NUJ EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER REPORTAGE OF NDLEA INCIDENT IN CALABAR

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has expressed concern over reports by some journalists portraying the recent encounter between operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Prince Alobi, a staff member of Radio Nigeria, Canaan City FM 99.5, in Calabar, in a manner that paints a grim picture of the situation while presenting the individual as a journalist.

The Council considers it unfortunate that the incident occurred but is particularly concerned about the narratives emerging from some media reports, which appear to have amplified the situation without adequately establishing the professional status of the individual involved.

For clarity, the individual in question is not a journalist and does not belong to the NUJ. The Council therefore urges journalists and media organisations to exercise caution in their reportage and avoid presenting the incident in a way that could mislead the public into believing that a member of the Union was involved.

The Council emphasises that working with a media establishment does not automatically confer the professional status of a journalist or establish membership of the NUJ. It is therefore important that reports on the incident reflect this distinction rather than rely on assumptions or sensational characterisations.

While acknowledging that the circumstances surrounding the encounter are unfortunate, the Council urges practitioners to avoid whipping up narratives that could inflame public sentiment or create an exaggerated impression of the situation. Journalism demands accuracy, balance, verification and responsible presentation of facts, particularly when reporting incidents involving law enforcement agencies.

The Council also reminds journalists that professional practice requires sound judgment and adherence to safety protocols when covering potentially volatile situations. Practitioners should not put themselves in harm’s way under the assumption that identifying with the media automatically protects them from the risks associated with confrontations.

A trained journalist is expected to gather information through professional engagement, observation and verification, while exercising discretion and avoiding unnecessary confrontation with security personnel. Where a situation becomes dangerous, personal safety must take precedence.

The Council maintains that any allegations of assault or misconduct arising from the incident should be subjected to proper investigation, with all parties given a fair opportunity to present their accounts. Such allegations should be reported responsibly, without prejudgment or the distortion of facts.

The NUJ, Cross River State Council, remains committed to promoting ethical journalism, professional responsibility and constructive relations between the media and security agencies. It calls on journalists to uphold these standards and ensure that their reportage informs the public accurately rather than fuels misleading narratives about the incident.

Comrade Archibong Bassey

Chairman

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

Cross River State Council

BCS COURTESY VISIT TO NIGERIAN EMBASSY IN GUINEA DEEPENS COMMUNITY TIES

 Iloke Egbe

The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) has strengthened its relationship with the Nigerian community in the Republic of Guinea following a diplomatic and evangelical courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Conakry, aimed at promoting peace, unity, religious tolerance and harmonious coexistence.

The BCS delegation was led by Chancellor of Universal Council of the Christ Ambassadors PCS Zoryii Nwiamanie, while the Nigerian community was represented by its President-General, Chief Godwin Ilechukwu.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Brotherhood to engage with Nigerian diplomatic representatives and community leaders on the shared values of love, peace and mutual understanding, which the organisation considers central to its evangelical mission.

During the engagement, Alhaji Ibrahim Haladu, First Secretary at the Nigerian Embassy, received a copy of The Everlasting Gospel of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, Volume One, alongside other evangelical materials, on behalf of Chief Ilechukwu, who was unavailable at the time of the visit.

Speaking during the meeting, Haladu expressed appreciation for the teachings and humanitarian values promoted by the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, particularly its emphasis on peace, love and peaceful coexistence among people of different religious backgrounds.

He observed that the world could benefit significantly from the practical application of these principles, noting that mutual respect and understanding remain essential to building a peaceful and united society. According to him, the teachings of Great Leader Olumba Olumba Obu offer values that, if embraced and practised, could contribute to stronger relationships among individuals, communities and nations.

Haladu stated that the principles of love and unity advocated by the Brotherhood were important to creating a better society, irrespective of differences in religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds.

He also pledged support for the Brotherhood's efforts towards securing the necessary registration and establishing its presence in the Republic of Guinea, a move expected to facilitate its activities and strengthen its engagement with the Nigerian community in the country.

The commitment represents a significant aspect of the visit, as the delegation seeks to advance the organisation's evangelical outreach and build constructive relationships within the Nigerian community and the wider Guinean society.

The engagement further highlighted the potential role of religious organisations in promoting social cohesion, encouraging interfaith understanding and supporting peaceful relationships among Nigerians living abroad.

For members of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, the visit represented an opportunity to communicate their message of love, peace and spiritual enlightenment while fostering cordial relations with Nigerian diplomatic representatives and community stakeholders.

The courtesy visit concluded on a note of goodwill, with renewed emphasis on the importance of shared values, mutual respect and cooperation in strengthening community relationships and promoting peaceful coexistence in an increasingly diverse world.

Victor Okon Hails Otu over Timely Presentation of ₦987.8bn 2027 Budget

 Iloke Egbe

The Chairman of the Cross River State House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Ntufam Victor Okon, has commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for the timely presentation of the state's 2027 Appropriation Bill, describing the development as an important step towards effective budget implementation and accelerated development.

Okon said the early presentation of the budget would provide sufficient time for the systematic implementation of Government programmes and projects, while strengthening the process of translating policy objectives into tangible benefits for the people.

He made the remarks while assessing the budget preparation and presentation process, which involved inputs from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Government Offices, Boards and Commissions.

According to him, the involvement of the various Government institutions demonstrated a coordinated approach to budget preparation and reflected the administration's efforts to ensure that Government priorities were adequately captured in the fiscal plan

.

The Commission chairman noted that a well-prepared budget, presented within the appropriate timeframe, was essential to effective planning, resource allocation and monitoring of Government projects.

He described the presentation as a demonstration of the Governor's commitment to constitutional governance and the established processes of public administration, adding that timely budget preparation would provide the necessary framework for the implementation of Government policies and programmes.

Okon also commended the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, and members of the legislature for their role in handling important matters relating to the state's development.

He stressed the importance of constructive cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of Government in ensuring that the budget received the necessary legislative attention and translated into meaningful development outcomes.

Reflecting on the theme of the 2027 budget, "Budget of Consolidation and Renewed Hope," Okon described the proposed expenditure plan as ambitious, noting that its size and capital expenditure allocation reflected the scale of development expectations associated with it.

The proposed budget, valued at approximately ₦987.8 billion, provides about ₦708 billion in capital expenditure and ₦279 billion in recurrent expenditure, according to figures cited by the Commission chairman.

He said the substantial allocation to capital projects offered opportunities for investment in infrastructure and other development priorities, provided that the funds were effectively managed and projects were implemented in line with the objectives of the budget.

Okon expressed optimism that diligent implementation of the appropriation, effective supervision and prudent management of public resources would help improve service delivery and expand development opportunities across the state. He said the budget's success would ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of residents, particularly through improved infrastructure, access to public services and balanced development across communities. 

The chairman further urged Cross Riverians to support the Governor reelection including policies and programmes aimed at advancing the state's development, emphasising the importance of public participation and collective responsibility in achieving sustainable growth. He maintained that even development across the state should remain a priority in the implementation of Government projects, so that communities in different local government areas could benefit from public investments.

Okon expressed confidence that effective collaboration among Government institutions, alongside responsible implementation of the 2027 budget, would help advance the state's development agenda and strengthen the delivery of public services.

NUJ Celebrates Florence Oluohu at 60, Hails Her Enduring Legacy in Journalism

Iloke Egbe

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has celebrated the Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Chronicle, Lady Florence Oluohu, on her 60th birthday and retirement from active service, describing her career as a remarkable testament to professionalism, resilience, mentorship and excellence in journalism.

The Council, in a congratulatory message issued by its Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, on behalf of the executives and members, commended Oluohu for her outstanding contributions to the journalism profession and her steady rise through the ranks to become Editor-in-Chief of the state-owned newspaper.

Bassey said Oluohu's professional journey reflected years of dedication, competence and commitment to ethical journalism, adding that her achievements had established her as a source of inspiration to women journalists and younger practitioners in the media industry.

According to the NUJ chairman, Oluohu's attainment of the highest editorial position in the newspaper was a recognition of her hard work, professional expertise and unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards in journalism.

"Lady Florence Oluohu has distinguished herself through years of dedication, professional excellence and service to journalism. Her rise to the position of Editor-in-Chief is a testament to her resilience, competence and commitment to the highest standards of our profession," Bassey said.

The Council described Oluohu as a prolific writer and accomplished editor whose editorial judgment, depth of experience and dedication to responsible journalism had contributed significantly to the Nigerian Chronicle.

It also noted that her membership of the Nigeria Guild of Editors underscored her professional standing and commitment to promoting editorial excellence and strengthening journalistic standards. Beyond her accomplishments in the newsroom, the NUJ highlighted Oluohu's contributions to mentoring younger journalists, describing her willingness to share knowledge, offer guidance and encourage emerging professionals as an important part of her legacy.

Bassey observed that Oluohu's impact on the profession extended beyond the stories she had written and the newspaper editions she had supervised, stressing that the values she imparted to colleagues would continue to influence the next generation of journalists.

"Beyond her achievements in the newsroom, Lady Florence has made a lasting impact through mentorship and the example she has set for younger journalists. Her experience and professional values will continue to benefit the journalism community long after her retirement from active service," she said.

The Council noted that Oluohu's 60th birthday and retirement offered an opportunity to reflect on her years of dedicated service, professional accomplishments and contributions to journalism in Cross River State and Nigeria at large.

It further stressed that retirement from active service should not be interpreted as the end of her involvement in the profession, expressing confidence that her wealth of experience, editorial insight and institutional knowledge would remain valuable to the media industry. The NUJ Cross River State Council congratulated Oluohu on attaining the age of 60 and completing her active service, wishing her good health, peace, happiness and a fulfilling retirement.

The Council also expressed the hope that her post-retirement years would provide opportunities for greater personal fulfilment, quality time with family and loved ones, and continued contributions to the development of journalism.

Gov Otu Committed to Welfare, Capacity Building of Civil Servants - C'River CSC Chairman

Iloke Egbe 

The Chairman of the Cross River State Civil Service Commission, Sir Maurice Effiwatt, KSJI, has said that the state Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, is deeply concerned about the welfare of civil servants in the state.

Effiwatt stated this on Wednesday in Calabar while declaring open a two-day in-house training for staff of the Commission employed between 2019 and 2025.

The training, held at the Conference Hall of the Commission, New Secretariat Complex, Calabar, was aimed at enhancing productivity through effective and efficient service delivery to the public.

According to the Chairman, Governor Otu has demonstrated his commitment through various programmes approved to build the capacity of civil servants through training and retraining.

"The importance of training cannot be over-emphasized. There is no human endeavour that does not require training, be it artisans or professionals," Effiwatt said.

He noted that it is important at different times for one to appraise what has been done and analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, in order to re-equip oneself for the challenges ahead.

He commended the organizers, resource persons and staff of the Commission for the initiative.

Some of the topics treated at the training included Overview of Training Objectives, Civil Service Structure, Ethics and Traditions delivered by Dr. Dominic Ogbeche; Customer Service and Service Delivery in the Public Service and Discipline and Appeals handled by Dr. Isang Ofem; Security in Government by Mrs. Patience Egbe; and Rules on Appointment and Leaving the Service by Mrs. Patricia Duncan.

Others were Registry Management by Mr. Noel Agbojor, Financial Regulations in Government by Mr. Fabian Abeng, Conflict Management in Government by Mr. John Johnny and Communication in Government by Dr. Iloke Egbe.

Highlight of the event was the formal induction of staff into the service by the Chairman and the signing of the Oath of Secrecy by the inductees.

FOLUR-NG HAILS OTU’S GOVERNANCE, PLEDGES EXPANDED INTERVENTIONS IN CROSS RIVER

 Iloke Egbe

The Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Nigeria (FOLUR-NG) Project has commended the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for his people-oriented governance and policy framework, which it says are creating an enabling environment for effective project implementation, increased productivity and sustainable development.

The commendation was made during the fourth-quarter 2026 meeting of the State Project Management Committee of FOLUR-NG, held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations office, opposite Navy Field, State Housing Estate, Calabar.

The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the project's performance throughout 2026, assess progress across its various components and deliberate on strategies for improving implementation and strengthening interventions in beneficiary communities.

Speaking at the meeting, the National Project Coordinator, Professor Oladapo Akinyemi, praised Governor Otu for demonstrating visionary leadership and pursuing policies that prioritise the welfare and interests of the people.

Professor Akinyemi disclosed that the project's interventions in Cross River State would be doubled, attributing the planned expansion to the supportive disposition of the state government towards development initiatives.

He also announced plans to strengthen the capacity of project staff to improve their competence and ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the people of Cross River State.

The National Project Coordinator further commended the Ministry of International Donor Coordination (MIDC), under the leadership of its Commissioner, Elder Dr. Hippolatus Ogar Lukpata, for its commitment to facilitating development partnerships and ensuring effective coordination of donor-supported projects.

According to him, the level of progress recorded in Cross River State demonstrates the importance of strong institutional support and effective coordination in achieving development objectives.

He observed that if both Cross River and Ondo states, where FOLUR-NG operates, had commissioners demonstrating the same level of commitment attributed to the MIDC Commissioner, the project would have recorded even greater progress.

In his response, the Commissioner for International Donor Coordination, Elder Dr. Hippolatus Ogar Lukpata, reaffirmed the Cross River State Government's commitment to meeting its obligations to FOLUR-NG and other development projects operating across the state.

He disclosed that approximately 95 per cent of the support commitments agreed upon by the state government for the project had been fulfilled, assuring stakeholders that the outstanding contributions would be completed within the coming days.

Lukpata emphasised that the government remained committed to honouring its obligations and supporting development interventions designed to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable development in communities across Cross River State.

He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between government institutions, development partners and project implementation teams in achieving shared development goals.

Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Clatus Ogbiji, presented an overview of the project's progress and achievements across its various components.

Among the achievements highlighted were efforts to promote gender-equitable land rights and land titling, as well as capacity development programmes targeting male and female smallholder farmers.

He also highlighted capacity-building initiatives for extension officers, local government area facilitators and community facilitators, who have been equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to develop, implement and monitor integrated land-use and investment plans.

According to him, these interventions are designed to promote sustainable land management, environmental conservation, improved agricultural productivity and better livelihoods for beneficiary communities.

Ogbiji further reported progress in the implementation of participatory forest restoration action plans in priority local government areas, underscoring the project's commitment to restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening sustainable natural resource management.

The meeting also featured deliberations on subcontracting arrangements, fund disbursement procedures, co-financing protocols and guidelines for the utilisation of resources under the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

These discussions were aimed at strengthening financial accountability, improving coordination and ensuring that project resources are deployed effectively to achieve the intended development outcomes.

The Project's Chief Technical Adviser, Professor Adebayo Shittu, also presented an overview of FOLUR-NG, outlining its objectives and implementation framework.

The meeting was attended by members of the FOLUR-NG Project Management Committee and Permanent Secretaries from relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the Cross River State Government.

The fourth-quarter meeting reaffirmed the importance of government commitment, institutional coordination and strategic partnerships in advancing sustainable food systems, responsible land use, forest restoration and inclusive economic development in Cross River State.

Ex-Guardian Deputy Bureau Chief Anietie Akpan Laid to Rest in Akwa Ibom

 Ex-Guardian Deputy Bureau Chief Anietie Akpan Laid to Rest in Akwa Ibom 

The remains of former South-South Deputy Bureau Chief of The Guardian newspaper, Mr. Anietie Ben Akpan, has been laid to rest in his hometown of Ekpeneobo, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, amid glowing tributes to his professionalism, integrity and contributions to journalism.

The funeral and thanksgiving service, held at the community playground in Ekpeneobo, attracted journalists, family members, friends, community leaders and members of the Living Faith Church, who gathered to pay their last respects to the late media professional.

In a condolence message, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, described Akpan as a thoroughbred journalist and a friend of Cross River State who made significant contributions to the development of the state through his professional practice. Governor Otu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Nsa Gill, noted that although the deceased hailed from Akwa Ibom State, he lived and worked in Cross River for many years, making Calabar his second home.

The Governor commended Akpan for upholding the ethics of journalism and distinguishing himself through balanced reporting, objectivity and fairness at a time when sensationalism was becoming increasingly prevalent in the media.

"His reports gave voice to the Niger Delta, projected our developmental challenges and celebrated our people," Otu said.

He added that Cross River State had lost not only a friend but also a bridge between the state and the media, as well as a patriotic citizen who deployed his pen to promote good governance and development.

The Governor urged the bereaved family to draw comfort from the enduring legacy of the deceased, noting that his professional achievements and positive impact would continue to inspire younger journalists.

He also prayed for the peaceful repose of Akpan's soul and for God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss.

In his sermon, the Akwa Ibom State Pastor of Living Faith Church, Pastor Tunde Olaghende, admonished Christians to live exemplary lives, make meaningful contributions to society and leave enduring legacies that would speak positively for them after death.

The service featured tributes from colleagues, associates and well-wishers, who described the late journalist as a consummate professional, a humble personality and a man deeply committed to the welfare of his community.

President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, described Akpan's death as a painful loss to the journalism profession.

Abdullahi, who was represented by the Chairman of the NUJ Cross River State Council, Archibong Bassey, said the deceased was a dedicated media professional whose contributions to journalism and commitment to the dissemination of information remained part of his enduring legacy.

"Beyond his professional accomplishments, Anietie was a respected colleague and a friend whose presence and relationship with others will be deeply missed. 

His passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill," the NUJ president stated.

Also paying tribute, former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner and Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, Aniedi Ikoiwak, described Akpan as a balanced and objective reporter whose professional conduct earned him respect.

Ikoiwak, who was Akpan's schoolmate, recalled that they sat on the same bench on their first day in secondary school before reconnecting later in their careers, with Akpan pursuing journalism while he served in INEC.

According to him, their professional relationship provided opportunities to exchange news and share information, further strengthening a friendship that had endured over the years. He described the deceased as a jolly good fellow and an open book whose reports were so balanced that readers could hardly identify any personal bias. Ikoiwak urged practising journalists to emulate Akpan's commitment to fairness, objectivity and professional integrity.

Akpan served The Guardian for many years as a leading media voice in the South-South region, earning recognition for his incisive coverage of politics, governance and development issues across the Niger Delta.

He is survived by his wife, children and other members of his extended family.