The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Linda Ayade Joins Ministry Of Women Affairs To Commemorate 2022 IWD In Calabar

    Linda Ayade Joins Ministry Of Women Affairs To Commemorate 2022 IWD In Calabar

    By Margaret Asikong

    The wife of Cross River State Governor, Lady Dr Linda Ayade, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs (MOWA), have joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) recently in Calabar, with the theme: “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.

    Speaking at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Hope Waddel Avenue, Calabar, the venue for the celebration, the First Lady of the State, DrAyade said that it is an honour for her to be in the company of many amazing women on the special occasion of celebrating womanhood and reviewing their progress in the fight for freedom from stereotypes and discrimination that has gone on for many years.

    She stated that the theme for 2022 IWD focuses on breaking the bias against women and that they want a world where their uniqueness as women is valued as well as celebrated rather than for it to be opposed, despised and ignored, adding that they want a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, amongst others.

    She maintained that it is in pursuit of these goals that the UN Women aptly chose the theme for 2022 IWD.
    According to the Governor’s wife “Our society is better off when women get the opportunities they deserve. Our society has been deprived of certain advancements as a result of the woman being denied leadership opportunity and for many years this has been the status quo”, adding that, “Our plight as women in Nigeria is largely in our hands and whatever path we choose to follow will determine our ultimate end”.

    Dr. Linda Ayade lamented that among the sixty-eight proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution that members of the National Assembly had to vote on recently, only one out of the five gender equality bills passed, while the other four failed, adding that, about 95% men voted against some of the constitutional amendments that women want, such as; the right for a women to take indigene-ship of her husband’s state after five years of marriage, 35% affirmative action for women in party administration and leadership; 35% appointed positions to be reserved for women, specific seats to be allocated for women in the National Assembly and the right for a Nigerian woman to grant her foreign-born husband Nigerian Citizenship, yet, according to her, a Nigerian man’s foreign-born wife gets automatic citizenship.

    She maintained that having women in leadership position should become the norm and not the exception as many women have reached the apex of business conglomerates and banking institutions, while many seat on decision-making boards across the country and that excluding the woman from leadership positions is to exclude half of the country’s population from exercising their inherent talents and abilities. She however expressed joy that CRS is taking the lead in the political empowerment for women, with abundance of women at every strategic position in the state such as; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Commissioner, Special Adviser, Director-General, Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Councilors, adding that, the narrative has changed, they have been strong in their fight for emancipation.
    She called on CRS women to become mentors to the younger generation that their daughters can look up to, teaching them by example to be assertive and also respectful; visionary, contented, hardworking and submissive to their husbands, amongst others, while applauding the women who have taken the bull by the horn on building a sustainable future for the young women.

    Lady Dr Ayade stated that her pledge to continue reaching women and the vulnerable in every LGA in the state with livelihood support and health inputs is real and that she has continued to redeem this across the state through the many activities and interventions of her NGOs – the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) and Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI).

    She used the occasion to express thanks to the organizations whose invaluable partnership has made their work impactful in various communities in Cross River and beyond such as; the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN women, UNFPA, Lafarge Africa, United Purpose, amongst others, while also expressing thanks to all present, especially the women of CRS for their support, as she looks forward to achieving a gender-balanced CRS with their support and wished all a happy women’s day.

    Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Mrs. Tina Banku Agbor said that the IWD is a special day to celebrate themselves as women not as men. According to her, a house without a woman looks different and is not complete, for the woman’s role is complementary, while admonishing the men to allow the women to be equal even in leadership position, for with a woman they can always sleep with their eyes closed, adding that, the women are capable of discharging their duties and assigned responsibilities effectively and efficiently and will not betray the men, amongst other things.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Surv. Dr. Gertrude Nnanjah Njar, on behalf of the entire staff of CRS Ministry of Women Affairs welcomed the wife of the State Governor and members of her entourage, as well as distinguished guests, the women of CRS and all present to the 2022 IWD.

    According to her, the MOWA is the hub of great activities in the Ayade-led administration with its mandate to cater for the women and children and that it has gone to the level of catering for the men as well as they are part of the women and society, hence the less traffic of complaints to the Office if the Wife of the Governor.
    She maintained that March 8, is always a great day for the women and girls internationally and that the women of CRS are joining their counterparts globally for the celebration of the great day set aside for women since 1917 after the Soviet-Russia women protest for the right to vote and be voted for, while lamenting that 105 years later, the women are still agitating for gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow.

    Surv. Dr. Gertrude Njar stated that women have strategic objectives and goals especially to groom leaders for tomorrow; create more successful entrepreneurs; create employment and wealth for women and girls, connect communities and build an ecosystem where everyone will connect digitally, share knowledge, as well as build communities for the future.

    In their goodwill messages, the Chairman of Calabar South LGA, Hon (Mrs) Esther Bassey, her counterpart in Odukpani LGA, Ntukai Hon (Mrs) Justina Edem and the Vice Chairman of Bakassi LGA and President of CROWEI, Eti-Eka Lawrencia Ita (JP) also lend their voices to congratulated all the women who have excelled in their chosen fields and expressed appreciation to Lady Dr Ayade and her dear husband for ensuring that many women are being brought into the Ayade-led administration , adding that, it is high time they showcase their God given talents, amongst other things.

    Highlights at the event included; presentation of award to Dr Linda Ayade, award of prizes to the winners of the march past, with Odukpani LGA taking the 1st position, Calabar South, 2nd position and Calabar Municipality taking the 3rd position respectively; goodwill messages, from UNFPA, NIDF, GADA, FIDA, MWA, CCCRN, NCF, GPI, amongst other partners, cultural displays, group photographs, amongst others.

  • CORAfrica Partners CWO To Commemorate International Women’s Day 2022

    CORAfrica Partners CWO To Commemorate International Women’s Day 2022

    By Elijah Ugani

    Children of Rural Africa, (CORAfrica) in partnership with the Catholic Women Organization (CWO of Ogoja Deanery) held a one day public lecture on the theme #BREAKING THE BIAS: Gender Equality Today for Sustainability Tomorrow; as part of its activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.

    The event commenced with a road walk by the women which took off from Mount Carmel Secondary School, Igoli-Ogoja to the Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology (old TTC).

    At arrival, the event began with series of lectures on the need and importance for women to rise to the challenge of Gender equality so as to break the bias against women.

    Declaring the event open, the Vicar General Administration of Ogoja Diocese, Spiritual Adviser of the Ogoja diocesan CWO and Founder of Children of Rural Africa, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, noted that there is an urgent need for women to raise awareness on the need for gender equality for sustainability of the woman and the girl child.

    Fr Abue pledged CORAfrica’s commitment to collaborate with women organizations such as the CWO.

    In his words “There is an urgent need now more than ever to raise awareness on the need for gender equality for sustainability of the woman and the girl child especially in the face of ritual killings of our girls in Ogoja land and maltreatment of women especially widows in households.

    “CORAfrica as an organization is ever more ready to collaborate with women groups like the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) to help in the basic education, healthcare and economic empowerment of children and families to enable them thrive in thier respective locations.”

    He thanked the Deanery President of the CWO in Ogoja deanery Mrs Grace Modey for helping to organize her members towards a successful celebration of the IWD 2022.

    On her part, one of the speakers, Mrs Ann Modey who spoke on the theme, Breaking the bias through Security and Child education, cited Nehemiah’s prophecy and called on the women to rise to the challenge of ensuring that normalcy returns to Ogoja.

    She posited that the walls of Ogoja has been broken. And that it has never been as bad as it is currently. She decried the incessant ritual killings of female children and noted that children are highly in danger.

    Mrs Modey noted that sometimes women inadvertently act as accomplices to their children in cultism and prostitution through their inactions. She however, charged them to be open to their female children and tell them the truth about sex education.

    In another development, Mrs Anna Agba whose lecture was centered on Breaking the bias through Security and Awareness programmes, admonished women to desist from attitudes that lead to child trafficking as it has the tendency of impacting negatively on the overall well-being of the girl child.

    She listed some of the causes of child trafficking to include: Ignorance on the part of parents, poverty, greed, unnecessary competition among women, illiteracy, school dropout among other reasons.

    She cited a scenerio in Ogoja where a woman who lost her husband had used her three bedroom apartment to keep eight teenage girls and used them as sex workers for men. She lamented the situation and called on the police and law enforcement agencies to be alert in the area to abet such situations.

    In his closing remarks, the National Programme Manager of CORAfrica- Nigeria, Mr Attem Udejor expressed his appreciation to all participants and enjoined the CWO, UNCHR and the general public to always work together in support of CORAfrica activities.

    The event featured presentation of certificates of honor to deserving women who have distinguished themselves in different categories.

    The awardees were:
    1. Hon. Rita Ayim for Women participation in Political Activities and Awareness.
    2. Mrs Grace Modey for Women participation in Church Activities.
    3. Mrs Cecilia Ogar for Women activeness in the Civil Service
    4. Mrs Theresa Omara Achong for Women participation in Community Development and finally
    5. Women caring for Refugees and IDPs given to the UNHCR, Ogoja Sub Office, which was received by the Protection officer of UNHCR Mrs Molestsan Mmone.

     

  • A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

    A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

    REBUILDING OUR WALLS:

    A COMMUNIQUE issued at the International Women’s Day Celebration organised by Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) in partnership with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in OGOJA Deanery on this day March 8th 2022.

    Arising from a one day seminar as part of activities to mark the 2022 International Womens Day held here in Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology, Ogoja (old TTC); after a critical review of recent occurrences in our land, we the members of Children of Rural Africa Organization-Nigeria, in collaboration with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in Ogoja Deanery wish to make the following resolutions:

    1. We commend the United Nations for the adoption of March 8 as International Women’s Day to promote women’s rights and honor their achievements across the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
    We commend all agencies and organizations, and individuals that are working tirelessly to promote advocacy of the emancipation of women and we acknowledge and take responsibility for most of our children’s moral decadence and pledge to leave up to our expectations by fostering parental care and discipline on our children.

    2. However, we are highly bothered by the constant influx of the youth from rural villages into the suburban areas in the name of urbanization and we demand that the situation be critically reviewed by our governments, churches and civil societies groups as this trend is now endangering the lives of our youth especially girls.

    3. We condemn in entirety the unprecedented ritual killings of our young girls in Ogoja, the female trafficking of the girl child to far away destinations where they are often used as child labourers and sex workers as this has become rampart especially within locations in Ogoja, culminating in Mbok junction.

    4. Security agencies in Ogoja should rise to the challenge of providing security and fish out perpetrators of evils in Ogoja and ensure justice is served adequately. the Police, the army and other law enforcement agencies should reinforce their duties of ensuring security in strategic places to prevent kidnappers, armed robbers and ritualists. Traditional Leaders should enact bye-laws that will restrict children from getting trapped in these illicit acts.

    5. More efforts should be made to improve the task of vigilante groups especially in rural communities to preserve the lives of all society members especially the weaker members such as women, girls and children. Activities of Motorcycle riders also known as “Okada” should be critically monitored by day and night as most of them have become accomplices in the vice of kidnapping young girls to unknown destinations for ritual killings.

    6. We call on government to revive our educational sector, renovate dilapidated school buildings that have become eye sores, employ teachers and equip libraries and laboratories as well as review curricula to accommodate more of psychomotor advancement. Our institutions of learning have become highly inconducive for learning.

    7. Since most of our children spend their day at school, all hands should be on deck to improve the school curriculum, giving priority to social learning for skills acquisition and economic empowerment opportunities for young people. The Government, Churches and civil society groups should seek to establish and improve vocational centres that provide skills for both youth and women. They should also provide soft loans and if possible grants for graduates.

    8. Parents should inculcate in their children the moral value of contentment as most of those who indulge in promiscuity want to leave above their means through sometimes the greed of their mothers.

    9. Women should rise and participate actively in politics, to break the biases. More Seminars such as this should be organized at local levels regularly to create the needed awareness among women.

    10. We call on all men to join the advocacy to end all forms of violence against women and girls and be ready to support women to realize their full potentials.

    Dated this 8th day of March 2022

    Signed

    Attem Udejor Udey
    National Programmes Coordinator
    CORAfrica-Nigeria

    Grace Modey
    President, CWO
    Ogoja Deanery

  • UNICAL Security Operatives Arrests Kinghope Ubi For Using A Dummy Gun To Threaten Students And Snatching Their Phones

    UNICAL Security Operatives Arrests Kinghope Ubi For Using A Dummy Gun To Threaten Students And Snatching Their Phones

    The University of Calabar security operatives has arrested Kinghope Ubi for using a dummy gun to threaten students and snatching their phones on campus.

    Ubi was arrested at the ICT Centre of the institution after leading his two friends to point the dummy gun at Akomaye Ephraim and collecting his Tecno Camon 16 Premium phone valued at N108,000.

    When interrogated, he confessed that he came into the university to visit his girl friend and thereafter, he decided to snatch some phones from students.

    Kinghope Ubi, who is not a student of UNICAL, said that his friend gave him the dummy gun to point at students and collect their phones.

    After arresting him, they found a passport of him wearing Nigeria Customs Service uniform. He told newsmen that he was dismissed from the Customs Service in 2021.

    Speaking on the arrest, the Acting CSO of UNICAL, SP Usani Okon (Rtd), said that the current administration of Prof. Florence Banku Obi frowns at any act of stealing and robbery on campus.

    He said that the VC has repositioned the security operatives in the institution with a view to protect all students and staff against any form of robbery and attack.

    Thereafter, the suspect was handed over to the Anti-Kindapping and Cultism Squad of the Police for further actions.

  • Court Orders C’River Assembly To Pay Withheld Allowance To PDP Lawmakers

    Court Orders C’River Assembly To Pay Withheld Allowance To PDP Lawmakers

    Culled from the Parchment

    Justice Nnang Isoni of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar has ordered the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly and the Clerk of the house to immediately pay the allowances owed some members of the state assembly who refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
    In a consent judgement, Justice Isoni submitted that the lawmakers being elected members of the state house of assembly, were entitled to their allowances and therefore directed that their allowances be paid to them.
    The Court also restrained the leadership of the house from suspending or attempting to suspend the lawmakers until the expiration of their tenure in office.

    The seven (7) PDP lawmakers who refused to defect to the APC had dragged the leadership of the house to court for refusing to pay their allowances.
    The members, Rt Hon Efa Esua, Calabar municipal State constituency, Rt Hon Friday Okpechi, Obubra 1, Hon Francis Ovat, Obubra 2, Rt Hon Fredrick Osim, Ikom 1, Rt Hon Itam Abang, Boki, Rt Hon Nelson Ofem, Yakuur 1 and Elizabeth Ironbark, Akpabuyo state constituency had prayed the court to compel the house leadership to pay them their allowances.

    Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar later died in October 2021.

    Findings by The Parchment reveals that the judgement which was delivered on February 7, 2022, is however yet to be implemented. One of the APC lawmakers who pleaded not to be mentioned, told our reporter that, despite the rulling, the state governor, Ben Ayade has ordered the house leadership never to pay the lawmakers until they defect to the APC.

    In May 2021, Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade abandoned the People’s Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress. Few weeks after, 18 lawmakers joined the governor and defected to the APC, while the other 7 out of the 25 member house remained in the PDP.

    For refusing to defect to the APC, the Eteng Williams led house of assembly refused to pay the PDP lawmakers their statutory allowances, allegedly on the orders of the State governor, Ben Ayade.

    In a special interview with the The Parchment last September 2021, leader of the house, Hon. Peter Odey had denied that the PDP members were refused their allowances.

    “As far as I am concerned, I know that all what is due them, still gets to them as members of the state house of assembly” Odey told our reporter.

    The recent rulling now exposes Hon. Odey and the house leadership as liars.

    One of the affected PDP lawmakers who spoke with our reporter on the implication of the court ruling said.
    “ The important thing is that we sued them individually, we only Joined the house of assembly because they are members of the house. So what that means is that, in implementing the judgement, we can begin to sieze their properties individually”

    The house leadership led by speaker Eteng Williams had been accused of sharing among themselves over N15 million monthly allowances meant for the seven lawmakers who refused to defect to the APC since May lasted year.

  • Just In: ASUU Begins One Month Strike, Says It’s Demands Has Barely Changed Since Signing Of The 2009 Agreement With FG

    Just In: ASUU Begins One Month Strike, Says It’s Demands Has Barely Changed Since Signing Of The 2009 Agreement With FG

    By Mojeed Alabi, Premium Times

     

    • ASUU rounded off its “NEC for NEC” meeting at about 3 a.m. on Monday and will formally brief the press on Monday morning.

    A reliable source at the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has confided in Premium Times that the union resolved to embark on a one-month “comprehensive and total” strike to compel the Nigerian government to accede its requests.

    According to the source, who was part of the meeting, the union took the decision “reluctantly” despite interventions by many prominent Nigerians.

    He said the decision was to save Nigeria’s university system considering what he described as the deteriorating state of Nigerian universities. He said the government’s alleged recalcitrance made the position unavoidable.

    “The indefinite and total strike is for four weeks. We hope government the would do the needful within the next four weeks,” the source said in a terse statement shared with our reporter on Monday morning.

    Premium Times had on Sunday night reported that ASUU had scheduled a meeting it tagged “NEC for NEC” for midnight on Sunday to take the final decision on behalf of the various congresses of its chapters.

    The meeting was a follow-up to the then ongoing two-day marathon meeting which had kicked off on Saturday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

    ASUU rounded off its “NEC for NEC” meeting at about 3 a.m on Monday when the branch chairman of the union in UNILAG, Dele Ashiru, confirmed that the National President, Emmanuel Osodeke would address the media by 9 a.m. on Monday.

    Mr. Ashiru, whose note was tagged; “ASUU Press conference,” said he was inviting journalists on behalf of the union’s national leadership.

    The note reads in part; “Dear colleague, good morning Ma\Sir. Pls ASUU’s NEC media briefing now to hold as follows; Date: MONDAY, Feb 14; Time: 9.00 am; Venue: Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, Behind Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.”

    Mr. Ashiru, however, did not hint at the union’s final decision as he refused to pick follow-up calls from our reporter.

    ASUU’s Demands

    The demands of the lecturers’ union have barely changed since the signing of the ASUU/FG 2009 agreement.

    These demands include the sustainability of the university autonomy, which the union said the introduction of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for the payment of its emoluments violates. The union seeks its replacement with its own University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

    Other demands include the endorsement of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, which it said was concluded in May 2021; release of the reports of visitation panels to federal universities, and distortions in salary payment challenges.

    ASUU also demands funds for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowance, improved funding of state universities, and promotion arrears.

  • Sen Jarigbe Agom Inspects Road Project in Yala LGA.

    Sen Jarigbe Agom Inspects Road Project in Yala LGA.

     

    The Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, today, inspected the ongoing construction/Rehabilitation of 1.3 KM Prince Akwaji Offiono Road.

    The project which is being handled by Executive team managers, was Facilitated by the Senator through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and it’s one of many roads facilitated so far by the lawmaker.

    During the inspection, the lawmaker commended the contractor for the quality of work being done.

    The 1.3KM road is the longest stretch of road ever facilitated by a legislator to Yala LGA.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA

  • Projects Facilitated By Sen Sandy Onor In Central Senatorial District

    Projects Facilitated By Sen Sandy Onor In Central Senatorial District

     

    (1). Construction and Rehabilitation of Okuni/Nsofang Road, Ikom/Etung LGA – Completed

    (2). Rehabilitation of Mile 2 Road, Ikom, Ikom LGA – Completed

    (3). Rehabilitation of Market Lane, Ikom Main Market, Ikom LGA. – Completed

    (4). Rehabilitation of State Housing Lane Ikom, Ikom LGA – completed

    (5). General Maintenance & Rehabilitation of Ogoja-Ikom Road with spur at Okundi – Completed

    (6). General Maintenance & Rehabilitation of section of Ikom – Obudu Road with a spur at Bendeghe, Etung LGA – completed

    (7). Maintenance of Ikom Apiapum Road, Cross River Central – completed

    (8). Supply and Installation of ICT Laboratory Equipments – Completed

    (9). Entrepreneurship Development Training for Youth in Cross River Central from 5th – 9th October 2019.

    (10). Supply and installation of ICT Laboratory equipment to Holy Child Sec Sch Ikom, Ikom LGA- Completed

    (11). Completion of Community Civic Centre, Abijang, Etung LGA – Completed

    (12). Installation of solar street lights @ Abia, Etung LGA – Completed.

    (13). Installation of Solar Street Lights @ Ajassor, Etung LGA – Completed

    (14). IInstallation of solar Street lights @ Etomi, Etung LGA – Completed

    (15). Renovation of Obol Lopon palace @ Ugep, Yakurr LGA- Complete

    (16). Bulldozing /Grading of 6 km Farm Road @ Ekori, Yakurr LGA – Complete

    (17). Renovation of Pavilion @ Primary School Mkpani, Yakurr LGA – Complete

    (18) Construction of Schools Desks for Community Secondary School Idomi, Yakurr LGA.

    (19). Construction of Schools Desks for Bahumono Secondary Grammar School Ebom, Abi LGA – Complete

    (20). Construction of two (2) solar powered Boreholes @ Ikom Main Market, Ikom LGA – Complete

    (21). Construction of Solar Powered Boreholes @ Bendeghe Afi, Ikom – Complete

    (22). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Onyadama in Obubra LGA – Complete

    (23). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Ofodua in Obubra LGA – Complete

    (24). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Ovonum, Obubra LGA – Complete

    (25). Provision of Solar Street lights @ Ochon in Obubra LGA – Complete

    (26). Construction of Pavilion at Paramount Ruler Palace @ Olom, Boki LGA – Complete

    (27). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Bumaji in Boki LGA – Complete

    (28). Provision of Solar Power Borehole @ Bunyia Irruan in Boki LGA – Complete

    (29) Completion of Community Town Hall @ Biakwam in Boki LGA – Complete

    (30). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Wula, Boki LGA – Complete

    (31). Renovation of Primary School Block @ Bafin-Etintim, Boki LGA – Complete

    (32). Bulldozing and Grading of Kakwagom – Ndok Road in Boki LGA – Complete

    (33). Provision of Solar Street Lights @ Bansan Osokom in Boki LGA – Complete

    (34). Completion of Corpers Lodge @ Imabana, Abi LGA – Complete

    (35). Grading of Obubra – Ogada Main Town in Obubra – Complete

    (36). Grading of Iyamaoyong to Ikom-Calabar Road- CRBDA – Complete

    (37). Construction of Bridge @ Osopong in Obubra LGA – Complete

    (38). Construction of Community Civic Centre @ Mkpot, Etung LGA – Complete

    (39). Construction of Community Civic Centre @ Itaka, Etung LGA – Done

    (40). Manual Borehole construction @ Itigidi, Abi LGA – Done

    (41). Construction/Furnishing of (1) Block of Four (4) Classrooms @ Itigidi, Abi LGA. – Done

    (42). Items donated to Holy Child Secondary School, Ikom ICT Centre; 40 desktop computers, 2 laptops, 1 scanner, 1 HP Laserjet Printer, 1 Electronic Board, 1 Projector, 2 Solar Inverters, 8 Solar Batteries, 1 Fire Estinguisher, 1 Storage Rack, 1 Cabinet.

    (43). Distribution of Motorcycles to Youths across the Central Senatorial District for easy transportation.

    (44). ICT Equipment supplied to the following Schools:

    – Community Sec Sch Etomi, Etung LGA

    – Community Sec Sch Nsofang, Etung LGA

    – Community Sec School Ugep, Yakurr LGA

    – Community Sec Sch Ekunekune Asiga Yakurr LGA

    – Regina Pacis Secondary School Ofombongha, Obubra LGA

    – Community Secondary School Bawop, Boki

    EMPOWERMENT ITEMS DISTRIBUTED TO CONSTITUENTS IN 2020 FISCAL YEAR

    – 40 Motorcycles
    -220 Deep Freezers
    – 250 Vulcanizing Machines
    – 200 Sewing Machines
    – 100 Water Pumping Machines
    – 250 Grinding Machines
    – 5 Tricycles
    – 2 Toyota Camry Salon Cars.

    2021 PROJECTS OF SEN SANDY ONOR

    (1). Grading of Yala (Nkum) Road, Ikom LGA – Done

    (2). Grading of Ochon – Isabang Road, Obubra LGA – Done

    (3). Grading of Ugep – Usumutong Road, Abi LGA – Ongoing

    (4). Grading of Effraya – Etomi – Bendeghe Road, Etung LGA – Ongoing

    (5). Grading of Abo/Ugba Ntan to Abo Nkpamg in Boki LGA – Ongoing

    (6). Construction of Guest House @ Etomi, Etung LGA – Ongoing

    (7). Construction of Guest House, Nsofang, Etung LGA – Ongoing

    (8). Construction of Town Hall @ Okuni, Ikom LGA – Ongoing

    (9). Renovation of Bokomo Town Hall, Ikom LGA – Ongoing

    (10) Construction of Borehole with Overhead tank, generator @ Bankpor Irruan, Boki LGA – Ongoing

    (11). Construction of Borehole @ Etomi, Etung LGA – Ongoing

    (12). Donation of 27Kva Generator to Steady Flow University(SFU), Ikom LGA – Done

    (13). Solar lighting in Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Ugep – Done

    (14). Solar Lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler of Abi – Done

    (15). Solar lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler of Boki – Done

    (16). Solar Lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler of Etung – Done

    (17). Solar lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler, Ikom – Done

    (18). Solar lighting of the Palace of Paramount Ruler, Obubra – Done

    (19). Solar Lighting @ Ikom Main Market and Motor Park – Done

    (20). Solar lighting of Kakwagom/Bawop Ward – Done

    (21). Solar lighting in Ajassor – Done

    (22). Solar lighting in State Housing Ikom -/Done

    (23). Training of 100 Constituents on Agriculture Value Chain for Rural Farmers, Cross River Central – Done

    (24). Training of Cocoa Farmers, Cross River Central – Done

    (25). Skill acquisition training for youth, women and artisans in Cross River Central – Done

    (26). Facillitated Covid-19 intervention fund to 600 households in Cross River Central – Done

  • Caterpillar Movement Felicitates DC Enamhe On His Appointment As UNICAL ALUMNI Relation Officer

    Caterpillar Movement Felicitates DC Enamhe On His Appointment As UNICAL ALUMNI Relation Officer

    CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT.
    21st January 2022.

    Dr. Enamhe Dorn Cklaimz.
    Department of Social Works,
    University of Calabar,
    Calabar.

    FELICITATION

    On behalf of our Principal, Dist. Senator Sandy Onor, the entire Caterpillar Movement Family and PDP in cross river central senatorial district, I heartily extend our warmest felicitation to you on your milestone achievements which have resulted in your appointment as Acting Alumni Relation Officer, University of Calabar by the amiable Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi.

    Over the years, moving steadily on the path of selfless service and patriotism, you have affirmed your place as a dependable, productive and purpose-driven individual, capable of ensuring the welfare of people under your watch.
    You have demonstrated uncommon qualities of service to humanity and mankind.

    This appointment, therefore, is a mark of expression of this confidence that people have in you.

    I hereby urge you to remain assiduous, efficient and committed to the principles that have earned you this appointment, and to continue to blaze the trail . We are proud of you DC.

    Once again, Congratulations!!

    Joe-Obi Bisong (Hon Chief)
    DG, Caterpillar Movement)

  • Sandy Onor Sponsors A Motion To Upgrade And Standardize Traveling Processes At The Margaret Ekpo lnternational Airport, Calabar

    Sandy Onor Sponsors A Motion To Upgrade And Standardize Traveling Processes At The Margaret Ekpo lnternational Airport, Calabar

    THE URGENT NEED TO UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE AND STANDARDISE TRAVELLING PROCESSES AT THE MARGARET EKPO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE.

    Sponsor: Senator (Prof.) Sandy Ojang Onor (Cross River Central)

    Co-Sponsors: … Senator Gershom Bassey
    Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

    The Senate:

    NOTES that the Calabar airport, Cross River State, was commissioned in July 1983, by former President Shehu Shagari and was equipped with modern facilities at the time and was soon raised to the status of an International airport.

    FURTHER NOTES that in the 1980’s and 1990’s, the National Carrier; Nigeria Airways, used to fly regionally from Calabar to Cameroun and Equitorial Guinea. This impacted positively on the economy of Cross River State, Nigeria and the sub-region at large.

    AWARE that the airport had standard facilities at that time, which were being maintained by the Federal Government. Most of these facilities while still being used, are now obsolete and need to be upgraded or replaced.

    FURTHER AWARE that although the airport still has the “international” status, the airport does not operate any international or regional flights anymore. In fact, until recently, only one commercial airline plied the Calabar route.

    WORRIED that if the international status of the airport is not restored, most of these facilities will further deteriorate and waste.

    CONCERNED that the lack of international / regional flights has greatly affected the economy and tourism drive of the state in particular and Nigeria at large.

    ACCORDINGLY RESOLVES TO:
    Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all other relevant agencies to functionally restore the International flight status of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

    Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all other relevant agencies to fix and upgrade existing facilities to meet up with the required international standards.

    Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all relevant agencies to ensure adequate security cover in and around the airport to protect equipment such as the Navigational Aids, lighting cables and the perimeter fence that are constantly vandalised by criminally minded people.

    Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies to provide any facility needed to restore the International status of the airport, such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for night landings and the approach lights, which have been vandalised due to inadequate security cover.

    Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies to install the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS). This will aid in restarting the International route programme of the Airport.
    I so move.