magnanimity and generosity in giving scholarship to the son of TM.

    #Office_Of_The_Commissioner_For_Education_CRS

  • Ukpagada Bridge 95% Completed As Community Leaders Hail Sen Jarigbe

    Ukpagada Bridge 95% Completed As Community Leaders Hail Sen Jarigbe

    By Robben Sylva Agom

    Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has disclosed that construction work on the Ukpagada bridge is ninety-five percent completed and would soon be inaugurated.

    Jarigbe, representing Cross River North Senatorial District, said the critical infrastructure has reached an advanced stage with the successful completion of piers construction and beam placement.

    This is as a result of the successful concrete decking which has been carefully laid out to ensure a robust and durable foundation for the bridge.

    The lawmaker restated his commitment to transform Cross River North Senatorial District, adding that the bridge construction was designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open up rural communities for development.

    Sen. Jarigbe in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works is committed to delivering this enviable task according to its full specifications and design after which the project will be commissioned and handed over to the communities.

    Commending the Senator for his transformative programmes, the Clan Head of Ukpagada, Ntol Julius Mobre, expressed delight at the quality and level of work done, describing Senator Jarigbe as “a qualitative representative” while praying for God to bless him.

    Also hailing the Senator, a cleric of Church of Christ, Mr. Mike Udam, said: “The project is a testament of pragmatic leadership focused on delivering projects that have a huge positive impact on the people.

    “I m happy to be a whistle blower. I am more happier, the Senator picked up the sound of the whistle and acted on it”, he added.

    The road project, cutting across four communities of Ukpagada, Ukpe, Alladim and Igodor, was facilitated by Senator Jarigbe and aims at alleviating the suffering of commuters and residents.

    Happy New Month Everyone.

  • Foundation Sensitises C’River Students On Child Rights

    Foundation Sensitises C’River Students On Child Rights

     

    In commemoration of the 2024 Children’s Day, a non-governmental organization, Feed a Hungry Child With Brianna Foundation, conducted a sensitization campaign in some schools in Cross River State to raise awareness about child rights and social justice.

    The child rights sanitization exercise tagged “Know Your Rights” was approved by the management of two schools in Calabar approached by the foundation.

    On Wednesday, 29 May, the first edition was held at the Lourdes Academy, Calabar while today, Friday 31st, 2024, the foundation staged the event in the Holychild College, Maryslesssor, Calabar.

    During the visits by the Foundation, educative interactions and teachings on child rights, how to enforce the rights and demand social justice in the society were delivered to the students.

    The exercise which was led by the founder of the foundation, Barr. Briana Akpagu and supported by the offices of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State and the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial district, included the donation of bags to the students.

    Speaking to reporters after the event, Akpagu said that with the growing cases of bullying and right abuses in schools, her team considered it necessary to embark on the project of creating awareness about the right of every Nigerian Child in schools.

    She thanked the management of the schools for the approval and opportunity provided to the foundation to improve awareness on child rights and social justice in secondary schools.

    While thanking the Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial district, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong and all those who supported the programme, she insisted that her foundation remains committed to providing for street children and creating robust awareness on the right of Nigeria children.

    According to her, “I want to start by thanking the management of the two schools we staged this programme for giving us this opportunity to interact with the students about their rights and how to enforce them. If Nigeria must improve on the social justice index then it’s important to begin to teach the young ones their rights and how to respect other people’s rights.

    Even though our foundation is particularly focused on feeding and providing for street children, we decided to mark this year’s children’s day differently by staging this event. This is our first edition and I’m very happy that it was not only embraced by the two schools we approached but even the students. You need to see how excited they were and some of the questions they asked in the course of our interactions. We hope to package a more robust event like this in the future”.

  • Jarigbe Facilitates Rehabilitation And Installation Of New Electrical Equipment in Ibil, Ogoja

    Jarigbe Facilitates Rehabilitation And Installation Of New Electrical Equipment in Ibil, Ogoja

     

    The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has facilitated the rehabilitation and installation of new electrical equipment in Ibil, Ogoja Local Government Area, in order to restore power supply, guarantee reliability, sustainability and safety in power supply.

    Senator Jarigbe who was represented by the Constituency Officer, Mr. Egar Mgbantul at the flag-off, noted that, the power sector remains the ultimate key to unlocking other sectors of an asphyxiating Nigerian economy.

    According to the lawmaker, the project became necessary as a result of obsolescence, equipment failure and his determination to undertake an upgrade of equipment and civil works in order to forestall damages, thereby restoring power supply, improving stability and reliability of power in the affected communities.

    “This project is of critical importance because it deals with the power sector, which I believe is pivotal to economic growth. Indeed, if we fix power challenges in Cross River North, a lot of other sectors would fall in place”, Jarigbe added.

    The rehabilitation project upon completion, will bring improvement in stability and reliability of power supply in Ibil, Ogoja and Cross River North Senatorial District.