Detailing News

   An assessment of Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams antecedents in the State Legislature from his first term to date show’s a steady and sustained support to implementation of Government policies/programmes through Law making.   For the records, he has sponsored 9 Bills, Co-sponsored 25 other Bills, 4 Motion and presented more than 25 Committee reports on the House floor.   An example of a Bill he sponsored that was a direct response to a social malaise is the Cross River State Homeland Safety and Security Agency Law 2016.   You will recall that Cross River State like all other States in the country was faced with serious security challenges in 2016.  There was high rate of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and unexplained disappearances.  And in view of the fact that the primary purpose of Government is the security and welfare of the people (as provided in Section 14(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams had to come out w

Malaria, one of the world's leading causes of death in sub-saharan Africa has remained a nightmare across states in Nigeria especially in rural Communities  due to limited  or poor accessibility  of Citizens to  preventive measure such as insecticide treated nets as well as curative measures like Anti-malaria tablets and testing kits. On ways of harmonizing approaches to minimize malaria related deaths, the Cross River State Government through the state Malaria elimination program and the United States Aids for International Development (USAID) have met to bridge communication gaps, commodity distribution and accurate data collection across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state. Dr Uwem Inyang, a senior Malaria Specialist with USAID during a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong highlighted some factors which have hindered optimized service delivery in the state as he further proposes measures

  Cross River State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong on Saturday, attended a school health orientation program at the Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, to mark the World Menstrual Hygiene Day which holds May 28 annually to bring awareness to the myths and facts surrounding the menstrual cycle. Dr Asibong who attended the annual hygiene program at the instance of the Coordinator, Dr Ita-Lincoln Freedman said the school orientation exercise was to provide basic knowledge on menstrual hygiene to the teens. According to the Commissioner, there is a need for routine education of the young girls to boost their confidence about menstrual health and hygiene, build their minds against the myths and stigma regarding menstrual cycle, grow their knowledge on rational thinking, as well as develop the interest of the girl child on factors that directly affect them. The engagement also featured a question and answer interactive parley with the

Bearly two (2) Months in office, the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Betta Edu has achieve great feat in the women wing of the party, she congratulates all Female Flag bearers flagging the party ticket on their emergence as winners of the just concluded Governorship, State/ Federal House of Assembly and the Senate primaries election held on 26th – 27th May, 2022. She expressed her overwhelming joy and thanks to God Almighty through her correspondence as results triggered in with good representation of Female Candidates emergence. She also extends her gratitude to wife of the President Dr. Aisha Buhari for her relentless effort in leading the push and mainstreaming women into politics and governance as she thanked the past leaders of the women wing noting that their efforts had not been in vain. In her word she reiterate: “What a way to celebrate two months in office as National Women Leader… this Joy is plenty ohhhhh… God we thank you! Our mother Dr Aish

First, gratitude to God Almighty for victory and the successful conduct of the primary election and the safety of all our members, including officials of all agencies, (the supervision team of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, all Security Agencies and the Media) who took part in the process. The victory is not for Cyril Omini alone. It is a victory for the rule of law, for democracy, and for the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It's a victory for everyone who played a part in making it possible; to the members of the party who nominated Cyril, the delegates, all constituents, the leadership of the party in Yakurr and that of the State Exco of the APC under the chairmanship of Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, we say thank you. Nonpareil gratitude to my own ebullient, amiable, Industrious, Illustrious and Most Digital Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator, Prof. Ben Ayade, for his passion and drive towards youth inclusiveness in governance and

  Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries, Bisong, Peter Sunday and Iwara, Iwara Innocent. The appointments, which was signed by the Head of Service, takes immediate effect.

  The University of Calabar in Collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU) is jointly hosting a 3-day workshop in Calabar on Quality Assurance and Online Teaching. The workshop drew participants from some African countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and others, while lecturers from over 20 federal and state universities in Nigeria were also in attendance. Speaking, Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, said that UNICAL was pleased to host the workshop for the very first time in the 47 year of the university’s existence. Prof. Obi said that the theme of the workshop,  “Quality Assurance in Higher and Tertiary Education: Online Teaching and Learning in the Post Covid-19 Era in the University of Calabar” was apt. She noted that the workshop was coming at a time where UNICAL was making efforts to adopt the dual mode of teaching and working assiduously with a view to stabilize her quality assurance directorate. “This training workshop off

  A prominent serving Commissioner in Governor Ayade's administration has been alledgedly accused of land grabbing in Ekorinim area of Calabar Municipality Area of Cross River State. The involvement of the Commissioner is a clear negation of Governor Ayade's  government that has the peaceful coexistence of both indigenes and non-indigenes alike as a core policy of his administration. Investigations by our Correspondent revealed that the accused Commissioner who shares office with the Ministry of Information and Orientation, opposite Cultural Center Complex, Calabar, may have been abusing the privileges of his office and dragging the cherished image of the government and good people of Cross River State to the mud. Documents made available to our reporter show that Mr. Mande Dangiwa, a Senior officer with the Nigerian Ports Authority (retired) and an indigene of Kaduna South had purchased a piece of land from one Mr. Edet Nyong (Ausciano Resources) in December 2021, with traceab

As the Consultations of Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams on Sunday gained momentum, Obubra, Abi, and Yakurr Chapter Chairmen, wards Chairmen and Secretaries said nothing interests them more than the emergence of a good man Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams as the party's flag bearer for the Central Senatorial Race. In a meeting with the Speaker, at their various local government areas, informed the Speaker that their decisions to adopt him are in the interest of the people and the party. At Obubra, Chapter Chairman noted that Williams has invested in the state and party, it is time for a reward. On the part of the Local Government Chairman of Yakurr, Hon. Ofem Ebri Obeten prayed to God to grant Mr. Speaker success at the primary and put it on record that Williams made him Chairman and Yakurr had decided to follow Mr. Speaker and support his Aspirations. The Chairman of Abi, Hon. Robinson on his side said that Abi is the second home of Mr. Speaker and we have agreed to support and vote for

  The Peter Obi Candidacy Movement, Cross River State Chapter, at the weekend, staged a rally to garner support for the frontline Presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi in the ancient City of Calabar. Speaking at the event, the Cross River State Coordinator for the Peter Obi Candidacy Movement, Dr (Mrs.) Hannah Etta said "we are here today to have a one million man march for Mr. Peter Obi, to sensitized Nigerians and most especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delegates that he is the best choice for the country at this time. "Presently, Nigeria as a country needs rehabilitation and is only a man of Peter Obi’s ilk can salvage our country." Dr. Hannah pointed out that "this is not only happening in Cross River State. It is simultaneously going on in the 36 States of Nigeria and our expectations at the end of the day is that the PDP Delegates will choose him as the most preferred candidate to be the party flag bearer.&quo

  The councilors representing the Central Senatorial District have commended members of the Cross River State House of Assembly for their massive support for the senatorial aspirations of the Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams. Speaking on behalf of the Councillors, Hon. George Ajangson noted that the overwhelming support of the Assembly members both past and present shows that there is something Williams is doing right and he's living up to the expectations of his colleagues. Ajangson added that Williams would bring his wealth of experience as Speaker to bear if elected as Senator representing Central Senatorial District in the red chamber. Lawmakers went further to explain that councilors in Central are making a valid statement and the statement is that we are supporting our own, the number one legislator in the state, the press should carry it, that we are solidly behind Williams, senatorial ambition.  Also, a Member representing the excellent people of Etung, Ho

  Fresh from being cleared to contest the forthcoming All Progressives Congress primary election scheduled for 27th May in Wanokom, North Ukelle, Yala Local Government Area. Chief Asegem Emmanuel who had garnered a commanding lead as  the most preferred aspirant for Yala 11 State Constituency in the party raked up another massive boost to his aspiration in a meeting with ward executives across Ukelle to intimate them of his plans if given the ticket and eventually elected as member of the Cross River State House of Assembly. In a meeting held yesterday in Ukelle, the Director General of Asegem Campaign Organization,Hon Sam Okuzi,while welcoming them highlighted that the task before every ward executive is to put Ukelle forward having seen that Ukelle is still lagging behind in terms of acceptable indices of development. Okuzi opined that the successful screening and clearance of Chief Asegem by All Progressives Congress to contest the primary election lays to rest every rumour of any c

  The Cross River State Anti Kidnapping Law was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of  Cross River House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey. It was passed into Law, assented to and Gazzeted in 2018. In 2018, Cross River witnessed the worst case of gun violence, cultism and kidnapping in the state. Stakeholders mapping showed that the neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Benue who had witnessed similar cases reacted proactively by domesticating a template for an Anti Kidnapping Law.  Against all odds, the Deputy Speaker sponsored the bill on Anti kidnapping with a view to empower the state and its institutions with enormous legal backing to fight the scourge of kidnapping that was going on almost on a daily basis in the state. The Law was sponsored, argued and passed into law with four implementation frameworks: A. The prosecution of offenders without bail under a strict liability offence scenario and protection for witnesses and volunteers of information. B. Forfeiture and demoli

  In the era where people are advocating for political inclusion both at the national and local level, and in a situation where elective officers are bound to deliver on their mandate, it then behooves on the delegates and in extension the populace to choose men and women of proven integrity to mount the saddles of leadership as 2023 beckons. To align totally with political pundits and in support of the concept of zoning and rotation of political office, justice, fairness and equity have micro-zoned the Central Senatorial District seat to Old Obubra after 24 years of the seat rotating in the Old Ikom axis of the Senatorial district.  Looking at the Cross River Central Senatorial District Seat in view of the above, the aspiration of Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams, a credible son of Yakurr Local Government Area and currently the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, comes to mind as the right man for the job.  For the benefit of those who only know Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams

I offered myself for service, to run for Governor of our great state, from a deep conviction that I can make a difference. I may have the credibility and capacity, but my aspiration is far greater than I.  I was seen as a torch bearer for youths in governance. The youths no longer want to be “leaders of tomorrow”, but those of today! We want to be given an opportunity to serve. We have all borne witness to the expressions of growing youth discontent over the recent years. Young people want to be taken seriously. We are the life blood of the nation. We make up more than half of the country’s population. Cross River state is not different.  The aspiration for elective office is not one to be taken lightly. For the past 7 years, I have had the grace and opportunity to be of service to our dear state. This has given me the rare privilege of understanding the development needs of our state. In the last few weeks, I have consulted various stakeholders and toured all the 18 LGAs of the state.

The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr Janet Ekpenyong has debunked reports of active cases of monkey pox in the state as reported by some online media platforms. The DG who spoke on a telephone interview said, so far , there is no active case of Monkey Pox in any of  the 18 Local Government Areas of the state , noting that, the state government is held headstrong to the detection and management of related cases noting that  a well constituted health awareness and sensitization team as well as rapid surveillance team is on ground to savage any pandemic. She urged residents in the state not to panic for any reason noting that, the health authority in the state is strongly working on preventive medical approach while advising residents to comply with medical advises given to them by the health team. "Cross River State have always been a state with proactive approaches to outbreak responses, from the onset, we try to activate immediate

The French political philosopher, Montesquieu, once said: "The tyranny of a prince is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy." Montesquieu’s premise has become more important given the political situation building up to 2023, where the masses will elect leaders to represent them in different political positions. For the sake of particularism, may I limit my scope to just the Boki II State Constituency, where aspirants are increasingly joining the political ballroom to jostle for who represents the constituency in the State legislature. Interestingly, one name that rings a bell is that of Comrade Victor Ofum Agbor. Comrade Victor Ofum Agbor, whose life of service to the people of Boki and the State at large has drawn eloquent plaudits from even his opponents; his decision to join the fray, which is a humble response to the hue and cry of the people of Boki II, comes with a glimmer of redemption and an inkling of imminent positive impac

  By Blessing Enagu  The World Bank through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) has provided Cassava Processing Mill to 3 Pilot communities in Cross River State as part of livelihood initiatives of the Nigeria Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation ( REDD+) programme. The Communities which are Esuk Mba in Akpabuyo, Agoi Ekpo in Yakurr and Buanchor in Boki Local Government Areas of the State, representing the Mangrove, Ekuri and Afi/Mbe pilot sites, have over the years, laid strong foundation in sustainable Forest Management and have supported as well as participated in the REDD+ Programme from inception. Commissioning the Cassava Processing Mill in Esuk Mba community, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, the World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr. Fisseha Tessema maintained that the essence of the initiative was to encourage forests conservation as the project will reduce pressure on the forests which is not only benefitting the forests bearing

  Like the rolling waves of the sea, Comrade Victor Ofum Agbor’s aspiration to the Boki II State Constituency legislative seat has continued to gain impetus. Just yesterday, the emerging political force, Comrade Comrade Victor Ofum Agbor made a massive statement of intent by purchasing the All Progressives Congress Interest and Nomination Forms for the House of Assembly seat, to the chagrin of doubters and naysayers.  The young and vibrant aspirant has continued to garner stakeholders support as ostentatiously exhibited in his consultative meetings across the constituency and beyond. When he eventually prevails in his bid to be a lawmaker, as deservingly should, Comrade Victor Ofum Agbor will be in the hallowed chambers like the hidden daisies among roses and the stars which break at dawn. He is replete with the requisite wherewithal for the job (as the people-acclaimed grassrooter and loyal party man), whose track record of service to his constituency, the Boki nation, nay Cross River

  Over the excitements that greeted the media space With the announcement of the engagements of 60 nurses to man major Primary Healthcare facilities in the state for optimal results, the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has again  begun the training of Community  Health Influencers Promoters and Services (CHIPS) Programme to  enhance demand  and equitable distribution of health services and personnel who will strengthen health facility linkage in the state. With Cross River State being the first state to implement this program with the aim  to boost quality  and reliable Universally accepted procedures and quality health care provision for all in the State, will require the training of volunteers workers in communities to influence community members on health facilities utilization and build trust in the health sector and "village health concept" especially in rural Communities. Di

  The aspiration of Ambassador Emmanuel Asegem to fly All Progressives Congress flag in 2023 got a massive boost yesterday following an endorsement by critical stakeholders of the party drawn from the six wards of Ukelle. This came on the heels of  purchase of APC expression of intent and nomination form yesterday at the party's secretariat in Calabar.  Presenting the intent and nomination form to the stakeholders comprising caucus members of the party in the mould of Hon Daniel Ugbama and Hon Ogana Lukpata who represented Ukelle at the Cross River State House of Assembly.Others at the meeting convened in Calabar included Hon Dennis Egere, Chief Dr Igelle Ekpe, Pastor Paul Usang and several youths. The rave of the moment, Ambassador Asegem Emmanuel, reiterated his poise as the ideal messenger Ukelle needs in times like this just as he maintained that INEC innovation during the by-election has placed the people as key deciders during election.  Expressing overwhelming confidence in

  By Anthony Ofem When a man's way is just and pleases God, his hour comes seamlessly and nothing abbreviates his ascendency. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr's finest hour is here. The immediate past Cross River state Commissioner for Finance stands out in the galaxy of governorship hopefuls angling to succeed His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade come next year. Ekpenyong and millions of Cross Riverians rooting for his governorship embody the American Author, Warren Bennis' timeless  treatise on leadership and followership: "Followers who tell the truth, and leaders who listen to it, are an unbeatable combination" Suave, soft-spoken and cerebral, Ekpenyong possesses a calm mien and has a lovable personality with an electrifying presence. He rises above the fray to stamp competency and accomplishment in the position he had held. Ekpenyong's rich academic resume and uncanny leadership experience make him the knight in the shining armour for Cross Riverians. The most prepare

   Jesam Ofem (Trinity) Former Assistant Chief Meteorologist, Mr.Eno Ikwen on Wednesday formally declared his intention to represent the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.  Ikwen assured his constituents of quality and effective representation if elected to represent Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. He declared his intention before APC leaders and members, women, stakeholders, friends, and associates, who attended his declaration at the Chinese restaurant State Housing, Calabar. Addressing the people, Ikwen said the 6-point manifesto anchor on skill building, peace building, rural electricity, education, cross river dreams, and purposeful leadership. He stressed that he is propelled by the overwhelming conviction that our dear country deserved a re-oriented and more focused representation at the National Assembly and leadership at all levels, in terms of stronger institutions to secure the country, create

Cross River State APC gubernatorial hopeful, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong on Monday disclosed that his intention of having a united and strong party is sacrosanct.  Ekpenyong stated this while addressing Legacy Members of All Progressives Congress (APC) during a breakfast meeting in Calabar . He also used the opportunity to Consult them for his gubernatorial ambition under the platform of the APC. “What transpired between party members during the Ward, Chapter and State Congresses was purely internal party wrangling which our Leader, His Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade in his magnanimity resolved the issues and assured foundation members of the Party of a place in his government, and this was immediately translated to the recent appointments both in the State and the Federal level. “I'm assuring you that my intention of a united and strong party is still on. I will ensure that the effort of His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade in uniting this party as one indispensable family is sustain