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  For some, a birthday is simply another milestone. For others, it is an opportunity to reflect on a life of purpose, service and enduring impact. As Rt. Hon. (Chief) Orok Otu Duke, PhD, the Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), celebrates his 65th birthday today, Cross River State honours a distinguished public servant whose contributions have left an indelible mark on governance, literature, culture, sports and regional development. Born on 24 July 1961 in Calabar South, Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke has built a remarkable career defined by an unwavering commitment to public service and the advancement of society. Over the years, he has combined leadership with scholarship, creativity with administration, and public office with community service, earning the admiration of colleagues, associates and citizens alike. His educational journey laid the foundation for a lifetime of excellence. After attending Saint Pa...

Ordinarily, the recent media attacks by Senator Sandy Onor do not deserve a response.  It is difficult to attach political significance to the comments of a man who, as the sitting Senator representing Cross River Central and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election, suffered a comprehensive rejection at the polls by losing his polling unit, ward, local government, senatorial district and ultimately the governorship election.  That emphatic verdict remains the clearest reflection of the people's confidence-or lack thereof-in his leadership. Rather than engaging in relentless criticism, Senator Onor should reflect on the reasons Cross Riverians overwhelmingly entrusted the leadership of the state to Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.  His political caterpillar has long somersaulted from the hills of Etara, and no amount of media rhetoric can alter the democratic verdict freely delivered by the people. It is equally ironic that Senator Onor now seeks to...

  The Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Branch, has suspended the strike action it commenced on May 19, 2026. The decision was reached this afternoon at an emergency Congress of the Union held at the Calabar Campus of the University. The development follows a series of interventions by the Management of UNICROSS and the Cross River State Government .  As part of efforts to resolve the industrial dispute , the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey , led the University's Management team and the leadership of ASUU UNICROSS Branch to a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu . Prior to that engagement, she had also led student leaders to a separate meeting with the Governor.  Both meetings held last week. The suspension of the strike is an outcome of assurances given by the Governor during the meetings. This development reflects the commi...

Fresh controversy has emerged over claims by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Mr Peter Odey, that all disputes surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidacy for Cross River Central Senatorial District have been resolved. In a statement issued on Monday, Odey disclosed that a meeting convened at his residence at the instance of Governor Bassey Otu had settled the disagreement over the party's senatorial ticket and that all pending court cases had been withdrawn. The deputy governor also called on party supporters in the district to rally behind the APC candidate, Hon. Oden Ewa, ahead of the forthcoming election. However,  an authoritative sources close to the reconciliation process have dismissed the claims, insisting that discussions are still at an early stage and that the legal battle involving Senator Eteng Jonah Williams remains before the court. The sources maintained that the peace initiative merely resulted in an initial meeting between the pa...

  This may come as a shock to some people, but I have said it repeatedly that Governor Bassey Otu is likely to win Biase Local Government Area based on his goodwill, performance likewise ongoing projects and not because of the strength of the political structure in the LGA. The Governor enjoys considerable public goodwill, and that, in my opinion, remains his greatest political asset in Biase. However, I do not believe the journey to victory will be as smooth as it could have been if the party structure was more united. Unfortunately, many of the APC leaders in Biase appear to spend more time fighting both opponents and fellow party members than building a cohesive political family.  The division between those perceived to be in the “Governor’s camp” and those outside it continues to deepen, despite His Excellency’s repeated emphasis on the People First Agenda. To my knowledge Biase is one of the few local governments where there has been little visible effort to reconcile par...

  Spain are the champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging defending champions Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final. An extra-time strike from Ferran Torres proved decisive as La Roja held off Lionel Messi’s side to lift the World Cup trophy for the second time in their history, 16 years after their maiden triumph at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

  By Missang AKPET The Commissioner representing Cross River State at the Niger Delta Development Commission , Rt. Hon. Orok Duke , has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to women, describing them as the foundation of life and societal strength. Duke who stated this on Thursday in Calabar while declaring open the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organized by the Cross River State office of NDDC said the need to support Women rights cannot be overemphasized. Duke who was represented by his Special Assistant Administration Barr. Ita Bassey Duke hinted that the commission cherishes women while referring to them as the foundations of life. “For us in NDDC, we usually take a day out once in a year to celebrate women. We want to say that at different times, whenever women are given the opportunity they show that they are laced with strength and character.” "Citing example with women like Emmanuela Teguhu, Okonjo Iweala , Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche , Dame Patience Jonathan ...