Detailing News

   Banjul, The Gambia,  July 25, 2025 — Emmanuel Onwuka, a Cross River Born journalist and publisher of Parallel News, has won the first prize for online journalism at the inaugural Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Media Excellence Awards. The prestigious event was held in Banjul, The Gambia, as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration of ECOWAS, drawing entries from journalists across West Africa. Onwuka’s entry was commended for its depth, relevance, and impact in promoting accountability, regional development, and digital storytelling in West Africa. Other award categories included television, radio, and print journalism. The ECOWAS Media Excellence Awards were established to celebrate journalists whose work strengthens unity, democracy, and socio-economic growth in the region. Emmanuel Onwuka’s recognition is a proud moment for Nigeria and underscores the rising influence of online journalism in shaping public discourse. Emmanuel Onwuka was born in C...

  The Obom Itiat Ikoneto Clan Council in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State has condemned the detention of one of its sons, Mr. Archibong Essien, describing it as unlawful and unjust. Mr. Essien is currently being held at the Afokang Correctional Facility in Calabar over allegations of making statements capable of inciting native war between the Ikoneto community and its neighbours. In a statement signed by Etubom Asuquo Bassey Etim, the clan said it was shocked by the circumstances surrounding Essien’s detention, maintaining that the community is unaware of any such statements attributed to him. “We categorically state that we are not aware of any such statement made by Mr. Essien. As a law-abiding community, we value peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations with our neighbours,” the statement read. The clan emphasised that Ikoneto has no existing conflict with neighbouring communities, and that residents go about their daily activities peacefully. “We believ...

  Comrade Archibong Bassey of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been re-elected unopposed as Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, at the 2025 Triennial Delegates Conference held in Calabar. The election, conducted on Wednesday at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, saw five other executive members returned unopposed, reaffirming the confidence of the state’s journalism community in their leadership. The new executive is expected to serve a full three-year term, ending in 2028. Joining Bassey in the new leadership are Comrade Sunday Inah as Vice Chairperson, Comrade Michael Abang as Secretary, Comrade Kingsley Agim as Assistant Secretary, Comrade Achiane Adams as Treasurer, and Comrade Benedine Tete Anam as Auditor. The elected officials, drawn from various reputable media establishments and ministries, were ratified following a smooth, transparent process overseen by the union’s electoral committee. The election was superv...

   By Dr. John Egbe As we stand on the frontlines, courageously confronting the surgical giants and monsters that threaten our patients' lives, we humbly implore for divine intervention. We ask for an abundance of grace, wisdom, strength, and good health to sustain us in this noble pursuit. May our selfless devotion and unwavering commitment to healing be recognized and valued. We toil tirelessly, shouldering the weight of a crumbling system, as the stark reality of Nigeria's 1:9,083 doctor-to-patient ratio stares us in the face. The mathematics is brutal, the impact devastating. Our workload is a crushing burden, our remuneration a mere trickle. Yet, we persevere, driven by an unyielding passion for healing and a deep commitment to our patients. We cry out to the powers that be: Hear our plea! Recognize our sacrifices! Let our compensation reflect the depth of our dedication and the breadth of our responsibilities. May our voices echo through the corridors of power, stirring ...

  By Josephine Jesam  The second session of the 12th Synod of the Diocese of Calabar will officially commence on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and run through Sunday, July 20, 2025, with delegates and clergy gathering under the theme “…Image which thou hast set up” —Daniel 3:18 The Rt. Rev. (Prof) Nneoyi Onen Egbe, Bishop of the Diocese of Calabar, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has issued a passionate call to the Federal Government to urgently restore justice, truth, and national values as the only viable path to reclaiming Nigeria from what he described as “institutional decay and national death.” Speaking during a press conference held Monday at St. Jude Anglican Church, Effiong Eke Nta Street, Calabar, to herald the second session of the 12th Synod of the diocese, Bishop Egbe anchored his message on the Synod’s theme: “…Image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:18), calling it a timely reflection of the false systems currently propped up across Nigeria. “The Nigerian na...

  By AMAWU Cletus Albert Amawu. The Cross River State Cooperative Stakeholders Association marked the 2025 International Day of Cooperatives in grand style in Calabar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development. The celebration coincided with the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive grassroots development. The occasion also served as a platform to formally endorse Governor Senator Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu for a second term in 2027. Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Archbishop Professor Margaret Ene-Ita JP, offered a resounding message of hope. “It is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it. Before the next Cooperative Day, you will have received your empowerment,” she declared. She underlined the government’s strategic focus on cooperatives as essential vehicles for inclusive, sustainable econom...

  Dr. Betta Edu has bemoaned the demise of Nigeria's former President, Muhammadu Buhari,  describes him as a just man and  dignity who had the love and admiration of millions of Nigerians. In a condolence message to the Buhari family, which she personally signed, Dr. Edu described the former president's passing as painful, shocking, and a monumental national loss. According to Dr. Edu, "the passing of His Excellency, former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, is a great loss to Nigeria. His shocking and painful  demise has plunged the country into mourning and grief. "His death is a monumental national loss which has brought about deep sorrow and pain not only to his immediate family and close associates, but also to the entire nation" Dr Edu extolled Buhari's sterling virtues while alive and stressed that "he was indeed a symbol of strength and dignity. "He was a very firm and decisive leader!" "President Buhari was a just man; a great leade...

  The Nigerian Senate has passed the bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Odukpani, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The bill was passed during Thursday’s plenary session under the leadership of the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio. It scaled through its third and final reading, signaling strong legislative backing for the long-anticipated institution. Reacting to the development, Senator Ekpenyong expressed profound appreciation to his colleagues for their support.  He stated that, upon presidential assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the bill would bridge a gap of over fifty years in the establishment of a federal university in Cross River State. “This landmark bill will serve as a powerful complement to the bold strides already being taken by the Cross River State Government to broaden access to quality education for our people,” he s...

  As the clock ticks toward the next general election, the political pot in Nigeria is beginning to simmer. Whispers of a grand coalition are swirling through the air, like the Harmattan wind before a storm. The target? None other than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the political juggernaut who rode the crest of the APC wave into Aso Rock in 2023. But now, questions loom like dark clouds on the horizon. Can this patchwork of parties and power players truly shake the foundations of Tinubu’s incumbency? Or is this just another case of too many cooks spoiling the political broth? Tinubu is no stranger to the game. A lion in Lagos and a strategist of no small repute, he knows how to play the long game and win. His web of loyalists stretches across the country, and though his tenure has not been without turmoil, marked by economic hardship and rising insecurity, his grip on power is still firm. To unseat such a seasoned operator would require not just fire, but focus. And here lies the ru...

The two pioneer female chairmen of NUJ, Grace Ike of the FCT chapter; and Archibong Etim Bassey of the Cross River State chapter; are among distinguished Nigerians listed in the 2025 edition of Changemakers: 100 Nigerians Leading Change.  In a statement by the editors, Kammonke Abam and Steve Ogah, the two journalists were listed for their outstanding career, and for breaking the glass ceiling of the leadership of NUJ by emerging the first female chairmen of their respective chapters.  Ike is an unwavering journalist, fervent advocate for inclusive reporting and beacon of professionalism. She has successfully navigated various beats and remains poised to emerge as a prominent voice in the media industry. She is regarded as an authority in legislative reportings with over 10 years of her sixteen years of media practice in the coverage of the House of Representatives. She  is a seasoned correspondent at ADBN TV ( Advocate Broadcasting TV) and served as the first female Chai...

  Governor Bassey Edet Otu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the comprehensive recovery of Cross River State’s public assets, describing the effort as a cornerstone for rebuilding the state’s economic foundation and restoring public confidence in governance. Speaking during the 7th State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Calabar, Governor Otu commended the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, for his “focused and painstaking” approach in reclaiming government-owned properties that had been misappropriated or abandoned. “The recovery of our state assets is well underway,” the governor stated. “Let me extend my deep appreciation to the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, for his resilience and commitment to duty. His work has brought to light several hidden but valuable assets belonging to the state. You don’t need to look far to know who is per...

  RICHARD NDOMA, Calabar  The women and youths of Bendeghe Ekiem community in Etung local government  area in Cross River State have given the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, a 14-day ultimatum to rescind on the planned privatization  of  government-controlled estate or be ready to see the women go necked to dance round the cocoa plantation. The community Women and youths issued the threat during the Friday's  protest organized by the  community youths and women to express their displeasure over the issue. In a separate interview on the issue, Bendeghe Ekiem community women leader Ntunkai Mary Obi, and the women chief, chief Helen Ogar, charged the commissioner to reach out to the leaders of  their community  to dialogue on the issue to enable them know the next line of action on the issue. "Starting from today, We have given 2 weeks ultimatum to the commissioner  for Agriculture, to get back to us after this prot...

  In a strategic move to advance Nigeria’s transition to a paperless civil service and enhance communication across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Galaxy Backbone has launched the 1Government Cloud Academy. This academy is designed to train selected civil servants and public sector stakeholders on key technical tools essential for successful digital transformation. The initiative was highlighted during the 2025 International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja, which had in attendance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, the diplomatic community, industry leaders, and civil servants from across the country. Speaking on a panel session during the event, Mr. Wumi Oghoetuoma, Programme Director of the 1Government Cloud initiative, emphasized the critical role of trust and understanding in the adoption of digital tools. “Many digital solutions have failed not because they were ineffective, but because users didn’t trust or fully under...

  The Special Assistant on Youth Affairs to the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Gifted Nelson, has fired back at Dan Obo Jr., a former State Youth Chairman, over what he described as a “callous and insignificant” statement calling for the Senator’s removal ahead of the 2027 election cycle. In a press statement made available to the media and also published in his Facebook wall, Nelson described Dan Obo’s remarks as lacking substance and driven by misinformation.  He insisted that the Senator’s performance within less than two years in office has proven his capability and commitment to grassroots development, especially when compared to previous representatives who collectively spent 24 years without delivering critical infrastructure or sustainable leadership. “The attempt by Obo to compare the Senator’s two-year accomplishments with that of his predecessors who served for a combined 24 years — yet failed to provide hospitals, youth centers, and o...

  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...

  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...