The Lumine News

Category: Press release

  • Alleged CRN Elders Resolution : Don’t misconstrue PDP committee of friends as that of the NORTH

    Alleged CRN Elders Resolution : Don’t misconstrue PDP committee of friends as that of the NORTH

    By Concerned APC faithfuls

    Concerned faithfuls of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Northern senatorial district of Cross River State have reacted to the committee of friends meeting conveyed by Gen. Anthony UKpo Rtd. and claimed that it was a northern stakeholders meeting, and call on all well meaning constituents of the district to disregard such hallucinations and held that such resolutions was a figment of the imagination of the committee of friends.

    Find full text of the release by the concerned APC faithfuls who pledged anonymity.

    “Some PDP leaders from the north allegedly met on the 8th of July to chat over some bottles of wine and today, people are circulating a release allegedly issued by them as resolutions concerning the forthcoming Cross River North bye-election. In all honesty, even they themselves know that the resolutions would be obeyed only in the breach.

    “The shocking but inconsequential
    document reportedly retained the Senate seat in Ogoja/Yala federal constituency. And in 2023, they zoned the Senate seat again to Ogoja which is still part of the federal constituency.

    “Our highly respected elders contradicted themselves when they used federal constituency to zone the bye-election but used local government to zone that of 2023.

    “How can you tell other local government to hands off the bye-election for 0goja/Yala federal constituency but in another resolution say Ogoja which is part of the same constituency should get the seat in 2023?

    “Besides, the convener of the forum Gen. Anthony Ukpo and the Secretary, Leonard Anyogo are from Yala. In fact, out of the seven persons that allegedly met to take the non-implementable decision, three are from Yala. This explains why the resolutions were purely a Yala and Ogoja thing and nothing more.

    “To be modest, what they’ve done is nothing but complete abuse on the collective sensibilities of the entire Northern senatorial district and should be disregarded in its entirety. This is because some people are obviously taking the entire zone for granted otherwise, how can you explain the decision to call a meeting that favours only one federal constituency in two separate Democratic tenures?

    “In any case, they made a grievous mistake by calling Gen. UKpo PDP committee of friends meeting a Northern Elders’ Forum Meeting. We don’t need a soothsayer to tell us that even in PDP, this document cannot hold sway, not to talk of other political parties.

    “Nobody should misconstrue a meeting of friends skewed to favour a particular local government and federal constituency to a meeting of the North. If they are interested in peacefully resolving the issues surrounding the bye-election, then the set up of the forum should be all inclusive. Leaders of all parties and youths organizations should be involved and not just a few friends.

  • OMPAN Calls On CRS Govt To Reinvigorate Fight Against COVID-19 Lockout, Prosecute “General Iron”

    OMPAN Calls On CRS Govt To Reinvigorate Fight Against COVID-19 Lockout, Prosecute “General Iron”

    By Admin

    THE Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, OMPAN, Cross River State chapter has called on the Cross River State Government to reinvigorate the fight against COVID-19 lockout in the state.

    The association made the call in a communiqué after its monthly meeting held in Calabar on Thursday.

    The Communiqué signed by its state Chairman, Comrade Efio-Ita Nyok stated that the call has become imperative following the complete noncompliance with basic safety rules like wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitizers and physical distance by majority of the population in the state.

    “Ninety percent of residents in the state no longer use personal protective equipment and go about their businesses with an air of nonchalance which speaks volumes of what might befall the state in the event of an outbreak of the pandemic in the state”.

    OMPAN observed that the state sits on a time bomb as the borders and points of entry into the state which used to be closely monitored have now become open for free entry and exit into the state.

    “Reports from across the state shows that movement into and out of the state no longer witness scrutiny or restriction as was the case when the government announced the lockout against the pandemic”.

    The association said figures globally indicate that the rate of infection is on the increase and even in Nigeria there is a spike in the level of infection and the state having not witnessed any case should be sustained through continued and stringent lockout effort.

    “Initiating a policy without close and continued monitoring is like kicking a ball down the road and letting it rolls without being guided to a logical direction and that is not going to stop the infection from entering the state and causing havoc”. OMPAN noted.

    The association also called on the state government to call on the contracting firm handling the construction of the Tinapa-Odukpani junction roundabout road to expedite action to put pay to the frequent motor accidents that are being recorded along that road.

    “There have been records of frequent motor accidents particularly trucks crashing on that road and obstructing free movement and causing avoidable hardship on road users.”

    The association stated that though rainfall is on the increase but measures should be taken by the contractor to avoid frequent crashes on the road.

    The umbrella body for online media practitioners in the state particularly noted with profound reservations the unconscionable barbarity of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River on Forestry Security, Thomas Obi Tawo, popularly called “General Iron” who reportedly burnt Nigerians in Boki LGA recently (with some allegedly dead) for suspectedly being witches and wizards whom he said he saw in his dream fighting with him. OMPAN called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the so-called General.

    “We note with reservations the barbarity of the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Forestry Security, Thomas Obi Tawo, who recently burnt some Nigerians indigenous to Boki for suspectedly seeing them in his dream fighting with him.

    “It beggars the mind that this type of elements are still living with us in society and more still, he is still an appointee of a state governor who had claimed to be a politician with ethics.

    “OMPAN is therefore calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of SA Tawo. Such entities, if convicted should be kept faraway from society”, the statement concluded.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are strictly that Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter and does not represent TheLuminrNews.

  • Amanke Invites Critical Stakeholders To A Crucial And Strategic Meeting In View Of School Resumption In The State

    Amanke Invites Critical Stakeholders To A Crucial And Strategic Meeting In View Of School Resumption In The State

    The Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr. Godwin Amanke has invited critical stakeholders to a crucial and strategic meeting in view of school resumption in the state.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Commissioner, Dr. Godwin Amanke indicates that the meeting is to consider the pros and the cons of resumption of schools in the state in the circumstance of the ravaging Covid-19.

    The release reads in parts “The Cross River State Ministry of Education invites the following stakeholders to
    Crucial and Strategic  meeting on the “Pros” and“ cons” of resumption of
    schools in Cross River State.

    “Date: Friday,10thJuly,2020.
    Time: 2pmPrompt.
    Venue: The Auditorium, School of Health Technology,
    Calabar.

    “1. All Special Advisers on Education
    2. All Senior Special Assistants on Education
    3. All Special Assistants on Education
    4. The Executive Chairman and Members of The State Universal Basic Education
    Board
    5.The Chairman and Members of Secondary Education Board
    6.The Executive Secretary and Members of The Science and Technical Education
    Board
    7. Chairman and Members of Governor’s Advisory Committee on Education
    8. Chairman and Members of Private Schools Regulatory Board
    9. Chairman and Members of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)
    10. Chairman and Members of National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria
    (NAPTAN/PTA) Cross River State.
    11. Chairman and Members of All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS)
    12. Chairman and Members of Association of Proprietors of Private Schools
    (NAPPS).
    13. Chairman and Members of Association of Heads of Primary Schools of Nigeria
    (AOHPSON).
    14. All Directors and Members of Management, Ministry of Education, Calabar”

  • Citizens’ Solution Network’s Press Release On The Arrest Of Lance Corporal Idiakpeni Martins By The Leadership Of Nigerian Army

    Citizens’ Solution Network’s Press Release On The Arrest Of Lance Corporal Idiakpeni Martins By The Leadership Of Nigerian Army

    By Admin

    CITIZENS’ SOLUTION NETWORK’S PRESS RELEASE ON THE ARREST OF LANCE CORPORAL IDAKPENI MARTINS BY THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY

    Date: 6/7/2020
    Time: 8am

    Today we wake up to a very depressing information concerning the arrest of Lance Corporate Idakpeni Martins of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto, Nigeria.

    In a video sent to us last week, Lance Corporal Idakpeni Martins criticised the leadership of the Nigerian Army and accused Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai of betraying Nigeria by not supplying the Army men fighting the insurgency in the North better and adequate fire arms.

    In the said video within our custody, Lance Corporal Martins accused the Army Chief of Staff of arresting and locking up innocent Nigerian Army personnel who are demanding better and adequate arms to fight insurgency in the North.

    Lance Corporal Martins went on to demand that in a case where he is arrested following the release of the said video, we should endeavor that his Court Marshall should be opened for all Nigerians to see, and not to be allowed to be tried in secrecy.

    At Citizens Solution Network, we expect that if officers who are willing to fight and die for this country demand weapons, they should be given and not to be rounded up, arrested and locked up in secret detention facilities as exposed by Lance Corporal Martins.

    From the foregoing, there is a depressing and serious implication to this. Which simply means, Nigerian Military Personnel are sent to die at battle front without proper and adequate supply of firearms, and in event where they are seen to complain, they are arrested, and locked up in secret detention facilities rather than issued the right article of combat (AoC).

    At Citizens’ Solution Network, we find this sort of arrest unfair, unjust and unacceptable, and call for the review of the conditions and on what ground an army officer or rank and file should be arrested, tried and detained. Hence the need for the National Assembly to speedily intervene and get involved into reviewing the extant laws surrounding same.

    That said, we are first and foremost condemning the arrest of Lance Corporal Martins and demanding that his Court Marshall, if the military deems it necessary to have him tried, be done fairly and transparently outside the purview of secrecy.

    Finally, we wish to call on the leadership of the Nigerian Military and the President of Nigeria to ensure that nothing unjust happens to Lance Corporal Martins.

    Let it be on public registry that there is genuine and broad need for all Nigerians, lawyers and human right activists to rally in defence of Lance Corporal Martins and his ultimate release.

    Thanks!

    Signed.

    Richard F. Inoyo
    Country Director, Citizens Solution Network.

    For: Military Population and Civilian Council.

    CC:

    President and Commandant-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The President of The Nigerian Senate.

    The Speaker of The Nigerian House of Representatives.

    The Chief of Defence Staff.

    The Chief of Army Staff.

    The National President, Nigerian Bar Association.

    Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria.

  • Jerry Unimke Dissociates From Controversial CRS Gov’t Facilitation Of N-Power Initiative.

    Jerry Unimke Dissociates From Controversial CRS Gov’t Facilitation Of N-Power Initiative.

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A renowned scholar and fine gentleman per excellent, Mr. Jerry Unimke, who is also the Examination Officer of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Calabar has dissociated himself from the controversial meddling of the Cross River State Government in the ongoing batch C N-Power registration whose portal has just been stabilized today.

    In a memo issued and signed by the Director General, Migration Control, in his verified Facebook account @Prince Michael Nku Abuo, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3507260515967944&id=100000520910186&sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=miDnC25nxBHNDQGI, appointed Mr. Jerry Unimke as coordinator for Obudu.

    Unimke took to his verified Facebook account @Jerry Unimke, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1977152885753508&id=100003764479493  to disclaim appointment.

    The release reads “My attention has been drawn to a certain publication with my name and phone number (07038317497) circulating the social media space, assigned to issue forms and collect the sum of #2500 from applicants in connection with the State government facilitation process of the Federal Government N-power Initiative.

    “I wish to state categorically that the said publication was fronted without due consultation with me. I think I was dragged into it by error, which I have addressed. Whether the facilitation scheme is genuine or not, it’s not in question to me but my intention is to discountenance my person from such controversial schemes. I have worked hard for myself and I hold my name and integrity in high esteem and do not wish to meddle in such affairs”

    Thanks

    Jerry Unimke

  • Press statement By The Niger Delta activists Forum Over The Delibrate punishment Of The Niger Delta People By Babatunde Raji Fashola In The Willful Neglect Of The Odukpani-ITU-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    Press statement By The Niger Delta activists Forum Over The Delibrate punishment Of The Niger Delta People By Babatunde Raji Fashola In The Willful Neglect Of The Odukpani-ITU-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    By Admin

    Good morning Comrades, and gentlemen of the press.

    Seven months ago, issues surrounding this same Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road was on the national spot light. The Niger Delta Activist Forum agitated, vigorously and mobilized a massive protest, against the Federal Government to dramatize our pain.

    Fashola quickly released the sum of three billion and five hundred million naira, for immediate mobilization to site. We engaged further with him and the entire Ministry of Works and on the 24th December, 2019 at their Ministry headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja and a truce was brokered.

    Some of the agreements reached were;

    1. That all ongoing Federal road projects within the Niger Delta region would be completed within the 2020 fiscal year save for a few with overlapping design timeline.

    2. That Federal Executive Council approval would be sort for the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road.

    3. That the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road would be placed, on the list of projects to benefit from priority funding. Meaning that execution was to draw monies from SUKUK bond which the Federal Government would be accessing by January of 2020. And work was expected to commence before the end of February 2020
    etc.

    Weeks after this engagement, the Federal Executive Council did approve the sum of fifty billion and three hundred million naira for this project.

    But regrettably, the Honorable Minister for Works Fashola, and the Ministry of Works have demonstrated no integrity in this regard.

    We are fully aware, how they deliberately chose to prioritize and fund, other projects over this one, forgetting that Oil flows from here and not from those other places. The immediate environmental consequences are born here and not in those other places where they have prioritized over our region.

    The road in context has now become a national wreath of sorrows, tears and pains on our people and an emblem of shame, hanging over Fashola’s neck and the Ministry under his watch.

    The Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Government must as a matter of urgency devote funds immediately to this project and save us, the untold pain.

    Seven months gone bye and no sign of Work on this road. The gridlocks, the pains and sufferings, the robberies, the loss of man hours and the economic sabotage has recommenced in full force.

    *OUR DEMANDS*

    1. We demand that the Honorable Minister quickly allocate the next tranche of cash inflow to address the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road.

    2. The Honorable Minister must address us and the entire Niger Delta people on the genuineness of Federal Government’s commitment to fixing the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road, to be followed with immediate action.

    3. That failure to undertake the aforestated actions within the next twenty one days, the Niger Delta people will respond in the loudest way possible, including but not limited to sustained mass action.

    For the Niger Delta people,

    Comrade Success Jack
    (National President)

    Comrade Bernard Okori
    ( National Treasurer)

    Comrade Paul Abang Ajie
    (Chairman, Cross Rivers State Chapter)

    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    (State Public Relations Officer)