Tinubu launches 5k meter training
The Federal Government inaugurates a three-week training for 5,000 youths to become smart meter installers under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) at NAPTIN in Abuja. President Tinubu, via the Power Minister, outlines plans to expand to 10,000 and beyond, aiming to close the metering gap and improve service delivery. Cross River residents will benefit as the nationwide program rolls out with NEMSA certification and job placements with distribution companies.
Group backs Army expansion
Cross River readers should note that the Nigerian government, via the News Agency of Nigeria, reports that CPTA backed expanding the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, with new formations in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City and 28,000 additional personnel. The move, announced in Abuja on July 24, 2026, aims to boost national security, improve rapid deployment, and strengthen surveillance. While Cross River is not listed for a new division, residents could benefit from heightened security and improved welfare for troops stationed nationwide.
Jarigbe’s Healthcare Legacy
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, expands access to healthcare through the JariCare Health Insurance Initiative. This Cross River initiative offers one year of free health coverage to hundreds of constituents across five local government areas, reducing medical costs for families and improving timely care. The program highlights practical leadership focused on health, dignity, and community resilience, with beneficiaries reporting relief and renewed confidence in obtaining essential medical services within their own region. The effort reinforces Jarigbe’s commitment to local welfare and sustainable healthcare access.
UNICAL halts admissions 2026/27
UNICAL has announced it will not admit candidates into Medicine and Surgery, Medical Laboratory Science, and Dentistry for the 2026/2027 academic session in Calabar. The university directs affected applicants to visit the nearest JAMB office to change their institution of choice, with a deadline set for the end of July. The Registrar stresses that three other universities are also impacted and urges applicants to rely on official UNICAL channels for updates.
Cross River-born General Hands Over
Cross River-born Major General Emmanuel Ejim-Emekah hands over as GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander JTF (South-South) Operation Delta Safe to Major General EI Okoro. The ceremony, held in Port Harcourt on Friday, July 24, 2026, marks the end of an 18‑month tenure from January 24, 2025. Emmanuel, from Bekwarra LGA, confirms notable gains including higher crude oil output and zero pipeline vandalism through joint operations and stakeholder engagement, while praising officers and staff for their dedication. He passes leadership after overseeing NADCEL 2026 and other security milestones benefiting Cross River residents and the South-South region.
Sowore’s 2027 Plan Unveiled
The African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has outlined a 2027 plan to use artificial intelligence and blockchain to transform governance, boost transparency, and tackle corruption. In posts on his verified X account, he says his administration would apply AI to monitor budgets, detect irregularities, and curb waste, while blockchain would create tamper-proof public financial records. He also proposes drone-enabled security improvements to border protection and intelligence. If implemented, Cross River residents could see changes in how government funds are managed and how public services are delivered.
JOHESU protests Calabar MD appointment
JOHESU and the Assembly of Health Care Professionals at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, describe the protest over the hospital’s substantive Medical Director appointment as premature. The groups say no official result has been released and protestors disrupted some clinical activities. Cross River residents should note that the union calls for due process and peaceful resolution as federal authorities conclude the selection. The hospital management labels the demonstrators as disruptors while urging calm and adherence to procedures.
Cross River revokes Obudu concession
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has terminated the 25-year concession granted to CIBA Construction Company Limited to manage Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River, effective March 5, 2025. The state says CIBA breached key development obligations, notably failing to invest in renovations of the resort’s hotel and infrastructure. The government will take over management and drive a refreshed plan to revive the mountain resort and its facilities for visitors, workers, and local communities.
Diaspora doctors urged to return
President Tinubu calls Nigerian medical professionals abroad to return home to strengthen the country’s health sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The appeal, made at the State House in Abuja on July 24, 2026, aims to mobilise skilled physicians and healthcare workers to boost capacity, training, and service delivery across Nigeria, including Cross River institutions. The move is framed as a national effort to improve health outcomes, with collaborative programs to integrate diaspora expertise into local health systems and training facilities. Cross River residents could benefit from expanded hospital staffing, better healthcare access, and enhanced medical education collaborations as professionals return or engage remotely.
FG targets transparent tax reforms
The Federal Government, led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, unveils digital reforms to create a fair, transparent tax system. In Lagos, the Office of the Tax Ombud hosted stakeholders to discuss reducing opacity, cutting red tape, and aligning revenue collection nationwide. Cross River residents and businesses stand to benefit from easier tax processes, clearer rights protections, and improved public services as digital platforms streamline complaints and ensure accountable tax administration going forward.
Elections: Be fair to all
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has urged INEC to remain impartial and ensure justice to all political parties ahead of Osun’s governorship poll and Nigeria’s 2027 elections. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan pledged credibility and voter inclusion. Cross River residents should note that the third phase of Continuous Voter Registration closes on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and eligible voters are urged to participate.
RHEI Phase III launches
Cross River residents should note that the Federal Government has opened Phase III of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), targeting 26,961 unemployed Nigerians nationwide. The portal was unveiled in Abuja, with online registration starting now and training set to commence in August 2026. The programme will draw applicants from all wards to ensure broad access, offering market-driven vocational training and new startup support. Beneficiaries from Phase I/II will receive resettlement packages only after funds are released; the Phase III rollout aims to reach grassroots communities across Cross River and beyond.
INEC staff urged integrity
In Minna, Niger State, on July 25, 2026, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan urged staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. He stressed professionalism, logistics improvements, and staff welfare after a nine-month tenure, warning against any form of misconduct. The remarks, reported by NAN, emphasize that cross‑country electoral integrity benefits Cross River residents and voters nationwide, with a pledge to monitor progress and reward hard work while sanctioning misconduct.
FG, IFAD launch climate-smart agribusiness
The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development unveiled the Climate-Smart Agribusiness Partnership for Resilience (CSAPR) in Abuja on July 25, 2026, to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. The initiative links climate information services with private-sector agribusiness, bringing together NiMet, lenders and insurers, agri-tech firms, and farmer groups. It targets smallholders, women and youths, and will run through 2028, with Cross River farmers expected to benefit from climate-informed products and PPP partnerships.