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  • C’River Ministry Of Finance Secures $10M Grant As World Bank Verifies Eligibility

    C’River Ministry Of Finance Secures $10M Grant As World Bank Verifies Eligibility

    By Admin

    Independent Verification Agents (IVA) from the World Bank are undertaking a verification exercise as part of the validating criteria of the World Bank State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme for results. It is a programme supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Ministry Finance and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation aimed at improving transparency and accountability in governance for sustainable growth and development.

    Speaking at the meeting held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Finance, leader of the World Bank IVA Team to Cross River, Mrs Isioma Bola-Audu said the team is in Cross River to assess the state’s achievement of the Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs) in accordance with the Annual Performance Assessment (APA) guidelines and Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) verification protocols.

    Bola-Audu noted that the programme has nine DLIs that attracts grants for State’s that are able to meet the DLIs as an incentive for running a transparent, accountable and sustainable governance policy.

    Stating further that Cross River State is one of a handful of the 36 states that has met eligibility of the programme by submitting and publishing online her Annual Budget and Audited Financial Statements in a timely and decent manner, thereby qualifying for the World Bank grant. Further to the State’s qualification, the IVA team will verify the state’s performance in 9 different categories of best governance practices.

    “We have seen remotely that Cross River State has done well in achieving the eligible criteria and we are here to verify the Disbursement Linked Indicators in accordance with the verification protocols” She stated.

    Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr in his remarks thanked the World Bank team to the state and assured that the administration will never deviate from running a transparent, accountable and sustainable government in line with the State’s Public Finance Management Laws and the State’s Fiscal Responsibility Law as passed and assented to.

    The Commissioner stressed that Cross River State has been able to show that governance can be run in a transparent, accountable & sustainable manner which is why the state succeeded in qualifying for the World Bank’s grants.

    The Cross River State’s SFTAS Steering Committee is Chaired by the Ministry of Finance, comprising the Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Accountant General, Bureau of Due Process & Procurement, Budget Office, Office of the Head of Civil Service and Debt Management Department.

  • Breaking: National Working Committee OF PDP Sets Aside Appeal Panel Report, Clears Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe For September 5th Primaries

    Breaking: National Working Committee OF PDP Sets Aside Appeal Panel Report, Clears Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe For September 5th Primaries

    By Admin

    The  National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party PDP has set aside the controversial Appeal panel report that disqualified Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe from contesting the September 5th primaries for CRNorth by-election.

    Hon. Agom a two time House of Reps member for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency was disqualified by the Appeal Panel on grounds of a frivolous petition bothering on Hon. Jarigbe  and claimed that he took the party to court.

    In the report submitted to the NWC of the party, the panel alleged also that when Hon. Jarigbe Agom was invited to defend the allegation, he was rude to the panel and asked the panel to meet him at Abuja, instead of Calabar where the Appeal Panel sat.

    This however sparked controversies with many pointing accusing fingers to the government of cross river state as being the architect of the disqualification.

    In view of the disqualification, the Rt. Hon.Jarigbe had written to the NWC of the party demanding that the Appeal Panel apologize to him and retract his character defamation.

    Arising from the NWC meeting today, 31st August, 2020, to review the report and having considered all issues pending in the circumstance, the NWC cleared Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe to participate in the September 5th 2020 party primaries for the Cross River Northern Senatorial district ticket.

    As the time of filling this report, it was unclear whether the NWC granted the prayers of the lawmaker as efforts to reach the lawmaker proved abortive as calls to his phone number were not connected.

     

  • No Cause For Alarm, Akpagu Remains C’River North APC Favourite – Team Zana

    No Cause For Alarm, Akpagu Remains C’River North APC Favourite – Team Zana

    PRESS RELEASE

    No Cause For Alarm, Akpagu Remains C’River North APC Favourite

    Greetings to all members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the good people of Cross River Northern Senatorial District and very special new yam felicitation to the good people of Yala and Obanliku.

    It has become very pertinent that we issue this statement to address some information making the rounds in the social media about the forthcoming APC primary scheduled for September 3rd, 2020.

    On Thursday August 26th, 2020, Prof. Zana Akpagu along with other aspirants vying for the Cross River North APC Senatorial ticket attended screening exercises at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. Although the panel is yet to formally speak on the outcome of the exercise, his (Prof. Akpagu) impressive performance during the screening clearly point to the fact that his name would be the first on the list.

    As a grassroot mobilizer, after the screening exercise, he set his mind on returning home to meet with his people in his usual tradition of not staying too far from them and was actually on his way when he received a call to return to Abuja for Cross River North APC stakeholders meeting. As a man who is so passionate about building a strong political party to challenge PDP dominance in the state, he didn’t hesitate to honour the call.

    The meeting held yesterday, August 30th at Bela Nova Hotel, Abuja. From what transpired, it was clear that the single agenda of the meeting was to coerce stakeholders to take decisions that would only return the party to the ugly path it’s trying to come out from. But thank God, men of conscience who attended showed that they love the party more than the selfish interest of a minority few who feel that the only time they can be relevant is when there’s crisis in the party.

    It is important to state emphatically that majority of the aspirants have unanimously agreed to test their popularity in the poll in a free, credible fair and friendly primary as such, any attempt by anybody or group of people to foist a candidate on the party would be seriously resisted.

    The party constitution is clear on how to elect a candidate in any election. It recommends direct/indirect primary or consensus. In the case of consensus, the party is clear that it can only be adopted when all parties involved elect to use it but in this case, majority of the aspirants and stakeholders are saying that they wants primary.

    Thus, any attempt to subvert the wishes of the people would push the party back to the ugly days of unending crisis. All lovers of APC should avoid this in order not to portray the state chapter of the party as undermining the directives of the leader of the party and our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari to end all the crisis rocking the party at all levels.

    At every point, the leaders of the party should understand that APC would be running the election as an opposition in the state therefore instead of engaging in activities that will polarize the party or sow seed of discord among the contestants, there should be a level playing ground for a candidate to emerge so that people can still work together to deliver the election for the party after the primary. At the end of the day, whoever emerges candidate would need the support of others to win the main election hence, the need for the coup planners to desist from any action that would undermine others.

    To all the overwhelming supporters of Prof. Zana Akapgu, remain calm and resolute, there’s no course for alarm. Prof. Zana is still the leading and the most popular candidate (aspirant) going into the primary. He will not only win the primary landslide, he’ll deliver the entire Senatorial district to the APC in the main election.

    Baring any last minute change by the National Caretaker Committee to the time table, for now, the primary is still holding on the 3rd of September. And Prof. Akpagu is going into the race as favourites in both the primary and main election.

    All his supporters are advised to continue their mobilization and go on with their normal activities as law abiding members of the party.

    Thank you and God bless.

    Inyali Peter
    For Team Zana

  • Why I’m investing in Cross River – Arthur Eze

    Why I’m investing in Cross River – Arthur Eze

    By Admin

    Billionaire business man and oil magnate Prince Arthur Eze has revealed that his decision to explore investment opportunities in Cross River state was influenced by governor Ben Ayade’s giant strides in the areas of Industrialisation.

    Commending the Governor for his innovative leadership, Prince Eze stated that his investment in the state would complement what Ayade has done so far.

    The Ukpo, Anambra state born business mogul was speaking during a tour of Industrial facilities built by the Ayade administration. He expressed delight at the Governor’s foresight to transform the economic fortunes of Cross River.

    Said he: “I have travelled far and wide all over the world and I never thought we could have this kind of things in Africa talk more of Nigeria. I am amazed at what I have seen here today and I must commend Governor Ayade for a fantastic job ”

    Continuing, Prince Eze said: “For those of us in business, we can smell a good business opportunity from miles away and when I saw on TV what the Governor is doing, I decided to come and see for myself and I must say it is of much joy to me that this is happening in Nigeria, therefore, this man must be supported so that this Investments do not go to waste “.

    On Specific areas of interest, the Atlas Oranto Petruleum boss added: “Whatever Ayade does, I am interested in it, infact, anyway he needs me, I will follow him because he is a young man with so much wisdom and energy. For us, the older generation, we will be leaving the scene, so these Investments we will be making in Cross River is basically for you the youths who are leaders of tomorrow.”

    He commended Ayade for interpreting president Buhari’s policy of a Nigeria without oil road map

    “President Buhari has put in place various programs to chart a new course for Nigeria without oil, and by all I have seen here today, Ayade is a leading example to others in that regard because he has interpreted perfectly the policy of the Mr President that encourages everyone to go back to agriculture”

    Ealier, governor Ayade expressed excitement at Prince Eze’s visit, saying states need more local Investors like him to kick start and recalibrate their economies.

    “As a state we have invested in 33 industries, those industries cannot be run and operated by government.”

  • Gratitude Post, I stand With My Husband – Agba Jalingo’s Wife

    Gratitude Post, I stand With My Husband – Agba Jalingo’s Wife

    By Admin

    May God continue to fall the hand of those that want to see us in pain. Amen.

    This is a gratitude post.

    Gratitude to God my maker who has continued to preserve us, Thank you sweet holy spirit. Haaa, Jehovah Ebubedike I praise you🙌🙌🙌 and to you yes you my friends, relatives and great Nigerians who stood by me and joined me in singing #FreeAgbaJalingo my husband everyday from August 22 2019 till February 18 2020 when he was granted bail after 6 months in prison for exposing corruption in Cross River state by the government of gov Ben Ayade.

    This time last year I was thrown into confusion, emotional pain and traumatised still traumatised and apprehensive.

    I should have made this post since August 22 but sincerely it was like there was a replay of the whole governor Ben Ayade plot I was very apprehensive that day so I held back. I refused to go out or let my husband out of my sight I had to reschedule activities programmed for that day.

    August 5, 2019 two of his team members Jonathan Abang Ugbal and Jeremiah Achibong were arrested charged to court for wicked reasons, the matter worry me but glory to my Jehovah Ebubedike as they were discharged and acquitted August 2020 a year after.

    I stand with my husband👫

    God bless Nigeria
    God bless the nation’s paradise

    Thank you Jehovah Overdo🙌🙌🙌🙏

    Thank you friends and my fellow Nigeria people👍👍👍 God bless you.

    Still we rise.

    Mrs. Violet Apeal Agba.

    This is strictly the opinion of Mrs. Violet Apeal Agba and does not represent the views of TheLumineNews.

  • New UNICAL Initiative Supports Divine Opportunity For A University Of Calabar With Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe

    New UNICAL Initiative Supports Divine Opportunity For A University Of Calabar With Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe

    By Admin

    It has become crystal clear that God wants to reposition the University of Calabar for global competitiveness. It is also clear that He wants to use a woman to stabilize the University, improve interpersonal relationship as well as enhance the welfare and wellbeing of its staff and students.

    Little wonder why very qualified women are among the top contenders for the position of Vice Chancellor of the University.

    Professor Stella Effah-Attoe is both eminently qualified and indubitably ready to answer the call of God to do His will for the benefits of all and sundry in our dear University.
    Professor Stella Effah-Attoe is poised to becoming the 11th Vice Chancellor of our noble University. Propelled by the urgent imperative to move the University from the periphery to the centre of academic excellence, she will hit the ground running.

    There will be no precious time for witch-hunting; no time for vendetta, and no time for bitterness. It will be work, work, and work all the way to better the fortunes of this Ivory Tower.

    Professor Stella Effah-Attoe is very much familiar with the giant strides recorded by Professor Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, the tenth and first Alumnus Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, especially in infrastructural development and curriculum restructuring and expansion. She will consolidate on them and also break new ground. Professor Stella Effah-Attoe is also very much aware of the numerous challenges facing the University; she has done her homework and consulted widely to tackle the challenges pragmatically, squarely and headlong. She will get results for the joy, hope and progress of all stakeholders of the University.

    Professor Stella Effah-Attoe has taken many institutions to greater heights at both state and federal levels. Unical, under her watch, CANNOT be an exception!

    The University of Calabar needs a mother, a bridge builder, a reconciler, a linker and binder, a peace maker, a succor provider to all, a mother to teaching and non-teaching staff, a mother of students and a mother of the University.

    The choice of professor Stella Effah-Attoe as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar will bless posterity and create a new order for excellence and ranking for our University, nationally and internationally.

    God bless UNICAL, God bless staff and students of UNICAL and watch over UNICAL.

    This is strictly the opinion of New UNICAL Initiative and does not represent TheLumineNews.

  • COVID-19: CRSG Commends Corps Member’s Giant Strides

    COVID-19: CRSG Commends Corps Member’s Giant Strides

    By Admin

    At a time when many individuals and organizations are withdrawing their services to the public due to paucity of funds originating from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cross River State Government has doffed her cap for Corps Member Essien Ekemini Etim with State Code CR/19C/0210 for his immeasurable support in the fight against the corona virus in the state.

    Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade made the commendation through the State’s Commissioner for Health and Chairman of COVID-19 Taskforce in the state, Dr. Betta Edu while receiving the items donated to the Government by the Corps Member in her office in Calabar, the Cross River capital.

    “The NYSC has contributed immensely in the fight against the virus in the state and this is not the first time the state government is receiving anti COVID-19 items from Members of the National Youth Service Corps. A Corps Member once donated his one month allowance and others have distributed some palliatives while the state has also felt the impact of the services of many Corps Doctors and paramedics serving in the state”, the Commissioner said.

    This according to her “ is a sign of the love you have for the state and the country and we will continue to be appreciative of your kind gesture. Indeed, your name will be written in the record book of respondents to the fight against the pandemic. We pray for God to bless, reward and provide for you in all your endeavours”, Edu averred.

    State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Nakamba who led some management staff of the NYSC through the Assistant Director, Community Development Service (CDS), Mr. Umoffong Ubokudom highlighted that community development is one of the cardinal points of the NYSC where Corps Members are encouraged to identify and devise means of meeting felt needs of their host communities.

    Earlier, NYSC South-South Area Director, Mr. Ayodele Benjamin Omotade who was on a 2-day familiarization visit to the state during the project had lauded the Corps Member for deeming it fit to carry out such a massive project. He urged him to continue with the spirit of enterprise and service to humanity wherever he finds himself.

    In their separate speeches, the beneficiaries; NYSC Cross River State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Nakamaba, General Hospital Calabar, CMD of Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, CMD, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, CMD, Calabar Women and Children Hospital, Obong of Calabar, Primary Health Care CENTRE, Ikot Ansa, Primary Health Care CENTRE, Ikot omin and residents of the state were all excited at the humanitarian gesture of the Corps Member, they wished him well and pronounced blessings upon him.

    Essen who spoke to Kross Kopa team said the aim of the project is to; encourage healthy lifestyle and preventive measures against the global pandemic, provide a platform for well meaning Nigerians to give towards curbing the spread of the Global pandemic in the state and to partner with the State Ministry of Health in achieving sustainable health care development.

    The Corps Member said “ I’ll love to reiterate that I identified that problem and it motivated me to do the little I could to help solve the problem. As a Corps Member, I used the Platform given to me by the NYSC and wrote to various stake holders in the Health care sector for assistance. It was Community centered project, I simply reached out to relevant bodies with the opportunity given to me by NYSC and they were interested in supporting”, he stated.

    He extended his appreciation to the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF), the “The Online Church” and other individuals who responded quickly to ensure the project came to a reality.

    Essen also who maintained that he was faced with many challenges however said he learnt a lot from the challenges. “It took a lot of encouragement from friends, family and my Zonal Inspector but at the end it was worth it”, he recounted.

    Corps Member Essen is a professional front-line medical practitioner and a First Class Medical Laboratory Scientist who graduated from Madona University. He is currently serving with the Calabar women and children hospital where he provides professional health care services to women, children and the general public. He is the President, Medical and Health Community Development Service (CDS) group, Calabar.

  • Alleged Disqualification: Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe Writes PDP NWC, Demands Retract Defamation Of His Person

    Alleged Disqualification: Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe Writes PDP NWC, Demands Retract Defamation Of His Person

    By Admin

    Ahead of the National Working Committee meeting, to take a decision on the report by The Appeal Panel Committee recommending the  disqualification,  of Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe from contesting the September 5th 2020 PDP primaries for the Cross River Northern Senate re run, the lawmaker Writes the National Working Committee, demands the following:

    The upholding of his clearance by the Screening Committee

    Outright rejection and reversal of the malicious, contrived and ultra vires Screening Appeal’s report

    Issue a directive to the Screening Appeal Panel to retract the defamation of his person as a “Questionable Character” and publish same in three National Dailies.

  • Happy 50th Birthday Cheers To Our Own Engr. Prince Takon Mgbe – DG, Caterpillar Movement

    Happy 50th Birthday Cheers To Our Own Engr. Prince Takon Mgbe – DG, Caterpillar Movement

    Birthday Felicitation.

    On behalf of our principal Dist. Sen. Sandy Onor and the entire Caterpillar Movement Political Family, We congratulate our very own amiable Engr. Prince TAKON MGBE on this very important and auspicious event of the celebration of 50 years of his birth.

    Engr. Prince Takon Mgbe had worked very hard within the last 50 years and has recorded and achieved a lot in various spheres of human endeavours.

    The Caterpillar Movement is proud of the feet you have recorded and more so for deploying same to the service of God and humanity.

    At 50, you are ready and filled with the enthusiasm to create a generational change. Your kind is rare and we are happy to be associated with you.

    On this day of your golden birth anniversary, we want to see the best in you, for the best is yet to come as the future is even brighter.

    May God continue to bless you in the years ahead as our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Kindly accept the assurances of our goodwill.
    Happy birthday our dear supporter and brother.
    Once again, Congratulations.

    Joe Obi Bisong, DG Caterpillar Movement

  • Sen. Sandy Onor Calls On Engineers To Embrace Politics To Inject Their Knowledge And Expertise Into Governance.

    Sen. Sandy Onor Calls On Engineers To Embrace Politics To Inject Their Knowledge And Expertise Into Governance.

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen. Sandy Onor has called on members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE, Cross River State Branch to embrace politics to enable them inject their vast knowledge and expertise into political engineering.

    Senator Onor made the call in Calabar when he served as Special Guest of honour during the inauguration of the 16th Executive of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Cross River State Branch on Friday 28th August 2020.

    Senator Onor who was represented at the event by the Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, DG Continental, Chief (Hon.) Joe Obi Bisong, urged the engineers to embrace politics more, so as to inject their wide range of knowledge and expertise into governance in Cross River State and the country at large.

    The Senator noted that the expertise of the engineers is needed in the structural and architectural design of development, whether at local, state or federal level and averred that drivers of government need to leverage on their expertise to drive the development process of governance, development and nation building.

    The lawmaker stressed that no government functions effectively without the services of technocrats. He stressed that government is a compendium of politicians, technocrats, artisans, opinion leaders, traditional and religious leaders.

    He charged the newly inaugurated Chairman, Engr. Ndifon Agbiji to pilot the Society to a greater height, so as to leave a benchmark for future administrators of the Society.

    As part of his support, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor donated the sum of #500,000.00 (half a million naira) to the Society, to support their on going Secretariat building project.