Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu , Thursday, announced the resumption of bursary payments to Cross River students in tertiary institutions, alongside the introduction of special grants for medical students , in what he described as part of his administration’s renewed commitment to education, human capital development and the future of the state. The governor made the announcement during the State Executive Council meeting held in Calabar , where he addressed members of the Executive Council on the administration’s next phase of governance, political engagement and developmental priorities. Speaking passionately on the need to strengthen investment in young people, Governor Otu declared that no Cross River student should be forced to abandon academic aspirations because of financial hardship, noting that the intervention would mark the return of educational support schemes that had remained dormant for more than a decade. “In line with our commitment to invest in...
Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, Chairman of the Cross River State Table Tennis Association, has raised alarm over the growing trend of athletes leaving the state in search of better opportunities due to poor incentives. Duke said several promising players have either switched allegiance to other states or abandoned the sport entirely because of inadequate welfare and support systems. He noted that while the state has produced top athletes over the years, many are unable to sustain their careers locally due to financial constraints and lack of structured support. “Some of these athletes are lured by offers from other states, only to be abandoned later. It is a disturbing trend that is affecting the growth of sports in the state,” he said. He further lamented that athletes who represent the state and even the country are often not rewarded or promoted, despite existing policies. According to him, the situation has contributed to declining morale among athletes and poses a threat to the future of tab...