The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • 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

    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.

  • 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

    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

     

    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

    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

    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

    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

     

    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.

     

    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.