Detailing News

  The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Alumni Association has strongly endorsed Prof. Francisca Bassey, the Acting Vice Chancellor, for confirmation as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution. National Secretary of the Association, Hon. Njang Ndoma, in a statement said that during an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC), the association unanimously resolved to support Prof. Bassey, citing her exceptional performance over the past five months.  He said that the NEC considered her ability to secure government support for critical reforms in the institution and drive significant progress as key factors that have earned the trust and confidence of the alumni. While appealing to Governor Bassey Otu, the Visitor to the University, to back Prof. Bassey, the association noted that “for years, UNICROSS has sought a Vice Chancellor with the ability to engage effectively with the government. Prof. Bassey has proven she possesses this unique abili...

  Government Secondary School, Ntiton Ekori, in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, has emerged winner of an engineering competition organized by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Calabar chapter. The competition, held over the weekend at the Ugep Community Town Hall, saw GSS Ntiton Ekori outshine 10 other participating schools to clinch the star prize. The school also received an undisclosed cash reward for their outstanding performance. Teacher of the winning team, Mr. Esu Offor, expressed pride in the school's victory, commending the three female students—Miss Delight Egwu, Joy Usani, and Ire Okoi—who represented the school. He attributed their success to dedication and hard work, and thanked them for bringing pride to the school and their community. Sponsored by SERMATECH Construction Company, the competition was themed "Together We Engineer" and provided a platform for female students to engage in practical, skill-base...

  The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Calabar Chapter, has commended Governor Sen. (Apostle) Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State for what it described as a revolutionary stride in civil infrastructure delivery, particularly in the ongoing construction of roads across the state. In a landmark endorsement, the professional body passed a vote of confidence on the governor for his administration’s commitment to quality and adherence to standard engineering designs, especially in the construction of the Adiabo-Eseku Road and Bridges project in Odukpani Local Government Area. Leading the high-powered delegation was the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, who facilitated a spot assessment of the 8.25 km project. The road, which includes over 3 km of construction across swampy terrain, is being executed by Messrs Zenith Construction Limited. It is strategically designed to link Adiabo to the Creek Town Road junction, thereby connecting C...

  President Bola Tinubu on Thursday signed into law the four new tax bills recently passed by the National Assembly, describing the new laws as pivotal to the success of the administration’s reforms and the country’s prosperity. The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business), which aims to consolidate Nigeria’s fragmented tax laws into a harmonized statute; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, which will establish a uniform legal and operational framework for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments. Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, which repeals the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and creates a more autonomous and performance-driven national revenue agency— the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS); and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, which provides for a formal governance structure to facilitate cooperation between revenue authorities at all levels of government. At the signing ceremony at the State ...

In commemoration of the annual International Women’s Day marked on June 11, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day empowerment workshop aimed at celebrating and uplifting women in Cross River State. The event, which took place on Thursday in Calabar, brought together women from various sectors to engage, learn, and build leadership capacity. In his address, the NDDC State Director, Dr. Daniel Ajunwa, emphasized the critical role women play in shaping society, describing them as “mothers of the nation,” “captains of industry,” and trailblazers in academia and other fields. Dr. Ajunwa praised the inclusive leadership of the NDDC Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, highlighting his commitment to gender equity and women’s empowerment. “Our MD, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is a man who believes in inclusion, regardless of gender,” he said. “Today, we join the world in celebrating our women, our mothers, and the pillars of our communities.” He explained that th...

  By Ekanem Asuquo The Movement for United PDP (MUPDP) has dismissed as false and mischievous recent rumours suggesting a leadership tussle between Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Senator Sandy Onor within the Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement made available to The Beagle News on Thursday, the group described such claims as “divisive rhetoric designed to fabricate internal conflict where none exists.” According to the statement, jointly signed by Comrade Ushie Paul (National Coordinator) and Comrade Oka Ikpi (National Secretary), both Senators are not only united but are working closely and “assiduously to revive and reorganise the party’s structures across the state and beyond.” “We view these insinuations as dangerous, ill-timed, and likely sponsored by external interests intent on destabilising the PDP,” the group said. “They are capable of causing unnecessary friction at a time when genuine reconciliation and restructuring efforts ...

  The Cross River State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strategic collaboration in advancing infrastructure and social development across the state. This emerged during a courtesy visit by the NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku to Governor Bassey Otu at the Executive Council Chambers, Calabar. Governor Otu, while welcoming the NDDC MD, described the visit as timely and necessary for deepening synergy between the state and the federal interventionist agency. “Cross River is a state eager to develop, but often constrained by limited resources. We turn every available intervention, be it from the Federation Account or agencies like NDDC, into impact-driven projects that uplift our people,” the governor said. He expressed appreciation for the renewed partnership and the willingness of the Commission to re-engage stalled or abandoned projects, while also advocating for greater state inclu...

Calabar—The representative of Cross River State on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke, has declared that Cross River state will eventually produce the Managing Directorship of the Commission, regardless of its current oil production status. Speaking at the recent commissioning of the NDDC’s ultra-modern state office and other projects in Calabar, Duke stated that Managing Directorship of the NDDC rotates among member states according to the Act and assured that Cross River’s turn would come. “The NDDC Chairman will rotate among the states of the Niger Delta, which means that after Bayelsa, we are going to have a turn. One day, it will come to Cross River whether we have zero production of oil or not,” Duke said, emphasizing the importance of local political organization in national representation. He also urged citizens and political actors in Cross River to remain vigilant and engaged in the national political discourse, stress...

  Calabar, Cross River State – June 14, 2025 —  The Cross River State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Pius Ankpo Edet, has publicly criticized the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over what he described as an inappropriate attempt to commission the ongoing Nyaghasang road project in Calabar, which he asserted was solely initiated and funded by the state government. Speaking during a media briefing at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre on Saturday afternoon, Hon. Ankpo clarified that the project was never awarded by the NDDC and remains under the purview of the Cross River State Government. “The Nyaghasang road is a project initiated by the Cross River State Government,” Ankpo stated. “We had some delays due to an outstanding debt to the initial contractor, which was fully cleared in December. This enabled us to re-award the project to a new contractor who is currently on site.” He further detailed the level of work completed so far, including drainage...

On June 13, 2023, the 10th Senate was inaugurated with the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON as President of the Nigeria Senate. Today, the Senate clocks 2 years, this is therefore a mid-term review of performance of Distinguished Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Representing Cross River Central Senatorial District. In two years, Senator Eteng Williams showcases an enviable scorecard of effective representation as a legislator par excellence. His track record in the Senate is marked by the sponsorship of relevant bills, consistent constituency outreach, community interventions, human capacity development and empowerments.  Bills and Motions:  Senator Williams has demonstrated legislative prowess by sponsoring the following bills: 1. Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB 525), which seeks to establish the Federal Medical Centre in Ugep. This institution will eliminate the burden of long-distance travel for tertiary medical care, bringing state-of-the-art...

Former Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has called on Nigerians to show compassion and make monumental sacrifice to promote the growth and development of the nation. Dr Ekpenyong made the call as part of her Democracy message to Nigerians noting that, the efforts of our heroes past who fought for the sovereignty, unity and sustainable democratic development of our nation remains fresh in our minds at all times. She praised the efforts of leaders who have fought and made significant sacrifices for a sustainable transition process all through. "As we celebrate this year's democracy day, I wish to extend my heartfelt wishes to all Nigerians. Since June 12 1993, our nation has risen and survived different phases of military coups, rules and gracefully survived as a nation who's voices chose democracy and uphold its ideology. As we continue to ride on the laurels of our heroes like His Excellency ,President Ahmed Tinubu and other compatriots who hav...

In 2018, Nigeria made a historic shift when President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day, replacing May 29, which had been observed since 1999 to mark the return to civilian rule. This change was more than symbolic; it was a recognition of the pivotal role the June 12, 1993, presidential election played in Nigeria’s democratic struggle. At the heart of this transition was the advocacy of Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, a delegate from Cross River State at the 2014 National Conference, whose impassioned call for honoring the victims of the June 12 crisis and recognizing Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola’s sacrifice helped reignite national discourse on the significance of that date. Duke’s contributions during the conference were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the eventual adoption of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The 2014 National Conference, convened by President Goodluck Jonathan, was a platform to address Nigeria’s socio-political and eco...

  Prominent leaders, lawmakers, and scholars gathered in Calabar yesterday the 10th of June 2025 for the inaugural Hilary Bisong Colloquium, a distinguished event organized to honour Rt. Hon. Hilary Ekpang Bisong for a decade of dedicated service in the Cross River State House of Assembly. Among the dignitaries present was Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, who expressed his admiration for Rt. Hon. Bisong’s legislative accomplishments and active contribution to constitutional democracy in Nigeria. Themed “Lawmaking and Constitutional Democracy: The Nigerian Experience,” the event offered more than just a celebration—it served as a platform for deep, strategic discourse on strengthening democratic institutions and legislative governance. Senator Williams participated in a high-level panel discussion alongside a roster of respected figures, including Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, Prof. Pauline Ekuri, Prof. Okom (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Universit...

  The Office of the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Cross River State, has issued a strong condemnation of a reckless driving incident that caused extensive damage to vital public infrastructure at the Efioette area of Calabar. According to an official statement, the incident—which occurred at approximately 4:30 PM today—involved a vehicle that crashed into public property, severely damaging the roundabout, road pavement, and electric poles. The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, admitted the act was a mistake. However, authorities insist that such negligence endangers lives and undermines the state government's efforts to maintain and beautify the capital city. Speaking on the matter, the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, expressed deep concern over the incident and described the act as "senseless destruction" that cannot be excused. He warned that reckless driving, particularly when it leads to the destruction of public ut...

  Dr Betta has felicitated Nigerian muslims on Eid el kabir festival. In a sallah message she personally signed, Dr. Edu also urged Muslims faithfuls to continue to pray and support President Bola Tinubu as he steers the nation away from its numerous challenges. She described Eid el kabir as an important and solemn religious festival that requires introspection, sacrifice and deep reflection.  "On this special  occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend my warmest greetings and felicitations to you.  "This very important soul- enriching festival in the muslim calendar is a time for deep, solemn reflection, introspection, gratitude, and compassion; it is a period that reminds us of the significance of obedience, sacrifice, faith and unity as exemplified by Prophet Ibraheem. "As you commemorate the willingness of the Noble  Prophet  to sacrifice his only son Ismaeel, in obedience to Allah's command, I urge you not to loose sight of the lessons there-from and be remin...

  In a bold move to address unemployment and promote entrepreneurship, investment firm Stridevest Company Limited has launched a new initiative to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through equity partnerships, strategic development, and long-term business growth. Unveiling the programme during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer of Stridevest, Mr. Wilson Obidi, explained that the initiative will not provide loans or grants, but will instead invest directly into promising businesses by acquiring equity stakes. “We invest in businesses we believe in, provided the owners demonstrate a clear vision and understanding of their goals,” Obidi stated. He noted that the initiative is open to businesses across all sectors, and applications can be submitted via the company’s official website: www.stridevestltd.com. Beyond financial investment, the programme offers a comprehensive support system including professional me...

  By Jesam Ofem In just under two years, the Cross River State Government under the leadership of Governor Bassey Edet Otu has delivered sweeping reforms in the primary healthcare sector, setting new national benchmarks in service delivery, infrastructure, and immunization coverage. At the heart of this transformation are the renovation of 94 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state’s 196 political wards, full-scale digitalization, aggressive manpower expansion, and a historic 95% immunization rate — the highest in Nigeria. The revelations were made by Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), during a state-wide media engagement in Calabar. Recalling the state of the health system prior to the current administration, Dr. Otu was blunt in her assessment: “What we met was a healthcare graveyard — collapsed buildings, absent staff, and communities that had lost complete trust in government health service...