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Celebrating Transformational Leadership: Professor Francisca Bassey at UNICROSS

Today marks the birthday of Professor Francisca Bassey, the dynamic and amiable Vice Chancellor of University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), whose tenure has been defined by purposeful reforms, infrastructural renewal and people-centered leadership. Appointed Acting Vice Chancellor in January 2025 by the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and confirmed as substantive Vice Chancellor on July 17, 2025, Professor Bassey has, within a relatively short period, repositioned UNICROSS for excellence.  One of the most impactful milestones under her leadership is the approval and implementation of the new minimum wage for staff of the institution by the Cross River State Government. This development has significantly boosted morale and productivity across the university community. In addition, her administration moved swiftly to address longstanding academic and administrative challenges.  For instance, the creation of a Directorate of Exams a...
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Joint National Assembly Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission Inspects NDDC Road Projects in Cross River State

  Yesterday, 13th April 2026, a joint delegation of the National Assembly Committees on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from both the Senate and the House of Representatives undertook an oversight visit to key NDDC projects in Cross River state, including the reconstruction of Odukpani Junction–Okom Ita–Uyanga–Ehom road. The inspection team, led by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and his House counterpart, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, alongside the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Executive Director Projects, Victor Antai assessed the quality and impact of the emergency reconstruction project and also debriefed the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu describing it as a critical intervention for rural connectivity and economic development in the region. Receiving the delegation at Government House, the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, expressed appreciation for the...

Nigeria’s UN Envoy, Jimoh Ibrahim, to Deliver Harvard University Keynote On Nation’s Future

  Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, will deliver a keynote address at Harvard University,barely days after assuming office at the UN Headquarters in New York. Ibrahim, who resumed last Friday as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, received the invitation from Harvard, his alma mater. In accepting the invitation, Ambassador Ibrahim said the engagement reflects growing global interest in Nigeria’s reform agenda.  He noted that the forum would provide an opportunity to present key aspects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope strategy, particularly its focus on sustainable development and institutional reforms and long term economic transformation. The keynote will be delivered at the 10th anniversary conference of the Ife Institute of Advanced Studies on June 4, 2026, at the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall. The conference, themed “Building Lasting Institutions: Faith, Scholarship, and the African P...
  The Cross River State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke, has sent a warm and hearty congratulatory message to the First Lady of Cross River State, Her Excellency, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, on the occasion of her birthday. In a statement on Friday, Duke described the First Lady as a "pillar of support, a beacon of hope, and a mother to the state," whose life has been dedicated to the service of humanity and the spiritual upliftment of the people. The NDDC Rep lauded the First Lady’s numerous humanitarian initiatives, particularly her "People First" social welfare programmes which have reached the vulnerable, the aged, and the less privileged across the eighteen local government areas of the state. He noted that her compassion and grace have significantly complemented the developmental strides of the Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu. "On behalf of my family and...

Bishop Eyoawan Otu @62: A Tribute to a First Lady with Purpose

  In a political climate where ceremonial roles often overshadow substance, the emergence of Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu as a force for tangible social change in Cross River State stands out as both refreshing and consequential. As she marks her birthday today, it is fitting to reflect not just on the passage of time, but on the depth of impact she has made since assuming the role of First Lady in 2023 alongside her husband, Governor Bassey Otu. From the outset, Bishop Otu has redefined the expectations of her office. Rather than settling into the comfort of ceremonial appearances, she has embraced a hands-on approach to governance support, particularly in the area of women’s empowerment. Across the state, her initiatives have consistently targeted economic inclusion, skill acquisition, and financial independence for women. What distinguishes her efforts is not merely their scale, but their consistency; empowerment programmes under her watch have become a near-monthly intervention, t...

Otu Signs Four Strategic Bills to Transform Health, Environment, Education in Cross River

  Governor Bassey Otu has signed four transformative bills into law, in a major push to reposition the health and education sectors while improving sanitation and overall quality of life in Cross River State. The Governor, who described the development as a critical milestone in his administration’s reform agenda, said the laws were carefully designed to respond to the immediate needs of the people, with particular emphasis on strengthening the health system. “Anything about health is not a joke. These bills will help our people because they ensure we have the right resources and options available to us,” Otu said during the signing ceremony held on Wednesday at governor’s office in Calabar. He also praised the Cross River State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Elvert Ayambem, for its thorough legislative work and constructive debates, noting that the synergy between both arms of government has continued to yield people-oriented policies. “I’ve checked the responses and reactions....

Senator Eteng Jonah Williams Remains a Dependable Choice—Yesterday, Today, and for the Future, as Primaries Approach

As political activities intensify ahead of the forthcoming party primaries, stakeholders and constituents across Cross River Central Senatorial District are once again faced with a defining decision, one that will shape the direction of representation and development in the years ahead. In moments like this, the focus naturally shifts from promises to performance, from rhetoric to results. It is within this context that the leadership of Eteng Jonah Williams continues to resonate strongly. Senator Williams’ political journey has been marked by consistency, resilience, and a commitment to public service. From his impactful tenure in the Cross River State House of Assembly, where he rose through the ranks to become Speaker—to his current role in the National Assembly, he has built a reputation as a leader who understands governance not merely as a position of authority, but as a platform for service. Yesterday, his contributions were bold and foundational. As a legislator at the state le...