Detailing News

  The former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Chief Clement David Ebri, CON, received warm accolades on Tuesday as he marked his 73rd birthday, with leaders and residents of the Cross River Central Senatorial District celebrating his decades of statesmanship and public service. In a congratulatory message, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representing Cross River Central, described Chief Ebri as a “distinguished statesman, visionary leader and one of the finest sons of Cross River Central.” Senator Williams noted that the former governor’s contributions to the state’s political evolution remain “a golden chapter in our collective memory,” highlighting his emphasis on integrity, sound governance, community development and the upliftment of the people. Chief Ebri, who served as Governor from January 1991 to November 1992, was credited with laying a solid foundation for reforms in public service, economic planning and social development—initiatives that continued to influenc...

  Anthony EKPO BASSEY  Rising from his roots in Ogoja, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has taken the reins for the people of the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State and transformed promises into palpable progress, with tangible touches felt in towns and villages across Cross River North. From the moment he reclaimed his seat in the National Assembly, Jarigbe’s legislative ledger has been lively with laws and long-term benefits. In the Senate, he has sponsored bills geared toward strengthening health care, widening access to education, and reforming key national institutions. His push for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre Ogoja and the Federal University of Agriculture in Ogoja reflects his forward-looking determination to anchor development in the region through knowledge, care, and opportunity. His work on amendments to security-related legislation further underscores his commitment to equity, order, and national stability. It is obvious that for Sena...

  Cross River representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD has issued a stern warning to vandals to steer clear of the Commission's infrastructure in the state. Duke gave the warning on Sunday following the recovery of a significant cache of stolen solar-powered street lighting equipment by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Cross River State Command over the weekend. The NDDC Rep vowed that individuals, regardless of their status, found vandalising or complicit in the theft of public infrastructure provided by the Commission to complement the effort of the state government will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. "This is a clear act of sabotage, and we will treat it as such. Whoever that is involved in this despicable act of vandalism is trying to sabotage the efforts of the state government and NDDC to provide critical infrastructure such as street lighting that would assist in fighting c...

  The current Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) representative for Cross River State Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke Ph.D today the 3rd Day of December 2025 has reacted to the recent arrest and planned prosecution of Citizen David Effiong—popularly known for appearing as Ekpo Ibibio/Annang—by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, describing the development as a reflection of the ongoing clash between traditional institutions and the modern legal order. According to the report which Dr. Duke cited Effiong was apprehended in Uyo for allegedly causing public disturbance while fully adorned in masquerade regalia. According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, the suspect will be charged to court for violating existing laws relating to public order and masquerade activities. In his commentary, Dr. Duke traced the historical evolution of indigenous governance systems among the Ibibio, Annang, and Efik peoples, noting that traditional institutions such as Ekpo, Ekpe, Ekong, Obon, A...

A distinguished scholar, youth leader and community development advocate, Peter Olom Ube continues to stand out as one of Cross River State’s most consistent voices in education, faith-based leadership and social impact. Born in Utugwang in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State. He attended Community primary school Nkirira in Utugwang Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State from 1995 to 2001 where he served as the class monitor throughout and took first position from start to the end of his primary education. His quest for knowledge led him to Model Secondary Commercial School Nkirira Utugwang from 2001 and graduated with flying colours in 2007. While in secondary school he served as the class monitor from JSS 1 to JSS 3, school regulator in SS 1 and senior boys’ prefect in SS 2. In 2003, while in JSS 3 he got an award as the best participating student in science intra competition organized by the Corps members for senior secondary schools in the community.  His...

  Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke, Cross River State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has lauded Governor Bassey Edet Otu for what he described as an exceptional display of statesmanship in recognising all former elected governors of the state. Governor Otu, during a recent state event, to kick start, the 2025 edition of 32 days of festivity in the state, brought together past civilian governors to honour their individual contributions to the development of Cross River State. The gesture, regarded by many observers as unprecedented in the state’s political history, highlighted the administration’s commitment to unity, continuity, and institutional respect. Reacting to the development in an interview with our reporter on the sideline of the event, Chief Duke said Governor Otu’s decision reflects “a mature and sensitive understanding of the state’s developmental needs,” noting that acknowledging the efforts of previous leaders is essentia...

  By Rasheed Olanrewaju In what many are calling an unprecedented move in Cross River State’s political history, Governor Bassey Edet Otu yesterday, November 30,2025, convened all past elected governors of the state to honour their contributions to the state’s development trajectory. The event, which kicked off the 2025 Christmas Festival and set the stage for the 20th Anniversary of the Calabar Carnival, was more than ceremonial,it was a statement of unity, leadership continuity, and respect for legacy. In attendance were the likes of Dr. Clement Ebri, the pioneer civilian governor who laid the foundation for post-military governance; Mr. Donald Duke, the visionary who transformed tourism and made Calabar Carnival a global brand; Senator Liyel Imoke, the rural development champion; Senator Professor Ben Ayade, the industrialization and participatory governance advocate; and of course, Governor Otu himself.  Seeing all five leaders together,alive, hale, and healthy ,was a vivi...

  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 ...