Cross River Motorbike Seizure Protest
Arthur Jarvis Archibong, the PDP gubernatorial candidate for 2027, appeals to the Cross River State Government to show compassion as commercial motorbikes were seized, triggering protests on July 7, 2026 along the Calabar-Ikom corridor at 8 Miles. The disruption left commuters stranded and caused clashes with security operatives. Archibong urges dialogue, alternative transport options, and a review of enforcement to safeguard livelihoods while ensuring public safety.
Cross River Nominated for GAA
The Cross River State delegation is nominated for the Global Achievers Award 2026, with Deputy Governor Peter Odey, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Chief of Staff Emmanuel Ironbar, Hon. Oden Ibiang Ewa, and Evangelist Michael Asuquo named among the honourees. The awards ceremony will hold on August 1, 2026 at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja. The recognition highlights leadership in governance, legislation, entrepreneurship, and service, reflecting Cross River’s growing impact on the national stage.
Car grants approved for 196 councillors
The Cross River State Councillors Forum commends Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for approving and paying car grants to all 196 councillors across the state’s 18 local government areas. The forum notes the move strengthens grassroots governance and service delivery. The governor’s action underscores his People First approach, with councillors saying the grants will empower local representatives to perform duties more effectively. The forum pledges continued collaboration to implement policies benefiting communities and residents in Cross River.
UNICAL NELFUND Refunds Update
UNICAL has refunded 1,089 students through nine manual batches and is moving to an automated payment portal to speed up the remaining disbursements. About 2,090 students are still waiting for NELFUND refunds, with the university saying it will complete verified beneficiaries as the portal rolls out. The NELFUND program, introduced by the Federal Government, aims to ease the cost of education for Cross River students, and UNICAL is coordinating with authorities to ensure timely payments.
Otu hails Imoke’s rural legacy
Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu, in a goodwill message issued in Calabar on July 10, 2026, praises former governor Liyel Imoke for his enduring rural development. Otu highlights Imoke’s insistence on bringing services to rural communities—primary health care facilities, roads, and schools—and notes how those efforts shaped Cross River’s growth. He describes Imoke as a thoughtful, people-centered leader whose years in office laid a foundation that continues to guide governance and development across the state.
Calabar blackout lasts 18 months
Residents of Mayne Avenue by Ephraim Street in Calabar South say a faulty transformer has left their community without power since January 2025. Electricity briefly returned in December 2024 after intervention by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, but the fault recurred and power has been out since. Local leaders urge the distribution company to repair or replace the transformer, noting that ongoing outages harm homes, shops, and students who rely on steady lighting and study time.
Littered drainages raise health concerns
Residents in Calabar South Local Government Area report clogged gutters across Afokang, Howell, St. Mary, Essien, Ekpo Abasi, New Airport Road and nearby areas, raising health and flood worries. On July 11, 2026, community members and His Highness Chief Eyo Coco Bassey described rubbish dumped into drains as the cause of stagnant water and foul odors. Health experts warn that such blockages heighten malaria and cholera risks, prompting calls for more waste bins and regular collection by authorities.
UNICAL student demands accountability
A University of Calabar student has called for transparency on a Presidential Scholarship initiative allegedly issued during former SUG President Emmanuel Obo’s tenure. The student asks when the programme was announced, the eligibility criteria, selection process, and identities of beneficiaries, noting no official list or testimonials have been published. The demand emphasizes verifiable records and accountability in student governance. The report is by Mary Bassey, published two hours ago.
Sweet Mother Road Remedial
Former Budget Adviser Otu Otu Ita says the Sweet Mother Road intervention in Ikom is a remedial project designed to provide temporary relief for road users while a comprehensive reconstruction plan is developed. He explains that remedial works are funded at a lower cost than full-scale construction and should not be mistaken for substandard work. Ita also calls for better public communication to clarify project aims, scope, and limitations to prevent misinformation and manage expectations for Cross River residents.
Cross River seals private clinics
The Cross River State government, through the ministry of health, on Saturday, July 11, 2026, sealed three private health facilities in Calabar over alleged quackery, non-registration, outdated equipment, and failure to meet minimum standards. The action, announced to journalists in Calabar, aims to protect residents and ensure basic medical safety. One sealed facility was reported to be operated by a teacher without medical training, prompting further inquiries by state health officials.
Army, NEMA unite for floods
The Nigerian Army has pledged alliance with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to boost disaster preparedness, emergency response and humanitarian relief as flood threats loom across 33 states nationwide. In Abuja, Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu met with NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar to confirm joint training, enhanced monitoring of dams and expanded disaster response capabilities. The partnership includes establishing Disaster Response Units in key zones and sharing resources to protect Cross River communities from potential flood impacts. The plan also involves inter-agency exercises to improve early warning and rapid deployment, with Cross River highlighted as a vulnerable location for targeted readiness ahead of the rainy season.