More Collaborations will Strengthen our Partnership towards achieving Government objectives-Bong Duke

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More Collaborations will Strengthen our Partnership towards achieving Government objectives-Bong Duke*

Iloke, Egbe 

The Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer CRS Planning Commission Dr Bong Duke has called for more Collaborations among Ministries, Departments and Agencies supporting implementation of Nutrition programmes in the State. The Vice Chairman disclosed this while welcoming partners to the State committee on Food and Nutrition/ Food Systems Committee Quarterly Meeting held at SPC Conference Hall, New Secretariat Complex Calabar.

He said for the interest of the State and Nigeria in general let every MDA working in various nutrition sectors collaborate effectively.

He further stressed the need to  present their reports both in hard and soft copy.

He encouraged partners to be sensitive about the interest of the Governor which is to make Cross Riverians the healthiest people in Nigeria by 2027, adding that, the Governor is very supportive on anything that has to do with nutrition. 

According to the VC CEO the Governor is not happy with the State data which indicates high percentage of stunting and poor nutritional status and has vowed to reverse it. That with proper collaborations the Hydra headed Malnutrition and food insecurity can be  addressed.

He used the occasion to commend MDAs and partners for their commitment while informing that the Commission is willing to support line MDAs to achieve their goals and objectives for the benefit of all in the State.

He also solicited the support of partners in the meeting to assist in funding of the Nutrition activities in the 2025  Annual Operational Plan  as the State Government cannot do it all.

Contributing, Venerable Augustine Aqua appreciated what the MDAs and partners including SPC are doing to promote nutrition concepts as a culture for good living and further informed that for 2025 the State Government has provided 500 hectares of land for the cultivation of cassava for a start, while 5000 hectares is earmarked for cultivation in 2026 on clusters format.

Highlights of the review meeting was presentation of reports by implementing MDAs and partners, breakout session for indepth analysis, questions and answers session and adoption of the meeting report. MDAs and partners that were present and Presented their reports were State Ministry of Health, CRS Primary Healthcare Development Agency, CRS Agric Development Project, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, CRS Budget Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs, FADAMA, representative from World Health Organization, Youth Network, USAID, representative from Bio-Fortified Food, The SEED Council of Nigeria, others were from the University community and other members of the SCFN. Closing remarks by the chairman State Committee on Nutrition and SPC Permanent Secretary Mr. Kingsley Ndem Eyibio.

Transformation of Food Systems is to Ensure Food Security, Nutrition, Health and Environmental Sustainability-Governor Otu

Iloke, Egbe 

The Cross River State Government has restate it commitment to the transformation of Food Systems to ensure food security, nutrition, health and environmental sustainability as a significant concern of Government, researchers and stakeholders across countries of the world.

The Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu represented by the State Deputy Governor, His Excellency RT. Hon. Peter Odey made the assertion while addressing the South South and South East States during a 2 day review meeting held at metropolitan Hotel Calabar. 

The Governor expressed delight to play host to States in the 2 geopolitical zones, while affirming that food systems actions affect people's health, nutritional status, livelihoods, environment, economy, climate and other social activities that make up a society. 

In his words, in CRS since the inception of the administration we have taken frantic efforts to address food system actions across implementing sectors by addressing basic constraints leading to food availability, accessibility, affordability and desirability. Adding that, we are intentional about key objectives of this administration which aims to make Cross River State a State with the healthiest citizens in Nigeria by the year 2027. That institutional framework and policies are currently working to review regulations which aim to guide the process.

According to the Governor, the administration is aware of the prevailing adverse statistics on food and nutrition indicators and is more determined to reduce those ugly indices to the barest minimum. Speaking further, he affirmed the openness of the State to support collaborations from partners and other States in the zones, expressing his believe in the State team work which will improve efficiency of food systems while creating the intended impacts across the zones. 

He also expressed the hope given the caliber of persons in attendance, the meeting will inform better strategies and innovations that will shape conversations around food systems transformation and transitions that are sustainable for the betterment of our people.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer CRS Planning Commission, Dr Bong Duke informed that SPC is please to have delegates in attendance and for the safe travels. Stating that SPC is a parastatal with the mandate to formulate development plans as well as coordinate sectoral policies for the State and mandated to coordinate food systems actions in the State while ensuring that other food systems actors implement actions that contribute to the transformation agenda in a timely and efficient jointly and collaboratively.

According to the VC CEO in Cross River State efforts are ongoing to transform the State food systems particularly since the takeoff of Prince Bassey Edet Otu led administration has brought innovations and strategic ideas poised to reduce food and nutrition insecurity, create access to safe and nutrition foods in an environment ally sustainable manner that will improve the health and wealth of Cross River.

Some of the topics discussed during the event were: Review of food systems transformation implementation strategies, meeting objectives and expectations by the SPC Permanent Secretary Mr. Kingsley Ndem Eyibio, implementation progress by each State, financing and resource mobilization for food systems transformation and interactive session to draft next steps for implementation and coordination.

Some of the guest speakers were Dr. S. O. Faniran, national convenor of food systems in Nigeria, Prof. Toyosi Idowu, Joyce Akpata and Nkem Eyong Ubana from SPC.

Dignitaries in attendance were from all the States in the South South and South East zones in Nigeria and featured goodwill messages from stakeholders across the line MDAs, group photograph and a communique from the meeting.

UNICROSS ALUMNI WANTS PERMANENT SOLUTION TO VARSITY LEADERSHIP CRISIS

The University of Cross River State Alumni Association commends Governor Bassey Otu, the Visitor to the University, for his consistent commitment and support to the institution since taking office. Notably, despite the nation's challenging times, the Governor has prioritized the university's needs, including ensuring steady salary payments, approving the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine, and successfully relocating the Obubra Campus to the Okuku satellite campus, thereby streamlining campus operations.

Despite remarkable efforts, the University has been embroiled in a crisis surrounding the legitimacy of its leadership. A contentious issue has been the tenure of the current governing council, with internal members having exceeded their statutory four-year term, as stipulated in the University Establishment Law, by over a year and getting to two years. This protracted tenure has created a logjam, preventing the congregation, Senate and Convocation from holding elections to replace or re-elect outgoing members, as their terms are tied to that of the governing council.

While the governing tenure remains a contentious issue, the alumni Association is also deeply concerned about the legitimacy of the current management, particularly in light of Section 3(3) of the First Schedule of the University's Establishment Law. This provision stipulates that in the event of a vacancy in the Vice Chancellor position due to death, incapacitation, or removal from office, the Visitor to the University shall appoint an Acting Vice Chancellor to serve for a period not exceeding six months.

However, the current Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Abua Ogar having served a six- month tenure in Acting capacity as stipulated by law, initially from November 17, 2019, to May 6, 2020, one would have expected that he should have been re-appointed in a substantive capacity as he has all the credentials to lead the institution as its substantive Chief Executive Officer. His reappointment in an acting capacity on August 31, 2024, raises questions about the governing council vis-a-vis the government’/ adherence to the institution's laws.

The alumni had initially perceived his reappointment in acting capacity as a misstep or the activation of the doctrine of necessity by the governing council because of the leadership crisis in the university at the time therefore opted to remain silent to avoid exacerbating the already tense atmosphere. However, with the former substantive Vice Chancellor's suspension exceeding six months and the current Vice Chancellor's re-appointment also exceeding three months (nine months all together), the government's silence has become increasingly concerning. The association had anticipated a clear directive from the government regarding the former Vice Chancellor's fate or an advertisement for a substantive replacement at least from the date the current VC clocked three months, but the prolonged silence has only added to the uncertainty.

Unequivocally, the interpretation of section 3(3) of the UniCross Establishment law is simple; on no condition should a particular person serve for more than six months. But it can be less but not more. For instance, Prof. Emmanuel Ingwu was appointed Acting VC of UniCross for just one day before. Both Professors Joshua Akon and Prof. Augustine Angba were appointed Acting VCs for initial period of three months. Although they were both eventually reappointed after finishing their initial three months, on announcement, the governor stated clearly that their appointments were for three months. This lay credence to the fact that one can act for less than six months but no more on no account.

Given the foregoing, it has therefore become imperative for the association to remind the governor about the uncertain leadership situation at the university. As we've previously stated, stability is important for the university's growth, particularly in aligning with the Governor’s People's First agenda. However, the lingering question mark over the leadership's legitimacy hinders this stability. While some argue that the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor in between can justify the reappointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor who previously exceeded the legally allowed term, the facts remains that this reasoning contradicts the University Establishment Law and the Nigerian Universities Miscellaneous Act (1993).

This argument is fundamentally flawed, suggesting that a former governor or president who has served the maximum eight-year term can recontest if there have been intervening administrations. For instance, it implies that His Excellency Mr. Donald Duke, who previously served as Governor of Cross River State, could run again simply because two governors have held office since his tenure. This reasoning not only defies logic but also contravenes the explicit provisions and underlying principles of the institution's founding laws. There’s also the question of the reasoning behind considering Prof. Ogar only good enough for acting appointment and not substantive. 

Nevertheless, it is the alumni's considered opinion that the governor should scrutinize the records to determine if the current council is legally qualified to oversee the appointment of a new substantive Vice Chancellor, having also exceeded the legally allowed four-year term without extension or reconstitution. If found to be qualified, in line with the law establishing the institution, he should direct the council to advertise for a new VC immediately, where Prof. Ogar can be confirmed as substantive VC or another qualified person appointed for the stability of the institution. However, if the council's tenure is deemed illegitimate, the association urges the governor to constitute a new council promptly, ensuring the university's progress through the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor.

We urge the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice to provide a clear interpretation of the university laws to the Governor, ensuring that all decisions align with the existing laws. Specifically, we request guidance on the suspension and appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor, which we believe exceeded the legal authority of a governing council, or was ultra vires, tenure of office of an acting Vice chancellor and other principal officers, etc. A citadel of learning like UniCross cannot afford to perpetuate errors, as the consequences would be dire for the institution. The alumni association particularly fears that if the legitimacy of the university's leadership were challenged in court, key decisions - including promotions and the validity of certificates - could come under serious scrutiny, jeopardizing the university's reputation and the future of its students.

e-Signed:

Comrade Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

National President/Member of Council

Unicross the leadership challenge,why the Governor should act now

UNICROSS ALUMNI WANTS PERMANENT SOLUTION TO VARSITY LEADERSHIP CRISIS