Detailing News

  The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in collaboration with medical stakeholders and volunteer health professionals, has concluded a week-long Free Medical Outreach in Calabar, delivering thousands of life-changing health interventions to residents at no cost. The programme, which held from November 24 to 28, 2025, at the Women and Children Hospital on Murtala Mohammed Highway, provided access to a wide range of specialist healthcare services for underserved communities in the state. Organisers explained that the outreach was initiated to reduce the financial burden on households while ensuring timely access to quality medical care for those who would otherwise go without essential treatment. During the exercise, multidisciplinary teams comprising doctors, nurses, surgeons, and medical consultants attended to patients across key areas such as dentistry, eye care, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgeries, laboratory investigations, and general medical consultations. Benefici...

  By Kingsley Agim The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, has galvanized a major voter registration drive in his political ward of Etomi, calling on residents to take full advantage of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Hosting youths, community leaders and residents at his country home over the weekend, Barr. Agbor said Governor Otu’s inclusive leadership was enough motivation for the people to demonstrate overwhelming support through active political participation and voting en masse for him in 2027. He emphasized that voter registration remains the foundation of good governance, noting that no community can meaningfully influence leadership outcomes without first securing their PVCs. “Governor Otu has done more than enough for Etung as a local government to earn our massive support,” Agbor said. “This is the time for us to be resolute, determined and fully committed to the ongoing voter ...

  A free medical outreach has commenced in Calabar with residents receiving a wide range of specialist healthcare services at no cost, marking a major intervention led by the Niger Delta Development Commission and its partners. The programme, which opened today at the Calabar Women and Children Hospital, Murtala Mohammed Highway, is part of a coordinated effort by the Renewed Hope Initiative, ECEWS, CSDON and the Cross River health sector to expand access to essential medical care. According to organisers, the exercise will run for five days and is designed to reduce the financial burden on families while providing immediate medical attention to underserved communities across the State. Today, the first day of the outreach, teams of volunteer doctors, nurses, and specialists attended to patients in dentistry, eye care, surgeries, obstetrics and gynaecology, laboratory investigations, and full medical consultations. Beneficiaries also received free medications and counselling on hea...

  By Kingsley Agim  Cross River State on Monday welcomed delegates from across the country to the 66th Regular Session of the National Council on Health (NCH), marking the first time the nation’s highest health policy–making body is convening in the state. The five-day event is holding at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC). Declaring the Council open, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, described the hosting of the NCH as a significant honour for Cross River. He stated that the gathering carries immense implications for the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s collective pursuit of a stronger, more equitable health system.  Delivering the Governor’s message, he emphasized that the Council underscores the shared responsibility to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians, noting that its resolutions require the full attention and commitment of every stakeholder. Held under the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating U...

  A week-long, comprehensive free medical outreach is scheduled to commence in Calabar, Cross River State, next week, offering a wide array of specialized health services to the public at no cost.  The outreach, tagged the "Calabar Free Medical Outreach," is a collaborative effort by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and several other partners. The event is set to run for five days, starting on Monday, November 24th, and concluding on Friday, November 28th, 2025. Services will be available daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. The initiative promises extensive medical care for attendees, featuring: general and specialized surgeries, full medical consultations and medications, ophthalmology services, dental care, laboratory testing, obstetrics & gynaecology services, health promotion and education, among others. The free outreach will be held at the Calabar Women and Children Hospital, located at Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar. The organizi...

  Fathia Temitope Zubair has been named the Best Behaved Graduating Student of the Nursing Sciences Department for the 2024/2025 academic session at Arthur Javis University, Calabar. She received the award and cash donation from the Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Joseph Edet, during the department’s induction ceremony, where the institution honoured outstanding students for character, discipline, and professionalism. Dr. Edet described Fathia as “a calm, exemplary and emotionally intelligent young nurse whose conduct reflects the values the University stands for.” The Head of the Department of Nursing Sciences, Elder Mrs. Priscilla Bassey, along with other lecturers, also commended her humility, teamwork, and commitment to ethical nursing practice in both classroom and clinical activities. Leaders of the Muslim community,Sheikh Abdulkadir Bature and the Secretary of the Cross River State Council of Imams and Scholars, Ustaz Kazeem Lawal, praised the University management for recognisi...

By Kingsley Agim Nigeria’s foremost health policymakers, technical experts, and development partners have gathered in Calabar for the 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH), which commenced on Monday at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC). The week-long meeting, widely recognized as the nation’s highest decision-making platform for the health sector, opened with rigorous technical sessions aimed at fast-tracking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through equity, resilience, and innovation. Held under the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” the opening sessions featured a structured review of national health policies and progress. Delegates examined the procedure for the technical deliberations, revisited the resolutions of the 65th NCH, assessed progress made by states and federal institutions, and began evaluating critical memos expected to shape the country’s health trajector...

  In a major political shake-up, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ofodua Ward, Obubra Local Government Area, has suffered a mass exodus as top ward executives and political stakeholders decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside hundreds of supporters. Those who defected include the Ward Youth Leader, Mr. Andy Takon, the Financial Secretary, Mr. Success, the Assistant Secretary, Francis Linus, and a host of other chieftains and loyalists. The symbolic event held in Ofodua community was described as the final collapse of PDP’s structure in the Ward, paving the way for a new era of APC dominance. Welcoming the new members, the APC Ward Chairman, Mr. Matthias Ovat Ayo, expressed delight and assured them of full integration into the progressive family. Receiving the defectors on behalf of the party leadership, the Obubra APC Chapter Chairman, Hon. Danis Ogor, guaranteed that they would enjoy fair and equal treatment within the party. Speaking on behalf of the defec...

  …Commends His Continuous Support to the Administration of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu The Voice of Central Stakeholders, a socio-political support group in Cross River State, has declared its strong confidence in the Chief of Staff to the Governor, (Dr.) Emmanuel Ironbar, acknowledging his transformational leadership, unwavering commitment to service delivery, and his strategic political contributions towards the success of the People First agenda. The group emphasized that Dr. Ironbar has remained a pillar in building and sustaining political structures across the state, leading from the front in ensuring the continued victory of the Second Team and the prosperity of Cross Riverians. Reacting to recent misguided remarks credited to Austin Ibok, the group cautioned him to desist from making baseless and reckless statements. They urged him to first present evidence of his own loyalty and contributions to any leader or political institution, stressing that loyalt...

  By Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi Preparations for the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) in Cross River State received a royal endorsement on Tuesday as the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, led a high-powered delegation of health sector stakeholders to the palace of His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar and Treaty King of the Efik Kingdom. The visit, held at the Obong’s Palace in Calabar, was both symbolic and strategic, bridging traditional authority with modern governance as the state intensifies efforts to host Nigeria’s highest decision-making body on health policy from November 17 to 21, 2025. Speaking during the visit, Dr. Ayuk explained that the delegation’s purpose was to formally inform and invite the revered monarch to the national meeting, as well as to seek his royal blessings ahead of the event. “We felt it was non-negotiable to personally visit and seek the blessings of the revered Obong of Calabar, not just as a matt...

  The Cross River State Representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke PhD, on Saturday attended the wedding ceremony of the son of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Egerton, Calabar. The grand event, brought together notable dignitaries, family members, and friends to celebrate the union. Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Duke expressed his happiness and congratulations to the newlyweds. He emphasized the importance of the family unit to societal progress. "Marriage is a sacred institution and the bedrock of any successful society. I join Their Excellencies, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and his beloved wife in celebrating this beautiful union.  "May their new home be a perpetual wellspring of joy, peace, and prosperity. We pray for God’s guidance as the couple embark on this exciting new chapter together," he stated. Chief Duke noted the subtle use of the four  Rs by Governor Otu i...

  The Voice of Central (VOC), a socio-political and grassroots mobilisation organization in Cross River State, has paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, confirming him as one of its patrons in recognition of his outstanding support and contributions to the group’s activities. The visit, which took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Information, Calabar, was aimed at fostering unity and strengthening political cooperation among leaders and stakeholders within the Central Senatorial District. Speaking during the visit, the Director-General of Voice of Central, Comrade Victor Bassey, lamented that personal political interests have begun to threaten the long-standing unity and togetherness for which the Central Senatorial District has been known. He emphasized the need for politicians to put aside individual ambitions and prioritize peace, love, and family ties above political divisions. “Politics will always come and go, but...

Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Eteng Williams, has joined a high-level Nigerian delegation at the ongoing Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2025, taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Themed “Beyond the Barrel: The Future of Upstream Strategy,” this year’s ADIPEC brings together global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to chart a sustainable and innovative path for the energy sector. Senator Williams’ participation underscores the critical role of the Nigerian Senate in providing a robust legislative framework for sustainable growth and driving impactful reforms within the country’s oil and gas industry. His presence also reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to fostering innovation, attracting investments, and promoting energy equity on the global stage. The strong representation of Nigeria’s National Assembly members at ADIPEC 2025 highlights their engagement with international partners and ...

  The Executive Chairman of Obudu Local Government Area, Hon. (Amb.) Peter Akonfe Undiandeye, KSM, has reaffirmed his commitment to transparent, accountable, and people-centered governance as he marked one year in office, highlighting remarkable achievements across key sectors of the local economy. Speaking in a statement to commemorate the milestone, Hon. Undiandeye described his first year as a period of “steady progress and impactful service,” despite the economic constraints facing local governments nationwide. He expressed profound gratitude to God, the people of Obudu, and the Cross River State Government for their continuous support and partnership. Undiandeye listed several completed infrastructure projects, including the grading and compacting of major streets such as Ugar Umbe Street, Ada Akinsheye Close, Silver Maris Drive, Raphael Nawa’s Street, Prof. Moses Agana’s Street and Close, and Chief Joseph Anale Street. Roads in Bekpam, Ranch Road, and Bedia areas, including S...

  The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Asset Management and Recovery, Barrister Gilbert Agbor, has received glowing commendations from a foremost Etung socio-political women’s organization, Anakae Etung Ka Arek, for his steadfast support to grassroots development and his inclusive leadership style. During a visit to Barr. Agbor’s residence in Calabar, the group, led by its President, Lady Bridget Etta, lauded the Adviser for his consistent engagement with the people of Etung and his support for the women group describing him as “a true bridge between government and the people.” Lady Etta praised Agbor’s humility and accessibility, noting that his leadership has continued to inspire confidence in Governor Otu’s administration. She said his actions have “elicited greater support from Etung people for the government of the day,” and described him in the local dialect as “the eye of the people.” In appreciation of his contributions to community upliftment, the women presented...

In less than two years at the National Assembly, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, has facilitated employment opportunities for over 50 constituents across various federal ministries, agencies, and parastatals. According to verified records, about 40 indigenes of the district have been successfully employed into notable federal establishments, while others have secured political appointments and support roles under the senator’s structure. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Senator Williams leveraged his position to secure placements for constituents in grade “A” agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), among others. Beyond these, several constituents have also been enlisted into the ...