Calabar news in brief for March 15: Sunday’s top headlines

Cross River Assembly Bans Open Defecation

The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Open Defecation Prohibition Bill, aiming to eradicate the practice across the state. This new legislation criminalizes open defecation, with offenders facing potential penalties. The bill’s passage is a significant step towards improving public health and sanitation standards within Cross River State, matching with national goals for a cleaner environment. Residents are urged to comply with the new law to ensure its effectiveness. Source

Cross River Manufacturing Summit Planned

A delegation from the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) has visited Cross River State to discuss plans for an upcoming manufacturing summit. The visit signals a commitment to boosting industrial growth and investment within the state. This collaboration aims to identify opportunities and strategies for enhancing Cross River’s manufacturing sector. Source

Africa Trade System Boosted

African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) are promoting policy match and cheaper payments to enhance trade across Africa. This initiative aims to unlock Africa’s trade potential under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by reducing high transaction costs and divided payment systems that have hindered cross-border commerce. PAPSS enables payments in local currencies across the continent, with transactions completed within seconds, significantly cutting costs and improving efficiency for businesses and individuals. This development is expected to encourage greater regional combination and financial growth for Nigeria and other African nations. Source

Cross River, UNICAL Deepen Nursing Training Collaboration

The Cross River State government and the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are strengthening their partnership to enhance nursing education and training within the state. This collaboration aims to expand opportunities for nursing students and improve the overall quality of healthcare services. The initiative underscores a commitment to developing skilled healthcare professionals to meet the growing needs of Cross River State. Source

Cross River Targets NTD Elimination

Cross River State is intensifying efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) with the approval of N64 million for deworming exercises. This fund, sanctioned by Governor Otu, will support mass deworming campaigns targeting children and vulnerable populations across the state. The initiative aims to reduce the prevalence of NTDs, improving public health and well-being for residents. This matches with national goals for disease eradication and underscores the state’s commitment to healthcare. Source

Public Servants Urged to Lead

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called on public servants across Africa to embrace ambitious leadership, efficiency, and accountability. Speaking at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s Public Leaders Programme closing ceremony in Abuja, he emphasized that Africa’s greatest asset is its people and that understanding the true meaning of service is key to unlocking development potential. Tunji-Ojo urged officials to focus on long-term effect for future generations, citing reforms in Nigeria’s immigration system as an example of transformational leadership that breaks from outdated practices. The foundation’s chairman noted that Nigeria excels in ideas but struggles with implementation, highlighting the program’s aim to build capacity for effective reform execution. Source