The Lumine News

Category: National News

  • Negotiation Between FG And ASUU Today Yielded Good Result, All Withheld Salaries To Be Paid With The Old Platform

    By Elijah Ugani

    There seemed to be hope for students to return to school before the end of the year as the meeting between the Federal Government of Nigeria FGN and the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU today, Friday 20th November, 2020 yielded good results.

    This was disclosed by ASUU on its verified official tweeter handle @ASUUng where ASUU noted that “The negotiation between FG and #ASUU today yielded very good results”

    The release indicates that “government has agreed to use old platform before IPPIS to pay all withheld salaries.

    “#UTAS is still undergoing usability test.

    “On revitalization, the government offered N15billion in addition to the N20billion pledged earlier”

    The twit further disclosed that “ASUU will now consult with its council and then get back to the government in a short while, to make their final intention known, if the strike will be suspended or not”

  • NCDMB Under Legor Awards Contract For The Development Of Three Youth Centres In His Constituency

     

    The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB has awarded contracts worth over four hundred and ninety million Naira for youth development focused projects in Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Areas in Cross River State.

    The contracts include NCDMB ICT Centre in Bendi Technical School, Bendi, Obanliku LGA, NCDMB ICT Centre in Clement Ebri Technical School at Utugwang, Obudu LGA and completion and upgrade of Youth Resource Centre at Abuochiche, Bekwarra LGA.

    The contracts were awarded to Ayioludo Nig. Ltd of 16 Okpaoloko Road, Abachor Igbeku-Yala, Cross River State, Ibex Train Ltd, Abuja and Kresto Paco, Abuja.

    The projects are facilitated by Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo who is Chairman Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring in the House of Representatives.

    The Member Representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives said the intention is to build the capacities of young persons to seize the opportunities provided by Local Content in the oil and gas, power, ICT and other sectors.

    He added that as part of his oversight functions he would ensure that the contracts are executed to specification and are completed within specified timelines which is six months in order for his constituents to enjoy the benefits of the project and the dividends of democracy.

    He concluded that the leaning to youth development focused projects were intentional as the youth demographic are the key to national development and are close to his heart; the recent agitation by youths nationwide being a pointer to the neglect of the demographic.

    It can be recalled that only recently, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo facilitated a month long training of over 300 young people in GSM phone repairs, hardware, software and entrepreneurship development in his Federal Constituency by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    Indeed, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo is an outstanding representative in the Green Chambers and is drawing development to his Federal Constituency and making a difference for his people. He is deserving of the continuing support of the people.

  • CR NYSC Gets 665 Corps Members, Undergoes Covid – 19 Testing As Camp Reopens Today Across The County

    By Elijah Ugani 

    In line with the Covid 19 protocol, Cross River State gets 650 corps members for the 2020 Batch B Stream 1A service year at NYSC permanent orientation camp, Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State.

    This was disclosed by the State Coordinator, when contacted by The Lumine News.

    His words “we are expecting 665 corps members because of the Covid – 19 protocol. We hope to get the best out of this number. We will have a shortfall compared to the expected number of corps members.

    “We are in the camp prepared to received the corps members for the three weeks intensive drilling. With the few number of corps members expected in the camp, we are going to have shortage of corps members to deploy to various establishments in the state”

    Nakanda further disclosed that “we are grateful to NCDC for the Covid – 19 testing at the entrance of the camp for both NYSC officials and corps members. With this testing, we are confident of a successful orientation camping”

    Recall that NYSC Orientation camps were shut down across the country following the outbreak of the dreaded Covid – 19 pandemic. A development that almost frustrated the hopes of prospective corps members. However, with the reopening of orientation camps across the country, there seemed to be jubilation, especially among graduates that awaits the mandatory one year national service.

  • Golden Eaglets Begs Ayade To Redeem Pledged House Gifts

    Culled From The Nationonline

    Seven years after, the FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets’ squad of 2013 has yet make a clarion call to Governor Ben Ayade to redeem the Cross River State’s pledge of a house gift to players and officials of the team.

    A feat that made Governor Ayade’s predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke, during the State’s banquet for the team at Government House in Calabar on Saturday 15th November 2013, announced the house gifts to the 21 players and 10 officials, adding the houses would be located in the State’s new housing estate in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

    “Frankly, it’s unbelievable that we are yet to be given these houses almost 10 years after we won the FIFA U-17 World Cup and celebrated by everybody.

    “In fact, we were most impressed when Senator Imoke said in the presence of the then Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; former NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari and members of his cabinet, that he preferred house gifts as a lasting legacy than monetary rewards; but it’s unfortunate that after all these years, we are still waiting for the houses to be delivered to the players and officials.”

    Speaking in the same vein, the 2013 World Cup-winning captain, Musa Muhammed said he was tired of explaining to the players time and time again that the houses were yet to be given: “I don’t think a day has passed without one or two of the players asking me about our houses in Calabar but I want to use this opportunity to beg our father, Governor Ayade, for the house gifts for both the players and officials.”

  • Jubilation As NYSC Members To Be Enrolled Into NHIS

    Nigerian President, Muhamaddu Buhari has approved the enrolment of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

    This was disclosed by the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, during a media parley today, November 9, 2020.

    His words “I wish to use this opportunity to again express our gratitude to the security agencies and other stakeholders for their support. Furthermore, the scheme has concluded arrangement with the NHIS for the enrolment of corps members into the NHIS in line with a presidential directive. We have also expended huge resources on critical health needs of corps members, including footing of medical bills.”

  • National Boundary Commission Inaugurates Joint Technical Team And flags off A Verification Exercise On Benue – Cross River Boundaries.

    By Richard Abu

    The National Boundary Commission (NBC), today 8th November, 2020, inaugurated a Joint Field Technical Team and flagged-off the Field Verification Exercise on the Benue – Cross River inter-state boundaries in Sankwala, Obanliku LGA.

    The exercise comes on the heels of the resolution of the joint meeting of officials of the two states with the National Boundary Commission, held on the 9th of October 2020 in Abuja.

    The Joint Technical Committee Committee inaugurated include: the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Surveyor General of Cross River and Benue States, the Deputy Governors of Cross River and Benue states, representatives of the affected local government areas of the two states amongst others.

    Declaring the exercise open, the Director General of NBC, Surveyor Adamu Adaji stated that the boundary between the two states was only for administrative purposes and not to stop the interaction between the two states. He further sued for cooperation from indigenes of the two states to achieve a successful verification exercise.

    On his part, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State who also doubles as the Chairman of the State Border Committee, his Excellency Prof. Ivara Esu, welcomed the NBC DG and other delegates and his Benue counterpart to the event, stressed the importance of the exercise and reemphasized that the exercise is to demarcate the boundary and not to create a barrier between the two states.

    In his words “the boundary between Cross River and Benue is not as complex as we have in other states as pillars are already in place; this exercise is to verify those already existing pillars and plant new ones where they don’t exist”

    Similarly, the Deputy Governor of Bunue State/Chairman of Benue State Border Committee, Engr. Benson Abounu thanked the people of the two states for their peaceful coexistence over the years stating that despite the reoccurring skirmishes, his people and that of Cross River State share culture, inter-marry and trade together peacefully.

    He further sued for peace and cooperation from the people especially Youth of the two states during the exercise.

    In their separate remarks, the traditional rulers of Vandeikya and Obanliku Local Governments thanked the Federal, Cross River and Benue States governments for putting heads together to see to a lasting solution to boundary issues between the two states.

    The traditional rulers further assured the technical team of their people’s utmost cooperation during and after the exercise.

    The occasion was also graced by the Chairmen of the affected local governments in Cross River State including Hon. Eraye Ewhe of Obudu, Evan. Margaret Inde of Obanliku, Dr. Joe Owan of Bekwarra, Barr. Fabian Ogbeche of Yala and their counterparts from Vandeikya, Kwande, Konshisha and Oju local governments of Benue State.

    Also in attendance were the representative of the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surveyor Generals of the two States, the Hon. Commissioner for Education Cross River, Dr. Godwin Amanke, the DG Bordercom Cross River State, Mr. Noel Ugbong, the Hon. Commissioner of Boundaries Benue state, Royal fathers from the affected local government areas amongst others.

    The exercise is expected run through the 22nd of November, 2020 along the boundary flashpoints between the two states.

  • TETFUND Completes Inspection Of The Institute Of Management and Technology, Ugep

    By Admin

    The Tertiary Education Fund TETFUND, responsible for funding of tertiary institutions in Nigeria has completed the inspection of the state owned Institute of Management and Technology, Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    This however comes on the heels of the enlistment of the institute as a beneficiary institution, facilitated by the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee in TETFUND, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor.

    Speaking after the three day rigorous inspection, the leader of the delegation, Mallam Yahaya applauded the level of infrastructural development of the institution and pledged the reflection of the various concerns raised by all stakeholders during the inspection visit.

    The delegation was led by the Registrar of the institution, Dr. Emmanuel Yarie and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Elvis Okon Jnr. on a courtesy visit to the palace of the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubangha Eteng and the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Council, Hon. Ofem Ebri Obeten.

    The duo of the Obol of Ugep and the Chairman of Yakurr local government Council, thanked the team for undertaking the inspection of the state owned Institute of Management and Technology located in their land and requested that the intervention in the institution commence in earnest.

    Recall that since inception of the institution in December, 2012, this is the first time that the Institute of Management and Technology will get any intervention from TETFUND.

    When contacted, the senator representing Cross River Central senatorial district and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on TETFUND, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor, expressed satisfaction with the efficacy of his people oriented representation at the red chambers, which has yielded this result of inspection and the subsequent intervention by TETFUND.

    The lawmaker maintained that he will stop at nothing to ensure that Cross River State gets all its entitlements, due and quota from TETFUND.

  • NITDA To Make Cross River State An IT Hub

    By Admin

    The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi has promised to make Calabar, Cross River State one of the Regional IT Hubs the Agency is set to establish across the Country.

    The DG, who is a Massachusetts trained tech expert disclosed this on the 13th of October 2020 when the Director General, Cross River State Border Communities Development Commission (BORDERCOMM), Mr. Noel Ugbong led a delegation of his team to NITDA Headquarters, Abuja.

    Mr. Ugbong facilitated the DG, NITDA who is barely one year in office and extended the Governor’s goodwill message as well as commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing this young, vibrant and tech savvy business-minded youth as Director General of the Country’s IT regulatory Agency.

    Mr. Noel Ugbong praised the Agency for the post-graduate Scholarship program and noted that “It is only NITDA Scholarship that gives equal value to all the States which is very commendable”

    The BORDERCOMM Director General commended the Agency for the Smart Agriculture programme and requested the DG to extend the Programme to Cross River State especially now that the State is one the leading States in the Green Revolution.

    Mr. Noel Ugbong used the opportunity and appealed to the Agency to equip the Skills Acquisition Centres recently handed over to Cross River State border Communities by the Border Communities Development Agency Abuja.

    He posited that if NITDA provides the centres with IT equipment and technical support, it will go a long way to create wealth, IT solutions and control migration. He further briefed the Agency of the steps Cross River State has taken geared towards advancing IT solutions and expertise which NITDA can leverage on.
    Amongst which is the Tinapa Knowledge Centre and available optic fibre across the length of the state.

    Mr. Noel Ugbong appealed to NITDA to provide Internet support to Obudu Mountain Resort which is Nigeria’s number one Tourism Flagship.

    Responding, the enigmatic DG of NITDA assured the DG, BORDERCOM that his Agency was on the verge of creating regional IT Hubs across the Country. He stressed that Calabar has the enabling facility for easy takeoff, the Agency will Consider making it a regional hub. He promised to extend the smart Agriculture programme to Cross River State after the pilot program in Jigawa State.

    The Deputy Director IT Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Muhammed Saidu thanked the BORDERCOMM team for the visit and commended the Governor of Cross River State for the tax exemption in the State.

  • President Buhari Addresses #EndSars Protesters Across The Country

    President Buhari address #EndSars protesters across the council

  • BREAKING: IGP Scraps SARS Nationwide

    Culled From Punch

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has announced the dissolution of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

    He said the operatives will be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

    Adamu announced this in a live broadcast on Sunday afternoon.

    The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.

    At the briefing, the IGP said, “The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory.”