Inside Cross River News

Author: Editor

  • Efenji Nicholas Iyiukanne A Rising Star In Cross River Politics

    The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority, born into a humble background in the late 80’s to the family of late Hon. Efenji Edward Agabi from Gakem in Bekwarra Local Government Area. Efenji Nicholas is armed with passion, resilience and determination in his date with destiny.

    His early education at St Mark Primary School Gakem, was the formative years which fueled his drive for success, and earned him his First School Leaving Certificate FSLC in 1996. He was enrolled into St. Thomas College Ogoja for his Junior Secondary School and later got his WASSC at Federal Science College, Ogoja.
    In his determination to acquire University education, he got admission to study Geology at the University of Calabar.

    After successful graduation in 2014, he was mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps to serve in Delta State with the Federal Inland Waterways, in the Administrative and Survey Department, a national task he embarked on with service and passion.

    By dint of hard work Efenji has grown through the ranks, he partnered with Ajebo Clothing as Sales Representative and later ventured into Real Estate business. He worked with many property firms and garnered a lot of experience, as Administrator and Investment Advisor at White Avenue Real Estate, later at Bell Homes and Properties as Marketing Manager, Homadil Realty as a Consultant, and later with Nana Hamsad as a very experienced Consultant which formed the crux of the foundation of Efenji Homes and Properties.

    A budding entrepreneur whose meteoric rise is a testament of hard work, dedication and commitment, a Realtor, a Change Engineer, politician and community advocate. Efenji Nicholas is the MD/CEO of Efenji Homes and Properties, who has grown his business to enviable heights less than a decade.

    He did not just venture into seeking public office, his love for politics and community development was propelled by his late father’s quest to change the narrative in Bekwarra politics. He grew under his father’s tutelage and developed passion to serve his people and change the development dynamics of Bekwarra.

    He was a member of the defunct Action Congress Nigeria ACN. A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress who worked for the victory of the party in the 2015 general elections. His aspiration to become Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government in 2024 received massive support from the youths and every segment of the society.

    Efenji, a frontline Chairmanship aspirant in the 2024 Local Government election, gained a lot of popularity when he consulted widely, seeking the people’s support from the ten wards of Bekwarra. The young Efenji has a knack for excellence, this was displayed in his clarity of vision and content in his manifesto during the campaigns. This earned him an award of recognition from Inside Cross River News Magazine.

    AWARD OF RECOGNITION

    1 Nigeria Youth League
    Achiever per excellence award.

    2 Northern Youth Peace Ambassadors.
    National outstanding leadership award (Icon of Transformation/Peace Ambassador.

    3 National Association of Nigeria student (NANS) Beacon of Hope.

    4 Inside Cross River News Magazine award of recognition for clarity of vision and content in his manifesto.

    Like a Rubicon Efenji has no point of return, he is busy building networks, connecting with every fabric in Cross River State and building friendship. If given great responsibility in the State, he will wield a lot of influence and bring dividends of quality leadership.

  • Sir Frank Barry Bankong Joins The All Progressives Congress Amidst Fanfare

    It was a gathering of political gladiators, movers and shakers of Boki politics as the All Progressives Congress received dozens of defectors into the party in Kakwagom, Boki Local Government Area. The new members who came in their numbers to the APC family, assured the party of their commitment to move it forward.

    Sir Frank Barry Bankong (KSM) an astute politician, is a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party, a Pathfinder, and Scholar from Kakwagom Community, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    As a staunch party man, he had worked for the unity of the People’s Democratic Party and promoted the ideals that nurtured internal democracy of the party. One time PDP Legal Adviser in Cross River State, former State Director Public Utility, former House of Assembly Aspirant in Boki 2 constituency. He contested against 10 aspirants in the primaries and had a tie. His popularity and political strength was exhibited during the keenly contested rerun of the State House of Assembly primaries where he was defeated with just one vote.

    Barry Bankong is a political gladiator whose wealth of experience will be tapped into as he formally joined the All Progressives Congress on the 30th of December 2023. Barry pulled about 400 of his supporters in the Kakwagom rally as he joined hands with the All Progressives Congress to build the party in the State.

    A long standing friend of Hon. Victor Bisong Abang, Member representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency and his Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu, he intends to move the party forward and project the State positively in the People’s First Mandate of Prince Otu.

  • Beyond 60 Days In Office: Hon. Christopher Agbeh Embarking On A Transformative Journey

    Beyond 60 Days In Office: Hon. Christopher Agbeh Embarking On A Transformative Journey

    By: Amb Kanjal Awam

    The Local Government administration is the third tier of government and closest to people. The supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy gave the people a ray of hope and a sigh of relief as expectations of the people are now high and responsibilities for Council Chairmen is glaring. It’s beyond 60 days into the administration of Hon. Christopher Agbeh, Executive Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, and Inside Cross River News Magazine is keeping tabs on the achievements of the Chairman.

    Recall that Governor Bassey Otu inaugurated the 18 Local Government Council Chairmen on November 4th, 2024, with a charge on them to be transparent and deliver dividends to the grassroot. So far, Hon. Christopher Agbeh has not rested on his oars, he has embarked on far reaching initiatives and executed policy decisions that have distinguished him among his peers.

     

    On assumption of office, Hon. Christopher Agbeh has executed his mandate with a high level of dedication and ingenuity. He has maintained the pace through smart initiatives, policies and programs. To curry the support of the grassroot he has embarked on radical decisions that form the nucleus of his administration from day one.

    Security and transport infrastructure are pivotal to the socioeconomic development and transformation of the people. While security guarantees the safety of lives and property, transport infrastructure fosters human interaction, movement of goods and services, socioeconomic development and wellbeing of the people.

    The launch of the Ogoja Council Line shuttle Services by Hon. Christopher Agbeh in December 2024, was a game changer for transportation infrastructure for Ogoja. Investigation by our Reporter in Ogoja, reveals that the transportation burden is eased, people now have alternative means of transportation as competition is rife. Before now transport fares to Ndok Junction was ranging between #1500 and #2000, but with the launch of the Council’s Shuttle Services, a ride is now #500 to Ndok Junction, giving the people a new lease of life.

    One of the parameters for measuring sustainable development is the Human Development Index (HDI). It is a statistical composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which is used to rank countries into four tiers of human development.

    Going by our assessment, beyond 60 Days in office of 18 Council Chairmen in Cross River State and placing Ogoja side by side with other Local Government Areas. The scorecard and deliverables are high, suffice to say that the records are a clear indication of early start which speaks for itself. At the launch of the Ogoja Council Shuttle Services, Governor Otu lauded the Chairman’s early achievements, particularly the unveiling of a mass transit fleet within just one month in office, an impressive feat accomplished without external funding. The Governor pledged to return to Ogoja with additional support and goodwill. Reacting during the launch of Ogoja Council Line Shuttle Services, the Chairman Hon. Christopher Agbeh reiterated his commitment to improve the living conditions of the people. The statement reads; “to aggressively reduce poverty, hunger and hardship, thus the floating of the Bus Shuttle will reduce transportation fare and increase IGR as well as engage the youths meaningfully”.

    Another milestone recorded by the Chairman is the launch of Okada Riders Vest. Before now activities of Okada Riders were left unchecked, with criminals infiltrating the business to unleash mayhem on law abiding citizens. Highlighting the launch of the Security Vest for Okada Riders, Hon. Christopher Agbeh said it is part of his commitment in enhancing the living conditions of the people and boosting the infrastructural development of Ogoja.

    Like the African proverb that says you will know a good dancer by his dance steps. Hon. Christopher Agbeh has paid the supreme price for quality representation, Ogoja is in for real business of good governance.

  • Reliving The 2024 Carnival Calabar: The Package, The Pomp And Pageantry

    Reliving The 2024 Carnival Calabar: The Package, The Pomp And Pageantry

    The 2024 Carnival Calabar was big, bold and entertaining. Guests from all over the country came in their numbers. Since its inception the Carnival Calabar has grown in content, package and delivery. The annual event has evolved from not just a carnival to a cultural melting pot for different states and tribes in Nigeria. The theme for the 2024 event was: OUR SHARED PROSPERITY, the delectable Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu whose administration conceived the Cultural Carnival to leverage on the, culture, heritage, tourism potentials, traffic and boost the state’s IGR.

    Known for its hospitality Cross River State has huge untapped potentials in tourism, according to Media Aide to Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Mr Andrea Ekeng the carnival is estimated to generate over 10 billion in revenue to the State. A social media influencer and Entrepreneur Mr Simon Utsu, also corroborated his stance with Mr Ekeng on the revenue earnings of Carnival Calabar to the state. Highlighting the revenue potentials to the state he said 10 billion naira will be injected into the state through expenses in hotels and accommodations, costumes, alcohol beverages, tours, transportation and consumables. This is huge revenue earnings for the state in one month.

    The pomp, pageantry, finesse and display themes of the 2024 carnival was a sight to behold. Carefully coined to tangle with the season of sweetness. The packaging, planning, strategy, innovation and delivery was superb. Calas Vegas, Akwa Ibom and Yakurr Local emerged winners in different categories, band, State and local government categories. The Senior Carnival category saw Calas Vegas emerge as the winner, Calas Vegas’s alluring costumes, energetic performances, and creative themes impressed the judges and spectators.

    THE WINNERS

    Local Government Carnival: Yakurr (1st), Calabar Municipal (2nd), Odukpani (3rd)
    Senior Carnival: Calas Vegas (1st), Seagull (2nd), Freedom Band (3rd)
    Children’s Carnival: Calas Vegas (1st), Seagull (2nd), Bayside Band (3rd)
    Cultural/State Carnival: Akwa Ibom State (1st), Osun State (2nd), Delta State (3rd).

    Reacting, the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, said that the 2024 Calabar Carnival was bigger and better than previous editions in terms of turnout, resources and international attention. Duke made the assessment while fielding questions from journalists in Calabar Saturday at a victory party organized to celebrate Calas Vegas Band, winner of the 2024 edition of Calabar Carnival.

    Appraising the Carnival, Duke who is the Calas Vegas Band leader said that “the Carnival from all indications was bigger than all what we’ve had in the recent past. The turnout of bands – the non-competing bands were more in number.

    Since its inception in Donald Duke’s administration, the Carnival Calabar has increased in scope, planning and size. With 18 States in Nigeria, 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State participated in the cultural carnival exhibiting their rich culture and heritage. The rich cultural display of the Efik, Ejagham and Bette cultures was savoured by guests who relished the warmth and hospitality of Cross River.

    The 2024 Carnival may have come and gone but it relives a lot of memories in the State. It has also increased the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.