Category: Opinion

  • Irrespective Of The Political Party You Identify With, Sen Jarigbe Agom Can Give His All To Assist Anyone In Need BY DORNCKLAIMZ ENAMHE

    Irrespective Of The Political Party You Identify With, Sen Jarigbe Agom Can Give His All To Assist Anyone In Need BY DORNCKLAIMZ ENAMHE

    Distinguished Sen J.A.J

    He listens with empathy,

    He acts with integrity,

    He doesn’t discriminate.

    He remains impartial,

    irrespective of the political party you identify with.
    He can give his all to assist anyone in need

    He can support with all his earnings to ameliorate a medical challenge from any one

    This weekend, he seeks to connect with all of us at his Town Hall meetings with his constituents in Northern Cross River State.

    If you have ever had a Senator who didn’t embody his values, You would probably be disillusioned with that person by now.

    For Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, his focus is on serving the people, the people that stood with him against their former governor

    The people he cares about deeply
    and the people who genuinely appreciate his efforts.

    The people who have benefited from his leadership and are extremely satisfied with their Senator.

    If you admire Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, express your appreciation here with a kind word

    I love him , what about you ?

    See you at the Town hall meeting with Distinguished Sen Jarigbe Agom

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Mr Dornclaimz ENAMHE, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Selling The Lion To Buy A Dog: A Mistake Cross River Must Avoid BY OGAR EMMANUEL OKO

    Selling The Lion To Buy A Dog: A Mistake Cross River Must Avoid BY OGAR EMMANUEL OKO

    en Jarigbe Agom means different things to different people in the state. To the populace, he’s the definition of legislative performance par excellence. To the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state—especially in the northern senatorial district—he’s their archrival. To trolls, he’s the slayer of Giant Alakuku. To his supporters, he’s the captain of an unarmed battalion in the army of the unconquered generation. He’s the smartest and most slippery politician in the state. He goes by the name ‘Jari Wonder’, a moniker he earned on account of his outstanding execution of constituency projects.

    The lawmaker was on the verge of completing his second term in the Green Chamber when necessity beckoned him to rise higher. As the member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, he executed numerous projects and earned the admiration of the people. As a senator, he is known for executing giant projects that are typically within the capacity of a state governor.

    Ahead of 2027, the APC is regrouping, fortifying, and re-strategizing to snatch power from him. But truth be told, if an election were held today, their efforts would amount to nothing more than an exercise in futility.

    At this critical moment, the state does not need greenhorns in the legislature—we need men of influence. Like Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr., Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe commands growing national relevance and remains one of the South-South’s most influential voices in the National Assembly. Reinforcing success is always the smart choice; changing a winning team is a recipe for disaster. For the good of the state, both the ruling party and the opposition should conjoin forces to return Jarigbe Agom. Any contrary move would be nothing short of selling the lion to buy a dog.

    Cross River cannot afford to trade a lion for a dog. In times like these, our state needs lions— leaders with courage, conviction, and vision.

    Comr. Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    Writes from Abeokuta

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and does not represent TheLumineNews, it’s agent or the organization the author works for. 

  • The Power Of Scholarships: Senator Stephen Odey’s Approach To Education BY OGAR SOLOMON

    The Power Of Scholarships: Senator Stephen Odey’s Approach To Education BY OGAR SOLOMON

     

    In this age where more people believe more in receiving than giving, Cross River Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey Ph D has undertaken the daunting responsibility of transforming the lives of indigent students through giving by awarding educational scholarships to them.

    This laudable empowerment took place recently when he reached out to the society by awarding scholarships to 34 tertiary education students at the Yache Town Hall Meeting which was held on March 29, 2025. The scholarship scheme offered by the Hon Commissioner has a direct impact on the recipients principally because this will enable them to acquire better education.

    While the scholarship scheme will ease some of the pressure and challenges the students are facing, it will equally instill some sense of love in the students so that some time in future some of them would extend the same to others in need in the society. When I remember the pains some people went through while staying at home due to lack of funds it is only proper that I commend this gesture by Steve Odey.

    I strongly believe that when you want to develop human beings you do everything that would ensure they are totally developed by supporting their education, that is what the Commissioner has just displayed by his gesture. Education is required by everyone and with the vastness of political office holders, it is necessary that those who are well off should emulate Odey and start something like this within their immediate sphere of contact before the government comes in.

    In Yala where he has business interest, he is doing much in the area of education by touching the lives of the students there through scholarships and the building of educational infrastructure. A total of fifty Six (56) staff on his monthly payroll which practically translates to putting food on the table of several families is truly exceptional and worthy of commendation.

    Though he is making his contributions as a political office holder, he is equally functioning where God wants him to function, giving a helping hand to indigent persons. I like to commend him for his style of leadership with tangible evidence of development as seen in the facilitation of the construction of rural roads, schools, hospitals and general infrastructure in his domain.

    In the bustling corridors of politics and governance and the hallowed halls of academia, Associate Prof Odey is forming a silent landmark of emulation. A seasoned politician like Odey with a second address is looking beyond the confines of acquiring wealth for himself and quarterly returns, casts a discerning eye on the landscape of education and has put smiles on thirty four students. It’s not just about benevolence; it’s strategic and visionary.

    I want to welcome all to the world where philanthropy meets educational investment in Cross River State as exemplified by Associate Prof Odey, a confluence where corporate responsibility becomes more than just a buzzword. In this interplay, politics don’t just thrive – they enrich societies by boosting education with an intrinsic link between the political world and education, a connection that shapes futures and fosters growth. After all, investing in education is the ultimate affirmation of the profound role of good men in society and recognizing education as a long-term investment for the good of all.

    I congratulate Associate Prof. Stephen Odey for setting this pace!

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Ogar Solomon, and does not represent TheLumineNews, it’s agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Public Office Is A Trust And The Trustees Are The People BY MARTIN ORIM

    Public Office Is A Trust And The Trustees Are The People BY MARTIN ORIM

     

    Public office constitutes a sacred TRUST, where the ultimate trustees are the PEOPLE – the electorates. Those elected by the people are the holders of the Trust and are charged with the responsibility of managing this Trust to deliver essential services and support for our people’s well-being. In return, the electorate possesses an inherent right to hold our representatives accountable for their actions and decisions, through any means they deem appropriate to ensure their voices are heard.

    Rather than rebuking constituents for their demands for transparency and accountability, it is far more constructive to engage in open dialogue and provide clear, comprehensive explanations to alleviate their concerns, which will in turn, foster a healthier democratic environment.

    A critical deficiency within our democracy is that many of our people currently occupying public office, particularly some of our elected representatives, often lack a fundamental understanding of the concepts of representation and leadership. This gap in knowledge leads them to overlook the essential truth that the offices they hold are, indeed, a public trust and that the electorate should be treated as the ultimate beneficiaries of that trust.

    To address this deficiency, it is imperative to emphasise the importance of LEADERSHIP training for those seeking elective office, recognising that they will be carrying the people’s trust when elected into office. Such training should encompass a thorough understanding of democratic principles, fiduciary responsibilities, and effective community engagement strategies. By prioritising this education, we can cultivate leaders who not only comprehend their roles as trustees but are also equipped to uphold the integrity of the democratic process, ultimately serving the interests of their constituents who are the trustees with dedication and transparency.

    Hon Chief (Dr) Martin Orim

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Martin Orim, and does not represent TheLumineNews, it’s agent or the organization the author works for 

     

  • APC’s Bold Move: No Free Ride for Incumbent Lawmakers BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA 

    APC’s Bold Move: No Free Ride for Incumbent Lawmakers BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA 

     

    I align with the position of the APC Cross River State that there should be no automatic ticket for the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) or the State Assembly in the 2027 general election. This means that any current member of the State and National Assembly who wishes to return must participate in the party’s primary election to nominate candidates for the 2027 general election.

    This decision is gratifying because it will compel those Senators, House of Representatives members, and State Assembly members who have been “playing god” to seek support from the grassroots. This is the right thing to do, ensuring that every incumbent legislator has the opportunity to test their popularity and democratic credentials in a primary election.

    It’s also a golden opportunity for them to face party members, present their achievements, and be evaluated transparently. Any attempt to undemocratically hand over tickets to state or national legislators who have neglected their constituents and deceived them with phantom empowerment programs and constituency projects will face stiff resistance.

    The party is already experiencing internal turmoil due to the perceived failure to reward dedicated members for their loyalty and support since 2015. Any attempt by the party leadership to impose automatic tickets on members would be the final straw.

    According to the Supreme Court, the national leadership of the party has the power to conduct primary elections for all elective positions, including state and national assembly elections. Nevertheless, it’s a positive development that the APC leadership in the state has aligned with the prevailing sentiments among majority party members.

    Refusing to donate automatic tickets to state or national assembly members for the 2027 general elections is a step in the right direction. Anything contrary would likely lead to the party’s implosion. There are already signs of dissent that might fragment the party if urgent reforms are not implemented.

    The simmering tension within the party, particularly from the defunct CPC wing, can be alleviated by shunning undemocratic means of nominating candidates for legislative branches at the federal and state levels in 2027.

    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, it’s agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Obudu Transformer Theft, Agba Jalingo Writes Council Chairman, Recommends Suspension Of Aides Involved To Ease Investigation

    Obudu Transformer Theft, Agba Jalingo Writes Council Chairman, Recommends Suspension Of Aides Involved To Ease Investigation

    Obudu Transformer Theft…

    Dear Mr. Chairman Pita Pars,

    I have now confirmed that some of your appointees were directly involved in the theft of the two transformers that were kept in Obudu, by the Ayade administration.

    Though they weren’t yet in use for reasons that are still not clear, on the day the transformers were carted away, your S.A. on Peace and Security, Emmanuel Ikem, the Chairman of the Obudu chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN who also doubles as the Chairman of the Traffic Control Unit in Obudu LGA, Linus Abuokwen, the youth leader of Indi-Abeb, Unimke Sunday Ogar, the Urban Cyclists Chairman, Itiunbe, one Ulayi Peter and some past leaders of the NYCN, in Obudu were all there and were given N500,000, to share at the scene.

    Infact, your S.A. Peace and Security, Emmanuel Ikem, and Linus Abuokwen, confirmed to yours sincerely that they were at the scene to “collect what belongs to us.”

    Sir, unless you were personally involved in this, or unless you are the one that sent them, please let your S.A. Security, immediately tell you:

    1. Who brought the idea of going to steal our transformers?
    2. Who were the people that gave them N500k?
    3. Who are the owners of that truck that was conveying the transformers?
    4. How on Earth is it even possible that they did all these without your consent?
    5. Why will several heads not roll if this was actually done without your consent and approval?
    6. What do your appointees actually mean by “what belongs to us?

    If no one could, I sincerely have confidence that you can stop the incessant theft of the few things Governor Ayade left in Obudu.amd make optimum use of them. Almost all the generators and amor cables that were powering the street lights in Obudu have been stolen without retribution. The last set of cables that were retrieved from thieves last year, also disappeared from the Police station. Upan Odey, has removed the public generator at Animal junction, and it’s now powering his mother’s shop. This impunity has to come to an end under your tenure sir, unless you are involved yourself.

    Consequently Sir and with due respect to your office, I am demanding that heads must roll. Any government that lacks the will power or the capacity to discipline its erring appointees is either incompetent or complicit.

    As your friend and brother and a concerned citizen of Obudu, I am also demanding that your S.A. Security and your traffic control chairmen, who are supposed to be quasi security enforcers, but rather became part of the heist, must be suspended pending the investigation of the roles in the theft. That’s in the spirit of accountability.

    I will also call on the DPO of Obudu Division to ensure that the transformers do not disappear from the Police Station as it has become characteristic, and that all those involved in this theft and other recent ones, are not only arrested and prosecuted, but their names be made public. This matter must not be swept under the rug.

    Thank you and God bless you sir.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • While the Cross River State House of Assembly bears the critical responsibility of creating additional Local Government Areas, it appears to be neglecting its primary duty BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    While the Cross River State House of Assembly bears the critical responsibility of creating additional Local Government Areas, it appears to be neglecting its primary duty BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    While the Cross River State House of Assembly bears the critical responsibility of creating additional Local Government Areas, it appears to be neglecting its primary duty: legislating for the peace, order, and good governance of the State. Instead of proactively fulfilling its constitutional mandate under Section 8 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers it to create new local government areas subject to National Assembly approval, the House seems to be disengaged.

    It is pertinent to reproduce here section 8 subsection 3(a)(i)(ii)(b)(c)(d)of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (supra) thus:
    A bill for a Law of a House of Assembly for the purpose of creating a new local government area shall only be passed if –

    (a) a request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new local government area) in each of the following, namely –

    (i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

    (ii) the local government councils in respect of the area,

    is received by the House of Assembly;

    (b) a proposal for the creation of the local government area is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the local government area where the demand for the proposed local government area originated;

    (c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of the members in each local government council in a majority of all the local government councils in the State; and

    (d) the result of the referendum is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of the House of Assembly.

    The Assembly’s actions, such as the superficial amendment of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission Law and the recent amendment to the Local Government Law that undermines local government autonomy despite Supreme Court rulings, suggest a pattern of regression rather than progress.

    The alleged suspension of a local government councillor for asserting his independence further reinforces the perception that the House of Assembly has become a tool for oppression, hindering rather than fostering good governance.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Impeachment Of Bekwarra Local Government Chairman And Matters Arising BY ELIJAH UGANI

    Impeachment Of Bekwarra Local Government Chairman And Matters Arising BY ELIJAH UGANI

    It is no longer news that Councillors of Bekwarra Local Government Council has allegedly impeached the local government Chairman, Mrs Theresa Ushie over gross misconduct.

    Despite denial by the Chairman in a press release signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Mr Agaji Ntamu, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, has on the directives of the Acting Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, invited the embattled Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, the ten Councillors, Member representing Bekwarra in the Cross River State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Finance, the state party Chairman of APC and others stakeholders for an important meeting tomorrow to address the lingering crisis in Bekwarra. A development that the council chairman has not issued a rebuttal to the effect.
    Her silence on the this directive from the Acting Governor and her continue refusal of the pending issues in Bekwarra, leaves much to be desired of her as a true servant of her people.

    This matter was first hinted by Mr Solomon Ogar, of Solomon Island, but was refuted by all supporters of the council Chairman who are visible on Facebook. They described the report as a figment of Solomon’s imagination and labeled him a purveyor of fake news.

    The Councillors remained undunted and issued multiple releases to support their position aided with press videos.

    A former President Buhari Aide, and Chairman, Presidential Asset Recovery Committee, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has described the impeachment as a child’s play and averred that there are laid down procedures for impeachment of elected council chairman.

    What should interest the public in this melodrama should be the veracity of the accusations and how best to handle the situation that will guarantee the collective interest of Bekwarra.

    It was allegedly reported that Ada Bekwarra ii, Hon Omang Idiege, had brokered a meeting to resolve the lingering issues twice and the Chairman refused to show up for the meeting.

    Many pundits suggests that the council chairman has been ground standing because of her closeness with the governor and so treats the councillors with a wave of hand and disdain.

    As I commend the Acting Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, for taking the bold step to convey a meeting to resolve this crisis, I will suggest that he tells the chairman that she cannot function alone without the councillors.

    The Acting Governor should remind her that the Supreme Court just recently berated Gov Fubara for running River State government without the state house of assembly.

    The chairman needs to humble herself and realize that she is rather a servant of Bekwarra and desist from lording herself over her people.

    I wish them a fruitful deliberation as we look forward to having peace in Bekwarra Local Government Area.

    EU.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • A Historical Meditation on Rita Ushie Uguamaye’s Audacity BY DAVE IMBUA

    A Historical Meditation on Rita Ushie Uguamaye’s Audacity BY DAVE IMBUA

     

    History is replete with moments when individuals have dared to break long-held rules—rules designed not to uplift but to suppress, rules that prioritize the comfort of the powerful over the suffering of the weak. At such moments, these audacious voices become the target of scorn, vilification, and threats. Yet, as history has shown us time and again, the voices that defy oppression, injustice, and unbearable hardship often become the voices that posterity reveres, while those who seek to silence them are forgotten in the sands of time.

    Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a youth corps member, has spoken her mind, which is more or less, the truth. She has voiced not just personal discontent but the collective agony of millions of Nigerians struggling to survive under an economic and social system that seems bent on breaking them. In response, some have chastised her, accusing her of violating an oath of allegiance—an oath that, as it is being interpreted, seems to demand blind submission rather than critical engagement with leadership. But history teaches us that there always comes a time when individuals must rise above oppressive conventions and speak out, regardless of the consequences.

    The world once condemned Galileo Galilei for daring to assert that the Earth moves around the Sun, a claim that violated the religious and scientific dogmas of his time. He was silenced, forced to recant, and lived under house arrest. Yet today, he is celebrated as the father of modern science, while those who sought to silence him are relics of a forgotten past.

    Martin Luther, the German monk who ignited the Protestant Reformation, was excommunicated and declared an outlaw for questioning the authority of the Catholic Church. His 95 Theses challenged long-standing religious practices, and he was hunted by those who sought to maintain the status quo. Yet today, his name is immortalized as a revolutionary who reshaped Christianity, while his persecutors are either footnotes in history or completely forgotten.

    Rosa Parks, the Black woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, was ridiculed, arrested, and criticized by those who insisted that she had violated the law. Yet that singular act of defiance sparked the American civil rights movement, changing history forever. Her name is immortalized, while those who upheld segregation are but ghosts of a shameful era.

    In South Africa, Nelson Mandela was branded a terrorist for fighting against apartheid. He was imprisoned for 27 years, condemned by those who insisted that his defiance violated the laws of his country. Yet, today, he stands as a global symbol of freedom and resilience, while his oppressors have been erased from the honor roll of history.

    Even in Nigeria, history remembers Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who led women in defying colonial and traditional authorities that sought to silence them. She was brutalized, labeled a troublemaker, and dismissed by those who prioritized oppressive norms. Yet, today, she is hailed as a pioneering feminist and nationalist, while her detractors are long forgotten.

    What do all these examples teach us? They teach us that those who dare to challenge unjust systems are often persecuted in their time, but history vindicates them. The same fate awaits Rita Ushie Uguamaye. Whether today’s Nigerians condemn or praise her, one thing is certain—posterity will remember and be proud of her.

    This is not a legal argument. It may not even be politically correct. It is simply a historical meditation, a reflection on how truth and courage, no matter how inconvenient, eventually triumph over oppression. Rita Ushie has taken her place in the lineage of those who refused to be silenced. And history—our most honest judge—will remember her.

  • The Purported Impeachment Of Chairman Theresa Ushie By The Councillors Of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Can Not Stand BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    The Purported Impeachment Of Chairman Theresa Ushie By The Councillors Of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Can Not Stand BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    The acts of impunity being perpetuated by the councillors of Bekwarra Local Government Council under the guise of deep-seated illegality are outrageous and must be condemned unreservedly.

    The purported impeachment of Chairman Theresa Ushie by the councillors of Bekwarra Local Government Council, carried out without the slightest regard for due process as outlined in the Cross River State Local Government laws, is scandalous and cannot stand.

    The removal of a Chairman is a serious matter, and the law has been designed to ensure fairness and transparency. According to the law, the Chairman must first be furnished with a Notice of Allegation, signed by at least one-third of the councillors. This Notice must be served on the Chairman to inform them of the allegations and provide an opportunity for defense.

    Even after the Chairman has defended themselves—or failed to do so—the councillors must secure a two-thirds majority vote to appoint a panel to investigate the allegations. Only if the panel finds the Chairman guilty can the councillors proceed with impeachment.

    In this case, however, Chairman Theresa Ushie was never furnished with any Notice of Allegation. Instead, she discovered scurrilous allegations against her on Facebook, accompanied by the shocking claim that she had been impeached.

    This is a travesty of justice. All people of goodwill must rise to condemn this kangaroo impeachment of Chairman Theresa Ushie. It is an egregious act of injustice and blackmail, orchestrated by mediocre politicians seeking to intimidate her.

    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.