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Tag: Cross River

  • “We need to know what caused the death” – Police on man shot at Gov. Otu’s residence

    “We need to know what caused the death” – Police on man shot at Gov. Otu’s residence

    The Police in Cross River says autopsy will be conducted on the remains of the late Moses Mba, a 22-year old man recently shot by a policeman attached to the residence of Gov. Bassey Otu.

    The Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, made the disclosure in an interview NAN in Calabar on Saturday.

    Afegbua said that the autopsy was to ascertain the cause of the death, saying, “yes, shooting may be involved, but we need to know what caused the death”

    “We have concluded plans to carry out an autopsy, we need to ascertain if he really died of gun shot injury. The outcome will be made public,” he stated.

    It would be recalled that Mba was reportedly shot in the leg on Aug. 1, by a policeman attached to Otu’s residence.

    Speaking to newsmen, the deceased’s mother, Mrs Victoria Mba said that her son was short when he visited the governor’s residence and insisted to see him.

    She said that her son died on Aug. 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital, Calabar following the injuries he sustained from the gun shot.

    “He was beaten, shot, and left on his own right in front of the governor’s residence. It was an official of the Red Cross Society that rushed him to the hospital.

    “Before his death, he told me and my husband that he only requested to see the governor, and that he had a message for him from God.

    “We are calling for justice to be done, nobody has the right to take the life of another person, so justice should be done on this matter,” she said.

    In his reaction, The Commissioner for information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, said that the late Mba not mentally balanced.

    “Let it be also known that the place the boy visited is not the governor’s current residence,” he said.

  • Congress: PDP faction in C’River dares Wike

    Congress: PDP faction in C’River dares Wike

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River says the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, will not produce the next state chairman of the party.

    NAN reports that this is the position of the Cross River South Senatorial District of the party following its caucus meeting in Calabar on Wednesday.

    According to Mr Asuquo Ekpo, state’s vice chairman of the PDP, the meeting was convened to deliberate on urgent and important political developments affecting both the senatorial district and the state at large.

    In a communique signed by Ekpo, the party condemned the resolution of the meeting of the faction loyal to Wike held in Abuja, which called for the extension of the tenure of the incumbent chairman of the party in the state.

    He noted that the Venatius Ikem’s led leadership of the state executive was riddled with conflict and divisive tendencies.

    He reaffirmed the caucus commitment to ensure an all-inclusive and rancour-free state congress scheduled for Sept. 27.

    According to him, in line with the national template and resolution of the Cross River special stakeholders meeting, the caucus adopts the existing state party offices allocated to the southern senatorial district

    “The caucus resolved to present a united and formidable front at the forthcoming state congress and recalled the unfortunate experiences of 2023 when the party lost in the South.

    “Consequently, the caucus directed all local government areas in the district to consult widely and put forward their most competent representatives for the Sept. 27 congress.

    “The caucus further reaffirmed its commitment to engage with different local government areas, with a view to accommodating or realigning the zoning as the circumstances may require.”

    He added that the caucus commended the National Woman Leader, Mrs Amina Bryhm, for her bold and decisive steps to ensure stability of the PDP in the state.

    The PDP in Cross River is factioned along the Wike led group and that of the former Vice President, Alh. Abubakar Atiku, who has since defected to the ADC.

  • Over 900,000 children in Cross River to benefit from deworming drive

    Over 900,000 children in Cross River to benefit from deworming drive

    Evidence Action, a global health organization, has launched a campaign to deworm over 900,000 school-aged children in Cross River State to help improve their health and school performance.

    This was disclosed over the weekend by the group’s Senior Program Manager for South South, Toochi Ohaji, during a media parley at the NUJ Press Centre in Calabar.

    According to Ohaji, the organization plans to reach 912,854 children across 14 selected local government areas (LGAs) in the state as part of its 2025 program. This follows the successful treatment of 847,455 children in 2024.

    “We are committed to supporting the state government in scaling up access to safe, school-based deworming treatments,” Ohaji said. “Our focus is on ensuring that children are healthy and able to attend school without the burden of intestinal worm infections.”

    Worm infections, which thrive in areas with poor sanitation, can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and delayed mental development in children. They also contribute to high rates of absenteeism in schools and long-term economic disadvantages.

    Evidence Action emphasized that its approach training teachers and health workers to administer deworming tablets in schools is a low-cost, high-impact solution that reaches the most vulnerable age group.

    He said In Nigeria, the organization has worked with federal and state governments since 2016, helping to deliver treatments to over 42 million children across states such as Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Rivers, and Cross River.

    The 14 LGAs where the campaign will take place are: Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Bekwarra, Biase, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Etung, Obanliku, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr, and Yala.

    Evidence Action is also working with state officials to strengthen logistics, training, community mobilization, and program monitoring.

    He said the initiative aligns with global and national targets to eliminate soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis as public health threats.

    Ohaji further called on the media to play a key role in educating the public, countering harmful myths, and promoting community acceptance of the program. He stressed the safety and effectiveness of the deworming medicines used.

  • APC grants Cross River gov, Otu automatic 2027 ticket

    APC grants Cross River gov, Otu automatic 2027 ticket

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 General Election.

    Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.

    Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.

    He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.

    “The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.

    He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”

    He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.

    “We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.

    He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.

    Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.

    He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis.

  • C’River Assembly invites commissioner over alleged illegal levies

    C’River Assembly invites commissioner over alleged illegal levies

    The Cross River House of Assembly, has invited the state Commissioner for Environment over alleged illegal levies imposed on truck drivers.

    The house took the decision following a complaint made during the house session on Monday by Mr Okon Owuna, the member representing Akamkpa I in the assembly.

    Owuna said that the levy tagged: “Cross River Evacuation Permit” was imposed by the Ministry of Environment on trucks hauling granite from quarries in Akamkpa.

    The lawmaker said that the levy was illegal, and not approved by the Cross River Internal Revenue Service.

    “This levy is not also backed by the state Revenue Administration Law passed by the State Assembly,” he said.

    He further said that the collection of the illegal levies had caused serious hardship on truck drivers as well as business owners in the area.

    “This has led to the withdrawal of their trucks to quarries in neighbouring states, this trend should be stopped to preserve the good image of the state.

    “If this trend is not checked, it is capable of destroying the hard earned reputation and good image that Gov. Bassey Otu has built for the state,” he said.

    Other lawmakers who spoke on the matter described the imposition of illegal levies by the ministry as double taxation.

    The Speaker, Mr Elvert Ayambem condemned the act and said that the Commissioner of Environmental and Chairman of Internal Revenue Service should appear before the house.

    Ayambem said the invitation of the two government officials would enable the house adequately understand the issue and proffer lasting solutions.

  • C’River Govt. revokes Obudu cattle ranch concession

    C’River Govt. revokes Obudu cattle ranch concession

    Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, has revoked the concession agreement granted to CIBA Construction Company Limited, for the management of the Obudu Cattle Ranch.

    The termination was communicated through a letter signed by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ededem Ani.

    The letter cited by NAN detailed CIBA’s material breaches and justified the state’s decision.

    According to Ededem, the company neglected key development obligations, particularly those outlined in Sections 5.0, 6.0, and 14.0(b) of the agreement.

    ”These violations include the failure to invest in the renovation of the resort’s hotel and other essential components.

    “In spite of multiple breaches, CIBA continued to fall short, prompting the Cross River Government to terminate the agreement with immediate effect,” he said.

    In revoking the concession, the governor directed the Special Adviser and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Obudu Ranch Resort, Mr Sunday Michael, alongside other key stakeholders, to implement measures to revamp the facility.

    Michael, who also confirmed the termination of the 25-year agreement which the state entered into with CIBA in 2017, attributed the company’s failure to fulfilling its contractual obligations to the reason for the development.

    The concession, granted during the administration of Sen. Ben Ayade, tasked CIBA with designing, financing, building, operating, maintaining, and ultimately transforming the ranch under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

    The Obudu Cattle Ranch, also known as Obudu Mountain Resort, was developed in 1951 by a Scottish rancher named M. McCaughley.

    The Ranch was, however, remodeled and made a tourist attraction by the Donald Duke led administration between 1999 and 2007.

    The Ranch was one Duke’s numerous iconic tourism projects in Cross River.

    He fixed the twining road network all the way to the hilltop, built stunning chalets and aerial tramways (cable cars), and generally upgraded its infrastructures.

    However, successive administration in the state failed to build on Duke’s legacy and subsequently led to a huge decline in terms of patronage and admist deteriorated facilities.

  • C’River moves to restructure Calabar Carnival after 20 years

    C’River moves to restructure Calabar Carnival after 20 years

    The Cross River Government has put plans in motion to restructure the annual Calabar Carnival after 20 years of existence.

    Nsa Gill, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said this in a statement to newsmen in Calabar on Sunday.

    He said that the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government had setup a 13-member carnival review committee headed by Chief Edem Duke, a former Minister of Culture.

    Gill said that the review committee had a 10-point terms of reference, and that its report would be delivered within two weeks.

    According to him, the essence of the review is to improve the standard of the carnival, and to align it with global trends in tourism product development and repackaging.

    “The review is aimed at restructuring the carnival, which showcases one of the world’s finest display of arts, culture, and tradition.

    “The committee is also to review the past 20 years of the carnival in order to identify the high points and the low points.

    “The committee is to identify the success factors of the last 20 years, restructure the bands as a creative entity, and explore organic ways of improving the carnival,” the statement read in parts.

    The governor’s aide further said that the committee would advise the government on how to improve regulations and the organisation of the event to align with world best practices.

    “Another task of the committee is to harness marketing opportunities in order to improve funding, and to give the event its deserved international visibility.

    It would be recalled that the Calabar Carnival was initiated in 2005 by the administration of Donald Duke, a  former governor of the state.

  • Otu highlights Cross River’s deficits

    Otu highlights Cross River’s deficits

    Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River stated on Tuesday that the state faces deficits in nearly all sectors.

    He made the remark while hosting alumni from Mary Knoll College, Okuku, in Yala Local Government Area.

    Otu acknowledged the state’s potential in agriculture, tourism, and the marine economy.

    He assured citizens that steps were being taken to harness these advantages for sustainable growth.

    “The state is in deficit in areas such as education, infrastructure, and healthcare. However, we are working to rectify this and ensure sustainable growth.

    “I urge leaders from all sectors and citizens to engage in discussions on the state’s progress. Constructive participation will drive meaningful change,” Otu added.

    Earlier, Mr John Abang, President-General of the Mary Knoll College Alumni Association, praised the governor’s efforts, particularly in education.

    Abang also outlined areas where the association sought government collaboration to improve the school and benefit Cross River.

    One major concern raised was the long-neglected college auditorium, vital for student activities and gatherings, according to the president-general.

    He also noted the unreliable power supply and suggested solar energy as a sustainable alternative for a better learning environment.

    “We request your support in completing these projects, which will greatly enhance students’ learning experiences and contribute to the state’s development,” Abang said.

  • Over 33,000 applicants jostle for 2,000 job slots in Cross River

    Over 33,000 applicants jostle for 2,000 job slots in Cross River

    No fewer than 33,955 applicants have applied to fill the advertised 2,208 job vacancies in the Cross River civil service.

    In a document, the state Civil Service Commission shortlisted 956 from the total number of applicants.

    The document dated Nov. 19 and signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Sir Maurice Effiwatt, showed that the number of applications included 31,818 for the core civil service and 2,137 for the state health sector.

    The government had advertised 2,000 and 208 spaces for the core service jobs and the health sector respectively.

    According to the document by the commission, from the 31,818 applicants for the core service, only 750 were shortlisted, while 206 from the 2,137 applications were shortlisted for the health sector.

    A further breakdown of the figure revealed that applications for clerical officers was the highest with 8,358 applicants, followed by administrative officers and messengers with 7,700 and 1,916 applicants respectively.

    The three least positions applied for were firemen, drivers and security with 370, 401 and 551 applications respectively.

    Similarly, in the health sector, applicants for the nursing profession were the highest with 1,184 followed by that of medical laboratory scientists and public health/environmental health that had 446 and 300 each.

    According to the Commission, respective applicants would be notified of the date and time for the interview.

  • Minimum Wage: Organised Labour to commence strike Wednesday

    Minimum Wage: Organised Labour to commence strike Wednesday

    The Organised Labour in Cross River says they will not guarantee industrial harmony from Wednesday if the state government failed to concretise plans to implement the N70,000 national minimum wage.

    The labour unions made their stand known after staging a walkout at a scheduled meeting with the Joint Public Service Negotiating and Implementation Committee on the new wage on Monday in Calabar.

    The committee chaired by the State Head of Service, Dr Innocent Eteng, also have representatives of the various labour unions, including Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Speaking with NAN on the reason for the walkout, state chairman of TUC, Mr Monday Ogbodum said the government appeared not committed to the implementation of the new wage.

    Ogbodum noted that it was labour’s position that had earlier forced the government to set up the committee.

    “From the look of things, this same committee seems not ready for anything.

    “We have heard from the grapevine that the government is not looking at commencing implementation until January 2025, ” he said.

    The TUC state chairman said that the labour unions received a directive from their national leadership that the implementation of the new wage begins from October.

    “Our worry is that the Cross River Governor was a member of this committee that gave birth to the new wage.

    “He was South-South representative in that committee and he is the one lagging behind while other states have already made pronouncement on this new wage to the workers, ” he said.

    Ogbodum disclosed that the governor had before now promised the workers that  he would implement whatever that was agreed upon.

    Also speaking, the state chairman of NLC, Mr Gregory Olayi said that labour staged a walkout because the government representative in the committee appeared not serious .

    He said aside the fact that the government had not put anything on the table, the government representative seems not to be acting on the mandate of the governor.

    “In our last meeting on Thursday, they formed a technical committee which we had expected, will come with something for us to discuss with.

    “They came empty and unprepared from the look of things and we had to stage a walkout until they are prepared for us,” he said.

    Continuing, Olayi said that labour is meeting with all its organs in Cross River on Tuesday and whatever decision of the organs are will be followed.

    “We had on Thursday gave them (Government) a 7-day ultimatum which expires Monday midnight.

    “We will be meeting with all the organs and whatever decision taken we will all see to it after the meeting on Tuesday.

    Attempts made to get government position on this was not successful as the state Head of Service, Dr Innocent Eteng did not pick his calls nor return message sent to his mobile phone number.