Category: Metro News

  • C’River State Secures World Bank SFTAS Grant Award Of $5,000,000 For Its Amended 2020 Budget

     

    The Honroable Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Cross River State SFTAS Steering Committee, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr has revealed that Cross River State has earned $5,000,000 for the level of work done in the production of its 2020 Amended Budget. The grant was achieved under a performance-based grant, a part component of the World Bank States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme-for-Results.

    It would be recalled that the independent verification agents from the Office of Auditor General of the Federation had lauded His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade and the administration during their visit for its amended transparent, accountable and sustainable state-level fiscal/budget framework.

    “The federal government of Nigeria (FGN) has disbursed to the eligible States on the basis of the Amended 2020 Budget results achievement.”
    Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr. Hassan Dodo, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, yesterday in Abuja.

  • Focus Immensely On National Consciousness And Integration Rather Than Ethnic Bigotry – Ayade To Corps Members

    Focus Immensely On National Consciousness And Integration Rather Than Ethnic Bigotry – Ayade To Corps Members

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade has called on corps members deployed to Cross River State for the compulsory one year national service to focus on national consciousness and integration rather ethnic bigotry.

    Ayade made the call during the 2020 Batch B stream 1A swearing in ceremony of 600 corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Obubra Local Government Area.

    His words “While I urge you not to take the service year as an ordinary adventure, you are expected to be better citizens who at the end of the service year have course to celebrate meaningful contributions to national development.
    So, focus immensely on national consciousness and Integration rather than ethnic bigotry. This becomes necessary judging from the recent agitation by a large section of Nigerian youths through the legitimate end SARS Protests.

    “In Cross River State, we saw the good concern from the youth as a wake up call for service, development and protection of basic tenets of Democracy.

    “Despite our collective challenges as a nation, the country remains a strong entity, full of opportunities, especially for the teaming educated youth of the nation. To enhance the country’s cohesion, unity and Integration, a pragmatic vision of the National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) came into existence 47 years ago. The youth force of a nation is key to development of a progressive Country.

    “More over, answering the clarion call by taking your Oath of allegiance is to demonstrate the hope of our great country Nigeria and a great achievement of an enlighten society, full of opportunities with free mobility and freedom.

    “With the recent vandalization of the Cross River State Capital by hoodlums acclaimed to be Angry youth population, it is obvious that the state is being dragged back to the (3 “R”s) of post civil war where Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction became the focal agenda of government.

    “While we consider the NYSC as a stabilizing force, more need to be done to provide the much needed reorientation of the idle and vulnerable youth who themselves are being hijacked by drugs and other health damaging narcotics.

    “On our part, government will painstakingly approach the reconstruction effort while at the same time, discourage criminality in whatever guise they may appear.
    The destruction of the NYSC state Secretariat and other government establishment is the darkest experience of this administration.

    “We have Recieved a comprehensive report on the extent of the damages and would appropriately intervene to put enemies of Cross River state to shame.
    We will ensure that adequate provisions are made for a takeoff of a new office, considering the essential services the scheme is rendering all communities in the state irrespective of how remote they may be.

    “Generally, I salute the NYSC management for putting in place standard Covid-19 protocols for this orientation exercise. We appreciate the professional approach of the National Centre for Disease control NCDC since the the coming of COVID 19 Pandemic. You will recall, that Cross River State state was the number one state that pioneered the use of protective approach in taming Covid19 and making the state less vulnerable at a time many states were locked down.

    “Finally, there is coordinated efforts towards providing a safer environment for all residents in Cross River State, and to secure properties against harm.
    Once again, i sincerely welcome you to the most hospitable state in the south south region. On this note, i declare the 2020 Batch B stream 1A Orientation Course open”

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Skills Development who doubles as the the Chairman, NYSC Governing Council, Hon. Signor Omang Idiege noted that “Cross River State is a leading hospitality hub in the West African Sub Region, hosting the largest street party in Africa. Thus, the Cultural boost Under the digital Governor of Cross River state has gone far in retooling African Cultural heritage for which the National Youth Service Corps stands to build.

    “Gentlemen Corps Members, I urge you to be guided by lofty objectives of the scheme, especially eliminating ignorance and confirming at first hand, the many similarities among the various ethnic groups you will soon meet during the cause of your service. Whereas, the rest of the world respects the international heights we have attained over the years, recent negative events ignited by hoodlums during the ENDSARS protest have encroached into both state, federal and private properties, including the National Youth Service Corps. While on inspection of the damaged NYSC Secretariat as directed by the Governor, we realized that the level of havoc meted on the Secretariat was monumental.

    “The post Covid-19 service year is one that requires vigor and speed, if we are to cover the vacuum already left behind by your predecessors.

    On his part, the NYSC State Coordinator Alhaji Nakanda, thanked the Almighty Allah for restoring NYSC Orientation programme after the devastating period occasioned by the COVID-19 nationwide, and acknowledged the role played by the NCDC National Centre for Disease Control and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for their diligence and commitment, which paved way for reopening of NYSC Orientation Camps by the Federal Government.

    The number one corps member in the state stated that ” the three weeks Orientation Course is structured to prepare Corps Members for the compulsory one year National Service. Corps members will be exposed to Drills, Man O’ War agility and __ training, lectures on security, teachings, as well as on camp skills acquisition and enterprenuship training programmes to equip them with requisite capacity not only delivering service to Cross River State, but to also boost their human resource value. Corps Members will also be exposed to socials etc.

    “Your Excellency Sir, our commitment to providing auxiliary manpower to the state through consist provision of teachers, Medical personnel and other graduates needed by the State remain a top priority. However, we can best achieve these by ensuring that the orientation course environment is made very conducive for us to achieve desired results.

    “I want to appreciate the effort of the state government in maintaining the orientation camp since inception and to also inform His Excellency, that much needs to be done in the areas of infrastructural expansion, Erosion control and mending of the perimeter fence to mitigate the porous state of the Camp. This will help observe the COVID-19 protocol according to the directives by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC.

    “Your Excellency Sir, the recent wave of (END SARS) protests hijacked by hoodlums in Cross River State has grounded the operational Headquarters of the NYSC in Cross River State. All working tools were either looted or vandalized, including two Hilux Vans and one Ambulance. It will interest His Excellency to know that all the utility vehicles in this Camp are either hired or given as assistance by Sister Organisations.

    “While we assure your Excellency of the Scheme’s readiness to key into your lofty development efforts, the renovation of the NYSC Secretariat will help settle the incoming set of Corps Members to key into the industrialization drive of the Government”

    Highlight of the event was administration of Oath of allegiance on the Corps Members, and Martial Arts by Corps Members.

  • Ikom Main Market Traders Commends Sen. Sandy Onor As He Drills Motorized Boreholes, Set To Build Health Facility For Them

    Ikom Main Market Traders Commends Sen. Sandy Onor As He Drills Motorized Boreholes, Set To Build Health Facility For Them

     

    Admin

    The joy of traders in Ikom main market know no bounds as they continue to thank the Senator representing central senatorial district, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor for his magnanimity and steadfastness in keeping to words to fulfill his campaign promises.

    In 2019 during the electioneering, Prof. Sandy Onor had promised the traders in Ikom Main Market, motorised boreholes in the market to ease water challenge faced by traders.

    This gesture is in furtherance to the two million naira (#2,000,000) donated by the senator to displaced traders following an inferno which gutted parts of the market, earlier this year.

    The Chairman, Ikom Main Market Traders Union (IMMTU), Comrade Emmanuel Ogigha said; “In the history of this market, no elected official or government parastatal has remembered Ikom Main Market in any form. All we normally see is that they come here and collect revenue from us with nothing to show for the revenues we’ve been paying. We so much thank God for giving us somebody like Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor. The water project is ongoing. The people are working day and night to fast tract its completion”.

    “The DG Caterpillar Movement was here and he expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far. He also informed us that the Senator has concluded plans to construct a health facility here in the market for us. We are very happy I must confess. A health facility in Ikom Main Market is long over due”.

    “Series of terrible things has been happening here. Often times, women put to birth in the open while purchasing food and other items; a situation that is dangerous for the safety and survival of both the mother and the child.

    “During compulsory immunization, our women find it extremely difficult to take their children to health centers to be immunized because of the distance from the market. The initiative is a laudable one. It will go a long way in handling the numerous health emergencies we often encounter here. Health is wealth. You have to first of all be healthy before you can be able to pursue any goal. We thank distinguished Senator for keeping to his words. We thank him for his concern. We thank him for having us in mind. He is a man indeed. The entire market traders are happy with him.

    “On behalf of myself, my exco members and the entire people of Ikom Main Market, we say a big thank you to our Senator. May the Almighty God bless him”

  • Nigerian Striker, slumps And Died While Training With Gateway FC

    Nigerian Striker, slumps And Died While Training With Gateway FC

    Culled from Legit News

    Nigerian football fraternities have been thrown into deep mourning on Monday morning, November 16, following the tragic death of ex-Shooting Stars player Yusuf Usman Usein.

    The forward who was popularly known as ‘Eiye’ was training with Gateway FC of Abeokuta with the hopes of signing for them before he slumped on Sunday evening, November 15.

    Usein was said to have been resuscitated on the pitch by medical men who rushed into action after he slumped.

    And according to the confirmation by Crown FC of Ogbomoso media officer Tunji Alabi, the player died later in the midnight.

    Alabi said further that Eiye who also played for Crown FC was a very hardworking, easy going, loyal, very dedicated and God fearing player.

    ”It is so unfortunate that we have lost Usein and we pray that God will forgive him and grant him eternal rest. He was a good and dedicated player when he was playing for us in Ogbomoso,”Yusuf Usman Usein actually started his football career on the streets of Ibadan in Oyo state before he was given the chance to join Shooting Stars.

    The lanky forward spent two seasons with the Ibadan-based club before he moved to Crown FC of Ogbomoso.

    Gateway FC will be playing in the Nigeria’s second tier League which is the National League in the 2020/21 season.

  • Chairman of The Akpanke Foundation Donates 1.5M To St. Charles Lawanga Parish, Calabar.

    Chairman of The Akpanke Foundation Donates 1.5M To St. Charles Lawanga Parish, Calabar.

    By Admin

    The Chairman and Founder of The Akpanke Foundation, Mr. Peter Akpanke has donated the sum of 1.5M to the building of the Lord’s own house.

    Mr. Akpanke announced the donation during the annual Thanksgiving mass organized by St. Charles Lawanga parish, Essien Town – Calabar, on the 15th of November, 2020, where served as the Chief Harvester.

    Recall that Mr. Peter Akpanke was recently honored with an award of recognition by an Abuja based organization for his philanthropic gesture.

    His interventions had no limitation as he was sighted in Lagos during the pandemic distributing palliatives. He has touched the lives of many down trodden persons who lives in abject penury, across Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Lagos and Cross River States.

    When contacted, Mr. Akpanke told The Lumine News that “I can’t thank God enough for all he has done for me. I never knew that you tracking almost every bit of my intervention, both in my personal capacity and as The Akpanke Foundation. To me, it is a privilege to give back to the society, what God has blessed us with. As long as he keeps and provide for us, we will continue to reach out to the less privileged.

    “I don’t believe in making shows with my interventions, but if you insist, I will connect you to my Programme Director, he will share with you what we have done recently”

  • Police investigation vindicates Pastor Bassey Udosen of N5million claim by Helen Isamoh

    Police investigation vindicates Pastor Bassey Udosen of N5million claim by Helen Isamoh

    By Admin

    Police interim investigation has vindicated Pastor Bassey Udosen of Message Point Assembly of N5million claim by Helen Isamoh, who is the SSA to Gov. Ben Ayade on Gender and Development.

    In a report signed by ASP Igri Ewa, the O/C Public Complaint Bureau, State Police Headquarters Calabar, the report vindicated Pastor Udosen of the allegation, thereby asking Engr. Orok John, the agent of Russell Investment, an online trading platform with headquarters in America to pay back Helen Isamoh the N5million.

    Helen Isamoh had earlier petitioned Pastor Bassey Udosen and Orok John, alleging that they both collected N5million from her under false pretence.

    But, the police investigation viewed the matter as a business investment.

    The police report said. “The second suspect, Orok John, admitted collecting five million from the complainant to invest in the business, that he never gave any kobo to the first suspect-Bassey Udosen.

    “In the light of the above, it is suggested that the second suspect, Engineer Orok be made to return the complainants money to her and Engineer Orok be made to face his case.

    In a chat with newsmen, Pastor Udosen said he has known Helen for almost four years because she usually come to his church for prayers and counselling.

    He said that he has never been into any marketing business before, but as a Pastor, he has congregation members who are into different fields of human endeavour.

    He explained that in 2017, Helen approached him and said she is into networking and would like to introduce him into “Micheno”.

    “Based on how I trusted her, I decided to invest because she had told me that all investors normally get 50% of their investment in return.

    “I gave her N9million to invest. When she did the investment, she came out to tell me that the money has crashed, therefore I need to forget about the money.

    “I told her that I needed to use the money for something and she was able to raise N5million for me. I knew she was lieing because she did not invest the money.

    “When I went to Micheno, I discovered that she did not put the money with Micheno, rather she invested the money with one woman, and when I confronted her, she accepted that she didn’t invest the money with Micheno because she heard that Micheno had already crashed.

    “I discovered that she used Micheno to collect the money from me. I collected N5million from her and she promised to pay me the balance of N4million in 2018 and till date, she hasn’t paid me the money, and I didn’t want to start having problems with her.

    “At the presence of the police, they asked her if she had introduced me into Micheno and if she was also owing me N4million, she admitted.

    “In February 2020, one member of my Church called Ephraim, told me about MBA investment and I quickly introduce Helen into it and she invested over N9million. As we speak, Helen makes nothing less than N1million from that business I introduced her into every month.

    “She has not come out to say anything on this because she is still collecting money from there every month. I want to make it clear here that I don’t have any business with Helen on any online marketing platform anymore.

    “When Engr. Orok, a member of my church told me about the Russell investment, I gave him N1.5million to invest for me,” he said.

    Pastor Bassey further said that he had to introduce Helen to Orok so that she can also invest in Russell Investment since she was into online business.

    According to him, Helen first invested N400,000 with Orok in Russell Investment and he was aware of the payment.

    “Aside the N400,000, I didn’t know of any other transaction again that happened between Orok and Helen. She kept telling me how she was benefitting.

    “One month after, Orok called me and said that there was a challenge because he could no longer withdraw money from the account.

    “I called both Helen and Orok to my office and I asked Orok to explain what happen, he then opened his phone and showed us all that transpired. I was worried because I have invested N4.5million too.

    “Orok explained to us that they were doing maintenance and after 14 says, nothing happened. It was then that I called her again so that we can see how to handle the matter, the only thing I saw was that Helen went ahead and brought police to invite me for questioning,” he said.

    Pastor Bassey maintained that Helen threatened his life and boasted on how she was going to use the social media to run him down in Cross River State because he is a pastor.

    He however, urged Helen to tell the public the truth and stop blackmailing his name and dragging his church into unnecessary social media fight.

    Speaking also, Orok corroborated Pastor Bassey’s statement, saying that Helen was dealing directly with him and not the pastor.

    Orok said that he had told Helen in the presence of the Police and his lawyer that he will be paying her N200,000 monthly until the N5million is exhausted.

    He said that after showing her the transaction which was no longer fruitful for withdrawal, he pleaded with Helen to agree with him on a repayment plan for the N5million, but she refused and said she wanted the cash in bulk.

  • Social Safety Net: Cross River Emerges First State to Transit From YESSO To NASSCO In Nigeria

    Social Safety Net: Cross River Emerges First State to Transit From YESSO To NASSCO In Nigeria

     

    Cross River State has emerged the first state in Nigeria to successfully qualify and transit to National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) after the closure of Youth Employment and Social Support Operation ( YESSO) in the country.

    The state under *Governor Ben Ayade* had met all the required criteria and completed the full documentation and assessment by NASSCO, hence the commencement of the programme.

    Speaking during the take off of the program in Calabar, Governor Ben Ayade said that Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) in Cross River State through the State Operation Coordination Unit(SOCU) has been touching lives in the last Seven years.

    “Cross River State intends to use the Social register to drive Human Capital Development and increase access to targeted transfers to poor and vulnerable households under an expanded state social safety net system

    Earlier in his speech, *Mr Apera Iorwa* , the National Coordinator of NASSCO assured the state Government of his cooperation in increasing and building the state social register of poor and vulnerable households within the stupulated record time.

    NASSCO is saddled with the responsibility of building the National Social Register and coordinating livelihood support to extremely poor & vulnerable households in Nigeria.

    “We are developing a social safety nets framework that will help the state in implementing its social protection policies inline with the new NASSCO guidelines and protocols.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner, Ministry of International DevelopmentCooperation, *Inyang Asibong* opined that ” His Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade has prioritized social protection (SP) interventions as a key strategy towards reducing poverty and socio-economic vulnerabilities in cross river state” Asibong added.

    “The Permanent Secretary *Mr Felix Ita* envisaged that about fifty four thousand (54,000) households, and almost two hundred and ninety nine thousand (299,000) persons were captured in the intervention projects and programes in all the eighteen local Government Areas”.

    The State Coordinator, State Operation Coordinating Office, *Mr. Chris Anake* while commending the Governor, reassured him of SOCU commitment on achieving the state deliverables.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the Cross River YESSO seven- year programme exit report by the Commissioner, MIDC to the State Governor, Sen Prof Ben Ayade.

  • Gully Erosion That Threatens Residents Of Ikot Effanga Mkpa

    Gully Erosion That Threatens Residents Of Ikot Effanga Mkpa

    By Elijah Ugani

    The ravaging gully erosion at Stream Road (Usung Efag)/Water Board in Ekot Effanga Mkpa Clan, Ward 9, Calabar Municipality remain unabated as residents continue to call government attention to the deadly trap occasioned by the gully erosion.

    One of the residents, Hon. Ekuma JP, told The Lumnine News that “we are helpless in the circumstance and until government comes to our rescue, we are going to be cut off from our normal life. I want to appeal to both the Chairman of Council and the governor to please come to our rescue.

    Recall that the Councillor representing Ward 9, Calabar Municipality Council, Hon. Solomon Etim Ika, had on Friday, 30th October, 2020 through a MOTION OF URGENT PUBLIC INTEREST, during plenary, drew the attention of the legislature to the ugly situation and called on both the local and state governments to rise to the challenge of the moment to safe residents of the clan the stress of not being able to access their homes should the erosion persist.

  • Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Supports Physically Challenged Mr. Michael Ogar from Gakem.

    Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Supports Physically Challenged Mr. Michael Ogar from Gakem.

     

    The representative of the masses, and member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom, a God sent leader, who has a passion for people in distress, has continually sought to upgrade the living condition of his constituents and those that come in contact with him.

    The joy that erupted from Michael Ogar from Gakem, Bekwarra LGA after he bumped into Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom few days ago is a testament to his caring nature.

    The MP was on transit and had a brief stop over at Bekwarra where Michael approached to greet him, on seeing his condition, the MP was touched and immediately rendered financial support to him to start up a business.

    Without any appointment or protocol, the MP handed him some cash and the overwhelmed Michael rejoiced as he hopped on a standby motorcycle.

    Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom for those who know him is humble, Focused, caring, God fearing and visionary and he’s ready to serve the people of Cross River Northern Senatorial district to the best of his ability.

     

  • Obanliku Council Chairman Hosts Officials Of National Boundary Commission, Deputy Governors Of Cross River And Benue States.

    Obanliku Council Chairman Hosts Officials Of National Boundary Commission, Deputy Governors Of Cross River And Benue States.

    By John Akpo

    The Executive Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Council, Evang. Mrs. Margaret Inde, on November 9th, 2020 hosted of officials of the National Boundary commission (NBC), Deputy Governors of Cross River and Benue States, to flag off the boundary verification exercise.

    The verification exercise is however expected is expected to be followed by planting of beacons to bring permanent peace in the affected areas of dispute between the two states.

    The event was held the Obanliku Local Government Secretariat.

    The council boss had on November 8th, 2020, welcomed the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu, and his entourage, the Chairman of NBC and other delegation at the Obudu Mountain Resort.