Onor Disconnected From Reality
The PDP presidential candidate, Prof Sandy Onor, described Cross River State’s administration under Governor Bassey Otu as a government of Mediocre, prompting a response from Dr. Bobby Ekpenyong, a former PDP chieftain and university lecturer. Ekpenyong states Onor is disconnected from reality and accuses him of making statements born of malice and the loss of the 2023 governorship election. He argues Cross River has seen security gains, infrastructural improvements, and transparent employment, urging critics to base remarks on verifiable outcomes ahead of the 2027 polls.
Cross River Political Summit 2026
Cross River State will host the Political Advocacy Summit 2026 on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Pearl Ballroom, Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, starting at 11:00 a.m. The Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Content Development and Archiving organizes the event to deepen citizen participation, promote inclusive governance, and strengthen public policy accountability. Governor Bassey Otu attends as Special Guest of Honour. Panels will include senior officials and academics who will discuss participatory governance, leadership, and the role of citizens in shaping public policy. Attendees are urged to engage and contribute to the feedback mechanisms being institutionalised for Cross River residents.
Otu orders flood intervention
Cross River State Governor Otu has initiated immediate intervention to tackle flooding across the state and warns residents against building on drainage channels. Emergency teams and local authorities are coordinating drainage clearance and relief efforts in flood-prone communities, including Calabar and surrounding districts, with rapid-response units deployed to unblock drains and reinforce culverts. The measures aim to reduce waterlogging, protect homes, and safeguard roads. Citizens should heed the directive, report illegal structures, and cooperate with field crews as operations continue.
Cross River Tourism Diplomacy Advances
Foreign Defence Advisers and Defence Attachés accredited to Nigeria are hosted in Cross River State for a firsthand look at its tourism assets and investment potential. The visit, at Obudu Ranch Resort and the International Conference Centre, Centre, is part of Governor Otu’s push to position Cross River as a premier destination for leisure and investment. Delegates are treated to guided tours, cultural performances and briefings on security, infrastructure and hospitality deserving of sustained foreign partnerships.
HCPAN urges withdrawal of NHFRA
The Healthcare Providers’ Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) has urged the National Assembly to withdraw plans to establish the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA). Speaking at a Lagos news conference on July 17, 2026, Dr. Austine Aipoh warned that creating a new federal regulator could duplicate existing functions, raise costs and impede regulatory efficiency. He called for strengthening current regulators and enhancing coordination to protect patient access to affordable, quality care across Nigeria, including Cross River State.
UN backs Nigeria food systems
The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, has reaffirmed continued support to strengthen Nigeria’s food systems from Abuja, in a two-day National Dialogue on convergence initiatives. The move, part of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, targets climate resilience and SDG progress, with Cross River residents set to benefit through improved nutrition, agricultural livelihoods, and locally led policies. Nigeria’s participation joins 22 countries in the Convergence Initiative, with partners urging action, funding, and capacity building for durable, inclusive agrifood systems across all states, including Cross River.
AI governance frameworks urged
Experts in artificial intelligence and policy groups in Nigeria are calling for global governance frameworks to guide AI development, warning unregulated innovation could worsen inequality. The discussion took place during a high-level edition of The Global Debate on CGTN and highlighted risks such as deepfakes and biased algorithms. Advocates say governance must accompany or precede development to ensure benefits reach Cross River institutions, workers, and students, with Nigeria implementing clear rules to steer AI use nationwide.
UNICAL Threatens Sanctions Over Sign-Out
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) warns final-year students against disorderly post-examination celebrations, saying offenders will face disciplinary action. In a statement by Registrar Dr. Mrs. Chukwuka Icha, the university bans risky acts like flying of colours, reckless driving, and crowd gatherings at the gates and around the campus. The Acting Chief Security Officer will enforce the rule across campus. Students are urged to celebrate responsibly to preserve peace on and near the university grounds.
Nigeria tracks terrorism funding
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) chief executive, Hafsat Bakari, says Nigeria is ahead in tracking and disrupting terrorism financing, announced during the validation of the National Organised Crime Strategy in Abuja on July 17, 2026. The initiative highlights stronger inter-agency collaboration and dedicated tracing of illicit funds that fuel organised crime. Cross River residents and financial institutions nationwide stand to benefit from tighter controls, improved investigations, and coordinated action against illicit financial flows, with the strategy set to guide implementation across government and partners.
Digital Economy Phase 2 Unveiled
Cross River residents and Nigerian businesses will benefit as the Federal Government expands the Legal Basis Project for the digital economy. The second phase was unveiled in a Regulatory Engagement Session in the Federal Capital Territory on July 17, 2026, with regulators and tech experts present. The initiative, led by Tech Hive Advisory with support from Meta, strengthens NDPA compliance tools, including audits, RoPA mapping, and a privacy-guidance chatbot, to protect data subjects and improve transparency across organisations.
FG unveils digital standards platform
The Federal Government, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Bureau of Public Procurement, launches the Digital Standards Platform in Abuja to give Nigerian firms easier access to standards, certification services and compliance tools. The move, part of the Nigeria First policy, will integrate into the BPP’s e-Marketplace to streamline procurement of Nigerian-made goods and services. Cross River institutions and suppliers will access verified standards, reducing costs and boosting local industry nationwide.
PDP Declares Authentic Candidate CRS
The Cross River PDP faction, led by Tanimu Turaki, has reaffirmed Julius Udayi as the authentic governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a Thursday press briefing in Cross River State, Udayi and party officials urged INEC and the public to disregard rival claims and pledged credible leadership and peaceful political engagement as preparations continue. The briefing also covered the party’s full slate of candidates for the 2027 ballot, reinforcing party unity in Cross River.
Cross River Aligns with Health Reform
Cross River State has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery by aligning with national health reforms as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare begins the mid-term review of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) 2023–2027. On July 16, 2026, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, welcomed the review team and stated the HSSB remains a foundation for coordinating maternal health, public health infrastructure and other interventions under Governor Bassey Otu’s People First agenda. The federal review aims to evaluate progress, identify gaps and ensure evidence-based planning benefits Cross River residents, with the Sector-Wide Approach guiding unified planning and reporting.
Pelican Stars Return to NWFL
Pelican Stars FC, based in Calabar, have clinched promotion to the NWFL Premiership after a 1-0 playoff final win over DreamStar Ladies FC at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on July 16, 2026. The week-long championship in Calabar from July 11 to 16 saw the squad secure three straight wins, with Blessing Ayila scoring a stoppage-time winner. Cross River State Sports Commission Chair Etta Lawrence Itanya congratulated the players and thanked Governor Otu and the First Lady for backing sports development in the state.
PCN seals 500 drug outlets
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) reports a four‑day enforcement exercise in Cross River State that led to the sealing of 505 pharmaceutical premises, including 54 pharmacies, 160 PPMV stores, and 291 illegal outlets. Conducted across Bekwara, Yakurr, Obubra, Ikom, Yala, Ogoja, Akamkpa, Odukpani, Calabar Municipal and Calabar South, the operation aimed to curb illegal medicine sales and ensure licensed, safe pharmaceutical practices for Cross River residents. Inspectors reviewed 602 premises, with 42.5% of pharmacies fully compliant and 26.8% of PPMVs compliant; illegal outlets faced immediate closure.