The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Biase LGA Paramount Ruler Visits CRS Commissioner For Humanitarian Affairs

     

    The Paramount Ruler Of Biase LGA HRM. Onun Apostle Nicholas Odum (JP) visit the CRS commissioner for Humanitarian affairs Hon Dr Helen Isamoh Egodo

    It was with great pleasure and honour that the Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs received her LGA Paramount ruler in a surprise unscheduled visit.

    The Paramount ruler of Biase who is also the Clan Head of Agwugune, ONUN APOSTLE NICHOLAS ODUM (JP ), was accompanied on the courtesy visit by Pastor Dennis Ogbo Bassey and Professor David Iyam who is visiting from the United States.

    Arriving in her office, the Paramount ruler expressed his appreciation for the welcome accorded him and thanked the Commissioner for all the work she has been doing not only on behalf of Biase but also for the State.

    He mentioned in particular the tumultuous first 24hrs of the Commissioner’s day in office where she was confronted with 2 serious emergencies that had to do with two abandoned babies under the ages of 2yrs & a few hours old and commended the Commissioner for the magnanimous way she handled those emergencies.

    The Paramount ruler promised his total commitment to working with the Commissioner to ensure that her time in office is successful and will continue to produce the results expected by the Governor, HE. Sen Prince Bassey Otu .

    The Paramount ruler invited the Commissioner to his Palace in Agwugune in Biase LGA where he expects to bestow on her a recognition that is responsive to her dedication to the Biase people.

    The monarch added that he was happy to visit the youngest Commissioner in CRS and also to be able to share the knowledge that she has in every aspect of governance.

    He added that this is the first time he has ever had the opportunity to visit any Commissioner in the State and was thankful that he got this opportunity from the Honourable Commissioner and that he would ensure that the whole of Biase people continue to work with her to make her time in government in this dispensation and beyond successful.

    In her response, the Hon. Commissioner thanked the Paramount ruler for making time to visit her at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and she assured the Paramount ruler that the Government of HE. Sen Prince Bassey Otu is strongly situated to address the issues affecting every member of the state and also to respect the office of Traditional Rulers in the State.

    The Commissioner assured the Paramount ruler that she will continue in her capacity as a state Commissioner to understand every issue arising in the state and affecting the people across the 18 LGA in the state.

    © CRS Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs

  • Governor Sim Fubara And FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Sign Peace Pact.

     

    Consequently;

    1. ALL matters instituted in the courts by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, and his team, in respect of the political crisis in Rivers State, shall be withdrawn IMMEDIATELY

    2. ALL impeachment proceedings initiated against the Governor of Rivers State by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately

    3. The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule shall be recognized alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP

    4. The remunerations and benefits of ALL members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly

    5. The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government

    6. The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly

    7. The names of ALL commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the state should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval

    8. There should NOT be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the Local Government administration

  • Governor’s Cup Concludes In Flurry Of Thrills As Bakassi Emerges Triumphant

     

    The Cross River State Governor’s Cup competition, tagged the Sweet Prince Cup, culminated in a thrilling finale as the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, who represented the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, kicked off the match between the formidable Bakassi and Ikom teams.

    The U.J Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar was abuzz with passionate sports fans and esteemed personalities from across the state who gathered to witness the highly anticipated match.

    The closely contested match saw Bakassi emerge victorious with a 2-1 score against Ikom, solidifying their position as the winners of the 2023 Governor’s Football Competition and taking home a cash prize of 2.5 million naira.

    Ikom secured the 2nd runner-up position, receiving a prize of 1.5 million naira, and Prince 7 Football Club of Calabar claimed the 1st runner-up title, earning a well-deserved 1 million naira for their dedication and hard work.

    Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, commended the State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for his commitment to sports and pledged to revamp and redevelop sports activities within the state and beyond.

    The SA General Duties, Barr. Akiba Ekpenyong, extended congratulations to all participants and emphasized a promising future for the sports sector in the state.

    The event concluded with a ceremonial presentation of medals and cash prizes to the deserving teams, among other honors.

    #Blessing Bassey.

  • UNICAL Blazes The Trail Of Induction In The South-South Zone

     

    The Department of History and International Studies at the University of Calabar became the first to conduct the induction of her graduating students into the Historical Society of Nigeria in the South-South Zone of Nigeria.

    The colourful ceremony which was held on Tuesday, 5th December 2023 at the Senate Chamber of the institution attracted friends and well-wishers of the inductees from within and outside the University of Calabar. A total of one hundred and twenty three students were inducted.

    The highpoint of the event was the administration of the oath of allegiance by the President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Professor Samuel Aghalino on the inductees. The Council members from the South-South Zone, including Prof. Grace Brown (Council Member), Dr. Dave Imbua (VP) and Dr Obar Irom (Assistant Secretary) attended the ceremony.

    Distinguished service awards were conferred on several persons including the President, Prof. Aghalino and the Vice President (South-South), Dr. Dave Imbua.

    Various categories of awards were also presented to Rt Hon Sylvester Agabi (Deputy Speaker, CRHA), Professor Tony Eyang (Dean of Students Affairs, Unical), Dr Patrick Ene Okon (Sub-Dean, Faculty of Arts, Unical) and several other persons.

    It is hoped that the event will open a floodgate for inductions in other member institutions in the Zone.

  • CORAfrica Pays School Charges For 40 Pupils In Northern Cross River

    By Elijah Ugani 

    CORAfrica Nigeria as part of its mission to librate the most vulnerable children in the society has under its HELP-A-KID Programme, paid school charges for 40 pupils drawn from four local government areas in Cross River State.

    CORAfrica is a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization, founded by Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD. Over the years, CORAfrica has founded schools, supported students at various categories, provided livelihood intervention and support for women and Cameroonian Refugees in Cross River and Benue states, among other interventions.

    40 most vulnerable pupils in five primary schools in Ogoja, Yala, Bekwarra and Obudu Local Government Area, were reached.

    CORAfrica paid three terms school charges for all the 40 pupils

    See schools and pictures with the pupils attached.

    1. Sacred Heart Primary, School – Bekwarra LGA (10 pupils)

    2. Holy Child Convent Primary School, Ugaga Yala LGA (10 pupils)

    3. St John’s Primary School, Ukwortung – Obudu LGA (5 pupils)

    4. Government Nomadic Primary School, Ukwortung – Obudu LGA (5 pupils)

    5. Christ the king Primary School, Nwaranty – Ogoja LGA (10 pupils)

    CORAfrica is committed to providing and assisting the most vulnerable African children assess quality education.
    #Anticipatethesecondedition

    At CORAfrica, we are open to donations to sustain the gains of our interventions

    For donations and partnership, kindly contact:

    Founder/Chief Strategist, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, contact on request
    Programme Manager, Elijah Ugani – 08121032474

  • C’River Deputy Governor Departs Ogoja For Calabar, Stops At Ochong- Obubra For Sunday Service

    The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, and his entourage, on Sunday, 10th December, 2023, made a stop at the St. Eugene Roman Catholic Parish in Ochon (Obubra LGA) where he joined other worshippers to thank God for a new week.

    Rt. Hon. Odey, who was on his way back from the funeral of Mrs. Janet Ateb (Née Ayade), used the opportunity to support his old friend, the parish priest, Rev. Fr Christian Ihemase.

    Hon. Odey was accompanied on the visit by the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Alphonsus Eba, member representing Ogoja State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Thomas Aruku, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, former Commissioner for Industries, Mr. Peter Egba, the Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Chris Ojikpong, amongst other dignitaries.

  • UNICROSS Graduate Excels in NYSC Camp, Wins One Million Naira

    Okpo Chibueze, a graduate of Department of Animal Science in Obubra campus of UNICROSS has excelled in Port Harcourt camp of National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) by clinching the top position in the Accesspreneur business pitch contest held in camp.

    His success came by delivering a compelling defense of his Pig Farming business pitch, aimed at addressing food insecurity.
    Sponsors of the competition rewarded him with the sum of one million naira.
    Kudos to UNICROSS and congratulations to Okpo on this well-deserved achievement.

    – UNICROSS Media Team

  • Ogoja Diocese Welcomes V.C. For Development From USA

    The Catholic diocese of Ogoja recently hosted the Vice Chancellor for Development of one of America’s famous Catholic Universities, The Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio State, Mr. Stephen Rasche.

    Mr. Rasche was in Ogoja following another recent visit to the USA by the Vicar General of Ogoja diocese and Chairman of the Further studies Commission, Fr. Peter Abue.

    In August 2023, in his travels, Fr Abue had appealed to Franciscan University of Steubenville Ohio, USA through Mr. John Stilley to enable a partnership that would enable the upgrade of The diocesan Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology (TMIT) possible and faster.

    In his interaction with the University Council headed by Fr David Pivonka TOR and his Council, Fr Abue discussed the Partnership, which would attract funding towards this initiative and open more doors for other project areas in the diocese.

    Both Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS), Ohio and the proposed Thomas McGettrick University (TMU), Ogoja would have missions to educate Nigerian priests/seminarians through a rolling mentorship programme with FUS personnel. The topics for the programme would include: Building financial reporting processes, Designing Budgets and Projections, Admissions and Enrollment Modeling, Campus Master Planning as well as Legal and Compliance Matters. The concept would be for the Priests to spend time in each functional area and learn how FUS operates in order to come back and build up TMU.

    The Thomas McGettrick University Project was a mandate by the Bishop of Ogoja diocese Most Rev Donatus Akpan to the Further studies Commission of the diocese headed by Fr Peter Abue to oversea modalities that would ensure among other things, the upgrade of the present TMIT to the status of a university by raising funds to meet the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    In his response to the Bishop and the team of selected Priests who welcomed the august visitor, he emphasized the willingness of the Franciscan University of Steubenville to support the initiative of the diocese and mentioned one of the key stakeholders John Stilley who is particularly interested in this partnership.

    He thanked the Bishop for receiving him and promised to set to work to make this vision possible in the nearest future.

  • Commissioner For Humanitarian Affairs Pledges More Support For Refugees In Cross River State

     

    In a significant move towards supporting refugees and host communities, the Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs in Cross River State, Mrs. Helen Isamoh-Egodo, PhD, actively participated in a conference organized by the UNHCR in collaboration with the Global Refugees Forum, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other key partners, during which she pledged the Cross River State Government’s support for refugees, IDPs and other vulnerable individuals in the state. The event focused on the ‘Global Compact on Refugees).

    Expressing gratitude towards UNHCR, the Commissioner emphasized the crucial role of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in refugee management. She explained that since its establishment in August this year, the ministry has prioritized safeguarding, protection, and social assistance for vulnerable individuals, including refugees and IDPs in the state.

    She highlighted the ministry’s commitment to alleviating the burdens faced by refugees and ensuring their well-being. The commissioner stressed the importance of addressing refugees’ basic needs through sustainable engagement, including livelihoods, food, and financial assistance. She urged collective efforts to embrace and provide for refugees, emphasizing the significance of human comfort and the need for a united approach to replace their current challenges with relief and support.

    ” …I want to commend the UNCHR for organizing this workshop on Global Compact on Refugees.Our ministry, is assigned with the responsibility of providing protection and social assistance to all vulnerable people, including the refugees and the IDPs and I am particularly excited about his Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu’s commitment to the welfare of refugees in the state. Apart from the fact that he has provided palliative for refugees, their welfare has also been captured in the state budget.”

    The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Helen I. Egodo, Commissioner for International Development and other government Functionaries, Directors, and other stakeholders.

    Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs,
    Cross River State

  • C’River Deputy Governor Flags Off Global Compact Refugees Meeting In Calabar

     

    By Ukongikwen Adie

    Cross River Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, today, declared open the Global Compact On Refugees high level meeting holding at Transcorp Hotel in Calabar.

    The Global Compact On Refugees is a United Nations High Commission programme to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard refugee rights and their well-being, ensure also that everyone can exercise the right to return home voluntarily, intergrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

    Rt. Hon. Odey, in his opening remarks, extended the sincere gratitude of the state governor, Sen. Bassey Otu for convening the gathering which offers a platform for dialogue and collaboration.

    “As a State, our commitment to the principles of the GCR aligns with our national ethos of unity in diversity. We believe that together, we can address the challenges faced by refugees or forcibly displaced persons. This is why Cross River State is happy to play host to 52, 000 out of the over 84, 000 registered Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria. Our administration will not only continue to provide land in various host communities; we are also committed to improving security and social infrastructure within these communities to promote peaceful co-existence and integration between the host communities and persons concerned,” the Deputy Governor remarked.

    Odey commended the UNHCR for their role in providing technical expertise to guide nations on the path of GCR implementation, while urging them to strive to build a future where the rights and dignity of refugees are protected.

    Earlier, the Head of Sub Office, Ogoja-UNHCR, lrene Omondi, said the primary objective of the meeting is to take stock and discuss practical ways to support the Cross River state government in the implementation of the pledges and objectives of the GCR through a comprehensive refugee framework approach in Nigeria ahead of Global Compact on Refugees Conference holding in Geneva later this month.

    She seized the occasion to recognize the tremendous leadership Nigeria and Cross River State has shown in responding to the refugee crises by ensuring that refugees have access to essential life saving services, including livehood opportunities where possible. She added that despite her own challenges, including the additional strain of hosting a large number of refugees, Cross River state continues to support refugees.

    On behalf of the Nigerian representative of UNHCR, Chansa Kapaya, she affirmed the full support of UNHCR in Nigeria for the GCR and their continued commitment to working closely with the Cross River State government under the able leadership of Governor Otu to implement the GCR on refugees by ensuring that the needed national systems and structures are in place.

    The meeting which had the Commissioner for International Development Corporation and that of Humanitarian Affairs in attendance, drew stakeholders and participants from CUSO International, Ministry Of Women Affairs (MOWA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Police Force and representatives of Commissioners of Finance and Information.