The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • 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

    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

    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

    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.

  • Showcasing Ticha Ogbu E-Library, One Of Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji Constituency Projects

    By Admin

    The over 250 capacity Ticha Ogbu E-Library that is housed in Ebunwana Civic Centre, Afikpo South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, furnished with ultra modern and state of the art equipment is ready for use by the general public.

    The Techa Ogbu E-Library has over 250 computers with functional internet facilities, a generating plant and solar power, is one of the 2016 constituency projects facilitated by Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji, who represented Ebonyi South Senatorial District, between 2015 to 2019.

    The impact created by the E-Library cannot be overemphasized as the Ebunwana Business Services Limited is set to offer various services to the public which include but not limited to; UTME registration, Remitta, O’Level uploading, WAEC, NECO and GCE registration, NYSC, TRCN, NABTEB, Army, Civil Defence, Police, Air force application amongst others.

    When contacted, Mr. Ibiam Azu Agwu, a Development Consultant who hails from the community commended the foresight of Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji to have initiated such a constituency project that meets the demands of the moment.

    Agwu noted that “this project is set to provide solutions to some of our challenges as majority of our youths needs to take advantage of the E-Library for research and knowledge acquisition.

    “The E-Library has also provided opportunity for those registering JAMB and writing the Computer Based Test exams not travel long distances for the test”

    He used the opportunity to call on the general public to take advantage of the opportunity created by the E-Library to acquire knowledge and get the services provided by the Ebunwana Business Services.

  • Obudu Council Vice Chairperson Declares Open One Month Training Of 20 Youths By Hon. Maria Akwaji

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Vice Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Mrs. Asabe Ugbe declared opened a one month training for 20 youths as make-up artists organized by Hon. Maria Akwaji as part of activities streamlined to mark her late husband’s one year funeral anniversary.

    Recall that the lawmaker had inaugurated a committee last month to assist in the planning of the event.

    Declaring the training opened, Mrs. Asabe commended the resilience of the lawmaker to undertake the programme, and urged the trainees to be grateful to the State House Member who availed them the opportunity to be nominated for the training.

    She averred that “my daughter was charged (#80,000.00) eighty thousand naira to be trained for this makeup. She is now in Abuja, and so if you are selected to trained, you have to be grateful to her and ensure that you use this opportunity very productively”.

    Mrs. Asabe charged the participants to ensure that the develop interest in the training which is likely going to put food on their table and assured them that when they show interest, they are sure to come out successful.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the
    Planning Committee, Hon. Peter Okaba, stated that the one month training was part of the activities streamlined to mark one year funeral anniversary of late Hon. Dr. Godwin Akwaji and a thank you session by Hon. Mrs. Maria Akwaji as she marks six months in office.

    Hon. Peter Okaba was represented by the Secretary of the Planning Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Akwagiobe.

    Okaba further stated that “this selection was done in consultation with ward leaders, as two persons were sent from each ward in the Local Government Area. This will be followed by providing a support fund for 20 widows to be nominated from the 10 wards and distribution of fertilizer to our farmers during the thanksgiving service slated for 20th June, 2021.

    “This training will last for one month. We understand you may some challenges like transportation, but we want to appeal to you to bear with us, at the end of the training, we bet you, you will smile”

    On his part, the Leader of Obudu Legislative Council, Hon. Peter Ishoja, appreciated very sincerely, Hon. Maria Akwaji to have deemed it necessary to train the youths.

    Ishoja noted that “it is one thing to have and it is another thing to give. If some of us had envisaged the future, we would have acquired skills.

    “I want to encourage you to take this training very seriously, so that at the end of the training, the sky will be your starting point”

    Responding on behalf of others trainees, Miss Paulina Udie, thanked Hon. Maria Akwaji for the opportunity given them to be trained as make-up artists.

    She held that “We want to say a very big thank you to our State House Member, Hon. Maria Akwaji. We are seriously grateful.

    “When we go out there, we know what it cost to acquire this skill, but here we are having this training at the plater of gold. Wherever she gets this money from, we say God should bless her more and more”

  • Mob Action Against Bekwarra Son: Council Chairman Calls For Calm Among Youths

    By Admin

    The Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Dr. Josephat Emeka, has called on the youths to exercise calm and orderliness as government and security operatives are top gear to bring to justice the perpetrators and killer of one of their sons in gruesome manner.

    The Chairman was made the called while reacting to the mob action against Bekwarra son along Vandekyia-Gboko highway, last week.

    The call was contained in a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Chairman.

    The release reads in full “Jungle justice has added another negative dimension to our peaceful coexistence as a people living together bound with a common heritage, culture and tradition.

    “Jungle justice is one of the very many banes Nigeria is plagued with, despite efforts by the government, the media and other non-governmental organisations to discourage people from participating in this unjustified public execution of people, this effort only seems unproductive and not yielding any result.

    “Even though section 33 of the Nigerian constitution clearly provides that no citizen shall be deprived of his/her right except in a manner excused by law, sad episodes of extrajudicial killings still persist in the Nigerian society.

    “Different people have been killed in unjustified circumstances, while some have survived to tell their stories others have being lynched and burnt to death immediately.

    “This brings to bear the information and posts making the rounds on social media on the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of some persons including an illustrious son of Bekwarra origin in the hands of hoodlums along the Vandekyia-Gboko highway recently.

    “After a very objective and careful investigation, I have been reliably informed that the remote cause of the circumstances leading to the unfortunate and gruesome death of the victims; a Bekwarra son and another was a case of a mistaken identity.

    “Preliminary and secondary on the spot investigation has proven to the fact the Okada rider; a Tiv man in possession of some amount of money mistook them for robbers. He, the Okada man thought they ( the commercial driver and passengers) were trailing him, and so raised a false alarm which led to the attack by hoodlums and miscreants. This attack was what led to the unfortunate death of our dear Bekwarra son (Commercial Driver) who was going about his lawful business to earn a living.

    “It is regrettable that the sad incident which took place in Benue State; around Gbem Community claimed the life of the driver who is Bekwarra origin. So the spurious allegations that four Bekwarra youth were victims of the mob action is totally false and misleading.

    “Even though I was unavoidably absent at the time of the sad incident, relevant security agencies and apparatus, the youth council, concerned citizens etc were immediately mobilized to avert retaliation which may trigger a breakdown of law and order

    “It is quite unfortunate that jungle justice, which is the unlawful killing of suspects in the most brutal manner, has become so common in Nigeria.

    “It should be noted that those who commit this barbaric act which is spreading like wildfire are no respecter of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, geographical location, gender or societal status. Men, women and children from various backgrounds have been victims of this criminal act. Cases of jungle justice have resulted in the death of many individuals; some properly documented and others not.

    “Victims of these barbaric acts are believed to have committed crimes that are as silly as mere suspicion, stealing pepper or salt from a roadside shop or at a supermarket before then being killed.

    “May I use this medium to appeal for calm and orderliness on the part of the Bekwarra Youth as the government, security agencies and other relevant authorities are on top of the situation. We shall leave no stone unturned to get to the root of the matter and perpetrators brought to book ensure justice prevails.

    “I therefore express my deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and relatives of this illustrious son of Bekwarra whose life has been caught short. I urge them to bear the unfortunate incident and irreplaceable loss”.

  • Linda Ayade Inaugurates Mentorship Programme

     

    The wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr.  Linda Ayade has Inaugurated the State Exco for her new programme, CROWEI Urban To Rural Women Support Initiative Programme (CRU2RWI).

    The programme which has Hon. Agnes Atsu (JP) as State Coordinator is to commence the pilot phase at Obanliku Local Government Area immediately.

    The inauguration held on the 7th of May, 2021 at the conference room of the the office of the wife of the governor, had aides of Dr. Linda Ayade in attendance.

    Speaking during the event, the Governor’s wife shared her vision of economic empowerment and emancipation for rural women through mentorship by their peers in the urban areas who have excelled and succeeded in their various chosen fields. She opined that women empowerment is critical because the woman serves as a critical pivot in the home as the woman bears the burden of training and caring for the young ones. She lauded women as key agents for development because research shows that most thriving nations have women in their power rooms making decisions for their growth.

    Dr. Linda Ayade charged the team to work swiftly and commence the program to identify, train, empower and mentor widows, farmers, entrepreneurs and younger women/girls in Obanliku Local Government Area immediately. The pilot phase will see to the training and mentoring of 200 women selected from the 10 political wards of the LGA.

    Responding on behalf of the committee, the State Coordinator, Hon. Agnes Atsu, thanked Her Excellency for the opportunity provided for the members of the team to contribute to the betterment of the lives of the rural women and girls. She pledged her commitment and dedication to her duties and sued for unity among the team members.

    Other members of the Exco are Deaconness Abasioffiong Offiong – Assistant Coordinator; Pastor Dr. Bong Duke – Director, Research/Planning; Miss Benyin Adie – Director, Media Services; Hon. Mrs. Justina J. Edem – Mobilizer, South; Mrs. Lovina Etim Eteng – Mobilizer, Central; Madam Elizabeth U. Adie Mobilizer, North; and, Mr. Fred Abua – Secretary

    The event was attended by the President of CROWEI, Hon. Mrs. Lawrencia Ita, JP and other CROWEI officials.

  • Ayade Committed To Actualizing An Open Defecation Free State – Ekpenyong

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has disclosed that the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade is committed to achieving an Open Defecation Free State in the nearest possible time through the provision of basic infrastructures across the state.

    The DG made this known at the conference hall of the National Orientation Agency, Calabar, during the flag off ceremony of the one day sensitization and capacity building exercise for Community Mobilization Officers towards Achieving an open defecation free status.

    Dr Ekpenyong, pointed out that, achieving maximum results in areas related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene could drastically reduce cases like diahorea, cholera and other common diseases which accounts for more than half of clinical cases in health Facilities.

    Ekpenyong further stated that deliberate measures are being put in place by the state government in actualizing an open defecation free state which include, construction of toilets in rural Communities, sinking of boreholes, sensitization and awareness creation on the importance of maintaining good and personal hygiene.

    In her word “For us in the Primary Healthcare Agency, we are committed to achieving a healthy society and that is why we try to incorporate Water , Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) messages in our routine outreaches in Communities.
    The state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has shown commitment to end open defecation in both rural and urban Communities by sinking boreholes, improving on infrastructures as well as creating an enabling environment for WASH actions to be implemented.

    “We are keen to putting an end to open defecation because it results to more than half of all the clinical cases attended to in health facilities, that is why we urge people to always wash their hands with soap under running water, maintain personal and environmental hygiene”

    On his part, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, stated that all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria obtain an Open Defecation Free Status by 2025 with aggressive sensitization.

    The DG was represented by the Cross River State Director, Mr Amissine Ogban, expressed displeasure with Cross River’s progress in getting more LGAs certified ODF after making history as the first state with an open defecation free Local Government Area in the country.

    “57 Local Government Areas in the Country have been certified Open defecation free with Cross River accounting for 6, a move which necessitated the launch of the “Operation Keep Nigeria Clean” campaign. Said he.

    He charged the Community Mobilization Officers to continue to raise awareness and teach residents the importance of actualizing an open Defecation free status.

    The representative of the Minister for water resources, reiterated the Minister’s commitment to support the state and the nation to achieve open Defecation free status.

    Other speakers include representative of UNICEF, amongst others.

    The six Open Defecation Free Local Government Areas in Cross River State include , Obanliku, Bekwarra, Boki, Yakurr, Ikom and Yala.

  • Councillor Links Two Communities With Monies Meant For Her Official Car

    By Admin

    The social has been inundated lately with photographs of a bridge constructed by Hon. Onem Tyna Miracle, the Deputy Majority Leader and Councillor representing Ward 2 in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, who has reduced the age long suffering of her people as she used the money meant for her official car to build a bridge linking two communities in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State.

    Before embarking on the project, The Lumine News gathered that, she met with the Chiefs of the two communities and informed them of her planned project, but they advised her to do something else as the bridge will be too much for her to execute.

    Bent on denying herself official luxury for the good of her people, the lawmaker insisted and completed the project.

    The good news of her benevolence and exceptional leadership reached the ears of the state Governor, Sen. Douyi Dori, invited her to the Bayelsa State Government House.

    The outcome of the meeting is yet to be disclosed as all efforts made to reach the lawmaker yielded no result as at the time of filing this report.

    She’s currently the talk of the town in Bayelsa State as many are still shocked at her zeal to better the life of her people, with many wondering what could be her drive and motivation.