The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Jarigbe Agom Donates 1.5M For The Renovation Of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    Jarigbe Agom Donates 1.5M For The Renovation Of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    By Elijah Ugani

    The member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency
    and Senator-elect for Cross River Northern senatorial district, Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom has donated the sum of 1.5M for the renovation of the abandoned Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    His donation follows that of Mr. Arthur Javis, Proprietor of the first privately owned university in cross river state, Arthur Javis University, who also donated the sum of 300k for same purpose.

    Recall that Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, member representing Ogoja state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly opened the floor when he donated the sum of 250k this morning.

    Agba Jalingo who initiated the donation, had announced this morning that the sum of 1.5M was needed for the renovation.

    Jalingo wrote “From preliminary findings, N1,500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira), can return the courtroom to where the Magistrate can resume sitting and hear cases.

    “We can join forces and contribute to achieve this goal in no time. It will be a real test of our commitment to collectively grow democracy and our communities. I am sure it will be something we will be proud we did, when we finally see pictures and videos of the Magistrate sitting in the courtroom renovated by “we the people.”

    “If you are interested in contributing to raising N1.5million for the repairs and light furnishing of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, kindly indicate your interest and a means of payment will be communicated. Be rest assured that all contributions, including the last penny shall be dedicated to this project only, through direct labour and account shall also be rendered publicly”.

  • Hon. Peter Odey Donates 250k For Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2

    Hon. Peter Odey Donates 250k For Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2

    By Elijah Ugani

    The member representing Ogoja State constituency and Leader of the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey has donated #250,000.00 for the repair of the abandoned Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    The Court according to a report by the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, the court has been abandoned for 25 years.

    The abandoned court was allotted to Hon. Peter Odey to build a private house by the Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade through the Commissioner for Land, when he applied for land.

    Hon. Peter Odey however, washed his hands off the piece of land when he realized that the premises belong to the court.

    Agba Jalingo had commenced Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    Hon. Peter Odey swiftly responded by donating #250.000.00 for the repair of the abandoned Court.

  • Agba Jalingo Commences Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    Agba Jalingo Commences Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2.

    Following the turn of events that beclouds Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, Agba Jalingo has commenced mobilization for donation to repair the abandoned court, codenamed ‘Operation Rescue And Repair Ogoja Magistrate Court 2’.

    Agba asked a rhetoric question, ‘How Much Can You Donate?’

    “I wish to start by saying, I congratulate Hon. Peter Odey, for promptly cooperating with public outcry and stopping work at the premises of the Ogoja Magistrate Court 2. He did that even before the court injunction was issued by the High Court, Ogoja division. I think also that another piece of land should be allocated to Hon. Peter Odey to build his house.

    “Having said that, it is now public knowledge that the court room has been abandoned for over 25 years and anytime any court is closed, it is the common man that suffers the most. There is a reason courts are referred to as ‘the last hope of the common man.’ Courts provide a forum to resolve disputes and help to guarantee our rights to equal protection and due process under the law. Courts exist so that the equality of individuals and the state is reality rather than empty rhetoric. So closing a court room down for 25 years is a lot of disservice to the common man.

    “It is therefore, now time, to recover the Ogoja Magistrate 2 premises, in words and indeed, and return it to a habitable state so that the Magistrate in charge can resume sitting in his court and stop sharing the same court room with the Magistrate in court 1. It is the people’s court. Not government court. Like Police Stations, courts belong to the people. They are the temples of Justice.

    “From preliminary findings, N1,500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira), can return the courtroom to where the Magistrate can resume sitting and hear cases.

    “We can join forces and contribute to achieve this goal in no time. It will be a real test of our commitment to collectively grow democracy and our communities. I am sure it will be something we will be proud we did, when we finally see pictures and videos of the Magistrate sitting in the courtroom renovated by “we the people.”

    “If you are interested in contributing to raising N1.5million for the repairs and light furnishing of Ogoja Magistrate Court 2, kindly indicate your interest and a means of payment will be communicated. Be rest assured that all contributions, including the last penny shall be dedicated to this project only, through direct labour and account shall also be rendered publicly”.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

    To donate, kindly click here https://dashboard.flutterwave.com/donate/eihzcj7vun0c

  • Over 1,000 Corps Members Takes Oath Of Allegiance In Cross River

    Over 1,000 Corps Members Takes Oath Of Allegiance In Cross River

    By Admin

    A total of 1, 100 Corps Members deployed to Cross River state for the 2021 Batch ‘A’, Stream 1 Service year have been sworn in.

    Declaring the ceremony open, NYSC State Coordinator for Cross River, Alhaji Mohammed Nakamba who presided over the event charged them to be good ambassadors of the scheme and the nation at large. He stressed the need for the corps members to uphold the tenets of the scheme which is geared towards promoting national unity and integration.

    The Coordinator further explained that the NYSC is a tool for promoting national unity and integration. He therefore admonished the Corps Members to interact freely across all cultural backgrounds, adding that they should see themselves as one and do away with every prejudice held against any tribe.

    He also urged them to maintain all COVID-19 protocols as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

    His words “Most Nigerians believe that the coronavirus is a scam but you must understand that we are talking about your safety. COVID-19 is real and you must adhere strictly to the protocols that’s why you were all tested before you were allowed into the camp. You must wear your nose mask at all times, maintain social distancing and wash your hands regularly.

    “Let me also inform you that the NYSC scheme does not condone any form of misconduct. You must be responsible at all times and ensure that you contribute towards the the developmental strides of the nation”.

    He commended the federal and state governments for the ongoing erosion control works and renovation of some facilities at the orientation camp.

    The oath of allegiance was administered by the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme who was represented by the Judge of Obubra High Court, Justice Emmanuel Ubua.

    Speaking with newsmen after the event, the Corps Members promised to be good ambassadors of the scheme. They were excited to have been inducted into the NYSC after the long break caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Man Arrested, Arraigned For Refusing To Return N2m Wrongly Paid Into His Bank Account

    Man Arrested, Arraigned For Refusing To Return N2m Wrongly Paid Into His Bank Account

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, arraigned Odejobi Temitope Michael, before Justice E. N. Alukwu of the State High Court in Enugu.

    Michael was charged for failing to return N2,000,000 wrongly sent to his account. The money was inadvertently paid in February 2019, by Chikezie Chukuma, who thought the account belonged to an auto dealer. It was when Chukuma went to take delivery of the car he realized the error in payment.

    But the defendant failed to refund the money, forcing the owner to report the matter. Michael pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him. His lawyer, B. J. Adigwe filed a motion for bail pending the determination of the case. The prosecution counsel, S. C. Anyanwu, opposed.

    Anyanwu argued that Michael might not return to face trial if he goes back to Benin Republic where he resides. Justice Alukwu ordered the remand of the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the case until April 25, 2021.

     

  • IWD 2021: Linda Ayade Identifies Poverty As The Main Challenge That Women In Africa Face Today

    IWD 2021: Linda Ayade Identifies Poverty As The Main Challenge That Women In Africa Face Today

    By Fred Abua

    The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade has identified poverty as the main challenge that women in Africa face today. She said most of the other challenges like access to education, gender-based violence, right to inheritance and choice of who and when to marry would easily be surmounted or brought down to a minimum if women were not limited by lack of financial muscle.

    The Governor’s wife who was a guest on Galaxy TV on the eve of the 2021 International Women’s Day said reasonable progress has been made since the struggle for women emancipation started, and vowed that women will not allow their voices to be drowned by the masculine majority that already occupy the leadership and political space.

    Dr. Linda Ayade recalled her growing up years and praised her secondary school principal, Rev. Sister Eunice Atsu and other women whose integrity and focus left an early impression on her mind that she could achieve her goals. While congratulating the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the newly elected Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, Dr. Ayade posited that even if equality is not achieved soon, women will continually break the glass ceiling and find their way to the front row of every human endeavour.

    To mark the 2021 IWD theme of Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World Dr. Linda Ayade’s NGO, the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative, CROWEI, presented cash gifts to selected less privileged women across the state and launched a new mentorship programme tagged “Urban-Rural Support Initiative”. While calling on women to love one another and shun the unhealthy trend of pulling others down, Dr. Ayade identified the mentorship of achievers as one effective way of changing the lot of rural women. The Urban-Rural Support Initiative will pair outstanding urban members of CROWEI with members in the rural areas for a mentor-mentee relationship with the aim of improving the socio-economic worldview of the rural women.

  • Hon. Maria Akwaji Makes List of 50 Most Influential Church Girls In Africa

    Hon. Maria Akwaji Makes List of 50 Most Influential Church Girls In Africa

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Member representing Obudu State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Maria Godwin Akwaji, has made the list of 50 most influential Church Girls in Africa.

    Church Girl Africa is a leading Christian Magazine and has announced the publication of the 50 Most Influential Church Girls in Africa 2021 as part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day 2021 with the theme #ChooseToChallenge.

    The list is curated to celebrate 50 influential Women, who are constantly challenging Church Girls to become a better version of themselves.

    In addition to Hon. Mrs. Godwin Akwaji, the list also features notable Cross River faces such as Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu, Dr. Nchewi Ani, Grace Ihejiamazu-Etuk, Mina Hope Obeten, Sandra Itu & Pauline Idemudia.

    Alongside celebrities such as Stella Damascus, TY Bello, Adesua Etome-Wellington, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Stephanie Linus, Khafi Ekpata & Tomike Adeoye.

    The criteria for selection included successful women, Ages 15-50, in any profession, any African Country, who are not ashamed to identify with Christianity.

    Reacting to the development, the lawmaker averred that “this is the best and most precious recognition I have received recently because I yearn and desire to be an ambassador of Christ.

    “This nomination and award came to me as a surprised pleasure, and I am humbled.

    “I want to specially dedicate this award to my late husband, Hon. Dr. Godwin Akwaji, I wish he was here to be part of this great honor”

    This is the Second award Hon. Mrs. Godwin Akwaji is receiving in two months. She was awarded the Peace Ambassador in February, 2021.

  • Son Donates Family House As Offering To Christ Embassy Church, As His Father Pleads For Reversal

    Son Donates Family House As Offering To Christ Embassy Church, As His Father Pleads For Reversal

    Culled from Citizens News

    A father has cried out for justice after his son donated the family house which they all dwell in as a seed to Christ Embassy in Warri, Delta state.

    It was gathered that their son, Shedrack, who resides abroad, returned to Nigeria last year and became very serious with religious activities which his family fully supported.

    It was revealed that in 2020, he sowed his car as a seed to the Church and his family members had no problem with it. Things, however, went out of hand when he recently decided to sow his family house to the church.

    Apparently, his family members were not aware that their home had been donated until the father noticed men going around to survey the property.

    When the father made enquiries, he was told the property now belongs to Christ Embassy and has been valued to be sold at 25 million Naira.

    The house was said to be built on the family’s land with every member contributing money to erect the building, however, it was learnt that Shedrack contributed the bulk sum.

    The family’s leader said he had written to the Senior Pastor of Christ Embassy who promised to take action, though nothing has changed since the notice was submitted over a month ago.

    Shedrack’s father, cousins and four tenants are said to be the occupants of the building.

    The father, in a statement, has called on the General Overseer of Christ Embassy, Chris Oyakhilome, to intervene because he has informed the police and gotten a lawyer, same as the church.”

  • Just In: Gunmen Attack Police In Obubra, Kill Six, Escape With Guns.

    Just In: Gunmen Attack Police In Obubra, Kill Six, Escape With Guns.

     

    By Admin

    Reports reaching The Lumine News say unknown gunmen “chanting IPOB songs”  attacked Policemen at two separate checkpoints in Obubra Local Government Area in Central Cross River state early hours of today, Wednesday March 3rd 2021.

    The attack occured at Ofatura where 2 officers were shot and killed while another 4 officers were also killed at Oyadama check point. All their arms were carted away by the criminals.

    One soldier was reportedly shot in the hand, he died shortly after the gun shut.

    Amb Iwasam Agbor also confirmed this to The Lumine News when he stated that his uncle was among the police officers who lost their lives to the criminals suspected to be IPOB members.

    This comes just as suspected terrorists killed four police officers in Calabar while on duty.

     

  • Director of Communication, Ogoja Diocese Gives Insight Into The Centenary Celebration.

    Director of Communication, Ogoja Diocese Gives Insight Into The Centenary Celebration.

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Director of Communication of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eroh in this interview, gave insight into the much talked about centenary celebration of the diocese of Ogoja.

    Below is the except of the interview.

    Rev. Fr. Emma Eroh is the parish priest of St. Joseph parish, Okuku and the Director of Communication of the Catholic diocese of Ogoja.

    Fr. Eroh gave a run down of the growth of the church from 1921 to date with the impacts created by the Church to include schools, hospitals and parishes spread across the diocese of Ogoja.

    On the significant of the centenary celebration, Fr. Eroh held that “The Centenary is the commemoration of the arrival of the missionaries in Ogoja in 1921, when our ancestors first received the good news and provided a fertile ground for the planting of the Catholic Church, from which it has grown into a diocese and in fact it has given birth to diocese of Abakiliki in 1978. We are celebrating these great moments and achievements in the entire diocese.

    “There are series of activities streamlined to mark the centenary. It was kicked off on the 2nd of February, 2021 with the lighting of the centenary candle by His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. Donatus Akpan, Bishop of Ogoja Diocese.
    March next month, we will have a diocesan and parish retreat. His Lordship will be visiting various parishes in the 10 deaneries that makes up the diocese.

    “The climax will be in May, where they will be baptism of 100 candidates and confirmation of 100 candidates all drawn from across the diocese.

    “On the 12th of May, His Lordship will visit the correctional centre, orphanages, the refugees settlements, old catholic schools and aged catholic members who can no longer come to church.

    “The 13th of May will feature the wedding of 100 couples, while the the 14th of May will be a centenary lecture by Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji, (Bishop of Umuahia Diocese) and Vice President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), lunching of a book that chronicled the achievement of the diocese as well the conferment of the tittle of Monsignori to deserving priests and papal and diocesan awards to some of the lay faithfuls who have contributed to the growth of the diocese.

    “The hallmark of the celebration will feature the ordination of Priests.

    On the growth of the church since inception, Fr. Eroh noted that “there have been a great transformation from that little seed sowed. St. Benedict Primary School, Igoli was established and parishes created, we have 89 parishes and 12 quasi parishes, what we call the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM).

    “The first indigenous priest was ordained in 1965, now His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ukpo Rtd. (The Emeritus Archbishop of Calabar). Today, we have over 120 priests in the diocese.

    “The Bishop in his ingenuity in collaboration with the priests, is developing the land for the building of a new cathedral as unanimously agreed by priests and lay faithfuls. In terms of health and education, we have hospitals and schools spread across the diocese. In communication, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ukpo, the pioneer priest of the diocese, berthed the Message Newspaper.

    “Bishop Donatus came in with the new vigor and his drive for agriculture has led to the formation of Ogoja Diocesan Agricultural Investment Programme (ODAIP)”.

    When asked to juxtaposed the disposition of our fore fathers to the gospel with today’s Christians.

    Fr. Eroh averred that “We must thank our fore fathers who received the message and gave away their traditions to imbibe it and passed it on to their children. We must commend Christians in Ogoja diocese, that this seed that was planted has grown and is still spreading like wild fire up till now. Though there exist some challenges of Pentecostalism, were some Christians are in dare need of instant miracles and prosperity and other traditional practices, but we are not where we used to be”.

    When asked what Monsignori means in the church.

    Fr. Eroh held that “Monsignori is a title of honor conferred on deserving senior priests who have live creditable and impacted positively in the lives of Christians, and must be at least 65 years of age. It is conferred by the Pope through the nomination of the Bishop. Some of our very senior priests will be conferred with the tittle”.

    When asked to comment on the allegation of using TTC Ogoja as a take off for the proposed state Polytechnic, the communications Director stated that “I can confirm to you that there is no dialogue between the state government and the diocese in terms of turning TTC into anything Polytechnic.

    “What I can categorically say is that TTC is about being turned into an Institute of Health Management and Technology, work has gone far, consultation has been made, Provost has been appointed along with an Acting Registrar.

    “A Post Graduate Diploma programme affiliated to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is going on there at TTC.

    “We were going for a full flesh university, but when we checked our resources, we realized we were not going to be able to run a university, we were advised to begin an Institute that will later metaphors into a full flesh university”

    Fr. Eroh used the opportunity to call on Catholics especially and all Christians across the globe to join the diocese of Ogoja in this auspicious celebration. He assured that the celebration will be live streamed for those who will not make it to attend and in observance of the Covid-19 protocols.