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  • Appeal Court Sacks Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Declares APC Candidate Winner

    Appeal Court Sacks Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Declares APC Candidate Winner

    A three-member panel, of the Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision on Sunday, held that Muftwang was not validly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as provided by Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.

    The court declared Nentanwe Yilwatda Goshwe of the APC as duly elected governor of Plateau State.

    A three-member panel, in a unanimous decision on Sunday, held that Muftwang was not validly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as provided by Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.

     

  • Child Support Scheme Platform Does Not Exist, Link is Fake – Betta Edu

    Child Support Scheme Platform Does Not Exist, Link is Fake – Betta Edu

     

    The attention of the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has been drawn to a circulating bogus child support scheme with the title “FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ₦50,000 CHILD SUPPORT FUND FOR ALL NIGERIAN PARENTS IS ONGOING”

    The said scheme and the accompanying link are fake as they did not emanate from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    All social intervention schemes of the Ministry are well documented, in the public domain, and are brought to the notice of Nigerians through proper channels.

    The so-called “Child Support Scheme” is fake and is not and can never be any of the Ministry’s schemes.

    The general public is hereby alerted that undesirable elements whose sole agenda is to mislead and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians are behind the fake scheme advertisement and link.

    While security agents have swung into action to unmask the unpatriotic elements behind the intended scam, Nigerians are advised to ignore the link to avoid being defrauded of their hard-earned money.

    Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA
    19/11/2023

  • The Leonid Meteor Showers Have Been Taking Place This Past Week And Are Expected To Speak Tonight BY ENDURANCE OGRI

    The Leonid Meteor Showers Have Been Taking Place This Past Week And Are Expected To Speak Tonight BY ENDURANCE OGRI

    Culled From Vintage News

    In the pre-dawn hours of November 12, 1833, the sky over North America seemed to explode with falling stars. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before, and visible over the entire continent. Many witnesses interpreted it as a sign of the Biblical end times, remembering words from the gospel of St. Mark: “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.”

    The Lakota people were so amazed by the event that they reset their calendar to commemorate it, and the Cheyenne people established a peace treaty with the Pawnee people. Even Abraham Lincoln, who was awoken by the shower, mentioned the event in a speech during his presidency.

    Scientists struggled to find an explanation for the event in 1833. Physicist and astronomer Denison Olmsted was most accurate in his description, publishing his findings in 1834, stating that the shower radiated from a point in the constellation Leo and speculated that it was caused by the Earth passing through a cloud of space dust.

    Today, we know that every November the Earth passes through the debris in the trail of a comet known as Tempel-Tuttle, thus causing the meteor showers we know as the Leonids. Although the meteorite shower is impressive every year, every 33 years or so they are especially striking, although very rarely being as awesome as the 1833 shower.

    The Leonid meteor showers have been taking place this past week and are expected to peak TONIGHT! ✨🌟💫

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Anne Endurance Ogri, and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent 

  • No Conflicts In The Decisions Of The Court Of Appeal In Peter Obi & Labour Party Against INEC, President Tinubu And Two Others; And Kabir Yusuf & NNPP Against APC BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA 

    No Conflicts In The Decisions Of The Court Of Appeal In Peter Obi & Labour Party Against INEC, President Tinubu And Two Others; And Kabir Yusuf & NNPP Against APC BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA 

     

    The Court of Appeal Abuja on 17 November 2023 delivered judgment in the appeal filed by the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Kabir Yusuf against the Judgment of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dated 25 September 2023 that had nullified his election as Governor of Kano State.

    The Court of Appeal affirmed the Judgment of the Tribunal and ordered that Governor Kabir Yusuf vacant his gubernatorial seat for the APC candidate, Gamuwa to take over.

    One aspect of the judgment of the Court of Appeal that has attracted the attention of pundits is the part where the Court of Appeal, held that Governor Kabir Yusuf was not properly sponsored by his party-NNPP.

    Expectedly pundits have wondered why this should be so, given that the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal(PEPT) in the consolidated petitions of Peter Obi & Labour Party against INEC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senator Kashim Shettima, and APC, had held that it had no jurisdiction to adjudicate on membership of a political party raised by President Tinubu against Peter Obi.

    It goes without saying if that is the position; why would the Court of Appeal in Kabir Yusuf NNPP against APC decide otherwise?

    The position of the law is that where a superior court has decided on a matter; the court on the lower rung of the judicial hierarchy is bound to apply that principle enunciated by the superior court, where the facts of the previous case are similar to the facts and circumstances of the instance case.

    This doctrine is known as judicial precedent and, is one of the hallmarks of the common law tradition which holds sway in the Nigerian legal system.

    However, for judicial precedent to apply the facts of a previous case must be similar to the facts of the new case.

    The pertinent question therefore is:are the facts in Peter Obi & Labour Party against INEC, President Tinubu, Senator Shettima & APC on one hand ;
    and APC vs, INEC, Kabir Yusuf & NNPP on the other hand, are similar?

    The answer is No.

    In the case of Peter Obi& Labour Party and INEC, President Tinubu; Senator Shettima, and APC (the Respondents), took a preliminary objection on the locus standi of Peter Obi to bring his Petition on the ground that he contravened section 77(3) of the Electoral Act.
    Section 77 (3) of the Electoral Act mandates a political party to submit the membership register of its members 30 days before the Party primaries.
    The INEC, President Tinubu, Senator Shettima, and APC
    had argued that Peter Obi was not a member of the Labour Party but PDP.
    They contended further that Peter Obi had resigned from his membership of the PDP only on 25 May 2022 to join the Labour Party on 27 May 2022.

    On the other hand, in Kabir Yusuf & NNPP against APC; the Petitioner (APC) had filed a petition against Kabir Yusuf seeking a determination that the 3rd Respondent(NNPP) failed to sponsor a candidate who satisfied the requirements of sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and other Electoral Laws, for the election of the Governor of Kano State.

    Therefore, the facts, of the cases of the Respondents (INEC, President Tinubu; Senator Shettima, and APC) and Peter Obi are fundamentally different from the facts and circumstances in Kabir Yusuf & NNPP against APC.

    In Peter Obi’s case, the Respondents challenged the locus standi of the petitioners to bring the petitioner on the ground that Peter Obi violated section 77 (3) of the Electoral Act,2022 but they were overruled. The PEPT held it did not have jurisdiction because membership of a political party is a political question that cannot be determined by a court.

    On the other hand, in Kabir Yusuf & NNPP against APC; the Petitioner(APC) sought a determination that the 3rd Respondent(NNPP) failed to sponsor any candidate who satisfied the requirements of sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and other Electoral Laws, for the election of the Governor of Kano State.

    The facts of the two cases are therefore different and the precedent enunciated in the judgment in Peter Obi’s case is not Kabir Yusuf & NNPP against APC.

    The facts and circumstances of these two cases (Peter Obi against INEC, President Tinubu, Senator Shettima & APC), and Kabir Yusuf & NNPP and APC are distinguishable.

    It is worth noting that in the case of INEC; President Tinubu; Senator Shettima and APC did not appeal against the dismissal of their objection on the competence of Peter Obi’s Petition by the PEPT to the Supreme Court.

    Therefore since there was no appeal against that decision by the PEPT, it stands in law.

    However, it is instructive that the PEPT is also a panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    The judgment in Kabir Yusuf & NNPP was also delivered by another panel of the Court of Appeal Abuja.

    Is there any conflict between the judgment of the PEPT on one hand; and the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Kabir Yusuf & NNPP against APC?

    I do not think so.
    The judgment of the PEPT in Peter Obi & Labour Party against INEC, President Tinubu, Senator Shettima, and APC was premised on the interpretation of section 77 (3) of the Electoral Act,2022.
    The import of section 77 (3) of the Electoral Act on the main is that a political party must transmit to INEC the register of its membership 30 days before holding its convention or congress to nominate its candidates for the general election.

    Conversely, the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Kabir Yusuf & NNPP against APC is anchored on the interpretation of sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution,1999 (as amended) which provides that a candidate for governorship election must be a member of a political party that sponsors his elections.

    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

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

  • Stakeholders Blame Witchcraft Branding On Government, Nollywood Films

    Stakeholders Blame Witchcraft Branding On Government, Nollywood Films

    By Godwin Otang

    Stakeholders at the forefront to end witchcraft branding in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States have blamed the act on institutional failures, government oversights, and Nollywood fiction films that depict characters as witches or wizards.

    These fingers were pointed during a Town Hall meeting held at the Old Residency, National Museums and Monuments Calabar, to sensitize the public and to explore coping mechanisms for the survivors of terrorism, conflict,  witchcraft branding, and among others in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

    National Geographic Explorer and co-organizer of the Town Hall meeting Etinosa Yvonne frowned at the spike of witch hunting in the two States and perpetrators go unpunished.

    “I use this project to advocate for increased access to psychosocial support for the survivors. For this chapter, we are focusing on people accused of witchcraft; as a society,  we are more focused on the physicality of conflict than the mental and psychological effects. Some of the children you call ‘scolombo’ are not scolombo, they are just victims of a dysfunctional society; some of them, (both boys and girls) are being raped.

    “In Nigeria, justice belongs to the highest bidder. That’s how Nigeria works, there’s too much abnormality and dysfunctionality. Until that is checked we would continue to spiritualize things that are just normal. The entire Nigerian system has failed, so when these things happen we spiritualize them, which is wrong,” Yvonne said.

    Human Rights Lawyer and Co-founder of Basic Right Counsel Initiative (BRCI), James Ibor, Esq averred that witchcraft branding is a criminal offense.

    He noted that the reason why the act keeps thriving is because governments at all levels are mute.

    “We have to end it, it’s criminal to brand anybody a witch,  those who have been branded have been affected negatively. It is the duty of the government to bring all the perpetrators to justice. Primarily, systemic failure is the major cause of witchcraft branding.

    “What’s the state of our education, health, and road infrastructure? So superstition now spreads to the detriment of innocent citizens. Until we revive our school where critical thinking, wealth creation, technical and practical are taught; until our labs and the hospitals begin to function, churches would not shut down. The government should bring to justice all perpetrators of witchcraft branding and the killers of victims.

    The program featured a healing retreat for survivors, panel discussions, and others.

  • C’River Humanitarian Commissioner Attends Two Days National Action Stakeholders Conference

    C’River Humanitarian Commissioner Attends Two Days National Action Stakeholders Conference

     

    The Honorable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, CRS, Dr. Helen Isamoh- Egodo participated in the 2-day Pre- COP28 event held at the Prestigious International Conference Centre, Calabar.

    The Cross River State Government (CRSG) and Stratus Consult Limited (STRATUS) activities related to climate change and renewable energy is a joint effort in partnership with the Federal ministry of Environment (FMENV) and the National council for climate change. These are part of efforts to drive the implementation of the United Nation framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) “Priority Actions Plan” in Nigeria.

    The event which is a Pre- COP28 MDAs Stakeholders engagement is in Fulfillment of the NDC Priority actions to accelerate Climate Action implementation for Nigeria, heading into COP28.

    The government of Cross River states under the leadership of his excellency, Senator prince Bassey Otu, is dedicated to accelerating climate action at the sub National level in the Niger Delta region and is leading by example, takes actions by hosting this Conference/ workshop for a unity fronts among the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDS) in Cross River state in pursuit of Nigeria’s NDC objectives, Some of the key priorities are industrial decarbonization and biodiversity.

    Overcoming the challenges associated with decarbonization and biodiversity to achieving Carbon neutrality and climate resilience necessitates a cooperate approach. This approach involves transitioning to look into energy sources,renewable energy in emerging sectors, enhancing, efficiency, and ultimately striving for net zero emissions by 2060.

    Dr. Egodo applauds the Government and the People first Governor for taking proactive steps towards Sustainable development and protecting our unique biodiversity as she will commit efforts into the vision of creating a greener, cleaner, sustainable and resilient Cross River State.

    Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, CRS.

  • C’River Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs Seeks Partnership With Nigerian Police Force

    C’River Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs Seeks Partnership With Nigerian Police Force

     

    The Honorable Commissioner For Humanitarian Affairs, CRS Dr. Helen Isamoh- Egodo in the company of her team, paid a familiarization visit to the Commissioner of Police, CRS, Sir G. A. Grimah and his Assistant, Sir Kabiru Ibrahim at the Nigerian Police Force, CRS Headquarters today.

    The engagement was a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and synergy between the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Nigerian police force, CRS Command.

    Dr. Egodo seized the opportunity to discuss ways in which they can collaborate to ensure emergency preparedness in CRS, they also exchanged ideas and explored innovative solutions to address the security challenges faced by refugees, IDPs, women, people living with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in CRS.

    She engaged them on other critical issues most especially on; How the police can effectively and efficiently reduce gender-based violence on refugees and the vulnerable ones by implementing targeted awareness campaigns and establishing safe reporting mechanisms. She made it known that her ministry will be providing specialized training to officers on gender based violence and gender mainstreaming.

    Dr Egodo also intimated the Police on how they can tackle illegal migration by strengthening border control measures, such as increasing patrols and utilizing advanced technology for surveillance. She further posited that the establishment of specialized units or task forces dedicated to addressing crimes against vulnerable populations, such as human trafficking or exploitation by the police will ensure security and safety for the refugees and vulnerable ones amongst us.

    Furthermore, Dr Egodo stressed on the urgent need for the enhancement of emergency preparedness by conducting regular drills and training exercises for police officers to effectively respond to various emergency situations, including natural disasters, Wars, or terrorist attacks.

    The Commissioner of Police Cross River State, Sir. G. A. Grimah applauded Dr. Egodo and her team for their proactive approach in seeking collaboration as it reaffirms their dedication to creating a safer and more inclusive CRS.

    He maintained that it is essential for the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs to engage in various activities such as Field visits and such engagements often involve interacting with diverse groups of people, he will ensure that appropriate security measures are put in place to prevent potential wrongdoers who may attempt to disrupt or cause harm.

    Mr Grimah went Further to assert that he will engage relevant bodies and agencies to tackle illegal migration, enhance emergency preparedness and ensure security/safety for refugees, women, PWD, IDPs, etc.

    The Assistant Comissioner of Police, Sir Kabiru Ibrahim assured Dr. Egodo that he will reach out to DPOs and other actors to make available personnels, focal persons, desk officers, etc from the NPF for the trainings and engagements on gender based violence and gender mainstreaming whenever the ministry will request for them.

    Dr. Egodo expressed profound gratitude to the Commissioner for Police and his able Assistant for their time and commitments thus far, emphasizing that she will continue to engage and interact with the NPF to foster peace and development in CRS.

    Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, CRS.

  • C’River Government Extends Humanitarian Gesture To Motherless Triplets

    C’River Government Extends Humanitarian Gesture To Motherless Triplets

    By Sylvia Akpan, CrossRiverWatch 

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, recently led women on a humanitarian visit to a set of triplets being cared for by a good-spirited family due to the death of their mother during birth.

    The gesture, the commissioner disclosed, remains one of the Ministry’s humanitarian programs tagged “bounty for families of multiple births” and is in line with the pet program of the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Rev. Eyoanwan Otu.

    The set of triplets being cared for by a good-spirited couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ajah Ukam, is said to have lost their mother at birth, leaving behind their father with two other children in his home in Biase Local Government to fend for, despite no tangible job at his disposal.

    According to Irom: “We were touched upon hearing of the condition at which the set of triplets were being raised at such a tender stage of their life and it invoked our concern and consciousness to take responsibility for being their caregiver.

    “Truly speaking, with the harsh economic condition Nigerians are facing, one wonders how demanding it would be to take care of this set of triplets who are four months old and depend solely on infant formula for and as their meals.

    “This is why we are here to support the family in any way possible so that they can adequately in turn take care of these children because they have the right to live and be taken care of.”

    She lauded the family for their humanitarian gesture and charged other Nigerians to always be compassionate to each other as demonstrated by the Ukams and also commended the Governor’s wife for the show of love towards the wellbeing of all Cross Riverians, maintaining that, the State Government would continue to ensure that the children receive adequate attention.

    During the visit, the ministry made a cash presentation including other items worth thousands of Naira to their caregiver, for the wellbeing of the children.

    The visit had in attendance, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Mary-Theresa Ebe, members of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Cross River State Chapter led by the Chairperson Rekpene Uket and representatives of the Association of Wives of Judges in Cross River State.

  • Lazy Servants: Own Up Your Mistakes And Take Responsibility For Every Of Your Actions BY PETER OBELE ABUE

    Lazy Servants: Own Up Your Mistakes And Take Responsibility For Every Of Your Actions BY PETER OBELE ABUE

    LAZY SERVANTS

    Among the many good qualities of a good wife recorded in the book of Proverbs 31:10ff is the fact that she is never lazy; instead she is like the great worker (vs 13 and 19). Many men and women who are lazy, blame their spouses for their misfortunes instead of settling down to work and contribute to creating a happy home together. They are like the lazy servants who deny the hegemony of a higher authority and hide their own talents. Such servants blame their master for every misfortune. Own up your mistake and take responsibility for your actions.

    God gives us all different talents (not equal talents) and expects us to work hard according to our abilities. Wake up and break that poverty cycle in your family by investing your talents for greater things to come your way. Do not say it’s too late to start. Do not say am too small to make a difference. Lame excuses like this, make the rich richer and the poor poorer. You must break that cycle NOW.

    Jesus applies this imagery to the larger picture of life (Matt. 25:14-30). He reminds us that God is our master and we are all his servants. We the lazy ones give all kinds of excuses for not going to church or practicing our faith, inspite of the enormous possibilities and enabling environment God has afforded us. Think about your good health, the company of friends (fellow Christians), nearness to worship centers, a wide array of spiritual materials like the bible and other sacramentals etc.

    The God who created you in his own image and likeness is not a lazy God. He spent seven good days working at creation and at the end he found everyting ‘very good’ to behold. He means it more in a spiritual sense when he says to those who are lazy that even what they have will be taken away (Matt. 25:29). God forbid your very inheritance to be taken away from you by others. Wake up from your slumber of idleness and claim what belongs to you.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is clearly that of the author, Peter Obele Abue, and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

     

  • Godwin Offiono Facilitates Mechanized Farming training And Empowerment For  Constituents

    Godwin Offiono Facilitates Mechanized Farming training And Empowerment For  Constituents

     

    The Member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono, has Facilitated a training and Empowerment of Women and youths in his Federal Constituency on Mechanized farming.

    This training which was facilitated through the National Institute Of Construction Technology and Management, held today at St. Benedict Parish Hall, Ogoja and was coordinated by Keritage Concept Ltd, also witnessed cash empowerment to the beneficiaries to support their agribusinesses.

    Also, another group of selected farmers were empowered with bags of fertilizers to support their Farming needs and improve yield to ensure food supply. The distribution of fertilizer held at the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Office, opposite Forestry commision, Igoli Ogoja LGA, Cross River State.

    Beneficiaries of the training and fertilizer were selected from the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency.

    Reacting after the training and empowerment, beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Honourable member for facilitating the program and targeting the right group of persons as beneficiaries.

    GOFFIO MEDIA