The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

Unical VC Visits Student Involved In Auto Crash, Offers Financial Assistance

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has visited a year-one student of the institution, Likita Desmond, who was involved in an auto crash along Ikom-Calabar highway on January 8, 2023.

Desmond left Makurdi to Calabar for school resumption before the unfortunate incident occurred.

The VC, who visited the student at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, offered financial assistance to him for his medication.

Prof. Obi, thereafter, directed the Director of UNICAL Medical Centre to liaise with the management of UCTH for his treatment.

While wishing Desmond a quick recovery, the VC urged students of the institution to take advantage of the T-Ship programme for their medical needs.

She stressed that the university under her administration places premium on the health of students, hence the need for them to visit the institution’s medical center for their medication and other health issues.

Desmond’s mother, who responded on behalf of her son, thanked the VC for the show of motherly love for his son and for coming to the hospital to visit them.

January 20, 2023
PDP Guber Candidate, Sandy Onor Donates Ultra Modern Edifice To Catholic Church

The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross River State Sen Sandy Onor, donated an ultra modern edifice to the Catholic Church, in his community, Nsofang, Southern Etung Local Government Area.

The Church was dedicated on the 16th of December, 2022 by the Most Rev Dr Donatus Edet Akpan, the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese.

Most Rev Akpan in his sermon commended Senator Sandy for helping to build a house for God and likened his magnanimity and benevolence to what King Solomon did centuries ago.

The Bishop maintained that Sen Sandy saw the state of his people and having been blessed by God took the initiative to build a house for God.

On his part, the Arch Bishop of Calabar Arch Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Joseph Effiom Ekuwem, thanked Professor Sandy for listening to the voice of God and responding to build a house for him.

The Bishop announced the name of the parish to be “St Daniel’s parish Nsofang”
The late Daniel was Sen Sandy grand uncle who pioneered the growth of catholicism in southern Etung.

Represented by the Vicar General Pastoral, Rev Charles Etim, Arch Bishop Ekwuwem maintained that, “like Solomon, you listened to God and built a house for him.

“My prayer is that the light of God will shine night and day, also listen to the petition of his people here and answer them”.

On his part, the Parish Priest Rev Fr Mathew Abang thanked God for sustaining the people, the Catholic community of Nsofang and indeed the entire community to witness the historic dedication of this church and innuaguration of the parish.

He thanked Professor Sandy for the project saying the God who rewards good deeds will reward him beyond human expectations.

“Professor Sandy and his family, we can’t thatnk you enough but we believe the Lord who rewards good deeds will reward you beyond human expectations. Thanks a million”, he said.

In a brief history of the parish as compiled by the Parish Pastoral Council Secretary, Mr Terence Ndifon Okey, said Catholicism entered Southern Etung (the area covered by St Daniel’s parish) in the 1930’s.

He thanked the PDP Flagbearer for helping see the project through and averred that he has a Catholic blood in him and keeping his words as regards the project.

“Senator Sandy has a Catholic blood and is of the lineage of late Pa Daniel Okey Ori, one the pioneer persons who led the establishment of the church in southern Etung.

“Sandy is a man who has seen his position as his ‘ministry’ to serve God and humanity in his own way. What he says he will do in the house of God, he does to completion and this is evident in this church building”.

On his part, Prof Sandy Onor thanked God for giving him the ability to support the church building project.

He said the project is a product of a covenant he made with God years ago when he ran for senate in 20215 and thanked God for the love and protection he has showered on his family.

According to Prof Sandy, “we are happy as a family and then the Nsofang people are also very happy and I am sure our friends are also happy with us. I won’t let this opportunity slip without using it to thank God for his many blessings upon us.

“When I ran for senate in 2015, I made a covenant with God that if I win the election, I will build this church. Incidentally, I lost the election and for me, God did not keep his own part of the bargain. When I had no political office, God kept reminding me of the covenant. As God was tormenting, so he was tormenting my dear wife Gertrude.

“One night we decided that we must start something. When I see this church as it is today, the commitment of the Parish Priest, I know that God is using his priests, to building the church.

“My family and I are particularly grateful to God Almighty, the Bishop and particularly, Arch Bishop Ekwuwem for the goodwill message, I cherish it.

“To all priests and religious, my friends especially Hon Alex Egbonna, the PDP family, the Nsofang people and all those who have come to identify with us, may God grant you journey mercies”.

December 18, 2022
Jarigbe Agom Donates 2.5m As Pope John Paul Minor Seminary, Okpoma Marks 40 Years Anniversary

The Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has donated the sum of N2.5million to his Alma Mater, Pope John Paul Minor Seminary, Okpoma Yala LGA, on the occasion of her 40th anniversary/launching of the Chapel building completion.

Senator Jarigbe, who was represented by the Candidate of the PDP for Bekwarra State Constituency, Barr. Omang Charles Omang stated that, as an old boy of the seminary, he will continue to support the growth and development of the revered institution of learning.

At the ruby anniversary held in Okpoma, Yala LGA of Cross River State, the lawmaker doubled as Chairman of the occasion while rejoicing with the priests, Students, laity and the entire members of the diocese on the joyous occasion.

He noted that the School had for 40 years remained a hallmark of academic excellence by building smart and intelligent individuals and priests who spread the good news of salvation in Nigeria, particularly to the people of Cross River North.

TEAM JARI MEDIA.

December 4, 2022
World Aids Day: Bekwarra First Lady Donates Packs Of Malaria Drugs To Health Center

As part of activities to mark the 2022 World AIDS Day, the wife of the Chairman, Bekwarra Local Government Council, Amb Mrs Lucy Owan has donated 324 packs of malaria drugs to Model Primary Health Center, Abuochiche for pregnant women.

Mrs Owan embarked on a sensitization tour of the streets of Abuochiche on the importance of safe sex and control of the spread of HIV, distributed sex protection kits (condom) to youth, women and men alike.

She used the opportunity to encourage regular testing to enable them know their status as she assured that early detection is key to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Rock the Ribbon” which reemphasize the commitment to stopping new cases of HIV and securing the rights of people living with HIV, and fighting HIV stigma and discrimination.

Receiving the items, the Director, Model Primary Health Center Abuochiche, Mr James Obogo applauded the First Lady and Her Amiable Husband for always Considering health sector in their decisions.

Speaking On behalf of the staff and patients, the Officer in charge of the facility, Mr David Adung, thanked the chairman of council and his dear wife for reaching out to them, and prayed that God should continue to bless and replenish them.

December 2, 2022
Linda Ayade Offers Free Medical Outreach At Obudu German Specialist Hospital

The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade, through her Mediatrix Development Foundation in partnership with Faith Care International has organized a Free Medical Outreach in Obudu. Doctors and medical personnel arrived from all over the country Friday night ahead of the commencement of the outreach on Saturday, 26th to Wednesday, 30th November, 2022.

The outreach which is to run for 5 days is taking place in the recently completed state-of-the-art Obudu German Specialist Hospital and has drawn massive crowds from Obudu and neighboring LGAs. Free services being offered range from eye and dental care, consultation, laboratory services to surgeries.

Over the last 7 years, Dr. Ayade has continued to provide these free medical services to Cross Riverians and saving them huge financial expenditure. Speaking at the outreach, Mr. Jeffery Adamade, the Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrix Development Foundation, praised the turnout and said that over 30 successful surgeries had already been carried out just halfway through the outreach. He said the Obudu outreach was one of about 10 medical outreaches organized by MDF in the state. He said this year alone, the organization has held outreaches in Abi, Odukpani, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo and Obudu. The outreach to Akamkpa and Akpabuyo were held in the remote areas of the LGAs and lasted for a stretch of 17 days.

He applauded the commitment of the Governor’s wife to the health initiative while stating that her determination to help the sick across the state was no surprise given that saving lives was her lifelong passion. Through this initiative, thousands of Cross Riverians have been saved the headache of looking for money or even losing their lives while seeking finances for medicare.

November 28, 2022
C’River State Govt Partners UNDP To Control Use Of Small Arms In Border Communities

The Cross River State government and the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) is working on introducing a program that will deal with matters of security in border communities, on controlling the use of small arms in the State.

This disclosure was made when a delegation of the UNDP paid a working visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation (MIDC) on Monday in her office in Calabar.

According to the Comptroller-General for the South-South Center, Maj. Gen Martin
Obot (rtd), the delegation was in the State to intimate the Commissioner of its entry to the state to liaise and undertake the program.

Speaking also about the program, the Head, Center for Control of Small Arms and Programme Analyst for the UNDP, Mr. Jonathan Madaki noted that the core mission was to proliferate the use of small arms around border communities of the state as a means of securing the areas.

Mr Madaki said the delegation was delighted to meet with the leadership of the Ministry as the coordinating MDA in the State. He said the collaboration will make the task much easier and achievable.

In her remarks, Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong described the mission as a timely intervention considering the possible hike in social vices during this festive season.

Dr Asibong thanked the delegation over the planned partnership in securing border villages and suburbs in the state, reiterating that Cross River State is relatively peaceful when compared with others and should remain so.

The Commissioner specially acknowledged efforts of the UNDP on interventionist policies in the state, highlighting the Hydro Power Project at the Obudu Ranch Resort and lots more as case studies.

She noted that the program is key as regards the hosting of the Carnival Calabar as the state anticipates the influx of visitors to grace the carnival in the days ahead, while pledging Governor Ben Ayade’s unalloyed resolve to the successful implementation of the program in the state.

The session had critical functionaries among who were the representative of the CSOs Mrs Doris Okzia, UNDP Consultant Josephine Aba, the Chief Programme Officer for Security Intelligence, the Director of Administration of the MIDC and other management staff.

November 22, 2022
UNICROSS Management Assures Students Of Safety Within The University Environment

The Management of Unicross wishes to inform parents , students , stakeholders , Government and all residents of Cross River State that the University acknowledges the sad experiences of some of its female students culminating in the theft of their phones and personal belongings by hoodlums .
The Management of the University wishes to reiterate its commitment to the complete eradication of these criminal elements inimical to the peaceful coexistence of the university .

The University Management has already contacted relevant security agencies to fish out these hoodlums who have decided to constitute themselves as a nuisance to the institution .

It assures all staff, students, parents and stakeholders that the hoodlums would be caught and made to face the wrath of the law within a very short time .

It also wishes to state that there were no cases of rape as mischievously peddled by some bloggers and news sites. Management frowns at the despicable act of publishing information without towing the noble path of verifying information for facts .

The University wishes to appreciate the maturity of the students who though affected by the untoward situation, have gone back to their classrooms to continue with their normal activities and admonishes those who may want to destabilize the system using this sad occurrence to desist forthwith, as the institution would not hesitate to invoke all disciplinary measures as deemed necessary.

Unicross Media Team

November 22, 2022
Jarigbe Commences The Rehabilitation Of 27 KM Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Wanihem Road

By Judex Okoro, Sunnewsonline

Committed to improving the living standard of the people of Cross River north senatorial district, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has commenced rehabilitation work on the 27 kilometres Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Wanihem road in Yala local government area of the state.

The road is one of the major projects that Governor Ben Ayade had in 2016 promised to complete before leaving office.

Jarigbe, who was represented by the Constituency Officer during the inauguration exercise, Mr Egar Mgbantul, said he decided to take up the road project to ameliorate the sufferings of his people, explaining that he is the National Assembly to protect the interest and welfare of his people.

According to him, when completed the road would enhance community integration, boost inter- community trade and give the constituents access to other economic opportunities that abound within the senatorial zone.

He commended the people of Yahe and Ukelle for their tremendous support so far, promising to attract more democratic dividends.

He enjoined the contractor to try and deliver quality work and on time to ease rural transportation.

Dignatories present at the short ceremony before commencement of construction work include
Mr Julius Elah, Manus Ugboji, Hon. Martins Achadu, Mr Isaac Okpoko, Stephen Okpako, Mr Igbologidi, Chief Emmanuel Egwu and party leaders and stakeholders from the four wards of Ukelle and Yahe as well as supporters.

November 22, 2022
UNHCR Hands Over Completed Health Facilities To Cross River State Government

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, has handed over two constructed and fully equipped Health Centres to the Cross River State government for use by the refugees and host communities in Ogoja Local Government Area.

The UNHCR Country Representative, Chansa Kapaya, while commissioning the health centres, commended the cooperation of all stakeholders and thanked the federal government in general and Cross River State in particular for hosting the Cameroonian Refugees.

She maintained that the statistics of 85,000 refugees in Nigeria is the official registered refugees by UNHCR and National Commission for Refugees, and stated that Cross River State government alone hosts 50,000 refugees and Ogoja Local Government Area host about 15,000 refugees.

The Country Rep held that “Just recently, we distributed 200 vaccine carriers boxes and fully equipped ambulance, security pick up van to ensure security for locals and refugees in Ogoja”

She used the opportunity to call on the Cross River State government to increase the number of health workers in the facilities so that health care services will reach the vulnerable population and expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for providing the enabling environment for the refugees.

The Head of Ogoja Field Office of UNHCR, Mr Tesfaye Beleke, thanked the UNHCR Country Rep for finding time to hand over the constructed health facilities to the Cross River State government.

“Apart from these health facilities, very many schools were renovated and some were constructed across the state.

“Today’s occasion is a very unique one that we don’t have very often. The Country Rep is here to handover these facilities to the government” he added.

The Director General, State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, reiterated government’s commitment to providing the needed support to enhance effective intervention.

On his part, the Zonal Coordinator, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr Innocent Efoghe thanked UNHCR for providing and equipping the health centres.

Receiving the Health facilities on behalf of the Cross River State government, the Director General of the Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, thanked UNHCR for the interventions to better the lives of the Cameroonian refugees and host communities.

She used the opportunity to extend the felicitations of the Wife of the governor, Dr Linda Ayade and pledged the commitment of the state to support refugees through the livelihood intervention as implemented by Mediatrix Development Foundation.

Dr Ekpenyong pledged commitment to full utilization of the facilities as she announced that the Adagom Health facility will be enlisted as one of the facilities for the implementation of the Cross River State Insurance Scheme. She further announced that more Health Workers will be sent to the facilities to enhance maximum health service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of Adagom and Ukende communities, Chief mankom Stephen and His Royal Highness, Ajiji Pius Ipole, Clan Head of Ogboja, separately welcomed UNHCR and held that “this has been a dream come true that access to comprehensive health care is now very close to the PoCs and the locals”

They used the opportunity to request UNHCR to reconsider the policy of making the locals pay for healthcare services as the it is telling very negatively on them.

The Chairman of Adagom 1 settlement, Mr Ngale Samuel, commended the Adagom community for the magnanimity in hosting the refugees. He applauded UNHCR for the enormous concerned to assist refugees accessed health Services and maintained that “we are proud of this UNHCR intervention and refered the health facility to a wonderful intervention”

He requested for more health personale and doctors to assuage the doctor to patient ratio.

The Chairman of Ogoja local government council, Hon Emmanuel Ishabor thanked UNHCR for recognizing the support given to the refugees and thanked particularly the leadership of Adagom community for the provision of land other support for the refugees and appealed that their concerns and challenges be channeled appropriately.

The health facilities handed over were, Primary Health Centres Adagom 1 and Ukende.

The occasion featured presentation of gift items to the Country Rep by Adagom 1 and Ukende host communities

November 15, 2022
Imo Police Command Parades Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With The Gruesome Murder Of Their Colleague

The Imo State Police Command has paraded the two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of their colleague, Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu, a cashier of a gas plant in Owerri, Imo State.

LIB had reported that that Nwachukwu was allegedly killed by her coworkers and her body buried in a shallow grave within the premises of the gas plant.

The victim was allegedly murdered by the suspects including the manager, in an attempt to steal the company’s money.

Spokesperson of the command, CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, November 7, 2022, said a shovel and a cutlass believed to be the murder weapons used in killing the victim, were recovered from the shallow grave.

According to the PPRO, the two suspects are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Nwachukwu while two others are on the run.

“Following a case of Missing Person reported on the 24/10/2022 by the family of young woman, Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu aged 36yrs who left home for work at HALIM 633 SYNERGY COOKING GAS STATION, Toronto/Road Safety by MCC Road Owerri, Imo State and never returned home,” the statement read.

“After a futile search, the family decided to complain to the Commissioner of Police through a petition written by one Pastor Mrs Precious Abara. On receipt of the petition, it was immediately referred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) for discreet investigation. Detectives from the FORENSIC SECTION were detailed to investigate in conjunction with a team of CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS (CSI’s) led by Inspector Obele Fredrick.

“The investigating team, on the 26/10/2022 at about 1200 hours left the Police Headquarters to the scene of crime on investigation, armed with Forensic Equipments. On arrival, preliminary investigation revealed that Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu who doubles as the Secretary/Cashier of the Gas Plant, takes the weekly money sales to the bank on Tuesdays and manages the day to day running of the company because the owner who resides abroad entrusts the business in her care.

“These unfolding revelations gave the team of detectives an insight into puzzle surrounding the disappearance of the lady and a thorough search was made in the premises of the entire gas station for clues.

“Unfortunately, nothing incriminating was discovered hence they moved to the back of the COOKING GAS STATION. In the course of search, a blood stain was observed on the wall of the fence. This made the team to suspect fowl play hence, they carefully and professionally traced the blood stain to an area where dried grasses were packed deceptively with two heavy stones placed on them to create an impression that nothing has been done around area for long time.

“But, the operatives were not fooled. They removed the heavy stones, the grasses and gently dugged out the earth, alas an offensive stench oozed out. Excitedly, they dug further only to discover it was a shallow grave. Inside was a shovel and a cutlass and the decomposing body of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu.

“Consequently, the corpse was exhumed, the shovel and cutlass recovered to the Station. Hypothetically, it is reasonably suspected that the two items recovered in the shallow grave are the murder weapons used in killing the victim.

“The corpse was later evacuated and deposited at Federal Medical Centre mortuary for autopsy.

“Two suspects have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu while, two others are on the run.

“The police operatives are not relenting in their search for the fleeing suspects and within the shortest possible time, they will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement conncluded.

Lindaikeji

November 9, 2022