Month: July 2024

Cross River State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Justin Beshel, is currently in Abuja as part of a delegation of stakeholders from various sectors to attend the National Consultative Committee on Competitiveness (NCCC) conference, to discuss the implementation of the national strategy for competitiveness in raw materials and products development in Nigeria.

Declaring the event open, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting the country’s global competitiveness in raw materials and product development. He emphasised the importance of developing Nigeria’s abundant raw materials into high-quality products.

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Justin Beshel aligned with Chief Nnaji that although Nigeria has an abundance of raw materials, including solids, metals, energy minerals, and agro-raw materials, having these resources by itself does not ensure economic success. He stated that converting raw materials into high-quality products is both a tactical and necessary requirement for national development and global competitiveness.

The Honourable Commissioner, as a crucial stakeholder who co-chaired the subcommittee on research and development, underlined the necessity of domesticating the Council’s decision throughout the federation and setting up State and Zonal offices to oversee its execution. Cross River State was in the spotlight for pursuing partnerships in bee farming technology, cassava product technology, and a toxicological centre.

The purpose of the conference, which drew attendees from a variety of fields including academia, development partners, civil society organisations, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), organised private sector (OPS), and the media, was to talk about crucial topics about the effective execution of the National Strategy.

 

The Cross River State House of Assembly has undergone the reconstitution of its various house committees, along with the appointment of their respective chairpersons.

The list of committees and their chairpersons was read out on Tuesday by the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly during plenary.

The list is as follows:

1. The Finance and Appropriation Committee will be led by Hon Cyril Omini.

2. Hon Eyo Bassey will assume the leadership of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Committee.

3. Hon Victor Nsa has been assigned the responsibility of leading the Transport and Marine Services committee.

4. The Works and Infrastructure Committee will be chaired by Hon Egbe Abeng Egbe.

5. Hon Effiong Ekarika will be heading the Petroleum, Gas, and Solid Mineral Development Committee.

6. The Education committee will be under the leadership of Hon Martins Achadu.

7. Hon. Hilary Bisong will take charge of the Health, Nutrition, and Food Security Committee.

8. Hon. Bassey Bassey has been entrusted with the leadership of the Youths and Sports Development committee.

9. Hon. Okon Owuna will lead the Commerce, Industry, PPP, and Privatization committee.

10. Hon. Ashakia Pius has been appointed as the chairperson of the Culture, Tourism, and Event Management committee.

11. The Information and Communication Technology committee will be led by Hon. Thomas Aruku.

12. Hon. Bette Obi will assume the leadership of the Agriculture and Forestry committee.

13. Hon. Mercy Akpama is entrusted with the responsibility of chairing the Women’s Affairs, Social Welfare, and Gender Development Committee.

14. Hon. Ovat Agbor has been appointed to lead the Environment and Sanitation committee.

15. The Due Process, Anti-Corruption, International Donor Support, and SDGs committee will be chaired by Hon. Charles Omang.

16. Hon. Francis Ogban will take the lead in the Power and NDDC committee.

17. Finally, the Water Supply Committee will be chaired by Hon. Kingsley Ntui.

The Chairman of the GFO Orim Foundation and Governing Council Member of the Federal College of Education, Bich Kano state, Chief Hon Martin Orim has sent warm regards and best wishes to the Speaker of Cross Rivet State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem on the occasion of his birthday.

In a heartfelt message, Chief Martin Orim praised the Speaker for demonstrating outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Orim, acknowledging Ayambem as a leader of exceptional character, highlighted the Speaker’s adept handling of matters crucial to the state’s interests, development, and progress.

Chief Martin Orim, who previously stood as a Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the recent general election, stated, “On behalf of my family, friends, and well-wishers, I join in celebrating one of Cross River’s distinguished legislators, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, as he commemorates his birthday anniversary. “Mr. Speaker, you have applied your extensive knowledge, experience, and commendable principles in discharging your duties.”

“I urge you to persist in your efforts to provide effective leadership in the House of Assembly, working towards the prosperity of all Cross Riverians.” “As you mark your birthday, I extend my prayers for your continued good health and abundant blessings as you continue to serve the people of Ikom State Constituency and Cross River State as a whole.”

Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu has been inaugurated chairman, alongside three hundred and sixty-two others as members of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) National Campaign Council for the Edo state governorship election, slated for September 21, 2024.

The National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje inaugurated the campaign council in Benin City, Saturday, at a high-profile event attended, notably, by the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Senator Adams Oshiomole, the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa as well as the serving Deputy Governor of Edo state, Hon. Philip Shuaibu and his political group, Legacy coalition group, who were received into the party after severing ties with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking after his inauguration, Governor Otu, who has been saddled by the APC with a similar assignment some months back for Imo state where the party secured victory and retained the government in the state, assured Edo state APC that the campaign council would repeat a similar feat by winning landslide come September 21.

He urged the people of Edo state to embrace the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, explaining that things the president has already done and is still doing for the country are enduring and will start to manifest in the nearest future.

“We will deliver Edo state to the kitty of the APC,” Governor Otu said.

Besides the campaign council inauguration, another highlight of the occasion was the reception of the Edo State deputy Governor, Hon. Shuaibu and his group into the APC, having dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Otu informed the members of the campaign Council that they would soon be communicated to on the schedule of their meetings.

The National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Dr Ganduje, and the former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomole, were among the party leaders who all aligned with Governor Otu in expressing confidence over the chances of the APC to secure victory at the September 21 polls.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to attend either the flag-off of the Governorship campaign or the grand finale in Benin before the election.

By Nsa Gill
(Chief Press Secretary to the Governor)

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, has assured Cross Riverians of the Assembly’s commitment towards the investigation of the mysterious disappearance of an NYSC member, Miss Dorcas Paul Ojong, from Akamkpa Local Government Area, serving in Akwa, Anambra state.

Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, who described Miss Dorcas’ mysterious disappearance as very unfortunate, made it known during a plenary session after Hon Okon Nyong Owuna, a Member representing Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, raised the matter on the floor of the Assembly.

The Member representing Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, Hon Okon Owuna, during the presentation of the motion, lamented the disappearance of his constituent, Ojong, who had been posted to Anambra State for the mandatory National Youth Service Scheme.

Hon Okon Owuna stated that Miss Dorcas Ojong, a student at the College of Health Technology Calabar, was last seen by her landlady on February 18, 2024 and that since then, her family and friends have made no progress in locating her. He added, “Mr. Speaker, on February 18, 2024, Dorcas, a Batch A, Stream 2 2023 Corp Member with NYSC NO. AN/2023/4309, was last seen by her landlady, who claimed Dorcas informed her that she was heading to the Federal Ministry of Health, Akwa, where she was to conclude her service in March 2024.”

The lawmaker expressed sorrow that Dorcas Ojong’s disappearance has left her family traumatised and grieving and that the NYSC Anambra State authority has not done enough to investigate her whereabouts. Lawmakers expressed regret for Ojong’s disappearance and demanded an expeditious probe of the situation in their respective contributions. While stressing that the Federal Government has a right to protect the lives of citizens, they urged the government to respond and investigate the disappearance of the Corp Member.

The Lawmakers in their resolution called on the State Government, through the office of the Attorney General,  to mandate the Director General of their National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) to produce Miss Dorcas Paul Ojong a missing Corp Member.

©Denis Inakefe, ANIPR.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has flagged-off the ground breaking for the remodeling of U.J. Esuene Stadium Hostel, which will be transformed into the Calabar Sports Resorts and Leisure Hotel.

During the event, Governor Otu highlighted the rich sports history of Cross River State, which once boasted internationally acclaimed athletes who represented Nigeria and won numerous accolades. The remodeling project aims to position Cross River as a national sports hub and transform sports into a business-driven and economically empowering sector.

“We are here to open the earth to install a unique edifice that is going to enhance the aesthetics of our sporting arena and activities in the State. Coming into office, we had made it clear that sports will no longer be a leisure as such, but a business.”

“I know the several strides of our sports men and women including what the Sports Ministry has been able to achieve within the short period of time, both in terms of field athletics and football, we have medalists and a lot of dreamers now, who want to actualize their dreams, all courtesy of the fact that the sporting environment has changed.”

Governor Otu emphasized his administration’s readiness to forge mutually beneficial partnerships with the private sector to revamp sports infrastructure and achieve the government’s sports policy objectives.

“Government must collaborate with the private sector to bring in the needed infrastructure to drive sports, because Sports will continue to remain a stimulant for revenue. But we cannot fully actualize that without proper infrastructure. We have these facilities here and they are long abandoned and overdue, very soon the story is going to change”

In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Mrs. Agnes Atsu, expressed the state’s desire to reclaim its position as a sports powerhouse and showcase its exceptional talents to the world. She noted that the project would provide top-notch accommodation for athletes during sporting events in the state.

Mrs. Atsu also praised Governor Otu’s commitment to sports development, which has led to significant growth in sporting activities since he assumed office. “Cross River State has achieved remarkable success in various sports competitions, with over 90 laurels, including nine gold medals, 32 silver medals, and 62 bronze medals. Many athletes from Cross River have also qualified for the Olympics.”

To elevate the state’s sporting facilities, Mr. Sanjay Oscar, the project’s consultant, emphasized the importance of quality accommodation for hosting sporting events. The International Sports Hotels and Resort, featuring 72 rooms and a capacity for 400 guests, will address the accommodation needs of athletes and position the state as an ideal destination for sporting events.

Mr. Oscar announced that Square Builder Concepts Nigeria Limited has been identified as a potential investment funding partner for the project. Construction work will commence on Monday, and efforts will be made to extend similar renovations to other minor stadiums in local governments across the state.

Representing Square Builder Concepts Nigeria Limited, Alh. Usman Bashir expressed excitement about partnering with the Cross River State government on the project. He assured that the construction would be completed by December 2024, just in time for the state’s globally renowned Carnival Calabar and Festival.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Ovai Solomon Osim Edward, on his appointment and confirmation as the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council (TRC)

Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem congratulated His Royal Majesty, Ovai Solomon Osim Edward on Tuesday during the plenary session as the State House of Assembly officially approved his appointment by Governor Otu as the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council.

During the plenary session, Members of the Assembly spoke highly of Ovai Solomon, praising him as an “arbiter of peace,” “a man of integrity,” and “a man with pedigree.” They commended Governor Otu for selecting such a highly regarded nominee for the position.

The Member representing Abi State Constituency and Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta commended Ovai Edward for his efforts in unifying warring communities in the Abi Local Government Area and for promoting peace. He expressed optimism that Ovai Edward’s tenure as Chairman will bring about peace, unity, and progress in the State.

The legislators engaged with His Royal Majesty and unanimously agreed that he possesses the qualifications and experience necessary for the role. They expressed confidence in his ability to fulfil his duties effectively as the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council.

His Majesty, Ovai Solomon Osim Edward, currently serves as the Paramount Ruler of Abi Local Government Area, was nominated by the State Governor, Senator, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to replace the previous Chairman whose tenure had expired.

Denis Inakefe, ANIPR.

Associate Professor Mike Ushie has resigned as the Chairman of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC).

Ushie disclosed this on Wednesday, 17th July 2024, via a letter (Our Ref: CROSIEC/2023/LGE/VOL.I) addressed to the State Governor (Senator Bassey Otu) through the Secretary to the State Government (Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh).

According to Ushie, the resignation was to enable him to return to the University to further his research having served six years in that capacity.

See the letter below