Skip to main content

Posts

World Anti-Trafficking Day: NDDC Representative Calls for United Action Against Human Trafficking

  The Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission , NDDC , Rt. Hon. (Otuekong) Orok Otu Duke , has called for stronger collaboration among governments, security agencies, civil society organisations and local communities to combat human trafficking, describing the crime as a grave violation of human dignity and a threat to national development. In a statement to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons , Duke said the fight against human trafficking requires a collective response that addresses not only criminal networks but also the socio-economic conditions that make people, especially women and children, vulnerable to exploitation. According to him, human trafficking continues to destroy lives, separate families and rob communities of their most productive citizens, stressing that every stakeholder has a responsibility to protect vulnerable persons from traffickers. He said: "Human trafficking is one of the most ...
Recent posts

UNICROSS Commends Governor Otu's Educational Reforms, Canvasses Greater Stakeholder Collaboration

  The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey , has commended the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu , for his sustained commitment to educational development, expressing confidence that his administration will continue to deepen reforms in the sector and groom the next generation of leaders for the state. Prof. Bassey gave the commendation while delivering the keynote presentation titled "From Beneficiaries to Partners: How the People of Cross River State Can Sustain and Deepen Governor Bassey Otu's Educational Reforms, Using the University of Cross River State as a Benchmark" at the 2026 Cross River Political Advocacy Summit held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Pearl Ballroom of Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar. The Vice Chancellor recalled that, while serving as Senator, Governor Otu facilitated the construction of the University's Administrative Building—the largest building ...

NDDC Board Undergoes Strategic Governance Programme at University of East London

  The Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. (Otuekong) Orok Otu Duke, Ph.D, has joined the Chairman of the Commission, Chiedu Ebie, Esq., and other members of the NDDC Board in London for a three day Executive Programme in Strategic Leadership and Governance at the prestigious Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London. The high level executive programme brings together senior leaders, renowned academics and global governance experts in an intensive learning experience designed to sharpen leadership capacity, strengthen institutional governance and expose participants to emerging global trends shaping public sector organisations. Welcoming the NDDC delegation, the Vice Provost (Business) and Executive Dean of the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, Professor Fatima Annan-Diab, described the programme as a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange, innovation and collaborative learning. Sh...

NNSS Calabar Commandant, Others Celebrate Zainab Zubair as Model of Discipline, Excellence at Passing Out Parade

  It was a celebration of discipline, sacrifice and exemplary character at the 2026 Passing Out Parade and Graduation Ceremony of the Nigerian Navy Secondary School (NNSS), Calabar, as the Commandant, Captain Muhammad Nura Dalhatu, singled out graduating student Zainab Opeyemi Zubair for outstanding conduct, describing her as one of the institution's finest ambassadors. The emotionally charged ceremony witnessed officers, instructors, parents and guests paying glowing tributes to the young graduate, whose six-year journey in the military institution culminated in a legacy of academic excellence, humility, leadership and selfless service. Addressing the gathering, Dalhatu recalled that shortly after assuming command in February 2025, he began identifying students whose conduct reflected the ideals of the institution, noting that Zainab immediately distinguished herself. "When I came to this school in February 2025, I started identifying exceptional students, and Zainab was one ...

UNICROSS: A Young University With a Rising Alumni Association

  The University of Cross River State , formerly known as the Cross River University of Technology, was established in August 2002 through Cross River State Bill No. 9 . It came into being through the merger of three state institutions; The Polytechnic, Calabar , the College of Education, Akamkpa and the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture, Ovonum, Obubra . Next month, the university will be twenty-four years old. Its first set of graduates emerged in the 2006/2007 academic session, and the alumni association was formed fourteen years ago, roughly five years after that pioneering class walked out into the world.  In the years since, the association has donated books and laptops, run scholarship programmes for some years, renovated university properties, dug borehole, has an ongoing alumni centre project that has, unfortunately, stalled amid internal crisis within the association, etc. The association is about starting up another small but very strategic project in the u...

Detailing News Celebrates Rt. Hon. (Chief) Orok Otu Duke, PhD, at 65

  For some, a birthday is simply another milestone. For others, it is an opportunity to reflect on a life of purpose, service and enduring impact. As Rt. Hon. (Chief) Orok Otu Duke, PhD, the Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), celebrates his 65th birthday today, Cross River State honours a distinguished public servant whose contributions have left an indelible mark on governance, literature, culture, sports and regional development. Born on 24 July 1961 in Calabar South, Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke has built a remarkable career defined by an unwavering commitment to public service and the advancement of society. Over the years, he has combined leadership with scholarship, creativity with administration, and public office with community service, earning the admiration of colleagues, associates and citizens alike. His educational journey laid the foundation for a lifetime of excellence. After attending Saint Pa...

Coalition Defends Governor Otu, Dismisses Sandy Onor's Criticism

Ordinarily, the recent media attacks by Senator Sandy Onor do not deserve a response.  It is difficult to attach political significance to the comments of a man who, as the sitting Senator representing Cross River Central and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election, suffered a comprehensive rejection at the polls by losing his polling unit, ward, local government, senatorial district and ultimately the governorship election.  That emphatic verdict remains the clearest reflection of the people's confidence-or lack thereof-in his leadership. Rather than engaging in relentless criticism, Senator Onor should reflect on the reasons Cross Riverians overwhelmingly entrusted the leadership of the state to Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.  His political caterpillar has long somersaulted from the hills of Etara, and no amount of media rhetoric can alter the democratic verdict freely delivered by the people. It is equally ironic that Senator Onor now seeks to...