The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • NEPZA MD Visits C’River Deputy Governor, Lauds Gov Otu’s Achievements In The State

    NEPZA MD Visits C’River Deputy Governor, Lauds Gov Otu’s Achievements In The State

     

    The Managing Director (MD) of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi and his team, on Thursday, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, in Government House, Calabar.

    During his opening statements, Dr. Ogunyemi conveyed the warm regards of the Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment. He expressed satisfaction with the significant progress achieved by Governor Bassey Otu’s administration in various development sectors within just a few months in office, emphasizing that “Governor Otu has performed admirably.”

    He listed the prompt payments of salaries of civil servants and pensioners, approve use of concrete for road construction, installation of solar powered street lights across the three Senatorial District of the State, lifting bans on wood logging, which according to him has revitalized the wood industry, ongoing building of fruit arcade and hosting the biggest street party in Africa and much more. According to the MD, “All these achievements and more are possible because your adminstration undertook bold steps to reduce the customary problems and mobilize resources to achieve the ‘Peoples First’ projects in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Mantra of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

    Ogunyemi, speaking further, said NEPZA and the Calabar Free Trade Zone are determined to give this government the needed support within the ambit of the law that established Free Trade Zones in Nigeria to ensure a prosperous tenure for the present administration.

    In the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, Dr. Ogunyemi said NEPZA had built and donated several equipment to University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Police Station, Technical Schools, donation of satellite communication equipment, installation of 33KVA transformer in their host Community, award of scholarships to indigent students in the state amongst others.

    While appealing to state government to take advantage of their tax incentives to set up enterprises or groups of enterprises to harness viable economic benefits to boost the revenue generating base of the State, he reiterated NEPZA’s commitment to partner and support the state.

    Responding, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who welcomed the team on behalf of the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, assured the NEPZA boss and his team of state government’s readiness to partner and give NEPZA the needed support to carry out their operations in the state without any hitch, noting that if EPZ works, it is also to the state’s benefit because it will make other state owned facilities like Tinapa to work

    Odey called on EPZ to intensify its marketing efforts for Tinapa by directing potential investors to the business resort. He commended their unrelenting efforts in regards to their Corporate Social Responsibility to their host community and the people of the State.

    The NEPZA boss was accompanied on the visit by officials of the Calabar Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and Tinapa Business Resort Trade Zone.

    Other participants present during the visit included the Secretary to State Government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, several members of the State Exco, including the Commissioner for Industries, Dr. Mathias Angioha, Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Abigail Duke-Orok, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Hon. Abuvakar Ewa, and Commissioner for Transport, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham as well as the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Patrick Egbede.

  • C’River Deputy Governor Bids E I Okoro Farewell, Welcomes New Commander Of The 13th Brigade Army

    C’River Deputy Governor Bids E I Okoro Farewell, Welcomes New Commander Of The 13th Brigade Army

     

    The Cross River State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey has commended the services of the former Commander of the 13th Brigade Army, who has been promoted to the rank of Major General and has been transferred.

    Odey bid the former Commander farewell and wished him success in his new assignment.

    The deputy governor used the opportunity and welcomed the new commander, Brig-Gen. I M Ibrahim to Cross River State
    He assured him of maximum support by the government as he carries out his duties.

    Earlier, Maj. Gen. Okoro, noted that he has come to bid the deputy governor farewell and to introduce his successor, Brig-Gen. I M Ibrahim.

  • Bakassi Inferno: C’River Lawmakers Ask For Government’s Assistance For Ine-Abasi Community

    Bakassi Inferno: C’River Lawmakers Ask For Government’s Assistance For Ine-Abasi Community

    By Itam Offor

    The State Lawmakers have requested for the State Government’s intervention and support for the people of Ine-Abasi, a fishing port in Bakassi Local Government Area, where a recent fire outbreak rendered most of them homeless.

    The Lawmakers resolved that, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) should provide relief materials including building and fishing equipments to assist the victims rebuild their homes and resume their fishing occupation.

    The Lawmakers adopted the resolution after debating on a Matter of Urgent Public Interest presented by the Member representing Bakassi State Consistency, Hon. Eyo Bassey Edet.

    Hon. Edet lamented the terrible condition faced by the people of Ine-Abasi whom he said, have suffered greatly as a result of the fire outbreak which occurred a few days into the new year.

    He informed the House that, though no life was lost, the inferno had engulfed the entire community thereby incapacitating the people and requested for the State Government’s urgent intervention to ameliorate the suffering of the victims.

    Contributing to the debate, Members expressed sympathy with the affected community. They lamented the lack of fire stations and vehicles in the rural areas across the State.

    The lawmakers further observed that, the inferno has affected the economic activities of the community which is a major fishing community. They stressed the need for urgent intervention so that the victims can resume their businesses.

    On his part, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem expressed sadness over the incident stressing that, it has serious consequences on the economy of the victims and the State.

    Ayambem further directed the clerk, Mr Dominic Akiba to forward clean copies of the resolution to the State Governor for implementation.

  • Hon Aruku Got My Approval To Move Into Hon Ashakia’s Former Office – Speaker Ayambem

    Hon Aruku Got My Approval To Move Into Hon Ashakia’s Former Office – Speaker Ayambem

     

    The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem, has stated that the member representing Ogoja State Constituency, Hon Thomas Aruku, got approval to use Hon Ashakia’s office.

    The speaker made this known on a telephone call to TheLumineNews news, when he saw the news.

    Ayambem said “what happened is that Hon Thomas Aruku approached me and I spoke with Hon Pius Ashakia, and I don’t think that he had issues with it”.

    Response to why Hon Pius Ashakia did not handover the key to Hon Thomas Aruku, the speaker said that “We cannot handover all the keys to you. If we do, if anything happens in the office, you will be held accountable”.

    “I can tell you that what you published is not true. Whatever damage control you can do, please go ahead and do it”. Ayambem added.

    TheLumineNews had earlier published that Hon Thomas Aruku broke into Hon Pius Ashakia’s office and took possession of the office.

    As at the time of filing that report, efforts to reach the speaker to get the correct version of the incident had failed with calls to his phone number not taken with text and WhatsApp messages not responded to.

  • Just In: Thomas Aruku Breaks Into Pius Ashakia’s Office Forcefully And Takes Possession

    Just In: Thomas Aruku Breaks Into Pius Ashakia’s Office Forcefully And Takes Possession

     

    The member representing Ogoja State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon Thomas Aruku, has broken into the office of  his colleague and Member representing Obanliku State Constituency, Hon Pius Ashakia.

    Hon Aruku who broke into the office is said to have taken possession of the office, room 202 and changed the keys.

    Recall that Hon Thomas Aruku got the Court of Appeal judgement which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to issue certificate of return to him as the duly elected member representing Ogoja State Constituency to replace Hon Rita Ayim.

    Aruku was subsequently sworn in by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon Elvert Ayambem.

    A source who pledged anonymity, told TheLumineNews that Hon Thomas Aruku had previously approached Hon Pius Ashakia to swap office on grounds that he is afraid of using the same office that Hon Rita Ayim was using room 203, that was assigned to Ogoja.

    When contacted, Hon Pius Ashakia said that he is aware of the swap but that Hon Thomas Aruku was not patient to wait for him to open the door for him.

    When asked what necessitated the swap, Hon Ashakia said that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly is in a better position to answer what led to the swap.

    As at the time of filing this report, the Speaker is yet to comment on the reason for the swap as the first call to the Speaker’s phone number wad not taken, the second was busied.

    Text message and WhatsApp was sent to the Speaker and no response was gotten yet.

  • Miss Mercy Ogar Is Missing

    Miss Mercy Ogar Is Missing

    A Young Lady Identified As Mercy Ogar, from Gabu, Yala local government in Cross River State has been declared missing by her family.

    According to her mum, Felicia Ogar who reached out to LIB, Mercy lived in Festac, Lagos state with a friend, but had decided to relocate to Abuja to stay with her (the mother). The 23-year-old left home on November 16, 2023, after telling her friend that she was travelling to Abuja. However, she hasn’t been seen or heard from since then.

    Efforts to contact Mercy has been futile as both her phone numbers have been unreachable.

    Felicia said;

    “My daughter, Mercy ogar,from Gabu, yala local government in cross river state, stays at Festac in lagos. She left festac telling her friend she was returning back to Abuja where I am staying, since then nobody heard from her again and her two lines are not reachageble since then.

    If you have any information about her whereabouts, kindly contact 07083776271or visit a nearby police station.

  • Residents Lauds Senator Jarigbe Agom Over Road Construction In Alladim, Ogoja LGA

    Residents Lauds Senator Jarigbe Agom Over Road Construction In Alladim, Ogoja LGA

     

    Residents of Alladim in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State have applauded the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, over the construction of 1.5 kilometer section of Alladim road in the community.

    Community leaders and other residents who spoke on various occasions disclosed that the construction of the community road has eased the burden of motorists and motorcycle riders and has further opened the community to further development.

    Mrs. Philomena Odey who is a resident of the community, stated that the area which is the largest assemblage of local garri processing factories would benefit more as motorists loading bags to the urban areas will have easy access to the Community.

    According to her, the construction of the road has saved residents from hazards of gully erosion and other road accidents that have claimed lives of some people in the past.

    Addressing the community at the completion of the project, the Constituency Officer, Mr Egar Mgbantul appreciated the community for their collaborative efforts with the contractors which enabled them to meet up with the stipulated time.

    Senator Jarigbe is committed to the infrastructural and human capital development of Cross River North, let us give him the required support to enable him continue with his good works.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA.

  • Jarigbe Distributes Carriage Tricycles To Constituents In Cross River North Senatorial District

    Jarigbe Distributes Carriage Tricycles To Constituents In Cross River North Senatorial District

     

    In continuation of the Christmas/New Year celebration, the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has distributed Carriage tricycles to selected stakeholders of his Senatorial District.

    Distributing the items, the Senator through his Constituency Officer, Mr Egar Mgbantul, noted that, the program is aimed at eradicating poverty and empowering constituents in a bid to have access to economic wellbeing.

    “We chose this type of palliative because people are bringing back their farm produce from their farms. This is more like pick-up vehicles that can carry goods, farm produce and people”, Jarigbe added.

    He called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the items, promising to continue his various forms of intervention programs, in order to fight poverty and restiveness in the society.

    Some of the beneficiaries present expressed gratitude to the lawmaker for the gesture, stating that the initiative is another form of mechanized farming that will enable them cater for their respective families. Other beneficiaries were either represented or conspicuously absent as at the time of distribution.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA.

  • Otu Extols Fallen Heroes’ Patriotic Contributions To Nigeria’s Sovereignty

    Otu Extols Fallen Heroes’ Patriotic Contributions To Nigeria’s Sovereignty

     

    Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has extolled the patriotic contributions of the Armed Forces, especially those who lost their lives in the course of duty, to the sovereignty, unity, peace and stability of Nigeria.

    The Governor gave the commendation, today, at the event of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the Cenotaph, Calabar, Cross River State capital.

    “For a country to grow to a level of where we are today, people sacrificed their lives. The people we are paying honour today are those who put their lives on the line; and we have lost so many of them. So it is only very rational and reasonable that a day is set aside in their honour,” Otu remarked.

    On the welfare of fallen heroes, ex-service men and serving military personnel, the Governor, whose manifesto is hinged on the ‘People First,’ said: “We have a programme which we are looking at the widows and families of the fallen heroes, and we are also trying to structure the society in a way that such families would not be found wanting as a result of loss of their dear ones.

    “Injury to one is injury to all. So we feel the pain that they feel. And we will ensure that the memories of our fallen heroes live on.”

    Articulating her views, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita, inferred that the symbolic and memorable celebration of the sacrifices of the nation’s Armed Forces and those who paid the supreme price for the unity of the country is worth the hassle, likening the price paid by the fallen heroes to that the Lord Jesus paid for the salvation of mankind.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Cross River State chapter, Comrade Daniel Ojugbo, thanked the Otu-led administration for the improved relationship between them, while appealing to the State Government to better their lots in terms of welfare and infrastructure, with the renovation of the Legion’s headquarters and other accommodation issues the body’s major concerns.

    Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual event marked on January 15 to commemorate the nation’s departed compatriots as well as to honour our living veterans.

    Government House Press
    Calabar

  • Contractors Resume Work On The Ukelle-Oju Road Facilitated By Sen Jarigbe Agom 

    Contractors Resume Work On The Ukelle-Oju Road Facilitated By Sen Jarigbe Agom 

     

    Yesterday, the 14th day Of January 2024, the contractor handling the Ukelle-Oju road project, returned to site to continue work after the holidays.

    The constituency officer to Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Mr Egar Mgbantul and other community members in Ukelle, Yala Local Government Area Of Cross River State, received the team of engineers and addressed community members on the commencement of another phase of work on the road for the year 2024.

    Mr. Egar Mgbantul charged the engineers to always keep to standards as the lawmaker will not tolerate poorly done job.

    After all deliberation, both community members and the constituency officer prayed before commencement of excavation of the road by the engineers.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA.