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Tag: Cross River State

  • Family cries out as Governor’s aides allegedly murder 21-year-old

    Family cries out as Governor’s aides allegedly murder 21-year-old

    The Cross River State Government has expressed sadness over the death of 21-year-old Moses Mba, as the family of the deceased continues to cry for justice.

    Mother of the deceased, Mrs Victoria Mba has called for justice over the alleged killing of her son by security operatives attached to the residence of the State Governor, Bassey Otu.

    Speaking with NAN in Calabar on Saturday, Mrs Mba alleged that her son was beaten and shot by the governor’s security aides on August 1.

    She explained that Moses, who would have turned 22 in November, died on August 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital, Calabar, from injuries sustained from the beating and gunshot wounds.

    According to her, the incident happened in front of the governor’s residence after her son insisted on seeing the governor to deliver what he described as a message from God.

    “We (my husband and I) were away in Abia when the incident occurred. On our return, we got a call from an official of the Red Cross Society that rushed him to the hospital.

    “When we arrived at the hospital, we asked our son what happened. He told us that he only requested to see the governor because he had a message for him from God.

    “I am not making excuses for him. My son had always loved God’s work since age 10 and often spoke of visions. We only pleaded with him to complete his education before going fully into God’s work,” she said.

    Mrs Mba further alleged that her son was brutally beaten and shot because he insisted on seeing the governor, and that no effort was made by the security operatives to save his life afterwards.

    According to her, officials of the Red Cross, whose office is nearby, that rushed her son to the hospital as he bled profusely from the gunshot wound.

    “They (Red Cross) also paid ₦1.3 million, in addition to other medical expenses, for the surgery on his left leg where he was shot,” she said.

    The grieving mother further alleged that throughout the period her son was hospitalised, security operatives from the governor’s office mounted surveillance at the hospital.

    “They wore plain clothes and rotated duties morning, afternoon, and night. One aide to the governor’s Chief of Staff, by name Emmanuel Dickson, was in touch with us and also visited the hospital.

    “The security operatives demanded copies of all the receipts for his treatments, even though the Red Cross footed the bills.

    “When my son died on Saturday, Aug. 9, I called the same Dickson to inform him that the mortuary bill was ₦54,000 plus, but he only sent ₦50,000.

    “It is the same person and others who are now threatening us, saying there is nothing we can do, even if we cry to high heaven, since the governor is involved,” she alleged.

    She further narrated that a few days after depositing her son’s body at the morgue, some persons led by the state’s Commissioner of Police attempted to access the corpse.

    “According to her, we got a call from the mortuary attendant who said the Commissioner of Police and some persons wanted to see our son’s body, but we told them not to allow it.

    “Now, they are refusing to let us bury our son. At the same time, they are threatening us and lying that our son had a mental issue.

    “My son never had any issue. He wrote the last JAMB and scored 196, and his WAEC result is perfect. He was to study Business Administration at the University of Calabar.

    “They are saying all I need is money, and that ₦3 million will keep me quiet. Nigerians should please help me. I want justice for my son, who is still lying in the mortuary,” she pleaded.

    Meanwhile, the Cross River Government has condemned the beating and shooting of Moses, which subsequently led to his death.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, who spoke to NAN,  however, absolved the governor’s security aides of involvement in the incident.

    He alleged that the deceased was not mentally stable and clarified that the residence Moses visited was not the governor’s official residence but his former house.

    “Firstly, the house is not where the governor presently resides, and secondly, only one security officer was at the premises when the boy visited.

    “There is video evidence showing the boy throwing large stones at the policeman. He was not mentally okay and, at a point, even apologised for throwing the stones. In spite of this, we strongly condemn the beating and shooting of the boy.

    “It is not something anyone should be happy about, no matter the circumstances,” Ekpang said.

    Similarly, the Commissioner of Police confirmed that the case had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

    “Whatever the DPP advises, we will follow,” he added.

  • Cross River council lawmakers impeach LG chairman

    Cross River council lawmakers impeach LG chairman

    The Yala Local Government Chairman in Cross River State, Mr Fred Okem, was on Tuesday impeached by the council lawmakers on the allegations of financial misappropriation.

    The 11-point impeachment notice, which was signed by 12 of the 14 lawmakers, based Okem’s impeachment on the state local government Law No. 2 (2007) section 3, subsection 3a-d.

    The chairman was also accused of gross misconduct in carrying out his functions as the council boss.

    According to the notice of impeachment, the chairman was alleged of misappropriation of funds and waste in council’s projects.

    The council lawmakers also accused the chairman of failure to officially address the legislative arm on the state of affairs of the local government as enshrined in the local government law section 3 subsection (1).

    Similarly, his impeachment was also based on his refusal to present income and expenditure to the council as enshrined in state local government law section 3(d).

    Okem was further accused of refusal to assent to motions and resolutions passed by the legislative council, hence neglecting implementation of such resolutions, thereby making the arm of local government ineffective.

    He was also alleged to have implemented policies without wide consultation to get the best results.

    The councillors also bemoaned the overbearing influence of the chairman’s wife over every administrative running of the council, which they claimed had affected the smooth running of the council.

    They further premised the chairman’s removal on his refusal to make funds available for them to renovate and access their offices nine months after inauguration.

    When contacted, the spokesman of the council chairman, Mr Emmanuel Unah, said his boss will speak on the matter at the appropriate time, as he was in a meeting with the state governor.

  • Cross River recruits 4000 local government staff

    Cross River recruits 4000 local government staff

    The Cross River Local Government Service Commission says no fewer than 4000 staff have been recruited for the 18 council areas of the state in the last one year.

    Chairman of the commission, Mr Darlington Eyo, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday.

    Eyo noted that the commission inherited a depleted local government staff of about 9000, adding that with the 4000 personnel already recruited, efforts were still ongoing to fill the remaining vacant spaces.

    He said that the mass recruitment approved by Gov. Bassey Otu under his “People First Mantra” was the first in 37 years.

    “The councils we met had depleted workforce so the governor deemed it necessary that we fill the vacancies and also ensured a sustainable means of livelihood for the people.

    “In actual fact, we were supposed to meet about 12,000 or 13,000 staff, but what we met was about 3000, so we approached the governor on this, and he saw reason for the recruitment of more hands to fulfill the obligations of the local government areas.

    “We have systematically carried out this and paying over 3000 of them already that have met the requirement while we strategise on more recruitment processes.

    “Yes, the process is ongoing as it is not possible to fill all the 9000 vacant spaces at one once,” he stressed.
    On the allegations of buying employment, the chairman said there was nothing of such to the best of his knowledge.

    He said the commission had operated an open process in such a way that a son or daughter of nobody has been gainfully employed.

    According to him, I won’t rule out the fact that there could be some persons outside trying to undermine the commission or act as the commission’s agent.

    “The good thing however is that anyone who patronise such a person will be fished out as we have a system in place that will expose them.”

    Eyo added that the local government service commission uncovered 800 ghost workers during the audit of the staff payroll.

    “This is the figure that we have expunged from the local governments payroll, and the audit is ongoing because we can’t continue to have a huge wage bill when the number of staff remains low.

    “In all of these achievements, including the various training programmes for staff of the council areas the governor provided the needed environment for us to diligently carry out our mandates,” said.

  • Cult war in Cross River claims 2 lives

    Cult war in Cross River claims 2 lives

    A renewed cult clash in Cross River has claimed two lives in Akam and Okuni communities in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River.

    The victims of the renewed cult war were said to be killed at different locations in Okuni and Akam.

    The state Command of the Nigeria Police confirmed the killings and said the renewed cult clash is between rival cult group of KK and Vikings.

    The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo-Obase, said that a tactical team had been mobilised to the area to bring the situation under control.

    “We are aware of the situation. The Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Afegbua, has sent a tactical team to the area. They are on the ground, trying to make sure the area is calm.

    “The command will ensure those responsible for the killings are arrested and brought to book,” she stated.

    Ugbo-Obase, however, noted that Ikom has been very calm as the Police have been able to tame cultism in the area in the past.

    A source who spoke on anonymity on the matter to NAN, said what began as a localized conflict in Okuni community on Saturday, later snowballed into a full-blown crisis.

    “On Saturday, a member of the Klans cult group, Alobi Nsor, was gunned down in cold blood, an act that now appears to have been just the opening salvo in a horrifying sequence of attacks.

    “This action was what led to the rival group storming Akam community for a retaliatory mission,” the source said.

  • Cross River’s mid-term reflection on agrobusiness – By Jeff Ukachukwu

    Cross River’s mid-term reflection on agrobusiness – By Jeff Ukachukwu

    By Jeff Ukachukwu

    When the earth was first broken at Adiabo on 10 April 2025 for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, one could almost feel the weight of years of planning to settle into that moment: a 130-hectare promise backed by a US$538 million investment from AfDB, IsDB, IFAD, the Green Climate Fund and the federal government, aimed at transforming Cross River’s agricultural potential into tangible industrial activity.

    At that ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima and AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina stood amid hopes that the zone’s dedicated power connections, Agro-Transformation Centre, and links to Calabar and the forthcoming Bakassi Deep-Sea Port would finally provide farmers and processors with a dependable launchpad into larger markets. There was a collective sense that this was more than a ribbon-cutting—this was an inflexion point in the state’s long journey from subsistence farming toward export-oriented value addition, underlining the significant impact of these projects on the state’s economy.

    Yet the vision extends far beyond that single site. The revival of the Ikom Cocoa Processing Factory, announced in February 2025, exemplifies how Cross River is attempting to revive dormant assets: officials project creating some 5,000 direct jobs and nearly $6.8 million in annual value once financing is secured and operations resume.

    This effort feels emblematic: cocoa has long been a mainstay of many smallholder livelihoods here, but without local processing capacity, farmers struggled to capture more than a fraction of the crop’s final value. Restarting that factory is a statement that raw commodity exports are no longer enough; the aim is to retain a greater share of profits within the state, foster skills in processing, and anchor supply chains that link Ikom’s hinterlands to ports and beyond.

    Rice, too, has become a marquee ambition. In April 2024, Governor Bassey Otu inaugurated the 50,000-hectare Ndok–Ogoja farm with a bold credit scheme injecting ₦150 million monthly to catalyse production. Already, the farm feeds a 10 tonnes-per-hour vitamin-enriched mill commissioned in May 2023, and plans are underway to double that capacity by 2027.

    This scale-up is not mere showmanship; it reflects lessons that securing consistent raw material supply is essential to keep processors humming and that large-scale farming when paired with out-grower models, can reduce the boom-and-bust cycles smallholders face. At the same time, warm reflections from farmers suggest cautious optimism: the credit support removed a significant barrier, but questions linger about inputs, irrigation, and market linkages beyond the immediate mill.

    Perhaps most surprising to outsiders is the cultivation of wheat in a rainforest state. Following Cross River’s designation as the first wheat-producing state in southern Nigeria in October 2024, demonstration plots were established in Obanliku and Obudu, with dry-season schemes launched by the federal government.

    This development reflects the evolution of agronomic research and farmers’ willingness to experiment: the irrigation infrastructure under the Cross River State-Wide Irrigation Infrastructure Development (CRSWIID) project promises to transform idle months into productive seasons, challenging the notion that wheat is exclusive to the north. Yet farmers candidly note the novelty brings steep learning curves, from seed varieties to post-harvest handling, reminding policymakers that technical support and market development must walk hand in hand with field trials.

    In August 2024, the inauguration of the eight-tonnes-per-day cassava mill in the Idoma community signalled a similar shift in staples processing, promising around 1,000 direct jobs and anchoring a 15-hectare nucleus farm nearby.

    This model under IFAD’s LIFE-ND programme embodies how small- to medium-scale processing hubs can be replicated across LGAs, offering local farmers a nearby market and generating income that circulates within communities. Anecdotes from cooperative leaders reveal pride in seeing cassava tubers transformed on-site rather than being sent elsewhere; they also underscore the need for reliable power and efficient logistics to ensure the mill operates at capacity rather than idling intermittently, highlighting the crucial role of the community in these projects.

    The Calachika integrated poultry complex at Ayade Industrial Park, with the capacity to process 24,000 birds per day, is a significant step in Cross River’s protein production. As it undergoes test runs and pursues NAFDAC approval and halal certification by 2026, it is clear that linking the poultry farm to processing within the same park reduces transport delays and enhances biosecurity. However, the facility’s success is contingent on addressing regular issues such as powering the facility and ensuring a steady feedstock supply, which remain key discussion points at stakeholder meetings.

    Underpinning these big-ticket projects is a quieter revolution in data and inclusion. The launch of a state-wide digital soil-fertility map in early 2025 offers GPS-level guidance on what to plant where, a tool rarely seen in Nigeria’s South-South region. Such information, when combined with extension support, can help farmers shift from guesswork to precision, tailoring inputs to soil types and reducing waste.

    Meanwhile, LIFE-ND’s work has supported hundreds of agro-businesses incubates: in Cross River alone, some 286 enterprises were established, yielding over 14,800 tonnes of produce, ₦4.74 billion in income, and more than 2,158 jobs for youth and women between 2023 and 2025. These figures hint that beyond megaprojects, grassroots initiatives are building resilience and diversifying livelihoods, from mini-tractor services to digital extension and savings groups.

    Despite progress, friction points remain ever-present: power supplies in northern senatorial zones can falter when mills and cold rooms need them most, and feeder roads often wash out in the rains, disrupting the movement of produce to hubs. Farmers recount nights spent storing tubers or grains longer than planned, worrying about spoilage when transport fails.

    Legacy plants in other sectors, such as noodles or timber byproducts, stand as cautionary tales: ribbon-cutting ceremonies once promised revitalisation but stalled when governance, maintenance funding or market alignment proved insufficient. These reminders underscore that building an agro-industrial ecosystem requires not only infrastructure but also robust institutions, clear regulations, and consistent public-private dialogue.

    Looking ahead to 2027, the mood is one of determined optimism tempered by realism. Completing SAPZ utilities and securing anchor tenants for cocoa grinding, cassava starch, and expanded rice milling will test coordination among state agencies, financiers, and investors. Enacting and enforcing the new Produce Law, with its focus on traceability and quality standards, must move beyond gazette pages to field inspections and farmer education.

    Scaling irrigation for wheat and dry-season rice under CRSWIID holds transformative potential, but only if water management systems are reliable and maintenance plans are funded. Fast-tracking financing for SMEs in LIFE-ND clusters could democratise processing capacity, yet it requires streamlined credit mechanisms and technical backstopping. Finally, synchronising the Bakassi Deep-Sea Port timeline with bulk commodity export strategies will determine whether Cross River can truly deliver “forest to factory to foreign exchange,” turning lofty slogans into addressable coordinates on the map.

    Ultimately, what stands out is not just the infrastructure or the numbers but the evolving mindset—a recognition that agriculture in Cross River must transcend subsistence, embracing data, processing, and market orientation. Farmers who once viewed crops as a seasonal means of survival now speak of enterprise, quality premiums, and export prospects; entrepreneurs weigh processing investments against the availability of raw materials and energy costs.

    The path remains uneven, strewn with practical hurdles and occasional delays, yet the collective movement—from digital soil surveys to mechanised rice farms, from cocoa factory rehabs to community cassava mills—signals a state grappling earnestly with its comparative advantages. If the next two years see these projects mature into stable operations, Cross River may well rewrite its economic narrative, proving that even rainforest states can harness agribusiness as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.

    Dr Jeff Ukachukwu is a public affairs analyst and writes from Calabar

  • Windstorm destroys over 50 houses in Cross River community

    Windstorm destroys over 50 houses in Cross River community

    A devastating windstorm has left many inhabitants of Njegbeje Village in Igodor Community in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River homeless, after destroying over 50 houses in the area.

    The windstorm, which preceded a heavy downpour on Sunday night, also destroyed property valued at billions of naira.

    Ogoja council boss, Chief Christopher Agbeh, visited the affected area on Wednesday to assess the extent of damage caused by the disaster.

    Speaking with newsmen after his visit, Agbeh described the incident as a “monumental and natural disaster”.

    The council chairman put the cost of the damage at billions of naira and called for immediate governments intervention to alleviate the plight of the affected persons.

    “This is a tragic situation that requires swift action from both the state and Federal Governments. This windstorm is likened to a mini-tsunami by locals.

    “It destroyed residential buildings, farmlands, economic trees, and also disrupted the lives and livelihood of the people.

    “The present administration is responsive and compassionate, and I will ensure that relief materials and support for the rebuilding of homes are provided promptly,” Agbeh said.

    The Village Head, Chief Matthew Egbor, decried the severe impact of the disaster, describing it as the worst natural disaster in the history of Njegbeje.

    According to him, this disaster took us completely by surprise.

    “Homes, farms, and our economic trees were all swept away. Many of us are now sleeping on bare grounds in makeshift shelters. Starvation and homelessness are setting in,” Egbor said.

    He, therefore, appealed to all relevant government bodies and humanitarian organisations to come to the aid of the village at this crucial period of its existence.

    The council boss said that the community was in dire need of food, shelter, and medical assistance.

  • PDP begins membership verification in Cross River

    PDP begins membership verification in Cross River

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, says it has begun the verification of its members in the state as part of efforts to reposition the party.

    Mr Mike Ojisi, the Publicity Secretary, made the disclosure while addressing the press shortly after a meeting of the State Working Committee on Friday in Calabar.

    Ojisi said that the move was aimed at identifying true members of the party across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    The party spokesman also said that the verification exercise would pave the way for a stronger and more united party ahead of 2027.

    “The exercise will be conducted by the local government chairmen of the party. We are committed to building a formidable party,” he said.

    Ojisi further said that the wave of defections in the PDP was driven by greed and personal interests instead of ideology.

    He commended party members who believed in its ability to remain strong and vibrant for their resilience and patience.

    “Don’t fall for their empty promises. They only seek to exploit Nigerians because they have institutionalized poverty in the land,” he said.

    “We urge our members to remain steadfast and loyal, our party remains Nigeria’s most viable option for a brighter future,” he said.

  • Cross River govt approves two flyovers in Calabar

    Cross River govt approves two flyovers in Calabar

    Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved the construction two flyovers and the dualisation of the 4.8km MCC-Goodluck Jonathan bypass in Calabar.

    According to the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Darlington Edem, the flyovers would be located at the popular Mobil junction and Effio-Ette roundabout.

    Edem told NAN on Friday in Calabar that the approval is part of effort by the administration to give Calabar a  facelift.

    He further said the project would ease traffic congestion, improve road safety, and stimulate economic activities across the city.

    “There will be a flyover at Mobil Junction, connecting Murtala Muhammed highway and MCC road flyover at Effio-Ette roundabout, linking MCC road, Ndidem Usang-Iso road, and Parliamentary road.

    “The designs have been completed, and preparations are in motion to begin construction. This is part of a larger plan to reposition Calabar as a truly modern, efficient, and business-friendly city.

    “With reduced traffic gridlock, improved urban mobility, and upgraded infrastructure, this project is set to transform daily life for thousands of commuters and residents in the metropolis.

    “This isn’t just roadwork – it’s a bold step into Calabar’s future,” he said.

    The 4.8km road is divided into two sections; section 1, which is 1.7km would run from Mobil Junction (Route A4) to Effio-Ette Roundabout (MCC).

    Similarly, section 2: 3.1km would run from Effio-Ette roundabout to Goodluck Jonathan Bypass roundabout (Akai Effa).

  • Cross River moves to ban styrofoam, foil paper use

    Cross River moves to ban styrofoam, foil paper use

    The Cross River State House of Assembly has proposed a ban on using styrofoam and foil paper for food packaging, aiming to protect public health and the environment.

    Lawmakers raised concerns on Thursday during plenary, adopting the motion sponsored by Mr Ogiji Achadu, who represents the Yala 2 State Constituency.

    Achadu noted that styrofoam, a lightweight plastic used for packaging, is made from polystyrene — a petroleum-based product considered hazardous to human health.

    He explained that when heated or used with food, Styrofoam releases styrene — a toxic substance that can seep into food and pose health risks.

    Long-term styrene exposure, he warned, has been linked to neurological problems, respiratory conditions, and hormonal imbalances in humans.

    He further stressed that Styrofoam is non-biodegradable, pollutes the environment, harms ecosystems, and poses challenges to proper waste management.

    Achadu urged Governor Bassey Otu to prioritise residents’ health by addressing harmful materials that degrade environmental and public health standards.

    Other lawmakers supported the motion, highlighting the risks of heating food in foil paper and the growing problem of non-degradable waste.

    They cited Lagos State’s example, which has already enforced such a ban, and urged similar action in Cross River.

    The lawmakers recommended empowering the Environmental Task Force Agency to implement and enforce the proposed ban effectively.

    Speaker, Mr Elvert Ayambem, praised Achadu and other members for promoting legislation focused on citizens’ welfare and environmental protection.

  • SAD! CRS ex-MILAD, Major General Paul Ufuoma Omu Rtd, dies at 84

    SAD! CRS ex-MILAD, Major General Paul Ufuoma Omu Rtd, dies at 84

    Former Cross River State Governor, Major General Paul Omu, rtd, is dead.

    Omu died at the age of 84.

    The family in a statement on Wednesday signed by Oghenekome Ufuoma Omu confirmed his passage stating that:

    “With gratitude to God for a life of distinguished service and accomplishments, the family of General Paul Ufuoma Omu (Rtd), of Igbide, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, announces his passing on April 29, 2025, at the age of 84.

    “Maj-General Paul Ufuoma Omu was a family man, patriot, statesman, soldier, and community leader whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his beloved Isoko Nation.

    “A distinguished career Military Officer, General Omu rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army, serving with honor and distinction.

    He held various strategic command and administrative positions, including serving as Military Governor of the South-Eastern State (now Cross River and Akwa Ibom States) from July 1975 to July 1978. During his tenure, he initiated and implemented critical infrastructural and policy reforms that laid the foundation for the region’s growth.

    In 1985, Gen. Omu was appointed Commnader Command and Staff College and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, the highest ruling body in Nigeria as at then.

    In the political landscape, General Omu played a key role in Nigeria’s transition to democracy. He was appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Conference Commission in 1994, helping shape the constitutional discourse that would influence Nigeria’s return to civil rule. His leadership, insight, and patriotism earned him national respect and admiration.

    In September 2009, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed Gen. Omu Chairman of the 10-member Governing Board of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

    Beyond his military and political service, General Omu remained deeply committed to the development of his homeland, Isoko Nation.

    As President of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) between 2014 to 2015, he championed unity, education, and economic advancement, leaving behind a legacy of community empowerment and inclusive development. His tenure was marked by diplomacy, visionary leadership, and relentless advocacy for the rights and progress of the Isoko people.

    Maj-General Omu is survived by his beloved wife, Senator Chief (Mrs) Stella Omu, six children, beloved siblings, numerous grandchildren, and a grateful nation that mourns the passing of one of its finest sons.

    Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.