The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • SDGs Partners Obudu LGC, Distributes Teaching And Non Teaching Aid To Schools

    SDGs Partners Obudu LGC, Distributes Teaching And Non Teaching Aid To Schools

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Ministry of Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, has partnered Obudu Local Government Council to distribute teaching and non teaching aids to primary schools pupils.

    The Council Chairman, Mr Boniface Eraye Eweh used the occasion to call on teachers and pupils of public primary schools in Obudu to make judicious use of the teaching and non teaching materials that are provided to aide effective teaching and learning.

    The Chairman was represented at the distribution exercise by the Secretary of Council, Chief Austin Akan.

    In his words “As a council, we are glad and must commend the commitment of SDGs for the complete overhauling of some primary schools in Obudu.

    “One of my core areas of interest is the advancement of education especially for the younger generation. If we fail to plan for these ones, we will miss our target. When we retire or are tired, this particular generation will be responsible for the administration of the affairs of the state, and we owe it as a duty to prepare them adequately for the future.

    “SDGs has come to save the situation, our schools were so dilapidated. The ministry have undertaken total overhauling of St Charles, St Patrick’s and St Stephen primary schools in Obudu, no one need to tell you the condition of these schools as they are currently, compared to what they were before now.

    “We will continue to call on the ministry to extend this overhauling to other schools in the Local Government Area”

    On his part, the Executive Secretary, Obudu Education Authority, Mr Peter Abotsi charged teachers and pupils of the schools to take advantage of the materials distributed to them to advance teaching and learning. He stressed that the effect of the materials distributed should be visible as much is expected from both the teachers and the pupils.

    Other dignitaries at the distribution exercise include;
    the Director for Education, Mrs Francisca Ikem, the Supervisor in Council for Education, Mrs Bright Adung.

    Football, first aid box, pictorial charts, iron buckets, exercise books among others were some of the items distributed.

    Recall that in September 2015, world leaders had adopted 17 SDGs with a universal call to action to end poverty, safeguard the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030.

    The SDGs aims to tackle the root causes of poverty and unite the world to make positive changes for both the people and the planet.

    The distribution of customized SDGs teaching and non teaching aids is to create collaborative efforts to communicate the SDGs to pupils and communities.

    The materials were distributed to the following schools; St Stephen Primary School Obudu, St Patrick Primary School Obudu, St Charles Primary School Obudu, Community Primary School Bebuagbong, St Theresa Primary School, Ipong, St Colman’s Primary School Utugwang and Govt Primary School Ukpirinyi.

    The Chairman stated that distribution to other schools will continue.

  • CRSG To Embark On Staff Audit, Set To Weed Ghost Workers

    CRSG To Embark On Staff Audit, Set To Weed Ghost Workers

    The Cross River State government is set to commence staff audit across the state to weed ghost worker.

    The Office of the Head of Service (H.O.S),  has released a schedule for the 2021 Staff Audit of State-owned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    In a release sighted by TheLumineNews and signed by the Head Of Service, Mrs Geraldine Akpet- Ekanem indicates that the exercise is aimed at “removing ghost workers” from the payroll.

    Attached is the timetable for the audit.

  • NGO Sends SOS To 100 Boki Stakeholders, Call For Quick Action To Save Their Forest

    NGO Sends SOS To 100 Boki Stakeholders, Call For Quick Action To Save Their Forest

    By Patrick Obia – CrossRiverWatch

    Rainforest Resource and Development Centre, RRDC, has sent SOS to 100 Boki Local Government Council (Cross River State) sons and daughters well placed in the society to rescue their God-given resources.

    The group in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Odey Oyama and addressed to the Boki stakeholders revealed that it had carried out a study (Reconnaissance Surveys) in the Local Government Council which is in the Central Senatorial District of the State and discovered that, the region’s natural resources are raped on round-the-clock without remorse.

    Letter reads in full: “Reconnaissance Surveys conducted by the Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC), has confirmed the existence of widespread destruction and degradation of the rich natural, pristine tropical high forest in the entire Boki Community. It is evident that the people of Boki have not benefited collectively from the colossal loss of their God-given resources. The implication of this unfortunate development will be the total loss of the rich natural heritage of the people of Boki and their unborn generations.

    “We are therefore by this clarion call, asking the under listed prominent sons and daughters of Boki communities, to please crystalize an action group. The proposed Action Group should incorporate and mobilize all the Royal Fathers and other respected Elders and Opinion Leaders, to take urgent action to stem the tide of destruction that is ongoing in their rich natural heritage.

    “It is our considered opinion that if properly preserved, the forest of Boki, including the Afi Wildlife Sanctuary, the Drill Ranch (Pandrillus) program as well as the Cross River National Park program at Bushi Okwangwo, could be presented to UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This would certainly bring greater honour and financial rewards to the landlord communities.

    “Urgent action is needed to stop the forest bandits from destroying the remaining forest resources of Boki Nation. If such collective action is taken promptly, the sons and daughters of the present day Boki will certainly be exonerated from blame, when future generations of Boki sons and daughters will demand for explanations of the whereabouts of their vast natural inheritances placed under your care. We therefore implore the following personalities to please institute URGENT ACTION to save the only remaining forest resources in Boki.

    The list of 100 Boki stakeholders the SOS was sent to by the NGO.

    “Honorable Chairman, Sir, we thank you and the above listed personalities for the time and the resources that this project will certainly demand from you. We wish to assure you that, future generations of Boki sons and daughters in particular; and of Cross River State in general, will remember you and your genuine efforts with gratitude and high honor. Please kindly act now before it is too late; for the World is watching your reaction. THE TIME IS NOW.”

  • Social Safety Net: Cross River Flags Off World Bank State-wide Rapid Response Register

    Social Safety Net: Cross River Flags Off World Bank State-wide Rapid Response Register

    By Admin

    Cross River State Government has flaged off the Rapid Response Register (RRR), that will enable the low-income earners benefit from stipends as part of measures to ease the state economy from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

    The state Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong while performing the flag off in Calabar Municipality Area of Cross River, said the target beneficiaries are “self-employed”, “wage employed” and “urban poor.”

    Asibong said Cross River State Government is collaborating with the World Bank , using “cutting-edge” technology, to undertake a pilot scheme for the programme.

    The commissioner explained that with the flag off, vulnerable people will be captured in the National Social Register (NSR) to enable them benefit from the National Social Safety net programme.

    “Governor Ben Ayade made this new opportunity possible , leveraging on the support of the Federal Government to enable this category of people, who were not previously captured in the social register, to rapidly identify, register and provide them with succour.

    “The RRR is designed to focus mainly on the urban poor wards selected using scientifically validated methods of satellite remote sensing technology, machine learning algorithm and big data analysis.

    “We are keying into the social protection method with the first strategy to be developed and tested across the 18 local government areas ,starting with 6 LGAs with poverty index in Cross River State.

    “Cross River State Government has flaged off the Rapid Response Register (RRR) Scheme aimed at reducing poverty among the poor and vulnerable citizens across the State”she added.

    Those in attendance at the flag off were Mr. Chris Anake, State Coordinator NASSCO; Mrs. Mbong Ausaji, Director of Administration MIDC; Mr. Mike Mgbekem, Director of Programs, MIDC; Mr. Otu Edem, Director PRS as well as the management and staff of State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU).

  • Margaret Inde Hosts Interactive Session For Cross River Urban To Rural Women Mentorship Programme In Obanliku

    Margaret Inde Hosts Interactive Session For Cross River Urban To Rural Women Mentorship Programme In Obanliku

    By John Akpo

    The Executive Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Council, Evang. Hon Mrs. Margaret Inde today played host to Her Excellency, Dr (Mrs) Linda Ayade as she held interactive session with Obanliku maidens, women, widows and others at the Council Secretariat in Sankwala.

    Dr. Linda Ayade who was represented by the Special Adviser, Cross River State Water Board LTD and Coordinator, Cross River Urban to Rural Women Mentorship Program, Hon. Agnes Atsu (JP) and Mr Fred Abua, the Press Secretary to her Excellency said this meeting was the first major interface with the 200 beneficiaries of the mentorship and empowerment program designed for young women.

    Receiving the team on behalf of Hon Margaret Inde, the First Lady and the Obanliku CROWEI Ambassador, Mrs Victoria Ugbe, along with the CROWEI Coordinator, Obanliku Chapter, Mrs Ulam thanked Dr (Mrs) Linda Ayade for matching her words with action.

    She expressed her sincere appreciation and happiness for Her Excellency choosing to commence the pilot phase of this laudable initiative in Obanliku.

    The Ambassador assured that Obanliku will ensure a smooth implimentation and sustainability of the program.

    Recall that on the 7th May, 2021, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade Inaugurated the State Exco for her new programme, CROWEI Urban To Rural Women Support Initiative Programme (CRU2RWI) with Hon. Agnes Atsu (JP) as State Coordinator with a charge to commence the pilot phase at Obanliku Local Government Area immediately.

    Today, Obanliku maidens, widows and others gathered at the Council Secretariat Sankwala from their various wards for an interactive session with the State Coordinator and her team.

    Speaking during the interactive session, the State Coordinator, Hon Agnes Atsu (JP) appreciated all participants and encouraged all to take advantage of the opportunity to better their life thereby fullfiling destiny

    Hon Atsu stressed that unlike other empowerment programs that has no good follow up, the organizers of this one will ensure proper monitoring and evaluation, hence plans are already on ground.

    In her words “Her Excellency is committed to ensure an implimentation of sustainable empowerment where beneficiaries can leverage on and create fortunes for themselves and their families”

    “We are aware, that many are here to get this empowerment, sell whatever would be given and return to their normal life, I assure you, we will drive you through a training process after which you will now be empowered”

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Press Secretary to her Execellency, Mr Fred Abua who also doubles as the Committee Secretary briefed the participants on the need for all to show seriousness and follow every step of the training.

    He also noted that “empowering women is very vital in every society especially like ours, if the society must experience rapid development, hence the idea of Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade”

    At the meeting, Hon Agnes Atsu informed the participants that very soon a team of trainers shall come and will take the participants on various entrepreneurial skills, trade and lots more.

     

  • World Menstrual Day: Wife Of Bekwarra Chairman, Mrs. Lucy Emeka Donates Sanitary Materials To Schools

    World Menstrual Day: Wife Of Bekwarra Chairman, Mrs. Lucy Emeka Donates Sanitary Materials To Schools

     

    The wife of Bekwarra Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Lucy Emeka has donated sanitary materials to schools in Bekwarra Local Government Area.

    Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on the 28th of May yearly. The theme for this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day is: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health”

    The First Lady who was represented by the Bekwarra Local Government Director of Education, Mr. Akpanke Thomas Akpanke noted that Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global advocacy platform that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits organizations, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) for all women and girls. It is also aimed at breaking the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms and stigma around Menstrual Health and Hygiene.

    The event attracted dignitaries at the event were the Secretary to Local Government Education Authority, Mrs. Agnes Adams, Supervisor for Education, Mr. Adie Benard Ojeni and S.A. to Chairman on Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Mary Ogbeche.

    High point of the event was the distribution of souvenirs containing several sanitary materials to school girls at Bekwarra Secondary School, Abuochiche and a brief sensitization on menstrual hygiene.

    The students were excited and appreciated the wife of the Chairman for affecting their life and changing the perspective about menstrual hygiene.

  • Dr. Linda Ayade Impacting Women And The Vulnerable In Cross River

    Dr. Linda Ayade Impacting Women And The Vulnerable In Cross River

     

    By Fred Abua

    If you are asking me what Dr. Linda Ayade can do to please those who insist on fitting her into the mould they have created and comparing her to their old role models, I will answer simply, NOTHING!

    Because everything she has done proves that she is a unique, focused, moral, self-motivated professional who is not propelled by a quest for fame and undue recognition! She is an educated, intelligent and urbane First Lady who is gifted with beauty and brains, elegance and poise, yet her chastity has never been at question. Never!

    Regrettably, if I may say so, blowing her own trumpet is a skill set she is reluctant to acquire, even after stepping into the murky arena of politics where self-appreciation is the way to go. So, she will continue to give secretly to those within her reach and be a true friend to her friends; she would continue to do only what is possible and within her means in the hopes that the Almighty God is watching. The approval of God is better than the praises of men.

    Critics often fail to understand that the Office of the First Lady has no budgetary allocation. It exists only in name and each occupant can only leverage on the platform it provides to pursue and fulfil their passions through collaborations with various stakeholders, relevant MDAs and development partners. Some First Ladies have even worked with business entities interested in fulfilling their Corporate Social Responsibility within their states while some have, unfortunately, blurred the lines between the First Lady and the various Ministries of Health, Women Affairs, Social Welfare, International Development Corporation, Education, or whichever they are interested in, usurping the functions of those Commissioners.

    This First Lady will NOT usurp another person’s duties!

    Dr. Linda Ayade is already running a pet project like almost all governors’ wives do – and she is not pedestrian about it, she is achieving her strategic goals with every passing day. Empirical evidence shows that her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation, has impacted over 100,000 vulnerable and less privileged people within Cross River in various ways – various health services, sustainable livelihood interventions, educational services, advocacy for rights and justice.

    Those who try to diminish her achievements within this constituency by comparing them to some unrealistic once-upon-a-time feats done by someone somewhere are mere mischief makers who cannot differentiate media hype from actual impact on ground. Or perhaps, because of political differences, they are blinded to the very strides that have attracted many multinational organizations who now provide technical support and funding for many of MDF’s activities. Never in the history of Cross River has a First Lady’s pet project attracted funding from any UN organization (I stand to be corrected) but Dr. Linda Ayade’s MDF has partnered with the UNFPA, UNHCR, UNWomen, CUSO International, FHI360, GADA, US Embassy, Lafarge Holcim, 9Mobile Nigeria, amongst others. Pictorial evidence of interventions abound to prove all these claims.

    Dr. Ayade understands the problem of street children in Calabar and desires to contribute to solutions to this perennial problem that has been there from the early 2000s. This particular menace was one of the challenges Mrs. Obioma Imoke tried to address with her Destiny Child Centre located in Calabar South and we recall how some of the rehabilitated children always returned to the streets, rejecting reintegration with their families, while some of them either had no families to return to or were no more welcome there. Acknowledging this response and to avoid another failure in the effort to get our children off the streets means that a holistic programming that employs sustainable strategies relating to the protection of children is necessary. This, Dr. Linda Ayade, is fashioning with the Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare already.

    Time will fail me if I delve into the exploits of her political organization for women, Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative, CROWEI, which was created for the realization of the political and socio-economic goals of women in the state. This organization has ensured the inclusion of a reasonable number of women in appointive and elective offices in the state and has structures and an EXCO in all the wards of all the LGAs of the state.

    CROWEI is set to increase women participation in politics come 2023.

    Fred Abua is the Chief Press Secretary to Dr. Linda Ayade.

  • UNFPA Donates 1297 Dignity Kits To CRSG For Refugee Settlements in Ogoja

    UNFPA Donates 1297 Dignity Kits To CRSG For Refugee Settlements in Ogoja

    By Elijah Ugani

    UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of its resolve to support the Cross River State Government to cater for the welfare of the Cameroonian Refugees in the state, has donated 1297 dignity kits to refugees in the settlements in Ogoja to help women and girls maintain their dignity during humanitarian crises.

    The dignity kit is a collection of different items: reusable sanitary pads, rechargeable solar lamp, omo detergent, medicated soap, female underwear, rubber slippers and blankets.

    Presenting the dignity kits to the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Head of UNFPA Calabar Sub Office, Dr. Omolaso Omosehin (represented by FGM Analyst- Ms Theresa Adah) noted that UNFPA is pleased to identify with the plight of the Cameroonian Refugees, as he commended the effort of the Cross River State Government and UNHCR to alleviate the plight of the refugees and stressed that the gesture is in consonant with the ‘delivery as one’.

    The Head of Calabar Sub Office averred that the focus of distribution of the dignity kits was on girls and women of reproductive age as well as other vulnerable women (such as women living with disabilities, women living with HIV and the elderly who may be the most vulnerable).

    She used the occasion to appeal to other refugees especially the male folks to bear with UNFPA at the moment.

     

    Receiving the Items on behalf of State Emergency Management Agency Director General, Mr. Princewill Ayim, the SEMA Supervisor for Adagom 1 settlement, Mr. Hillary Agida commended UNFPA for the donation and promised to work with UNHCR to ensure the successful distribution of the kits to the beneficiaries.

    Mr. Princewill Ayim, DG, State Emergency Management Agency, also used the opportunity to thank UNFPA for all the interventions in the state that seek to address the plight of Cross Riverians, and by extension the Cameroonian Refugees.

    He maintained that “Cross River State under the leadership of Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade will continue to do its best for the Cameroonian Refugees”.

    Responding on behalf of the refugees, the Chairman, Relief Support and Crisis Management, Mr. Lawrence Eno thanked UNFPA for the support and averred that the gesture will support girls’ and women’s self-esteem and confidence to be able to participate in activities in the settlements. The solar lights, he says “will help our children read at night”.

    This donation of dignity kits comes barely one month after UNFPA organized a one-week training to increase the knowledge, skills and professional competencies of state and non-state actors to provide effective services to Gender Based Violence survivors in humanitarian settings.

  • Sandy Onor, Two Businessmen Makes Huge Donations For The Repair Of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2

    Sandy Onor, Two Businessmen Makes Huge Donations For The Repair Of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2

    By Elijah Ugani

    The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor has donated half a million naira to the repair of Ogoja Magistrates Court 2.

    In release made available to TheLumineNews signed by the Convener, Operation Rescue and Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, Citizen Agba Jalingo indicates that “Senator Sandy Onor just contributed 500k for the repair of Ogoja Magistrates Court 2.

    “Mr. John George, a businessman, who earlier donated 500k, has also offered to fix the aluminum windows at the Ogoja Magistrates Court 2. The window cost 615k.

    “Mr. Chris Agbe, another businessman has also offered to give two new office tables and six chairs worth over 300k, from his furniture shop in Calabar to furnish two offices at the Ogoja Magistrates Court 2″.

    The release further indicates that ” the Court still needs generator/Inverter, 2 laptops, wall fans, photocopier, air-conditioner, chairs, tiles and cement “.

    The second phase of donation commenced when the committee for the repair had submitted the report for the first phase of the donation and was published by the Convener of the Operation Rescue and Repair Ogoja Magistrates Court 2, Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • The Akpanke Foundation Commences Collation Of Data Of Cross Riverians For Grant Assistance

    The Akpanke Foundation Commences Collation Of Data Of Cross Riverians For Grant Assistance

    By Admin

    The Peter Akpanke Foundation has announced its intention to collate data of Cross Riverians for free financial grant.

    This was disclosed through a release signed by the Chairman of the Akpanke Foundation, Mr. Peter Akpanke.

    The release eads;

    The management of The Akpanke Foundation (TAF), a non profit organization designed to provide succor to the needy and less privileged through empowerment,  programs and other Humanitarian services in her relentless fight against Poverty has commenced the collation of data for free financial Grants for the people of Cross River State.

    Stand a chance of benefiting from this rare opportunity by filling the form in the link below.

    Note; All processes are free of charge and you can fill for those who don’t have internet access.

    Kindly fill the form below by clicking the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZLZ54oeZ8xM6Z_x_DTIwJKxJn_RsglrfvrYvfDoYS3swnvg/viewform?usp=sf_linkAkpanke Foundation Grant- Click here to register.