UNICROSS alumni gathering in Calabar
UNICROSS will host a reunion bringing together four generations of graduates from the College of Technology Calabar, POLYCAL, CRUTECH and UNICROSS at the Ekpo Abasi Calabar Campus on September 2, 2026. The event, organized by the UNICROSS Directorate of Alumni Relations led by Dr. Obia Eniang-Esien, aims to reconnect alumni with the institution, celebrate its evolution, and explore giving back. Alumni are invited to return to Ekpo Abasi for memories, networking, and potential collaborations that support the university’s growth.
Ibom Air denies airport monopoly
Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, denies claims that it controls access to Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo or blocks other airlines from operating there. Speaking via a Facebook post, the airline’s spokesperson, Anietie Essienette, also said regulators, not Ibom Air, decide flight access. The statement comes after passengers complained about high fares on the Lagos–Uyo route; Ibom Air notes it has no regulatory power over airport access and cites scheduling, aircraft availability, and regulatory requirements as factors. Cross River residents may see increased calls for more flight options and competition.
Tinubu reforms boost business
The Presidency says President Tinubu’s economic reforms are renewing confidence in Nigeria’s business climate and unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs nationwide. In Abuja on August 31, 2026, officials highlighted improved exchange rates and targeted support for micro, small and medium enterprises as drivers of growth. Cross River residents and businesses should note the reforms’ impact on imports, financing, and formalisation programs that aim to lower costs and ease startup processes, with continued expansion plans announced for local entrepreneurs.
Thumb Print On The Broom
Cross River North senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe told supporters in Cross River State, including in Ogoja, to shift allegiance from PDP to APC in the next general elections. Speaking at a large gathering, he urged patience with the governor’s leadership and outlined strategies to strengthen the APC presence in Cross River North, while noting past voting patterns. The event included a cash donation of N50 million to stakeholders and emphasized consolidating support across local government areas as parties redraw political alliances ahead of 2027 elections.
Cross River 2027 Governorship Candidates
INEC released the list of 12 governorship candidates on August 31, 2026, at its Calabar headquarters, including incumbent Governor Bassey Otu of the APC and Archibong Arthur Javis of the PDP, plus contenders from ADC, NDC, NNPP, SDP, LP, LP, APM, APP, AA and ADP. Cross River residents can inspect the particulars at INEC offices as campaigns build toward the 2027 election. The release signals formal credential scrutiny ahead of voting, with parties listing candidates from politics, business, law, and diplomacy across the state.
Oil Firms Get Helicopter Relief
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified helicopter charges for offshore oil operations, confirming a $300 per landing Helicopter Levy remains in force for upstream operators while the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) no longer applies to landings at private offshore facilities or oil platforms. The August 28, 2026 circular addresses operators, licensees and helicopter providers, guiding cost reporting and contracts. This directly impacts Cross River-based oil firms and service providers engaging offshore platforms.
Food Bank rollout training
A national-level team has begun a two-day training for healthcare workers in Cross River State in preparation for the upcoming Food Bank Programme. The Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) Director General, Dr Vivien Mesembe Otu, says participants from Calabar Municipality, Ikom, and Ogoja Local Government Areas will learn beneficiary screening and how to identify health and nutritional needs during rollout. Dr Victoria Adebiyi of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency emphasizes support for malnourished children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers as beneficiaries are enrolled and monitored by trained staff.
Auditor General Tasks Staff Ethics
The Auditor General for Local Governments in Cross River State, Mr. Bassey Abam Eko, has charged staff to uphold high standards of professionalism, integrity and diligence in their duties at the Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments in Calabar. The in-house training, held August 31, 2026, aims to boost transparency, accountability, and due process in auditing of local councils. Auditors are urged to shun corruption, maintain confidentiality, and improve competence with modern tools.
Audit to address funding gaps
The Cross River State House of Assembly Service Commission, led by Chairman Ntufam Victor Okon, hosts a routine audit visit by state public service auditors at the Commission Complex in Calabar on August 31, 2026. Auditors Joins officials to review the Commission’s financial records, assess compliance with public sector regulations, and identify funding gaps. Okon says the independent review will inform budget decisions and ongoing reforms, with Governor Bassey Edet Otu expected to provide necessary support. The exercise emphasizes transparency and accountable financial reporting.
Odama Cybercrime Misuse
Cross River businessman and social commentator Odama was arrested in Lagos on August 9 and later brought to Calabar, where he was briefly remanded before authorities withdrew the case. The piece reviews how the Cybercrimes Act has been applied, notes the 2024 amendments, and calls for safeguards to prevent political complaints from becoming criminal prosecutions. The article underscores Cross River’s past cases and urges due process and accountability from police, prosecutors, and officials.
Calabar Jungle Justice Quelled
Cross River State Police Command in Calabar prevented mob lynching of a man accused of stealing mobile phones around Harbour Junction, Calabar, after a distress call at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The suspect, Chukwu Ebuka, was rescued and taken to a clinic for treatment of injuries. Police arrested Azubike Micheal, 56, for allegedly instigating the mob. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, urged residents to avoid mob justice and report suspected crimes to the police for due process, with further updates promised as investigations continue.