Author: Umoh Samuel

The Cross River State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has conducted a mid-year review of the 2026 Budget and State Development Plan implementation as part of efforts to ensure that government programmes and expenditures remain aligned with the state’s long-term development priorities and the People First agenda of Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu. Read also Cross River Government Orders Illegal Occupants to Vacate UNICROSS Land The review meeting, held at Dannic Hotel, Ekorinim, Calabar, brought together key stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the State Planning Commission, State Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Justice, Office of the Accountant-General,…

A presidential aspirant of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Yakubu Kingsley, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the emergence of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, filed through his counsel, D.A. Sulyman, Kingsley joined the PRP, Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first, second, and third defendants respectively. Read also NANS Issues 10-Day Ultimatum Over Prolonged ASUU-UNICROSS Strike Kingsley is asking the court to nullify Duke’s nomination, arguing that the former governor was not a registered member of the…

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, PhD, on Saturday received former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby, at Government House, Calabar, and later hosted him to a State Banquet at the Peregrino Hall. Welby, the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury who served as leader of the global Anglican Communion from 2013 to 2024, is in Nigeria as part of efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and national development. Speaking at the banquet, Governor Otu commended the former Archbishop for over four decades of engagement in Nigeria, describing…

The Cross River State College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu, has approved a 20 percent reduction in its pre-council examination fee following an advocacy visit by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Cross River State Axis led by Comr. Victor Antigha Asuquo. The high-level delegation, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Students Orientation, Dr. Afufu Anthony Ogabor, alongside NANS JCC executives led by Comr. Victor Antigha Asuquo, visited the institution on Thursday, June 18, 2026, after weeks of engagement over concerns raised by students regarding examination fees. Read also NANS Issues…

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Cross River State Chapter, has expressed concern over the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) branch, and issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Cross River State Government to resolve the crisis. Read also NANS JCC CRS Faults Shortage OF JAMB CBT Centre Demand action after abduction of UTME Candidate In a statement signed by the Chairman of NANS JCC Cross River State, Victor Antigha Asuquo, on June 10, 2026, the student body described the strike, which began…

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, alongside the University Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Chukwuka Icha has visited China, where he, on behalf of the institution, signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Chinese institutions to strengthen academic, research, innovation, and industry partnerships. The MoUS are expected to open new opportunities for students, researchers, and staff, while expanding UNICAL’s global academic footprints. During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor held strategic meetings with officials of partner institutions aimed at fostering collaborations in education, research, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship development. Read also UNICAL Electoral Commission Releases List of Cleared…

The Calabar University Electoral Commission (CUECO) has announced the rescheduling of key activities in the ongoing 2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) electoral process following the declaration of Wednesday and Thursday as National Public Holidays. According to a memo released on May 26, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of CUECO 2026, Prof. Peter Ubi, and the Secretary, Imeh Bassey, all electoral activities earlier fixed for the affected days have been adjusted accordingly. Read also UNICAL Electoral Commission Releases List of Cleared SUG Candidates for 2026 Polls Under the revised timetable, the Manifesto Presentation will now hold on Monday, June 1, 2026,…

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…