The Lumine News

Tag: Cross River State

  • Unknown Gunmen Attack Calabar Correctional Center, Kill Armed Security Guard

    Unknown Gunmen Attack Calabar Correctional Center, Kill Armed Security Guard

    By Patrick Obia, CrossRiverWatch

    Unknown gunmen believed to be militants have attacked Afokang Correctional Center in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The gunmen in their numbers during the attack killed armed security and made away with his rifle.

    The incident occurred in the night hours of Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at about 7:PM.

    Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of  Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, DSC Effanga Etim when contacted on the telephone affirmed the incident.

    “I am on a press statement and will issue it soon, just go straight. There was an attack on our staff but did not affect the facility. I’m on the press statement and will…”

    However, it is not clear if it was an attempted prison break and if there was a repel that made gaining access to the facility futile.

  • C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    Source: Paradise News

    The Cross River Government has countered the position of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on the presence of Coronavirus disease in the state.

    An internal memo signed by the Chief Medical Director of the tertiary health facility, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, on Thursday, had advised staff and patients to observe caution after a patient recently tested positive to Covid-19, using the rapid test method.

    But in a swift reaction, the state government in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the State Covid-19 Taskforce, Dr Betta Edu, said the methodology used in arriving at such conclusion was not reliable, adding that even the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned against depending only on the rapid test method to draw conclusion.

    According to the release, “It is important to state that an index COVID-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR and not the antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits which the NCDC had said has very low sensitivity and specificity therefore should not be used for COVID 19 diagnosis.

    “As a state Government we have commenced investigation into this case and we will get back to the public with our findings. All efforts to identify and isolate suspected cases will be encouraged but we denounce any attempt to label CRS COVID-19 Positive using a rapid antibody testing methodology. For now Cross River State has no comfirmed case of COVID-19.

    “We use this opportunity to further call on the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to as a matter of urgency, support Cross River state in the fight against COVID-19.

    “We urge all Cross Riverians to remain calm and not panic, but simply step up efforts in adhering to all safety procedures in the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in the state.”

  • Eid-El-Fitr Celebrations: Ayade Urges Muslims to Embrace Peace, Love and Unity

    Eid-El-Fitr Celebrations: Ayade Urges Muslims to Embrace Peace, Love and Unity

    Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has urged peace, love and unity among Nigerians as Muslims celebrate Eid-El- Fitr which marks the end of the thirty days Ramadan Fast.

    The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Mr Christian Ita said Nigerians must use the period for a sober reflection on the state of things in the country.

    While congratulating the Muslims Ummah for completing one of the Five Pillars of Islam, he urged them to remember that moderation is important in everything one does.

    He said the poor and less privileged people in society must be catered, a principle which informed his decision to exempt low income earners from taxation, including the petty traders in Bogobiri Muslim Community.

    He told the faithful that the month of Ramadan is intended to teach all Ummah how to live good and compassionate lives which must continue even after the Ramadan fast.

    “Ramadan is a month of sacrifice, abstinence and above all, love and care for humanity. I encourage you all to be your brother’s keeper. Look out for your neighbour in the firm belief that he too will look out for you and most importantly always use your face masks while going out to contain the Spread of Covid-19 disease.

    “As you celebrate Eid-el-fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast, I urge everyone, regardless of your religious beliefs, to continue to keep the peace and to live in unity with one another in Nigeria and particularly in Cross River State” he said.

  • Untitled post 1688

    By: Damaris Onyendi – Calabar

    The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has described Cross River State as deserving of its coronavirus free status.

    NCDC stated this on Monday during a verification visit to the state.

    The leader of the NCDC team, Dr Omobolanle Olowu, lauded the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade for his strong leadership in the battle against the pandemic, successfully keeping it away from the state.

    “The Federal Government strongly Commends the Action Governor of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and his energetic team who started response in January when others still lived in denial. They (Cross River) deserve to still be without a case of COVID-19.

    “The governor was proactive in shutting down borders, screening visitors and suspected cases and initiating the no mask no movement campaign in Nigeria,” she said.

    She also expressed delight at the level of compliance with the no mask no movement policy of the government.

    Expressing disbelief, she said: “I cannot believe I did not see one person without a face mask from the airport to this office. I guess this explains the results in Cross River State. I commend the state for the great work done. We never knew all these in Abuja. We will tell Mr President all what we have seen.

    “From all I have seen, this is a great response in Nigeria. Cross River has honestly done well. There is a lot to learn from Cross River as best practice for Nigeria. Nigeria should give Cross River State accolades for producing face masks, Face Shield, PPEs in its Garment Factory.”

    She said the NCDC was also satisfied with the contact tracing, Surveillance and testing done so far by the state even as she encouraged the state to do more in that regard.

    “We are happy that the state has a great working relationship with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. This is Commendable.

    “Governor Ben Ayade woke up even before the rest of the country. He shut his borders and has been working from the front line. Your Governor is a man with foresight who believes in his people and wants to save his people.”

    Highlight of the teams visit included the official opening of the 100-bed isolation center in Adiabo.

  • WHO Secretary General validates Ayade’s position on social distancing

    WHO Secretary General validates Ayade’s position on social distancing

    Source: CRS News Bulletin

    World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary General, Tedros Adhananom Ghenreyesus has re-echoed Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State’s stance to the effect that social distancing is not practicable under certain conditions.

    He, like Ayade, was also of the view that social distancing is at best, an alternative preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus as other public health measures are equally effective.

    Governor Ayade, a professor of Microbiology had stirred the hornet’s nest recently when he declared the observance of social distancing unnecessary where a population is properly protected with appropriate nose masks, which he has made compulsory in his state.

    He said observing social distancing presupposes normal atmospheric conditions, which is far from reality given that variables such as wind speed and wind direction are outside anyone’s control.

    Dr. Ghebreyesus in a series of tweets Monday, validated the governor’s positions on the matter.

    According to him, “many poor people, migrants and refugees live in over-crowded conditions with few resources and little access to health care. Physical distancing is very difficult in such situations. So, other public health measures must be put in place.”

    He concluded by saying that “while COVID19 accelerates very fast, it decelerates much more slowly. This is especially concerning for countries with large poor population, where #StayatHome orders and other restrictions used in some high income countries may not be practicable.”

  • Ayade ranks top 4th governor in handling the spread of coronavirus

    By Damaris Onyendi

    Senator Ben Ayade has been noticed for his relentless effort in handling the COVID-19 crisis.

    The Cross River State governor ranked 4th in a top 5 list of governors able to curb the spread of the pandemic created by Ripples Nigeria.

    The COVID-19 health crisis has shown Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State a firm character, cutting the picture of a leader who knows what he wants done and stands stubbornly with it, no matter how unpopular they may appear.

    In an effort to curb the spread of the virus to his state, Ayade made what was an unpopular decision at the time, to close all the state’s borders, air, sea and land!

    With this, the governor effectively shut out who ever was not in Cross River State at the time of the order.

    Ayade has been acting like a man on a mission and appears to be getting the required result of starving off the dreaded disease from the state.

    The decision to shut out 35 oil workers said to be NNPC partners, unless they submitted themselves to tests, speaks eloquently to this claim.

    For Ayade, the protection of citizens deserves both popular and unpopular action, and a stubborn resolve not to bend the rules, no matter who or what institution is involved.

  • BAF Donates Cash & Preventive Supplies to Covid-19 fight in Cross River State

    BAF Donates Cash & Preventive Supplies to Covid-19 fight in Cross River State

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

     

    As part of the efforts to combat the dreaded Covid -19 pandemic, the Ben Akak Foundation has made donation of essential preventive supplies to assist the Cross River State government.

     

    This is the most high profile example of how a foundation are utilizing their assets and funds for social good amid a devastating outbreak that has pretty much shut down the State economy.

     

    The Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu on receiving the items said the foundation has gone beyond bound to show earnomous support to the state as this is a fight for humanity and appreciated the founder of the foundation, Engr. Ben Akak and others who have made this donation possible.

     

    According to her this is a huge response to the team effort in tackling the dangerous pandemic as the state will ensure those who have supported the course of the fight will have their names written in gold as remembrance of their efforts for future purpose.

     

    The leader of the team Mrs. Josephine Ben Akak said they are not ignorant of the efforts of His Excellency towards eliminating Covid-19 in Cross River State. According to her this is the reasons Ben Akak foundation which cares about the people’s standard of living in the state has donated the items.

     

    Over 300 Sanitizers, 400 surgical gloves , 200 face masks and 1million Naira cash was donated to the Cross River State Ministry of Health as their support to His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade efforts in tackling the pandemic. Also in the Ben Akak Foundation delegation was high profile appointees of the Governor, Mr. Austin Ibok, SSA on Amnesty, Mr. Raphael Morphy, SSA Job Placement, Mr. Effefiong Nta Eke, PDP Chairmanship candidate of Calabar Municipality LGA amongst others.