The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Jarigbe Agom Supports Centre For Visually Handicapped, Obudu Following The Withdrawal Of Subvention From C’River State Govt

    The Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom, has donated the sum of 1,000,000 ( One million Naira) in support of the Center for the visually handicapped, popularly known as the St Joseph Centre For The Visually Handicapped, Obudu.

    The gesture came as his attention was drawn to the plight of this School which recently came under severe hardship following the withdrawal of subvention to the School by Gov Ayade. To make matters worse, the school was recently burgled by criminals who made away with all the mattresses in the student’s hostel leaving them to sleep on bare floors.

    The deplorable situation became so bad that the head of the school, Rev Sister Janet-Maria Okorie, said they were considering shutting down the institution.

    St. Joseph Center for the visually handicapped was established by the Sisters of St. Mary Medical Mission of the Roman Catholic Church since the 1970s and has catered to generations of handicapped students over decades.

    Many have gone from the school to lead very successful academic careers with some of them presently lecturing in higher institutions including the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

    Some of them have also gained employment in various areas of human endeavour making them useful to themselves, their families and society instead of hawking their disabilities on the streets.

    The school celebrated its 50 years of existence in May this year, teaches braille and crafts in addition to normal academic subjects and remains a leading light in the Obudu community and it’s environs.

    The head of Centre, Rev Sr Jane Maria, expressed profound appreciation to Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for his uncommon leadership and concern for the plight of the less privileged in society.

    She used the opportunity to call on spirited individuals both in public Service and private businesses to emulate Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as to lift the less privileged from their disabilities so that they can lead useful lives as they are also God’s creatures and need to be catered for.

  • Just In: Court Strikes Out Criminal Case Against Cross River PDP Reps Candidate, Four Others

    By Jonathan Ugbal, CrossRiverWatch

    Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Calabar division of the Federal High Court has struck out a criminal case filed by the Federal Government against the House of Representatives candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Akpanke, and four others.

    Justice Dugbo in her ruling said the prosecution needed to get its house together and not waste the time of the Court.

    Charges bordering on murder, terrorism, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms was preferred against Mr. Akpanke, his co-aspirants, KJ Jedy Agba, Elaunire Ushie, a House of Assembly Aspirant, Augustine Agba, and one Joseph Akin following the death of a Police officer, Inspector Emmanuel Mbang Ubi who was shot at the botched May 23, 2022, House of Representatives primaries in Obudu.

    The case with Suit Number FHC/CA/14C/2022 was filed on September 6, 2022, and was listed for arraignment and plea on Wednesday.

    But, after it was called up, and appearances entered by the prosecution and defense counsels, Justice Dugbo asked the prosecutor, Edosa Esq whether his witnesses were in Court which he replied no. The Court also asked about the defendants who the prosecutor said were not in his custody.

    Justice Dugbo also complained that the charge sheet in the Court’s file was not clear enough to which the prosecutor replied that the charges have been amended. Justice Dugbo also asked whether the amended charges were in the Court’s file as she could

    Justice Dugbo subsequently struck out the case.

    This means that the Federal Government can file fresh charges. It is unclear whether that may be the case with one of the defendants still in Police custody.

    The Case

    Mr. Ubi, alongside his colleagues, was drafted to secure the venue of the House of Representatives Primary of the PDP in Obudu on May 23, 2022, which was canceled after he was shot dead at close range while a colleague was also injured. The primaries were rescheduled and later canceled with Mr. Akpanke winning both.

    The quintet above were then invited, interrogated, and charged to Court. They were initially billed to take their pleas on October 12, 2022. But, Justice Dugbo’s absence led to the parties taking a different date off-record.

    Mr. Akin, Akpanke, Agba Jedy, and Ushie were listed as the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants respectively. While Mr. Akin was charged with killing Mr. Ubi, Messrs KJ, Akpanke, Agba, and Ushie were accused of conspiracy to commit a felony and unlawful possession of firearms.

  • Linda Ayade Congratulates Rev Fr Philip Obasi On His 10th Priestly Anniversary

    By Margaret Asikong

    Wife of Cross River State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade has congratulated Rev. Fr. Philip Onyedikachi Obasi of Catholic Church of Ascension Parish, Nyaghasang on the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.

    Speaking recently during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi and Fund Raising for the completion of the new church building, which was held at Government Primary School Nyaghasang, the Governor’s wife expressed thanks to all, especially the dignitaries present, including members of her entourage for honouring Rev. Fr. Philip by coming to felicitate with him on his 10th Priestly anniversary.

    According to her, it has been 10 years of unswerving sacrifice and dogged devotion to truth and piety, adding that, serving as a priest in the body of Christ is indeed a privilege that entails mediating between the people and the Lord. She therefore prayed God to bless the continuous labour of Rev. Fr. Philip, as well, as reward his good works, while thanking him for his patience, impartial leadership which has impacted the lives of Gods people for the past 10 years.

    Dr. Ayade used the occasion to thank all those who contributed in cash and kind towards the new church building project and pledged her financial support to ensure that the building is completed by God’s grace. She appealed to government officials to ensure that the road leading to the church of Ascension which is in a very bad condition is being worked on as there is need for a good road to convey the building materials to the church premises.

    In his homily from Exodus 17:5-13 and 2 Timothy 3:14, 4:2, Rev. Fr. Cletus of Ikot Ansa Parish, enjoined all to be persistent in prayers in order to live victorious Christian lives, adding that, there are some battles that cannot be won on the field except on the knees, hence the need for them to be consistent in prayers, for with God nothing shall be impossible.

    Rev. Fr. Cletus further admonished all to be rooted in the word of God, living in obedience to his word, as this will bring blessings to their lives amongst other things and prayed God to bless Rev. Fr. Philip, enlarge his coast, as well as grant him more grace to carry on with the work of God in his priestly office.
    In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Lands, Prof. John Inyang and that of Local Government Affairs, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Odey-Ekpo amongst other dignitaries, also learnt their voices to congratulate the celebrant, Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi, commending him for his good works, while praying God’s blessing upon him, adding that he has been a blessing to many within and outside the Catholic Church. They used the occasion to pledge their support to the completion of the new church building by donating towards the building project.

    In his remark, the Chairman, Boki Local Government Council, Pastor John Ewa, who was the Chairman of the occasion, expressed appreciation to Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi for the honour done him in inviting him to his thanksgiving mass, as well as giving him the privilege of being the Chairman of the day. He described the celebrant as a special vessel and an anointed servant of God.

    According to him, their relationship started 2 years ago in Calabar in a prayer meeting and it has grown till date and admonished all to give their best to the Lord for all his blessings and mercies over their lives, while calling on them to support the ongoing project of completing the new church building of the church of Ascension, Nyaghasang for God will never forget their labour of love.

    On his part, the Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi CSSR, expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for his love, mercies and grace upon his life for the past 10 years and for the gift of the Sacred Priesthood. He stated that the hand of God has been upon him since his ordination in Lagos as a Catholic Priest from September 30th, 2012 till date, Inspite of all his pitfalls as a human being, adding that, everything about him has been very special.

    He thanked the wife of the State Governor, dignitaries, friends, well-wishers and parishioners for finding time to come and celebrate God’s faithfulness upon his life as a priest for the past 10 years and prayed God to bless all present as well as replenish all those who contributed in cash and kind to the success of the thanksgiving celebration/fund raising.

    Rev. Fr. Philip disclosed that as part of the thanksgiving mass, a 5-day mega crusade was being organized by the church and thanked God for his visitation upon them. He maintained that the essence of the celebration is to give all the glory to God. According to him, all the proceeds from the anniversary thanksgiving mass will be given back to the church for the building project.

    Highlights at the event included; thanksgiving mass in honour of Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi, good will messages, cutting of anniversary cake, group photographs, fund raising, amongst others.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • 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.