NUJ Commends Security Forces on Capture of Senior Ansaru Leaders

In a Media release by Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, National President.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) commends the Nigerian Government and its security forces for the recent successful operation that led to the capture of two high-ranking members of the Ansaru terror group.

The arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman (alias Abu Bara'a) and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri (alias Malam Mamuda), as announced by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is a significant victory in Nigeria's fight against terrorism. Ansaru, a dangerous splinter faction, has been responsible for many of the country's most brutal attacks over the past decade.

This breakthrough, which was the result of sustained intelligence efforts, shows the bravery and professionalism of our security agencies. The digital evidence recovered from this operation is a valuable resource for dismantling terror networks and preventing future attacks. 

It also reflects a more advanced security strategy that prioritizes precision, intelligence, and long-term National Security.

The NUJ salutes the men and women who risk their lives daily to keep our country safe. We urge the Government to continue supporting our security institutions and ensure that justice is served quickly and transparently.

Terrorism threatens our peace, development, and democratic values. As Journalists and defenders of the public interest, the NUJ stands in solidarity with all efforts to restore lasting peace and security in Nigeria.

 We encourage all Nigerians to remain vigilant, support security efforts, and resist narratives that seek to divide us. Together, we will overcome.

Governor Bassey Otu begins Solar Electrification of 10,000 Homes in Cross River

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has launched an ambitious electrification project to power ten thousand (10,000) homes across the State using the Solar Home Systems. 

The initiative, which kicked off in Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Abi and Ogoja Local Government Areas is already recording remarkable progress, with installations rapidly taking shape across the communities.

Local Government Chairmen of the benefiting areas have lauded Governor Otu for what they described as intentional and people-centered leadership, commending his consistent efforts to place the welfare of Cross Riverians at the core of governance.

The Director General of the Cross River State Electrification Agency (CRSEA), Mr. Francis Ekpo, also expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and professionalism in the distribution of the solar systems. He assured that every LGA in the State will be covered, explaining that subsequent phases will extend the installations until all Local Government are reached.

Residents of the four pilot LGAs have welcomed the development with excitement, describing it as a life-changing intervention. They praised the Governor for prioritizing basic needs such as electricity and pledged their continued support for his administration beyond 2027.

The project is a collaboration between the Cross River State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abuja, with ASolar handling the installations. It is expected to improve access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy while boosting economic activities, Education and overall quality of life for rural households.

Gov Otu Signs ₦104bn Supplementary Budget into Law, Approves Roads, Electricity, Counterpart Funds Bills

Governor Bassey Otu has signed into law the Cross River State Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2025, injecting an additional ₦104 billion into the state’s budget and raising the total 2025 fiscal outlay from ₦538 billion to ₦642 billion.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the State Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Otu described the supplementary budget as a “strategic and deliberate intervention” to respond to shifting macroeconomic realities and seize new investment opportunities in critical sectors.

According to him, the new allocation will be deployed to fast-track the completion of key infrastructure projects, enhance agricultural value chains, strengthen healthcare and education, bolster security, and drive job creation through targeted investments.

“This supplementary appropriation will reposition our state for accelerated growth. Every kobo will be spent prudently for the benefit of all Cross Riverians,” the governor assured, while thanking the State House of Assembly for its speedy passage of the bill.

In addition to the appropriation bill, the governor also assented to three other laws, namely: the Cross River State Counterpart Funds (Amendment) Law 2025, which updates donor fund management structures; the Cross River State Roads Funds Law 2025, establishing a dedicated fund for rural and semi-urban road development; and the Cross River State Electricity Law 2025, providing a legal framework for state-level power generation and distribution following constitutional amendments.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the supplementary budget aligns with constitutional provisions and targets priority sectors across administration, economic growth, healthcare, justice, regional integration, and social services. He commended the governor’s fiscal discipline and pledged continued legislative support to drive the administration’s vision.

Hon. Osogi Conferred Obol Okammke 1 of Ugep Chieftancy Title

The Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi, has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of Obol Okammke 1 of Ugep (Great Philanthropist) by the Ugep Community.

The title was bestowed upon Osogi by the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, during a ceremony at the Umor-Otutu Palace in Ugep on Friday.

Speaking during the installation, the Paramount Ruler stated that the conferment of the chieftaincy title was based on careful observation of Osogi’s lifestyle and activities, highlighting the numerous positive testimonies he had received about the Commissioner. 

"I have heard many commendable things about you, and it is clear that you are deserving of this revered historic title of Obol Okammke 1 of Ugep," he remarked.

The esteemed Monarch emphasized that Osogi has demonstrated through his actions that he is committed to sustaining his legacy as a philanthropist and helper. He prayed for the newly installed chief, proclaiming divine blessings, favor, guidance, and protection against all forms of evil.

In his acceptance speech to the honor, an evidently elated Osogi expressed gratitude to the paramount ruler of Yakurr and his cabinet for their acceptance and support. 

"Today is a special day ordained by God Almighty to reward my humanitarian gestures. Giving is an intrinsic part of my life that I embrace wholeheartedly, and I am overwhelmed by the title bestowed upon me," Osogi affirmed.

Describing the honor as historic, the newly conferred Obol Okammke 1 of Ugep, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Linda Moses Osogi, noted that the title symbolizes a strengthened bond between the Yakurr nation and the Anong Community, his hometown.

He thanked the Paramount Ruler and his cabinet for deeming him worthy of the prestigious chieftaincy title from the largest village in West Africa and promised to uphold the values associated with his title for the betterment of society.

The ceremony featured the reading of a citation by the Cross River State Commissioner for Transport, Pastor Ekpenyoung Cohbam, along with cultural dance presentations and goodwill messages.

The grand event attracted dignitaries from across the state, including members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, high-ranking government officials, women and youth groups, and staff from the Environment and Urban Development Authorities, as well as members of the Anong Community and others.

C'River Govt. Hold's Orientation Workshop for Batch 2 Newly Employed Civil Servants

David Akate 

The 2 day Orientation workshop for the 2nd set of the newly Employed Staff into the State Civil and Public Service commenced today exposing them to various critical areas of the service by ebullient Scholars knowledgeable in service matters.

The visibly excited participants were subtly guided through Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, Code of Conduct and other vital areas necessary for optimal service delivery.

In an address The Hon  Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions,  Amb Lady (Mrs) Lawrencia Ita  who as usual was exemplary in punctuality to the event told the ' green horns' in civil service to appreciate the opportunity of the workshop which will guide them appropriately in their careers.

The Commissioner advised them to take the orientation workshop seriously and digest all the aspects of study as the system has zero tolerance for disobedience to the institutionalized principles of the service .

According to the Commissioner, the newly employed were privileged to be granted the opportunity to serve the State and Nation at large stating that it was to prove worthiness.

Hon Ita appreciated the State Governor, Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu for his unswerving commitment to the development of the Civil and Public service in the State as manifested in the prompt payment of salaries, promotions and recruitment and training charging them to reciprocate the gesture with unbridled dedication to duty.

The Commissioner assured the newcomers that as long as they fell in line with the rules of the service they would enjoy a very conducive atmosphere to operate as their senior colleagues were endowed with friendly disposition to fraternize  and lead them alright.

The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Establishment  Matters, Dr. Eyong Victoria advised the Recruits against being overwhelmed by pecuniary interests as such motives remain counterproductive.

A resource person Elder Bassey Kuffre , a retired Permanent Secretary who lectured on the topic 'Ethic in the Civil Service/ Code of Conduct for Public Officers said that observance of the tenets of the profession and imbibing it as a culture remained the simplest way to be cloaked in congruity with Government's goal and objectives.

Other papers presented included ' Understanding The Public Service Rules' by Elder Egu Omini, 'Personal Effectiveness and Managing your Boss For Efficiency' by Professor,Roibito Ekanem and 'Harmonious Relationship and Conflict Resolution Skills'  by Barr Emmanuel Enamhe.

Nineteen Million Households, Seventy Million Individuals to be Injected into the National Social Safety-Nets Register - Dr. Funmi Olotu.

Iloke Egbe 

The National Coordinator, National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office NASSCO Abuja Dr.  Funmi Olotu has informed that 19 million new households and 70 million individuals across the 31 States and Abuja has been certified for inclusion in the National Social Register which qualifies them to benefit for cash transfer scheme and other socioeconomic interventions by the Government. She disclosed this while declaring open 2025 Training Workshop for NASSCO and States Operations Coordinating Office SOCU Staff held at the Ibadan Business old Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State.

She affirmed that adaptive social protection is a vital tool to build stronger and more resilient communities and part of the objectives for the training of NASSCO and SOCU Staff, adding that poverty and vulnerability are not static but influenced by shocks like climate change, downturn and disasters while adaptive social protection offers flexible responsive way of addressing those involving challenges.

According to the coordinator,  strengthening ability to anticipate, absorb and recover from shocks  while ensuring that interventions meet the needs of those affected remains the goal of NASSCO.

She assured participants that the training would offer them opportunity to interact with top facilitators, exchange knowledge and increase their understanding of key concepts from risks assessments and adaptive program design, to real-time data use and impact evaluation. She encouraged participants to commit themselves to the training while appreciating both NIMC, the World Bank, SOCU and the Federal Government including the management of Ibadan business school.

She acknowledged that the key enabler is the National Social Register which she expressed excitement stating that the NSR have surpass 19 million households and 70 million individuals on the register, with the NSR  moving beyond economic poverty and shocks  response to a growing role in disaster  risks management , climate change adaptation to a broader Social Protection.

On the household update, she said 7 million households have been visited while 9 million individual records have been received from National Identity Management Commission  from the NIMC integration exercises and will be process for cash transfer.

Earlier, the Chief Consultant and Chief Executive Officer supreme Management Training and consultancy services, a key partner with NASSCO Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi maintain that Nigeria has made commendable progress in expanding safety nets and addressing poverty through initiatives such as the national social safety nets office, YESSO, NG-CARES, CPRP, LEEMP, SEEFOR, CSDP, FADAMA etc, despite these strides, systemic challenges persist.

In his words, as of 2023 approximately 63% of the population amounting to 133 million people were classified as multidimensional poor quoting NBS while Food insecurity, climate variability, rising inflation, unemployment and recurring shocks continue to threaten household resilience and National instability.

That much of these devastations could have been motigated through adaptive social protection measures while the strategic role of NASSCO in Adaptive Social Protection include advancing digital identity systems, improving grievance Redress Machinism, enabling platforms interoperability, supporting early warning systems, adaptive targeting, exemplified by Rapid Response Register which must become central to the systems.

Highlights of the opening ceremony was registration by participants, recognition of VIPs, goodwill messages from partners and presentation from lead facilitators including group photograph.

Nineteen Million Households, Seventy Million Individuals to be Injected into the National Social Safety-Nets Register - Dr. Tolu

Iloke Egbe 

The National Coordinator, National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office NASSCO Abuja Dr.  Fumi Tolu has informed that 19 million new households and 70 million individuals across the 31 States and Abuja has been certified for inclusion in the National Social Register which qualifies them to benefit for cash transfer scheme and other socioeconomic interventions by the Government. She disclosed this while declaring open 2025 Training Workshop for NASSCO and States Operations Coordinating Office SOCU Staff held at the Ibadan Business old Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State.

She affirmed that adaptive social protection is a vital tool to build stronger and more resilient communities and part of the objectives for the training of NASSCO and SOCU Staff, adding that poverty and vulnerability are not static but influenced by shocks like climate change, downturn and disasters while adaptive social protection offers flexible responsive way of addressing those involving challenges.

According to the coordinator,  strengthening ability to anticipate, absorb and recover from shocks  while ensuring that interventions meet the needs of those affected remains the goal of NASSCO.

She assured participants that the training would offer them opportunity to interact with top facilitators, exchange knowledge and increase their understanding of key concepts from risks assessments and adaptive program design, to real-time data use and impact evaluation. She encouraged participants to commit themselves to the training while appreciating both NIMC, the World Bank, SOCU and the Federal Government including the management of Ibadan business school.

She acknowledged that the key enabler is the National Social Register which she expressed excitement stating that the NSR have surpass 19 million households and 70 million individuals on the register, with the NSR  moving beyond economic poverty and shocks  response to a growing role in disaster  risks management , climate change adaptation to a broader Social Protection.

On the household update, she said 7 million households have been visited while 9 million individual records have been received from National Identity Management Commission  from the NIMC integration exercises and will be process for cash transfer.

Earlier, the Chief Consultant and Chief Executive Officer supreme Management Training and consultancy services, a key partner with NASSCO Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi maintain that Nigeria has made commendable progress in expanding safety nets and addressing poverty through initiatives such as the national social safety nets office, YESSO, NG-CARES, CPRP, LEEMP, SEEFOR, CSDP, FADAMA etc, despite these strides, systemic challenges persist.

In his words, as of 2023 approximately 63% of the population amounting to 133 million people were classified as multidimensional poor quoting NBS while Food insecurity, climate variability, rising inflation, unemployment and recurring shocks continue to threaten household resilience and National instability.

That much of these devastations could have been motigated through adaptive social protection measures while the strategic role of NASSCO in Adaptive Social Protection include advancing digital identity systems, improving grievance Redress Machinism, enabling platforms interoperability, supporting early warning systems, adaptive targeting, exemplified by Rapid Response Register which must become central to the systems.

Highlights of the opening ceremony was registration by participants, recognition of VIPs, goodwill messages from partners and presentation from lead facilitators including group photograph.