The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Association Of Cross River Online Journalists Inaugurates New Executive

    Culled from EpistleNews

    The 6th Executive Council of the Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ), was yesterday inaugurated in Calabar, having taken their oath of offices as administered by John Omligbe Esq.

    The ceremony which was held at the Association’s Secretariat, yesterday in Calabar, was described as historic by the Chairman, Comrade Offiong Edem Darlington, of Penchment News.

    Others who were sworn in alongside the Chairman who is doing his second term include Comrade Gloria Umo Akwang, Glocal Media, as Secretary General, Comrade Jonathan Ugbal, CrossRiverWatch as Deputy Secretary-General and Comrade Patrick Obia, CrossRiverWatch as Financial Secretary.

    In his acceptance speech, Comrade Offiong Edem Darlington said ACROJ is entering a new dispensation with a renewed vigor to pursue excellence in journalism.

    He said, ACROJ. has faced tough times and harassment in the last couple of years by the present Administration but has persevered, notwithstanding.

    “ACROJ has taken a lead towards how to do things. We are moving forward. This is for the younger people who are coming in, looking for experience and seeking a career in journalism. We are here to create that enabling environment and allow them thrive,” he said.

  • Police Raids Hotel Where Underaged Girls Trafficked From Rivers State Are Used As Sex Slaves In Delta

     

    Operatives of the Delta State Police Command has raided Fagboma Hotel where underage girls trafficked from Rivers State are used as sex slaves and rescued the victims.

    Focus Naija can report that the sting operation was carried out on Friday, 15th April, 2022, after the command received information that the hotel located at Aragba in Otokutu Town, Ughelli South, Delta State was been used as a brothel for underaged prostitution.

    According to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Mohammed Ali during a press briefing at the Command’s Headquarter in Asaba, investigations revealed that a woman simply identified as Joy trafficked the victims from Rivers, took them to Patani to forcefully swear an oath then brought them to Otu-Jeremi and handed them over to the owner of the brothel by name, Edwin Etareri.

    He said that the owner of the hotel is currently at large but his wife, Grace Etareri is currently in custody alongside ten men and ten suspected prostitutes that were arrested during the raid.

    The press briefing goes thus;

    “On 15/4/2022 at about 2330hrs, the Command received information that Fagoma Hotel located at Aragba in Otokutu in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State is being used as a brothel where underage children are trafficked and used as sex slave. The command upon receiving this disturbing information raided the brothel and the following underage girls were rescued:

    1.Happiness Johnson ‘f’ age 13yrs
    2.Esther Godspower ‘f’ age 21yrs
    3.Angel John ‘f’ age 22yrs
    4.Miracle Bishop ‘f’ age 19yrs
    5.Happiness Isreal ‘f’ 19yrs

    “Investigations revealed that one Joy ‘f’ surname unknown now at large trafficked the underage girls from Rivers State took them to Patani where they were forced into taking an oath before they were brought to Otu-Jeremi and harbored by one Edwin Etareri the owner of the said brothel and his wife one Mrs Grace Etariri currently in custody. Ten other male suspects and ten female suspected prostitutes were also arrested during the raid. Investigation is ongoing.”

    Source: https://www.facebook.com/100041566351018/posts/838414320887439/?d=n

  • GFO Orim Foundation Begins Construction Of Delapidated Culvert Linking Ofambe And Okiro In Obudu

    The Chairman of GFO Orim Foundation, and Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Hon Martin Orim an illustrious son of Alege/Ubang, has commenced a total overhaul of a delapidated culvert linking Ofambe and Okiro, Ubang in Obudu.

    Reports has it that the Chief of Staff has instructed the contractors not to leave the site until the culvert is fully completed. He has insisted on the use of quality materials and also given directives to allow people of the community monitor the progress and quality of work being done.

    The construction work is a collaboration of the GFO Orim Foundation and the Okiro community. The community requirement is to provide sand and gravel while other requirements is provided by GFO Orim Foundation.

    As at today, work on the said culvert is at top speed, and the contractors are poised on delivering a quality culvert in record time, to beat the later part of raining season.

    This development comes on the heels of the outcry by Mr Emmanuel Abua on the 24th November, 2021during his ward tour of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. Lots of attention was drawn via his verified Facebook page about the dilapidated culvert linking Ofambe to Okiro, the last village in Ubang.

    In the widely circulated Facebook publication, Emmanuel had cried of neglect of the people of Okiro and had called on leaders to help in constructing a culvert for the community.

    When contacted, Emmanuel Abua commended the Chief of Staff to the governor for the prompt response and assured that such collaboration is needed most now than ever for the good of the people, and maintained that criticizing government is never a bad thing, but rather calls government attention to areas where they need to take action.

    GFO Orim Foundation has undertaken a lots of projects for Alege/Ubang ward of Obudu Local Government Area including human capital development of the youths.

  • Electricity : Minister Seeks Improved Cooperation With Workers To Tackle Challenges

     

    Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, has charged members of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity And Allied Companies (SSAEAC) for more cooperation with the federal government to improve electricity access in the country.

    Jedy-Agba stated this On Friday, while speaking at the 5th Triennial National Delegates Conference of SSAEAC, held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja with the theme: “Partnering for Higher Productivity and Industrial Peace”.

    The Minister reminded the workers that they are the life wire of the power sector therfore, it was important for them to continue to maintain a harmonious relationship with government to address electricity challenges in the country.

    While commending the President General, Engr. Chris Okonkwo for his support towards the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s power agenda, he however, charged the incoming executive to improve on what they’ll meet on ground to the betterment of members and the sector in general.

    According to him, “I want to commend the President of SSAEAC and his entire team for their support since I came on board as Minister. I specifically commend you for how you have accepted the current administration’s power agenda and your support towards achieving the set goals.

    But, I believe there’s room for improvement. We need more cooperation and synergy to address the challenges in the sector. I want to remind all of us that if we fail to improve things, we will not be failing only Nigerians but God who has placed us in positions to work for the people”.

    He maintained that “power is the greatest economic booster. If we fix our electricity challenges, our economy will grow, investors will come in and there will be jobs for our children. Therefore, let’s see ourselves as partners and not rivals who owe the people of Nigeria same responsibility to provide them with reliable electricity “.

    On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako said that a united and peaceful union can help both the union and government to do things that will be very impactful in the sector.

    He commended SSAEAC for showing. “leadership in labour matters in the sector. SSAEAC as the most senior union in the sector is largely responsible for the peace and harmony enjoyed in the power sector. With unity and vibrancy of the union, we can be meticulous in doing things that can be impactful”.

    Earlier, the President General in his welcome address, said that after delivering thirty two key projects some of which includes, construction of regional Secretariats in Enugu, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, New President General’s office complex with conference hall, building of two guest houses in Lagos, amongst others, he was leaving behind a total of seventy million naira (N70m) for the new executive to kick-off.

    Okonkwo who expressed his appreciation to members of the association for their support and understanding throughout his six years reins, also lauded “the Minister of State, Power who had always kept me close to know where the Ministry of Power would intervene as usual, and lately, the Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu who has also shown good understanding and cooperation with what he met on arrival”.

  • Inyang Asibong Dedicates Her Fellowship In Community Medicine To Governor Ben Ayade, And Her Senior Colleague, Dr Linda Ayade

     

    The Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, has passed the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) Fellowship Examination with flying colours.

    With this, Asibong is now a Medical Consultant and a Fellow of the Prestigious West African College of Physicians, the highest Examination body recognized in the Medicine and Surgery cadre. She is also now a Fellow of Community Medicine.

    Dr Asibong, a former commissioner for Health, who dedicated the result to her boss, Governor Ben Ayade and wife said she passed the examination on the day the Governor secured his victory at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “The Lord has been really good to me and my wonderful Boss, and I dedicate my fellowship in Community Medicine to His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade, and my senior colleague, Dr Linda Ayade” she explained.

    She thanked everyone who contributed to making this dream come true.

    Established in 1960, the West African College of Physicians is a professional organization that promotes education, training, examinations and research in Medicine in Africa.The college is the first organization to organize Medical subspecialty training in the region. It awards fellowships in Medicine following rigorous training and Examinations and is one out of two bodies that accredits institutions to train Medical Resident Doctors in West African member countries.

  • Ogoja/Yala Bye-election: PDP Petitions Ayade’s CSO, Mark Anyogo For Alleged Electoral Violence

     

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch

    The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) has asked the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba to investigate and sanction CSP Mark Anyogo, who is the Chief Security Officer to Governor Ben Ayade, over his alleged role in the violence that occurred during the February 26th 2022, legislative by-elections in Cross River State.

    The party, through its lawyer, First Baba Isa in a letter addressed to IGP Baba and dated March 2nd, 2022 said CSP Anyogo with AP/no 94062 masterminded and carried out some of the violence and voters intimidation witnessed at the polls for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye-election

    The petitioner alleged that “On the 26th of February, 2022, during the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye-election, where the State Governor relocated the entire machinery of government to the Constituency and under his watch, violence of ineffable proportions was unleashed on the electorates who came out to vote; many persons were injured and maimed”, and that many witnesses confirmed it was CSP Mark Anyogo that led the security operatives.

    The petitioner called on the IGP and the police hierarchy to carryout “a thorough investigation of CSP Mark Anyogo and the other police personnel under his command who unleashed this monumental violence on innocent Nigerians.”

    Sources at the Force Headquarters say Mr. Anyogo has since been invited by the police service commission and is scheduled to appear before them on April 7th 2022.

  • Navy Inaugurates 22 Military Officers For Naval Warfare Course 6

     

    The Naval War College Nigeria (NWC) has inaugurated 22 officers drawn from the Navy, Air Force and the Army as participants for the Naval Warfare Course 6.

    The senior officers were inaugurated on Friday in Calabar by the Commandant of the College, Rear Adm. Sahad Akinwande, who was represented by the Acting Commandant, Commodore Ajibola Ogunleye.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the officers, the Commandant said that the College was established in May 2017.

    He said that the College was established to build the capacity of selected naval officers and their equivalent in sister services at the operational level of maritime and joint warfare by developing their critical competencies.

    He said that there was an increasing sophistication of maritime security challenges such as piracy, armed robbery against ships, crude oil theft, terrorism, banditary, cultism among others.

    He added that such security challenges have all aggregated to expand the responsibilities of the Nigerian Navy beyond its traditional roles.

    “These security challenges, which are mostly asymmetric in nature, place increasing demand on our national resources and response capacity, hence the need to continually develop the professional ability of command level officers.

    “It is against this backdrop, that the NWC was structured to equip operational level officers with the requisite skill set in leadership, national security strategy, and operational art to overcome contemporary security challenges.

    “I charge you participants of the NWC to take advantage of this curriculum to better equip yourselves with the needed professional acumen for the security challenges currently facing our dear nation,” he added.

    Special Guest of Honour at the event, Rear Adm. Sanusi Ibrahim, said the objective of the College was to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers of the Armed Forces.

    Ibrahim, noted that the NWC was aimed at developing operational level commanders who can deal decisively with the contemporary complex national security problems.

    Ibrahim, was represented by Rear Adm. Gregory Oamen, Chief Staff Officer of Eastern Naval Command.
    He said that such officers are prepared to make sound decisions in the application of maritime force as a policy option.
    “It is pertinent to state that the contemporary security challenges in the maritime environment have expanded the navy’s traditional roles

    “These roles moves from Maritime Security Operations to include inter-agency cooperation, international collaboration and large scale internal security deployments”, he said.
    Guest lecturer at the event, Rear Adm. Aliyu Lawal (rtd), delivered a lecture on the topic “Understanding Operational Level Wafare: Operational Art in Perspective.
    Adm. Lawal advocated for the inclusion of ‘cyber warfare studies’ in the curriculum of the NWC.
    He said that cyber studies was needed in the 21st century with a view to curb all cyber attacks from a distance.
    He urged the participants to see themselves as a model of operational level commanders of the armed forces.

  • NHRC Condemns Alleged Murder, Burning Of A Single Lady Who Demanded Father’s Inheritance In Ebonyi

    By Peter Okiri – Abakaliki, Culled from Vanguard

    The National Human Right Commission, NHRC, yesterday condemned the gruesome murder of an Ebonyi lady who demanded her own share of her father’s inheritance.

    The single lady, Nnenaya Onu, 35, was allegedly murdered and burnt alive by her assailants as there have not been any record of their (assailants) arrest in the State, since the incident occurred.

    She was allegedly beaten, stripped naked, dismembered and burnt alive in Onicha Igboeze Community of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Vanguard investigation revealed that the victim was murdered behind her late father’s house as her only brother died some years ago, under a mysterious circumstance in the community.

    Confirming the incident, the State Coordinator, National Human Right Commission, NHRC, Mr. Christopher Onyekachi Okorie added that: “She was murdered in cold blood, her leg chopped off and her whole belongings heaped on her while she was burnt beyond recognition.

    “All these happened behind her father’s house at Onicha Igbeze of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    “Her offence is that she insisted on demanding her father’s inheritance as a woman. She was not married but lived in her late father’s house at Onicha Igbeze.

    “Her only brother died years ago under mysterious circumstances according to the old mother. She has a surviving sister, Juliet Onu, who is married.

    “Her old agonizing mother points at her cousins as the suspects of this atrocity due to their (the said Cousins) numerous threats to her life before she was eventually murdered, dismembered, and burnt.

    “Her killers forbade any person from the village from talking about the incident nor even sharing the photo of her burnt carcass either on social media or otherwise.

    “Her poor mother wants justice but has no money to sponsor police investigations and arrests.”

    Vanguard gathered that the victim was killed when her mother traveled out of the community to Abakaliki to visit Juliet, her daughter.

    Speaking with Vanguard on Phone, the State Coordinator of NHRC said, he has written a petition to Ebonyi State Police Command over the incident as he was yet to get any response from the Command.

    “According to the sister of the deceased, the incident took place on the 23rd of December 2021 and since then nothing has been done to bring justice to the victim.”

    Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident added that she will get back to Vanguard on the present status of the case.

    https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/nhrc-condemns-alleged-murder-burning-of-a-single-lady-who-demanded-fathers-inheritance-in-ebonyi/amp/

  • 18 Year Old Obudu Born Blessing Ikung Graduates From US Military School

    18 Year Old Obudu Born Blessing Ikung Graduates From US Military School

    She attended the army basic training school in Fort Jackson, South Carolina State, U.S.A and graduated as Private E2.

    She’s from Ibong village in Obudu Local Government Area.

    Blessing Ikung was born in Nigeria and moved to America with her parents in 2021.

    Her proud mother, Theresa Undie shared pictures on social media with the caption ‘I am the mother of an American soldier 🇺🇸

  • Woman Caught With Kidnapped Children In Port Harcourt

     

    Children allegedly kidnapped by an aged woman have been rescued at Mango Estate, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

    The woman whose name is still unknown, allegedly kidnapped and kept the children in her house.

    According to an eye witness, one of the children had escaped and informed people around. A mob broke into the house and found 6 children with their hands tied to their back with one already dead.