Detailing News

  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...

  Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Duke, PhD, has called for inter-agency collaboration between government and partners, to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS.  In a message to commemorate the World AIDS Day, Orok expressed deep concerns over what he described as "continuous spread" of the disease, while calling for a stop to the stigmatization of persons those that tested positive.  "Today, I join the government of Nigeria and the global community, to lend my voice to this decades-long pandemic. It is also worrisome to see that with government's efforts to end spread, the prevalent rate is still high. Stigmatization is also high and this is responsible for the continued spread because, infected persons out of fear of stigmatization, rather remain discrete about their status", Orok added.  Findings by UNAID indicates that there are over 1.3 million new infections in 2024. This figur...

  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...