₦airaland Forum

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Betta Edu, has set a target of 1.5 million votes from Cross River for President Bola Tinubu, come 2027 general elections.

Edu, Co-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mobilisation Directorate, made the declaration on Sunday in Calabar, during an empowerment programme that benefited about 500 market women, petty traders and artisans.

She said the initiative organised at the instance of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was designed to improve women’s economic livelihood, and strengthen grassroots mobilisation.

She said the beneficiaries received N50,000 each, alongside business and household equipment, including deep freezers, blenders, and toasters.

According to her, the intervention targets petty traders whose businesses are constrained by inadequate capital.

“Some of them are selling trays that have just N5,000 worth of things on them, while some of them have trays with just N10,000 worth of items on them.

“So we are giving these sets of petty traders N50,000 each so that they can expand that their business, build on it, so things can get better for them and their children,” she said.

Edu urged residents of the state to support Tinubu, Gov. Bassey Otu and other APC candidates as the party was banking on grassroots women’s mobilisation to strengthen its electoral fortunes in the state.

She expressed confidence that the state would deliver more than 1.5 million votes for the ruling party, adding that the directorate was establishing support structures for women across the country.

She disclosed that the empowerment programme would be extended to other parts of Cross River, with Abi Local Government Area scheduled to benefit in November or December, while the northern senatorial district would be reached in January.

The former minister also highlighted some Federal Government interventions, including the student loan scheme and free maternal healthcare, as measures aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.

As part of the mobilisation activities, she led members of the directorate on a visit to the General Hospital, Calabar, where they interacted with patients, pregnant women and children receiving treatment and offered financial and emotional support.

She said the hospital outreach was undertaken at the instance of the First Lady ahead of the APC rally scheduled to hold in Calabar on Monday.

Edu also cited subsidised dialysis services and free maternal healthcare as interventions aimed at improving healthcare access and reducing maternal mortality.

One of the beneficiaries, Esther Bassey, a widow from Odukpani Local Government Area, expressed appreciation for the support, saying previous empowerment programmes had helped her cater for her three children.

Bassey pledged her support for the APC in 2027, saying she and her family would vote for the party.(NAN)

former C'River PDP chairman vows to promote Gov. Otu’s projects

Mr Venatius Ikem, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, has pledged to promote the development projects of Gov. Bassey Otu, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ikem made the pledge while addressing APC leaders and supporters during his formal defection for the ruling party in Obudu, saying he would highlight the governor’s achievements and ongoing projects in the area and across the state.

He said he had taken it upon himself to publicise the administration’s interventions, particularly the ongoing transformation of the Obudu Ranch Resort, the redevelopment of the airstrip in Bebi, ongoing Obudu airport, and the Obudu-Abakaliki road project.

“When I met with the governor, I was unhappy that we had not talked enough about the things he had done and the ones he is also doing.

“He is doing a lot to turn around Obudu Ranch, the airstrip and the Obudu-Abakaliki road. How come he is doing so much, and it is not being talked about?” he asked.

Ikem said he had decided to take responsibility for communicating the projects to the public, noting that political opponents had largely focused on claims that the governor was not doing enough.

He urged residents to avoid allowing partisan differences to undermine relationships among family members, friends, and community leaders.

“APC and PDP and all other political parties are not bad parties. It is we, the people, who are bad. Do not fight your brother over politics,” he said.

The former PDP chairman described his defection as an opportunity to reunite with political associates with whom he had shared longstanding relationships before partisan differences separated them.

He said his reception by APC leaders and members since arriving in the state on Sunday had been exceptionally warm, describing the experience as a moment of reconciliation and renewed political cooperation.

Ikem expressed optimism that his return to the APC fold would strengthen unity in Obudu and promote collective development across the community.

He said political actors could maintain different affiliations while working together on issues affecting their people.

“I believe we are going to be stronger together, and Obudu will be better for all of us,” he said.

Ikem also thanked Otu for the welcome extended to him, recalling that they had previously worked together in the PDP before their political paths diverged.

He praised the governor’s Chief of Staff and other APC leaders for facilitating his reintegration into the party.

The former PDP chairman’s defection marks a significant political realignment in Cross River, where the APC and PDP have continued to compete for influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ikem had earlier cited internal divisions and a lack of clear direction and leadership coherence as reasons for resigning as PDP chairman in the state.

Gov. Otu’s climate plan targets green investment, climate finance in C’River

The Cross River Government has concluded a two-day workshop to develop the state’s maiden Climate Transition Plan, aimed at attracting green investments, unlocking climate finance, and strengthening climate resilience.

The workshop, which began on Wednesday and ended on Thursday in Calabar, brought together government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to develop a framework for turning the state’s forest resources and biodiversity into sustainable economic opportunities.

Gov. Bassey Otu, who chairs the State Council on Climate Change, said the plan would strengthen environmental protection, create jobs, improve livelihoods, and position the state to benefit from emerging green economic opportunities.

Otu, represented by the Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Elvert Ayambem, described climate change as an urgent economic reality requiring coordinated action across government and other sectors.

He said the initiative aligned with his administration’s People First agenda and would provide a framework for integrating climate priorities into development planning.

According to the governor, the process will begin with four baseline assessments across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas.

The assessments are the Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, Climate Finance Landscape Assessment, and State Mitigation Strategy Assessment.

He said the studies would establish the state’s emissions profile, identify climate vulnerabilities, determine mitigation priorities and strengthen its capacity to attract climate finance.

Otu added that the findings would guide the development of investment-ready projects in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, waste management and nature-based solutions.

He noted that Cross River, which hosts more than half of Nigeria’s remaining rainforests, had a strategic role to play in environmental conservation and the transition to a green economy.

The governor urged ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), local government councils, and development partners to participate actively in developing and implementing the plan.

He stressed the need to integrate climate priorities into sectoral plans, annual budgets, and government development programmes to ensure measurable outcomes.

Otu thanked Future Funds, the Under2 Coalition, and the Climate Group for providing a seed grant to support the process.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the state’s development priorities.

Similarly, Mr Oden Ewa, the State Special Envoy on Climate Missions, said the initiative built on institutional foundations established through the state’s climate change and green economy legislation.

Ewa, a former commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, said the legislation provided the statutory basis for establishing the State Council on Climate Change and the Green Economy Commission.

He said the priority was to translate existing legal and institutional frameworks into measurable economic, social, and environmental outcomes.

“The Climate Transition Plan must be more than a policy document; it must become an instrument of development, investment, and prosperity,” Ewa said.

He said credible data, bankable projects, and accountable institutions were essential to attracting international climate finance and responsible carbon-market investments.

Ewa added that the workshop had also advanced work on initial drafts of the State Climate Change Policy and Action Plan and the Green Economy Policy and Action Plan.

According to him, the documents would provide a coordinated framework for integrating climate action into agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, energy, tourism, and employment.

He urged the 18 local government councils and relevant MDAs to take ownership of the process and called on development partners and financial institutions to sustain their support beyond the planning stage.

Ewa said climate interventions should protect farmers against unpredictable rainfall, promote sustainable forest-based enterprises, and expand ecotourism opportunities.

He emphasised that the plan must protect the state’s natural heritage, secure financing for climate initiatives, and deliver tangible benefits to residents.

He urged stakeholders to work together to position Cross River as a model of climate resilience and green economic growth in Nigeria and Africa.

"This workshop marked a step towards developing the state’s first Climate Transition Plan and strengthening its institutional framework for climate action and green investment," Ewa concluded.

Turaki-led faction restates claim to PDP leadership in C'River

Mr Julius Udayi, a governorship candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, has reaffirmed his faction’s claim to the party’s authentic leadership in the state.

Udayi made the assertion while briefing journalists in Calabar on Saturday.

He expressed confidence that a pending judgment of the Court of Appeal would resolve the leadership dispute within the party.

He said his faction, loyal to the Turaki-led National Working Committee, remained confident that the court’s decision would affirm its position and strengthen its preparations for the forthcoming governorship election.

Udayi described the reported resignation of Mr Venatius Ikem, whom he linked to the rival political arrangement known as the Rainbow Coalition, as an indication of the challenges facing the opposing faction.

“We of the Turaki-led executive committee are not surprised at this development because we saw it coming,” he said.

He urged party members, students, and supporters across the state to remain united, steadfast, and law-abiding while awaiting the court’s decision.

Udayi recalled that his faction had earlier declared its position on the authentic leadership of the PDP in Cross River and urged members and the public to await the outcome of the legal process.

He also described the rival faction’s political activities as a ploy that would eventually collapse when the court delivered its judgment.

The governorship candidate, however, called for patience and collective resolve, expressing optimism that the PDP would emerge stronger from the dispute.

“My vision remains to harness the state's vast human and natural resources, promote inclusive development, and create a better future for our people,” he said.

Udayi said his faction would remain focused on preparations for the forthcoming election, adding that unity and commitment to the party’s ideals were essential to its political prospects.

He also urged members to remain prayerful and peaceful as they awaited the court’s decision.

The PDP has been embroiled in leadership disputes, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s authentic leadership in Cross River.

The Court of Appeal’s pending judgment is expected to provide further clarity on the dispute.

Recalled that Ikem resigned as the state’s PDP chairman on Oct 16, citing internal divisions, a crisis of direction, and leadership incoherence within the party.

He described the decision as difficult but necessary, following what he called a careful reflection on the party’s current realities and his ability to continue providing effective leadership.

The former chairman said the party’s internal dynamics and divergent positions had increasingly challenged the principles, cohesion, and sense of purpose required to move it forward.

Ikem later announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

C'River targets food security, livestock investment with figital data drive

Cross River Government has unveiled plans to establish a comprehensive livestock database and Livestock Management Information System (LMIS) to boost food security, attract investment and improve productivity across the livestock value chain.

Mr Liyel Imoukhuede, Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Development, disclosed this in Calabar on Friday while congratulating the Cross River State Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA) on its national recognition at the 2026 Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards.

The CRGIA won the Most Improved State GIS/Digital Land Administration Agency Award at the 2026 Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards.

According to him, the proposed initiative will deploy geospatial technology and digital data systems to map livestock farmers, animal populations, production locations, and available grazing and pasture resources across the state.

He expressed the department’s readiness to collaborate with the CRGIA on the initiative.

Imoukhuede said the planned database would provide reliable information to guide livestock development policies, improve investment planning, and strengthen the delivery of veterinary services.

He explained that accurate data on livestock populations, farmers, and production locations would enable the government to identify investment opportunities, address production gaps, and develop targeted interventions to improve animal production.

According to him, the proposed LMIS would also strengthen animal disease surveillance and biosecurity, helping to improve the management of livestock health risks and support sustainable production.

The initiative, he said, will provide a digital foundation for planning and monitoring livestock programmes while helping farmers and investors make informed decisions based on reliable information.

Imoukhuede said the department was looking forward to leveraging CRGIA’s expertise in geospatial intelligence and digital land administration to develop the proposed system.

He described the collaboration as an opportunity to extend digital innovation into livestock development, noting that accurate data would be essential to building a modern, competitive, and investment-ready livestock sector.

He added that applying geospatial technology to livestock management would help the state improve resource allocation, identify suitable areas for livestock production, and strengthen planning across the sector.

The proposed digital initiative is also expected to support job creation, encourage private-sector participation, and improve the overall efficiency of the livestock value chain.

Imoukhuede said the department’s broader objective was to build a productive and sustainable livestock industry capable of contributing to food availability, economic growth, and improved livelihoods.

He congratulated Archibong and the entire CRGIA team, expressing optimism that collaboration between both agencies would translate digital innovation into practical solutions for livestock farmers, investors, and other stakeholders in Cross River.

The CRGIA Director-General, William Archibong Jr., also received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award at the event.

Imoukhuede concluded saying the recognitions demonstrated the agency’s capacity to support data-driven governance and sustainable development under the administration of Gov. Bassey Otu.

FG, C'River flags off six-months EV training for 1,000 youths

The Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme (CRYES), in collaboration with the Federal Government and Shema Energy Ltd., on Wednesday flagged off a six-month training programme for 1,000 youths in electric vehicle (EV) repairs and maintenance.

Gov. Bassey Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr Patrick Egbede, said the initiative was aimed at equipping youths with technical skills for emerging economic opportunities.

Otu said the programme reflected his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, job creation and skills development.

He said the state had sponsored agricultural and information and communication technology training, with some beneficiaries securing employment in the public and private sectors.

The governor said increased adoption of electric vehicles would create demand for qualified technicians, describing the programme as an investment in human capital.

He added that the transition to cleaner energy could create jobs and promote environmental sustainability.

Earlier, the CRYES Chairman, Dr Kalita Aruku, said the programme was designed to equip beneficiaries with skills for employment and entrepreneurship in the emerging electric mobility sector.

Aruku said the state had procured 10 50-seater electric buses, 20 14-seater electric buses, 100 electric saloon cars, 500 electric tricycles and 200 electric motorcycles.

He said the investment underscored the need to train local technicians to maintain and operate the vehicles.

Aruku urged the trainees to remain disciplined and committed, describing the programme as an opportunity to achieve economic independence.

Mr Dominic Usi, Head of Training and Strategic at Shema Energy, said the training would comprise three months of intensive instruction and three months of practical experience.

He said participants would receive monthly stipends, subject to attendance verification through biometric capture on the programme’s online portal.

Usi added that the curriculum would include diagnostics and mechatronics, with trainees required to complete practical assignments and assessments.

BIO-DATA OF IZEVBUWA MARK NOSAKHARE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Izevbuwa Mark Nosakhare
Date of Birth: 20 March 1987
Place of Birth: Oredo, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Marital Status: Married
Current Position: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nosakhare Farms Nig Limited

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Izevbuwa Mark Nosakhare was born on 20 March 1987 in Oredo, Benin City, Edo State, into the family of Mr. Roland Imuetinyanosa Izevbuwa.

He began his early education at Okhai Primary School, Ogbe Quarters, Benin City, where he obtained his primary education.

He subsequently attended Immaculate Conception College (ICC), Benin City, before continuing his secondary education at Excel Secondary School, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City.

Driven by a passion for learning and personal development, he proceeded to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Political Science.


In addition to his formal education, Nosakhare has participated in various seminars and professional training programmes focused particularly on livestock production and modern farming practices.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Izevbuwa Mark Nosakhare is an entrepreneur and farmer with professional interests spanning livestock and crop production, poultry, fishery and piggery.

His entrepreneurial journey has seen him develop practical experience in agricultural production and farm management, with particular emphasis on sustainable livestock and crop farming.

He is currently the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nosakhare Farms Nig Limited, where he provides strategic leadership and oversees the company's operations, business development and agricultural activities.

Under his leadership, Nosakhare Farms Nig Limited has continued to explore opportunities in modern agriculture while supporting individuals interested in establishing and developing their own farming enterprises.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS
Beyond his professional activities, Izevbuwa Mark Nosakhare has contributed to community development and demonstrated a commitment to supporting agricultural development and entrepreneurship.

His interests in farming have also positioned him within the broader agricultural community, where he participates in initiatives aimed at promoting livestock production, food security and opportunities for young farmers.

He is a member of professional and industry associations, including the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria and Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria.

His contributions to community development and agriculture have earned him recognition for his commitment to supporting people and promoting productive enterprise.

HOBBIES
Outside his professional engagements, Nosakhare enjoys table tennis and watching movies.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY
His guiding philosophy is:

“Live and Let Live.”

The principle reflects his belief in peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and allowing individuals to pursue their aspirations while contributing positively to society.

LEGACY AND IMPACT
Izevbuwa Mark Nosakhare continues to build his legacy through entrepreneurship, agriculture, community development and support for aspiring farmers.

Through his work in the agricultural sector, he seeks to contribute to food production, create opportunities for young people and encourage greater participation in farming as a viable and sustainable business.

His journey reflects a commitment to enterprise, continuous learning, agricultural development and community service, with the broader objective of contributing meaningfully to society.

C’River Govt links Calabar South mayhem to PDP crisis, denies involvement

The Cross River Government has linked the recent mayhem in Calabar South to the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while denying allegations that the administration had any role in the violence.

The state’s Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mr Ekpenyong Cobham, made this position known in a press conference in Calabar on Tuesday.

He alleged that the shooting and ensuing disturbances occurred against the backdrop of growing disagreements between rival PDP factions over the party’s leadership and candidates.

It would be recalled that the incident occurred on Friday during PDP-related consultations in Calabar South, with gunshots causing panic and disrupting activities.

The incident saw some persons sustaining various degree of injuries and property damaged, while security agencies moved to restore order.

The government representative said the administration was concerned that the PDP’s internal disputes were beginning to threaten the peace and security of the state.

He, however, stressed that the government had no interest in interfering in the opposition party’s internal affairs and should not be blamed for the violence.

The representative also addressed a separate allegation involving Sir Arthur Jarvis-Archibong, saying a statement from his camp had wrongly linked Gov. Bassey Otu to the refusal to receive him as a factional PDP candidate.

According to him, the statement claimed that the Calabar South Paramount Ruler had acted on the governor’s instruction not to receive Jarvis-Archibong.

Cobham said he contacted the traditional head to verify the claim and was told that Otu gave no such directive.

He explained that the traditional ruler showed him the disputed statement, after which Jarvis-Archibong’s camp was contacted and the alleged inaccuracy brought to its attention.

He said Jarvis-Archibong subsequently apologised and directed that the statement be taken down.

The government representative urged journalists to independently verify competing claims over the political dispute.

“I would wish that journalists take it upon themselves to find out exactly what happened, get the two positions, and establish the true position,” he said.

He said the allegation against Otu was capable of damaging the governor’s reputation and creating the impression that the state government was interfering in the PDP’s internal affairs.

“It is an absolute insult to malign the character, name, and personality of His Excellency for an issue that is a figment of their imagination. There is no basis for it,” he said.

He said the government was giving Jarvis-Archibong 48 hours to retract the statement and issue an apology.

“We are giving 48 hours for that press release to be retracted and an apology issued,” he said.

He warned that failure to comply could prompt the Attorney-General of the state to consider legal action.

Meanwhile, the PDP has accused the Gov. Bassey Otu-led administration of attempting to silence the opposition, alleging that its failure to deliver good governance was behind the move.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Mike Ojisi, said self-denial would not help the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly amid what he described as the growing acceptance of the PDP’s governorship candidate in the state.

Ojisi alleged that the identities and motive of those behind Thursday’s disturbance were evident from their chants of “APC, Prince Otu”, adding that videos of the incident were already circulating on social media.

“The video is all over social media, so I don’t understand what the government is denying,” he said.

The PDP spokesman also dismissed suggestions of an internal crisis in the party, saying issues relating to its candidates for the forthcoming elections had been resolved.

“If they are in doubt, they should visit the INEC portal to confirm this,” he said.

Ojisi challenged Otu to focus on his administration’s record rather than what he described as desperate attempts to silence the opposition.

“Otu should show results of his stewardship in three and a half years and stop these desperate measures to silence the opposition,” he said.

The Ballot Box Has The Final Word

By, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

Big man Sonala Olumhense’s latest intervention on Edo State duly elected, INEC Certified and Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s 2.5 million-vote target for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come January 2027, makes a big mistake from the outset- even the visually impaired can see it but not the author. It is treating an election that is in the future, as though its result has already been calculated.

Olumhense’s arithmetic may look neat. But the politics is not. We do respect the elder as an accomplished columnist. But that does not make him a deity or a demon! His lame report of a 12-year-old walking six miles to an examination hall is strong. He knows too that emotion can not substitute for political analysis, just as past election figures can not predict a future election even with all the mathematical certainty. Moreso in our clime.

His submission is that if Edo recorded about 600,000 votes in the 2023 presidential election, a 2.5 million-vote target for 2027 is impossible. That is his very flawed conclusion. Perhaps amnesia has set in--Elections are not photocopies. Voters do not remain permanently attached to the choices they made two , three, or four years ago. Political alliances shift. Governments change. Candidates change. Party structures expand or die. AD, PDP, and labour are political parties that died! Campaigns alter perceptions. Most importantly, voters make new choices based on new circumstances.

And so Elder Olumhense’s purile figures prove only what happened in 2023. Peter Obi received 331,163 votes in Edo, while President Tinubu polled 144,471. These are undisputed facts, but why should they be treated as a political prophecy for 2027?

Edo politics has not remained frozen since 2023. Governor Monday Okpebholo represents the change in the political environment of Edo. Like he articulated, the 2023 figure was due to dissatisfaction with the beleaguered junta in the state at the time.

The elder then descends into the ridiculous when he suggests that Governor Okpebholo “did not really win” the 2024 Edo State governorship election. He did and not as a matter of political interpretation but of judicial record. And since Sonala lives in a faraway hamlet in his location abroad and is cut off from the rest of the global village, his challenge can be understood on this score. Shame.

Unknown to him, the Supreme Court, sitting as the final court in Nigeria, unanimously affirmed Okpebholo’s election. That decision followed judgments by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which rejected the challenge by the petitioners.
The Court even noted that the petitioners challenged results from only 395 of 5,019 polling units and failed to discharge the burden of proof required to overturn the election. Three levels of court examined the evidence. Three levels reached the same conclusion. But Elder Sonala Olumhense can choose to play the ostrich

As a columnist, he is entitled to dislike a result. He is entitled to criticise the process or argue that the political contest was imperfect. What he can not reasonably do is turn a settled judicial decision into a matter of personal arithmetic. This can only depress his ilk.

Just as well is his claim that Governor Okpebholo’s 291,667 votes were somehow insignificant.
But they are votes that were sufficient for him to win the election. This was a was not confined to the governor’s traditional political strongholds but statewide.But how can someone so cut off from reality comprehend such?

In Oredo Local Government Area, the home base of the former Governor Godwin Obaseki, the APC secured 30,780 votes against the PDP’s 24,938. That result alone should caution anyone against assuming that Edo voters can be permanently assigned to one political camp.

What of the July 11, 2026, local government elections? The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission declared APC winner of all 18 chairmanship positions and all 192 councillorship seats. Twelve political parties participated in the election. Agreed, a local government election is not a presidential election. Nobody seriously should claim otherwise. It, however, provides a snapshot of the current political reality in Edo. It says something about party organisation, grassroots mobilisation, and the ability of APC as a political party to reach voters across the 18 local government areas.

Those are precisely the structures that will matter in 2027. On the 2.5 million target itself, Mr Olumhense is free and can argue that the number is too high, politically extravagant, or difficult to achieve. What he can not establish from previous election figures is that it is impossible. It is a target and not a result. Governor Okpebholo is not claiming that he has already received 2.5 million votes. He is setting a political mobilisation target for his party. The voters will decide whether that target is achieved. That distinction should ordinarily not be difficult to understand.

The more question now is, what Edo voters will consider when they enter polling booths in 2027. Will they look at roads? Security? Schools? Healthcare? Salaries? Infrastructure? Government performance? The strength of political parties? Their personal economic circumstances? Certainly.
That is why the performance of Governor Okpebholo since November 2024 deserves more scrutiny than a lengthy excursion into the governor’s schooling and personal history.

If the argument is about what will determine how Edo people vote, then the policies, programmes, and results of the government should be at the center of the discussion. The governor has made a big promise. His political opponents should test it.

Edo is not a spreadsheet. The 2023 figures belong to 2023. The 2024 governorship election belongs to 2024. The 2026 local government election belongs to 2026. The 2027 presidential election will be decided by voters in 2027. When the votes are counted, we will know whether Okpebholo’s 2.5 million target was achievable, ambitious, or wildly optimistic.

Until then, the ballot box—not an aging columnist’s calculator—should have the final word.

Dr. Ebojele has his PhD. in Public Administration and is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

The Ballot Box Has The Final Word

By, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

Big man Sonala Olumhense’s latest intervention on Edo State duly elected, INEC Certified and Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s 2.5 million-vote target for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come January 2027, makes a big mistake from the outset- even the visually impaired can see it but not the author. It is treating an election that is in the future, as though its result has already been calculated.

Olumhense’s arithmetic may look neat. But the politics is not. We do respect the elder as an accomplished columnist. But that does not make him a deity or a demon! His lame report of a 12-year-old walking six miles to an examination hall is strong. He knows too that emotion can not substitute for political analysis, just as past election figures can not predict a future election even with all the mathematical certainty. Moreso in our clime.

His submission is that if Edo recorded about 600,000 votes in the 2023 presidential election, a 2.5 million-vote target for 2027 is impossible. That is his very flawed conclusion. Perhaps amnesia has set in--Elections are not photocopies. Voters do not remain permanently attached to the choices they made two , three, or four years ago. Political alliances shift. Governments change. Candidates change. Party structures expand or die. AD, PDP, and labour are political parties that died! Campaigns alter perceptions. Most importantly, voters make new choices based on new circumstances.

And so Elder Olumhense’s purile figures prove only what happened in 2023. Peter Obi received 331,163 votes in Edo, while President Tinubu polled 144,471. These are undisputed facts, but why should they be treated as a political prophecy for 2027?

Edo politics has not remained frozen since 2023. Governor Monday Okpebholo represents the change in the political environment of Edo. Like he articulated, the 2023 figure was due to dissatisfaction with the beleaguered junta in the state at the time.

The elder then descends into the ridiculous when he suggests that Governor Okpebholo “did not really win” the 2024 Edo State governorship election. He did and not as a matter of political interpretation but of judicial record. And since Sonala lives in a faraway hamlet in his location abroad and is cut off from the rest of the global village, his challenge can be understood on this score. Shame.

Unknown to him, the Supreme Court, sitting as the final court in Nigeria, unanimously affirmed Okpebholo’s election. That decision followed judgments by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which rejected the challenge by the petitioners.
The Court even noted that the petitioners challenged results from only 395 of 5,019 polling units and failed to discharge the burden of proof required to overturn the election. Three levels of court examined the evidence. Three levels reached the same conclusion. But Elder Sonala Olumhense can choose to play the ostrich

As a columnist, he is entitled to dislike a result. He is entitled to criticise the process or argue that the political contest was imperfect. What he can not reasonably do is turn a settled judicial decision into a matter of personal arithmetic. This can only depress his ilk.

Just as well is his claim that Governor Okpebholo’s 291,667 votes were somehow insignificant.
But they are votes that were sufficient for him to win the election. This was a was not confined to the governor’s traditional political strongholds but statewide.But how can someone so cut off from reality comprehend such?

In Oredo Local Government Area, the home base of the former Governor Godwin Obaseki, the APC secured 30,780 votes against the PDP’s 24,938. That result alone should caution anyone against assuming that Edo voters can be permanently assigned to one political camp.

What of the July 11, 2026, local government elections? The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission declared APC winner of all 18 chairmanship positions and all 192 councillorship seats. Twelve political parties participated in the election. Agreed, a local government election is not a presidential election. Nobody seriously should claim otherwise. It, however, provides a snapshot of the current political reality in Edo. It says something about party organisation, grassroots mobilisation, and the ability of APC as a political party to reach voters across the 18 local government areas.

Those are precisely the structures that will matter in 2027. On the 2.5 million target itself, Mr Olumhense is free and can argue that the number is too high, politically extravagant, or difficult to achieve. What he can not establish from previous election figures is that it is impossible. It is a target and not a result. Governor Okpebholo is not claiming that he has already received 2.5 million votes. He is setting a political mobilisation target for his party. The voters will decide whether that target is achieved. That distinction should ordinarily not be difficult to understand.

The more question now is, what Edo voters will consider when they enter polling booths in 2027. Will they look at roads? Security? Schools? Healthcare? Salaries? Infrastructure? Government performance? The strength of political parties? Their personal economic circumstances? Certainly.
That is why the performance of Governor Okpebholo since November 2024 deserves more scrutiny than a lengthy excursion into the governor’s schooling and personal history.

If the argument is about what will determine how Edo people vote, then the policies, programmes, and results of the government should be at the center of the discussion. The governor has made a big promise. His political opponents should test it.

Edo is not a spreadsheet. The 2023 figures belong to 2023. The 2024 governorship election belongs to 2024. The 2026 local government election belongs to 2026. The 2027 presidential election will be decided by voters in 2027. When the votes are counted, we will know whether Okpebholo’s 2.5 million target was achievable, ambitious, or wildly optimistic.

Until then, the ballot box—not an aging columnist’s calculator—should have the final word.

Dr. Ebojele has his PhD. in Public Administration and is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

At about 7 a.m., a passenger leaving Calabar for Itu would ordinarily expect to arrive before 9 a.m.

For years, however, that simple journey became an endurance test.

The Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom, was notorious for potholes, failed sections, flooded portions, and broken-down vehicles.

Consequently, a journey of less than one-and-a-half hours could stretch to six hours or more.

For regular commuters, however, the uncertainty was perhaps the most frustrating part.

“You could leave Calabar at 7 a.m., thinking you would arrive before 9 a.m., but sometimes you would still be on the road at noon.

“There were places where everybody had to slow down. If a trailer or bus broke down, the whole road could be blocked,” recalled Umoh John, a commuter who regularly travelled the route.

For more than 15 years, the condition of the road affected virtually everyone who depended on it; commercial drivers, private motorists, traders, farmers, passengers, and businesses.

But after years of frustration, the narrative is gradually changing.

Following the ongoing Federal Government rehabilitation of the highway, several sections have witnessed substantial improvement, bringing relief to motorists and raising hopes that the long-running nightmare may finally be coming to an end.

For commercial drivers, the Calabar-Itu road was more than an inconvenience. Rather, it was a daily threat to their vehicles and livelihoods.

A motorist, Pacal Bajie, who has plied the route for several years, said driving on the highway required constant concentration.

“You were not just driving; you were looking for potholes from one kilometre to another.

“If you tried to avoid one pothole, you could enter another. At night, it was worse because you could not see some of them clearly,” he said.

According to him, the poor road condition greatly increased vehicle maintenance costs.

“Suspension, tyres, steering components; all these things suffered. Sometimes, you repaired your vehicle, and before you could recover the money, another problem would come”.

Beyond the immediate cost of repairs, he said, the burden eventually affected passengers.

“When the vehicle is constantly going to the mechanic, the driver has to spend more. That is why a bad road eventually affects everybody”.

The deplorable condition of the highway also forced some travellers to seek alternative routes.

For instance, some preferred travelling to Uyo through Oron, using boats or ferries for portions of their journeys.

However, avoiding the Federal Highway often meant spending more money and more time.

A regular passenger said the situation was specifically difficult for people travelling for business, medical appointments, examinations and other time-sensitive engagements.

“There were times you had an appointment in Uyo, and you could not be sure you would arrive on time.

“You had to leave hours earlier than necessary because you were planning for the road, not for the actual distance,” Abigail Adah said.

Thankfully, she said, the rehabilitation had already brought some relief.

“Now, when you travel through some of these sections, you can feel the difference. You are not constantly bracing yourself for the next pothole,” she said.

For traders, time is money, and the poor condition of the highway frequently ate into both.

In particular, delays were damaging to those transporting perishable goods between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

According to Nyok Ifiok, “if you are carrying vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, or other farm produce, every extra hour matters.

“When the road was bad and you spent five or six hours on the journey, some of the goods could become damaged before reaching the market.

“Sometimes, you had no choice but to sell them cheaply because keeping them longer meant losing everything,” she said.

Against this backdrop, she expressed optimism that improved road connectivity would benefit farmers and traders.

“If the road becomes good, it will encourage people to bring more goods to the market. Farmers will also have more confidence because they know their produce can move quickly,” she said.

The Calabar-Itu road is, therefore, more than a link between two neighbouring states.

It is an important economic corridor facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and services between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

Mr Archibong Eyo, a businessman who frequently travels between Calabar and Uyo, said poor road conditions had affected commercial activities.

“When transportation becomes difficult, business becomes difficult and suffers at the same time.

“People spend more on fuel, vehicles spend more time on the road and deliveries take longer. The cost eventually gets to the final consumer,” he said.

For this reason, he said the ongoing rehabilitation presented an opportunity to strengthen economic ties between the two states.

“If the entire road is completed and maintained, you will see more movement between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

“People will travel more freely, goods will move faster, and businesses will have fewer excuses for delays,” he said.

Meanwhile, the most visible evidence of change is the road itself.

Sections that previously forced vehicles to crawl have been reconstructed, while construction work continues on other portions.

A private motorist who recently travelled along the route said the improvement was obvious.

According to Aniekan Abel, “I have used this road for years, so I can tell when there is an improvement.

“Before, you were almost praying before starting the journey. You knew something could happen to your vehicle.

“Now, some portions are much better. You can drive normally instead of constantly searching for where to place your tyres.”

Nevertheless, he urged the authorities to complete the work and ensure that culverts and drainage infrastructure were properly executed.

“We have seen roads repaired before only for them to deteriorate again.

“So, they should finish the job and make sure the drainage and culverts are properly done. This area receives a lot of rain. If the water is not properly controlled, the road will suffer again.”

Similarly, Sunday Michael, a commercial transport operator, said completing the reconstruction was essential.

“We have suffered for too long.

“We appreciate what is happening now, but we don’t want a situation where the road is repaired today and abandoned tomorrow.

“Let them complete all the sections. Let the water channel work be done properly and let there be regular maintenance,” he appealed.

Michael said a functional highway would directly improve the livelihood of transport operators.

“If my vehicle spends less time in the mechanic’s workshop, that means more days on the road.

“If the journey is faster, I can make more trips. That is how this road can change people’s lives.”

For communities along the corridor, however, the significance of the rehabilitation goes beyond smoother journeys.

A functional road means easier access to markets, schools, hospitals, farms and businesses.

It could also strengthen tourism and regional integration by making movement between Cross River and Akwa Ibom easier.

In effect, the poor condition of the road had consequences far beyond potholes.

It increased transportation costs, delayed the movement of goods, damaged vehicles and consumed valuable hours.

Its rehabilitation, therefore, has the potential to deliver benefits far beyond the highway itself.

Still, the real measure of success will be whether the entire project is completed to specification and maintained afterwards.

For the people who endured the worst years of the Calabar-Itu road, however, the current progress has rekindled cautious optimism.

The commuter who once spent six hours on the journey can now look forward to a significantly shorter trip.

The driver who routinely visited the mechanic because of damaged vehicle components can hope for lower maintenance costs.

The trader can expect farm produce to reach markets faster and in better condition.

Businesses, too, can plan around a more reliable transportation corridor.

After more than a decade of a badly deteriorated highway, delays, breakdowns and costly alternative routes, the Calabar-Itu highway appears to be entering a new chapter.

But road users have one overriding request; finish the work and keep the road working.

For them, the rehabilitation is not merely about asphalt.

Ultimately, it is about reclaiming hours lost on the road, reducing the cost of doing business, making journeys safer and restoring an economic link that had for too long been allowed to deteriorate. (NANFeatures)

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C'River: Senator gives N100,000 business support pack to 160 women

Sen. Eteng Williams (APC Cross River) has given N100,000 as business support pack to no fewer than 160 women in Cross River Central Senatorial District.

The intervention was delivered during a two-day empowerment programme organised by the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, in collaboration with Aqil Transnational Ltd.

The programme held simultaneously in Ikom and Ugep Local Government Areas of the state.

During the event, beneficiaries were trained in modern business practices, practical skills and small-scale business management techniques.

Certificates of participation were also presented to the women at the conclusion of the programme.

Represented by his Liaison Officer, Mr Ikoi Uket, Williams said that the initiative was a way of translating representation into tangible benefits for the constituents.

Williams, who represents Cross River Central at the National Assembly, said that he had continued to combine legislative responsibilities with interventions in human capital development and economic empowerment.

"In the past three years, we have dutifully delivered the dividends of democracy in several areas, and on multiple fronts.

"We have not only done well in our primary mandate of law-making, we have implemented life-changing empowerment programmes,” he said.

He said that investment in people was critical to tackling poverty and unemployment in the district.

The senator urged the beneficiaries to use the support judiciously, and called for continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

"Reforms can be painful and difficult, but with patience, persistence, and hard work, the gains will definitely come in bounties,'' he said.

Some of the beneficiaries thanked the senator for the gesture, and described it timely and impactful.

They urged other elected representatives to emulate the initiative by investing more in human capital development and small scale business support.

C'River PDP inaugurates strategic committee for 2027 polls

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cross River Chapter, has inaugurated a 36-member Strategic Committee to develop effective campaign strategies ahead of the 2027 general election.

The committee was inaugurated on Saturday at the party’s state secretariat in Calabar during a strategic meeting attended by members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and other party stakeholders.

The committee is chaired by the state chairman, Mr Venatius Ikem, while other members include former Deputy Governor Efiok Cobham, Chief Donatus Etim, PDP National Financial Secretary, and state secretary, Mr Joe ObiBisong.

The members were drawn from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

The committee also includes the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Arthur Javis-Archibong and its Presidential candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor.

According to the party, the committee is responsible for advising the PDP on effective campaign strategies for the 2027 election.

The party urged members of the committee to bring their experiences, loyalty, and commitment to bear in its bid to secure victory for Archibong and other PDP candidates come 2027.

C’River to build livestock garmers’ database to track government interventions

The Cross River Government says it is developing a comprehensive database of livestock farmers to establish a reliable baseline for measuring the impact of its interventions in the sector.

Mr Liyel Imoukhuede, Special Adviser to Gov Bassey Otu on Livestock Development, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday.

He said the enumeration would provide government with reliable information on livestock farmers, their locations, species kept, herd or flock sizes, production capacity and challenges.

He said the exercise was necessary because government could not credibly measure the impact of its livestock interventions without first establishing accurate baseline data.

According to him, the state’s 2025 budget provided for registration of livestock farmers alongside programmes covering micro-livestock development, livestock health, meat inspection, disease surveillance and farmer capacity development.

“Rather than announce an arbitrary number, our position is that we are establishing a reliable baseline against which the administration’s interventions can be measured,” he said.

Imoukhuede said the new system would enable government to track the number of registered farmers, animals and production volumes, mortality and disease rates, productivity per animal and farm income.

It would also track farmers’ access to veterinary services, finance and inputs, as well as jobs created through government interventions, he said.

He said the data would provide a basis for more targeted livestock policies and allow the government to assess whether its interventions were translating into improved productivity and incomes.

He said the approach would also help government identify gaps in the livestock value chain and direct resources to areas with the greatest needs.

Navy Graduates Senior Officers, Tasks Them on Innovation, Professionalism

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has tasked senior naval officers to deploy emerging technologies, strategic thinking and professional expertise to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security.

Abbas gave the charge on Tuesday in Calabar at the graduation ceremony of participants of Naval Warfare Course 10 at the Naval War College Nigeria.

He said the rapidly changing security environment required commanders capable of integrating technology, operational capabilities and inter-agency cooperation to address contemporary threats.

The CNS said the course had provided the participants with opportunities for rigorous intellectual engagement, operational planning, wargaming, research and professional interaction.

He urged the graduating officers to translate the knowledge acquired into sustainable operational capabilities that would contribute to national security.

Abbas said a research project titled “Adopting Emerging Technology for Operational Effectiveness in the Nigerian Navy: The Way Forward for Naval Engineering” had underscored the importance of technological advancement to modern naval operations.

According to him, maritime security remains inseparable from Nigeria’s economic security, given the importance of offshore resources, ports, shipping routes and energy infrastructure to national development.

He said Nigeria had recorded zero reported piracy incidents in its waters for four consecutive years, while piracy incidents across the wider Gulf of Guinea had also declined significantly.

He, however, stressed the need to sustain the gains through persistent maritime domain awareness, credible presence at sea, regional cooperation and timely response to threats.

The CNS said the Nigerian Navy was also committed to stabilising the maritime environment through operations aimed at tackling crude oil theft, illegal mining and other forms of economic sabotage.

He said Nigeria’s crude oil production reached about 1.56 million barrels per day in June 2026, stressing that improved security in the maritime domain had broader implications for the nation’s economy.

Abbas said the Navy’s responsibilities extended beyond the maritime environment, noting that its personnel and specialised capabilities continued to support joint operations against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.

He said some naval elements were deployed alongside sister services in land-based theatres, making jointness and multi-domain operational capability increasingly important.

The CNS also charged the officers to remain apolitical, professional and impartial, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle.

He said officers who might be called upon to perform constitutionally authorised security duties must operate strictly within the law and preserve the confidence of citizens.

“Your decisions must remain grounded in the Constitution, the law, professional ethics and respect for human dignity,” he said.

Abbas urged the officers to continue building professional relationships across services and national boundaries, saying collaboration and interoperability were critical to addressing shared security challenges.

He commended the Commandant, faculty and staff of the Naval War College Nigeria for sustaining professional military education and urged them to keep the curriculum responsive to emerging technologies, multi-domain operations, maritime governance, logistics resilience, information warfare and the changing character of conflict.

The CNS also appreciated the support of President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces generally.

He said investment in personnel welfare, equipment, accommodation and other support structures remained important to maintaining morale and operational readiness.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Adm. Muhammed Muye, said the graduation marked another significant milestone in the institution’s efforts to prepare senior officers for higher responsibilities in command, staff and strategic leadership.

Muye said the CNS’s presence at the ceremony demonstrated his commitment to professional military education and the development of intellectually sound and operationally minded leaders.

He noted that the CNS had visited the college seven times within the year, describing the frequency as a demonstration of his interest in the institution and the development of its personnel.

According to him, the contemporary maritime security environment is complex, dynamic and multidimensional, requiring leaders with strategic adaptability and the ability to collaborate across military services, government institutions and international partners.

He said the Naval Warfare Course had maintained its tradition of providing high-quality operational-level education for officers of the Nigerian Navy, sister services and allied countries.

Muye said participants were exposed to strategic studies, operational art, maritime security, leadership development, defence management, research projects, seminars, simulation exercises and educational visits.

He said the activities were designed to broaden participants’ perspectives, strengthen their analytical capabilities and enhance their ability to provide sound military advice in complex security environments.

The commandant commended the graduating officers for demonstrating commitment, discipline, intellectual curiosity and professionalism throughout the course.

He urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, embrace innovation and continue lifelong learning as they assume greater responsibilities.

Muye also emphasised the importance of jointness and inter-agency cooperation, saying the professional networks established during the course would remain valuable throughout the officers’ careers.

He commended the faculty, directing staff, administrative personnel, support staff, resource persons, partner institutions and strategic stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the course.

He also acknowledged the support of the families of the graduating officers, describing their encouragement and sacrifices as critical to the successful completion of the demanding programme.

The commandant congratulated the participants and urged them to justify the training by making decisions with integrity, humility and sound professional judgment.

Participants from Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia also took part in the course.

The graduation marked the completion of an intensive programme designed to equip senior military officers with the knowledge and skills required for command, staff and strategic responsibilities.

The officers are expected to return to their respective services and countries to apply the knowledge acquired in addressing emerging security challenges.

2027: C'River stakeholders urge content creators against inciting political tension


Stakeholders in Cross River Central Senatorial District have cautioned social media activists and content creators against using their platforms to inflame political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders gave the warning against the backdrop of an alleged assault involving a content creator, Assam Michael Okongor, popularly known as MC Okrika, and suspected supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Cross River Central, Hon. Oden Ewa.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred at Hotel 45, Ikom, during a stakeholders’ meeting hosted by Ewa on Sept. 6.

Okongor had alleged that he was assaulted by some political associates of Ewa during the meeting.

However, associates of the senatorial candidate dismissed the allegation as a “spurious insinuation” allegedly aimed at damaging Ewa’s reputation because of his growing political profile.

Agbor Eba, a close associate of Ewa, accused Okongor of engaging in what he described as a campaign of calumny allegedly sponsored by political opponents of the APC candidate.

Eba alleged that the content creator had made disparaging comments about political leaders, particularly those from Etung, and said that appropriate accountability should follow if he was found culpable.

Okongor, who has described himself as a “Cross River Very Dark Man”, has used his social media platforms to highlight alleged infrastructural deficiencies in Etung and Ikom, including the condition of some public schools.

His activities have attracted considerable public attention, particularly his videos on infrastructure and public services in the area.

Tension was reportedly heightened following a recent video in which Okongor criticised Prince Ebuta Ayuk, a prominent Etung political leader and Director-General of the Ewa campaign organisation.

Sources said the video generated exchanges between Okongor and supporters of Ayuk and Ewa, with some individuals subsequently advising him to moderate his criticism of political leaders in the district.

The development reportedly culminated in the confrontation at the Ikom meeting.

In a statement signed by his counsel, T.O. Teke, Esq., Okongor alleged that he was slapped, beaten and had a drink poured on him by political associates of Ewa.

The lawyer further alleged that attempts to record the incident were restricted, resulting in only limited footage of the confrontation.

He maintained that photographs and videos showing Okongor interacting peacefully with Ewa before the incident did not capture the complete sequence of events.

The counsel has petitioned the Cross River State Police Command, seeking a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged assault.

He also asserted his client’s right to freedom of expression, political commentary and criticism of public officials.

Meanwhile, a community leader in Etung, Samuel Agbor, who attended the meeting, confirmed that an altercation occurred but expressed reservations about Okongor’s approach to social media activism.

Agbor said the reaction of some supporters was linked to their displeasure over what they considered derogatory remarks against community leaders.

He said Okongor had previously drawn attention to the poor condition of some public schools in Etung, following which Ewa allegedly provided N13 million for rehabilitation work.

Agbor urged young people involved in content creation to uphold the principles of responsible journalism and advocacy, stressing that social media should not be used to attack political opponents or settle personal disputes.

Another stakeholder, Emmanuel Ogar, urged youths to respect community leaders and avoid actions capable of damaging the reputation of individuals or communities.

Ogar also cautioned against excessive zeal in the pursuit of online monetisation, saying political disagreements should not degenerate into personal attacks or physical confrontation.

He described Ewa as a peaceful politician committed to development in Cross River Central and urged political actors and content creators to exercise restraint as the 2027 elections approach.

The stakeholders called for responsible use of social media, saying political differences should be managed through dialogue and lawful channels rather than confrontation.

They also urged security agencies to investigate allegations of misconduct impartially and ensure that all parties involved in the incident are given an opportunity to present their accounts.

A Multifaceted Bid to Reset Edo's Security

By, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

Governor Monday Okpebholo is taking a very aggressive approach to the state's security challenges, combining faster emergency response, community intelligence, traditional security structures and expanded military operations in an attempt to tackle headlong all the vices of kidnapping, cultism and armed violence.

It is not news because abinitio it is what he set out to do. His strategy is significant not simply due to the number of security measures he has announced, but because it seeks to address different stages of the security problem — from intelligence gathering and prevention to rapid response and military intervention, where required.

Over the last few days, Governor Okpebholo has moved between churches, security meetings and military facilities, using the engagements to demonstrate that his administration's intention to make security a visible priority.

At Living Faith Church, Winners Chapel, along Sapele Road in Benin City on Sunday, the governor announced plans for an emergency telephone system through which residents could report security threats and trigger rapid deployment "Edo will be safer in the next one month," Okpebholo said. "We will be able to respond to security threats in any part of the state."

The proposed system would deploy between five and seven security vehicles to distress calls in five minutes or emergencies, while motorcycles would be used to reach forests and other difficult terrain. This idea addresses one of the recurring weaknesses in Nigeria's security response: the time lag between the reporting of an attack and the arrival of security personnel.

For victims of kidnapping or armed robbery, minutes can determine whether an incident is contained or becomes a major security operation. A response system that can reliably move personnel quickly could therefore have a practical impact beyond the political symbolism of announcing new security measures. The governor is aware that the success of the emergency line depend less on the telephone number itself than on what happens after a call is made.

He is talking a system with functioning communication channels, trained operators, reliable vehicles, fuel, personnel and clear coordination between the police, Edo State Security Corps and other security agencies. He is talking public awareness. Residents who know where to call, believe their complaints will be taken seriously and trust that reporting criminal activity will not expose them to retaliation.

This is what makes the governor's decision to involve communities particularly important. At a security stakeholders' meeting at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City on Monday, Governor Okpebholo brought together Okaighele, traditional community security aides operating across Edo South, police officers, members of the Edo State Security Corps and community leaders.

His message was that government cannot hope to secure the state by relying solely on conventional security agencies. "Security is not a one-man show but everybody's business and duty," he said. It is an approach which underscores the basic reality of crime prevention: the state often does not have the personnel or visibility required to monitor every street, village, forest and rural road. Local residents do.

Community members are often the first to notice unfamiliar vehicles, suspicious movements, abandoned buildings, emerging cult disputes, even new faces or groups moving into an area. If such information reaches security agencies early enough, it can become preventive intelligence rather than evidence collected after an attack. This is where the Okaighele system comes in.

Traditional security structures have long operated at community level, giving them access and local knowledge that formal security institutions may lack. Bringing them into a coordinated security architecture could therefore help bridge the information gap between communities and the police or military.

The plan is for clear limits to their responsibilities. Intelligence gathering and community surveillance are different from law enforcement. Fears of improper coordination, training and accountability, which often make informal security groups vulnerable to abuse, rivalry or mistaken identification of suspects are going to be taken care of.

The administration's intention is therefore be to use the strengths of local knowledge without creating parallel security structures that operate outside established command and legal frameworks. On this Governor Okpebholo is determined - to combine community intelligence with greater military presence.

On Monday, he inspected a temporary facility at Teboga in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area being prepared for the Nigerian Army's new 83 Division.The division is one of four new Army formations approved by President Bola Tinubu to expand the military's operational capacity. Okpebholo said the facilities would be ready within two weeks, with contractors deploying to accelerate construction.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Balogun, Commander of the Army's 4 Brigade, said significant progress had been made since an inspection several days earlier. "Between the last time we came here, about four or five days ago, and now, we have seen tremendous work ongoing," he said.

The military component is important because Edo's security challenges are not confined to urban centres. Kidnappers and other criminal groups can exploit forests, remote settlements and poorly monitored routes as operating bases or escape corridors. A stronger military presence in such areas could increase pressure on criminal networks that conventional policing finds difficult to reach.

A new formation can increase capacity, but its impact will depend on where personnel are stationed, the quality of intelligence available to them, mobility, logistics and coordination with existing police and security structures.

There is also a broader question about the balance between military and civilian policing. The military can provide substantial firepower and mobility in difficult security environments, but long-term public safety ultimately requires effective policing, functioning courts, intelligence-led investigations and community trust. That is why Governor Okpebholo's decision to combine military presence with emergency response and community intelligence is potentially more consequential than any single measure.

It creates layers. The community provides early information. The emergency system receives and channels reports. Rapid-response vehicles and motorcycles provide mobility. The police handle conventional law enforcement. The military provides additional capacity in difficult or high-risk areas. In essence, weaknesses in one layer can be compensated for by another.

The strategy also responds to a political problem facing any government confronted by insecurity: public confidence.

People do not assess security only through crime statistics. They judge it by whether they can travel safely, whether they believe help will arrive when they call and whether criminal groups appear to operate without consequences. Okpebholo's promise is therefore politically significant. "Edo will be safer in the next one month" is a measurable public commitment, even if "safer" itself is difficult to quantify.

The governor's warning against criminals from outside Edo also reflects another dimension. He said suspects from Niger, Kogi and Bauchi states had been arrested over alleged criminal activities in Edo and warned that anyone committing crime in the state would be caught.

At the same time, Pastor Charles Osazuwa's comments at Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International introduced another important dimension: security cannot be separated from economic and social stability.

His call for Nigerians to acquire skills and become economically productive points to a longer-term issue. Security operations may suppress criminal activity, but reducing the conditions that make young people vulnerable to recruitment into cult groups and other criminal networks requires jobs, education, skills and economic opportunity.

The emergency telephone system is designed to improve speed. The Okaighele and community structures are intended to improve intelligence. The Army's 83 Division is expected to strengthen physical presence, particularly in rural and remote areas. There is no doubt that this is a multifaceted approach that will yield results as expected.

Dr Ebojele, PhD in Public Administration and is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo

Calabar-Itu Road: Have commuters finally found relief?

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

At about 7 a.m., a passenger leaving Calabar for Itu would ordinarily expect to arrive before 9 a.m.

For years, however, that simple journey became an endurance test.

The Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom, was notorious for potholes, failed sections, flooded portions, and broken-down vehicles.

Consequently, a journey of less than one-and-a-half hours could stretch to six hours or more.

For regular commuters, however, the uncertainty was perhaps the most frustrating part.

“You could leave Calabar at 7 a.m., thinking you would arrive before 9 a.m., but sometimes you would still be on the road at noon.

“There were places where everybody had to slow down. If a trailer or bus broke down, the whole road could be blocked,” recalled Umoh John, a commuter who regularly travelled the route.

For more than 15 years, the condition of the road affected virtually everyone who depended on it; commercial drivers, private motorists, traders, farmers, passengers, and businesses.

But after years of frustration, the narrative is gradually changing.

Following the ongoing Federal Government rehabilitation of the highway, several sections have witnessed substantial improvement, bringing relief to motorists and raising hopes that the long-running nightmare may finally be coming to an end.

For commercial drivers, the Calabar-Itu road was more than an inconvenience. Rather, it was a daily threat to their vehicles and livelihoods.

A motorist, Pacal Bajie, who has plied the route for several years, said driving on the highway required constant concentration.

“You were not just driving; you were looking for potholes from one kilometre to another.

“If you tried to avoid one pothole, you could enter another. At night, it was worse because you could not see some of them clearly,” he said.

According to him, the poor road condition greatly increased vehicle maintenance costs.

“Suspension, tyres, steering components; all these things suffered. Sometimes, you repaired your vehicle, and before you could recover the money, another problem would come”.

Beyond the immediate cost of repairs, he said, the burden eventually affected passengers.

“When the vehicle is constantly going to the mechanic, the driver has to spend more. That is why a bad road eventually affects everybody”.

The deplorable condition of the highway also forced some travellers to seek alternative routes.

For instance, some preferred travelling to Uyo through Oron, using boats or ferries for portions of their journeys.

However, avoiding the Federal Highway often meant spending more money and more time.

A regular passenger said the situation was specifically difficult for people travelling for business, medical appointments, examinations and other time-sensitive engagements.

“There were times you had an appointment in Uyo, and you could not be sure you would arrive on time.

“You had to leave hours earlier than necessary because you were planning for the road, not for the actual distance,” Abigail Adah said.

Thankfully, she said, the rehabilitation had already brought some relief.

“Now, when you travel through some of these sections, you can feel the difference. You are not constantly bracing yourself for the next pothole,” she said.

For traders, time is money, and the poor condition of the highway frequently ate into both.

In particular, delays were damaging to those transporting perishable goods between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

According to Nyok Ifiok, “if you are carrying vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, or other farm produce, every extra hour matters.

“When the road was bad and you spent five or six hours on the journey, some of the goods could become damaged before reaching the market.

“Sometimes, you had no choice but to sell them cheaply because keeping them longer meant losing everything,” she said.

Against this backdrop, she expressed optimism that improved road connectivity would benefit farmers and traders.

“If the road becomes good, it will encourage people to bring more goods to the market. Farmers will also have more confidence because they know their produce can move quickly,” she said.

The Calabar-Itu road is, therefore, more than a link between two neighbouring states.

It is an important economic corridor facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and services between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

Mr Archibong Eyo, a businessman who frequently travels between Calabar and Uyo, said poor road conditions had affected commercial activities.

“When transportation becomes difficult, business becomes difficult and suffers at the same time.

“People spend more on fuel, vehicles spend more time on the road and deliveries take longer. The cost eventually gets to the final consumer,” he said.

For this reason, he said the ongoing rehabilitation presented an opportunity to strengthen economic ties between the two states.

“If the entire road is completed and maintained, you will see more movement between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

“People will travel more freely, goods will move faster, and businesses will have fewer excuses for delays,” he said.

Meanwhile, the most visible evidence of change is the road itself.

Sections that previously forced vehicles to crawl have been reconstructed, while construction work continues on other portions.

A private motorist who recently travelled along the route said the improvement was obvious.

According to Aniekan Abel, “I have used this road for years, so I can tell when there is an improvement.

“Before, you were almost praying before starting the journey. You knew something could happen to your vehicle.

“Now, some portions are much better. You can drive normally instead of constantly searching for where to place your tyres.”

Nevertheless, he urged the authorities to complete the work and ensure that culverts and drainage infrastructure were properly executed.

“We have seen roads repaired before only for them to deteriorate again.

“So, they should finish the job and make sure the drainage and culverts are properly done. This area receives a lot of rain. If the water is not properly controlled, the road will suffer again.”

Similarly, Sunday Michael, a commercial transport operator, said completing the reconstruction was essential.

“We have suffered for too long.

“We appreciate what is happening now, but we don’t want a situation where the road is repaired today and abandoned tomorrow.

“Let them complete all the sections. Let the water channel work be done properly and let there be regular maintenance,” he appealed.

Michael said a functional highway would directly improve the livelihood of transport operators.

“If my vehicle spends less time in the mechanic’s workshop, that means more days on the road.

“If the journey is faster, I can make more trips. That is how this road can change people’s lives.”

For communities along the corridor, however, the significance of the rehabilitation goes beyond smoother journeys.

A functional road means easier access to markets, schools, hospitals, farms and businesses.

It could also strengthen tourism and regional integration by making movement between Cross River and Akwa Ibom easier.

In effect, the poor condition of the road had consequences far beyond potholes.

It increased transportation costs, delayed the movement of goods, damaged vehicles and consumed valuable hours.

Its rehabilitation, therefore, has the potential to deliver benefits far beyond the highway itself.

Still, the real measure of success will be whether the entire project is completed to specification and maintained afterwards.

For the people who endured the worst years of the Calabar-Itu road, however, the current progress has rekindled cautious optimism.

The commuter who once spent six hours on the journey can now look forward to a significantly shorter trip.

The driver who routinely visited the mechanic because of damaged vehicle components can hope for lower maintenance costs.

The trader can expect farm produce to reach markets faster and in better condition.

Businesses, too, can plan around a more reliable transportation corridor.

After more than a decade of a badly deteriorated highway, delays, breakdowns and costly alternative routes, the Calabar-Itu highway appears to be entering a new chapter.

But road users have one overriding request; finish the work and keep the road working.

For them, the rehabilitation is not merely about asphalt.

Ultimately, it is about reclaiming hours lost on the road, reducing the cost of doing business, making journeys safer and restoring an economic link that had for too long been allowed to deteriorate. (NANFeatures)

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CFAN: Calabar crusade to transform lives, strengthen churches, boost local economy, says organisers

The Organisers of the forthcoming Christ for All Nations (CFAN) Gospel Crusade in Calabar have described the programme as a spiritual intervention aimed at transforming lives, strengthening churches, promoting unity and stimulating economic activities in Cross River.

Rev. John Darku, Africa Regional Director of CFAN, stated this at a media briefing in Calabar on Monday, saying the choice of Calabar as the venue was deliberate.

Darku described Calabar as a city renowned for its beauty, hospitality, and rich history, adding that the crusade would provide an opportunity for spiritual renewal across the state.

He said the crusade, scheduled for Nov. 12 to Nov. 15, would not be a competition among churches, but a platform to strengthen existing congregations through discipleship, membership growth, renewed fellowship, and spiritual revival.

“This crusade is not designed to compare churches in Cross River. It is designed to strengthen the churches.

“Every church, one at a time, will be committed to local churches for discipleship, growth, possible increase in membership, revitalised communication, and a fresh wave of revival,” he said.

According to him, individual churches would have the opportunity to engage with converts and new members after the crusade to ensure that those reached through the programme were properly discipled and integrated into local congregations.

The organisers said the expected impact of the crusade would extend beyond the spiritual.

He noted that the major religious gatherings could stimulate economic activities and create opportunities for traders, artisans, transport operators, and players in the hospitality industry.

They explained that thousands of visitors expected to attend the programme could patronise hotels, restaurants, markets, transport services, and other businesses, thereby contributing to the local economy.

The organisers also said the crusade would promote peace and unity by encouraging citizens to see one another as neighbours rather than rivals.

“When the gospel goes forth, citizens begin to see one another not as rivals, but as neighbours under one God.

“This means more than ever for Cross River State and indeed Nigeria, as we seek political stability, national cohesion and a united front against forces that seek to divide us along ethnic, religious and political lines,” he said.

Darku expressed optimism that the spiritual renewal expected from the crusade would encourage citizens to pursue excellence in business, industry, governance, and their personal lives.

He said the ultimate objective was to see people rescued from destructive lifestyles, families reconciled and individuals restored to God.

“The crowning impact of the crusade is not merely what is done for what people remember, but what is healed for generations to come,” the organisers said.

The organisers commended Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, whom they described as a vessel being used by God to reach nations with the gospel.

They also acknowledged the contribution of CFAN and its leadership to evangelism across Africa and other parts of the world.

According to CFAN, the Calabar crusade would be led by Kolenda, whom it described as a modern-day apostle to the nations.

The ministry said Kolenda had continued the legacy of the late German-American evangelist Reinhard Bonnke by taking the gospel to different parts of Africa and the world through crusades.

“Evangelist Kolenda does not merely preach words, he carries a mantle. Multitudes have witnessed healings, deliverances, and salvation on a scale that can only be attributed to the hand of God upon his life and ministry,” the ministry said.

It said the same spiritual fervour associated with Kolenda's ministry would be brought to Calabar in November, stressing that the focus was not to glorify an individual but God.

CFAN also appealed to journalists and media organisations to regard themselves as partners in the crusade rather than spectators.

“Gentlemen and women of the media, you are not spectators in this assignment. You are partners,” it said.

Meanwhile, Apostle Trinity Ogar, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Cross River, described the event as a major evangelistic gathering aimed at reaching thousands of people across the state and beyond.

Ogar said Cross River was among the 36 states selected to host the CFAN Gospel Crusade, tagged “Calabar 2026”.

He said the media briefing was organised to prepare the people of the state for what he described as a significant move of God in Calabar and Cross River.

The organisers traced CFAN to the late Bonnke, who founded the ministry and later transferred its leadership to Kolenda.

Ogar said both Bonnke and Kolenda had visited Calabar in previous years for gospel crusades, making the return of the ministry to the city particularly significant.

He urged residents of Cross River, churches, and Christians across the state to reserve Nov. 12 to Nov. 15 for the four-day programme.

“God is involved, the heavens are fully in support, and we are ready for the move of God in Calabar like never before,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the crusade would lead to conversions, healing, liberation of the oppressed and spiritual revival among churches.

He further noted that the presence of heads of churches and senior ministers at the briefing demonstrated the level of support and collaboration being mobilised for the event.

He called on Christians, churches and residents of the state to participate actively in the crusade and use the event as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, evangelism, peace and community building.

N2N DG seeks support for Tinubu, Otu re-election in C'River

Dr Bobby Ekpenyong, Director-General, Neighbour 2 Neighbour for Sweet Prince (N2N), says he is optimistic that the performances of President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Bassey Otu will earn them re-election in 2027.

Ekpenyong stated this on Sunday at the inauguration of the Odukpani Local Government Area chapter of the N2N network.

He, however, called for sustained sensitisation of the people on the need for continuity in government.

According to him, N2N provides a veritable platform for taking the message of continuity to the grassroots and informing the people about the benefits they stand to derive from the re-election of Tinubu and Otu.

He urged the people of Cross River to massively support Tinubu, saying that doing so would position the state to benefit more from the Federal Government, particularly in infrastructure and political appointments.

“We are not just canvassing for votes for them; we are doing so because they have done tremendously well in their first term and thus deserve more of our support.

“While we acknowledge that their performances have made our job easier, we are not relenting in our job to knock on people’s doors, which is the essence of this platform.

“In politics, you can’t sit in your home and expect results; it is about galvanising support, even from your enemy.

“This is why, in N2N, we will use the platform to canvass for votes for our President and Governor by knocking on all the doors of our neighbours,” he said.

Addressing the ward coordinators of N2N in Odukpani, the DG said, "No doubt that this is an enormous responsibility, but we trust in your capacity to deliver."

The Director-General reiterated that the one-million-vote target by the group was part of its strategy to increase voter participation and strengthen Cross River’s bargaining position at the federal level.

He, however, stressed that the figure represented a mobilisation target for the organisation, rather than a guarantee or projection of the eventual election results.

Ekpenyong said N2N had commenced the deployment of its grassroots structures across the state’s 196 wards to achieve the target.

“We have a very strong advocacy structure. We are traversing the length and breadth of the 196 wards to mobilise the people and encourage massive voter turnout.

“The 2027 election is not a year of sitting on the fence; it is not an election of voter apathy. It is a call to action by all persons of voting age.

“It is an era of massive voter turnout to improve upon our voting strength, and that is what N2N is committed to achieving,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Asuquo Offiong, a member of the group, listed some projects he attributed to the Tinubu and Otu administrations in the council area to include the Adiabo-Ikoneto Road and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Offiong urged ward coordinators to take their assignments seriously and work toward securing the re-election of Tinubu and Otu.

“This is a serious business, and we must all rise to the occasion for the success of our principals,” he said.

ALGON donates N36m to support Nigerian Chronicle revival



The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Cross River chapter, has donated N36 million to support the revival of the Cross River Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Nigerian Chronicle.

The Chairman, Mr Yibala Inyang, announced the donation in Calabar on Saturday when he visited the remodelled newspaper corporation.

Inyang commended the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government for taking deliberate steps towards revamping the newspaper, describing it as ‘timely and well intended’

“This intervention of the government is a major lifeline that will reposition the newspaper and restore its role as a reliable source of information and public enlightenment,” he said.

The ALGON chairman described the Chronicle Newspaper as an important institutional heritage of Cross River which had served the for decades.

“We want to express our appreciation to our governor for revamping this institutional heritage, we are happy that this institution did not fizzle out under our watch,” he said.

Inyang urged the management and staff of the newspaper organisation to justify the investment by upholding professionalism, objectivity and ethical standards in their reportage.

He also called on the 18 local government councils and other stakeholders to support the newspaper through patronage and other legitimate means.

He said that the donation was ALGON’s investments in public information and the preservation of an important state institution.

According to him, a vibrant state-owned newspaper remains important to public enlightenment, particularly in documenting government activities and issues affecting the people.

In another development, Inyang has commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for inaugurating the National Community Food Bank Project for the South-South in Calabar.

He described the initiative as a demonstration of compassion and responsive leadership aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.

“At a time of economic challenges, providing access to food for less privileged families is a timely and commendable intervention,” he said.

He thanked the first lady for extending the programme to Cross River, and pledged the association’s cooperation to ensuring that the benefits reached the intended beneficiaries.

He said that local government councils, being the closest tier of government to the people, would continue to support initiatives aimed at alleviating hardship, and improving the welfare of vulnerable households.

The National Community Food Bank Programme is a Federal Government initiative aimed at tackling food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable Nigerians, particularly children under six, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

The South-South phase was launched in Cross River on Sept. 4, 2026, with three food banks covering the state’s three senatorial districts.

The programme is being implemented through collaboration involving the Office of the First Lady, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NPHCDA and Bank of Agriculture, with states encouraged to replicate the model.

N2N targets one million votes for Tinubu, Otu in C’River



The Neighbour to Neighbour Network (N2N), a grassroots political mobilisation group in Cross River, says it is targeting more than one million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Bassey Otu in the 2027 general elections.

The group made the disclosure on Friday during the inauguration of ward and polling-unit coordinators in Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, and Calabar Municipality Local Government Areas of the state.

The group used the inauguration to Kickstart mobilisation campaign to the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River.

The Director-General of N2N, Dr Bobby Ekpenyong, said the one-million-vote target was part of the group’s strategy to increase voter participation and strengthen Cross River’s bargaining position at the federal level.

He, however, stressed that the figure represented a mobilisation target for the organisation, rather than a guarantee or projection of the eventual election results.

Ekpenyong said N2N had commenced the deployment of its grassroots structures across the state’s 196 wards to achieve the target.

“We have a very strong advocacy structure. We are traversing the length and breadth of the 196 wards to mobilise the people and encourage massive voter turnout.

“The 2027 election is not a year of sitting on the fence; it is not an election of voter apathy. It is a call to action by all persons of voting age.

“It is an era of massive voter turnout to improve upon our voting strength, and that is what N2N is committed to achieving,” he said.

According to him, the organisation’s structure comprises ward, local government and neighbourhood cells, with each neighbourhood cell having 10 coordinators.

He said each coordinator was expected to mobilise 10 persons under the group’s “Operation Get 10 Persons” initiative.

Ekpenyong said N2N would collaborate with the Otu administration, APC leadership and other support groups in pursuit of the one-million-vote target.

He said the target was necessary to enable Cross River to have greater leverage in negotiating for federal attention and resources.

“We cannot allow what happened in the 2023 general election to repeat itself. In that election, Cross River recorded less than 200,000 votes for the presidential election.

“In 2027, we must hit over one million votes so that our governor can have something to bargain with and make a case for Cross Riverians,” he said.

Ekpenyong also urged Cross Riverians to participate actively in the 2027 elections, saying increased voter turnout would demonstrate the state’s political strength.

Also speaking, the Director of Women Mobilisation of N2N, Dr Silo Ekpenyong, urged women to participate actively in the elections and mobilise their neighbours, families, and communities.

She said the group would continue to sensitise women on what she described as empowerment initiatives of the Otu administration in agriculture, trading, and politics.

At the Calabar Municipality event, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Dr Effeffiom Eke, expressed support for the mobilisation drive.

Eke, a former local government chairman, said the administrations of Tinubu and Otu deserved another term based on what he described as their investments in infrastructure.

He commended N2N for building grassroots structures and pledged to work with the organisation toward securing support for APC candidates in 2027.

The events were attended by N2N trustees and coordinators from Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, and Odukpani, among other party stakeholders.

Also present were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tolls, Mr Bassey Ita, and a former member of the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Efa Esua.

N2N targets one million votes for Tinubu, Otu in C’River



The Neighbour to Neighbour Network (N2N), a grassroots political mobilisation group in Cross River, says it is targeting more than one million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Bassey Otu in the 2027 general elections.

The group made the disclosure on Friday during the inauguration of ward and polling-unit coordinators in Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, and Calabar Municipality Local Government Areas of the state.

The group used the inauguration to Kickstart mobilisation campaign to the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River.

The Director-General of N2N, Dr Bobby Ekpenyong, said the one-million-vote target was part of the group’s strategy to increase voter participation and strengthen Cross River’s bargaining position at the federal level.

He, however, stressed that the figure represented a mobilisation target for the organisation, rather than a guarantee or projection of the eventual election results.

Ekpenyong said N2N had commenced the deployment of its grassroots structures across the state’s 196 wards to achieve the target.

“We have a very strong advocacy structure. We are traversing the length and breadth of the 196 wards to mobilise the people and encourage massive voter turnout.

“The 2027 election is not a year of sitting on the fence; it is not an election of voter apathy. It is a call to action by all persons of voting age.

“It is an era of massive voter turnout to improve upon our voting strength, and that is what N2N is committed to achieving,” he said.

According to him, the organisation’s structure comprises ward, local government and neighbourhood cells, with each neighbourhood cell having 10 coordinators.

He said each coordinator was expected to mobilise 10 persons under the group’s “Operation Get 10 Persons” initiative.

Ekpenyong said N2N would collaborate with the Otu administration, APC leadership and other support groups in pursuit of the one-million-vote target.

He said the target was necessary to enable Cross River to have greater leverage in negotiating for federal attention and resources.

“We cannot allow what happened in the 2023 general election to repeat itself. In that election, Cross River recorded less than 200,000 votes for the presidential election.

“In 2027, we must hit over one million votes so that our governor can have something to bargain with and make a case for Cross Riverians,” he said.

Ekpenyong also urged Cross Riverians to participate actively in the 2027 elections, saying increased voter turnout would demonstrate the state’s political strength.

Also speaking, the Director of Women Mobilisation of N2N, Dr Silo Ekpenyong, urged women to participate actively in the elections and mobilise their neighbours, families, and communities.

She said the group would continue to sensitise women on what she described as empowerment initiatives of the Otu administration in agriculture, trading, and politics.

At the Calabar Municipality event, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Dr Effeffiom Eke, expressed support for the mobilisation drive.

Eke, a former local government chairman, said the administrations of Tinubu and Otu deserved another term based on what he described as their investments in infrastructure.

He commended N2N for building grassroots structures and pledged to work with the organisation toward securing support for APC candidates in 2027.

The events were attended by N2N trustees and coordinators from Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, and Odukpani, among other party stakeholders.

Also present were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tolls, Mr Bassey Ita, and a former member of the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Efa Esua.

HOW OKPEBHOLO'S SHINE AGENDA IS ADDRESSING EDO'S 35-YEAR RECKONING (1)


By Patrick Akhere Ebojele Ph.D


In 1991 General Ibrahim Babangida regime, carved Edo State out of the old Bendel state and that was beginning its peculiar journey — neither entirely in the southwest's sophisticated political machinery, nor quite aligned with the midwestern traditions that once defined the region. Thirty-five years later, has it truly progressed?

To understand the present, one must reckon with the past. Edo State's first three decades were defined by cycles of promise and disappointment, ambition pursued and abandoned, leaders who arrived with grand visions only to leave behind incomplete legacies.

The early years, through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, were shaped by what many observers describe as the state's attempt to find an identity. Under successive administrations, Edo pursued an image centered on tourism — particularly Benin's historical monuments and cultural heritage.

The Benin National Museum, the Oba's Palace, the city's artistic traditions all received attention and investment. Yet tourism alone could not drive meaningful economic development.

The state remained largely dependent on federal allocation, lacking the diversified revenue base that might have insulated it from national economic downturns. For decades, Edo was a place of cultural pride but limited economic opportunity.

The security situation, particularly in the Edo South senatorial district, became increasingly problematic. Kidnapping for ransom emerged as a recurring threat. Cultism, the trafficking of weapons and narcotics, and organized crime networks gradually entrenched themselves in certain communities.

By the 2010s, these issues had metastasized into a significant governance challenge that successive administrations struggled to contain. The state was bleeding talent and capital — young people sought opportunities elsewhere, businesses invested cautiously if at all, and the psychological toll of insecurity rippled through ordinary communities.

Infrastructure remained persistently inadequate. Roads that should have been rehabilitated decades earlier continued to deteriorate. Benin City itself, despite being Nigeria's third-largest metropolitan area, lacked coherent urban planning. Drainage systems were absent or non-functional in many neighborhoods, leading to recurring flooding during the rainy season.

The Ramat Park area, which should have been developed into a world-class leisure and commercial hub long before now, remained largely underdeveloped — a symbol of how Edo's potential consistently exceeded its execution.

The healthcare sector exemplified this gap between possibility and reality. While Edo has the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and several other tertiary facilities, they operated under chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and inadequate equipment. Primary healthcare centers in rural areas were often staffed inadequately or not at all.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these vulnerabilities in stark relief, revealing how years of deferred maintenance and insufficient investment had left the state's health infrastructure fragile.

Education too reflected this pattern. Ambrose Alli University, established with considerable fanfare, struggled with inconsistent funding cycles.

Teacher recruitment and training were perpetually irregular. While some secondary schools maintained respectable standards, the overall quality of education remained uneven, with rural areas particularly underserved.

The state's inability to retain educated talent — through competitive salaries, professional development, or career pathways — meant that Edo State was educating people for other regions' benefit, not its own.

Politically, these decades witnessed significant transitions. The state experienced the dominance of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) across much of the 2000s and 2010s, followed by a gradual shift toward the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These electoral cycles brought different personalities to Osedebey Avenue, and each governor arrived with rhetoric about transformation and development. Some like Senator Adams Oshiomhole, delivered genuine improvements — particular administrations invested visibly in infrastructure, education, or healthcare.

But momentum was often lost with electoral transitions. Projects initiated under his administration were abandoned by his successor. Strategic coherence was rare. Edo state governance read less like a long-term vision and more like a succession of four-year experiments.

The agricultural potential of Edo State remained substantially underdeveloped. Despite fertile soils and favorable climate conditions, agricultural production remained largely subsistence-based. There was no comprehensive strategy to transform farming into an engine of rural development, job creation, or export earnings.

The natural resources endowment — the state's forests, its position as a gateway to natural mineral deposits — similarly received sporadic attention but no sustained strategic investment.

By 2024, as Governor Monday Okpebholo prepared to assume office, Edo State presented a mixed portrait. There were genuine achievements: a tourism infrastructure that attracted visitors, cultural institutions of some standing, educational facilities and healthcare infrastructure that, despite limitations, represented significant public investment.

But there was also a pervasive sense that the state was underperforming relative to its potential. Security remained a substantial concern. Economic diversification had stalled. Youth unemployment was a visible and troubling reality.

The state's relationship with the federal government — particularly in accessing development projects and resources commensurate with its size and status — often felt like an afterthought in national planning.

What remained clear as Edo State marked three decades of independent existence was that the state possessed substantial assets: a large, educated population with entrepreneurial tradition; geographic advantages; cultural heritage; and institutional capacity.

What it lacked was coherent, sustained strategic direction — and the willingness to invest over multiple electoral cycles in building systems rather than monuments, in creating economies rather than spectacles.

This was the inheritance that would confront the incoming administration: a state with unfulfilled promise, persistent infrastructure deficits, security challenges that demanded urgent attention, and an educated populace hungry for genuine change.

The question that emerged as 2024 began was whether this new chapter would represent a genuine break from past patterns, or another cycle of unfulfilled potential.

Dr. Ebojele, PhD in Public Administration, is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

(To be concluded)

Military Victory Without Peace Can Breed Fresh Conflicts — Agwai

A former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd.) has warned military and security professionals that defeating an adversary on the battlefield does not necessarily amount to victory if the grievances that triggered the conflict remain unresolved.

Agwai who also doubled as Chief of Army Staff then, gave the warning while delivering a lecture, “Introduction to Conflict Resolution Mechanism,” to participants of Naval Warfare Course 10 at the Naval War College Nigeria in Calabar on Friday.

The retired general said military intervention could become necessary in confronting violent conflicts but cautioned against treating military victory or the cessation of hostilities as synonymous with sustainable peace.

According to him, lasting peace could only be achieved when the political, social, and structural grievances underlying conflicts were deliberately addressed.

He said the ultimate objective of conflict resolution should be to move societies “away from destructive confrontation towards constructive engagement”, stressing that the absence of violence was not, by itself, evidence of sustainable peace.

Agwai, who has extensive experience in international peacekeeping operations, said repeated military engagements could fail to end conflicts where the underlying causes remained unattended.

He urged security professionals to understand the difference between conflict, crisis, violence, and war, noting that each required a response appropriate to its character and level of escalation.

“Not every conflict becomes violent, and not every violent situation requires the same resolution mechanism,” he said.

The former military chief identified early warning and early response as critical tools for preventing conflicts from escalating into violence.

He said authorities should be able to identify emerging tensions and deploy dialogue, mediation, community participation, and political engagement before disputes degenerated into armed confrontation.

Agwai said that where prevention failed, mechanisms such as ceasefires, negotiations, mediation, peacekeeping, separation of forces, and humanitarian intervention could be used to contain violence.

He, however, stressed that containment should not be mistaken for resolution, arguing that genuine conflict resolution must address the root causes of disputes and produce outcomes acceptable to the parties involved.

The retired general also introduced participants to the concept of conflict transformation, which he said went beyond simply stopping violence to changing the relationships, structures, and conditions that sustained conflicts.

He described negotiation as one of the most effective mechanisms for resolving conflicts because it enabled disputing parties to communicate directly, understand each other's interests, and take ownership of agreements reached.

“There is no single formula for resolving conflicts,” Agwai said, explaining that several mechanisms might have to be combined depending on the nature and circumstances of a particular conflict.

Drawing from his peacekeeping experience, including his service as Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and others, Agwai said military professionals must recognise the limitations of force in achieving lasting peace.

Agwai said his lecture was designed to combine academic knowledge with practical lessons from decades of military and international peace-support operations.

The Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye, described the lecture as “academy plus experience" noting that Agwai's decades of military and international service made him an exceptional resource person.

Muye commended the retired general for his sacrifices and courage during peace-support operations, particularly his engagements with parties to conflicts and rebels in difficult environments.

He said the Naval War College would continue to draw from Agwai's experience in preparing younger military officers and future strategic leaders.

JOSEF Advocates Family Empowerment as Key to Tackling Insecurity, Unveils Resource Centre Project

The Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) has called for greater empowerment of Nigerian families as a strategy for tackling insecurity and building safer and more resilient communities.

The foundation made the call at its 8th Annual Lecture Series and the unveiling of its proposed Resource Centre Building Project held at Chosen Hotel, Ekpoma.

The lecture, with the theme, “Household Havens: Forging Safer Nigerian Communities Through Empowered Families,” attracted academics, traditional rulers, government officials, security agencies, religious leaders, civil society organisations, teachers, students and other stakeholders.

Speaking with journalists, the Chief Responsibility Officer of JOSEF, Dr Jude Obasanmi, said the lecture was designed to promote the integration of the family into Nigeria’s security architecture.

Obasanmi said sustainable peace could only be achieved when families were empowered to raise responsible and productive citizens.

He said every Nigerian had a role to play in creating a secure environment where people could live and move freely without fear.

According to him, some families had inadvertently encouraged or tolerated criminal behaviour among their members.

“Criminals come from families. When families have access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities and other social services, they are better equipped to raise children who become responsible citizens rather than threats to society,” he said.

Delivering the lecture, a public affairs analyst and columnist, Mr Austin Isikhuemen, described the family as the first and most effective line of defence against insecurity.

Isikhuemen said although government had the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, sustainable security also depended on families deliberately instilling discipline, integrity, compassion and respect for the rule of law in their children.

He expressed concern over the growing impact of kidnapping, violent crimes, displacement, poverty and unemployment on Nigerian households.

Isikhuemen urged governments at all levels to strengthen security institutions through improved funding, equipment and welfare, while simultaneously investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation and other social services.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of JOSEF, Hon. Barr. J.B. Agbogun, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to transforming lives through interventions in education, healthcare, youth development, good governance and community mobilisation.

Agbogun said JOSEF had, since its establishment, remained committed to promoting human dignity, strengthening families and building resilient communities through sustainable development initiatives.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie, commended JOSEF for its commitment to education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and responsible governance through community engagement.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Chosen Hotel and Suites, Mr Samson Aturu, pledged the company’s continued partnership with the foundation, particularly in supporting widows’ welfare and educational programmes.

Representing the Onojie of Ekpoma, Elder Emmanuel Omonua conveyed the palace’s support for JOSEF’s humanitarian activities and prayed for the continued growth of the foundation.

Omonua, who also spoke as the National Coordinator of the Edo Okpa Unity Forum Worldwide, commended Obasanmi for his leadership and commitment to community development.

The immediate past Chairman of JOSEF, Prof. Matthew Izibili, applauded the current Board of Trustees, led by Agbogun, for sustaining the annual lecture series and expanding the foundation’s developmental impact.

The Executive Director of the Uromi Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas Initiative (UROMI-JDPCI), Very Rev. Fr. Dr Fidelis Arhedo, described JOSEF as a beacon of hope that had distinguished itself through public enlightenment, value reorientation, family development and community empowerment.

Dr Gloria Eifideyi, who represented the Chief Medical Director of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, also commended the foundation for sustaining the lecture series and pledged continued collaboration.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Sunny Eseugwu, described JOSEF as a selfless organisation committed to societal transformation, saying the lecture theme was timely and relevant given the country’s security challenges.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the proposed JOSEF Resource Centre Building Project.

The centre is envisaged as a permanent hub for youth counselling, leadership development, family-life education, mentorship, research and community empowerment.

The project attracted financial and material commitments from guests and well-wishers who expressed support for its successful execution.

The foundation said the lecture and unveiling of the resource centre reinforced its commitment to strengthening families as the foundation for safer communities, sustainable development and a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

Assessing Navy’s response to insecurity on Cross River waterways

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

For residents of Cross River’s coastal communities, the waterways are more than channels connecting the state to the Atlantic Ocean.

They are routes to fishing grounds, farms and markets and, for many communities, an indispensable part of everyday life.

In recent years, however, the same waterways have become a source of fear, with kidnapping, militancy and other forms of maritime criminality threatening residents and economic activities.

The situation has consequently placed the Nigerian Navy at the centre of efforts to secure the state’s maritime environment, with the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY, under the Eastern Naval Command, leading operations in the area.

Cross River has a long coastline and an intricate network of rivers, creeks and channels, some providing access to remote communities that are difficult to reach by land.

While the waterways serve legitimate economic purposes, their difficult terrain also provides opportunities for criminals to move, hide and launch attacks.

For residents of Ine-Utang Day Spring Peninsula in Bakassi Local Government Area, for instance, the insecurity has become part of their daily reality.

They allege that militants regularly harass and assault residents, while taking away food items, money and other valuables.

Mr Happiness Asuquo, a resident, said the activities of the attackers had made life difficult for people in the community.

“These people also take money from us and have made our lives miserable,” he said.

Beyond the reported attacks on communities, the security challenges have also affected passengers using the Calabar-Oron water channel, which links Cross River with neighbouring Akwa Ibom.

Kidnappers have reportedly exploited the route, especially as commuters turn to waterways because of the poor condition of the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway.

Indeed, according to available accounts, no fewer than 52 passengers were abducted in three separate incidents along the route.

In April 2026, gunmen reportedly ambushed a commercial boat operated by a ferry service company and abducted 15 passengers.

Many of the victims were students travelling to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Similarly, in September 2025, another commercial ferry was intercepted along the same route, with 17 passengers abducted.

The attackers reportedly forced some of the passengers into the creeks after their getaway boat could no longer accommodate them.

Earlier, in April 2025, gunmen intercepted a transit vessel along the waterway and abducted 20 passengers.

Taken together, the incidents have heightened concerns over the safety of commuters and other legitimate users of the waterways.

The Cross River experience, however, is part of a wider maritime-security challenge confronting the Gulf of Guinea.

According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), 21 piracy and armed-robbery incidents were reported in the Gulf of Guinea in 2025, compared with 18 in 2024 and 22 in 2023.

The IMB also recorded the kidnapping of 23 crew members in four separate incidents in the region in 2025, alongside three hostages and one injured crew member.

Globally, meanwhile, 137 piracy and armed-robbery incidents against ships were recorded in 2025, compared with 116 in 2024, although most were classified as lower-level incidents.

The IMB also reported that 25 crew members were kidnapped globally in 2025, compared with 12 in 2024, underscoring the continuing threat to people operating on waterways and at sea.

Nevertheless, the broader picture suggests that sustained maritime-security cooperation and naval presence can produce significant results.

The IMB has continued to point to active patrolling and robust naval responses as important deterrents, while urging authorities to maintain their presence in areas vulnerable to maritime crime.

For the Gulf of Guinea, regional cooperation has consequently become an important part of the response.

A major framework is the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, adopted in 2013 by 25 West and Central African countries to combat piracy, armed robbery against ships and other illicit maritime activities.

The framework provides for greater cooperation, information sharing, capacity building and coordination among countries and regional institutions.

In addition, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Republic of Korea launched a $3 million SMART-C Maritime Security and Counter-Piracy Project in November 2025.

The project is designed to strengthen the capacity of Gulf of Guinea coastal states to combat piracy and other maritime crimes through enhanced maritime-security capabilities and regional cooperation.

At the same time, regional stakeholders are also turning to technology to complement traditional naval operations.

The IMO says recent maritime-security discussions in the region have highlighted satellite and drone surveillance, artificial-intelligence-based risk mapping, improved incident reporting and public-private partnerships as tools for strengthening maritime-domain awareness and operational response.

Beyond technology and patrols, the regional approach also recognises the importance of cooperation with coastal communities.

This is particularly relevant to Cross River, where fishermen, traders, passengers and residents often have first-hand knowledge of movements along isolated creeks and channels.

For such communities, insecurity on the waterways goes beyond the immediate danger of an attack.

In practical terms, fear can discourage people from travelling, reduce fishing activities and disrupt the movement of goods between coastal communities.

Against this backdrop, the Nigerian Navy established a forward security outpost at Dayspring Island, also known as Idung I/Peacock Crossing, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

The outpost, established in May 2026, is intended to strengthen security along the Calabar-Oron water channel and curb kidnapping, militant activities and other maritime crimes.

Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, Commander, NNS VICTORY, said the Navy remained committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and their collaborators.

According to him, the objective is to create a maritime environment where fishermen can safely access their fishing grounds, traders can move their goods and residents can travel between communities without fear.

“Cross River waterways represent an important economic asset. If effectively secured, they can support livelihoods, facilitate commerce and contribute to the development of the state’s maritime economy,” he said.

Ahmed said sustained intelligence-driven operations and the Navy’s presence in the area had helped to degrade criminal activities and disrupt the support networks of criminals.

At the same time, maritime insecurity in Cross River extends beyond kidnapping and militancy.

Rear Adm. Chiekezie Okehie said crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other activities associated with the petroleum industry remained concerns requiring sustained attention.

In this regard, he said the vast network of waterways and creeks in the Niger Delta made it impossible for security personnel to physically monitor every channel at all times.

Consequently, information from communities, surveillance and intelligence networks are critical to identifying threats before they escalate.

Okehie said the Navy had continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.

More importantly, he stressed that the complexity of the threats meant that no single security agency could tackle them alone.

“Kidnapping, militancy and crude oil theft often involve networks that cross geographical and operational boundaries.

“This requires collaboration among the Navy, police, other security agencies, local authorities and host communities.

“Such cooperation is particularly important because criminals can exploit gaps between agencies.

“A suspect who escapes from one operational area can move into another. Information sharing can help close such gaps,” he said.

Okehie said recent Navy operations had combined patrols, intelligence gathering and targeted raids to confront criminal activities in the waterways.

Nevertheless, he said sustained pressure was necessary to prevent criminal groups from establishing alternative bases after their camps were dismantled.

To achieve this, he said, regular patrols, improved intelligence gathering, stronger community relations and effective coordination among security agencies would be required.

Equally important, he stressed the need to ensure that legitimate users of the waterways were not unnecessarily disrupted by security operations.

Dr Judex Okoro, Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, commended the Navy for its efforts and appealed for greater collaboration among all stakeholders, including sister security agencies.

“For the Navy and its partners, the challenge now is to sustain that pressure until security becomes a permanent feature of Cross River’s maritime environment rather than an occasional response to emerging threats”.

Ultimately, for Cross River’s coastal residents, safer waterways mean safer journeys, more secure livelihoods and greater confidence to return to the waters that sustain their communities.

Stakeholders say restoring safety requires more than stopping criminal attacks, but protecting fishing, transportation, trade and access to essential services.

They call for closer intelligence sharing among security agencies, regular patrols, stronger surveillance of vulnerable routes and timely response to distress calls.

They also stress the need for coastal communities to provide credible information to security agencies, while government authorities address infrastructure gaps that push more commuters towards vulnerable waterways. (NANFeatures)

Giving the SHINE Agenda A Practical Grassroots Presence

By, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

One topic that is less discussed when problems of governance in Nigeria come up, is the seeming long distance between government and the governed. In many parts of our country, state capitals exist and often very remotely from community or village squares. So are the myriads of plans, policies and programmes, announced in Government Houses in the State capitals. The result: they take long times to reach the communities they are meant to benefit.

Just now, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s approval of 4,800 special assistants is aimed at closing the gap by taking government closer to the people at the ward level. In his words, “What is from the top will also go down to the bottom". It was while meeting APC stakeholders at the Government House in Benin City.

The statement captures the thinking behind the initiative. For two years, as Executive Governor, Senator Okpebholo has pursued the SHINE Agenda, built around security, healthcare, infrastructure, education and natural resources. But announcing projects and policies is one thing; ensuring that people in communities understand, access and benefit from them is another.

The 4,800 appointments, based on 25 special assistants for each of Edo’s 192 wards, therefore deserve to be viewed beyond the immediate politics of appointments. For the governor they represent an attempt, at least in principle, to create a grassroots governance structure that can connect state-level policy with community-level realities.

For most scholars, grassroots governance are systems of government and decision-making that are anchored closer to communities, wards and neighbourhoods rather than concentrated in state or federal headquarters.

The core is decentralised decision-making. Rather than having policies being developed and implemented entirely from Benin City, for example, Governor Okpebholo is resorting to local structures to provide information and input on how his policies should work in particular communities.

The reason this matters is that communities do not always have the same needs. Take a healthcare problem for example. The situation in one ward may be completely different from the security concern in another. A community struggling with access roads to evacuate it's agricultural produce definitely require a different intervention from one dealing with erosion and flooding, youth restiveness or access to schools.

Grassroots governance recognises these differences. It allows government to respond to problems as they are experienced locally rather than relying exclusively on broad, one-size-fits-all policies. This is where the special assistants could become important.

All over the world, government is often experienced by ordinary citizens not through policy documents but through the availability of services, information and people who can answer questions.
Many a resident who wants to know about a government's health programme, road project, empowerment scheme or security initiative should not necessarily have to travel to the state capital or wait for information to pass through several layers of bureaucracy.

An embedded government presence at the ward level can reduce that distance. The special assistants is proposed to become the people residents approach for information about government programmes. They could explain what Governor Okpebholo has been doing, identify problems with implementation and communicate community concerns to higher levels of government. In a sense, they would serve as translators between policy and everyday life.

Governor Okpebholo's SHINE Agenda is already clear at the level of government planning, now its real meaning is going to be determined by what happens in our communities. A healthcare improvement programme, for example, becomes meaningful when residents know which facilities are benefiting, what services are available and what shortcomings remain. The same applies to roads, security interventions, education and other government programmes.

The governor is no longer just announcing the SHINE Agenda, but making it visible and understandable at ward level. It is now about participation of the governed not just communication. A functioning grassroots structure comes on stream not as a one-way communication channel in which government tells citizens what it has decided, it also allow citizens to tell government what they need.

Ward meetings, community forums, associations and other local structures will help provide channels for this exchange. The advantage is that government will now receive information from people who live with the consequences of its decisions. Residents know where roads are failing, which health centres are not functioning properly, where security threats are emerging and which government interventions are producing results.

This makes local knowledge an important and critical part of governance. For our state, the heartbeat of the country, the 192-ward structure provides useful framework for collecting such information. The special assistants will be required, encouraged and empowered to listen as much as they speak.

Governor Okpebholo has acknowledged the political role of party members when he said the initiative recognised “the collective efforts of party members in securing the APC’s victory.” This political reality cannot be ignored. The appointments are being made within a political environment, and party structures are clearly part of the administration’s grassroots strategy. The governor knows that political structures can also serve administrative purposes if they are properly managed.

Edo people who understand their communities can help government communicate more effectively, identify emerging concerns and mobilise residents around legitimate public programmes. Yes, special assistants are primarily party mobilizers whose main responsibility is to protect political interests, but the broader goal of grassroots governance is central. They will combine political awareness with clear public-service responsibilities.

When government representatives are physically and organisationally present within a ward, citizens know whom to approach when something goes wrong. That is potentially more effective than directing every complaint to a distant ministry or government office.

The state government will establish what each special assistant is expected to do, how often they should report, who supervises them and how their performance will be assessed. The appointees will also have a defined channel for escalating community concerns. They will be trained or reporting mechanisms and measurable responsibilities. The resources available and the limits of their authority will also be specified.

With 25 special assistants in each of Edo’s 192 wards, the government is creating a sizeable grassroots network - a structure that will not only improve communication but also local intelligence.

As Edo State APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe puts it, the party has established guidelines for selecting the special assistants. Those guidelines no doubt have taken consideration of those who understand their communities, are able to communicate effectively and possess demonstrable a willingness to work. Their duties will include ability to explain government programmes clearly; identify local problems early and track projects and report failures.

Governor Okpebholo is moving away from a model in which government decisions are made in the state capital and communities simply wait for their effects. His plan is for a government that is more visible, accessible and embedded in the places where people live. This model would give the SHINE Agenda a practical grassroots presence.

Ebojele, PhD in Public Administration and is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Obudu Ranch Concession: Otu’s Aide Seeks Community Support for Successful Take-Off

Mr Sunday Michael, Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River on Obudu Ranch Resort, has appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youths to support the concessionaire of the resort for the successful take-off of the rehabilitation project.

He made the appeal on Sunday at a stakeholders engagement on the concession of the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Obanliku Local Government Area of the state.

Michael described the development as a new chapter in the history of the iconic tourist destination.

He said the concession presented an opportunity to restore the Ranch to its former glory and reposition it as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations.

The special adviser expressed appreciation to Gov. Bassey Otu for his commitment to reviving strategic state assets and restoring the Obudu Ranch Resort to its rightful position in the global tourism industry.

According to him, the governor’s vision and determination have been instrumental to bringing the concession process to its present stage."

He welcomed Living Curation Estate Ltd. as the concession partner, saying the state government appreciated the company’s confidence in the enormous potential of the Ranch and Cross River.

He assured that the government would work closely with the concessionaire to facilitate the restoration of the resort to international standards.

Michael, who said he had worked closely with the Ranch over the years, commended the host communities for maintaining peace and supporting efforts to revive the facility despite the challenges it had faced.

“Today, we begin a new chapter. The concession represents a new phase in the life of the Ranch.

“While the concessionaire will take the lead in rehabilitating, developing and operating the resort in accordance with the concession agreement, our collective objective remains unchanged.

"The aim is to create a Ranch that will generate employment, attract tourists and investors, stimulate local businesses and improve the lives of our people,” he said.

He assured stakeholders that the concessionaire would assume responsibility for the day-to-day implementation and operation of the project.

He, however, noted that the state government would continue to monitor the process to ensure that the objectives of the concession were achieved.

Michael said the government would also work to protect the interests of the state and host communities throughout the implementation of the agreement.

He, therefore, urged traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youths to regard the concessionaire as a development partner and provide the peaceful environment, cooperation, and hospitality needed for the project to succeed.

He also assured Living Curation Estate Ltd. of the full cooperation of the state government, the Project Implementation Committee, and the people of Obanliku.

The special adviser appealed to all parties to address concerns, disagreements, or misunderstandings through dialogue and established communication channels.

According to him, the Project Implementation Committee, his office, and designated community liaison structures would remain accessible to stakeholders throughout the implementation of the concession.

Michael said the government was committed to listening to concerns, resolving issues promptly, and sustaining the partnership in an atmosphere of peace, transparency, mutual respect, and trust.

He said the concession was about more than the rehabilitation of buildings and infrastructure, stressing that its broader objective was to restore hope, create opportunities for young people and lay the foundation for sustainable economic development in Obanliku and Cross River.

He called on the people of the area to take ownership of the process by supporting the concessionaire and ensuring that the project delivered lasting benefits to the host communities.

The Obudu Ranch Resort is one of Nigeria’s best-known mountain tourism destinations and has historically attracted visitors because of its scenic landscape, temperate climate, and high-altitude location.

C’River PDP reaffirms support for Wike, endorses candidates

The Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike

The chapter also expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

The resolutions are contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held on Thursday in Calabar.

The communique signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Mike Ojisi, said the meeting was chaired by the State Chairman of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem.

According to the communiqué, the SEC expressed appreciation to Wike for what it described as his support and contributions to the Cross River chapter of the party.

The committee also congratulated Prof. Sandy Onor, on his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, describing him as a leader with the capacity to provide national leadership.

It further acknowledged Onor’s contributions and support to the state chapter of the party.

The SEC criticised the administration of the ruling party in Cross River, alleging poor governance, and expressed optimism that the PDP would regain control of the state through the democratic process.

The committee also inaugurated new members of the State Executive Committee and charged them to remain committed, diligent and loyal to the party.

According to the communiqué, candidates who emerged from the party’s recently concluded primary elections were presented to the SEC and received the endorsement of members.

The candidates were urged to leverage the party’s structure in their campaigns ahead of the elections.

The committee also echoed the position of the party’s governorship candidate, Sir Arthur-Jarvis Archibong, that the PDP remained the state’s strongest opposition party and was poised for a turnaround.

The SEC further directed chapter chairmen to review the progress of the party’s electronic membership registration exercise and intensify efforts toward its successful completion.

It said the committee also considered a report on the affairs of the party since the current leadership assumed office and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the PDP across the state.

The meeting ended with members pledging to uphold the party’s constitution; deepen internal democracy and work toward building a stronger PDP in Cross River.

C’River: Navy seeks stronger inter-agency collaboration on maritime disaster response


By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

The Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN) has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, emergency management institutions and other critical stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and response in Cross River’s maritime environment.

The call was the central focus of a three-day Inter-Agency Cooperation in Maritime Security Operations Seminar organised by the College for participants of Naval Warfare Course 10, which ended on Friday in Calabar.

The seminar had as its theme: “Effective Inter-Agency Collaboration for Enhanced Disaster Response in Cross River State’s Maritime Environment.”

The Commandant of NWCN, Rear Adm. Mohammed Muye, said the growing threat of climate-induced disasters demands coordinated and proactive action.

Muye noted that no single institution possesses the capacity to effectively tackle the increasingly complex challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime environment.

He observed that Cross River faces mounting threats from flooding, coastal erosion, storm surges and other marine environmental hazards driven largely by climate change and human activities.

According to him, these challenges require a well-coordinated response anchored on effective planning, timely information sharing and sustained collaboration among security agencies, emergency management organisations and other relevant stakeholders.


Muye described the seminar as a strategic initiative aimed at deepening institutional partnerships, promoting the exchange of professional knowledge and developing practical solutions to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response within the state’s maritime domain.

“The complexity of today’s maritime disasters requires a united approach.

“Effective cooperation among all stakeholders is essential to safeguarding lives, protecting critical infrastructure and preserving the marine environment,” he said.

In a keynote address, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Helen Egodo, described the seminar as a timely intervention aimed at building resilient communities through effective partnerships.

Egodo, represented by Dr Edet David, Principal Community Development Officer (Disaster Management and Migration) in the ministry, said the platform went beyond an academic exercise.

She noted that it provided an opportunity for institutions to develop practical frameworks capable of improving emergency preparedness and disaster response across the maritime sector.

Egodo identified the establishment of a Maritime Emergency Coordination Centre as a key recommendation for improving disaster management.

She also listed regular multi-agency simulation exercises, development of a unified disaster information management system, and harmonisation of standard operating procedures among response agencies as critical measures.

According to her, institutionalising joint planning and capacity-building programmes would further strengthen disaster response.

Egodo added that implementing these measures would significantly improve interoperability, enhance operational synergy and boost stakeholders’ collective capacity to prevent and respond effectively to maritime emergencies.

Also speaking, Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, urged participants not to allow the seminar’s recommendations to remain on paper.

Okehie called on the State Emergency Management Agency to work closely with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, security and law enforcement organisations, maritime stakeholders, environmental institutions and host communities to implement the resolutions.

He stressed that strengthening inter-agency cooperation remains critical to protecting lives, safeguarding maritime resources and improving disaster resilience in Cross River.

Okehie added that the seminar underscored NWCN’s growing role as a strategic think-tank fostering policy dialogue, professional development and institutional collaboration in support of Nigeria’s maritime security and national development objectives. (NAN)

Naval chief inaugurates 250 capacity hall, others in C'River

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), has inaugurated 250 capacity multiple purpose hall and two Solar-powered boreholes at Kutia community in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River.

Abbas who inaugurated the projects on Friday said they were executed in honour of the former Naval Chief of Training, Rear Admiral Clement Atebi.

Represented by at the ceremony by the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Steven Ibrahim, the CNS described the event as yet another milestone in the Nigerian Navy Civil Military Cooperation records.

He added that the project not only resonates with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, it aptly captured the essence for the quick impact project as conceived by the Nigerian Navy

He expressed conviction that the project will enhance the quality of lives in the community.

While commending Atebi for completing the project on schedule, he also congratulated him and Kutia community for the noble projects and enjoined them to use the facilities responsibly.

"I want to appeal to the community and Cross River at large to, in keeping with the tenets of Civil Military Cooperation, continue to collaborate with the Navy, and other security agencies as they eliminate threats to the nation's collective well-being," he pleaded.

He further acknowledged the massive support from the community and Cross River State from the commencement of the project to its completion.

It would be recalled that the CNS had in 2024 launched the Special Intervention Quick Impact Project to facilitate the attainment of the re-invigorated Nigerian Navy's Civil Military Cooperation's.

The Naval boss had said that the
mandate of the intervention was to contribute to ongoing Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda.

"These projects are avenues for the Nigerian Navy to honour its accomplished senior officers.

"It is also an indication that beyond physically securing lives and properties, the Nigerian Navy is committed to serving the interests of Nigerians through other ways," he explained.

In his remarks, the projects facilitator, Atebi, said the projects represents unity, progress, hope and collective aspirations.

According to him, the town hall will serve as centre for community meetings, educational programmes, cultural activities, social gatherings, conflict resolution, and youth empowerment initiatives and celebrations.

"All this will strengthen the bonds of peace and harmony among the people of the community."

He emphasized that the solar-powered boreholes will improve public health, reduce water-borne diseases, and improve the quality of life in the village.

He also stressed that the project would not have been possible without the visionary leadership and generosity of the Chief of the Naval Staff.

He, therefore, expressed the community's appreciation for the opportunity and also urged the people of Kutia to protect, maintain and use them responsibly so future generation will continue to benefit.

In the same vein, the Paramount Ruler of Obudu, Utsu Okudare thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff for the kind gesture.

He noted that the multipurpose hall will be used by the entire Obudu community to advance peace and security through religious functions, dispute resolutions, amongst others.