The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Jarigbe Agom Facilitates Sensitization On COVID-19 Pandemic In C’River North

    Jarigbe Agom Facilitates Sensitization On COVID-19 Pandemic In C’River North

    By Team Jari Media

    The National Directorate of Employment(NDE), in conjunction with Hansyclems Global Resources Ltd, organizes Sensitization programme for constituents of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, on COVID-19 pandemic. The programme was facilitated by Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe during his term as Member of the House of Representatives.

    The programme which had participants drawn from all the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, witnessed trainings by Heath practitioners on the various preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Participants expressed satisfaction with the enlightenment and thanked the facilitator, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for always thinking about the welfare of those at the grassroot.

    Upon successful completion of the training, the participants were urged to continually enlighten the public as they also adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures taught.

  • Sandy Onor Facilitates Agricultural Training For Constituents

    Sandy Onor Facilitates Agricultural Training For Constituents

    By Caterpillar Media

    The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial district, Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has facilitated agricultural training for constituents across the Central Senatorial district of Cross River State.

    The decision for the senator to facilitate this agricultural training would not have come at a better time than now, when majority of his constituents are predominantly farmers. They are said to be the highest cocoa producers in the state, and the need to armed them with the necessary improved methods and techniques that will enhance productivity can not be overemphasized.

    The two phase training is currently ongoing at the Constituency headquarters, Ikom LGA and is to last for two days.

    Phase1- Cocoa Farmers
    Phase2- Capacity building on Agricultural Value Chain for Rural Farmers.

    Since assumption of office, Sen Sandy On or has continued to utilize every available opportunity to add value to his constituents to become self reliance.

  • Security: UNICAL VC Seeks Partnership With Nigerian Air Force

    Security: UNICAL VC Seeks Partnership With Nigerian Air Force

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has sought the partnership of the Nigerian Air Force in Calabar in the area of security provision for the institution.

    Obi said this on Monday in Calabar when the Commander of 305 Special Mobility Group, Air Commodore Garba Jibia, paid her a courtesy call in her office.

    She said that the university was facing security challenges, ranging from kidnapping of staff and students, stealing on campus among others, hence the need to collaborate with the military for enhanced security.

    The VC told the Commander that the university shares its boundary with the Qua River, adding that most suspected kidnappers were using the waterways to gain entrance into the school.

    She solicited for steady presence of the Nigerian Air Force on campus, adding that such patrol and ‘show of force’ can go a long way to scare suspected kidnappers and thieves.

    “As a university, we are willing to partner with the Nigerian Air Force because we have our security challenges.

    “We need the support of the Nigerian Air Force with their presence on campus. Security has become a major challenge in the country and the military still remain the face of our hope,” she said.

    The VC suggested to the Commander that the university was ready to mount short courses for personnel of the command with a view to further impart knowledge on them.

    Speaking earlier, the Commander said that his visit was part of his familiarisation tour to key institutions in the state on his resumption as the Commader of the Nigerian Air Force in Calabar in September.

    He told the VC that the University of Calabar falls withing their Area of Responsibility, adding that the Command would continue to carry out routine patrol on campus.

    “The University of Calabar is key to us. We will do our best to protect the university and the students because it falls under our Area of Responsibility.

    “As a Command, we are ready to collaborate and partner with the university in many areas,” he said.

    The Commander thanked the VC for advocating short courses for personnel of the Command, adding that such partnership would impart more knowledge on personnel of the Command.

    Jibia told the VC that personnel of the Command would also collaborate with the security department of the university for training, exchange of ideas and combat alertness.

  • Ekpenyong Advocates For Alternative And Sustainable Power Supply In PHCs

    Ekpenyong Advocates For Alternative And Sustainable Power Supply In PHCs

    By Simon Ushie

    Across the 36 states of the Country and the the Federal Capital Territory inclusive, Primary Healthcare Centres have remained the first point of call to citizens due to the absence of bureaucracy in gaining access to services and it’s availability in almost all Communities.

    With over 30,000 Primary Healthcare Centres across the country, and high profile case management procedures as a result of Covid-19, there is need for round the clock functionality to offer basic services to clients, hence the need for improved power supply in these facilities.

    With some of the most common services like management of Malaria , diarrhea, typhoid, HIV/Aids , Antenatal and Post Natal Services, Daily Immunization services offered, there is need for specimen preservation, vaccine potency maintenance as well as the illumination of structures to aid efficiency in service delivery.

    It was on this premise that the “Good Governance Team” in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency converged stakeholders in Abuja on a one day workshop and policy dialogue with the theme : Powering Primary Healthcare Centres In Nigeria” with emphasis on Solar Power supply as an alternative to the use of gasoline generator and it’s fossil emission.

    Panelists were drawn from different regions of the Country including , Dr Janet Ekpenyong ( Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency) representing the South South Region, Anambra ( South East), Gombe ( North East), Nasarrawa ( North Central), Zamfara (North West) to make demands for their regions as well as speak on common challenges faced by health workers in offering services as a result of poor and elliptical power supply in their regions.

    At the end of the workshop, some resolutions were met and it is expected that , states governments will
    1) Achieve buy-in and Increased commitment on #Solar4PHCs among target stakeholders at the national and subnational regions.

    2)There would be an increased awareness on the #Solar4PHCs campaign through amplification of voices, and how renewable energy can help strengthen the Nigerian Health system thereby improving the functionality of Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria.

  • Dr Linda Ayade Celebrates The Girl-Child To Mark The International Day Of The Girl-Child 2021

    Dr Linda Ayade Celebrates The Girl-Child To Mark The International Day Of The Girl-Child 2021

    11th of October has been observed worldwide as the International Day of the Girl-Child since 2012 following a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in December, 2011.

    The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Her Excellency, Dr. Linda Ayade, yesterday celebrated this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Big Qua Town, Calabar with her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), a celebration that calls attention to the need to address the challenges faced by girls and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

    This year’s theme “Digital Generation, Our Generation” is meant to draw attention to the gender digital divide in connectivity that exist in this digital age, and to encourage more girls to take a step into the constantly growing world of technology.

    Speaking while addressing the girls at the event, Dr Linda Ayade, said the girl-child is very important that is why the united nation has set aside a whole day every year to celebrate her, and because of the how important the girl-child is to her, that is why her foundation, the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) in conjunction with the Office of Wife of Governor (OWOG) was at Government Secondary School, Big Qua Town to celebrate the girl-child in Cross River State, just to express the love they have for the girl child and as future women. She charged the girls to come up with positive resolutions that will help them grow into great leaders of tomorrow as they are the digital generation that the theme of this year’s celebration is talking about.

    Dr. Ayade said the presentations that were earlier given by the resource persons were to help the girls was to throw light and help guide them to become that important digital girl of tomorrow, nothing less. She discouraged them from joining cults as this constitutes a big distraction that will hinder them from achieving their purpose in life. She said they should drop everything that will hinder them from achieving their purpose in life.

    She encouraged the girls to be free to reach out to her through her MDF in case of any distress they may be passing through, and their problems will be handled with confidentiality. She thanked the students, principal and staff of the school for making it possible for them to be there.

    Earlier in her opening remarks, the principal of the school, Mrs. Arit Ota Onaga expressed her excitement to be celebrating the international day of the girl-child with Her Excellency, Dr. Linda Ayade and her team.

    Mrs. Onaga said the girl-child is never given opportunity in the African society where we belong even though all children are a gift from God. She said every child is a child, but it is what you put into the child that makes that child what he or she will become, using herself as an example, she said she is a girl-child who has grown to become the Principal of GGSS, Big Qua, stressing that girls can become anything in this life. She thanked Dr. Linda Ayade for choosing her school to celebrate the day, and wished all a happy day.

    While giving his address the Chief Operating Officer of MDF, Mr. Jeff Adamade said the day was for the celebration of the girl-child, and that MDF right from inception have been in schools through their school base interventions, and the activity of the day fell under the same intervention.
    Mr. Adamade said MDF has four (4) thematic areas of interventions, which include health, right and justice, education and volunteering and lastly sustainable livelihood. He said the event of the day cuts across all the four thematic areas of MDF because it affects the girl-child; Adamade said they have been in the length and breadth of Cross River State through their school based interventions.

    In Her Excellency’s entourage were the Special Adviser on Finance and Administration, OWOG, Mrs. Phil Inyang, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Central, Surv. (Dr.) Gertrude Nanja Njah, the Special Adviser on Event, Owog, Hon. Torita Odey amongst others.

    Highlight of the event were presentations on overcoming obstacle to career development, menstrual hygiene, welcome song by the students of GGSS, drama presentation, presentation of gift items to students and staff, entertainment amongst others

  • UN, CRSG Signs 2021/2022 United Nations ‘Delivery As One’ Work Plan

    UN, CRSG Signs 2021/2022 United Nations ‘Delivery As One’ Work Plan

    By Elijah Ugani

    The United Nations and the Cross River State government has jointly signed the 2021/2022 Work Plan.

    The Country Rep of the United Nations Population Agency UNFPA, Ms Ulla Elisabeth Mueller thanked Governor Ben Ayade for the opportunity and time created for the signing of the work plan and commended the collaboration from the Cross River State Government for the development of the work plan.

    Mueller noted that “Cross River State is one of the leading states in the implementation of the Delivery as One project in Nigeria. It has been an interesting journey working with Cross River State in the past years.

    “Cross River State has dynamic youths who want to contribute to the building of this country despite the challenges confronting them.

    “The UN has moved to support you to overcome these seemingly myriad of challenges. During implementation, your team and the UN team will prioritize and ensure that every body gets the services that will be rendered”

    On his part, Governor Ben Ayade commended the UN for the passion shown to Nigeria, particularly the challenges of Covid19 and the security within the Niger Delta region.

    Ayade noted that “the choice of Cross River State for implementing all of these programs is not a surprise to us. Our concern is that we need to find time to sit on a table to share our concerns and find a sustainable way to addressing these concerns.

    “I am particularly grateful because you are here to assist me deliver on my core mandate as Governor because your areas of delivery speaks to my core mandate. Our youths come out of school without job placement and that is why we line up industries to address unemployment in the state as well as expanded government to accommodate the interest of the youths.

    “We started the Welding and Fabrication Academy, we will graduate our first batch in a couple of weeks from now, let’s see how we can incorporate them into this plan and see how we can provide basic start up kits for them.

    “While I commend your dexterity to assist our state, I hope to see the change that will be associated with this humanitarian intervention”

    The Governor seized the opportunity to commend the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation MIDC, Dr Inyang Asibong for her resilience and commitment to ensuring the coordination of UN activities in the State.

    Earlier, the Commissioner, MIDC, Dr Inyang Asibong commended efforts made by the UN Agencies working in Cross River State with UNFPA as the lead agency for the various interventions under the Delivery as One.

    Asibong mentioned key result areas for the intervention to include:
    a) Governance, Human Right, Peace and Security
    b) Equitable Quality Basic Services and
    c) Sustainable and Inclusive Growth and Development.

    The Cross River State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Tanko Ashang signed the work plan on behalf of the Cross River State Government while the UNFPA Country Rep, Mrs Ulla Elisabeth Mueller signed for the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon.

    The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Martins Orim led other government functionaries to witness the signing, while the Head of Calabar Office of UNFPA, Dr Aliyu Yakubu led other UN agencies in Cross River State.

  • UNICEF Partners Cross River Government To Provide Nutritional Services For Children And The Vulnerable

    UNICEF Partners Cross River Government To Provide Nutritional Services For Children And The Vulnerable

     

    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund,(UNICEF) has renewed its commitment to partner with Cross River State Government in providing nutritional services to vulnerable persons in the State.

    Head of UNICEF, Enugu Field office who oversees Cross River , Ibrahim Conteh, made the disclosure during his visit to the Ministry of International Development Cooperation in Calabar.

    Conteh who was accompanied by the
    UNICEF Nutrition Officer, Ngozi Anora and the Head of Planning and Monitoring Services, Maureen Okolo, explained that the UN Agency is determined to reach the most disadvantaged children and vulnerable adolescents in a bid to protect the rights of every child, everywhere in Nigeria.

    He said providing nutritional services will help children to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for International Development Corporation, Inyang Asibong assured the UNICEF representatives that the State is set to roll out it’s Social Protection Policy and multi-sectoral plan for Nutrition .

    According to Asibong, the policy will cater for the nutritional needs of children, educational needs, and support the less privileged in communities.

    The launch of the social protection policy is slated to hold in October, 2021 following activity meetings with line Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government as well as stakeholders and clusters across the State with the Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC) as the cordinating partner.

    Those who joined Commissioner Asibong during the meeting were, Mr Ogbang Akwaji, Permanent Secretary MIDC, Mrs Mbong Ausaji , Director of Admin., MIDC, amongst others.

  • Cross River: UNHCR Pledges To Strengthen Humanitarian Support To Thousands Of Refugees From Cameroon.

    Cross River: UNHCR Pledges To Strengthen Humanitarian Support To Thousands Of Refugees From Cameroon.

     

    By Admin

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has promised strengthening of humanitarian support services to thousands of refugees from Cameroon residing in various parts of communities across Cross River State.

    Statistics made available to our correspondent reveal that there are over 38,000 Cameroonian refugees living at Etung, Akamkpa, Obanliku, Bakassi, Calabar, Ikom, Boki, Ogoja and Obudu communities and are facing various challenges. These refugees fled from Southern Cameroon following in-fighting between the Cameroonian government and some freedom fighters from Southern Cameroon.
    Since then, the UN Refugee Agency has supported the Cross River government by rehabilitating and upgrading public facilities including health, education and WASH as well as distributing non-food items, food, medicine, tools, and farm implements to the refugees and host communities.
    Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for International Development Corporation, MIDC, Dr Inyang Asibong, in her office in Calabar at the weekend, the UNHCR Head of Sub-Office Ogoja, Mr Tesfaye Bekele, commended the State government for their commitment towards providing humanitarian services to the refugees and advocated for continuous support.
    Bekele promised to work in synergy with the coordinating ministry and other MDAs to deliver their mandate in line with the vision and mission of the organization to the people of Cross River.
    In her response, the Commissioner for International Development Corporation, MIDC, Dr Inyang Asibong, said the State government is committed to providing succour to the refugees residing across the communities in the State.
    She explained that the population of the refugees have been overwhelming and assured the team of the government’s readiness to partner with them in playing a role in humanitarian services and other areas as requested by MIDC as the coordinating partner.

  • Thanksgiving: Prof. Obi Dedicates Appointment As UNICAL VC To God

    Thanksgiving: Prof. Obi Dedicates Appointment As UNICAL VC To God

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has held a thanksgiving mass in her honour to dedicate her emergence as the first female and 11th substantive VC of the institution to God.

    The thanksgiving mass was held in her home town of Bansan community, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Boki local government area, Cross River State.

    The VC, who led her family, friends, colleagues and well wishers to thank God for her emergence, said that her educational career towards attaining the highest rank of a Professor wasn’t a smooth one, hence it came with challenges, but she was determined towards achieving success.

    She told the congregation that as a young child from a humble background, she was focused on becoming great through her educational pursuits in spite of the challenges.

    Prof. Obi noted that her emergence as the 11th VC of UNICAL was divine.

    The VC encouraged women to always have a positive outlook towards life, adding that success does not come easily, but with determination and perseverance.

    She solicited the support of management staff, workers and students of the University towards achieving her mission and vision for the institution.

    The VC explained that her choice for the thanksgiving in her home town was to also honour the church and her community for their separate contributions in her life from childhood.

    Prof. Obi, who was filled with joy, donated 150 long pews to the church, 100 medium ones, lighting of the church and others, while her friends and colleagues also made financial donations to the church

    She explained that the donation was one of the ways of giving back to the church that played a significant role in her life and upbringing.

    The colourful event attracted the presence of politicians, captain of industries, the academia, religious and traditional leaders, students, Youth Council amongst others.

  • Nigeria is a great country with abundance of untapped natural resources – Ajagbo Tells Corps members

    Nigeria is a great country with abundance of untapped natural resources – Ajagbo Tells Corps members

     

    A Rtd Director , ministry of foreign affairs , Abuja Dr. Walter Ajogbor, mni has Charged the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Corps Members currently undergoing Orientation Course in Obubra Camp to avoid nursing any idea of risking their lives in an attempt to seek Greener pastures abroad and look inward to explore the unexploited opportunities in the country.

    The retired deplomat stated this,
    during a sensitization Lecture titled “Stemming the Tides of lrregular Migration” in fulfilment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Youth Service Corps and the Pan African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy, PAIGAS.

    Dr Ajogbo hinted that there were many reasons to avoid being second class citizens outside when we have a country of our own. In his words “many Nigerians of your age are making it big in Nigeria . All you need to do is to believe in Nigeria and believe in yourself. What we have is a country with unlimited possibilities and opportunities ” He opined.

    He defined lrregular migration to involve the movement of persons from one country to another without respecting the laws of originating country and country of destination.
    The Rtd Director advised Corps Members to used Basic requirements to obtained international travel documents which includes: passport documents, Air tickets, and proof of Accomdation bookings, travel itinerary details among others.

    He further Enumerated the Dangers of lrregular migration to include: smuggling of migrants, kidnapping, Rejection of irregular migrants, trafficking and abuse of & exploitation of children and women among others.

    Ajogbor advised Corps Members to take their destiny in their hands and discover their potentials as their peers have succeeded here in Nigeria. ” Remember in the school of success there is no age of graduation ” Age is not a hindrance to your success.

    In his welcoming remarks, the state Coordinator of NYSC Cross River State Mr Zemoh Andrew who welcomed the guest Lecturer to Obubra orientation camp, noted that the Lecture is very apt as Nigeria youth are noted for leaving the country to Europe in search of unknown greener pastures.

    He further collaborated efforts made by the NYSC to reduce the menace of irregular migration, saying the NYSC management strategically came up with skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme ( SAED) to help Corps members become employers of Labour thereby engaging themselves in Legimate and productive Enterprise .

    Zemoh added that “over the years, thousands of Corps members have made good living by starting small and growing big ‘ He opined.
    Zemoh Charged the Corps members to consider the Lecture as a golden opportunity emanating from the memorandum of understanding (MOU). between NYSC and Pan Africa institute for Global affiara and strategy (PAIGAS).

    In a vote of thanks, Corps Camp Director Mr Ugoya Theophilus who represented the Corps members appreciated the Guest Lecturer for awakening their consciousness and for being objective and practical in his presentation and pledge to put information received to proper use.

    Highlights of the occasion include volunteering by Corps Members to help fight against irregular Migration through sensitisation campigns to schools, market place as well as the Mass Media.