Detailing News

  At a media and stakeholders’ engagement in Calabar on Wednesday, the 29th Day of April 2026, former Cross River Commissioner for Health and ex-Deputy National Coordinator of the National Cash Transfer Office, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, decried the state’s low participation in the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0, revealing that only about 150 youths have registered. The engagement, which took place yesterday, April 29, 2026, at Prof. Eyo Ita House, brought together key stakeholders across government, finance, and the development sector to chart a collaborative path toward job creation and innovation. A renewed push to tackle unemployment through innovation was also highlighted, with a strong focus on identifying and supporting unconventional innovators, particularly women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalised communities. Speaking during the event, Catherine emphasized that the initiative is designed to promote practical, community-driven solutions th...

  The Cross River State Government has issued a comprehensive public safety advisory following the release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, outlined the state’s strategy to mitigate the impacts of the predicted weather patterns. According to the NiMet 2026 SCP, most of Nigeria is expected to experience normal to above-normal rainfall. Notably, Cross River is listed among the states - including Borno, Sokoto, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom - anticipated to receive higher-than-average precipitation volumes. Dr. Ekpang pointed out that Cross River is also projected to experience a delayed end to the rainy season, alongside states like Lagos, Anambra, and Benue. This extension, coupled with an early-to-normal onset of rains, suggests a significantly longer wet s...

  Precious Jerry Akuma, a former student of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), has received her degree certificate following widespread attention to her viral TikTok videos highlighting a five-year delay in the processing of her results. In a newly released video, she described the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, as “a destiny helper,” commending her for swift intervention that led to the release of her results and those of other affected students. Her case gained public attention in February 2026 when she shared emotional videos detailing her experience.  In one clip, she said: “I am going to try not to cry. But I am so hurting… This is something I have not been able to say for the past five good years of my life. I studied Animal Science… I was supposed to graduate in 2020 but because of COVID-19 we couldn't graduate. We graduated in 2021… I have done everything concerning my education… Today is Day Ten of thirty days of speaking to my camera. This ...

  The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to advance research and student-focused initiatives that promote safer road use. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Francisca Bassey, made the reaffirmation on Friday, April 24, 2026, when the Cross River State Sector Commander of the Corps, Corps Commander Innocent Etuk, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to her office. Prof. Bassey highlighted the importance of proper driver training, the use of standardized driving manuals, and the strict enforcement of traffic regulations as essential measures for reducing road accidents. She also called for FRSC support in managing traffic around the university, especially at the main gate, citing concerns over congestion, roadside trading, and environmental safety. Earlier, the FRSC Sector Commander outlined key areas of engagement, including strengthening institutional collaboration,...

Former Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, duly tendered his resignation from office, citing health reasons,  before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced his replacement on Tuesday. Also, the former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, similarly resigned and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council. Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria. “It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda”, his letter read.  “Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. “I wish you and the administration every success in the future”, he wrote. On Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announce...

  The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Professor Francisca Bassey, has announced the promotion of ten academic staff members across various faculties, following appraisal exercises that were conducted by External Assessors. This marks a significant development in the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and staff advancement. The announcement was made on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during an emergency meeting of the University’s Senate held at the Calabar campus. The Vice Chancellor announced that five lecturers have been elevated from the rank of Reader to Professor. They are: Professor Joseph Ukpata and Professor Nkpa Ogarekpe, both of the Department of Civil Engineering; Professor Adebisi Adesola of the Department of Accounting; Professor Sunday Ebaye of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies; and Professor Ferdinand Kamgba of the Department of Physics. In addition, five lecturers were promoted from the rank of Senior Lecturer to ...

  The Senate of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has officially announced the elevation of Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, to the rank of Associate Professor of Civil Engineering. The announcement, made during today’s Senate meeting of the institution, marks a significant milestone in the academic and professional journey of the respected engineer and scholar. Dr. Egbe’s elevation is in recognition of his contributions to the field of Civil Engineering, his academic output, and his commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community service. The news has been received with widespread joy and celebration among colleagues, friends, and well-wishers. Congratulations have continued to pour in for the new Associate Professor, who is widely regarded for his dedication and impact within the academic community. Massive congratulations to our dear brother, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, on this well-deserved achievement.

CROSS RIVER –AKWA IBOM OIL WELLS DISPUTE AND THE RECOGNITION OF WESTERN BAKASSI ISLANDS:  MAKING A CASE FOR LEGISLATIVE COLLABORATION AND RESOLUTION. The lingering dispute between Cross River State and its sister state, Akwa Ibom, over maritime boundaries and oil wells remains one of Nigeria’s most delicate subnational tensions.  More than two decades after the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment ceded the southern Bakassi Peninsula—including Atabong, Archibong Town, Akwabana, and the Akwayafe Estuary to Cameroon, critical questions surrounding the western Bakassi axis and associated oil assets remain unresolved. While the ICJ judgment ceded portions of Bakassi, it unequivocally retained the western Bakassi islands—Dayspring 1 and 2, Qua Island, Western Abana, and crucially, the Cross River Estuary within Nigeria’s sovereign territory.  This distinction is not merely cartographic; it is strategic, economic, and geopolitical. The delineation of boundaries us...

The Cross River State Chapter of the City Boy Movement has held its maiden strategic meeting in Calabar, ahead of the forthcoming Renewed Hope National Youth Tour scheduled to take place in Benin City, Edo State, on April 23 and 24. The meeting focused on mobilizing strong participation from Cross River State for the South-South rally, with members emphasizing the need for robust representation at the regional event. Speaking at the meeting, the State Coordinator of the movement, Mr. Ralph Adoga noted that the gathering was convened to ensure effective coordination and mass mobilization of supporters from the state. He described the City Boy Movement as a coalition of young Nigerians who believe in and support the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the Renewed Hope Agenda. Ralph Adoga also commended the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, for his developmental strides, noting that they align with the broader policy direction of the current administratio...

The atmosphere in the ancient city of Calabar was somber on Saturday April 18, 2026, as the remains of the late Associate Professor Edisua Ita, a renowned academic, clergy woman, and development expert, were laid to rest. Among the high-profile dignitaries in attendance was Rt. Hon. Orok Duke PhD, who paid a moving tribute to the deceased who was his classmate (Class of 1981) Theater Arts at the University of Calabar. The funeral service, which drew mourners from the academia, civil society, and the clergy, served as an attestation to the multifaceted life of the woman fondly called "Aunty Edisua" and "Edi Mama." According to her biography, late Associate Professor Edisua Ita was born on December 30, 1964, in Calabar. She was the daughter of Etubom Asuquo Okon Ita and Elder Princess Mabey Essien Ita. She hailed from a pedigree of royalties spanning the Eki Clan and Asang Eniong Abatim. Her childhood was marked by sophistication; she grew up in Santa Isabel, Equatori...

  Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not back down on the administration’s economic reforms despite current hardships, assuring that Nigerians will soon reap the benefits. Speaking at a parliamentary session on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, Ibrahim stressed that the reforms, though painful in the short term, are essential for long-term growth and national prosperity. He noted that no meaningful global economic progress can be achieved without addressing rising tensions around Iran, particularly the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to him, “No country can achieve significant economic development this year or thereafter until we jointly secure peace in the ongoing tensions involving Iran, especially as it concerns international passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” Ibrahim warned that disruptions in the region could trigger far...

  Yesterday, 13th April 2026, a joint delegation of the National Assembly Committees on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from both the Senate and the House of Representatives undertook an oversight visit to key NDDC projects in Cross River state, including the reconstruction of Odukpani Junction–Okom Ita–Uyanga–Ehom road. The inspection team, led by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and his House counterpart, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, alongside the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Executive Director Projects, Victor Antai assessed the quality and impact of the emergency reconstruction project and also debriefed the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu describing it as a critical intervention for rural connectivity and economic development in the region. Receiving the delegation at Government House, the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, expressed appreciation for the...

  Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, will deliver a keynote address at Harvard University,barely days after assuming office at the UN Headquarters in New York. Ibrahim, who resumed last Friday as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, received the invitation from Harvard, his alma mater. In accepting the invitation, Ambassador Ibrahim said the engagement reflects growing global interest in Nigeria’s reform agenda.  He noted that the forum would provide an opportunity to present key aspects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope strategy, particularly its focus on sustainable development and institutional reforms and long term economic transformation. The keynote will be delivered at the 10th anniversary conference of the Ife Institute of Advanced Studies on June 4, 2026, at the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall. The conference, themed “Building Lasting Institutions: Faith, Scholarship, and the African P...

  In a political climate where ceremonial roles often overshadow substance, the emergence of Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu as a force for tangible social change in Cross River State stands out as both refreshing and consequential. As she marks her birthday today, it is fitting to reflect not just on the passage of time, but on the depth of impact she has made since assuming the role of First Lady in 2023 alongside her husband, Governor Bassey Otu. From the outset, Bishop Otu has redefined the expectations of her office. Rather than settling into the comfort of ceremonial appearances, she has embraced a hands-on approach to governance support, particularly in the area of women’s empowerment. Across the state, her initiatives have consistently targeted economic inclusion, skill acquisition, and financial independence for women. What distinguishes her efforts is not merely their scale, but their consistency; empowerment programmes under her watch have become a near-monthly intervention, t...

  Governor Bassey Otu has signed four transformative bills into law, in a major push to reposition the health and education sectors while improving sanitation and overall quality of life in Cross River State. The Governor, who described the development as a critical milestone in his administration’s reform agenda, said the laws were carefully designed to respond to the immediate needs of the people, with particular emphasis on strengthening the health system. “Anything about health is not a joke. These bills will help our people because they ensure we have the right resources and options available to us,” Otu said during the signing ceremony held on Wednesday at governor’s office in Calabar. He also praised the Cross River State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Elvert Ayambem, for its thorough legislative work and constructive debates, noting that the synergy between both arms of government has continued to yield people-oriented policies. “I’ve checked the responses and reactions....

As political activities intensify ahead of the forthcoming party primaries, stakeholders and constituents across Cross River Central Senatorial District are once again faced with a defining decision, one that will shape the direction of representation and development in the years ahead. In moments like this, the focus naturally shifts from promises to performance, from rhetoric to results. It is within this context that the leadership of Eteng Jonah Williams continues to resonate strongly. Senator Williams’ political journey has been marked by consistency, resilience, and a commitment to public service. From his impactful tenure in the Cross River State House of Assembly, where he rose through the ranks to become Speaker—to his current role in the National Assembly, he has built a reputation as a leader who understands governance not merely as a position of authority, but as a platform for service. Yesterday, his contributions were bold and foundational. As a legislator at the state le...

  In times of political decision-making, what truly defines a leader is not just ambition, but consistency, capacity, and commitment to the people. Senator Eteng Jonah Williams embodies these values in every sense. From his days in the State House of Assembly to his current role representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, he has remained deliberate about people-oriented governance. His legislative footprints are not just seen in bills sponsored, but in the lives touched, the opportunities created, and the stability he has helped foster. Senator Williams is not a seasonal politician. He is one who understands the grassroots, values loyalty, and respects the trust reposed in him by his people. His leadership style reflects humility, accessibility, and a sense of responsibility, these qualities that are rare but essential in today’s political climate. As the primaries approach, this is not just about choosing a candidate; it is about sustaining a legacy of effective represen...

  The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, alongside prominent scholars, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Nations. Bamire, in a letter signed on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, Management, and the university community, described the appointment as a reflection of merit, competence, and proven leadership. “This appointment is well-deserved and a testament to Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s academic excellence, global exposure, and distinguished record of service. It is also a proud moment for Obafemi Awolowo University as one of our illustrious alumni takes on this important global responsibility.” He further applauded the President for what he described as a thoughtful and strategic decision. “We commend the President for this choice, which clearly demonstrates confidence in capacity and leadership. We are c...

  The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has pledged full support for an anti-drug abuse campaign spearheaded by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Cross River State Axis. The pledge was made during a strategic meeting held on April 2, 2026, between the university’s management and representatives of NANS. Speaking at the meeting, the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to prioritizing students’ welfare and addressing substance abuse across the institution’s campuses. She described the proposed campaign as timely and critical, assuring the student leadership of the university’s readiness to support its successful implementation. Prof. Bassey emphasized that the health and well-being of students remain a top priority of her administration, highlighting ongoing improvements at the university’s Medical Centre and promised logistical assistance, including transportation sup...

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, and immediate past National woman Leader of APC; Betta Edu, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu, Chairman and members of the party’s newly elected National Working Committee, describing the seamless emergence of the Party’s new Leadership as a reflection of internal democracy and progressive leadership under President Bola Tinubu. In a statement she personally signed after the party’s National Convention held on 27th- 28th of March 2026, the immediate past National Women Leader commended delegates and stakeholders for what she described as a peaceful and well-coordinated exercise. Edu also congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to inclusivity, noting that under his watch, the party has remained stable while expanding its membership base nationwide. She said the outcome of the convention, particularly the re-election of several officials, reinforces confidence in the party’s structures and processes. ...