C"River Suffers Another Setback as FG Rolls Out New Educational Policy

Ukorebi Esien | August 14, 2025

CALABAR — Hopes for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Odukpani, in Cross River State have been dashed following the Federal Government's decision to place a seven-year ban on the creation of new tertiary institutions across the country.

The policy, announced on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, aims to consolidate and strengthen existing institutions before considering the establishment of new ones. The Federal Government said the decision was necessary to address funding challenges, infrastructure deficits, and quality concerns affecting the nation's tertiary education sector.

This development comes barely a month after the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Odukpani, Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District,  passed its final reading in the National Assembly and was awaiting presidential assent.

Stakeholders in Cross River have described the policy as a major setback for the state, which has been lobbying for more federal presence in its educational sector and beyond. The proposed university was expected to boost technological innovation, create employment opportunities, and attract investments to the state.

Reacting to the news, some education advocates expressed disappointment, urging the Federal Government to consider institutions that have already completed legislative processes before the policy was announced. Others stressed the need for Cross River representatives in the National Assembly to push for an exemption in light of the university's potential socio-economic benefits.

With this decision, Cross River joins other states whose proposed institutions have been caught in the policy freeze, leaving communities and stakeholders in suspense over the fate of long-awaited projects.

Cabinet Reshuffling, As Governor Dissolves Executive Council, Sacks Commissioners

 Ukorebi Esien | September 2, 2025

MINNA – Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has dissolved the Niger State Executive Council, relieving all commissioners of their duties in what he described as a strategic step toward repositioning his administration for greater efficiency.

The announcement was made on Monday, September 1, 2025, during the weekly State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Minna.

While all commissioners were directed to vacate their offices, the governor retained key principal officers, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and a few other aides. He ordered the affected commissioners to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries of their respective ministries, who will now oversee operations pending the appointment of new commissioners.

Governor Bago explained that the shake-up was necessary to inject fresh energy into governance and improve service delivery. He added that a new cabinet will be constituted within the next one to two weeks after a review of performance and needs across ministries.

"This is not about politics; it is about service. We must deliver on our promises to Nigerlites, and for that, I need a team that can match the speed and vision of this administration. Lobbying for positions will not be entertained; appointments will be based strictly on capacity," the governor stated.

The dissolution marks the second major restructuring since Bago assumed office in May 2023. Political observers believe the decision is aimed at consolidating his development agenda while ensuring accountability among political appointees.

INEC Holds Workshop on Electoral Risk Management in Anambra

Ukpa Ewa | August 30, 2025 

AWKA —The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a one-day workshop on Electoral Risk Management (ERM) for electoral officers, media, civil society organizations, security agencies and other stakeholders in Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election. The workshop, held in Awka, was aimed at building a robust ERM stakeholders team for the state and developing risk mitigation strategies for a peaceful electoral environment.

Addressing participants, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the workshop was timely as the state runs up to the election. She explained that INEC is mandated to conduct free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, noting that ERM was introduced after the 2011 post-election violence. According to her, the initiative, developed with the African Union and international community, was domesticated in Nigeria to address local risks such as natural disasters, insecurity and man-made violence. She assured that INEC had identified flashpoints early for adequate security deployment and expressed confidence that the election would be successful and the winner declared.

On her part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said the workshop was designed to train staff and brainstorm on how to ensure the election is credible. She explained that the exercise was also to expose participants to electoral risk factors peculiar to Anambra. She commended security agencies for their continued collaboration with INEC and assured that the training would not be taken for granted.

In their separate remarks, CSP Emeka Chukwuemeka, Head of the Political Desk at the Anambra Police Command, and Mr. Shima Rhodes, Deputy Director of the Department of State  Service in Awka, promised adequate security before, during and after the election. They urged INEC to intensify voter sensitization across the 21 local government areas to reduce voter apathy while commending the Commission for its efforts in strengthening democracy.

In her presentation, Dr. Jennifer Ikechukwu explained electoral risk factors, indicators, and levels, stressing that commitment is key to credible elections in a safe environment. She highlighted internal risks such as poor training of officers and problematic voter registration, and external risks such as violence, assassination, cultism, and armed robbery. She said the ERM tool helps track risks, predict possible threats, and guide informed decisions.

The workshop featured breakout sessions in senatorial districts for identification of risk factors and preventive measures, as well as  question and answer session.

Yiaga Africa Tasks Security Agencies on Credible Anambra Governorship Election

Ukpa Ewa  |  August 30, 2025 

AWKA — Yiaga Africa has urged security agencies to ensure adequate protection of voters and electoral materials ahead of the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election.

Speaking at a roundtable with media, civil society organizations, women and youth groups in Awka, Yiaga Africa's Programme Manager, Cynthia Mbamalu said security of lives and property is critical for citizens to freely exercise their franchise. She warned that vigilante groups must not become a threat to residents, stressing that governors have a constitutional role to support the police to function effectively.

She identified Ihiala, Nnewi and Orumba North as potential hotspots that require special attention and called for better coordination and professionalism among security agencies. Mbamalu also decried vote buying and political thuggery, noting they undermine public trust in elections.

On election monitoring, Yiaga Africa's Head of Knowledge Management and Learning, Safiya Bichi, said the organizations Watching the Vote project will deploy 250 observers with European Union support. She explained that Yiaga Africa will use the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology, a citizen led observation tool that applies statistics and technology to provide real time reports from polling units and verify whether results announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly reflect the votes cast.

In their separate speeches, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chairman Anambra State Council Comrade Emeka Odogwu PhD pledged media partnership in reporting security and election issues, while the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) President, Lady Theresa Nnalue, urged women to turn out and vote and desist from selling their votes.

Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Joins Yakurr Nation to Celebrates 2025 Leboku Festival in Abuja

Ukorebi Esien | September 1, 2025

ABUJA — The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State and Otu Kinwang I of Boki Nation, Hon. Chief Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, was among the dignitaries who joined Cross Riverians in Abuja over the weekend to mark the 2025 Leboku New Yam Festival.

This year's celebration, themed "Kedei Sana Leboku Jana" — Unity and Expansion of Our Cultural Heritage, was held at the Bolton White Event Center, Wuse Zone 7, drawing together a cross-section of cultural enthusiasts, traditional leaders, and friends of the state.

For many in attendance, the festival was not only an opportunity to celebrate the new yam but also to reconnect with the traditions that continue to define Cross River's cultural identity.

Dr. Ironbar, who doubles as Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu and a traditional titleholder, said his participation was a reaffirmation of government's commitment to preserving cultural values while fostering unity among Cross Riverians, particularly those in the diaspora.

"Leboku is more than a festival; it is a unifying symbol that binds us together as a people no matter where we find ourselves," he said, stressing the role of cultural events in strengthening community ties and projecting Cross River's heritage on a national stage.

The Leboku Festival, rooted in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, has grown into one of Nigeria's most recognized cultural events. Its staging in Abuja reflects both the adaptability of tradition and the desire of Cross Riverians outside the state to sustain their heritage.

Observers note that the presence of top government officials like Dr. Ironbar at the Abuja edition adds weight to ongoing efforts to use culture as a tool for unity, identity preservation, and tourism promotion.

Journalists Caution LG Chairmen in Cross River State against Political Rascality

Ukorebi Esien | August 29, 2025

CALABAR – The Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a cautionary message to local government chairmen across the state, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, over rising political tensions and threats of impeachment rocking several councils.

In a communiqué released at the end of its Congress held on August 27 in Calabar, the Union expressed concern over the breakdown of decorum in the local government system, warning that frequent suspensions and impeachment dramas were tarnishing the image of the state.

The NUJ specifically urged council chairmen to adopt inclusive leadership by carrying councillors along in decision-making, stressing that constant clashes between chairmen and legislators undermine grassroots governance.

The caution follows a string of high-profile disputes in the Northern Senatorial District. In Bekwarra Local Government Area, the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie, was impeached by her councillors earlier this year for alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office. Similarly, in Etung LGA, a councillor, Hon. Kingsley Agbor Ekuri, was suspended and later arrested over allegations of insubordination and misconduct.

"These crises not only stall development at the local level but also project Cross River in a bad light before the Nigerian public," the communiqué read in part.

Beyond the local government issues, the NUJ also called on security agencies to be more proactive in tackling insecurity, urged government to curb the excesses of TRAMA officials, and commended Governor Bassey Otu for his ongoing infrastructural projects, particularly the Inyang Edem Street concrete works in Calabar.

The communiqué, signed by Ekone Okpa (Chairman), Julia (Secretary), and Affiong Ndem (Member) of the drafting committee, outlined issues considered critical to the state of the state.

Speaking after the Congress, the NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Achibong Bassey, emphasized the watchdog role of journalists, noting: "It is imperative, as journalists who are seen as the watchdogs of the nation, to remind politically exposed persons of their responsibilities to the people, especially those at the grassroots."

Owan-Enoh Launches MSME Program for Artisans, Rural Traders, Others in Cross River

Ukorebi Esien  | August 29, 2025 

CALABAR — The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan-Enoh, has launched a ₦500 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) intervention program targeted at artisans, rural traders, and entrepreneurs across Cross River State.

Unveiled at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Calabar on Friday, the scheme is designed as a grant, not a loan, to support small business owners in both the formal and informal sectors. Beneficiaries are expected to receive between ₦150,000 and ₦500,000 depending on the scale of their proposals.

According to the Minister, the program will run in four batches with beneficiaries drawn evenly from the state's 18 local government areas, based on the location of their businesses and not their local government of origin.

"Our intention is to build a strong base of entrepreneurs in Cross River. This money is not for paying rent or daily expenses; it is meant to grow small businesses. We are giving grants, not loans, and every naira must be put to good use," Owan-Enoh stressed.

To ensure transparency and sustainability, the scheme will be implemented in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development (MEDA), the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDC). Selected beneficiaries will undergo a one-week entrepreneurship training across the three senatorial districts, followed by a mentorship program linking them with established businesses.

Human rights activist and journalist, Agba Jalingo, who is part of the coordinating team, assured the public of accountability, noting that "not a single naira of the ₦500 million will be diverted."

The intervention program is separate from federal government schemes managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI), SMEDAN, and other agencies. Senator Owan-Enoh described it as his personal contribution to supporting economic growth in Cross River, noting that MSMEs account for over 40 million businesses nationwide and employ about 80 percent of Nigeria's workforce.

He added that artisans such as welders, vulcanizers, mechanics, and small-scale food processors (many of whom lack access to the internet ) would also benefit, as printed forms will be distributed across all local governments to ensure inclusivity.

Jalingo informed that the scheme is a private intervention by the Minister, aimed at seeing how people who have no real active interest in day-to-day politics can be assisted to create an alternative economy in Cross River state in particular. Stating that the programme targets people in the formal and informal sectors of the economy who are truly doing business or want to run small businesses with a total of 500 million Naira up for grabs by 1000 entrepreneurs in four different phases.

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Chairman, Anti-Illegal Mining Committee Urges Government to Create Opportunities for Reformed Youths

Ukorebi Esien | August 23, 2025

CALABAR- The Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee and Taskforce, Hon. Prince Paul Effiong, has urged the government at all levels to design deliberate policies and programmes that provide meaningful opportunities for reformed youths who have abandoned crime.

Hon. Effiong made this appeal during a thanksgiving service at Prayer for All Nations (Prayer City), Calabar, held to mark his 40th birthday and to celebrate the transformation of members of the United Strong Organization Incorporated, a youth coalition he leads.

According to him, hundreds of young people who were once involved in cultism, crime, and other social vices have renounced such lifestyles and are now dedicated to peacebuilding and community service under the platform of United Strong Organization.

"These were once rugged men feared in society, but today they are soldiers for Christ. Government must not neglect them. When reformed youths are given opportunities — through skills acquisition, jobs, and empowerment they will remain on the right path and become agents of positive change," Effiong stressed.

He further noted that the absence of economic opportunities often forces young people back into crime, stressing that investment in youth empowerment is not just social welfare but a strategic approach to sustaining peace and security in the state.

While commending Governor Bassey Edet Otu for fostering a climate of peace and inclusion, Effiong appealed for more government-backed programmes that can absorb reformed youths into mainstream society.

In his message, Rev. Theodore Effiong praised the transformation witnessed among members of the organization, saying their journey from "bad boys to soldiers for Christ" should serve as a model for other communities dealing with youth restiveness.

The thanksgiving event also renewed calls on policymakers, civil society, and faith leaders to work together in creating rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities for ex-cultists and reformed offenders.

Effiong,Urges Synergy Among Industry Leaders to Drive Mining Reforms at Novum Expo 2025

 

Ukorebi Esien | August 25, 2025

CALABAR, – Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee and Taskforce, Paul Effiong, has called for greater synergy among industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to reposition Nigeria's solid minerals sector for sustainable growth and reforms.

Speaking at the NOVUM Expo 2025 on Sustainable Ways of Harnessing the Mineralization of the Lower Benue Trough, Effiong stressed that collaboration is key to attracting investors, curbing illegal mining, and creating opportunities for artisanal miners to transition into the formal sector.

"From our field experience and the lectures we've received here, we will work to attract investors and integrate artisanal miners into the mainstream mining sector rather than driving them away. With synergy and collaboration, we can transform the sector into a hub for growth and reforms," he stated.

Other participants at the Expo, including lawmakers, government officials, and investors, echoed similar concerns about the need for inclusivity, accountability, and host community welfare.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, who led the delegation of lawmakers to the Expo, revealed that several bills are before the Committee, including a proposal to repeal the 2007 Minerals Act and enact the 2023 Minerals Act. He noted that the reforms would strengthen regulation and ensure host communities are not left behind in Nigeria's mineral development drive.

Representatives of the Minister of Mineral Resources  also highlighted government interventions. The Minister's representative disclosed that measures are in place to halt the exportation of raw mineral ores while aggressively promoting local processing, beneficiation, and value chain development.

"This will drive job creation, increase revenue retention, and spur industrialization," the representative said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Effiong Ekarika, warned against neglecting local residents and the environment in the pursuit of GDP growth. He emphasized the constitutional obligation of the state to ensure equal access to livelihood and employment opportunities, citing Sections 42 and 17(3a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

"Nobody should exploit our resources while neglecting our states. Mining development must align with citizens' rights to livelihood and environmental protection," Ekarika noted.

The Novum Expo 2025 brought together policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders, who reached a consensus that Nigeria's solid minerals sector must be developed in ways that protect local livelihoods, promote transparency, and strengthen regulatory frameworks.

Leboku: “Emulate Yakurr’s Spirit”, Otu Urges Other Ethnic Groups in Cross River

Ukorebi Esien | August 23, 2025 

UGEP – Governor Bassey Edet Otu has called on ethnic groups across Cross River State to emulate the Yakurr people's spirit of communal unity and cooperation, describing it as a model for sustainable peace and development.

The governor made the call during the 2025 edition of the Leboku International New Yam Festival, held in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, which attracted dignitaries from within and outside the state, as well as from the diaspora.

This year's celebration was remarkable as it marked the first time in several years that a sitting governor and his spouse: Otu and his wife, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Out, attended the festival. Their presence was greeted with excitement by the Yakurr people, who consider Leboku one of Nigeria's most celebrated cultural events.

Otu who emphasized on the need for fostering community cooperation as the solution for Sustainable Food Security", reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting smallholder farmers through mechanisation, improved seedlings, and farming incentives.

"On the part of the state government, we will not relent in providing tractors, planters, mini-irrigation machines, soft loans, grants, improved seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and other incentives to boost crop yield," he said.

The governor also announced plans to renovate the Yakurr Peace Stadium ahead of the next festival, while urging other ethnic groups in the state to draw lessons from Yakurr's culture of communal harmony.

Earlier, Yakurr LGA Chairman, Hon. Inyang Yibala Igri, pledged to use the festival as a platform for agricultural partnerships and inter-community cooperation. Similarly, the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr Nation, Obol Ofem Ubana, thanked the governor for his presence and for granting Yakurr indigenes representation in government.

Highlights of the festival included the crowning of Mr. and Miss Leboku 2025, presentation of a harvesting truck to the best farmer, and the empowerment of women through initiatives championed by the governor's wife.

With its blend of cultural pride and economic relevance, Leboku continues to reinforce Cross River's image as a hub of heritage, unity, and agro-economic potential.

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