The Lumine News

Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Hon. Ewhe Distributes COVID-19 Relief Materials To Public Primary Schools In Obudu Local Government.

    By Elijah Ugani

    The decision by the Federal Government to resume school for examination classes across the country, has created more tension in the minds of parents following the rise in the incidence of positive cases of Corona Virus across the country.

    Poised to create an enabling environment for pupils devoid of the risk associated the resumption of schools, the Executive Chairman of Obudu LGC, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe today began sensitization of public primary schools in the LGA and distributed Infrared Thermometers and Personal Protective Equipments to help cushion the spread of COVID-19.

    The exercise is solely the Chairman’s initiative to ensure the safety of pupils resuming for Common Entrance Examination preparatory classes in the LGA.

    Speaking to Head Teachers, the Chairman held that “Since schools resumed, I have observed that not even the Federal or State Governments have come down to my LGA to sensitize these pupils resuming for school nor provide COVID-19 relief materials required for their safety while learning, so I took it upon myself to ensure that my children are safe in a conducive environment devoid of fears of COVID-19 spread”

    The Chairman used the occasion to commend the efforts of the state governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade in the fight against COVID 19 in the state and call on all and sundry to support government in this fight through awareness creation.

    Hon. Ewhe however called on head teachers in the local government area, traditional rulers, parents, Civil Society Organizations, leaders of thoughts and religious leaders to rise to the challenge of sensitizing the public given the available opportunity to ensure strict compliance with COVID 19 preventive protocols.

    Reacting to the gesture, the head teachers and pupils lauded the Chairman’s gesture and thanked him for coming to their aid.

    On his part, the Head Teacher of St. Patrick primary school Obudu, Mr. Joseph Akomaye noted that “Since school resumed, no one has come to us to ascertain how we are faring nor provide any aid, so we thank the chairman sincerely for this initiative and pray that the Almighty God will keep and reward him”

    Similarly, the head teacher of St. Colman’s Primary School, Utugwang, Dr. Emmanuel Odu, thanked the council chairman for the interest shown in providing sanitizers, face masks and PPEs to his school and promise to complement the efforts of the chairman by ensuring strict compliance of COVID 19 preventive protocols by both pupils and staff of his school.

    On their parts, Master Frank Ikwen of St. Patrick’s primary school Obudu and Miss Rejoice Eba of St. Colman’s primary school Utugwang, seperately thanked the Chairman for his benevolence and promised to become ambassadors and advocates of COVID 19 preventive measures, both at home and within the school premises.

    Social distancing, regular hand washing, avoidance of frequent touching of the nose, eyes and mouth to prevent the spread of the pandemic were some of the preventive measures highlighted by the chairman.

    HRH, Uti Eniemeh Abayam thanked the council Chairman for his kind gesture towards his people, especially the pupils in the primary schools who are presumed to be ignorant of the ravaging pandemic except for the fact that they are missing the school time, having stayed at home for a longer time, and may have had an impression that something unusual has happened.

    The awareness/sensitization is to be extended to all primary schools in Obudu.

  • Obudu Council Boss, Bonny Ewhe Takes The Lead Flags Off Covid 19 Awareness Campaign/Sensitization, Distributes Infrared Thermometers, Face Masks, Sanitizers And Tap Tanks

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Chairman of Obudu local government council, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe has taken the lead ahead of his colleagues as he flagged off an awareness/sensitization campaign to cushion the spread and effect of the ravaging pandemic, COVID 19 in Obudu local government area.

    The event took placed today, 8th August, 2020 at the Obudu main motor park.

    Hon. Ewhe admonished the crowd that turned out on COVID 19 precautionary measures, and advised the people to ensure effective personal hygiene at all times as the pandemic is no respecter of anyone.

    The Chairman used the occasion to commend the deliberate efforts of the Governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade as well as all front liners in the fight against the dreaded virus, COVID 19 especially health workers and maintained that it is not over until it is over.

    He appealed to health workers to be more committed in the discharge of their duties as the call to action would not have come at a better time than now.

    Hon. Ewhe used the opportunity to call on health workers in the local government area, traditional rulers, parents, Civil Society Organizations, leaders of thoughts and religious leaders to rise to the challenge of sensitizing the public given the available opportunity to ensure strict compliance with COVID 19 preventive protocols.

    The Chairman donated and distributed nose masks, sanitizers, infrared thermometers and other Personal Protective Equipments PPEs.

    With this development, the Obudu local government Chairman becomes the first to kick start the awareness/sensitization at the local government level in line with the call by the state COVID 19 Taskforce Chairman and commissioner for health, Dr. Betta Edu to decentralize COVID 19 response to local government areas during the JACC meeting held recently at the conference room of the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Calabar.

    The Chairman while declaring the exercise open charged the Director of Primary Health Care and her team to take the message and relief materials to the nooks and crannies of the LGA.

    In his words “I deem it necessary to carry out this exercise following the decision of the Cross River State Ministry of Health to decentralize the COVID-19 Taskforce to LGA’s; I have provided infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, nose masks and other Personal Protective Equipments (PPE’s) to be distributed to health centers for our people at the local communities”

    The exercise is to be extended to all the 10 political wards of the LGA and all health centers.

    Commending the governor, the council Chairman noted that “Cross River State was the last state in the Country to record COVID-19 positive cases, thanks to the expertise of our Governor who became the first to enforce the ‘no mask no movement’ policy; I want to reciprocate that in our LGA so that we can continue to be COVID-19 free”

    The exercise had in attendance traditional rulers, Civil Society Organizations, health practitioners and a large crowd of on lookers.

     

  • Infrastructure Update: Construction & Fabrication Academy of West Africa, Graduates Will Assess Soft Loan To Start Up Businesses

    By Admin

    In pursuance of the industrialisation agenda coupled with the pressing need to create employment avenues for the youthful population in the state and sub-region, the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Prof (Sir) Ben Ayade, last January, established the Construction and Fabrication Academy of West Africa.

    The three-structured edifice, which has a combined collection of 140 rooms, located along Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, is designed to accommodate a variety of skilled courses for creative and vocational training in various areas of interests for wealth creation.

    The facility will play host to a total of 54 highly practical, industry related courses specifically drawn from the sciences, arts and mechanical fields and anchored in the creative industry. The variety of choices to make from will include POP works technology, visual arts & design, conduit wiring, civil engineering/Mason works, electrical fabrication, scaffolding, interior decoration, physical planning, event management and catering services, hat and beads making, fashion design, bakery and confectionery, metal works, furniture/upholstery, shoe making, truck mechanic training, tiling, driving, alumaco/aluminum making, phone/computer repairs amongst others when fully delivered.

    Other special training will include e-commerce, information marketing and other online learning programs and a number of others.

    Disclosing the project, Commissioner for Youth & Skills Acquisition, Hon. (Signor) Omang Idiege intimated the project is a brainchild of Governor Ben Ayade, initiated to address skilled acquisition concerns in the state and will admit trainees across Nigeria and the West African sub-region due to its vast collection of programs.

    Expatriates will be brought in to liaise with local resource persons to train students after which graduates will proceed to receive soft credit facilities to further their causes. Depending on the area of specialization, training sessions will last between six months and two years, after which graduands will be awarded certificates or diplomas as the case may be and recommended to higher areas of endeavor.

    To ensure sustainability, the center is backed by an executive bill which has already been transmitted to the state Assembly. This is to give the citadel legality in line with best practices.

    The facility will accommodate several departments coordinating the various organs, some of which are the Department of Vocational Training, Department of Metallurgy and the Department of Forensic Studies. The project is the first of its kind in Nigeria and west Africa.

    ©Eugene Upah is the Snr Special Assistant on Public Communications to Cross River Governor Ben Ayade.

    info@eugene-ssapc.com.ng

  • Prof John Inyang Delivers N45 Million To Amunga, Busafong Communities Of Obanliku

    By Admin

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Prof. John Ofem Inyang has delivered a forty five million naira (N45m) cheque to Amunga and Busafong communities of Obanliku Local Government Area.

    As compensation for the 44,000 hectares [Busafong] and 77,000 hectares [Amunga] of lands which the State Government acquired for a proposed resort and tourism consort, Busafong community received a cheque of twenty million naira (N20m) while Amunga community received twenty five million naira (N25m).

    Issuing the cheques to the representatives of Amunga and Busafong communities, Barr. Boniface Abadem and Barr. Anthony Obi, respectively, Prof. Inyang praised his boss, Governor Benedict Ayade for having the people of both communities and even the entire Obanliku at heart, even with a very low state allocation.

    The Lands Commissioner while appealing to the communities to corporate with the state government, highlighted the benefits which abound for the community now and even the generations to come; “I crave the indulgence of Amunga and Busafong communities to corporate with the state government because their children are going to benefit from this projects. These are projects that will create employment, transform your economy and announce your culture and social behavior to the world,” Prof. Inyang said.

    Applauding the State Governor for redeeming his portion of the bargain by availing the communities their respective compensation package, Prof. Inyang said; “This is one of the biggest ceremonies that we often experience as a ministry. It is always gratifying for us when we get to this point where the government of the state will release compensation as agreed with a community; and today we are here to do a formal presentation of this compensation”.

    In their respective responses, the representatives of the both communities appreciated the State Government and further promised to utilize every opportunity given them by pushing Obanliku to the brim of its development.

  • The C’River Ministry OF Int’l Devt. corporation And The Role Of Development Partners.

    By Eugene Upah

    Inspired by the over 4 million strong population base of the state and the gene pool of some of the most entrepreneurial and industrious minds in the country that is concentrated in Cross River, the state Governor, His Excellency, Senator Prof. (Sir) Ben Ayade in 2015, created the Ministry of International Development Corporation (MIDC) to further industrialise and decouple the state from its civil service status.

    The Ministry of MIDC acting as a powerhouse and gateway between the state, local and foreign development partners is responsible for coordinating all donor funded projects in the state. The creation of the MIDC, without doubt, has added immeasurable value to the people’s paradise developmental drive.

    The MIDC is headed by a youthful technocrat, Hon. Dr. Inyang Asibong and has also been saddled with the responsibility of attracting first-world intervention programs to the state with the intention of selecting areas of critical urgent attention.

    Through the efforts of the Ministry, the European Union, WHO, World Bank, the United Nations and her sub-agencies like the UNHCR, UNFPA, UN-WOMEN, UNICEF and UNIDO, have so far identified areas of urgent attention and gone ahead to implement programs to service those concerns. This incredible progress was recorded by the new ministry in just 5 years of its existence.

    The bilateral and multilateral sections of its terms of reference, enables the MIDC to scout donor support for funding of projects in the state. As a pre-condition before lending support to state proposals, majority of World Bank assisted projects must be state-owned to guarantee sustainability. The state government MUST also provide counterpart funding and political cover for all donor projects to accelerate implementation. A typical example is the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Program (NEWMAP) intervention projects. Cross River state recently released its counterpart funding for the NEWMAP erosion projects for critical water torn sites across the state.

    Under the MIDC’s watch, World Bank assisted programs like the State and Local Government Reforms Project (SLOGOR) is anchored in the Community and Social Development Program (CSDP). On this, the government approaches the local communities to identify and implement micro-projects with the aim to make a direct and immediate impact. Examples of projects that fall within the scope of the CSDP are provision of street lights, renovation of classroom blocks, basic water supply etc.

    Also, using the state’s social register, the MIDC designed a template that made it possible for the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Program (YESSO) to be successfully implemented across the state with little hassle. YESSO’s was the platform for the payment of COVID-19 monthly sustainable palliatives packages to the vulnerable and aged. The agile and youthful weren’t left out; they underwent trainings and have been integrated into the scheme.

    The Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), is another extension of the MIDC, inspired by His Excellency’s concept of G-MONEY and is used to promote agricultural enhancement with the engagement of some 5,000 people in the agric value chain.

    Furthermore, the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES), is an upcoming program initiated by the MIDC to ensure sustainable palliatives support to communities, farmers, businesses and individuals in the state to cushion the aftermath of the global pandemic.

    Counterpart funding has since been provided by the state to enable UNICEF provide specific attention to the plight of women and children.

    The UNDP is working in partnership with the MIDC to ensure the state is clean and green. This will be achieved through planting of trees and facilitating of programs aimed at discouraging deforestation.

    Through the MIDC, the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Program (WSSSRP) for the supply of potable water is currently ongoing in selected communities across the state.

    Recently, a number of classroom blocks were commissioned in Biase and an agro scheme aimed at enhancing the production of Cassava and other staple farm produce, was initiated by the Honorable Commissioner in Abi LGA under the aegis of one of such developmental partners.

    Lastly, the state government in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is currently working towards expanding the Senator Prof. Ben Ayade industrialization drive across the state in line with the “Spirit of Enterprise” mantra of his administration.

    ©Eugene Upah is the Senior Special Assistant to Cross River Governor Ben Ayade on Public Communications.

    info@eugene-ssapc.com.ng

  • 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.

  • COVID-19: Federal Government Commends Cross River, Says Response Is Innovative And Imaginary

    By Admin

    The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has described as excellent, the various measures adopted by Cross River State against the pandemic, including a drive through test centre established by Governor Ben Ayade for the testing of samples for COVID-19.

    The team was in the state on Monday to assess its readiness for the management of the phase two of the pandemic.

    Speaking immediately after inspecting the testing center, and facilities as well as the state garment factory where they witnessed the production of Personal Protective Equipment including face shields, leader of the PTF team, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, lauded Governor Ayade for what he dubbed his creative imagination.

    His words: “I Think it’s excellent. I think it is incredible the level of innovation, creative imagination seen in Cross River since the team arrived here earlier today (Monday) and we are really impressed with what is going on in Cross River State and we believe that the sample collection centre will be a boost to the Covid 19 outfit response that the Cross River State government has elaborated in the last few weeks and I think it is really impressive.”

    Speaking on the mission of the team to the state, Dr.Shaibu who is also the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Department Agency disclosed that “One of the reasons we are here today as the PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health is to come and see what Cross River State has done so far as a second phase of interactions with Cross River State. Just like the first team that came here were also impressed with the level of seriousness, the level of innovation that the Cross River State government has brought to bear.”

    On assessment of the face masks and face shields produced by the state’s garment factory, Shuaibu stated: “We where earlier at the garment factory where we have seen face masks and face shields and overalls being produced. Our partners, NAFDAC, the Standard Organization of Nigeria were really impressed with what is going on there.

    “We made a commitment to dig deep and see how we can collaborate with the government of Cross River to make sure that all of the work that is going on there will easily meet global standards. We have already assessed physically and our representatives from these two organizations are happy with what they have seen.

    “We just need some further testing to make sure that we can now scale up and make sure that Nigerians are able to benefit from the manufacturing that we are already seeing in Cross River State. It is an opportunity to encourage other governors to be very proactive in making sure that we use such an instance where there is necessity to become great innovators for PPE’s like we need right now.”

    Speaking on the partnership with the state government, the National Health care Development Agency’s CEO said: “It’s really Incredible what we have seen in the last few hours and the federal government will continue to partner with Cross River State government so that other governors can be encouraged by what is going on. In the next few hours we are going to continue our collaboration to look at the Public health emergency operation centre”

    He further said:”We will also look at the issues around the borders to see how FG can support Cross River State to maintain Integrity and security along the borders. But overall, we have had very fruitful conversations with His Excellency and his team and we are really amazed by all of the work that is going on.”

    Responding, Governor Ayade thanked Shuaib for his understanding of the issues around the state’s handling of COVID-19.

    “Let me specially commend Dr. Faisal for his personal intelligence and understanding of the local situation. Let me thank the team and I want to thank the federal ministry of health for deeming it fit to send a team to come and look at what Cross River has done. I want to thank you for for your kind words and I want to say that the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the PTF and Covid 19 response Team, the Minister for Health, the DG NCDC for sending a team with NAFDAC, SON to look at our PPE’s from the face shields to the face masks to the overalls with a view to supporting encouraging and patronising us.”

    According to the governor, “that is the incentive that Nigerians want to see and that is the impetus that will encourage other governors to go into it.”

  • Breaking: Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Unit Naps Three Kidnappers, Frees Victim On Calabar

    By Admin

    A combined effort of the State security Adviser South, Mr Ani Esin and the Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Unit, yesterday arrested three kidnappers in Calabar, the cross river state capital.

    The kidnappers were arrested last night while trying to kidnap a victim who is a business man that owns a shop at Efio Ete junction.

    The kidnappers used same Audi car, suspected to have been used in the kidnap of the wife of the Appeal Court Judge, Mrs Agube.

    Information made available to TheLumineNews indicates that a concerned Nigerian called the SSA and the police, who responded swiftly to combat the kidnappers.

    The hoodlums had kidnapped the victim at Okoro Agbor and were trailed to IBB and were arrested and the victim rescued.

    The kidnappers are currently cooling their feet at the Anti Cultism and Kidnapping unit, Cultural center – Calabar.

    Items recovered from the kidnappers include guns and charms.

  • Amanke Inaugurates CRUTECH Governing Council, Charged Members To Use Their Experiences To Reposition The Institution

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Commissions for Quality Education, Dr. Godwin Amanke has called on members of the Governing Council of the Cross River University of Technology CRUTECH, to put to bear their experiences and technical know-how to ensure that the institution takes its rightful place among state owned universities in the country.

    Amanke made the call while inaugurating the council in his office in Calabar, the cross river state capital.

    His words “I want to remind you that you were carefully selected based on your tract records for this assignment, like the chairman and some of you that are re appointed, you have to bring your experience and technical know-how to bear to ensure that CRUTECH compete favorable with other state owned universities in the country.

    “Children mostly the youth who form the fulcrum of the society needs to be developed by giving them the necessary ingredients for development, and that ingredient is quality education, which is the reason the governor in his wisdom insisted that this ministry now be known as ministry of QUALITY EDUCATION.

    “When you educate a child, you have given him all he needs and desires in life. As you begin your work, do well to factor in innovations that will sustain the development of the 21st century child”

    Responding on behalf of other council members, the Chairman and Pro Chancellor, Onun Dr. Emil Inyang, thanked the governor for the mandate given them found them worthy to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    Inyang who is serving a second term in the same position thanked the governor for creating the enabling laws that allows the smooth running of the university and pledged total commitment to reposition the institution in line with global best practices.

    Other members of the council include; Mrs. Paulina Achak Bessong, Mr. Xausier Ngaji and His Royal Highness, Utsu Felix Ukudare.

  • 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