Blog

  • NEWMAP Dissuades Cross River Communities From Indiscriminate Dumping Of Refuse Into Drains

    NEWMAP Dissuades Cross River Communities From Indiscriminate Dumping Of Refuse Into Drains

     

    By Nsa Gill – Calabar

    The management of the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project NEWMAP, Cross River State has charged benefiting communities of the World Bank assisted projects to take ownership and guide the projects jealously.

    The charge was given in a workshop on Wednesday, February 10th 2021 in Calabar organised by NEWMAP to sensitize communities on waste management and Erosion prevention.

    The Commissioner for International Development Corporation and the Acting Project Coordinator of NEWMAP in the State, Dr. Inyang Asibong decried the nonchalant attitudes of benefiting communities towards the multi-million naira projects to be eroded by irresponsible human activities.

    She averred that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains is causing erosion even in areas where erosion control had earlier been achieved.

    Dr. Asibong charged communities to activate local waste management task force to checkmate and stop residents who often dump waste in the gutters.

    She assured that government will provide more refuse bin, but most importantly, local residents must understand the dangers and implications of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    Speaking during the workshop, on Effective Waste Management and Erosion Prevention, Dr. Escor Udosen, urged the communities to take responsibility for the various projects of government in their vicinity.

    One of the benefiting communities of NEWMAP projects, Ikot Ekpo community commended the various interventions of NEWMAP which has gone beyond erosion and waste management to provision of water as well as street lights in some instances.

    They pledged to do their best from the impact of the workshop and requested for the expansion of NEWMAP intervention in their area.

  • FG Inaugurates 1.12MW Power Plant in ATBU, Trains 20 Female Students On Solar Power Installation, Maintenance

    FG Inaugurates 1.12MW Power Plant in ATBU, Trains 20 Female Students On Solar Power Installation, Maintenance

     

    The Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR has recorded another landmark achievement as the federal government on Thursday, inaugurated a 1.12 Megawatts Solar Hybrid Power Plant in Abubakar Tafewa Balewa University, (ATBU), Bauchi, Bauchi State.

    The historic project which is part of the Ministry of Power Energizing Education Programme (EEP), had the Rural Electrification Agency, (REA) which is one of the agencies under the direct supervision of the Minister of State as the implementing agency.

    To ensure proper maintenance of the power plant, the federal government through REA’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme trained 20 female students of ATBU on solar energy deployment.

    Speaking, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbaja who joined the commissioning ceremony visually commended the Minister and the management of REA for their efforts in achieving the project.

    Osinbanjo said that the EEP programme is a policy that’s aimed at improving electricity supply to 37 federal universities and 7 teaching hospitals in the country.

    He charged management, staff and students of the University to take charge, maintain and protect the project.

    On his part, the Minister of State said that the project is a considerable win and a major step in providing sustainable and affordable power to homes, schools, hospitals, communities and economic clusters across Nigeria.

    Agba said that “This is another milestone of the Energizing Education Programme upon the commissioning of an 8.25MW solar hybrid power plant deployed at Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi on the 4th of December 2020.

    “The EEP is meant to provide sustainable and clean power supply to 37 federal universities and 7 university teaching hospitals across Nigeria. It is a privilege to carry on this mandate to ensure that the policies established to promote 24 hours electricity in our country brings forth positive and commendable results. With this, it is with a great sense of pride that I stand before you today to affirm that this is indeed the continuation of more achievements to come”.

    While noting that the project will help the institution achieve improved quality of education, he assured that “the coming months will see my ministry delving deeper into the various projects that will electrify more universities and communities and also lead to an upgrade in Nigeria ‘s economy”.

    The 1.12MW which has created 310 jobs already was built with a world class training center, efficient solar panels and batteries, 5.4km streetlight for illumination, distribution networks as well as backup power source.

    Reacting on behalf of the university, Prof. Muhammed Abdulazeez thanked the federal government for the project even as he promised that the university will properly maintain it.

    “We are happy that the federal government through the ministry of power brought this huge project to our institution. The project will not only serve our electricity needs, it’ll serve as a training ground for a lot of our technicians. We thank the government, the Ministers and the REA team for this”, Abdulazeez said.

    Climax of the event was the handing over of the project to the University authority by the Minister of Power, Engr. Sule Mamman and presentation of certificates to STEM graduates.

  • Breaking News: Man Gets 7 Years Six Months Imprisonment For Rapping Six Years Old Child.

    Breaking News: Man Gets 7 Years Six Months Imprisonment For Rapping Six Years Old Child.

    By Admin

    Mr. Isaac Evaghoghome has been convicted and sentenced to 7 years, six months imprisonment for rapping a six year girl.

    According to the prosecuting counsel, James Ibor Esq, “Isaac pleaded guilty to the charge of rape of a child (6 years at time of incident) is been convicted and sentenced to a term of 7 years and 6 months imprisonment by His Lordship, Hon. Justice E. E Ita.

    “I thank the Ministry of Justice, Cross River State, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State and Basic Rights Counsel Initiative for the great job”

  • UBA, Former Staff In Court Over Entitlements

    UBA, Former Staff In Court Over Entitlements

    By Joseph Kingston, Calabar

    The United Bank for Africa (UBA) and its former staff, Mr Anthony Idagu, are in court over an alleged refusal of the bank to pay him his entitlements since 2018, as well as an unjustified termination of Idagu’s appointment after 18 years of meritorious service.

    The case, which is in the National Industrial Court, Calabar with suit number NICN/CA/20/2019 was presided over by Justice M N Esowe before his transfer a few months ago. The new Judge, Justice Sanusi Kado, is now in charge of the matter.

    In his statement of claims, Mr Idagu said he was deployed from the Calabar branch of the bank to Ikom in central Cross River in April 2013 as a cash officer, and that he had served in the Ikom branch faithfully till January 31, 2018 when his ordeal with the bank started.

    He averred that as a cash officer of the branch, he was saddled with the responsibility of carrying out integrity test for all staff of the branch following reports of underpayment of customers, noting that he diligently discharged this duty without hitches whatsoever.

    “I carried out the integrity test in conjunction with the Operations Officer of the branch with the aid of cameras without the knowledge of the tellers and one of the tellers (name withheld), failed the test.”

    He said when one of the officers failed the test, he reported his finding to the Control Officer, Mr Kenneth Akpom, who rather than discipline the staff, said the erring staff should be advised verbally and allowed to continue work.

    “We have on record several queries on the said staff, bordering on allegation of cash suppression and under declaration, including that of integrity test on January 31, 2018, but no action was taken against him by Branch Operations Manager, Mr Kenneth Okpom and Matthew Nyiam.

    “The integrity test register was signed by the Operation Manager and he followed his instructions given to him by the Branch Operations Manager to register every outcome of the integrity test which he duly signed,” he submitted.

    According to him, when he insisted on the right thing to be done with sanctions against the erring staff, a committee was set up to investigate the matter but surprisingly, the committee suspended him while the erring staff was left untouched.

    The suspension, he said, went beyond the recommended three months, and that despite the obvious lopsided decision and injustice, he was later asked to resign for no justifiable reason.

    “After eighteen years of meritorious service I was asked to resign just like that, and when I wrote in the resignation letter that I was asked to resign, they rejected it and said I should remove the clause ‘asked to resign’ and that I should say that I was resigning voluntarily. This was designed just to ensure that I do not get my benefits.”

    The former UBA staff appealed to the court to order the bank to pay him his outstanding salary and emoluments. The case was adjourned to April 20, 2021.

  • Gunmen Killed APC Ward Chairman In Benue

    Gunmen Killed APC Ward Chairman In Benue

    By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) ward chairman of Gboko south, Tersoo Ahu, has been killed by gunmen in Gboko on Sunday.

    Ahu and other APC ward excos were said to be engaged in the training of party officials for membership registration and revalidation exercise when gunmen stormed the venue with clubs, cutlass as well as iron and manhandled him.

    The publicity secretary of the APC, Benue chapter, James Orgunga, who confirmed the incident, said the ward chairman who sustained serious injuries from the attack died later at a public hospital in Gboko, where he was receiving treatment.

    The brutal killing of the APC ward chairman in Gboko, the ancestral home of the Tiv people, may not be unconnected with the alleged factions within the party over the 2023 general election.

    The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Benue Command Kate Anene, a DSP, confirmed the incident and said the investigation has commenced arresting the suspects.

    “Yes I can confirm the attack and killing of the APC ward chairman in Gboko, our men rushed to the scene but the suspects fled. However we have identified them and very soon we shall pick them up,” DSP Anene said.

  • Young Girl Who Beat Security To Grab Osinbajo Hands In Nyanya Market Is Now VP’s ‘Daughter

    Young Girl Who Beat Security To Grab Osinbajo Hands In Nyanya Market Is Now VP’s ‘Daughter

    By Admin

    The personal photographer to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Tolani Alli, on Saturday, February 6, shared a very inspiring story about a girl named Chinaza.

    According to Tolani, Chinaza had breezed past the vice president’s personal security, grabbed his hand, and compelled him to visit her mum’s shop.

    The incident happened at the popular Nyanya market in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja when Osinbajo visited retail stores to promote the Trader Moni initiative of the Buhari administration.

    Osinbajo travelled to major markets in Nigeria when Trader Moni was launched to ensure that the funds reached traders.

    TraderMoni is an empowerment scheme of the federal government created specifically for petty traders and artisans across Nigeria.

    Tolani wrote on Twitter: “In 2018, Professor Osinbajo visited Nyanya market, Abuja to monitor the impact of the TraderMoni scheme, a mild shock greeted him.

    “Chinaza, whose mother owned a store at the market, and had promised herself to tell the VP what she thought of him from his appearances on her TV and other media, made her way through his security and grabbed his hand.

    “Amidst the presence of a security detail, and an extremely large crowd, she tugged at the VP’s hand ceaselessly, insisting that he visited her mom’s store, and telling him about how much he inspired her to be courageous and reach for her dreams.

    Fast forward to two years and some months later, Chinaza sits with her mum in the presidential villa, with a man who has now come to know her as a “daughter”.

    “Almost three long years since their time of contact and a few correspondences later, Chinaza is on her way to The University with dreams of becoming a Medical Doctor, and the ideals that she has picked up from observing The Prof. up close and afar are unchanged.”

     

  • Ndok – Itek Clan Confers Chieftaincy Title On Sen. Sandy Onor

    Ndok – Itek Clan Confers Chieftaincy Title On Sen. Sandy Onor

    By Caterpillar Media Team

    The people of Ndok Clan in Ogoja Local Government Area has conferred a chieftaincy tittle Njuranfam of Ndok on Sen. Sandy Onor, for facilitating the opening of the Ndok – Kakwagom road.

    The event was held at Ndok-Itek Community in Ogoja Local Government Area to appreciate the senator for facilitating the repairs of the entire stretch of the Ndok – Kakwagom road.

    The community was overwhelmed with excitement noting that the repairs has alleviated the plight of motorists who ply the road.

    Speaking on behalf of the community, the Clan Head of Ndok – Itek, His Royal Highness, Chief Clement Ashaba Ijanga noted that “As a people, we are short of words to express our gratitude and appreciation. You’re God sent. For God to talk to you and move you to do this road for your brothers suffering somewhere, the Lord will continue to increase you.

    “You are the Original Caterpillar, and today the Ndok people confers on you this chieftaincy tittle Njuranfam of Ndok, which means, you can repair every year, from North, South, East and West, you can repair”

    Responding, Sen. Sandy Onor averred that “when my DG asked me to come that the people wanted to receive me, I said I won’t come, because I didn’t want people to read politics into it. Am not senator representing the North”

    Speaking further, Sen. Onor held that government is about the things that touch the people.

    His words “When you hold public office, you hold it for the people. Government is about things that touch the people. When you touch the people, give them the small one they want. We may not have tarred it this first time, we just open it up, but see how happy you are because it’s something that touched you”

    The road is said to have run from Boki Local Government Area in central senatorial district to Ogoja Local Government Area in northern senatorial district.

    Communities in Ogoja that the road link are: The Katsina junction popularly referred to as Ndok junction, Ndok aminica, Ndok itek, Ndok egrima.

    Boki communities: Oku aro, Buanakong, Orunghe Bawop, Kakwagom and Okundi clan.

  • Wike, Ayade, Diri, Gbajabiamila, Others Condoles With Jarigbe As He Lays His Father To Rest

    Wike, Ayade, Diri, Gbajabiamila, Others Condoles With Jarigbe As He Lays His Father To Rest

    By Jari Media Team

    The governors of Rivers, Cross River and Bayelsa states condoled with the Member Representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Cross River North Senator Elect, Rt.Hon Jarigbe Agom as he laid his late father Pa. Leonard Agom Jarigbe (Ndah) to rest in his hometown.

    In his condolence message, Gov. Nyesom Wike stated that, Late Nda was a great administrator who worked tirelessly to stir the affairs of government at various levels maintaining an upright character.

    “As a civil servant, Pa Leonard was a tireless worker for the development of his State and progress of his people. Above all, we will also remember him as a genuine Christian and committed Catholic who dedicated his long life to the service of God and humanity”

    Pa Leonard’s passing away has left an irreplaceable void and loss not only in you and your family but also in the entire Ogoja community and Cross River State. We will miss him, but his priceless legacies will continue to keep him in our minds forever”

    Gov Ayade said ” Late Mr. Leonard Agom Jarigbe was a respectable gentleman, a fine administrator and a community leader. An acclaimed Civil Servant par excellence, he rendered dedicated and committed services to his fatherland and was a positive reference point to hard work, excellence and integrity… He was an acclaimed disciplinarian who brought up his children and others who passed through his tutelage with the proper academic and moral upbringing. He will indeed be missed by many.”

    Gov. Diri of Bayelsa, extolled the late patriarch saying “We recall the professional, spiritual and social achievements of your late
    father, as a devout Christian and accomplished administrator, Pa Jarigbe during his lifetime impacted positively on the lives of many and contributed to the development of his immediate community, Cross River State and
    indeed our Country Nigeria.”

    “His exemplary qualities are evident in the lives of his children and close associates, there is no doubt that his, immediate family, the ogoja community
    and indeed the nation has lost a great man. Although his demise is a painful
    one, we thank God for the life he lived and the ripe age he attained.”

    Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by Hon. Dennis Agbo in his condolence message, prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and the fortitude for the family to bear the loss.

    The burial rites of Late pa Leonard Agom Jarigbe, which was carried out on the 3rd and 4th of February 2021, had in attendance dignitaries from all works of life some of those in attendance include, HE Effiok Cobham, Sen Sandy Onor, Sen Michael Nnachi (Representative of Gov Wike), Rt.Hon Etta Mbora, Rt. Hon Daniel Asuquo (Representative of Gov Diri Duoye), Rt. Hon Essien Ayi, Hon Dennis Agbo, Prince Akwaji Offiono, Rt. Hon Regina Anyogo, Hon Matthew Ojugbo, Rt. Hon Peter Igbodor, Chief Igbaji Monkom, Alhaji Hassan, Alhaji Husseni, Hon Michael Usibe, Hon Rita Ayim, Barr Godwin Offiono, Prince Nwosu, John George, Mr Peter Akpanke, Barr Leonard Anyogo.

    Others were, Bishop Donatus Akpan (Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ogoja), Priests, religious and other clergymen, Justice Eneji, Barr Venatius Ikem, Associate Prof. Dave Imbua, DG, Catapillar Movement, Joe Obi Bisong, Chief Jude Ngaji, Hon Omaga Odo, Barr. Paul Ishabor, Eddy Achi amongst others.

    Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom in his tribute, extolled the virtues of his late father. He alluded that his father’s counsel helped nurtured himself and his siblings.

    One of such counsels was the one given to him as a younger man which goes, “My son, sacrifice pleasure, in order to have pleasure that will last”.

    Dance groups from various communities, entertainers and traditional groups from different parts of Nigeria were present to display and entertain the guest, including the famous Zule Zoo dancers from Benue State.

    Late Pa. Leonard Agom Jarigbe, before his death was a retired astute administrator and devoted Christian who brought all his children up in a Godly way. He died on January 17, 2021 at 90 years and he is survived by his wife Mrs. Dorathy Moku Jarigbe and 11 children. He was laid to rest on the 4th February, 2021 at Ibil, Ogoja LGA.

    In honor of Late Pa. Leonard Agom Jarigbe’s memory, about N50 Million was raised in support of the construction of a new Auditorium for St. Michael Catholic Church Ibil, Ogoja LGA, Cross River State.

    May the soul of Nda and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace, Amen.

     

  • Unical SUG Election Holds On 19th February, 2021

    Unical SUG Election Holds On 19th February, 2021

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Calabar University Electoral Commission CUECO has fixed 19th February, 2021 for the Student’s Union Government (SUG) election for the 2019/2020 academic session.

    In a release made available to The Lumine News and signed by the CUECO Chairman and Secretary, Dr. George Atelhe and Mr. Emmanuel Emori indicates that campaign begins on Monday, February 15th 2021, Vice President debate holds on Tuesday, February 16th, while Presidential debate is to hold on Wednesday 17th February, 2021.

    According to the release, election begins (online) at 9.00am – 1.00pm with result of the election to be announced same day.

  • Sen. Sandy Onor Extols Late Pa Leonard Jarigbe, Describes Him As An Impeccable Bureaucrat.

    Sen. Sandy Onor Extols Late Pa Leonard Jarigbe, Describes Him As An Impeccable Bureaucrat.

    By Caterpillar Media

    The Distinguished Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has extolled the virtues of Late Mr Leonard Agom Jarigbe whom he described as an impeccable bureaucrat who loved his job and did nothing to compromise it.

    The Senator stated this in a condolence message delivered at the Funeral Mass in honour of the Late Mr Leonard Agom Jarigbe held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Ibil, Ogoja Local Government Area.

    His words: “In our many discussions with you, you regaled me with stories about your dad. Knowing that he was ninety, you had prepared yourself for this day even when you didn’t expect that it was going to be this dramatic. And so you told me that this man lived a good life, enjoyed himself, contributed maximally to the development of the community and did well for your family. You told me he was an impeccable bureaucrat who loved his job and would do nothing to compromise the essence of his job. He was a good civil servant. He also feared God and served man.”

    High points of the occasion was the presentation of condolence messages from the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben. Ayade represented by Hon. Mike Osibe, Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Wike, represented by Sen. Mike Anachi, Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri represented by Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo (Dansuki), and the Speaker of House Representative, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who was also represented.

    The event drew the presence of family members, friends, and a multitude of sympathisers from far and near, reflecting the undisputable popularity, acceptance and goodwill that Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe enjoys.