The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • 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

    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.

    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

    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

     

    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

    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.

     

    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.

    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.

  • Obudu Council Chairman Stole The Show, Hosts Chairmen Of Cross River And Benue State

    By Richard Abu

    The Executive Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe played host to his counterparts from Northern Cross River and Benue states in his official residence, Obudu council secretariat after the successful flag-off of the field verification exercise on the Cross River/Benue boundaries.

    In attendance were; Hon Dr. Joe Owan, Hon. Fabian Ogbeche and Hon. Boniface Eweh Bekwarra and Yala and Obuf Local Government Areas respectively.

    Also in attendance were Hon. Mrs. Tyoer Garber Kukase of Vandeikya, Hon. Mrs. Joyce Chianson of Kwame, Hon. Mwuese Ubebe of Konshisha and Hon. Clement Onah of Oju Local Government areas of Benue States.

    The get-together further created acquaintance and harmony among the Chairmen from Cross River and Benue States which they promised to extend to their people.

  • GFO Orim Foundation Puts A Smile On The Face Of A Widow

    By Elijah Ugani

    In line with the vision and mandate of GFO Orim Foundation to alleviate the plight of the less privileged in the society, the foundation had on Saturday October 7th, 2020 given hope to Mrs. Angelina Godwin Afo, a widow with four kids and a set of twins at Anyikang, Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Mrs. Afo has lived in adject penury after the death of her husband, and life became very unbearable for her couple with the set of twins God blessed her with recently.

    The death of her husband forced her to live in an uncompleted building without doors and windows.

    The Chairman/Founder, GFO Orim Foundation, who is also the Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Hon. Martin Orim who is known for his magnanimity and humanitarian interventions aimed at changing the fortunes of the less privileged in the society, made a cash support to the widow and pledged to undertake the following;

    Plastering of the entire building, install doors and windows in the building, install solar light in her house, providing her with a grinding machine to enable her start a business, and to supply food items at regular intervals to enable her provide for the children.

    Hon. Orim was accompanied by the former leader, Obudu Legislative Council, Hon. Sylvester Agabi.

    This comes just three weeks after the foundation paid hospital bills for an abandoned twenty years old Miss Theresa, who delivered premature triplets at Sacred heart hospital Obudu, and made provision for the children to be incubated at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital Abakiliki.

    When contacted, the Chairman/Founder, GFO Orim Foundation told The Lumine News that “I feel very disturbed and I have no peace when I see people subjected to untold situations. I wish I have what it takes to change the stories of most vulnerable people in the society. But we are constraint by the limited resources within our disposal.

    “Despite the paucity of funds, we will continue to do the best we can. For us, the comfort of this widow matter a lot to us. Those children deserve the best form of care. No body knows what God has destined them to become. We have to support their mother to enable her give them the basic training needed for the realization of their destinies and potentials”