The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

Linda Ayade Restates Mediatrix Commitment To Providing Humanitarian Services To Cameroonian Refugees

By Elijah Ugani

The wife of the Cross River State Governor and the Founder of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Dr. Linda Ayade has restated her commitment to providing humanitarian services to Cameroonian Refugees in the state through her pet project.

She made the commitment today, October 20th 2022 when she visited the Head of Ogoja Sub Office, Mr. Tesfaye Bekele.

In her words “As part of Mediatrix mandate to provide succor to vulnerable people in the society, and having partnered with other sister UN agencies to implement other projects, we are particularly very pleased for this partnership because we are serving humanity by providing livelihood support for the refugee. Putting smiles on the faces of the refugees gives us joy and we are committed more than ever as we move into the next phase of the implementation”

She commended the coordination of UNHCR in providing support for the Refugees in the state, and used the opportunity to present the Kisime Noodles to the Head of Sub Office, Ogoja.

On her part, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong acknowledged the partnership that had existed between UNHCR and the Cross River State Government, and noted that, government will continue to provide the necessary support needed for the smooth and peaceful coexistence between the Refugees and the host community members.

Asibong stated that Cross River State hosts about 70 percent of the total refugees in Nigeria, and having Mediatrix in the forefront providing series of interventions for the vulnerable before the Cameroonian Refugees situation.

She reiterated government position to give Mediatrix and the UNHCR the needed support to ensure delivery of its mandate in the livelihood intervention

The Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Princewill Ayim, commended the collaboration between the state government and UNHCR.

Responding, the UNHCR Head of Ogoja Sub Office Mr. Tesfaye Bekele, thanked the wife of the Governor for finding time out of her crowded schedules to visit him.

He commended the support of the state government to UNHCR by providing the land for Cameroonian Refugees as well as providing the needed security.

He maintained that communication needs to be strengthened going forward and stated that the partnership between UNHCR and Mediatrix have been very rewarding.

Others present during the visit was the Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Mr Jeffrey Adamade and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting Officer, Mr Olamide Onifade.

October 21, 2022
NUT Cross River State Chapter Endorses Sen Jarigbe Agom, Regrets Past Support For Governor Ayade

The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Union Of Teachers (NUT), has endorsed Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The announcement was made while the Senator hosted the leadership of the Union led by the State Chairman, Comrade Gregory Olayi and the Union’s leadership in Cross River North, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Ogoja residence earlier today.

Comrade Gregory Olayi, appreciated the lawmaker for welcoming them. He thanked him for his numerous interventions and contributions in the Education sector as a legislator and further pleaded that, Teachers should be considered by the Senator in his programs.

He lamented the poor treatment meted on them by the Governor Ben Ayade led APC Government.

According to him, “in the past seven (7) years, no promotion, gratuity and other incentives have been paid to any teacher in Cross River State, rather, the State Government deducts dues from teachers without remittance to the Union’s treasury”.

Receiving the leadership of the Union, Senator Jarigbe said he is a son of two teachers, as his parents were both teachers. He reiterated his immeasurable love for the profession, having come from a teaching background.

He assured them of his willingness to work closely with them going forward and promised a Brand New Vehicle for the Union, which he said will be delivered before the New Year and further empowered the 25 Zonal and the State Excos from the North, with One Motorcycle each.

Also in attendance was the PDP candidate for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, Chief Peter Akpanke, Mr Joe Ulom, amongst others.

TEAM JARI MEDIA.

October 19, 2022
PHCN’s Broken Poles Endangers Lives In Ugep Yakurrr Local Government Area Of CRS

By Ojeka Odey Xevia

I will like to alert the Power Holding Company of Nigeria PLC, PHCN Yakurr District that the fallen or almost fallen electricity poles in the pictures below are endangering the lives of the people of Biko Biko Council ward Ugep of Yakurr Local Government Area.

If not quickly and safety removed ,the lives of people in the area is at great risk because the poles are close to the ground.

Speaking with one of the members of the Biko Biko community,he said that” it is up to one month and some weeks the electricity poles fell on our houses along Ediba junction Biko Biko Council ward of Ugep Yakurr Local Government Area . 6 poles fell on people’s houses and they are running away from their houses because they know what electricity is”.

“And the Authority have not done anything to help the affected houses ,” he added.

The entire community of Biko Biko has been in a power blackout since then because of these fallen electricity poles.

Electricity is an important factor of production that human existence greatly depends on. The absence of this, brings about total shut down of not just business activities but also social-economic growth and development.

October 15, 2022
23-Year-Old Cross Riverian In Police Net For Faking His Abduction To Extort Parents

By Ishola Oludare, Daily Post

Edward Okache, a Cross Riverian is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Police Force after he was arrested alongside four others for faking his kidnap in order to extort N10 million from his parents.

Okache, 23, a native of Yala Local Government Area was arrested alongside a Ghananian, Asamoah Ernest, two other Yala indigenes – Ephraim Anyijor and Charity Lukpata as well as one Isiah Uti.

The Daily Post reports that the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi said one Comfort Okache had earlier reported at the Mowe divisional headquarters via a phone call that his younger brother, traveling from Calabar to Lagos, had been kidnapped around the Mowe area of Ogun State.

According to the Police spokesman in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the kidnappers were demanding N10 million if the relatives wanted to see the boy alive which forced the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mowe division, SP Folake Afeniforo, to mobilize the division’s tactical teams to the area.

“Upon painstaking and enduring combing of the surrounding bush at Orimerunmu area, the victim was sighted in an uncompleted building with the duo of Asamoah Ernest, a Ghanaian, and Isiah Uti, where he was tied in both hands and legs,” Oyeyemi said.

Police rescued the acclaimed victim and arrested the two suspects found with him.

“But on getting to the station, the two arrested suspects made a shocking revelation that the so-called victim was the person who planned with them to kidnap him in order for him to extort money from his parents to invest in an online business,” it was explained.

They had confessed further that the said Okache was introduced to them by Anyijor and Lukpata, and that they all were part of the planned kidnap of Edward Okache.

Their confession, Oyeyemi stated, led to the arrest of Anyijor and Lukpata, adding that “they have all confessed to the commission of the crime.”

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, has directed that the case be referred to the anti-kidnapping unit of the State CIID for further investigation and possible prosecution.

October 14, 2022
Wike Commissions Multi-Chain Supermarket, Says Rivers More Attractive To Investors

Rivers State governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says he is delighted that measures taken by his administration to make the State an investment destination have continued to yield results.

One of such recent evidence is the formal opening of the HyperCity Supermarket that is located at the Eastern Bye-pass Junction, Ogbu-nu-abali community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

Governor Wike was on hand to formally inaugurates the supermarket on Wednesday and opened it for daily business.

The governor said the land on which the supermarket is sited used to be a mangrove forest from where criminals terrorise the adjoining Ogbu-nu-abali community and motorists.

With his administration sand-filling the area, governor Wike noted how attractive it became to the owner of HyperCity Supermarket who has today established his venture there.

Concerning growing the business stakes of the state, Governor Wike said his administration is more interested in anything that will attract investment and create jobs for Rivers people.

“But government took it upon itself to make sure that criminals don’t continue to thrive here. We owe the economy of the State to grow. We owe to provide security for businessmen and women, and security of communities.

“You have seen how beautiful it looks, it cost us money to sand-filled this area. Just like people are approaching us now at the other site that they want to establish this and that. We feel happy and encouraged

“The duty of government is to provide enabling environment. I want investors to come to the State. When investors come to the state, our people will be employed. When our people are employed, government will collect taxes and use those taxes and do other things for the State.”

Governor Wike commended the management of HyperCity Supermarket for keeping to the agreed business timeline concerning the use of the land they secured from government.

The governor said since his administration was ending soon, any investors that has secured land for use for business must begin to actualise that purpose or lose the land.

“Just like we said that anybody that wants land from Rivers State government, you’ll tell us the duration.

“Because in previous administration, people come and tell government they want to do this, they want to do that. And then, government will give them the land, and then you’ll find out that in five or six years, nothing has happened.

“Before you know it, they take government land and sell and make more money or use the government land as collateral for loan.

Governor Wike recalled how the land on which Silverbird Cinema is located along the Abonnema Whaff Road was also secured by an investor from the State government but instead of concentrating on the business purposes, used it to borrow money.

Today, the governor expressed the regret that State government is struggling to regain the land from Amcon that seized it from Silverbird for defaulting in repaying the loan it took from the bank.

“Today, you know where you have Silverbird Cinema, that is government landed property. You know that was where Obi Wali cultural centre used to be. But somebody came and told government they’re going to build something underground and this and that, and government gave the land.

“You know what the person did? He took our land and went and took loan from the bank without building what is supposed to be there. AMCON now came to seize the property that the person did not pay the loan. And today, we are struggling to take it back.”

Governor Wike enjoined the management to provide employment to members of the host community and Rivers youths.

He also insisted that such indigenous staff must be offered requisite training that will enable them grow to become management staff of the company.

In his speech, managing director of HyperCity Supermarket, Mr. Sunny Chuwla said HyperCITY is a modern retail store based on Hypermarket store format l.

He stated that they offer unparallel choice of local and international products cutting across the entire spectrum of consumable needs of a family under One Roof.

“HyperCITY story started a year ago. When we were given the opportunity to invest here, it came with a condition that we need to open the store before Dec. 2022, or the land will be revoked without excuses

“Today, we are glad that we have opened the 1st Store much before the deadline. Our second store is also lined up for opening very soon.

“We all know that retail is one of the largest employment sectors in the world and as at today, HyperCITY has generated over 200 direct and indirect jobs to the Rivers people in this single store.”

October 13, 2022
Ekpenyong Celebrates Salah With Muslim Community, Advocates For Continuous Uptake Of Health Services And Prioritization Of the Girl Child

In ensuring inclusiveness, quality health and socio-economic advancements, the Cross River State Government have reached out to the Muslims in Nassarawa Community in Calabar Municipal Area Council to provide medical, food and other essential materials to residents of the area.

Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who led the team and accompanied by some staff of the State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency said, it was part of the Salah religious celebration and a way of promoting cultural and religious tolerance in the state.

Addressing the beneficiaries who were in their Hundreds, Dr Ekpenyong appreciated them for always advancing the state government’s health policies by granting access to health workers into their communities during health outreaches.

She said, such tolerance and acceptability has over the years, contributed to Cross River’s impressive performance in national health interventions targeted at children, women and the vulnerable especially.

While also speaking in commemoration of the day of the girl child, the DG encouraged them to ensure their daughters have same privileges given to their male children and they should not be deprived of their rights to education and quality health care.
She informed them that the wife ot the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade Is committed to promoting and providing opportunities for women to thrive, because when a girl child is empowered , the whole community gets empowered.

She thanked the leaders of the community and their religious heads for always keying into the advocacy and plans of the Senator Ben Ayade’s Government towards total eradication of Vaccine preventable Diseases in the state.

She further called for the complete neglect of old barbaric practices like the patronage of Traditional Birth Attendance in the community and patronage of quacks and unqualified health workers which she said is top among factors contributing to high mortality rate in the state.

In her response, One of the Community leaders, Mrs Amina Muhammed appreciated the Director General for finding out time to always associate with them and practically advance healthcare interventions in the Nasarawa community which is predominately occupied by the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group.

She promised to further mobilize her people to continually patronize the available health facility which she said, meets required standard while applauding the efforts of the health workers posted to the area.

Top of the activities were the distribution of welfare materials, provision of health services including covid-19 vaccination and sensitization of the people on some basic health care needs.

Among the team who accompanied the DG were Mrs Felicitas Boco, who encouraged the women to always patronize the facility, Mrs Blessing Omachi , Mrs Bassey Henshaw amongst others.

October 11, 2022
Obudu Council Chairman, Bonny Ewhe Trains And Empowers 400 Farmers With Input

The Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Mr Boniface Eraye Ewhe has trained and empowered Four Hundred 400 farmers with Agrochemicals, selected across the ten political wards on modern farming techniques.

The training held today, October 8th, 2022 at the Senator Liyel Imoke Civic Centre, and had the Obudu Local Government Council Director of Agriculture, Mr Peter Egop as the lead facilitator.

Egop mentioned pest control, fertilizer and herbicide application as some modern farming techniques, and insisted that food sufficiency and security can only be guaranteed by a departure from the archaic and mundane farming practices.

He further charged the beneficiaries to employ modern techniques that have been scientifically proven to be more effective in enhancing productivity.

Speaking during the presentation of the agrochemicals, the Council Chairman, Mr Boniface Ewhe averred that “this training and support will not have come at a better time than now, the training is timely and will enable farmers prepare early and ahead of the next farming season.

“Let me charge you to apply the knowledge gained during the training. Our people are predominantly farmers and our desire to support you necessitated this training and support. I encourage you to put in your very best and I assure you that you will be happy with your harvest”

Ewhe however commended the governor for the support and assured farmers of more of the intervention. “I want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Sen Ben Ayade for his contribution towards the success of the programme. I want to assure you that more of this gesture is underway as his excellency has pledged full commitment to Agriculture to ensure uptimum productivity”

During the training section of the programme, the Obudu Local Government Council Director of Agriculture, Mr. Peter Egop, who was the lead facilitator charged the farmers to look beyond the archiac methods of farming and employ modern techniques that have been scientifically tested and proven to be more effective in enhancing productivity. The facilitators took time to explain various improved methods of cultivating the major food crops endemic to our region.

The programme had 40 farmers selected from each ward and were each given a bag fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10), one litre each of herbicide and insecticide.

Some of the beneficiaries thanked the chairman for his wisdom and consideration of the Obudu farmers in his programmes and noted that the inputs will in no small measure improve their farming output in the next farming season.

October 8, 2022
Dr Janet Ekpenyong Emerges Vice Chairman, Forum of Executive Secreties/CEOs Of State Primary Healthcare Agencies/Boards In Nigeria

The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency,
Dr Janet Ekpenyong has emerged as the vice chairman of the forum of Executive Secretaries/Chief Executive Officers of State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and boards of the 36 states of the Federation.

Dr Ekpenyong who was unanimously voted for at the ongoing stakeholders meeting and policy framework implementation meeting in Abuja the nation’s capital is said to have been considered due to her leadership style and the sterling performance of her state on Primary and Community Health initiatives .

Recalled that the Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade had in early 2020 appointed Dr Janet Ekpenyong to oversee the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency after her selfless contributory services as Technical expert, consultant and member of various committees for the actualization of the nation’s “Universal Health Coverage” status.

In the past years in Office, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has been able to ensure implementation of health policies that is transforming the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Cross River State Health landscape into one of the most realistic enterprise in the Ayade’s administration, attracting tens of supports/collaborations from local , national and international organizations especially on child and maternal healthcare.

Within this period of her selfless service to the state, Cross River State has been recognized on national and global stages with honours among which is the latest award as the best and most effective immunization compliant state in the South South region of Nigeria.

It is during her tenure that the state joined other states of the federation in the certification of Nigeria as a “Poliomyelitis free Nation”, with many admiring and acknowledging her contributions at the national health sphere, and in “pushing” and joining health workers on Community outreaches , mobilization and sensitization of Cross Riverians on the dangers and effects of Poliomyelitis on this generation and the next.

It is worthy of note that, the Cross River State Community engagement strategies has now found the nation’s admiration with many states seeking to adopt it’s methods of service delivery, this is manifested in the partnership it has enjoyed with many states and international organizations.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Ekpenyong thanked her colleagues for finding her worthy to represent them and for the confidence bestowed on her as she promised to work harmoniously with the team to bridge the numerous gaps suffered by the Primary Healthcare Agencies across the country.

She urged her colleagues to continue to mobilize resources for the Health sector and seek more collaborations in order to help curtail deaths especially for illnesses that are preventable.

October 7, 2022
Sandy Onor Trains Central Senatorial District Farmers On Cassava Value Chain

Occasioned by dwindling oil prices in the international market, rapid population growth, crude oil theft, as well as the ban on importation of certain food products into the country, agriculture is fast becoming the main stay of our economy and a major source of food production.

Worried about the spade of hunger and the growing need for food to meet the population demand, Cross River State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate and Senator representing Central Senatorial District, Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has organized a three – day training for farmers in Cassava Value Chain in Cross River Central Senatorial District.

The training which had participants from across the sixty – six (66) wards that make up the senatorial district in attendance, threw more light on the MANIHOT species.

The farmers who before this time didn’t know much about the various species of Cassava have now been introduced to other varieties, their uses, mode of production and how they can achieve maximum yield.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Linda Oyira from Ofumbongha in Obubra Local Government Area said: “From the beginning, i never thought this training was going to bring out something good like this. But when we started, we heard things we didn’t know even as practicing cassava farmers. I am really impressed because the training has been worthwhile. I am going home fulfilled and loaded and will not fail to transfer the knowledge to people in my community. These are the kind of things we need from our representatives. May God bless Senator Onor”.

The training came to an end with participants smiling as they returned home.

caterpillar Movement Media.

September 24, 2022
Sen Jarigbe Agom’s Score Card, After One Year In Office

September 15th, 2021, is an auspicious day for Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, the Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District and the good people of Cross River North.

His first year in the Nigerian Senate was the greatest year of Infrastructural and human capital development in the history of Cross River North Senatorial District. Lives were changed, cries were heard, and prayers were answered. Indeed, his emergence as Senator last year was a fitting denouement to an episodic political journey which began two decades ago.

In fact, at a time when it was generally believed that one has to be lowbrow, an incorrigible liar and a bit a murderer to be a politician, Senator Jarigbe ventured into politics to improve lives yet, bucked at seeing people sacrificed or slaughtered for the sake of his ambition. It is a reason his life offers interminable lessons on the beauty and benefits of resolve, compassion, unpretentious generosity, humility as well as political and family values.

Below, but not limited are some of Senator Jarigbe’s legislative giant strides in his first year in the Nigerian Senate;

1. Solar street lights across all 5 LGAs in the North.

2. Sensitization on COVID-19 pandemic in Cross River North.

3. Construction of school building at St. Peters Primary School, Akwurinyi, Bekwarra LGA.

4. Empowerment of constituents to mark 1 month in office.

5. Training of Widows in Cross River North on Animal Husbandry by National Productivity Centre (NPC).

6. Construction of a 3 classroom block at Community Primary School, Kutiang 2, Obudu LGA.

7. Animal Husbandry Training for Farmers in Cross River North.

8. Ongoing Road Construction at Igodor, Nkum, Ogoja LGA.

8. Construction/Rehabilitation of 1.3km Prince Akwaji Offiono Road, Yala LGA.

9. Renovation of Government Primary School Ukpirinye, Utugwang, Obudu LGA.

10. Renovation of Community Primary School Ashikpe-Ukpe in Obudu LGA.

11. Renovation of Primary School Estong Busi, Obanliku LGA.

12. Installation of Solar Powered Street lights in Bekwarra and Ogoja LGAs.

13. Facilitated the construction of Monaya-Ikaptang Road in Ogoja LGA.

14. Facilitated drilling of Solar powered borehole at Image Central Mosque, Okuku, Yala LGA.

15. Facilitated drilling of Solar powered borehole in Ukpah Community, Bekwarra LGA.

16. Drilling of Solar powered boreholes in Gakem, Bewo, Abuagbor, Ukpada, and Agida Communities in Bekwarra LGA.

17. Drilling of Solar powered boreholes in Begiaba, Ukwel, Utugwang North, Utugwang South and Utugwang Central Communities in Obudu LGA.

18. Drilling of Solar powered boreholes in Ketting, Bayaga, Bagga, Sankwala, Akorshi-Owhe Belinge and Bukemaya Communities in Obanliku LGA.

19. Renovation of Community Primary School Ilagos Ikhor, Ochagbe, Afrike 2, Bekwarra LGA.

20. Installation of Solar powered street lights in Belinge, Belegete, Ketting, Busanfong, and Sankwala Communities of Obanliku LGA.

21. Installation of Solar powered street lights in Begiaba, Alege Ubang, Kakum, Ukwel Obudu and Utugwang North Communities in Obudu LGA.

22. Installation of Solar powered street lights in Ugboro, Anyikang, Alumonye, Akpakpa, Otukpuru and Ukpah communities of Bekwarra LGA.

23. Facilitated the Construction of Mini Stadium in Ogoja LGA.

24. Facilitated the construction of Recreational Center in Ogoja.

25. Facilitated the construction of 65 km road in Aliforkpa, Yala LGA.

26. Facilitated the construction of Ikaptang – Afrike Road, Ogoja LGA.

27. Distribution of relief materials to victims of Itega/Oba communal disputes, Yala LGA.

28. Distribution of foodstuffs to Hausa Communities in Cross River North.

29. Renovation of Government Primary School, Estong, Busi, Obanliku LGA.

30. Renovation of Community Primary School Ada, Itega-Okpame in Yala LGA.

31. Construction of Ukpagada-Aladim road in Ogoja LGA.

32.Construction of a 3 classrooms block at Community Primary School, Adigbo, Mfom, Ogoja LGA.

33. Drilling of solar powered borehole in Nwang/Nyake, Mfom 1, Ogoja LGA.

34. Cash empowerment/grant for farmers/Artisans in Cross River North.

35. Facilitated grants for rural vulnerables in Cross River North.

36. Construction of class room blocks at Ekajuk Comprehensive Secondary School in Bansara, Ekajuk, Ogoja LGA.

37. Facilitated Training/Cash empowerment of graduates/Youths under the platform of National Film and Sensors Board of Nigeria.

38. Facilitated Entrepreneurship Development Training under SMEDAN in Cross River North.

39. Installation of Solar powered borehole in Basan Community, Mbube West Ward 2, Ogoja LGA.

40. Facilitated job placement for youths in The Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp.

41. Sponsored Free 2022 JAMB Registration for constituents.

42. Provided Financial support for Northern Cross Riverians who are members of ASUU Unical Chapter.

His bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja has been passed by the Nigerian Senate, awaiting Mr President’s assent, while his bill seeking the establishment of Federal College of Agriculture awaits third reading.

Senator Jarigbe is poised to continue his legislative stride in the Senatorial District when re-elected come 2023.

While we bask in the euphoria of the sterling achievements of Sen. Jarigbe, we are also taken aback by the memories of the untimely death of Charles Onwe, who lost his life on the eve of the Senate Bye-Election Primary and all others who sustained injuries during the primary election when the oppressor ordered the shooting of unarmed constituents.

May the soul of Charles Onwe continue to Rest in Peace.

Congratulations once more to a refined and quintessential Nigerian lawmaker and the good people of Cross North Senatorial District.

TEAM JARI MEDIA

September 15, 2022