Calabar news in brief for January 18: Sunday’s top headlines

Civil Servants to Receive Housing Scheme

The Cross River State government, through the Head of Service, Barr Bassey Orok, has announced an approved housing scheme for civil servants across all three senatorial districts. This initiative, championed by Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu, aims to provide housing opportunities for state employees. The announcement was made during the 2026 solemn assembly, where the Head of Service also highlighted other upcoming benefits for civil servants in the new year, including training for a paperless scheme and a personnel audit to combat ghost workers. Source

NSE Inaugurates Solar Borehole for School

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has commissioned a solar-powered borehole at the FCT LEA Primary School in Gwagwalada, Abuja. This initiative aims to provide a sustainable and clean water source for the students and staff, addressing potential water scarcity issues. The project, funded and executed by the NSE, highlights the organization’s commitment to community development and the application of engineering solutions to improve public facilities. The solar power system ensures the borehole operates efficiently with minimal environmental effect and reduced reliance on conventional power sources. Source

Tinubu Praises AFRIMA Success

President Bola Tinubu congratulated Nigerian artistes for their wins at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), highlighting their success as evidence of Nigeria’s growing global creative influence. He specifically praised Rema, Burna Boy, and Shallipopi for their achievements, noting that their victories reflect the strength and creativity of Nigerian youth and the nation’s expanding presence in the global music scene. The President emphasized that Nigerian music serves as a strong voice for the country internationally and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the creative sector. Source

Health Training Reforms Underway

Cross River State is significantly reforming its health training sector, aiming to operationalize the College of Medicine in Ogoja and raise all health institutions to global standards. This initiative matches with Governor Prince Bassey Otu’s health agenda. The state plans to affiliate nursing colleges with the University of Calabar for degree awards, ensuring professional development and improved healthcare service delivery for residents. Stakeholders are committed to achieving excellence and meeting international benchmarks in health education. Source

FG Inaugurates IP Policy Committees

The Federal Government has established Intellectual Property (IP) policy implementation committees to encourage advancement and enhance trade across Nigeria. This initiative aims to simplify the protection and commercialization of intellectual property, thereby stimulating financial growth and encouraging creativity within the country. The committees will focus on developing strategies to boost advancement and trade, matching with national development goals. Source

NNMDA, NITR to Develop Indigenous Medicine

The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) and the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) are collaborating to develop indigenous medicines for river blindness and sleeping sickness. This partnership aims to harness Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge to create effective treatments for these neglected tropical diseases. The initiative will involve research, validation, and potential commercialization of plant-based remedies, offering hope for improved healthcare outcomes for affected communities in Nigeria and beyond. Source