Author: Umoh Samuel

The Students Affairs Division of the University of Calabar has officially inaugurated the 2026 Calabar University Electoral Committee (CUECO) ahead of the forthcoming Students’ Union Government (SUG) elections. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Students Affairs Division, was presided over by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Eyo Mensah, who charged members of the committee to uphold transparency, fairness, credibility and accountability throughout the electoral process. Read also UNICAL SUG to Host Health Week 2026, Focuses on Wellness and Awareness Speaking during the inauguration, Prof. Mensah stated that the University management remains committed to ensuring a peaceful, free and transparent electoral…

The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has proposed a ₦780.59 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as a “Budget of Inclusive Growth” aimed at consolidating the gains of his administration’s “People First” philosophy. Presenting the Appropriation Bill before the State House of Assembly, Governor Otu said the proposal reflects a strong sense of duty and commitment to the development of the state, noting that the annual budget presentation goes beyond a mere bureaucratic exercise. He explained that the budget was developed through consultations with civil society organisations, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and the…

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has rescued all 14 victims abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterways. The rescue followed sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts between both agencies. Security operatives reportedly intensified surveillance and carried out targeted raids on identified hotspots within the maritime corridor, leading to the safe release of the victims without any casualties. Read also Police Arrest Man for Illegal Firearm Possession in Ikom According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the victims are currently receiving…

In a bid to enhance grassroots security and foster public trust, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rashid B. Afegbua, psc, mnips, together with the Cross River State Police Management Team, engaged the Bakor Community Policing Management Team at the Command Headquarters in Calabar. The meeting, held on 22nd April 2026, focused on advancing intelligence-led and community-driven policing initiatives in line with the agenda of the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM. The IGP’s policy emphasizes inclusive, community-led policing as a key strategy for addressing modern security challenges and fostering lasting peace nationwide. Read also Police Arrest Man for…

The Student Union Government (SUG) Directorate of Welfare at the University of Calabar has announced plans to host its 2026 Health Week on campus, with a series of activities aimed at promoting student well-being and public health awareness. The three-day event, themed “Health De New Flex,” is scheduled to take place from April 22 to April 24, 2026, at the UNICAL campus in Calabar. Read also UNICAL SUG to Host Information Week 2026 on Campus According to the organizers, the programme will feature a range of activities including a Health Mega Rally, health symposium, mental health workshops, and a medical outreach…

The National Association of Nigerian Students, Joint Campus Council, Cross River State Axis, has expressed “profound concern and outrage” over the inadequate number of JAMB Computer-Based Test centres in the state, warning that the shortfall is creating severe logistical, financial, and safety risks for candidates sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. In a statement issued by its Chairman, Comrade Victor Antigha Asuquo, the student body said it had received numerous reports from candidates, parents, and guardians about the hardship caused by poor distribution of accredited centres. Read also Tackling Campus Drug Abuse: UNICROSS, NANS JCC Align as Victor Antigha Asuquo…

The Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar has announced plans to host its 2026 Information Week within the university campus later this month. The three-day programme, scheduled to hold from April 28 to April 30, 2026, will take place at the institution in Calabar, Cross River State. The event is being organized by the Office of the Director of Information in collaboration with Directors of Information across various faculties. Read also NUCJ-UCC Honours Umoh Samuel as Journalist of the Week According to the organisers, this year’s theme, “Pen and Podium: Information as a Tool for Liberation,” underscores the…

In the history of student leadership at the College of Nursing Sciences, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, the administration led by Comr. Victor Antigha Asuquo will be remembered as a period marked by deliberate reform, student inclusion, institutional visibility, and a renewed sense of purpose in student unionism. As the 8th Executive President of the Student Union Government (SUG), Asuquo’s tenure began with a clear intent: to move student governance beyond routine congresses and ceremonial engagements into a more impactful, structured, and development-oriented system. For him, leadership was never meant to be symbolic. Driven by the mandate #RevivedSUG,…

The Cross River State Government has refuted reports alleging that over 15 passengers were abducted by gunmen along the Oron–Calabar waterway, describing the claim as false and misleading. In an official statement issued by the Office of the Special Adviser on Marine Services, Capt. Otu Ita Otu, the government dismissed a report published by First Media Naija on April 20, 2026, which claimed the incident occurred on April 17. Read also Cross River Youth Commissioner Backs POCACOV Initiative According to the statement, no such abduction took place on the official Calabar–Oron waterway, which is under the strict surveillance and control of…

The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development, Ijom Ukam, has pledged the state government’s full support for the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) following a courtesy visit by the initiative’s National Coordinator, Orvenonne Ikwen. The visit, part of a two-day working tour of the state, provided a platform for discussions on tackling rising social vices among youths, including cultism, drug abuse, bullying, and prostitution. Read also Police Arrest Man for Illegal Firearm Possession in Ikom Speaking during the engagement, Ukam described the visit as timely, noting that it comes at a period he characterized as both volatile…

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old man, Ukong Abraham, for unlawful possession of a firearm in Ikom Local Government Area. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the arrest followed a complaint lodged on April 15, 2026, by a 22-year-old woman, Delight Benjamin, who alleged that the suspect assaulted her, causing bodily harm. Read also Final notice on 50,000 Police Recruitment Screening Exercise 2025/2026 Police detectives from the Ikom Division reportedly moved to invite the suspect for questioning, but he fled upon sighting the officers in an attempt to…

The Office of the Executive President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), University of Calabar, has officially announced the constitution of a seven-member committee to plan and coordinate the forthcoming SUG Award Night. The announcement, dated April 17, 2026, disclosed that the committee was carefully selected to ensure effective planning, organization, and successful execution of the anticipated event. According to the release, Sen. Joseph Osuagwu has been appointed as Chairman of the committee, with Magdalene Abimbola serving as Vice Chairman and Daniel Antigha as Secretary. Other members of the committee include Ojong Collins, Preye Victory, Hope Osim, and Abigal Cletus.…

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Cross River State Axis, has held a successful Drug-Free Campus Movement Rally in Calabar, in what leaders described as one of the association’s most important student engagements in recent times. The event, which took place on Friday, April 10, 2026, attracted a large number of students from tertiary institutions across the state. The awareness march began at Mary Slessor Roundabout and ended at Millennium Park, with participants carrying a clear message against drug abuse and in favour of safer, healthier campus life. Leading the initiative, the Chairman of NANS…

The general public is hereby informed that the ongoing 50,000 Police Recruitment Screening Exercise for 2025/2026, which commenced on 9th February, 2026, will officially elapse on 18th April, 2026. All shortlisted candidates who are yet to undergo the screening exercise for any reason are strongly advised to present themselves on or before the stated deadline, as no extension will be granted. Read also Police Partner Basics Rights Counsel Initiative to Strengthen Implementation of Criminal Justice Laws in Cross River State Candidates who fail to appear for screening within the stipulated period will automatically forfeit their opportunity to participate in the exercise…

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has announced the opening of its school fees portal to all categories of students, while maintaining restrictions on the registration portal for the 2025/2026 academic session. The decision was disclosed in an official memo from the Office of the Registrar following an Emergency Management Meeting held on April 8, 2026. According to the memo, management resolved to allow financial payments to proceed while ongoing administrative considerations are addressed. Under the new directive, all students can now access the school fees portal to make payments. However, the registration portal has been opened exclusively to “Batch B”…

The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, today, 13th April 2026, played host to the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) at the Command Headquarters. The meeting, which was attended by members of the Command’s management team, featured a robust engagement with a delegation comprising representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Legal Aid Council, and other critical stakeholders in the justice sector. Read also Cross River Inaugurates Committee to Audit Transport Unions, Tackle Illegal Operators Deliberations centered extensively on the effective implementation of the Administration of…