The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Cameroonian Refugees Commends CORAfrica, Describes Founder As God Sent

    Cameroonian Refugees Commends CORAfrica, Describes Founder As God Sent

    By Elijah Ugani 

    Cameroonians who flee their homes due to the crisis that continues to ravage their country are taking refuge in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria have described Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica Nigeria) and its Founder Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue as God sent.

    The refugees in Adagom 3 settlement took turns to eulogize the Founder/Chief Strategist of CORAfrica, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue , for his love, passion and desire to see that their children get the needed knowledge to prepare them for the future.

    They made the commendation at the Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting at the newly founded John Bosco Academy compound on the 25th October 2023

    They noted that despite the fact that CORAfrica is not being funded by UNHCR, the organization is able to provide an eight classroom block, provide a bus to carry their children from their homes to the school and return them after school. This can only be imagined.

    Some of the refugees mentioned that CORAfrica, citing the school closer to the settlement eased their truama as most of them could release their children to go to school because of the nearness of the school to the settlement. They averred that the provision of the school bus has made it very enticing as no child wants to stay back home because they want to enter the school bus.

    They prayed for God to continue to open doors and provide for the founder to enable him to continue to assist them, even as they wished him long life.

    Responding, the Founder/Chief Strategist, commended the refugees for embracing the school and sending their children to be grommed for the future. He noted that the success and failure of the children depends on both the parents and teachers of the children and called on parents to play their roles by preparing the children early enough for school.

    CORAfrica had in 2020 conducted a survey and found out that the number of children of school age who stay back from school was very high compared to those who go to school at the time.

    In order to bridge the gap, CORAfrica has now founded the John Bosco Academy Adagom, cited about 2KM away from the Adagom 3 settlement. The school currently has an enrollment of over 600 pupils, 80% of them being refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.

  • Mediatrix Supports Immunohistochemistry For Women In Calabar During The Calabar Go Pink Day 2023

    Mediatrix Supports Immunohistochemistry For Women In Calabar During The Calabar Go Pink Day 2023

     

    Mediatrix Development Foundation joined Pink Africa Foundation and Global Partners over the weekend in Calabar to mark the annual Cancer Awareness Month which is celebrated every year. This year’s celebration was officially flagged-off by the Wife of the Governor Cross River State, Her Excellency, Rev. Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu on Wednesday, 18th of October 2023 with free HPV vaccination for 250 girls pupils/students between the ages of 9-14 years in selected schools in Calabar, Cross River State. The vaccination exercise was supported by ACT Foundation.

    The Mediatrix team leveraged on this year’s 5km-Go Pink Day Walk to share various Information, Education and Communication Materials on Cancer. The walk began at the Millennium Park through Mary Slessor and ended at Calabar Municipal Council premises where goodwill messages were received from partners while participants received free medical examination/screening of breast, prostate and cervical cancer.

    Mediatrix Development Foundation will take the awareness to Central and Northern Cross River in the coming months and sustained through her school-based intervention to increase awareness on HPV before the national launch for vaccination coming in February 2024.

    #Mediatrixfightcancer
    #CalabarGoPinkDay23
    #ResetCancer
    #BreastCancerAwarnessMonth

  • CRS Deputy Governor Opens Agric Youth Summit

    CRS Deputy Governor Opens Agric Youth Summit

     

    Ukongikwen Adie

    The Youth-friendly Deputy Governor of CRS, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, declared open the Cross River State Agricultural Youth Summit on Thursday, 26th October,2023, with the theme: “Back to Land”.

    In his opening remarks presented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Odum-Ijom Ukam, Rt. Hon Odey commended the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Cross River State Chapter for their visionary strides in empowering the youth of the state.

    Odey, who opined that Cross River State presents a plethora of opportunities within various agricultural value chains, including rice, cassava, fisheries, poultry and palms among others, said the Prince Bassey Otu-led state government is committed to igniting a passionate drive for agricultural innovation and sustainability among the vibrant youth population in the State. The Deputy Governor said the restructuring of the Ministry of Agriculture into two specialized entities – Ministry of Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development – was to ensure that every aspect of agriculture receives the requisite investment, attention and expertise for optimal growth and prosperity.

    He called on the youths to see the summit as a valuable contribution by NYCN to the steadfast commitment of the State and as a pivotal platform not only for knowledge sharing and fostering innovation, but also for strengthening collaborative efforts in the pursuit of a robust and sustainable agricultural landscape for the future of youths and Cross River State. He encouraged them further to actively participate, engage and contribute as well as draw from the wealth and experiences that the esteemed lineup of speakers and panelists will provide so as to pave the way for a dynamic and progressive agricultural sector in the State.

    In his address earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Innocent Ogban, called on the youths to go back to land and produce more food for the State and the nation through technology. According to him, “if you embrace technology, your fingers can do wonders for you. We cannot all be governors, senators, ministers or public office holders. However, we can all make use of the abundant resources which are distributed across the State to create wealth”.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Owan Enoh, who was also a guest at the Summit, remarked that the excitement that he felt when he was invited to a gathering by youths to talk about no other thing but agriculture was enormous. He, however, advised that a structure should be adopted for the way forward beyond the talk. He called on youths with the intellectual capacity and knowledge in technology to apply their skills to access capital and loans in order to build a thriving agricultural sector that will create a bridge to connect with those in the villages. He expressed hope that the summit will bring up approaches that will ensure that people in Cross River do not produce food and sell off to those who will process our products and make huge profits while Cross River remains poor.

    The event was marked by paper presentations and panel discussions by specialists from diverse agricultural sectors.

    Other dignitaries who were present at the occasion included the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, Jr, and representatives of the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Odere, Zenith Bank Plc and AA Universal

  • Unknown Gunmen Attack Calabar Correctional Center, Kill Armed Security Guard

    Unknown Gunmen Attack Calabar Correctional Center, Kill Armed Security Guard

    By Patrick Obia, CrossRiverWatch

    Unknown gunmen believed to be militants have attacked Afokang Correctional Center in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The gunmen in their numbers during the attack killed armed security and made away with his rifle.

    The incident occurred in the night hours of Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at about 7:PM.

    Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of  Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, DSC Effanga Etim when contacted on the telephone affirmed the incident.

    “I am on a press statement and will issue it soon, just go straight. There was an attack on our staff but did not affect the facility. I’m on the press statement and will…”

    However, it is not clear if it was an attempted prison break and if there was a repel that made gaining access to the facility futile.

  • Hon Peter Odey Received In His Ancestral Home, Idum-Mbube Ogoja LGA

    Hon Peter Odey Received In His Ancestral Home, Idum-Mbube Ogoja LGA

     

    – Adie ukongikwen

    It was with pomp and pageantry that the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, was received by his kinsmen in ldum kingdom, Mbube, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State on the 14th of October,2023.

    The grand reception organized by his family, the lkikienkpong family, drew the crème de la crème of the Cross River State political class, traditional rulers, friends and the entire Mbube people.

    Speaking for the lkikienkpong family, Engr. Chief David Abang said they have invited Rt. Hon. Odey and friends to come back home and share a moment of joy and happiness with them. They seized the opportunity to thank the Executive governor of Cross River State, Sen.Prince Bassey Otu for finding their son worthy to be his Deputy. Not wanting to bother him with a mirage of request, the people requested for an educational endowment fund, the completion of the long standing Help of The Sick Hospital and a Skill Acquisition center for their steaming youths.

    The Paramount Ruler, thanked Mbube people for their solidarity, especially the ldum people and the Ikikienkpong family for deeming it necessary to organize the reception in honour of their illustrious son. He advised Rt. Hon. Odey to stand for his people and Cross Riverians as a whole.

    Rt. Hon. Odey who noted that this was his first visit after assuming office as deputy governor said he was very happy to be home. He acknowledged his family, friends and the entire Mbube people for the grand reception in his honor while recognizing his political friends who accompanied him to the event.

    Odey assured the Mbube people that having seen the state of their roads and the hospital where he made a brief stop, he will make sure that work commences soon. He solicited the continuous prayers of the people for the success of the Sen. Prince Bassey Otu led administration.

    Highlights of the event were the blessing of the Deputy Governor by all the chiefs present, presentation of gift and entertainment from several dance troops.

     

     

     

  • Some Memories Remain Indelible, And Keep Flashing Through One’s Mind, Regardless Of The Passage Of Time BY CORNELIUS ELLAH

    Some Memories Remain Indelible, And Keep Flashing Through One’s Mind, Regardless Of The Passage Of Time BY CORNELIUS ELLAH

    Some memories remain indelible. Such memories keep flashing through one’s mind, regardless of the passage of time. This explains why I still nurse fresh memories of my first experience as a customer in a restaurant. That was several years ago, in my first year as an undergraduate. The restaurant was sited in “Malabor Republic”, University of Calabar.
    I had been trained at home to ALWAYS wash my plates after eating. I expected that every undergraduate received similar home training before gaining admission into the university.
    Therefore, I was innocently surprised when I noticed in that restaurant that customers were leaving their plates unwashed, after eating. I felt that they were being disrespectful to the cooks. I needed to do as I was taught at home.
    Thus, I thoroughly washed my plates after eating. I kept doing the same thing each time I went to that restaurant, until the day I went there with my friends, Victor Necus-Agba and Eteng Williams Jones (now an honorable member of CRS House of Assembly). They made jests of me when I attempted to wash my plates. Victor and Jones were my closest friends in school. We were inseparable. But they said that they would keep a distance from me, if I keep washing any plate in a restaurant. They added that other students would start thinking that I was either a cook or a “plate washer”, if I continued that habit. At that moment, I recalled that people were always staring at me each time I did what I was doing. They must have been thinking that I was a real “mugu”.
    I stopped going to that restaurant after that day. Why not?
    Despite this, I won’t stop telling my children to always wash their plates after eating. When they grow up, they would learn faster than I learned, by the grace of God.

  • Orim, Diana Mary And 11 Others Appointed By Sen John Owan Enoh

    Orim, Diana Mary And 11 Others Appointed By Sen John Owan Enoh

    The Honorable Minister of sports development, Senator John Owan Enoh-JOE announces the appointment of the following :

    Dr. Richard Orim – Special Adviser (Administration)

    Brendan Ndifon – Special Adviser (Strategy)

    Olumide Bamiduro- Special Adviser (Technical )

    Diana Mary Nsan -Special Adviser (Media)

    Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka- (Special Adviser (Grassroot Sports)

    Kabir Yusuf – Technical Adviser (Policy)

    Kevin Oji – Executive Media Aide

    Sunday Adeleye – Executive Assistant

    Kola Daniel – Media Aide

    Justin Obongha – Media Assistant 1

    Victor Ndifon – Media Assistant II

    Michael Ogar Gabriel – Media Assistant III

    Prince Bassey Okoro – Personal Assistant

    You are by this appointment expected to bring your wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of your duties and to the best of your ability in line with the mandate, mission, vision and core values of the Ministry of Sports Development.

    Congratulations and best wishes on your appointment.

    Signed:

    Dr Richard Orim
    Special Adviser Administration
    For The Honorable Minister of Sports Development.
    1/9/2023

  • Appointment Of Olukayode As EFCC Chairman Violates Commission’s Act

    Appointment Of Olukayode As EFCC Chairman Violates Commission’s Act

     

    Controversy has continueed to trail the appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu and many critics holds the view that it is unlawful and illegal.

    They held that the runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman, must amongst other things have;

    I. Been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency,
    II. Must have 15 years cognate experience of law enforcement, and
    III. Must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of police

    Many have argued that Mr Olukoyede, a lawyer, is not qualified to be EFCC chairman under the law establishing the anti-corruption agency.

    Mr Olukoyede, although a former secretary of the EFCC and ex-chief of staff to the chairman of the commission, did not meet the requirements of section 2(3) of the EFCC Act, to be qualified for the appointment.

    The law stipulates that a chairman of the commission “must be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and possess not less than 15 years experience.”

    Mr Olukoyede, a lawyer, had no experience in any security or law enforcement agency until his first appointment at the EFCC in 2016 when he was appointed to serve as the Chief of Staff to then acting chairperson of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. A position he held from 2016 to 2018.

    Premium Times, reported that he was subsequently appointed as the secretary of the commission in 2018 and served in that capacity up till 2020 when he was suspended from office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. He was suspended alongside Mr Magu and some other officials of the commission.

    While Mr Magu was replaced with Mr Bawa in February 2021, Mr Olukoyede was replaced with George Ekpungu as the secretary of the commission in June 2021.

    Some believe that he does not meet, at least, one of the three major criteria in the provision of section 2(1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, which requires the chairman to have “15 years cognate experience”.

    This assertion is based on the fact that Mr Olukoyede’s experience in any security or law enforcement agency only began with his appointment as the chief of staff to the EFCC chairman in 2016.

    In 2018, Mr Olukoyede was appointed the secretary to the commission, a position that qualifies as membership of the EFCC and can safely said to be higher than the equivalent of the rank of assistant commissioner of police, as the EFCC secretary legally serves as the head of administration of the anti-graft agency.

    But Mr Olukoyede held this position for only two years – between 2018 and 2020 when he was suspended by then-President Buhari without being recalled.

    Those who believe he is not qualified to be EFCC chairman argue that the number of years of his “cognate” experience, even factoring the number of years he served as chief of staff at the EFCC, the only law enforcement or security agency he has ever worked in, was insufficient.

    If he had continuously worked at the commission since 2016 unstopped, he would only have garnered about seven years of experience at a law enforcement or security agency, which opponents of his appointment believe falls short of the 15 years of “cognate” experience required to be qualified to become the chairman of the commission.

    Olukayode is a private legal practitioner and has never worked or belong to any security or law enforcement agency as a member

    He does not have 15 years cognate experience as a law enforcement officer and

    His private legal practice years cannot be equated to the rank in law enforcement. Not enough attending seminal courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act.

  • Otu Assures 13th Brigade Command Of Govt Support As He Flags-off Still Waters III Project In Bakassi

    Otu Assures 13th Brigade Command Of Govt Support As He Flags-off Still Waters III Project In Bakassi

    The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has assured the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army of the State government’s commitment to support the Nigerian Army.

    Senator Bassey Otu, who was ably represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made this remark at the flag-off of Exercise Still Water lll 2023 held today at the Step Up Headquarters lkang, Bakassi LGA, Cross River State.

    Odey extended greetings from the peace-loving people of Cross River State to the Commander 13th Brigade and Soldiers while commending them for all their efforts in making sure that the state remains safe.

    Welcoming the Governor who was Special Guest at the flag-off, the Commander 13th Brigade, Brigadier Gen. E. l. Okoro said the exercise is part of Nigerian Army’s dovetail into realtime operation which is aimed at enhancing troop’s level of professionalism and preparedness in curbing security challenges prevalent within areas of responsibility such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, ritual killings, pipeline vandalism amongst others.

    Also present at the flag off were the Flag Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Commander NSS Victory, Service Commanders, the Speaker and other members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor Senior Officers, Officers, Traditional Rulers, Clan Heads, and Chiefs Highlights of the event included the flag off exercise by the Deputy Governor assisted by Brigadier Gen. E. I. Okoro, combating display by troops, a tour of the camp and presentation of souvenir to Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.

  • UAE, Other Global Initiatives Partners Support Strategy To Reduce Multi-Dimensional Poverty In Nigeria

    UAE, Other Global Initiatives Partners Support Strategy To Reduce Multi-Dimensional Poverty In Nigeria

     

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed readiness to partner with the federal government in tackling humanitarian and poverty challenges in Nigeria. It commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s efforts so far in that direction.

    UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, made this known when he led a team from the embassy and Noor Dubai Foundation to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja.

    The Envoy who described the relationship between his country and Nigeria as symbiotic, said; “Nigeria remains a strong ally of UAE and we would continue to partner with Nigeria in key areas like humanitarian aid, job creation, Nutrition, health care development, and poverty alleviation.”

    Responding, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, applauded the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for their timely interventions in critical sectors in Nigeria. The Minister specifically thanked the Ambassador and his team for taking steps to support Nigeria in many ways. She noted that the President has a great plan to eradicate Poverty under his 8-point agenda and has begun full implementation as such it is important that they identify areas to collaborate for the good of Nigerians.

    Also Speaking, the CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr. Manal Taryam, said the Foundation has been on humanitarian-related interventions including an eye treatment program which commenced with Katsina State while Lagos and Abuja will soon be launched. She said the Dubai Foundation has several areas, that directly link to the ministry’s mandate and will be happy to support.

    Present at the meeting was the SSA to the President on Community Engagement SW Hon. Moremi Ojodu and the SSA on School Feeding Hon. Yetunde, among others.

    Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR)
    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, to Honourable Minister, MHAPA.
    13/10/2023