Cross River Tax Reforms Urged
The Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS) asks taxpayers and key stakeholders across Cross River to back the 2025 tax reforms now being considered by the Cross River State House of Assembly. In Calabar, CRIRS Executive Chairman Prince Edwin Okon explains the bills aim to simplify tax administration, cut burdens, promote voluntary compliance, and deploy technology to boost revenue. Stakeholders from NLC, CALCCIMA, and business groups attended to seek clarifications and offer improvements. The reforms are designed to make Cross River more investment-friendly while aligning with federal tax objectives.
Ugep Sues Cross River State
The Ugep community, represented by its traditional leadership in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, has filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Cross River State, Calabar Judicial Division, against the Government of Cross River State and the Idomi community over the Ketabebe frontier land dispute. The action seeks to stop alleged unlawful land allocations and preserve ancestral rights, citing past court judgments and due process. The filing marks a formal, legal step to resolve ownership and occupancy claims.
Court Bars Demolition in Calabar
The Cross River State Government is halted from demolishing properties in the Water Board Estate, Calabar, after a court granted an interim injunction on Friday, July 3, 2026. The order, secured by FBI Legal on behalf of Cecilia Alphonsus Ogar Eba, restrains the government and its agents from demolishing or interfering with Eba’s property pending a full hearing to enforce her rights. The court preserved the status quo and will hear the substantive suit in due course.
Ogar Eba: Political Outrage
Alphonsus Ogar Eba has publicly criticized Governor Bassey Otu over perceived neglect of Northern Cross River communities, as reported by Calitown on July 3, 2026. The piece highlights ongoing road projects and infrastructural upgrades under the current administration in Cross River State, contrasting them with Eba’s claims of distress and misgovernance. The article notes improved roads in Ogoja, Yala, and Ukelle areas, and questions Eba’s credibility while detailing the governor’s development strides and governance record for Cross River residents. The author’s byline is Linus Obogo.
ABAS Conference on Excellence
The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), via its Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars (ABAS), hosts the 4th Edition Mega Campus Conference in Calabar to bring together scholars, students, government officials, and professionals to translate belief into action. The event, themed From Belief to Practice: Advancing Academic and Moral Excellence, features keynote addresses, panel discussions, and sessions on integrity, mentorship, and leadership. Cross River State officials, including the Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, participate to stress the demand for graduates with technical skills and strong morals, urging attendees to uphold academic honesty and responsible citizenship. The conference continues with discussions on improving policy, mentorship, and education, aiming to strengthen ethical values and national development from Calabar.
Cross River approves new appointments
The Cross River State Government has begun filling vacant Permanent Secretary posts in the State Civil Service, issuing a circular via the Head of Service, following Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s approval. Directors must take a mandatory qualifying exam before promotion to Permanent Secretary. Applications are free and available at the Public Service Office from July 3, 2026, with a submission deadline of July 17, 2026. Successful candidates will be notified of exam details as announced by the PSO.
Pensioners Hail N39.6bn Arrears
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) commends President Tinubu as the Federal Government approves N39.6 billion in overdue pension arrears under the Defined Benefit Scheme. The payment covers the 10.6 percent pension increase yet to be fully paid and is expected to benefit thousands of retirees across the country, including Cross River State residents. Officials urge prompt disbursement and continued pension reforms to ensure timely entitlements for all pensioners.
FAHCWB Donates Learning Materials
The Feed a Hungry Child with Briana Foundation (FAHCWB) is directing its ongoing support to Obudu, Cross River State, with a visit to Bebuabong Community Primary School on July 2. The foundation distributes notebooks, reasoning textbooks, and socks to more than 100 pupils, alongside a session emphasizing ambition, confidence, and kindness. Founder Barr. Briana Akpagu explains the effort as a sustained partnership to improve educational access and wellbeing, with plans to expand outreach in the coming months for lasting impact.
UNICAL Prof bags AABB grant
Prof. Ifeyinwa Maryann Okafor of the University of Calabar is the sole African recipient of the 2026 AABB Foundation Grant. The project, titled Genetically Informed Transfusion Strategies for Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria and Rwanda, will map about 2,000 blood donors and 600 patients across Nigeria and Rwanda to develop safer transfusion guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa. The work aims to reduce transfusion reactions and improve patient care for Cross River residents and beyond.
UNICROSS appoints new directors
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has announced the appointment of new Directors, Heads of Department (HODs), and Desk Officers across academic and administrative units to strengthen leadership and service delivery. Effective June 30, 2026, appointments include Prof. Emmanuel Uttah as Director of the Directorate of Research and Dr. Anthony Otiko as Desk Officer of TETFund and Director of Career Services, with Prof. James Akpama as the pioneer Outcome-Based Education Desk Officer. Acting HODs are appointed across multiple departments, including Mathematics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Business Administration, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, and Civil Engineering, signaling a commitment to academic excellence and continuity at UNICROSS.
Obudu Mountain Road Reopened
Cross River State residents and visitors will benefit as the Obudu Mountain road, cut off by a landslide on June 21, 2026, is reopened thanks to intervention from two Cross River natives, Hon. Dr. Jeddy Agba and Dr. J.N. Dimla. The road to Obudu Ranch Resort is now accessible again after five days of closure, with local authorities coordinating quick repair work and safety checks. Community leaders welcome the reopening but urge permanent engineering works to prevent future disruptions during the rainy season. The intervention underscores ongoing efforts to restore reliable access to Cross River’s premier tourism area.
Cross Riverians Must PVC Vote
Cross Riverians and Nigerians are urged to obtain their PVCs, register, and vote in the 2027 elections to influence governance in Cross River State. Courage Onwu writes from UNICROSS, explaining how a valid PVC empowers citizens to demand better roads, power, healthcare, education, and security. The piece, published July 4, 2026, emphasizes peaceful participation, warns against vote-buying, and calls residents to mobilize family and friends to collect their cards and vote for accountable leadership.
UNICROSS: Verify NELFUND Status
UNICROSS directs NELFUND beneficiaries to verify loan status and collect school fee receipts. The directive, issued July 3, 2026, requires University of Cross River State students who benefited from the Federal Government NELFUND loan to confirm approval and obtain receipts. Beneficiaries should visit the ICT Unit of the DICT to verify disbursements and collect official fee payment receipts, ensuring their records are accurate and that disbursements are properly recognized for tuition and related expenses.
Fr. Clement Agama Responds
Beatrice Akpala’s critics claim her comments reflect loyalty and political alliances, but CalabarGist reports a rebuttal from Fr. Clement Agama. The piece argues that Akpala’s remarks on political loyalty are misrepresented and that governance in Cross River North should rely on dialogue and inclusivity. The article stresses that associations are a constitutional right and that leadership must address development without inflaming divisions. It urges readers to assess public discourse on facts, not emotion, as Cross River residents consider future policy and governance.
Agriculture Is Nigeria’s Hope
Hon. Prince Bassey E. Effiong, Executive Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, speaks in Akpabuyo during a strategic advocacy visit by Cross River LIFE-ND Project officials. He notes agriculture as Nigeria’s path to sustainable growth, food security and job creation. The LIFE-ND Project aims to strengthen collaboration with the council, institutionalize sustainability, and expand opportunities for youths and women through practical agribusiness, empowering individuals to succeed rather than rely on aid. July 4, 2026.