The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • NMDPRA Inspects Safety, Operational Facilities At Calabar Depot

    NMDPRA Inspects Safety, Operational Facilities At Calabar Depot

     

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has undertaken an inspection visit to the depot in Calabar with a view to ensure that the safety and operational facilities are up to date.

    Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage, Retail and Infrastructure of the Authority, was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Operations Controller, Calabar Field Office of NMDPRA, Mr George Ene-Ita, and other staff.

    The team inspected the Dozzy oil and Gas depot, Ammasco petroleum chemicals company, Hyde tanks and terminals, North West Petroleum, Fynfield Petroleum, Sobaz oil, Alkanes Petroleum and Gas, jetties among others.

    Speaking to newsmen after the tour, Ukoha said that one of the concerns of the marketers was the dredging of the Calabar channel.

    The Executive Director said that the dredging would allow for bigger vessels to berth with petroleum product with a view to meet the storage capacity of the depot.

    According to him, the oil marketers have identified dredging as one of their major concerns limitating the supply of petroleum product to their facilities at the jetty.

    He disclosed that the peak consumption period for petroleum product in Nigeria was between November to January, hence the need to stabilise and ensure a seamless supply and distribution of the product.

    “The draft of the Calabar channel was one of the concerns raised by oil marketers; due to this, they have to wait for the tide to come high before bringing in their vessels.

    “With dredging, we can do more so that bigger vessels can come in because they have the capacity for storage.

    “The oil marketers have also raised the issue of multiple regulation by different agencies; we will look into the issues and engage with other stakeholders because the Petroleum Industry Act is very clear, we are domiciled as the priority.

    “It is very important that we do this and be mindful of the outcome of the pump price on the end users,” he said.

  • Peter Odey Splashes 5M, 500 Bags Of Rice And 500 Wrappers On Constituents For Christmas

    Peter Odey Splashes 5M, 500 Bags Of Rice And 500 Wrappers On Constituents For Christmas

    By Elijah Ugani

    The member representing Ogoja State Constituency and Leader of the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Peter Odey has today doled out 5M, 500 bags of rice and 500 wrappers to his constituents drawn from the ten political wards of Ogoja Local Government Area.

    Distributing the items and cash at the Ogoja council hall, the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Mr Uko Inakwu, commended the gesture of the member of Parliament for recognizing the role of women and for the benevolent spirit to reach out the women, and noted that this is the first of it kind in the history of Ogoja.

    On his part, Mr Odey thanked the Governor, Sen Ben Ayade for providing the fulcrum that has demystified leadership in Cross River State within the last six years.

    He used the opportunity to assure his constituents of effective representation as he wished them a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance “It has been my desire to give you the representation that we all desire and this I have done within the past six years. Today, I have decided to single you out to say thank you for all your support.

    “Let me use this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. May the love that God had shown us through the birth of Jesus Christ, find a place in our hearts as we share with those in need especially during this Christmas season”

    Most of the beneficiaries who spoke to TheLumineNews expressed joy and satisfaction with the items they received and prayed for the lawmaker and wished him the best even as he completes his stay in office.

    Mrs. Agbo Ogar of Ogoja Urban Ward ii described Mr Odey as God sent as majority of those who benefited from his benevolence had lost hope of what to eat during the Christmas considering the high cost of food stuff in the market.
    She asked God to grant his heart desires.

    Mr Odey had earlier in the month distributed 20 motorcycles to APC ward Chairmen and party stalwart across the ten wards of Ogoja to ease mobilization of party faithfuls.

  • Glitz and Glamour As UNICAL VC Celebrates Christmas With Children

    Glitz and Glamour As UNICAL VC Celebrates Christmas With Children

     

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has celebrated the yuletide season with children in a colourful and unique style at the institution’s conference centre.

    The UNICAL Staff Children Party, the first of it’s kind, played host to hundreds of children who competed in various events during the show.

    The event featured dance competition, bible quiz, little master and miss UNICAL pageant show, fashion parade, among many others.

    The winners of miss UNICAL and little master were crowned by the VC and branded as “Ambassadors of UNICAL”, while Christmas packages were shared to all the children.

    Consolation prizes were also given to the 1st and 2nd runner up respectively. Parents were not left out in the fun as they added colour to the event by way of dancing on stage and contesting to win prizes for their children.

    In her remarks, the VC, who said that identifying with children helps to shape their upbringing and giving them the right path to follow in life, advised parents to always give their children a positive outlook towards life.

    According to her, “Children are gifts from God, hence we need to take good care of them by teaching them what is morally right and the things that are wrong.

  • Sandy Onor Visits Victims of Fire Disaster in Ikom, Promised Relief Materials

    Sandy Onor Visits Victims of Fire Disaster in Ikom, Promised Relief Materials

     

    The senator representing the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor on Saturday, November 27, 2021 visited the scene of the recent fire outbreak in Ikom Town, Ikom LGA of Cross River State. His visit was to console the victims who lost property worth millions of naira with a pledge to make relief materials available as quick as possible.

    The swift and timely reaction of the distinguished senator is in line with his inherent interventionist nature and in fulfilment of his campaign promise to always respond to the needs and yearnings of his people both in cheerful and tearful times.

    This is the second time in two years that the Ikom main market is engulfed in fire outbreak. During the first outbreak, the senator had made same on the spot visit and assessment of the level damage. He ensured a follow-up with the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, and relief materials ranging from mattresses, zinc, bags of cement among other things were provided and distributed to the affected persons.

    Some of the victims who spoke with our reporter expressed profound gratitude to Senator Onor for his swift response, consolation and reassuring hope as the first public office holder to visit the scene inspite of distance and his very busy schedules.

  • Sandy Onor Powers 2021 CRS Football Association Pre-Season Tournament

    Sandy Onor Powers 2021 CRS Football Association Pre-Season Tournament

    By Admin

    The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen Prof Sandy Onor has powered the 2021 Cross River State Football Association Pre-Season Tournament.

    Speaking to TheLumineNews, the Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Hon Chief Joe Bisong stated that “we are proud and happy to be associated with this year’s Pre-Season Tournament of the Cross River State Football Association. You will agree with me that football is one aspect of our lives that bring a lots of people together, especially young people.

    “Let me use this opportunity to congratulate members of the Cross River State Football Association for putting up this event and finding our principal, Sen Prof Sandy Onor worthy to power this year’s Pre-Season Tournament”

    In a widely circulated flier, Abia WARRIORS, Akwa UNITED, Uyo and BAYELSA UTD are among the male participating category.

    Others are ROVERS FC, ESSIEN AYI FC as well as HOPE OF GLORY.

    The female category include: Pelican Stars, Delta Queens, Rivers Angels and Imo Angels.

    The tournament is scheduled to commence on 28th November – 2nd December, 2021 at UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

  • UNICAL Describes Online Post As Malicious, Sets The Facts Straight

    UNICAL Describes Online Post As Malicious, Sets The Facts Straight

    By UNICAL Press Corps

    The University of Calabar has officially reacted to an obnoxious post making the rounds on social media titled “The Purported Inhuman Treatment to a Fellow Woman” describing it as spurious, baseless, and malicious.

    A release issued by the Registrar of the University of Calabar, Mr Gabriel Egbe said Management decided to react to the aforesaid post with the intent of setting the records straight.

    The release informed that the post of the anonymous writer came on the heels of a recent action embarked upon by the Estate Unit of the University to recover the property of the institution from the family of a deceased staff in line with the housing policy of the citadel of learning.

    The release cited section 1.1.4 subsection (1) of the university policy which makes provision for spouses or wards of deceased staff to stay at most one year before vacating the university’s property adding that in this case, the family being referred to has occupied the property for over four years contrary to the provisions of the university extant laws.

    The release disclosed that before the action embarked upon by the university, the family was given a series of notices, requesting them to relocate and surrender the institution’s possession but all to no avail.

    According to the release, the university acted within the ambit of the law and was quite magnanimous, with the given family and frowned at the unjustified attack on the office and person of the Vice-Chancellor rather than gratitude.
    The release has called on members of the public to disregard the awful post.

  • Nigerian Society Of Engineers Solicits Support From UNICAL VC

    Nigerian Society Of Engineers Solicits Support From UNICAL VC

    UNICAL Press Corps

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), South-South Caucus have solicited the support of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar in pursuit of the ideals of the Society.

    This position was made known when the Leader of the Caucus and one-time Chairman of the Calabar Branch of the body, Engr. Monday. T. E. Essien led other members of the professional body to pay a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor.

    Engr Monday Essien, a Fellow of the Society said they were in the University to congratulate the Vice Chancellor on her emergence as the first female Vice Chancellor of the 2nd generation Ivory Tower and to seek avenues for collaborations between the professional body and the university.

    According to the Caucus Leader, the body is already working with the incipient faculty of Engineering in the areas of practical training and workshops for its students, adding that, they are open to doing more where necessary as the faculty prepares for the forth coming accreditation exercise.

    The one-time General Manager of the Cross River Basin Development Authority used the occasion to itemize areas where the body seeks the support of the university including; sponsorship of her members working with the Institution to her upcoming AGM/Workshop and attendance at a programme to be hosted by the branch.

    Describing the Vice Chancellor as a mother par excellence, Engr. Essien applauded her strides since assumption of office, noting that she has become an inspiration and example to the women folk, not just in Cross River State but the Nation at large.

    In the same vein, the Chairman, Cross River State Branch of the NSE, Engr. Ndifon Agbiji expressed the profound appreciation of the body to the Vice Chancellor for finding time to see them inspite of her obviously tight schedule.

    The State Chairman, while introducing other members of the delegation, acknowledged the palpable passion and commitment with which the University Administrator has applied herself to the responsibilities of her office since mounting the saddle.

    Responding, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi said she was delighted to receive officials of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, in her office, adding that, she was happy and impressed by their level of interest in the Faculty of Engineering despite the fact that it is a fledgling one, with lots of challenges such as inadequate equipment, lack of workshops and sundry facilities.

    Prof. Obi, however, reiterated her commitment and desire to set up the Faculty so that students who graduate from there can compete with other students anywhere and anytime, even as she said, “all the University wants is that the program is in sound footing”.

    The Vice Chancellor used the occasion to restate her call for Professional Bodies to work in sync with the NUC BENCHMARK for accreditation of programmes in order to ameliorate the fiscal burden placed on universities.

    The brief but highly interactive event also had in attendance, the Registrar of the University, Mr. Gabriel Egbe; the Dean of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Osha Odey; Director of Works, Engr. Joseph Alaga; Past Chairmen, NSE-CB, Engineers Dr. Joseph Ukpata and Dr. Nsed Akonjom.

  • UNICAL VC, Anglican Bishop Bags Service Award From Medical College

    UNICAL VC, Anglican Bishop Bags Service Award From Medical College

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has been conferred with a Service Award by the College of Medical Sciences for her giant strides towards the development of the institution.

    She was conferred with the award during the College Academic Assembly/Staff Forum held at the International Conference Centre of the institution.

    Speaking shortly after the conferment, the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof.Victor Ansa said the award came on the heels of the Vice Chancellor’s phenomenal contributions and support for the College.

    He said that the Vice Chancellor, in less than one year of assumption of office, has contributed immensely to the achievements and successes recorded in the College.

    Prof. Ansa said the vision and mission of the Medical College is being fulfilled since she took over as the University helmsman, adding that she has created two new faculties in the College, which according to him, will further expand the frontiers of knowledge in the medical field.

    While thanking the Vice Chancellor for honouring the College with her esteemed presence, the provost said: “It is not about the award, it is in appreciation of your service to the College, University, and humanity.

    “We are grateful to you for the immense support received as a College which has placed us on a higher pedestal for effective service delivery. Our aims and objectives are being achieved under your watch’’.

    Responding, the Vice Chancellor thanked the College for honouring her, thereby describing the award as a call to service.

    Prof. Obi who described the College as ‘first among equals’ commended the College for appreciating those who have contributed to its growth.

    According to the VC, the College has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, to be the flagship of the University as it has made the institution soar higher on the global stage through its international collaborations.

    The Vice Chancellor said that products of the College have been making great exploits globally, adding that, “I am happy to be associated with the activities in the College because you have made us proud as an institution”.

    Also speaking, Rt. Rev. (Prof) Nneoyi Egbe, Bishop of Anglican Communion, Calabar Diocese, an awardee, who spoke on behalf of other award recipients, thanked the College for the award and assured that they will continue to render selfless service to the institution.

    He urged the award recipients not to take the award for granted but to see it as a call to serve humanity.

  • Anambra Polls: CSO Commends UNICAL VC For Displaying Integrity, Transparency

    Anambra Polls: CSO Commends UNICAL VC For Displaying Integrity, Transparency

     

    A Civil Society Organisation, Democracy for Good, Social and Behavioural Change, has commended the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, for displaying exceptional integrity, transparency and steadfastness in the collation and display of votes during the Anambra governorship polls where she served as the Chief Returning Officer.

    In a statement signed by the Director and Secretary of the Organisation, Mr Williams Iba and Ms. Patricia Smith, the organisation described the VC as a “role model for the younger generation”.

    “We had feelers that the election was going to be rigged to favour a certain party. Infact, we heard that the result for the election was already written in Abuja and ready for announcement.

    “But to our greatest surprise, the distinguished Professor did justice to the election outcome. She read the figures the way there were presented from the local government collation officers and electoral officers respectively.

    “We deployed some of our officials to monitor the election and the figure they brought to us was exactly what the Vice-Chancellor read out to the world.

    “She was firm during the process, she didn’t let anyone to distract her or try to manipulate her to twist any result. As a body that promotes democracy and social change, we are proud of her profession, her charisma, personality and what she represents.

    “She served all parties that participated in the election the result they got from the field. Indeed, she stands for equity, justice and accountability.

    “Sincerely, we commend her for a job welldone. May she continue to be a shining light to the younger generation, especially the women folk,” the statement read.

    The CSO also commended the lecturers from UNICAL who served as Local Government Collation Officers for allowing the votes of the electorates to be counted.

  • Ayade Chief Of Staff, Martins Orim Impacting The Lives Of Vulnerable Cross Riverians

    Ayade Chief Of Staff, Martins Orim Impacting The Lives Of Vulnerable Cross Riverians

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Hon Martins Orim has contributed in no small measures to alleviate the plight of the down trodden in the state.

    Hon. Martins Orim decided to immortalize the virtues and legacies of his late dad, launched the GFO Foundation in 201….. Since the official launch of the GFO Orim’s Foundation, it has been a harvest of consolidated interventions, ranging from human capacity development (life skill), infrastructure, health and other humanitarian interventions.

    It is a known fact that this act of generosity is bequeathed to the Chief of Staff by his late dad for those who knew him.

    When contacted, Hon Martin Orim averred that “One of the ways to make my late father happy to ensure that I put a smile on the faces of the destitute, especially when I have the opportunity and resources to do so. It my desire to reach a good number of those who really are deserving of our assistance, but you see, we are constraint by the lean resources within our reach.

    “For those who knew my father, he was the pioneer catechist who brought the Catholic Church to Ubang, his home used to be a beehive of those who needed his mentorship, he could gather together to share with them what he has. He encouraged a lots of people, and I cannot forget his goodwill.

    “For me, the only way to say thank you to my late dad who is not here to see me become what I am, is to immortalize him through the GFO Orim Foundation.

    “It is my earnest desire to ensure that as a foundation, we target especially those who needs our support, to reduce the burdens on our vulnerable brothers and sisters”

    Hon. Martins Orim is a silent achiever who does not want most of the things his foundation is doing public, believes that he owes a duty to put a smile on the faces of the less privileged.

    Some of his silent achievements are as follows:

    1) a. Training of several people on Skills Acquisition, capacity building at Obudu. The first phase of this training in various skills has been ongoing since last year, some have graduated while others are still undergoing the training based on their different skills, they will be provided with start up kits as soon as they complete their trainings.

    b. Currently, he has partnered with the Industrial Training Fund ITF and training 50 youths in Obudu on Poultry, Catering, Decoration and plumbing. This is to provide the youths with certified certification that will guarantee their job security wherever they find themselves.

    2) Construction of a Mini Bridge at Okweriseng, Obudu.

    3) Construction of communal roads linking other communities at Okweriseng, Obudu.

    4) Empowered several people across the State with finances to set up Small and Medium scale businesses.

    5) Payment of hospital bills, including paying full charges for the incubation of twins that were prematurely delivered by a teenager at the University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, as well as payment of school fees for the less privileged across the state.

    6) Provision of Solar powered street lights for his ward, Alege/Ubang, Obudu.

    7) Donation of 25kva Diesel powered Mikano Generator and financial support to St. Charles Catholic church, Obudu.

    8) Financial Assistance and support to Orphanage Homes in Calabar and Ogoja on Monthly basis.

    9) Distribution of 23 Cars ( Yala – 1, Ogoja – 1, Bekwarra – 2, Obanliku – 4, Akpabuyo – 1 and Obudu – 14) and over 80 Motor cycles s to individuals in Cross River North Senatorial District.

    10) Donation of wheel chairs to the physically challenged persons across the state.

    11) Gifts of wrappers, food items, medical and financial support to Widows in the State.

    12) Building of a State of the Art Skills Acquisition Center for his community, Ubang, Obudu.

    13) Building of a Civic Center for his community Ubang, Obudu to aid Revenue generation.

    14) Award of scholarships to several indigenes of Cross River State from primary, post primary and tertiary institutions in the State.

    15) Facilitated employment of Cross Riverians into the Nigeria Police Force, the Military, Nigeria Civil Defense and Security Corps, NCDSC etc. etc.

    16) Equipped Primary and Secondary Schools with Computers and Science Laboratory equipments at Okweriseng, Ubang – Obudu

    17) Facilitated the building of a Telecommunications mast to aid his community and environs gain quality access to GSM Network in the 21st century.

    18) Provision of electricity supply to Ubang in Alege/Ubang Ward in Obudu LGA.

    19) Renovated a house for a widow at Anyikang, Bekwarra LGA.

    20. Provided a source of livelihood by setting a small medium enterprise for the widow at Anyikang

    All the interventions as enumerated above were captured under the various thematic areas of GFO Orim Foundation, which include: Access to equitable good health, Access to affordable education, Livelihood, Rights and Justice as well as other cross cutting issues.

    The Board and management of GFO Orim Foundation is opened to partnership from other organizations, group of individuals, philanthropists and even government at all levels to bridge the gap of the challenges of the populace.