The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Gov Otu Assures Of His Administration’s Commitment To Support Any Engagement Targeted At Building The Youths

    Gov Otu Assures Of His Administration’s Commitment To Support Any Engagement Targeted At Building The Youths

    The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has assured the youths of Cross River State of this administration’s commitment to support any engagement targeted at building the youths in the state.

    Senator Otu, who was ably represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made this known at the Hit FM Calabar Entertainment Conference held today at the cultural center complex, Calabar. He commended the CEO of Hit FM Calabar, Mr. Patrick Ugbe and Crew for putting and sustaining the event over the past seven years, noting that entertainment contributes to the socio-economic development of any state especially as it has to do with building the youths of Cross River State.

    According to Rt. Hon Odey, “Anything to do with the people of Cross River State, count us first, because we want the vaccine people of Cross River State to be first”

    While acknowledging the entertainment stars of Cross River State origin present at the event, he started that he is very confident that this conference will birth more stars in the music and movies industry. Therefore the state government will partner with Hit FM for next year’s event because it is evident that Entertainment is an avenue to invest in young people and take them off the streets as well as off criminal activities and engaging them where they will be productive and contribute to the society.

    Welcoming the guest, sponsors, panelists and artists to this year’s event, the Chief executive Officer of Hit FM Calabar, Mr Patrick Ugbe said this is the first time since the event started that there is a formal presence of government. He said it goes to show the commitment and love this administration has towards youth development and indeed, the season of sweetness is upon us.

    The calabar entertainment conference (CEC) is an annual youth engagement event which was undertaken with the believe that the creative industry is the fastest way to get young people out of poverty and crime into gainful engagement. It also aims at growing and developing the entertainment sector in the south -south, thereby making it viable and sustainable for the practitioners.

    Mr. Ugbe noted that the impact has been huge, with an upsurge of entertainment events in Calabar, Cross River State and neighbouring states. He thanked all the sponsors and partners such as the United States consulate General Office in Lagos, Multichoice, Leven Energy, Black house media and a host of others.

  • No Emotion Or Sentiment Would Be Considered In My Efforts To Do The Right Thing In FCT – Wike

    No Emotion Or Sentiment Would Be Considered In My Efforts To Do The Right Thing In FCT – Wike

    The Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike, has said that no sentiment or emotion would be considered in his efforts to do the right thing in FCT.

    This was made known by Wike in Abuja while reacting to a trending video on social media showing the staff of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO), protesting and crying over the sack of the company’s managing director.

    The MD and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Najeeb Abdulsalam, was among the 21 heads of parastatals, agencies, and companies of the FCT Administration that were sacked by the minister a few days ago.

    Wike further explained that he would do the right thing in the interest of residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large.

    He said: “That is why when I watch people on video, crying that somebody has been removed and that he has been doing well, but the question is if you have been doing well, where are the buses?

    “No sentiment, no emotions will be considered when we are doing what is right. We will do the right thing in the interest of the people.

    “If you like, carry 20 people, put a video, and cry as much as you want to cry, it will not bother us. What bothered us is the reality on the ground.”

    “You are not a civil servant where you will say nobody is supposed to retire me because I am not up to the age of retirement.

    “Even as a minister, I can be relieved of my position now. You don’t need to cry; some other people will come and all we pray for is, let us get the best.”

    He advised political appointees to always prepare to leave office at any time because someone might come and want to have a total change.

  • Vulnerable Pensioners Will Receive N25,000 Grants From Next Month, Betta Edu Tells NLC.

    Vulnerable Pensioners Will Receive N25,000 Grants From Next Month, Betta Edu Tells NLC.

     

    The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation will from next month start payment of twenty five thousand Naira (25,000) grants to the benefiting members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners captured in the expanded National Social Register of the Conditional Cash Transfer, (CCT) Scheme.

    Minister For Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, announced this Wednesday when she met with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC led by its President Joe Ajaero at the Labour House, Abuja.

    The Minister explained that the decision to include vulnerable pensioners in the CCT scheme was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to labour leaders which he will deliver on.

    Edu told the NLC that “The President mentioned very clearly that vunurable pensioners should be immediately captured on the National Social Register and benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer, as part of the National Social Safety Net expansion and this was made clear in his speech on Independence Day where he committed 25,000 Naira for 15million household for three months.”

    She appealed to the NLC to help fast-track the process of collating Data of would-be vulnerable pensioners beneficiaries so that they can start receiving CCT.

    “I want us to fast-track this. If we can get this data and information within two weeks, we are sure that you will be beneficiaries immediately and you can start earning from next month which is November, that’s the main reason why I’m here”, Dr. Edu said.

    She commended Ajaero for being a team player, saying the task of moving Nigeria forward was a collective one and urged him to continue to have faith in the federal government under President Tinubu.

    Responding, Ajaero expressed delight at the various poverty alleviation schemes rolled out by the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry and the passion and commitment the Minister has for the job.

    He was however of the view that getting to the root cause of poverty would go a long way in addressing the problem.

    “Let’s look at not only how to solve this problem, but the cause of it, if we continue to treat the effects of poverty the problem will persist. Let us look at other social welfare interventions and job creation that will go a long way to support families.

    The NLC boss urged the federal government to create more jobs by creating a productive economy where factories are functioning and employing workers.

    He thanked the Minister for being the first member of the federal executive council to visit the labour house in President Tinubu’s Administration, saying “for finding time to visit the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we will work with you to achieve success in this process and your impact will be felt.

    President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, thanked President Tinubu and the Minister for finding the retirees worthy of the federal government benefits.

    He said Pensioners will receive as low as between five and ten thousand Naira a month, saying twenty five thousand is a big money to them. He thanked the Minister for the Exceptional performance so far urging her to keep up the speed.

    Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, (ANIPR)
    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister.
    05/10/2023.

  • Jarigbe Facilitates The Construction Of 1.5-Kilometer Road In Mbube, Ogoja LGA

    Jarigbe Facilitates The Construction Of 1.5-Kilometer Road In Mbube, Ogoja LGA

     

    The Senator Representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, DSSRS, has facilitated the construction of a 1.5-kilometer Oboso-Aragbang-Egbe Road in Mbube, Ogoja LGA of the senatorial district.

    The Senator was represented by his Constituency officer Mr. Egar Mgbantul who visited the site earlier today, to ascertain the level of work done so far by the contractor. Mr. Egar who was elated by the quality and pace of work done, commended the contractor for grading and commencement of stone base immediately.

    Elders and youths of the communities lauded the lawmaker for always thinking about his constituents, as they prayed for God’s protection upon him and his family.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA

     

  • Akpanke Sponsors Motion To Investigate Indiscriminate Issuance Of Certificate Of No Objection By Bereau Of Public Procurement

    Akpanke Sponsors Motion To Investigate Indiscriminate Issuance Of Certificate Of No Objection By Bereau Of Public Procurement

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Peter Akpanke has moved a motion to investigate the indiscriminate issuance of certificate of no objection by the Bereau of Public Procurement and non-compliance with the mandatory post-procurement audit.

    The lawmaker who brought the motion under matter of urgent public importance, noted that, “by the Provisions of the Sections 6 (1)(c) and 16 (1) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Bureau of Public procurement (BPP) is authorized to issue a certificate of no objection to contracts awarded by relevant procurement entity;
    Also notes that the powers vested in the Bureau of Public Procurement are aimed at ensuring that the letters and spirit of the Public Procurement Act are compiled with, the government gets value for money, contracts awarded are within relevant thresholds backed by budgetary allocation”.

    Speaking further, Hon Akpanke averred that “the Bureau of Public Procurement has failed to comply with the mandatory post-procurement audit as required by Section 5(p) of the Public Procurement Act 2007”.

    He further observed that “the Bureau has consistently engaged in under-hand dealings in the grant of “certificate of no objection” thus abusing the power to make pecuniary gains and increasing incidences of the abandoned and failed projects across the country”.

    Akpanke maintained that “such gross abuses and violation of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 has been exasperated by the recent increase in arbitrary nomination to procuring entities of winners for tendering processes and where the procuring entity declines, the process is interjected and frustrated in bad faith and for flimsy reasons”.

    Hon Akpanke expressed worries that “if urgent steps are not taken to investigate the allegations and address any proven infractions, the Bureau of Public Procurement is likely to transform itself from a regulator to a disruptor and eventually endanger the entire public procurement system”.

    He called on the Speaker to “mandate the Committee on Public Procurement to investigate the above allegations and report back within six(6) weeks for legislative action; and
    Also mandate the Committee on Public Procurement to consider the Biannual reports submitted in the last six years and make their findings known to the public”.

  • Prince F O Oli Memorial Award Credits 30 Beneficiaries

    Prince F O Oli Memorial Award Credits 30 Beneficiaries

    By Elijah Ugani 

    No fewer than 30 sons and daughters of Utugwang, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, received credit alert of Twenty Thousand naira (#20,000.00) only each from the Prince F O Oli Memorial Award scheme.

    The award which was pronounced by Oli Oli Olowhu, during his convocation of Doctor of Philosophy PhD, was instituted by his father of blessed memory, Princ F O Oli.

    Mr Oli Oli Olowhu PhD, during the pronouncement of the award noted that his late father had in 1995, during his matriculation ceremony in Calabar, promised all Utugwang sons and daughters that whoever graduates with a first class or second class upper from the University of Calabar will receive an award, as a way of encouragement for the students to take their studies serious.

    Oli noted that “After my late dad made the pronouncement, death could not allow him fulfil his promise. Today, having attend this feet, I want to immortalize my late dad. I will give award to all Utugwang sons and daughters with First Class and Second Class Upper from 1995 to date who graduated from the University of Calabar”

    Mr Olowhu immediately set a committee to compile names of awardees after a rigorous verification exercise, 30 persons were given the award.

    Speaking to TheLumineNews, Mr Oli Oli Olowhu, noted that “We intend to extend our scope of operation, we will get a foundation registered to enable us reach out effectively to those who truly desire assistance in areas of education, empowerment, agriculture, skills acquisition”

    Mr Oli Oli Olowhu has supported more than 20 Utugwang sons and daughters acquired University degrees, Masters of Arts M.A and Masters of Science M. Sc.

  • Oli Oli Olowhu Congratulates Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, On His Appointment As Minister Of State, Gas Resources

    Oli Oli Olowhu Congratulates Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, On His Appointment As Minister Of State, Gas Resources

    I wish to congratulate our own Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo on his appointment and swearing in as Hon. Minister of State, Gas Resources.

    Mr. President has made a good choice to appoint our own to drive the gas revolution so as to grow businesses, create employment opportunities and provide energy to help eradicate poverty in our country. Your appointment as Minister of State, Gas Resources is important to increase gas power generation, facilitate the speedy completion of the Trans Sahara Gas Pipeline, AKK Pipeline, LNG Train 7 Projects and setting up of CNG stations to ameliorate the present hardship from fuel subsidy removal. These projects will translates to creating substantial revenue generation to boost Nigeria GDP.

    Please let us pray for our Hon. Minister for God to grant him more wisdom, strength and ability to spearhead the development, industrialization and commercialization of our gas resources at this critical period of Energy Transition.

    Congratulations once more!

    Dr Oli Oli Olowhu Ph.D Petroleum Geochemistry (Oil & Gas Expert with more than two decades of experience).

  • Sandy Onor Thanks Cross Riverians, Describes Tribunal Judgement As Unfortunate And Surprising Verdict

    Sandy Onor Thanks Cross Riverians, Describes Tribunal Judgement As Unfortunate And Surprising Verdict

     

    The Cross River State Gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, in the March 2023 general elections, Sen Sandy Onor, has described the judgement of the Governorship Election Tribunal as unfortunate and surprising.

    Sen Onor made the disclosure in a press statement he personally signed and obtained by TheLumineNews while reacting to the judgement of 26th September, 2023.

    The statement reads in full, “As you are now aware, the Cross River State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting in Calabar the Cross River State capital delivered an unfortunate and surprising verdict on the Cross River State Governorship election which took place on 26th September, 2023.

    “Whilst I am extremely dissatisfied with the Tribunal’s judgement on the matter, I have decided to take it with equanimity, for now. However, I am yet to receive a formal copy of the judgement, and the attendant briefing from my legal team.

    “I propose to meet with the members of my campaign organisation in the coming days to ruminate on the instant situation, and to decide on the appropriate way forward.

    “Permit me to use this medium to convey my heartfelt appreciation to the campaign organisation for their wonderful efforts which gave us a successful election, notwithstanding the situation as it has now been made to appear.

    “I also thank the people of Cross River State for their unalloyed, unstinting and unwavering support, and to the various prayer warriors, the numerous widows and other women, not forgetting the children, all of who took out time to fast and to pray for us, all through the period of the elections, and during the subsequent litigation at the tribunal.

    “Finally, I enjoin us all to remain calm in the face of the provocation and injustice to which we have been repeatedly subjected, and hereby assure you that your efforts and prayers shall not be in vain.

    “I pray that God will bless and reward you all for your efforts”.

  • C’River Governor Congratulates 2023 Naval War College Graduands

    C’River Governor Congratulates 2023 Naval War College Graduands

     

    By Ukongikwen Adie

    The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has congratulated the 22 graduates of the Naval Warfare Course 7 in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Senator Otu who was represented at the graduation ceremony by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, said the Nigerian Navy had been of great help to the State. He stated that apart from the Navy Reference Hospital which had become known as the best hospital in the South-South Region of Nigeria, the men of the Nigerian Navy had been proactive in carrying out their security duties with so much dedication. He cited an instance earlier this year when many students who were involved in a boat mishap around Marina were saved by the prompt intervention of men of the Nigerian Navy.

    On behalf of the Governor, Hon. Odey assured the Navy of the State’s determination to support them with land and any other thing that they might need from the State.

    Presenting the Warfare Course 7 Graduands for award, the Commandant of the Naval War College of Nigeria, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, assured participants in the ceremony that the graduands had been imbued with the same skills as their predecessors. Rear Admiral MB Hassan said the 22 officers represented the final crop among their contemporaries who were now capable of undertaking higher operational level command responsibilities and making meaningful contributions towards solving many of the nation’s security challenges. He charged the Course 7 graduands to showcase the defining character of the War College when they return to their respective services.

    The Special Guest of Honour and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral EI Ogalla, thanked the government of CRS for the provision of land and support for the Navy. He also commended the Commandant for accomplishing the mission of the College by not only producing well-trained operational level Commanders, but also by training foreign participants. This, according to the CNS, was an indication that the War College had attained international standards and recognition. While congratulating the graduands, the Special Guest of Honour thanked the Almighty God that the training did not record any adverse incident. Rear Admiral Ogalla drew attention to the global nature of security challenges that were destabilizing in nature, stating that these spates of challenges constituted a clarion call for militaries all over the world to embrace long-term and robust strategic postures to be able to combat such threats.

    While highlighting insurgency and banditry as some of the irregular challenges facing the nation, Rear Admiral Ogalla noted that the Nigerian Navy had changed its operations to meet up with such emerging irregular security challenges that were prevalent in Nigeria today

    The Naval War College is the highest Naval training institution in Nigeria. It was built to boost security in the maritime sector, as well as enhance the capability of Naval officers to make sound decisions both in command and management positions.

    Since the inception of the Naval War College in line with the Nigerian Naval Order 08/17 which promulgated its creation, it has continued to graduate intakes. The War College started on its temporary site at Ubima, Rivers State in 2017, before relocating to Calabar.

    Highlights of the event included the presentation of a souvenir to the State Governor by the Nigerian Navy.

  • Senate Committee Chairman On Gas, Jarigbe Agom Commends Tinubu’s CNG Project

    Senate Committee Chairman On Gas, Jarigbe Agom Commends Tinubu’s CNG Project

     

    Barely 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu announced interventions to cushion the pains of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians in his speech to mark the country’s 63rd Independence, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, yesterday, urged the President to expeditiously mark his words with action by sending a 2023 Supplementary Budget to kick start the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project and other projects in the gas value chain, which are cheaper than the use of fossil fuel.

    According to a statement, the Senator also advised against extra budgetary expenditure through ‘Ways and Means,’ saying the legislature was ready to support and bring succour to the people.

    He was quoted to have said this after the Interdenominational Service on Independence Day.

    Jarigbe commended Tinubu on his CNG revolution to power vehicles. He said the noble initiative would ameliorate the hardship of the citizens.

    He also emphasised the need for the President to come up with a supplementary budget to enable the government fund the gas value chain, including the provision for CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles, adding that the workshops and trainings would need to be funded.

    He advised the President not to embark on extra- budgetary expenditure because it would be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.

    He stated that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was poised to support the lofty programs of his administration, adding that a 2023 supplementary budget would be most appropriate, instead of the ‘Ways and Means’ approach of the previous administration, which is currently a major issue of contention in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    In his Independence speech, the President had explained that,”At my inauguration, I made important promises about how I would govern this great nation. Among those promises, were pledges to reshape and modernise our economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people.

    “I said that bold reforms were necessary to place our nation on the path of prosperity and growth. On that occasion, I announced the end of the fuel subsidy.”

    In announcing the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, the implementation of the policy came with severe hardship on the people and “I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment.

    Rationalising the fuel subsidy withdrawal policy, the president explained that, “Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp.

    “I am different. I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground,” he pointed out.

    He promised that though, “reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few.

    “A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.

    “There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.

    “We have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer CNG buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.

    “New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.”

    He said his administration was also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.