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DR. OROK DUKE REACTS TO ARREST OF MASQUERADE IN UYO, CALLS FOR STRICT ADHERENCE TO MODERN LAW

  The current Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) representative for Cross River State Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke Ph.D today the 3rd Day of December 2025 has reacted to the recent arrest and planned prosecution of Citizen David Effiong—popularly known for appearing as Ekpo Ibibio/Annang—by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, describing the development as a reflection of the ongoing clash between traditional institutions and the modern legal order. According to the report which Dr. Duke cited Effiong was apprehended in Uyo for allegedly causing public disturbance while fully adorned in masquerade regalia. According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, the suspect will be charged to court for violating existing laws relating to public order and masquerade activities. In his commentary, Dr. Duke traced the historical evolution of indigenous governance systems among the Ibibio, Annang, and Efik peoples, noting that traditional institutions such as Ekpo, Ekpe, Ekong, Obon, A...
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Meet Peter Olom Ube: Biochemist, Youth Advocate and Faith-Based Leader Shaping a New Generation

A distinguished scholar, youth leader and community development advocate, Peter Olom Ube continues to stand out as one of Cross River State’s most consistent voices in education, faith-based leadership and social impact. Born in Utugwang in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State. He attended Community primary school Nkirira in Utugwang Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State from 1995 to 2001 where he served as the class monitor throughout and took first position from start to the end of his primary education. His quest for knowledge led him to Model Secondary Commercial School Nkirira Utugwang from 2001 and graduated with flying colours in 2007. While in secondary school he served as the class monitor from JSS 1 to JSS 3, school regulator in SS 1 and senior boys’ prefect in SS 2. In 2003, while in JSS 3 he got an award as the best participating student in science intra competition organized by the Corps members for senior secondary schools in the community.  His...
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Duke Hails Otu’s Statesmanship as Ex-Govs Get Honour

  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...
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WORLDAIDS DAY: C'RIVER NDDC REP RT. HON. OROK DUKE, CALLS FOR COLLABORATION TO CURTAIL SPREAD, STIGMATIZATION

  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...
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Legacy, Leadership, and Unity: How Governor Otu Brought Cross River’s Past Governors Together

  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...
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NDDC Delivers Over 8,000 Lifesaving Medical Interventions in Calabar Free Outreach

  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...
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Barr. Gilbert Agbor Galvanizes Community for Record Voter Registration in Etomi, Support for Gov Otu

  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 ...
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