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An Open Letter to the Executive Governor of Cross River State , Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu . An Open Letter to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Government House, Calabar. Your Excellency, Re: A Cry for Peace—An Urgent Call to End Incessant Communal Clashes and Foster Lasting Stability in Cross River State I write to you today not just as a citizen of Cross River State, but as a deeply concerned humanitarian and peace advocate who shares your vision for a prosperous, reinvented Cross River State. We all applauded your "People First" agenda, recognizing it as a beacon of hope. However, Your Excellency, the bitter truth is that no meaningful development can survive in an environment fractured by violence. While your administration makes strides in urban renewal and economic repositioning, a bleeding wound festers across our rural communities. The incessant, bloody communal clashes over land boundaries and heri...

   On June 13, 2023, the 10th Senate was inaugurated with Senator Eteng Williams taking the oath to represent the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District in the red chambers.  Today, makes it exactly three years of significant achievement, consistent representation, and a passion for development. His legislative record in these three years demonstrates both substance and vision. He has delivered tangible projects and human capacity development initiatives geared towards addressing both immediate needs and long-term development.  Within and outside the hallow chambers his footprint has been evident in every sphere of development.  LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS As a lawmaker committed to addressing national and local challenges, Senator Williams has sponsored and co-sponsored several significant bills, including: Sponsored Bills 1. Nigerian Research Institutes Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 918)     * Seeks the establishment of the Cocoa Res...

  The pages of history of our Democracy cannot be complete without the contributions of individuals, who as patriots, continue to beam their light in changing socio-political outcomes.  Every era has its peculiar issues and challenges, so statesmen are valued by their unrelenting contributions in shaping the society.  A deep dive into Orok Duke 's political involvement, spans several pages of history and each era, he has acted with vigor, vivacity and sagacity. His political career spans decades of active politicking with a radical view of life; believing in the ability of any man to become something through Providence and deliberate positioning. He was elected member of the Cross River State House of Assembly from 1992-1993 to represent Calabar South 1 and became Deputy Speaker.  Following the annulment of the 1993 June 12 presidential elections and the crises that followed, Orok was incarcerated, Humiliated and detained severally along with MKO Abiola (the accla...

  Cross River State communities are recording increased access to infrastructure, healthcare, and humanitarian support through intervention programmes of the Niger Delta Development Commission , with Rt. Hon. (Chief) Orok Duke PhD serving as the state’s board representative at the Commission. His board-level role has supported the consistent inclusion of Cross River State in NDDC programmes spanning solar-powered streetlight installations , environmental sanitation , medical outreach , and the distribution of relief materials including food items, household supplies, and farming tools to communities across the state. Stakeholders have noted that sustained representation at board level has contributed to the steady flow of intervention-driven projects to both urban and rural communities, complementing government infrastructure delivery and social welfare programmes. The NDDC was established to address the infrastructure and development deficits that have long affected Niger Delt...

  A controversy has emerged within the "Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria" movement following its recent rally in Calabar, Cross River State , after social commentator David Abam alleged on his Facebook page that Honourable Shedrach Egede , the organization's National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation, was sidelined during the event despite his reported contributions to its success. According to Abam, Egede was neither officially recognized nor given an opportunity to address supporters at the rally, a development that has sparked discussions among members and supporters over inclusiveness, internal unity, and respect for national officers within the organization. Read statement below... Controversy has emerged following the Cross River State rally of Relax Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria held in Calabar over the weekend, as concerns were raised about the alleged sidelining of Honourable Shedrach Egede, the National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implement...

  The Chairman of Cross River State Table Tennis Association, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD , has revealed plans to construct a world-class table tennis facility and athlete hostel in Calabar . The project aims to address the chronic infrastructure deficit and funding challenges that have long hindered the development of the sport in the state. Speaking recently on the current state of the game, Duke expressed deep concern over the lack of training facilities and modern equipment, which he identified as major barriers to grooming young talent. He revealed that the decision to build a permanent facility arose from a strategic choice to invest in long-term infrastructure rather than short-term international training tours . "We were talking about sending two girls and two boys to China. I looked at the costs and realized that the amount required to stay one month in China, we could use it to build a table tennis hostel," Duke stated. "I want to have a facility with at least one ...

  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, on his election as Chairman of the United Nations General Assembly Fifth Committee on Budget and Administration. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the development as a significant achievement for Nigeria and a testament to Ambassador Ibrahim's wealth of experience in governance, diplomacy and public service. The President noted that Ibrahim's election comes at a critical period for the United Nations as the global body undertakes major financial realignments and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening accountability, efficiency and long-term sustainability. According to Tinubu, the confidence reposed in the Nigerian diplomat by member states underscores his competence and capacity to lead one of the UN's most strategic committe...

A new month is here, and with it comes another opportunity to rise, rebuild, and rediscover the strength within us. As we enter June, let us pause for a moment to appreciate how far we have come. The journey may not have been easy. There were days of uncertainty.Yet, through it all, we are still standing. We are still moving forward. We are still here. June is a reminder that every sunrise brings a fresh chance to begin again. It reminds us that setbacks are not the end of the story, and that our greatest victories often emerge from our toughest seasons. If the past months have tested your faith, may this month restore your hope. If you have faced challenges, may June bring you strength. If doors have remained closed, may this be the month new opportunities find their way to you.  And if you have been waiting patiently for your breakthrough, may your season of waiting give way to a season of celebration. Let us embrace this new month with gratitude in our hearts, courage in our spi...

  Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD has paid tributes as family, community leaders and associates gathered in Calabar to lay Chief Archibong Ewa Ekeng to rest following his death on February 9, 2026, after a protracted illness. Chief Ekeng was 71. While expressing sadness over his demise, Duke noted the late Chief Ekeng's lifelong dedication to public service, community development and faith, describing him as a bridge between Calabar’s royal lineages and a tireless advocate for the people.  "Chief Ekeng’s humility, humour and unwavering commitment to the community set a standard for leadership," he said, urging younger leaders to emulate his integrity and service. Born on October 15, 1954, Chief Archibong Ewa Ekeng, according to his biography read by his family, traced his roots to prominent royal families across Calabar.  Educated at Big Qua Presbyterian Primary School , Hope Waddell Training Institution and the Polytechnic Calabar , he served as a Building Technologist in t...

  The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Associate Professor Jerome Egbe , KSM , has congratulated the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu , on the occasion of his third year anniversary in office, describing him as an epitome of infrastructural transformation and purposeful leadership in the state. Egbe made the remarks during an interactive session with members of the media on Friday, May 29, 2026, as part of activities marking the governor’s three years in office. According to the Special Adviser, the celebration of Governor Otu’s administration is not limited to Cross River State alone, noting that people in Abuja and across the diaspora are also identifying with the achievements of the administration. “We are gathered not only in Abuja but also in the diaspora to celebrate an uncommon man who has brought a total turnaround in recalibrating Cross River State,” he stated. He further noted tha...

  Distinguished Senator Eteng Jonah Williams , representing Cross River Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate , has continued to strengthen his reputation as an active and result-driven legislator through the sponsorship of impactful bills and motions aimed at national development and the welfare of his constituents. Since the inauguration of the 10th Senate on June 13, 2023, Senator Williams has emerged as one of the notable voices in the National Assembly, demonstrating commitment to quality representation and legislative excellence within just over two years in office. A core responsibility of every legislator is lawmaking, and Senator Williams has shown remarkable dedication in this regard through the introduction of several strategic bills addressing healthcare, education, mining, agriculture, petroleum engineering, research, and national security. Among the bills sponsored by the lawmaker are: 1. Nigerian Research Institutes Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 918) – A...

  In commemoration of the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, the Cross River State Representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ), Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD , has reaffirmed his commitment to child welfare , youth empowerment , and grassroots development by hosting hundreds of children from Wards 4 and 5 of Calabar South Local Government Area . The colourful event, held at Amayo Duke School, Egerton, brought together children, parents, community members, and supporters in an atmosphere filled with excitement, entertainment, and goodwill as participants gathered to celebrate the annual event dedicated to the rights, protection, and future of Nigerian children. Hundreds of enthusiastic children, accompanied by their mothers and guardians, participated in the celebration, which featured the distribution of gifts, food items, and financial support to attendees. Speaking during the event, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke emphasized the importance of investing in children, describing t...

  The Cross River State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Orok Duke, has called on members of the All Progressives Congress in Ward 11, Calabar South Local Government Area, to remain united and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Duke made the appeal during a solidarity and appreciation visit to the ward on May 25, 2026, where party faithful reaffirmed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu as APC standard bearers for the 2027 elections. Addressing party members and stakeholders in Calabar, the NDDC board member commended Ward 11 for its dedication and strong performance during the party primaries. He described the ward as a major political force in Calabar South, noting that its numerical strength and influence must be consolidated to ensure victory for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections. Duke urged party faithful to remain loyal to the party and shun an...

  For decades, Cross River State has suffered from a development culture where every administration arrives with its own ideas, abandons existing projects and starts fresh monuments to political identity. The result has been waste, abandoned assets and a state constantly restarting its journey instead of building steadily towards a clear destination.  However, with the Federal Government approving certification and compliance processes for the Bakassi Deep Seaport, Governor Bassey Otu may have finally shown Cross River what real continuity in governance looks like. The significance of the project goes beyond maritime trade. It is symbolic.  Although the project was initiated under the administration of former Governor Ben Ayade, Otu has pursued it with seriousness instead of discarding it simply because it did not originate from his government. That is rare in Cross River politics. Ironically, almost every Governor after Donald Duke campaigned on the mantra of continuity...

  The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving public service delivery through sovereign digital infrastructure , artificial intelligence , and accelerated public service digitalisation at the International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) 2026 in Abuja . The conference brought together Heads of Service from different states and countries, senior government officials, reform experts, and technology stakeholders to discuss the future of governance and digital transformation in Africa, using the Nigerian Public Service as a benchmark. Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack , said the Federal Civil Service was embracing innovation, resilience, and technology-driven reforms to strengthen governance and service delivery. She disclosed that all 38 federal ministries and extra-ministerial departments met the December 2025 deadline to fully digitalise their operations and transition to paperless governance. Accor...

  Professor Francisca Bassey , Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), undertook a strategic engagement visit to Cyprus International University (CIU) in April 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen UNICROSS’s international partnerships and expand opportunities for academic and research collaboration. During the visit, Professor Bassey was received by Professor Dr. Erbug Celebi, President of CIU, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the university’s academic and innovation ecosystem. The presentation highlighted CIU’s history, institutional vision, global standing, multicultural learning environment, and sustainability-driven initiatives.  A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both institutions, formalising a collaborative partnership initiative championed by the UNICROSS Vice Chancellor. Professor Bassey also held high-level discussions with Mr. Mete Boyaci, Chancellor of C...