Calabar news in brief for March 22: Sunday’s top headlines

Minister Assesses Rice Mill Challenges

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, visited the Ofodua Rice Processing Cluster in Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State, to assess operational challenges. The visit highlighted issues such as outdated equipment, limited financing, and inconsistent power and water supply affecting the mills. This assessment matches with the federal administration’s goal to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector, improve domestic food production, and strengthen value chains, aiming to modernize mills, reduce losses, and create jobs in Cross River State. Source

Invest in Women for STEM Growth

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is calling for increased investment and collaboration to support women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). APWEN President Chinyere Igwegbe emphasized that enabling women is crucial for national progress, unlocking advancement, and strengthening economies. The organization advocates for mentorship, scholarships, and outreach programs to advance women in engineering. Recent events highlighted challenges in STEM education, including inadequate facilities, prompting a call for stakeholders to improve learning conditions and support female engineers to increase their representation in technical roles, which currently stands below 20 percent. Source

Appointees Seeking Office Must Resign

President Bola Tinubu has directed all political appointees seeking elective office to resign by March 31. This directive applies to individuals holding positions who intend to contest in any election. The move aims to ensure compliance with electoral laws and promote fairness in the electoral process. Affected appointees must submit their resignations before the stipulated deadline. Source

NIPR Invests Governor Otu as Patron

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has invested Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State as its patron, commending his commitment to ethical leadership. The investiture ceremony, held in Calabar, recognized the governor’s dedication to principles of integrity and good governance. This recognition by a professional body highlights the governor’s efforts in encouraging a transparent and accountable administration within Cross River State. Source

Revamping Medical Supply Chain

Cross River State is set to revamp its medical supply chain system through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A recent consultative session, led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, focused on creating a unified roadmap for warehouse transition and sustainable logistics. This initiative aims to establish a working, centralized system for procurement and efficient distribution of health commodities, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and strengthening the state’s health system with transparency and institutional stability. The transition is expected to be completed within 18 months, with plans to change the warehouse into a South-South regional hub. Source

Calabar Hosts Logistics Summit in April

Cross River State will host the national body of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria (CILT) for a two-day event on April 15-16, 2026, in Calabar. The summit aims to encourage collaboration among stakeholders in the logistics and transport sector, emphasizing professionalism and industry standards. The state government, through the Ministry of Transportation, has pledged full support for the event, which will bring together national CILT executives and key industry players, including representatives from NPA and NIMASA. This gathering highlights Cross River’s commitment to advancing its role in national logistics discourse. Source