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.

Women are Very Important to the World, Cross River Health Commissioner

Iloke Egbe SPC.

The Commissioner Cross River State Ministry of Health Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk has affirmed that women are very important to the World given their fundamental role in procreation as it's a duty assigned to women by God. 

He made the assertion during the flag off of 2025 World Breastfeeding week with the theme Prioritize Breastfeeding, Create a Sustainable Support System, held at the State General Hospital along Mary Slessor Road Calabar. He alluded that if women stop their role of Breastfeeding babies, in 50 years to come the World would end because there is no good replacement for breast milk. 

He also stated that the World is very much interested in what women are doing to sustain the family system which established the premise for awareness creation and sensitization of the public to pay more attention to the plight of women and to support them mostly during the period of breastfeeding babies, adding that women have no option in breastfeeding their babies. 

According to Mr Ayuk, the administration of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu the Governor of Cross River State has prioritized support for Breastfeeding mothers and babies by becoming the first Governor in the Nigerian Federation to approve and implement 6 months paid maternity leave for Breastfeeding mothers.  He added that Government would establish creches in different locations within the workplaces to provide convenience for breastfeeding mothers starting with Civil Servants.

He informed that  from next year, traditional rulers shall be incorporated in the celebration while calling on husbands to support their wives during breastfeeding, that the Governor wants nurses to educate mothers to be healthy and to reduce or avoid illnesses as they have the role to educate mothers on hygiene. 

Highlights of the launch was education and demonstration on proper breastfeeding protocol by Prof. Margaret Agiang from the University of Calabar, benefits of nutrition and negative effects of malnutrition by the State Nutrition Officer Mrs Nkem Eyong Ubana, The role of men in supporting Breastfeeding by Dr. Simon Obogo and finally the presentation of softcare pampas for distributions to nursing mothers present and group photographs. 

The World Breastfeeding Week Flag off was organized by the Cross River State Ministry of Health in collaboration with State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, World Health Organization, State Committee on Food and Nutrition, State planning Commission, Zipline, Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative and other dignitaries and stakeholders from line Ministries Departments and Agencies also in attendance.

76 Oil Wells: Restatement of Facts by CR. Govt

The attention of the Cross River State Government (CRSG) has been drawn to a Press Release issued by Uko Udom, SAN, the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom State on the 24th July, 2025 wherein several misrepresentations and outright falsehood were made against the Government and the good people of Cross River State. Given the sensitivity of the issue, the Cross River State Government would ordinarily not join in litigating this matter in the Court of Public Opinion, just as our sister State desires in the light of her various publications on the subject matter. Nevertheless, this time, it is important to clarify the misinformation peddled by the Akwa Ibom State Government on this issue.

 

2. It is correct that the Government of Cameroon filed a case at the international Court of Justice (ICJ) against Nigeria in 1994 claiming ownership of the Bakassi Peninsula in Cross River State. The ICJ delivered its Judgment in 2002 ceding the Southern portion of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon leaving out Western Bakassi in Nigeria in the Judgment . The clear implication of that judgment is that Western Bakassi remains in Cross River State and in Nigeria.

 

3. It must be noted that the judgment of the International Court of Justice was implemented by the Signing of the Green Tree Agreement in 2008 where Nigeria and Cameroon ,with the help of the United Nations, set up the structures for the handover of Southern Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroon and initiated the Joint Boundary Demarcation Committee known as the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission with the mandate of mapping out the land and maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon.

 

 

4. While the Committee was yet to commence its work of mapping out the actual boundary line of the territories belonging to Nigeria and Cameroon over Bakassi and Lake Chad,    the National Boundary Commission and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission held a retreat in Kano in August 2008 and applied what they called the “Technical Option” as against the “Historic Title Option” earlier used in demarcating the boundary between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States and awarded the 76 oil wells located in western Bakassi to Akwa Ibom State. Let it also be noted that Akwa Ibom State in their petition to the National Boundary Commission had prayed for the application of the Historic Title Option in the resolution of her boundary dispute with Rivers State as was the case with her boundary with Cross River State.

 

5. It is worthy of note also that while Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa States were invited to the retreat held in Kano, Cross River State was not invited because it had no boundary dispute with Akwa Ibom prior to August, 2008.

 

6. Notwithstanding the several judgments of the Supreme Court referred to in the Press Release under reference, in March, 2024, the attention of His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Governor of Cross River State was drawn to the fact that several oil wells, in OML 114 and 123 Oil fields, were indeed within the Cross River State's maritime boundary and for which it derived no revenue whatsoever. As a responsible leader, His Excellency, Governor Otu engaged the relevant authority, namely the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission on this revelation.

7. Upon receipt of Cross River State's Complaint, an inter-Agency Committee, Comprising of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, National Boundary Commission, Nigeria Upstream 

Regulatory Commission was constituted with Surveyors- General of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra , Cross River and other oil producing States as observers to determine the veracity of the Cross River State's Claim.

 

8. In May, 2024 , the Committee carried out its mandate by plotting the 

Maritime boundary of Cross River State using the Nation's  Administrative Map 11th edition, as well as the 2004 well dichotomy Study Map and thereafter geolocated the oil wells found therein. At the end of the exercise, sixty-seven (67) oil wells were found to be within the Maritime Boundary of Cross River State. It is this uncomfortable truth, that our sister State (Akwa Ibom) seeks to suppress as it lays bare the injustice Cross River State has had to suffer since the decision of the Supreme Court delivered in 2012, which Akwa Ibom State Government now hides behind.

 

9. The Presidency has waded into the matter as it should rightly do and has directed both States to consult widely, hold stakeholder's engagements and report back. By the posturing of the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State and the contents of his Press Release, it is abundantly clear that Akwa Ibom State has no interest in the process outlined by the Presidency. On the other hand, Cross River State, standing on the biblical injunction that truth crushed to the ground shall surely rise again, remains committed to unearthing the truth and correcting the grave injustice done to her.

10. This Press Statement shall serve as the ONLY RESPONSE on this issue by Cross River State.

 

Erasmus Ekpang Ph.D.,anipr,ftifuh Commissioner for Information. 28th July, 2025

Environment Commissioner Express Displeasure on Poor Compliance with Sanitation Policy at Ogoja

The Cross River State Sanitation Team, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi, arrived in Ogoja Local Government Area on Saturday for an on-the-spot supervision of the Statewide Environmental Sanitation Exercise.

Fielding questions from Journalists after the exercise, the Commissioner expressed his disappointment on the low level of compliance observed in the area as many business owners and commuters were seen disregarding the sanitation order and going about their normal activities.

"I am disappointed at how people are continuing with their daily routines, seemingly oblivious to the State's sanitation order," he stated.

During the enforcement operation, the Environment Commissioner, accompanied by staff from his Ministry, security personnel, and members of the judiciary along with the Ogoja Urban Development Authority, conducted a thorough crackdown on defaulters saying, "The impact of our visit today will set the pace for future exercises."

He emphasized that the law must be upheld, noting that mobile courts have been established to prosecute offenders, acting as a deterrent to others. 

He clarified that the monthly sanitation practice is intended to promote environmental sustainability for the benefit of all citizens, rather than serve as a punishment and urged collaboration between the Ogoja Urban Development Authority and security agencies in Ogoja and neighboring communities to enhance sanitation efforts.

In response, the Executive Secretary of the Ogoja Urban Development Authority (OUDA), Hon. Ama Agboje, lamented the poor behavioral attitudes towards necessary changes.

He reported having conducted sensitization and awareness campaigns across various sectors of the L.G.A. to facilitate a smoother execution of the monthly exercise and pledged to implement stricter measures while accelerating collaboration with relevant stakeholders moving forward. 

He expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for the on-the-spot supervision in Ogoja, stating that the impact of the Commissioner's visit would significantly influence enforcement against defaulters during subsequent exercises.

While the exercise was on, the mobile courts were observed prosecuting offenders and educating them about the importance of the sanitation exercise in accordance with state law.

APC, President Tinubu, Na Beg C'River Dey Beg

By Inyali Peter 

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has once again demonstrated a troubling pattern of marginalization against Cross River State. Yesterday, during the party’s 14th NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the old zoning arrangement was rectified, restoring the National Chairman position to the North Central zone, which paved the way for the emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda from Plateau State.

Under the rectified zoning arrangement, the Deputy National Secretary, previously held by a Plateau State indigene, was reassigned to Nasarawa State. However, the National Woman Leader position, originally zoned to Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, with Cross River clinching it was conspicuously not returned to the State. 

In APC, each region produces three National Working Committee, NWC members. South/South states always pair two states to one position. Under the rectified zoning formula, Edo and Delta States had National Publicity Secretary which they’re still maintaining while Cross River and Akwa Ibom had the National Woman Leader. However, when Dr. Beta Edu resigned to take up the responsibility of a Minister, the position was hijacked by Edo, meaning Delta and Edo now have two NWC positions leaving Cross River and Akwa Ibom with nothing. 

With the return to status quo, one had thought that the decision would be holistic but again, it has only ended up reinforcing the perception that Cross River is being deliberately marginalized by the APC. Even  the Director of Organization position, which was also initially zoned to the state but reassigned to Nasarawa, was not retained yesterday.

Governor Bassey Otu has been a steadfast pillar of the APC in the South/South geopolitical zone. He has been playing critical role in expanding the party’s influence, yet his state continues to face systemic marginalization. What offense has Governor Otu, a loyal and high performing leader, committed to warrant this treatment? His efforts to deliver on national assignments and strengthen the APC’s foothold in a region historically dominated by opposition parties deserve reward, not neglect.

Regrettably, the marginalization of the State extends beyond party positions. The State remains the only one in the entire country without a Managing Director, Director General or Executive Secretary of any federal agency. It initially had two ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet, a modest representation given its contributions position as APC only State in S/South at the time. However, one minister was suspended under allegations that the EFCC is yet to provide updates nearly one and a half years after, even though the commission was given a two-month mandate to investigate. 

When the State was expecting amicable resolution to the matter for the reinstatement of the suspended Minister or at worst, a replacement from the state, she was replaced with the current National Chairman. The second minister, despite being rated among the top ten performing ministers, was redeployed as Minister of State. When other states lose positions, replacements typically come from within, but Cross River has been consistently shortchanged.

This level of marginalization paints a picture of a state treated as if it has offended the powers that be. The State may not currently be a major oil producing state, but it boasts abundant natural resources, including solid minerals, tourism potential, and a vibrant manpower pool that has contributed hugely to Nigeria’s development. The state’s strategic importance as a tourism hub in the country cannot be overstated. It has given much to the APC and the Federal Government, yet it receives little in return.

While I extend heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Yilwatda on his emergence as APC National Chairman, I appeal to President Tinubu, the APC leadership, and all stakeholders to address this grave injustice against Cross River. The failure to restore the National Woman Leader as per the original zoning arrangement is unjust and unfair. We’re not begging for favours; we’re pleading for fairness. 

Gov. Otu has severally proven his worth to the APC and the nation, the party needs to reciprocate. President Tinubu, a leader known for his political acumen and commitment to inclusivity, must intervene to correct this imbalance. Restore Cross River’s rightful positions in the NWC, give more appointments to the state, and recognize the state’s contributions with more projects. 

APC and President Tinubu, na beg we dey beg, let justice prevail for the illustrious people of Cross River.