TheLumineNews
As part of efforts to reinvigorate the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the Cross River State government has announced the disengagement of its former vendors, in a press release dated 3rd of May 2024, sighted by TheLumineNews.
The release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Nsa Gill expressed appreciation to the outgoing vendors for their service and wished them well in their future endeavors
By Ovat Abeng
In continuation of his drive to help indigenous farmers in Anambra State boost food production and arrest the lingering food crisis in the country, Anambra philanthropist, High Chief JohnBosco Onunkwo, through his Foundation, JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation, has carried out the second phase of his foundation’s free yam seedlings distribution.
The second phase of the yam distribution took place at Ekwulobia and Umuchu in Aguata local government area of the state last week.
Speaking to beneficiaries by a proxy, Mr. Onyeka Offor (Deputy Chairman, APC Aguata), the philanthropist urged them to cultivate the yam seedlings this planting season and promised to reward those who harvest the biggest size of yams during the new yam festival with cash prizes.
On behalf of Aguata APC excos, the chairman, Chief Godson Anyadike thanked the founder, Chief Onunkwo for his thoughtful initiative in boosting food production in his constituency among other numerous interventions and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.
The Foundation have earlier in her first phase distributed the seedlings to farmers in Awka and Onitsha axis respectively.
A High Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital has convicted Aniedi Mfon, age 25, for raping an eight years old child in Calabar today, May 6th 2024.
Delivering the judgement, Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu, of the High Court of Cross River State, sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Judge who lamented the high prevalence of rape, also awarded a fine of One Million naira to the survivor.
Reacting to the development, Founder of Basic Rights Council Initiative, Mr James Ibor Esq, noted that “I wish to thank the Commissioner of Police and his team, Attorney General, Ededem Ani and his team the staff of the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative and the survivor and her father who resisted intimidation and bribes to back out. Special thanks to our amiable Prosecutor Patience Akpama. You are a rising star”
By Christian Njoku
Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation, (RAFEF), a Non Governmental Organisation, (NGO), has taken steps to assist some inmates of the Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar with legal aid.
This was disclosed by Mr Jonathan Okwudiri, Chairman, Board of Trustees of RAFEF on Monday in Calabar during the official inauguration Ceremony of Cross River Executive Working Committee of the foundation.
Okwudiri who doubles as the Director General of the foundation said apart from there programmes to empower women and youths, they would be embarking on a project in Cross River to assist inmates in the state’s correctional centre with legal aid.
According to him, “In Afikpo, we visited the Correctional Centre and got inmates who didn’t have representation and those who didn’t have money to pay for their bail after they were granted bail by the court.
“The legal team of this foundation went to work ensuring that applications were made to the court to see how we could assist about 12 of them with legal representation and bail payment.
“We also did the same thing in Amawbia Correctional Centre in Awka where we equally picked 13 inmates to help secure there freedom; in Cross River, we will be doing the same in Afokang Correctional Centre,” he said.
He said while ensuring that they empower over 1,000 women and youths in each of the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River, they have taught their members never to protest or fight against government adding that it resolved nothing.
He said as a group, they had a system of getting positive results through negotiations, dialogue and consultations whenever there was conflict.
He appealed to the members of the foundation in Cross River to uphold the watchwords of integrity, truth, trust, transparency and accountability, noting that with these virtues, they would excel.
On his part, Dr. Moses Agboreyo Cross River Coordinator of the foundation said he would work to mobilize members of the foundation to get positive results and meet up with their aims and objectives of empowering people.
Agboreyo who is also the South-South Zonal Director said the major challenge they faced was funding and mobilisation due to the vast and difficult terrain of Cross River but added that they were working to surmount these challenges and touch lives. (NAN)
It was a solemn moment as family, friends, the leadership of All Progressives Congress Cross River State, and Business Associates trooped the country home of late Comrade Leonard AFANGA WODAR in Igol Ugbagada Nkum Iborr, Ogoja to pay last respect.
Leaders paid tribute as they took turns to pour emotions over the untimely death of late Hon Leonard Afanga Wodar, a community leader, a peace builder and consummate Business Man.
Reading his tribute, the immediate past Chairman of Ogoja LGA and leader of Nkum Iborr Ward, Hon Emmanuel Ishabor x-rayed the contributions of the late Afanga, he charged everyone to learn to celebrate ourselves while we are still alive because the vacuum he left cannot be filled in a hurry. He said he was forever indebted to him for being a pillar of support to him and the Ward.
Hon Patrick Agbe who read the tribute of the state Chairman of APC, examined the life of Afanga as a political son whom he tutelaged for years. He said the disease is a good example of a community leader who is loved by his people. He Admonished everyone to be mindful of how we use positions of influence and leadership.
Hon Emmanuel Anoh who read out the tribute of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt Hon Peter Odey, posed a striking question: “with this death, the questions in our hearts about why good men depart so early have become even stronger. He also said I have a worthy opponent whom I ran elections twice- first as students and then in 2019 when we ran for the Ogoja State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly. On both occasions I won but he was gracious in defeat and never took me to courts nor did he allow bitterness to build between us”.
Hon Joe Lifu took tributes for the Ugbagada community as he reeled out the humane and sacrificial life of the disease. He said the APC Family, BAKOR nation is pained by this death, the Executive Director Operations of SYNERGY MINERAL RESOURCES LIMITED, Akpoga Geoffrey, took the tribute for the group, a company late Afanga tenaciously built while he was alive.
The funeral climaxed when an age long friend of late Afanga, Dr Oli made a passionate appeal to the government of Cross River State to assist the family in the children’s education, saying the late Afanga toiled so much for the party and deserves handsome rewards even in death.
The Member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono, yesterday visited the Tuberculosis, Leprosy and orthopedic centres in Ogoja LGA.
The MP went bearing gifts such as, sewing machines, rice, yam, garri, etc, and cash. He assured the patients of his constant support and prayers.
According to the patients, the MP visited them few months before his election where he promised to return again after the election; he fulfilled the promise yesterday and assured them of constant visits. They prayed for the MP and wished him success in all his dealings.
Also, the MP had a sit out with the people of Urban Ward 2 at Abakpa Motorpark in Ogoja LGA, where he assured constituents of continuous good representation.
GOFFIO MEDIA.
The Council of Traditional Rulers in Egbe -Mbube, Ogoja Local Government Area, have conferred the highest honourary chieftaincy title on the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt Hon. Dr. Peter Odey.
Odey was conferred with the title of ‘Likeuel é’mpam I’ of Egbe Community, which means, the ‘Pillar of Egbe’ community as a reflection of the positive impact his immense contributions have made towards the development of the community and Mbube nation.
The title was bestowed on the Deputy Governor recently during the Egbe Day Celebration, an annual event dedicated to celebrate the values of community development.
Speaking after the conferment, Deputy Governor Odey, represented by his Head of Personal Staff, Dr. Chris Ojikpong, expressed gratitude to the people of Egbe Community and the Council of Traditional Rulers for the honour and recognition, emphasizing its significance to him, and assured the people of his commitment to community development.
Continuing, he extended congratulations to the good people of Egbe-Mbube community for the successful 2024 Egbe Day Celebration, urging them to continue their support for the administration of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to fully realize the ‘People First’ Agenda.
In praising the efforts of the Egbe-Mbube community in undertaking self-sustaining development projects, he hailed the initiative as valuable and encouraged them to persist in launching and completing projects that offer economic advantages and benefit everyone.
The Clan Head of Egbe-Mbube, HRH Buturo Thomas Akung, stated that conferring the title on Odey recognizes his steadfast dedication to the advancement and progress of not only Mbube nation but also the state and nation as a whole.
He reassured the Deputy Governor of Egbe people’s support for the current administration, under the capable leadership of Senator Prince Bassey Otu, whom he described as truly embodying the ‘People First’ approach.
Major highlight of the event, held at the Primary School Field in Egbe-Mbube, Ogoja Local Government Area, included the commissioning of an ultramodern town hall by the Deputy Governor’s representative, presentation of awards and chieftaincy titles to deserving individuals from Ogoja, as well as captivating cultural displays.
By Elijah Ugani
It was an ecstatic moment of boisterous celebration as the duo of Sen Jarigbe Agom and Hon Peter Akpanke were honored and conferred with traditional titles by Igwo Community, Begiading ward, in Obudu Local Government Area.
The event which held at St Michael’s Primary School, Igwo drew dignitaries from both within and outside the local government area.
Declaring the event opened, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Emmanuel Ugbe, former Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, commended the good works that Sen Jarigbe Agom and Hon Peter Akpanke, has begun in Igwo community and described the duo as the face of contemporary leadership we all yearn for.
Ugbe thanked the Igwo community for the recognition accorded Sen Jarigbe and Hon Peter Akpanke and the decision to honor them.
In a welcome speech presented by the Igwo community, Prof Dave Ugal, extended gratitude to the Clan Head of Igwo community and his council of chiefs, for graciously granting the approval to honor and confer the traditional titles on their invitees.
Ugal explain that “We listened to Sen Jarigbe Agom, when he came to campaign in our community and promised us to fix the roads leading to both the primary and secondary schools. As if we were dreaming, we saw contractors commemced the grading of the two roads, and we wondered if we have people with conscience who keep to their words.
“Hon Peter Akpanke, the Solid Rock, also pledged to fix a classroom block in the secondary, he has also mobilize contractors to site. It is on this premise that we invited them for this recognition and to say thank you for remembering us. As Oliver Twist, we can only ask for more”.
Speaking while presenting the award of honor and the subsequent conferment of the titles, the Clan Head of Igwo community, His Royal Highness, Utsu Cornellus Ulem, noted that the conferment is devoid of bias of political affiliation. He noted that “Anyone who comes to assist us fix our problems, we will recognize and celebrate such a person”.
Sen Jarigbe Agom was conferred with the title of Unwaa Ubuu Kubong of Igwo, while Hon Peter Akpanke, was conferred with the title of Unwaa Ukpel Bendi of Igwo.
Responding, Sen Jarigbe Agom, who was unavoidably absent and was represented by the Vice Chairman North of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Chief Austin Edibe, noted that he was glad that his little efforts to give his people the representation they yearn for was yielding some very positive impacts.
Sen Jarigbe promised to stop at nothing to ensure that his constituents in Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency have every need to celebrate having supported him and his brother Peter.
On his part, Hon Peter Akpanke, thanked the Igwo community for the gesture and held that “this recognition should spur us up to do things right, so that the next we come here, you will be the people that will count our projects”.
The lawmaker told the Igwo community that the 2024 federal budget has projects spread across the OBO federal constituency.
The community had previously conferred on Mr Venatius Ikem Esq, Chairman of the PDP, Cross River State chapter, Unwaa Ushe.
The event witnessed dance performances by different groups and defection of some members of different political parties to the PDP, citing the unwavering performance of Sen Jarigbe Agom and Hon Peter Akpanke in Igwo community.
By Elijah Ugani
The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Peter Akpanke, has stated that he does not want to build a youth forum that will carry guns and follow him during elections, but rather youth forum where youths will occupy places of prominent contributing to the development of the federal constituency.
Akpanke made this known on Monday 1st April, 2024 during an interactive session with youths of Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku Local Government Areas, under the auspices of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, held at the Sen Liyel Imoke’s Civic Centre, Obudu.
The lawmaker was responding to the issues raised by the youths during the interaction session.
In his words “I have listened to all that you have said. I want to assure you that it has pleased God that one of you should represent you in the house of representatives, and I will do my best to ensure that we facilitate programmes that bring youths out of drug abuse and cultism and make them self-reliance. I don’t want to build a youth forum that will carry guns and follow me during election.
“Youths are said to be the leaders of tomorrow, if tomorrow will be fine it is the that will do it. We must take deliberate efforts to prepare the youths properly to take over from us. I’m here to interact with you and I’m sure our interactions will set a pace for very meaningful development in our constituency.
“We have discussed our problems and we will see how we find solutions to them.
“I’m here today to speak to you because I’m a youth, and I do know the problem of the youths. This program will keep on, and I want to assure that I will always be available for every interactive session that will advance our development.
“We have to leave the sentiment of our political parties and work for the development of our federal constituency.
“I want all of you come together and let’s work together and build our federal constituency. I want to build a federal constituency that will benefit everyone irrespective of political parties.
“I have listened to all your problems, for those that will benefit our youths, that will take our youths out of drugs, I will do my best.
“The Ikom-Obanliku-Obudu road is captured in the 2024 budget and I assure you that it will be reconstructed”.
The Youth Coordinators of the three local government areas, Comr Peter Olofu, Bekwarra, Comr Linus Abuokwen – Obudu, and Comr, Boniface Adie Jr, who took turns and commended Hon Peter Akpanke for this initiative to convey the youths for this interacting session, and described it as unprecedented.
The noted that, Hon Peter Akpanke has given hope to the youths. For him to conceive the idea of bringing the youths together, it is evident that the youths are already part of today’s leadership.
They listed the challenges of the youths to include: Unemployment and noted that today, they are many graduates without jobs, and appealed that youth resource centers be facilitated across the three local governments where the youths will learn different trades and be empowered.
They also requested that the youths should be supported in Small Medium Enterprises SMEs. The noted that when youths are supported to start different businesses, they will employ other youths. The stressed that youths can be grouped into cooperatives.
They also requested for scholarships for the youths, and commended him having commenced payment of bursaries to students, bought JAMB forms.
Other requests made by the youths are: Farm input. Youths should be supported to go into agriculture. Providing the financial support base, will encourage the youths to channel their youthful energies into productive ventures.
Regular symposium: Seminars, workshops to sensitive our youths to curb idleness.
Mobility, farm input and incentives, the Obudu-Obanliku-Ikom road and Educational trust fund.
The youths of the three local government areas, made a commitment to come together devoid differences in political parties to support the lawmaker to attract development to the federal constituency.
The lawmaker support the three local government areas with 1M each for transportation.
Earlier today, Hon. Peter Akpanke, the esteemed representative of Obanliku, Bekwarra and Obudu Federal Constituency, demonstrated his commitment to community engagement and solidarity by celebrating Easter with market women at Abochiche junction.
The unplanned event, held in the heart of the community market while Hon. Peter Akpanke was on his way from a Ceremonial Engagement in Ogoja.
Akpanke held that “I will always support market women because, they play a vital role in the local economy and social fabric.”
Following his remarks, Hon. Akpanke distributed some cash gift in appreciation to the market women, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the economy.
One of the constituents said that “We have never seen a thing like this before in Bekwarra”
The Rock is Solid!
