Cross River Security Summit July 30
The Cross River State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, will host a Security Summit on July 30, 2026 at the Pearl Ball Room, Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar. Theme: Unite Against Terror. The event will bring together government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and civil society to discuss intelligence sharing, crisis prevention, and community participation. Beatrice Akpala chairs the planning committee and says the summit aims to translate talks into actionable steps to safeguard lives, investments, and development across all 18 LGAs.
Cross River Trains 221 Officers
Cross River State government has begun training 221 officers to lead the state’s Social Intervention and Investment Programme across 196 wards. The cohort will produce 196 Ward Development Officers and 25 Local Government Liaison Officers to coordinate the People First welfare initiative, starting with the Southern Senatorial District in Calabar. The capacity-building aims to identify vulnerable residents and deliver targeted support, with about 29,400 beneficiaries statewide—100 per ward receiving direct cash transfers and 50 receiving empowerment support.
Two Years of Urban Renewal
Cross River State’s Governor Bassey Otu has overseen two years of urban renewal, led by the Office of the Special Adviser on Urban Beautification and Development. In Calabar and across the state, practical upgrades have restored cleanliness, safety and public spaces: reintroduced hanging waste bins along the Carnival Calabar route, refreshed Moni Nkim Park, and redeveloped the Marian Road pedestrian gateway named after Eyoanwan Bassey Otu. A tree-planting drive along Ekorinim II and the Sweetness Park project decongest streets and support residents and local businesses. Citizens are urged to maintain cleanliness and participate in ongoing efforts.
LP Candidate Targets Credible Elections
Dr. Chibuzor Okereke, the Labour Party presidential hopeful, is calling on INEC and other electoral stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027. Speaking in Abuja during a NAN interview, he stressed honest communication about electoral activities and the performance of voting equipment to reassure Nigerians. He urged security agencies and electoral workers to be thorough, warned against mismanagement of funds, and urged transparent logistics. Cross River residents should expect nationwide reforms that affect voting processes, logistics, and accountability ahead of the polls.
LP Candidate on Corruption
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr Chibuzor Okereke, delivers a national plan on July 19, 2026 in Abuja, urging an integrated anti-corruption approach. He stresses activating laws, decentralizing project oversight, and using recovered funds for national projects. This stance could affect Cross River residents by shaping federal policies that influence local schools, banks, and government contracts. Implementing the program aims to root out corruption from family to society levels, with accountability at every stage.
Tinubu reforms benefit all Ambassadors
Renewed Hope Ambassadors say President Tinubu’s reform policies will benefit Nigeria and Cross River communities through better governance and investment. The Nan News report quotes ambassadors praising the reforms and outlining how they will roll out nationwide, with Cross River included in implementation. The plan aims to improve public services, create jobs, and increase citizen participation, with clear timelines for rollout across states.
NRS e-invoicing deadline
The Nigeria Revenue Service has set July 31, 2026 as the deadline for all large taxpayers to fully adopt the national e-invoicing and Electronic Fiscal System (EFS). In Cross River State, companies, banks, and government suppliers must prepare to transmit invoices through the Merchant Buyer Solution platform to prove compliance. Ensure onboarding and testing are complete by the deadline to avoid sanctions; seek professional guidance to align billing practices with the new rules.
Cross River Man Sentenced to Death
The Cross River High Court in Calabar, presided by Justice Blessing Egwu, has sentenced 51-year-old Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, who lived with Down syndrome and was accused of witchcraft. The judgment, delivered in Calabar on July 20, 2026, follows evidence in suit HC/54c/2025, State vs Etim. The ruling connects to ongoing efforts in Cross River to end witchcraft branding and protect vulnerable residents.
85 Foreign-Trained Pharmacists Inducted
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria inducted 85 foreign-trained Nigerian pharmacists into the profession after completing the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme. The oath-taking ceremony in Abuja marked their official admission to practice under PCN oversight. Inductees were reminded to uphold professional ethics and patient safety as they begin practice, with orientation designed to align their training with Nigeria’s healthcare policies and regulations. The event emphasizes ongoing professional development for pharmacists across the country.
Security Fight Beginning to Pay Off
The APC Chair’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Yusuf Dingyadi, says Nigeria’s security drive is paying dividends as the government invests in modern equipment and adopts non-kinetic strategies. He notes improved surveillance, better intelligence, and coordinated efforts by security agencies are reducing banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, with communities playing a role in prevention. While insecurity remains a challenge, the official says ongoing reforms will strengthen safety nationwide, including Cross River residents who rely on stable security.
APC Crisis in Biase
Political commentator Egwu Daniel in Biase LGA raises concerns over growing APC divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections. He says Governor Otu maintains goodwill among Biase residents due to his leadership and ongoing projects, but warns that internal party rifts could complicate the race. He cites defections from APC to PDP, including about 250 people in Ehom Ward on July 19, 2026, signaling shifting political dynamics. Daniel calls for unity and reconciliation to strengthen grassroots support.
UniCal bans post-exam celebrations
University of Calabar (UniCal) in Calabar has reaffirmed its ban on wild post-exam celebrations and related acts that disrupt campus peace. In a statement issued on Monday, Registrar Chukwuka Icha told students—especially finalists—that reckless driving, flying of colours, and other disorderly conduct remain prohibited inside the campus and at the gates. The acting chief security officer has been directed to enforce the rule strictly, with sanctions for violators.
Cross River exempts women drivers
The Cross River State government has announced exemptions for women and elderly drivers from vehicle registration levies in Cross River. The policy affects new registrations and renewals, aiming to ease costs for residents and boost participation in the state’s transport system. The measure is implemented by the state transport authority and applies across Cross River locations, with officials stating the move will reduce financial burdens on affected groups.
FG backs SAF policy
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, pledges policy direction and regulatory clarity to advance sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives in Nigeria. At a high-level meeting in Abuja on Monday, July 20, 2026, the SAF Steering Committee was inaugurated alongside the Nigeria SAF Feasibility Study and ICAO-supported studies. The initiative aims to cut carbon emissions, boost energy security, and spur growth across agricultural, energy, and industrial value chains. Cross River residents could see aviation improvements and potential local jobs as SAF programs roll out.
FRSC Begins Total Compliance
The Federal Road Safety Corps has launched its Operation Total Compliance to enforce road traffic regulations nationwide, with Cross River State included in the exercise that begins July 20, 2026. Cross River Sector Commander coordinate patrols along major highways and urban roads to ensure motorists, riders, and commercial drivers comply with speed limits, licensing, vehicle documents, and seat-belt rules. Local authorities in Calabar and surrounding areas will support enforcement, aimed at reducing crashes and improving road safety for residents and travelers.